Project Team Kassanova TR3 (TC3 truggy)56k warning

[EDS]

First let me introduce my self since I am new here and apologize for the exetremly long post. My name is Ethan. I live in Colorado.I am 15 years old been the hobby for 3 years. For about 2 years I have been designing and working on this project the Team Kassanova TR3.Formerly known as the Team Associated TR3 ( Because of copyright and a recent sponsor with Team Kasanova, I changed the name) Some of you may have seen this project on other forums but I figued heck why not put it on here too.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/TR36.jpg

There is the bj4 , tc3"0" ,and a couple of other people have made tc3 buggys .I like the 4wd buggys mainly the body and the fact that it is 4wd. I don't like their low ground clearance which is not the best for bashing or racing on blown out 1/8th tracks.I want the ground clearance of a stadium truck and the stability , but the traction ,ease of driving, and the looks of a 4wd buggy. There is nothing on the market today like it so I decided to make one.As far as specs go..

Width:13"
Wheelbase:11 1/2"
Tires:Truck 2.2

But in my eyes a really truggy deserves a buggy body so to top it of I will put a xxx-4 body on it,but that may change....I have finished version one and have started version two.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/TR33.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/IMG_4053.jpg
The picture above shows the version one currently it has the following:
Custom Lexan upper and lower deck chassis
Custom Lexan front a-arms
Custom Lexan Front/Rear Shock towers
Custom Motor mount
t3 rear a-arms
t3 turnbuckles
t3 shocks
t3 servo saver
t3 cvds
masher 2k2's on t3 rear wheels
ntc3 diffs
tc3 drive shaft
xxx-4 body
hpi rs4 mt c-hubs and hub carriers
t3 rear a-arm mounts
tc3 "0" slipper


Though version one works ok, I decided to crank it up a notch.Version two will include the following upgrades:
-Custom G10 Chassis
-Inboard shocks
-All new custom a-arms and mounts most likely hingepinless design
-New tires
So Far I have made the
-Cut/mounted Upper and lower chassis
-Mounted Diffs
-Make Chassis Stand offs
-Make motor mount
-Make new a-arm mounts
-Drill holes
-Battery strap system and slots and standoffs.
-Make Rocker mounts
-Make shock mounts
Here are some pics
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/tr3chas3.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Tr3a-arms.jpg
The rockers and shocks are a bit higher then I would have liked but I had to have room under to put turnbuckles in the rear and upper arm on the front. This is what it turned out like...its not perfect becuase like I have said before I am no CNC ...also I haven't sanded or put finishing touches on everything. Also right now I have just a bunch of mock up screws in it and haven't started countersinking anything.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/TR3016.jpg
Rear
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/TR3011.jpg
Front
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/TR3012.jpg
Side
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/TR3022.jpg

To be contiued...
Ethan
Team Kassanova

[EDS]

My first design for the new suspension is the one below. I the a-arms in the pictures are this design. Though this design most likely will not be used niether will the a-arms.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/grill0132.jpg
The current problem with it is that I don't have a drill press or mill. So its very hard to make straight accurate holes for the hinge pins through 5 layers of lexan so that they match all up. Also I have always hated bent hinge pins and e-clips. I could have come up with a way to eliminate the e-clips like on the T4/B4. Instead I just decided to get rid of the hinge pins all at once. The design I have come up with uses no hinge pins. Instead it uses Pivot Balls. This reduces resitence and friction. Also this set up will always me to make sure that the a-arms mount up nicely with out having to worry about hinge pins binding and holes not matching up. This is a picture of the rough design that I decided to draw up. It is ofcourse a rough drawing but it should be able to give you an idea of what I am thinking...
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Pinless.jpg

Soon I will be cutting a motor cooling hole in the chassis and also finishing the motor mount and getting that mounted. Also I will probaly start sanding everything. In a few days I will be ordering the nitro tc3 hub carriers and pivot balls off of ebay. If ofcourse I win the auction. Until those come I can't really do anything else. Once they come though I will be able to figue out the suspension and figue out what I need to complete the suspension. I am pretty set on the hing-pinless design unless it proves to be weak or undo-able.I am also trying to decide between lexan or delrin for the new a-arms. My old version 2's will no longer be used, unfortunatly.

You may ask why I am going with the laydown type of suspension. When I was making the rocker mounts I was asking myself the same question. But there are advantages.
1. Lower Center of Gravity
2. Less bent shock shafts
3. In my opinion more durable
4. Progressive suspension
5. Its unique
The following picture should give you and idea of the most noticable advantage ; the lower center of gravity. The lexan shock tower is from my version one and is showen at about the same height as it was mounted on the last version
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/TR3023.jpg
I was bored so I decided to draw a full chassis picture of the TR3 using Microsoft Paint(Its not the most accurate but its about the best I can do with paint). This will give you'll a rough idea of what it will look like in the end.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/TR3tires2.jpg I Also figued for the heck of it I would put some mock up arms on it and just lay the arms on to get and idea of what it will look like..
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/TR3031.jpg

Oh yea for version two I have a secret surprise. Here are the hints i have given so far.
Clue 1: I like it inside out,not outside in
Clue 2 : I lurk in the lens

If you would like to view my building process and my updates over the last year . you can visit my website at www.freewebs.com/eds24/ (http://www.freewebs.com/eds24/)
If you would like to view more pics you can go here http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/...%20TR3/?start=0 (http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/?start=0). Please let me know what you think. I would be glad to hear comments and suggestions. I will keep you guys updated on any progess.

Ethan
Team Kassanova

[josh_smaxx]

Thats quite awesome :D

Would love to see it in action, what sort of motor system will be going in this?

[Tom3012]

looks insanely awesome!!.. hurry up and finish it!!! :p

keep us updated!

tom

[EDS]

Josh: Thanks! When its complete I will get a video up.Well right now I just have 19t reedy motor. But I am going to try a 9t orion v2. See how that works. Also looking at the traxxas 12t becuase of its torque. Eventually though I want to put a mamba 5700 in it though

Tom: Thank you. I am trying! lol Yea I definatly will.

[josh_smaxx]

Ye i thought a mamba would be the best bet in this creation, on 3s lipo aswell :D After using a mamba i could see it being very good in it, even on 6 cells, very very torquey throughout the whole of the rev range so perfect for this application.

[Tom3012]

also... make me one and let me have it for free ;)

[josh_smaxx]

Ye :D i'll swap ya my mamba system for a prototype :D

[EDS]

haha Sorry guys its pretty exspensive to make a prototype. But hey once I finish it up I am going to be looking for someone to run it for a few weeks give me feedback stuff liek that.

[mattym0310]

would love to se this run, maybe even have a go :D

[Mike Hudson]

haha me too will try some sort of modification to car oneday aswell :)

[AndyM]

how about chop your boring car into tiny bits scamp?:D:p

[Mike Hudson]

Actually now that ive sold my X6 im going back to a B4 :p

[AndyM]

Copy cat!:o

:D

[Michael.]

Now that is a cool conversion, I love the inboard shocks

[Mike Hudson]

the rear shocks need some preload spacers

[ben]

:o:o oh no mike its the end of the world lol

[Mike Hudson]

it is the skys falling :o:rolleyes:

[ben]

wot? Anyways back on subject. I think it looks really good. It must take a lot to design and build a conversion kit from a touring car. Is their a class for 1/10 truggys????

lil ben

[Mike Hudson]

not that i know of :wtf:

[Col]

You boys are aware that Ethan lives in Colorado?

[EDS]

Michael: Thank you
Mike: I agree with you they do need preload spacers. In alittle I am actually thinking about switching to some touring car shocks if I can find for some for free. Set-up makes the suspension very soft even with hard springs.
Ben: Thank you. No there is currently no class for these though I can still race it at the local tracks. I think these cars should become a class becuase it would be the perfect class. 4wd with ST stability

Haha yes I do live in colorado. Seems like most of you guys live "across the pond"

A small up date today I worked more on the 8 piece rollcage. I will tell you guys more about that when its finished. I also took it apart and cut a motor hole and did some sanding on the chassis.

Ethan
TeamKassanova.com

[Mike Hudson]

what shock oil have you used? If the setup is too soft then experiment with higher weight oils and this should solve your too soft setup problem, i would think touring car shocks wouldn't have enough travel :wtf:

[annie_himself]

I'm gonna guess you will need the same fix the Revo guys use. Sway bars.

[EDS]

Mike: I haven't really seriously exsperimented with anything yet. I can jsut tell its really soft with stiff springs. Preload spacers and oil may fix it. I think the touring car shocks should have about the right amount of travel with the set up there really isn't much shock compression.

Annie: I sure hope I don't have to use sway bars.

[annie_himself]

We'll talk about it. Just bring it up next time we talk.

[Richard Lowe]

The shocks and rockers look too big to me compared to the travel you want. You can either put TC shocks on with really small hole pistons and very hard springs, or buggy front length shocks with smaller rockers :)

[annie_himself]

I suggested X10 or X11 rockers. Remember?

[EDS]

Richard: Hmmm yea people have been telling me this. Well I will be keeping it with the T3 shocks and see how they work once I get everything built if I have to I will get some touring car shocks. I am not really interested in buying smaller rockers though.

Yes I remeber.

As far as updates... I put some bids on ebay for ntc3 front/rear hub carriers, pivot balls,and some blue wheel nuts. The auction only came with one set of hub carriers and pivot balls but I needed an extra set of pivot balls for the inside mounts so I just bought another package with hub carriers so I will have extra's. These parts should be in by Saturday and then I can start designing the a-arms. Still trying to figue out a material to use. Delrin looks to be a bit exspensive at $40 for 12"x12" so I was thinking about getting some 3/8" lexan instead but I am still trying to decide. I also may have the a-arms cnc'ed by a friend instead of hand cutting them. Thats another decision I have to make. Peace Ethan

[greeny]

Richard: I will get some touring car shocks.


i would recommend some xray touring car shocks or some tamiya trf shocks... as these (if i remeber correctly) are the longest touring car shocks.

other than that i think the project looks very good ethan... just a quick question... how much has all this work cost you?

i wouldnt mind doing it myself.


thanks jordan

[EDS]

Jordan:Once I get it built and drive it I will be able to see if forsure I need touring car shocks. Shocks aren't cheap so I will probaly have to go with the best deal I can find. I am hoping that I can find some Aluminum threaded tc3 shocks. That way I can put some "rally" shock shafts on them if I need the extra length.

As far as cost well becuase I have had trial and error I have spent more then I would have too. My guess though is if you where to find good deals on parts like I did you could probaly build something like this for $200 or soo. Not sure though. Might be alittle bit more. The worst parts are like the diffs,shocks,and Cvds.


The ntc3 parts came in today and WOW i am not used to working with such beefy parts. I think I will have a hard time breaking these. They look like they will work better than exspected. As I was taking them apart I figued out another thing about the pivot ball supspension you can use it as a VLA or variable length .Like the technology used on the losi trucks/buggies. You can basically tune the length of the a-arms by screwing or unscrewing the pivot balls with out changing width. By putting spacers in the axles it keeps the same width. This also helps me becuase I can turn two pivot balls on each hub and it makes it so that the hub is brought close to the center making it so that the cvd is pushed farther into the outdrive so that I can have maximum clearance for bashing and then when i want to race I can make it so that I can go back to the max width with level a-arms, by unscrewing the pivot balls. I will be designing the a-arms over the weekend and hopefully buying some material soon if the money is there.

[annie_himself]

I don't even hear this much about the TR3. Post it on our forum too.

When do you think you will have it all together and running again?

[LEGEND]

That is a cool looking car.:)

[Mike Hudson]

How long will it be till the project is fully finished? Also how long have you been working on this?

[EDS]

Annie: I will be putting up a thread soon.
Legend: Thanks.
Mike: Well.... Right now I am at the point where I just need to make some a-arm mounts and a-arms. Along with finishing up alot of little stuff. It depends on if I can scravenge enough money up for the delrin or lexan. I am hoping by mid feb. At the latest. Could be sooner or later. No gurantee's :) But it depends on what you consider being finished. This V2 proto will be finished then but I do plan on making another car, which would be basically the same car except having all the handmade parts be cut from a cnc and a few improvments. It would be more of a production car cough cough. Ummm as far as how long I have been working on it. I started getting ideas and parts for the project about two years ago. Officaly the project started on 7.30.06 or a few weeks before that.

[nitrokillah]

Brilliant Idea.
this could become a new classe of Racing.
this is the same way 1/8 truggys came about.
Keep up the good work and keep us up to date with the rpogetion of the Kit.

[EDS]

Thanks! Yes I would hope that would become a new class. Recently I have been hearing alot of requests for a 4wd St. I know HPI tried it awhile ago but it wasn't popular. Now days with lip and Brushless 4wd ST's would/will be monsters on the track with the added traction. It also is a good bashing vehicle. 4wd buggies have too low of ground clearance and break too easily. I think this truck/truggy is going to be the perfect blend for racing and bashing.
Ethan

[EDS]

Bad news... I sent the lower chassis and some pivot ball parts and a few drawings to a friend of mine so that he could make me some aluminum pivot ball a-arm mounts. He got the chassis and parts yesterday and tells me that the chassis broke in shipping. With no insurance I can't get any money from the post office but The chassis broke in the same area around where the spur gear is and where the rear of the chassis hooks on. I figue that if the chassis in a padded envelope couldn't handle USPS then it probaly couldn't handle brushless power and 10 ft jumps. Though I had a aluminum brace to go on the chassis in the works. Now I have to make a new chassis or have one machined by the company machinist. I don't have anymore g10 so the first decision is what material to use?
1.G10
or
2. Alloy
The second thing I have to worry about is fixing the design to add material to the back. I am not sure a aluminum brace would make it strong enough. Also with the pivot ball mount design I can't cut the chassis any different to make that area stronger. So I came up with a few ideas...
1. Put 3/16" spacers under the rear diff case so that I don't have to have a spur gear hole.
Advantages: Easy,cheap,light, still keep pivot ballsupsension
Disadvantages: Raises CG and also increases the angle that the cvds slope down to the hubs which would increase cvd plunge and decrease ground clearance
2. Scrap the inner pivot ball "hingepinless" idea and go with a much more simple set up such as something similar to the tc4,t4,b4 hinge pin design just on the chassis but keep the pivot ball hubs.
Advantages: Simple, Cheap,Lowers cg,strong, can be used with t4/gt2 a-arms when useing tc3 rear hubs and tc3 front hubs.
Disadvanteges: Calls for shorter a-arm,less clearance,more traditional and not innovative, more friction.
3. Modifiy the slipper clutch, add dogbones, move to a mid motor mounted set up such as a b44 or bj4 WE. Use either the pivot ball or t4 suspension.
Advantages: More balanced,Can lower the diff cases to lower Cg and decrease cvd plunge, can make it longer by using long dog bones, no spur gear hole on the rear, can use either type of suspension.
Disadvantages: Saddle packs, most exspensive, have to redesign top/bottom chassis.

The last thing is if I should get the chassis cnc'ed or hand make it. I sorta wanted this version to be a prototype which most of the parts where hand made by me. But if I have to buy a whole nother sheet of g10 or a alloy sheet it seems smart that I would just have it cnc'ed. Especially since I am tired of g10 affecting my lungs and the cncing would be close to free.
I am having a hard time making these decisions , I am naturally a bad decision maker... so all the help would be appreciated. I am pretty sure I don't want to do option one though.

Thanks Ethan
Team Kassanova

[annie_himself]

I do know one thing. The USPS is HARSH on every package. My mom works there now and she usually does my packages so they are ready to ship. I am about to ship the TK2 to Chewie and I will have to get that thing packaged good. I would have told you that just a bubble-wrap envelope wouldn't work.

What thickness was that G10?

[EDS]

yea I should have put insurance on it. I figue though if it can't stand USPS then it couldn't handle a hard crash.

And it was 3mm g10

[annie_himself]

I would have been ok in a small box, but something that could flex so much wasn't the best idea.
The first idea sounds the best right now.

[EDS]

I think what I am leaning towards is getting a new sheet of g10.Go to a middle motor set up like b44 and bj4 that can use both t4 suspension set up and a-arms AND my hinge pinless system so you can use either and on top of that you can turn it into a regular rear motor layout with a reg side by side pack like a tc3.All on one chassis.

[EDS]

I'm still waiting for my broken chassis to be sent so that I can design the new one but in the mean time I found out that a friend of mine will be giving me a vxl esc and mamba 5700 for free.So that will go in this.

[nitrokillah]

thats a nice frend yo got there.
Keep us posted.

[EDS]

OH yea he is nice. He is getting out of the hobby so on top of that he gave me hoped up stampede, mint factory B4, Factory t3, and a rc10, mrc 989,mx3 radio, tons of tires ,parts, tools, magazines, etc etc

[annie_himself]

Oh and EDS is going to give me the B4 because I deserve it. Right?

[Tom3012]

anymore news or pics?? i have just started the prototype for my new project... your car just made me wana go make another :p

[EDS]

Unfortunatly I don't have much news or updates. The broken chassis still hasn't come So i can't make any progress until it comes. In the mean time I am working on a few other projects...:)

[EDS]

Its been awhile since I have updated you guys. Lately I haven't been able to make a new chassis but I have been doing alot of thinking,brainstorming, and designing.I have actually been thinking about making a new thread for this project becuase its almost 20 pages long now and not many people want to read all that. Also everything that I have done for Version 2 has to be redesigned and re-cut.I Took one step forward and it sent me 10 back with the last chassis getting broken.. It sort of frustrates me but at the same time it forced me to look at the TR3 in a new way and come up with solutions to the problems and it is helping me to design and build a even better and more innovative truck.

Just thought I would mention that after much thought I have decided to cut a new chassis. This chassis will let me have the option of having a mid motor set up like a B44,BJ4WE,D4,etc or I can switch to a regular set up like a tc3 or BJ4 with a sidexside down one side and the motor and electronics on the other. I won't have to switch the chassis or upper deck if I want to switch back and forth.I will also be able to use the same slipper clutch for both layouts. Also with this chassis I can use either my hingepinless design or it is capadible with a suspension type like a T4. Using T4 a-arms and regular hubs Using T4 a-arms and regular hubs that can be bought off the shelf. SO there will be alot of options built into the chassis.I'm going to order the G10 tomarrow for the Chassis http://www.ultimaterc.com/forums/i/smilies/smile.gif Be looking for updates soon.

[nitrokillah]

I'd rather have a b44/bj4we lay-out... if these type of 1/10 truggys hit the shops. :drool:

seem like a better idea IMO.
might be wurth gettin' a second hand b44 or bj4we to do it with.
and you should deff use the t4 amrs/wheels & tyres.
& I'd loose the Revo type suspentions keep it simple for now.

Can't wait to see your progress.

[EDS]

I'd rather have the BJ4WE layout too. But some people don't want to mess with saddle packs so thats why I am making the chassis adaptable with both.

It has t4 wheels. I also am making it so that I can use T4 a-arms and rear hubs with some type of front hub. But it will also be able to use my suspension a-arms and ntc3 hubs which I will be using.

As far as the laydown suspension. I already have all the parts...I already have most of the parts made. The version 1 was simple.

[EDS]

Ofcourse..I haven't ordered the G10 yet.. :/ I don't have enough money for shipping lol and everybody keeps backing out of my deals. But I thought I would stop buy and show you a drawing that I did and also the touring car shocks that I picked up. Alot of people have been recommending touring car shocks to me.Also I have included a picture of the rear hub set up (notice the Proline Step Pins also, no more huge mashers). With the rear hubs I made slight modification to the pivot ball holes so that they would allow for more travel. I also filed down the top of the hubs where the turnbuckle screws in to make it flat instead of having it be slanted down. I won't be using traditional ball cup turnbuckle ends but instead screw in types. I just hate having to pop on and off the ball cups. I also hate when they pop off in the middle of a bash session or a race.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/random007.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/random010.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/random011.jpg

[EDS]

. I still don't have a new sheet of G10 for the new chassis but I am getting close to ordering it. In the mean time I have been working on finishing up the hubs and started work on the a-arm mounts. The original plan was to send drawings to my friend in California for him to make me mounts out of aluminum. After looking at the plans I figued that they would be accurate enough for him to build them and for them to fit with out me modifiying them. Also the alumium would make the mounts very heavy and perhaps too strong. So after many hours of ideas , designing and modifying I came up with these:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/TR3021.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/TR3041.jpg

They fit under the differentials like this...
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/TR3026-1.jpg

These actually took quiet awhile to make and still need to be perfected. The pivot ball housings are cut off of NTC3 hub carriers. I had to drill holes in the them for two long screws to go through the whole thing on each end of each housing. The screws clamp together all the compartments to hold the pivot balls in place. In order to make sure the caps did not get over tightened which would prevent the pivot balls to move freely I put spacers under the caps. I even had to grind the spacers down so they would fit. Overall I am very pleased with this set-up and I am excited to hook it up to a-arms.

The other parts I have been working on are the hub carriers. For the front and rear I had to figue out the spaceing with the cvds. In the front I used a 4mm brushing on the inside of the carrier and a small washer and Cone washer on the outside creating just enough room for the pin to go through the axle. With the rear hubs I made slight modification to the pivot ball holes so that they would allow for more travel. I also filed down the top of the hubs where the turnbuckle screws in to make it flat instead of having it be slanted down. I won't be using traditional ball cup turnbuckle ends but instead screw in types. I just hate having to pop on and off the ball cups. I also hate when they pop off in the middle of a bash session or a race. For the spacing I had to file down the 4mm brushings to be more like 2mm. What a pain. Then I put Associated aluminum axle spacer on the outside.

Front Hubs:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/TR3037.jpg
Rear Hubs:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/TR3047-1.jpg

The rear a-arm mounts, Hubs,and Differential posing:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/TR3043-2.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/TR3045-1.jpg
Peace,
Ethan
Team Kassanova

[Tom3012]

great work! i cant wait to see it when the build is more advanced

[EDS]

Thanks! and the build shall advance soon....

I also have a small update but a very exciting one never the less. I have been browsing ebay lately. I decided to look up some carbon fiber just to see if they had any good deals. I came apon aton of listings from a artist that bought alot of cutoff's and was selling for cheap after getting out bid on 2 sheets I finally email him and we work out a sweet deal on a 24"x24" 2.7mm thick piece of carbon fiber. Its 2x2 twill weave and best part it is black and blue. He says its a "scrap" piece and has marks on it (see pics) but I think it should still look very nice on my projects.Oh and a price on this great sheet $45 shipped.Forget the G10!
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/carbon.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/carbon2.jpg
When I get the sheet I will start on the upper and lower chassis's. I will also be trying to order a piece of 3/8" lexan for the a-arms soon.

Peace,
Ethan
Team Kassanova

[EDS]

Thought I would share some pics of the drawings/designs I have been working on. The objective is to create a design that’s light, strong ,flows nicely, and fits together like a puzzle.
Lower and Upper Chassis
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/K2designs022.jpg

Top: The design for the rear.
On the left:Front Shock mount, Rear rocker mount/turnbuckle mount
On the right: Front Rocker mount/ upper a-arm mount
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/K2designs021.jpg

[cstroh]

cool what type of wheels do you use 2.2s

[annie_himself]

Yes, I think he's tried wheeler tires too.

[EDS]

Yea I am using 2.2 tires and wheels just like a regular stadium truck.

The carbon came a couple of days ago. It was pretty sweet it came on my birthday. Unfortunatly its only glossy on one side. Which is disappointing so I will put the non-glossy side on the bottom. I started cutting the main chassis the day before yesterday and finished it for the most part yesterday. I also started the upper chassis yesterday. I will post pics when I finished the upper and lower.

I was looking over the designs to finalize them and I was sorta playing with the slipper clutch. I put the slipper clutch in the diff case and then for some reason I flipped it backwards. I got a quick idea and after a couple shims I found that if I where to flip the slipper backwards that the spacing works perfectly and that it pushes the spur gear forward about 1/2". This allows for more material to be in between the rear of the chassis (where it gets narrow) and the spur hole. Greatly strengthening the rear of the chassis which is where I was having problems with my earlier chassis design with the Tc3 type of layout (motor in the rear and battery on opposite side) So then I was faced with a decision... to stick with a saddle pack/mid motor layout or go back to the side-by-side pack/rear motor layout. I couldn't decide so I figured I would just design the lower chassis to be able to accommodate both layouts.

[annie_himself]

I deff. need to see this.

[EDS]

Ask and you shall recieve.After about 6 days of working I finished stage 1.Here are some pics please keep in mind I'm not a CNC so nothing is perfect and also I haven't sanded alot of the carbon fiber yet.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/Stage1001.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/Stage1006.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/Stage1013.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/Stage1022-1.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/Stage1017.jpg

[moleman]

Thats awesome! Coming together real nice!

[Tom3012]

coming on nicely! cant wait to see it finished and to find out how it drives! good work!

[EDS]

Thanks guys ! I'm just excited as you to see how it comes out. But I can promise it will end up being nothing less the being Truely awesome.

[EDS]

A pretty major update today...
Phrase 2 is pretty close to finished. I got the a-arms and the hubs mounted along with new rocker mounts and the steering. I decided to go with 3/8" on the lower a-arms which as you can see is beefy.... perhaps too beefy. So I might try some 1/4" a-arms instead or try to lighten the current ones. I still have alot of adjusting to do on the toe and chamber and stuff like that but I couldn't help but share...
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/phrase2002.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/Zero007.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/Zero014.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/Zero013.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/phrase2008.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/Zero022.jpg

[Tom3012]

That's awesome! When can I order one?? :thumbsup:

[annie_himself]

Thats bad. Super bad. Chicka chicka yea!!!

[EDS]

I started making final touches on the chassis and the suspension... but then I had abit of change of heart. After working many hours on trying to just perfect the hingepinless design and spending time shaving down parts to allow for enough travel.. I have decided to retire the idea. I love the idea. But its a pain in the but to work on, assemble/disassemble, and more so of a pain to make. I also believe that the system does not allow for enough travel with out being weakened. Yes, I could have a friend of mine make custom hingepinless mounts out of aluminum but I would rather go back to simpliesity and save the hingepinless design for a more suitable project...:evil:

Another place that I feel needs to be addressed is the chassis.Since I'm changing the suspension design my old carbon chassis is worthless and won't work with the new design. I have spent alot of time thinking about the over-all purpose of this vehicle. It seems to be simple, I want a durable basher that can also race. The main purpose is a basher, becuase I bash much more than I race. For it to be a basher durability is key. I feel like the 3mm carbon is not up to the task of hard-core bashing. So that will also be retired for this project and my remaining carbon (which is alot) WILL be utilized in upcoming projects.

Both of these components are major. Once again I have decided to change my plans. I don't want to let go of the hingepinless design or the carbon chassis. In this case though I don't believe either are suitable for this project.
There fore I will we be switching to 6061-T6 1/8" thick aluminum for a new chassis.Though this will be heavier I think it should give me the durability that I demand. I will keep an carbon upper deck to keep things braced and stiff. Also I have heard its easy to cut and better on the lungs than carbon. Which I look forward to.
As far as the suspension is considered I will be useing a revised version 1 mounting system. This time I will be using RPM T3 rear a-arm mounts all around. I'm still going to try to mount them as close to the center as I can to allow for long a-arms. To accomplish maximum a-arm length I think I'm going to have to flip the diff cases upside down to move the a-arm mounts closer to the center. This means redesigning the rocker mounts and other parts incorporated.I will still be using the Nitro Tc3 pivot ball hubs for their beefiness.

In other words after longer consideration major changes will be made. Many parts will be need to be remade. This is frustrating for me and I'm sure for you guys following this project. This means farther delays. I believe though that this will mean a better over all project , which will better meet its purpose. This is a very important part , I have learned of doing a major project. In many ways I want to just finish this project but in others I'm glad that that I have been taking my time becuase I have gotten many ideas to improve the project so it meets my standards along with others and that make it overall a better project.
Ethan

[annie_himself]

Ouch..

[Lukass]

wow...it is very very nice project!! :o:drool:

[annie_himself]

Ethan is a beast

[EDS]

I haven't really had much time for this project. Over the winter I mainly was focusing on the K2 buggy so that I could get it ready for a big local race after that I became busy with work and schoolNow that summer has come I have had alot more time to work on my projects and make money for them at Mcdonalds. Unfortunatly, I will be moving to Alabama in July. Before I move though I want to try and get a big chunk of this project and the Evo8 done.

A couple days ago my 1/8" 6061 Aluminum sheet came and I will be using it to make a new chassis for the TR3. Today, a new B44 Center Slipper clutch came. I'm going make a few finishing touches to my chassis design then I will be making the chassis and other chassis related parts. Before I move I will problay have the chassis and upper deck ,along with all the battery mounting , and rocker and shock mounting done. So after that all I really need to do is do the a-arms which will require some Delrin and a drill press which is not in budget right now. Here is a picture of the layout and of the B44 Slipper.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/eds24/Team%20Associated%20TR3/0626091615.jpg

Please check back for updates soon,
Ethan