Driven front axle options?

[SmallHaul]

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?

[fhhhstix]

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

















I hope this helps.
Travis

[SmallHaul]

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

[fhhhstix]

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

[SonoranWraith]

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.

[SmallHaul]

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?

[FreddyGearDrive]

SmallHaul, This is the diff between stock & rc channels narrowed.

Now carson & rc channel.

With these two you can run super singles w/out dickin around.
Now TLT.

F-350.

This will give you the low down in a row.

Hope this helps.
FGD

[SmallHaul]

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?

[FreddyGearDrive]

BINGO!That's the exact order.
SmallHaul,the carson front diff is like $200.
For the same price you can get this.

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.

The carson is like 2mm narrower than rc/channel.

The carson I was purchasing from pmd. But surf a little & you can pick them up a lot cheaper.
Hope this helps!
FGD

[SonoranWraith]

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

[FreddyGearDrive]

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!
FGD
Good luck!

[SmallHaul]

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).

[Thorsteenster]

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.

[SmallHaul]

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

Where would I get the TLT axle C's?

[Thorsteenster]

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

[grumpygrady]

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

[SmallHaul]

I found TLT axle C's:

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

[Thorsteenster]

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

[SmallHaul]

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.

[Thorsteenster]

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.