Driven front axle options?
 

After running my Mack Dump Truck in the dirt a lot this weekend I really want to put a driven front axle in it. What are my options as far as axles? And where is the best place to get one of those extended main shafts for the 3speed tamiya tranny to power the front axle?

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

I use the TLT-1 tamiya axle you can get a new axle kit from tower hobbies but it would be cheaper to try evilbay. As for the shaft they are on e bay as well but you could just buy an Axial trans to use as a transfer case I have used two of them and they work great and they are about $35-40. Here are my trucks with the TLT-1 in them. You can also use a highlift axle they have the same gear ratio as well but they are wider than the TLT-1

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...k/102_1714.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/IM000421.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/IM000414.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/IM000413.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...p/IM000812.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...p/IM000663.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...p/IM000664.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...p/IM000665.jpg

I hope this helps.
Travis

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

Thanks Travis I'l see if can find a good deal on a tlt1 axle then.

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

Scott the Axial trans also gives you a 3:1 reduction as well so no need for a GRU on the motor.

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

The gear doctor and bamatech (both german) sell modified semi axles as steer drive axles but they are pricey. Can even get locking but they are hard on spiders.

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

Thanks for all the info.

Which rcchannel axle is used for the front of a rig? Would it be narrower than a tlt-1 axle?

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

SmallHaul, This is the diff between stock & rc channels narrowed.
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...mppics4224.jpg
Now carson & rc channel.
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...mppics4225.jpg
With these two you can run super singles w/out dickin around.
Now TLT.
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...mppics4223.jpg
F-350.
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...mppics4222.jpg
This will give you the low down in a row.
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...mppics4228.jpg
Hope this helps.
FGD

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

Great info Freddy! You should make this a sticky.

So, starting from narrowest to widest:

1) Stock front axle

2) Carson

3) Rcchannel narrow

4) TLT-1

5) F-350

Does that look right?

If so, where would I get a Carson axle? and how much?:)

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

BINGO!That's the exact order.
SmallHaul,the carson front diff is like $200.:eek:
For the same price you can get this.
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...mppics4229.jpg
But! Now you have to buy a set of semi rear diffs to match the front. The rear diff that comes w/the front is two wide for semi. But you can't beat the look of these babies.
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...mppics4076.jpg
The carson is like 2mm narrower than rc/channel.
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...mppics4230.jpg
The carson I was purchasing from pmd. But surf a little & you can pick them up a lot cheaper.
Hope this helps!
FGD

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

The carson PN is 500907002. Dual output is 500907003. :D Still will be over 200 by the time you pay euros and get it shipped here.

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

I saw some on e-bay awhile back. They went for around $100 each.
But now that I'm lookin for some,none to be had.
Oh! While I think of it. STRONGLY suggest you use a transfercase!
If you try to use a dual output shaft trany,where is the front drive shaft gunna go. Unless your going to cut the dump box,& stick the tany in there.Remember,the drive shaft has to be telescopic for diff movement.
There tons of things to use for a transfer case. One of my favorites,is what travis showed you. Most of the time,I mod the f-350 trany for my dumps.That seems to be the best route for me. You can pick them up all over.(cheap!) Then if you go that route,I'll show you the mod I do to them.Then there the perfect speed.( Nice & slow). & this will cost you around $50-70 TOTAL!:D
FGD
Good luck!

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

You are right, I would have to move the trans way back to use a dual output shaft on it. I'll look for a f-350 trans then. I e-mailed rcchannel to see if they would sell me 1 front f-350 narrow axle (fingers crossed).

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

I'm planning on building my Volvo as 4WD. For the front axle I'll be trying this:
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=120531
Or buying a German unit already built.

Seeing the pics Fhhhstix posted though, a standard TLT axle looks to bring the front axle width out to match the outer rear tires, so even a slightly narrowed TLT should look pretty good.

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

Thanks Thorsteenster, narrowing the TLT1's would be cool!

Where would I get the TLT axle C's?

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

I've gotten them in the past from RCP Crawlers, but they don't have them in stock at the moment. I hope they will soon though, I'll PM them on RCC and see what's up.
http://rcpcrawlers.com/product.php?productid=847

Also, here's a product plug for RCP, they make some killer R&P sets for the TLT/semi axles.
http://rcpcrawlers.com/product.php?p...&cat=17&page=1

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

i second this one for a sticky
just needs the widths of each axle in numbers

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

I found TLT axle C's:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

Probably your best bet to try this sooner rather than later.
Another crawler that makes them but out of stock:
http://www.montanascaledesigns.com/s...products_id=32

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

I Agree, I did buy a set of C's from that ebay link.

I'll get the tlt-1 axle off of ebay too. It seems the f-350 tranny might be the hard part. I have an f-350 sitting here that I rarely run that I can use and just replace it when I find one. I don't like to do that though.

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

You can always just get a transfer case from RC4WD or Eritex. Or really a bit of rod and a couple pinions for something simple, especially if it's hidden from view.

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

This is a fantactic forum. I have read this several times and have more understanding of what is required for a 6x6. I have also searched for an F350 transmission but no luck so far.
Fred, you demonstrated the difference's in manufactors front axle's very well - thank you for that.

Bob

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

Guys, now that the front diff is sorted I would now like know about the transmission options. Has anyone used the RC4WD 3 speed full metal transmission? The gear ratios seem a little bit fast? How someone can shead some light here.

Bob

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

Smallhaul is doing this:
http://rctruckandconstruction.com/showthread.php?t=236
Or you can look around for a High Lift trans.
As well RC4WD and Eritex make some nice transfer cases, don't know how well they'd look on a semi tho lol.

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

Thanks Thorsteenster, that statement gave me the idea to make this:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...de2-tranny.jpg

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

That's good thinking there. I have a semi trans and have been thinking how I'd couple it to a t-case, never thought about just building one on the back!

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

Gee thats good thinking. Anyway to make the front engage and disengage?

Bob

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

Thanks, Thorsteenster

Thanks, here is one way to disconnect:

http://www.tcscrawlers.com/images/mi...structions.pdf

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

Stickeyd :D

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

Thanks Scott, that was very helpful for me. I had something like that in my mind after I had looked at the RC4WD and your very own conversion build. I'm not sure but if the R2 has any reverse. Do you know?

Bob

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

No, but the ESC makes up for a mechanical reverse.
This R2 version looks pretty cool, 2 speed and selectable 2WD/4WD.
http://rc4wdstore.com/2/product_info...51140c0bf709c3

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

Scott, how does the ESC make up for a mechanical reverse?

Bob

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

The ESC can run the motor forward or backward. No mechanics needed.

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

Do you have a forward only ESC? You can use a Traxxas Revo transmission and get a shiftable reverse.

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

I have not purchased a ESC unit as yet so thats good info for me. This is my first build so thats why I know know very much - but I'm learning fast thanks to you guys.

Bob

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

Yeah as long as you get an ESC made for cars/trucks, it will have reverse.

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

After looking at a diff I have, I got to thinking about the link I posted to RCC. This would lock the diff making it a posi rear, or front as the case may be.
So I was looking at the diff parts, and I don't see why the same couldn't be done with the side gears. Cut the axle shaft to length, drill out the splines in a side gear so the axles just slides in and drill/crosspin right behind the back of the gear. When assembled the diff case looks like it should keep the pins in place w/o having to press them in too tightly and you could easily narrow both sides.
I have an extra diff set, I think I may give this a try. I'll have to get a better bit though, or a pilot bit I think they're called, and figure out what size, I should be able to use the TLT hex pin.

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

I just ordered a couple bits to try out my above post. If it goes okay I'll start a separate thread.

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

Sounds good, please do!

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

More pics for reference...

Bruder Cab. Unmodified TLT axle on tamiya semi frame. Inside wheel from tamiya dually set used as front wheel:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...xin/fender.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...xin/mfront.jpg

Re: Driven front axle options?
 

Wow, that looks about, if not, perfect. I had thought Bruder cabs were narrower than Tamiya's, but I guess not all.