What would be the perfect powered front axle.

[fhhhstix]

OK guys lets get some input on what you think would be the perfect powered front axle for the semi's.

Width
Material aluminum or plastic
mounting

Travis

[tc1cat]

Width should be the same as stock front axle. I am not picky as to what material. Plastic should keep the price down though. Mounting should also be the same as stock front axle. I thing more people would be interested in a powered front axle if it was more of a ' just swap out' item.

[FreddyGearDrive]

Originally Posted by fhhhstix

OK guys lets get some input on what you think would be the perfect powered front axle for the semi's.

Width
Material aluminum or plastic
mounting

Travis

This one modded by Carson,is one of my favorites!

Puts them there super singles just where yu want them. Under the fenders.

They'll even work on a bruder mack!

From a top shot,You can't even see the tires. To me,that's PERFECT!

Just make sure you have some clean undies handy,when you see the price.
The ones from RC Channel are # 2 in my books. But to do a tractor,it'll cost you a ton.You need to purchase two sets. One narrowed 4x4 kit,& then the semi kit. just over $400 by the time they git to yu.
Only for the real look of the super singles up front!
But! when your going for big gvw,one of them is a MUST!

FGD

[Snochaser]

Sounds to me like I'd like the Carson at maybe half the price.

[JAMMER]

I personally am into aluminum for the simple reason there is no give like the plastic. I have the RC Channel and they are a little wider so i am going to get the Scale Art regular rear end not the ones for the Tamiya and use the Rc Channel brake drums so the mounts on the axle will be right below the frame rails so I can mount my air bags. They have front drive axles to. Ed

[fhhhstix]

Just a question but has anybody broken a plastic axle I know Joe has put them through a lot and I don't remember him breaking a housing. Plastic would keep the price down and that is what I am after an axle that will fit right in and be the same width as the stock steer axle at an afordable price $200 for the carson is just a little much for me.

Travis

[smart racer]

plastic seems to work well for the crawlin' rig axle's

[Izzy]

Calm n Sedated had blown pinions but he also liked to run nearly fully locked axels too.


I would prefer an axel that has more articulatiion - every driven frotn i've seen has such limited turning radius......maybe a double cardigan style????

[Katan]

Hi guys, I have joined up here to learn more about what this market needs/wants.

I have been reading this thread and was thinking about developing a front driven axle for the Semi/Tractor trucks. I did a little bit of testing with an axle that has been on the market for a while and found that it may already meet your needs.

The RC4WD D35 front axle is 2mm narrower than a TLT axle. The axle comes with a spool fitted that is the ratio as the Tamiya diff but the axle is fully compatible with the TLT/High Lift/Semi truck diff. It is basically a scale looking TLT/High Lift axle that has been narrowed slightly and the diff has been offset to one side.

http://store.rc4wd.com/D35-Front-Sca...xle_p_463.html

Here are some pics I took of this axle with stock Tamiya inside rear wheels fitted. With 6mm thick hexes fitted you can see that the track width is only about 1mm wider.





5mm thick hexes will bring the wheel in a little more. The leaf perches are on top of the axle but the axle could be flipped to mount the leafs at the bottom.

So does this axle meet your front driven axle needs?

[Stuff]

hmm not too bad for 120 bucks

[ihbuilder]

as long as the ratio is the same a stock tam . Now I'm gona get you thinking , come up with a dual output for the rear that mates with them . with no mounting

IHSteve

[fhhhstix]

That looks good Katan with the thinner hubs it would bee the same width as the stock steer axle. You said it has a spool in it but would the diff out of a tlt or semi fit in it if a builder wanted the front to not be so tight. Next how is the steering angle compared to the tlt axle more steering would be a plus. Would a builder be able to put a rim on it with more offset.

Travis

[grumpygrady]

has anyone used the Blackwells?
Blackwell Axle main features & specs:

Trailing enclosed knuckles
Removable axle tubes (each side)
Differential cover
Center axle case (banjo)
Differential carrier (third member)
Standard overall width hex to hex 8�0„3¡À (203mm)
Final drive ratio 2.85 (estimate)
Number of internal gears 4
Internal shafts 2
Number of bearings and or bushings 13!!
Axle tube thickness .5 inch (12.7mm)
Banjo width 1.58 inch (40mm)
Knuckle size 1.05 inch (26mm)
center clearance to drive CL .71 inch (18mm)

Blackwell X1 Axle additional specs:

CNC machined billet aircraft grade aluminum housing
Hardened steel spool gear (helical)
5mm axle input shaft
Full ball bearings
Powdercoated in black
Width 192mm / 7.55 inch
Gear Ratio: 2.85:1
Engineered by Brett in Massachusetts USA
Manufactured by RC4WD

seems they would be the best scale looking for an big 6x6 in 1/14 scale

[Katan]

Originally Posted by ihbuilder

as long as the ratio is the same a stock tam . Now I'm gona get you thinking , come up with a dual output for the rear that mates with them . with no mounting

IHSteve

The axle has the same ratio as stock but you can put a Tamiya diff into it.
The axle was actually designed as a High Lift upgrade so it is fully Tamiya compatible, diff, leaf mount spacing, knuckles, stub axles etc...

The stock Tamiya dual rear output will mate with them as they use the same diffs so no need to make another one.

I already did a rear axle casing with the diff properly centred with a more scale appearance. It is a direct replacement for the stock rear axle, just put you own diff into it:

http://store.rc4wd.com/CNC-Straight-...emi_p_928.html

Originally Posted by fhhhstix

That looks good Katan with the thinner hubs it would bee the same width as the stock steer axle. You said it has a spool in it but would the diff out of a tlt or semi fit in it if a builder wanted the front to not be so tight. Next how is the steering angle compared to the tlt axle more steering would be a plus. Would a builder be able to put a rim on it with more offset.

Travis

To be honest I dont think the thinner hexes are needed as it's only about 1mm wider. Tamiya diff + pinion shaft are a direct fit. Steering is better than a TLT. Any rim can fit on this axle but more offset means the wheels will stick out more.

[ihbuilder]

Originally Posted by Katan

The axle has the same ratio as stock but you can put a Tamiya diff into it.
The axle was actually designed as a High Lift upgrade so it is fully Tamiya compatible, diff, leaf mount spacing, knuckles, stub axles etc...

The stock Tamiya dual rear output will mate with them as they use the same diffs so no need to make another one.

I already did a rear axle casing with the diff properly centred with a more scale appearance. It is a direct replacement for the stock rear axle, just put you own diff into it:

http://store.rc4wd.com/CNC-Straight-...emi_p_928.html



To be honest I dont think the thinner hexes are needed as it's only about 1mm wider. Tamiya diff + pinion shaft are a direct fit. Steering is better than a TLT. Any rim can fit on this axle.

Katan , the reason I'm asking , Is I make scale suspensions in my trucks . The way they are set up , the stock tam axles will not let them function right being that the case is to bulky . basically I need thinner axle tubes in the frame area .

IHSteve

[Katan]

Originally Posted by ihbuilder

Katan , the reason I'm asking , Is I make scale suspensions in my trucks . The way they are set up , the stock tam axles will not let them function right being that the case is to bulky . basically I need thinner axle tubes in the frame area .

IHSteve

You got any pics or specs to help me understand and see what you need?

The D35 axle has 15mm OD tubes. Our rear axle has 12mm tubes.

Would a middle axle with two outputs that matches my rear axle be what you need?

[ihbuilder]

Originally Posted by Katan

You got any pics or specs to help me understand and see what you need?

The D35 axle has 15mm OD tubes. Our rear axle has 12mm tubes.

Would a middle axle with two outputs that matches my rear axle be what you need?

Katan , I'll have to take a pic of the real set up but could take awhile , till I get the truck out and take wheels off to give a good pic . 12mm will work ,If I'm the only 1 then perhaps I can modify for my needs . just would be nice to be able to get the complete assembly unless yo can buy just the tam diff and pinion .



this is on my Paystar 6 x 6 rotator , the tam axle works somewhat ok because the whole truck sits high in real life . the axle goes between the frame and walking beam and till I put the hanger under the axle It dose not give much clearance to the frame

IHSteve

[Katan]

Tamiya 51326 contains all you need. I will see if we can stock them...

[Lil Giants]

Originally Posted by fhhhstix

has anybody broken a plastic axle I know Joe has put them through a lot and I don't remember him breaking a housing. Travis

...just for the record, I have never broken or worn a plastic axle housing. I use ball bearings on the outer axle ends and the oil bushings near the diff carrier.

[Rpp Hobby]

Katan I am glad to see you looking at the scale semi side of the Hobby. Do you think Hua is open to taking on more projects related to this side of the hobby? I have some things in mind. If you could please shoot me an E mail if you have the time. corey@rpphobby.com