looks like a wee bit o fun. cant wait to see how it turns out for you.

Was spinning it around the Grounds this afternoon, and noticed that the steering had a whole lot more wander than usual. So I start poking around in there, and of course the stupid shoulder screw retained draglink on the bellcrank was coming loose on both sides, so I tightened that down... and it didn't get any better. So with the truck on, I grab a wheel and give it a twist. The saver spring just totally collapses. I can turn the front wheels to about 1/2 of their total range without moving the servo horn.

Time to put in an aluminum bellcrank (there's still that homeless FLM in the parts bin) and check on the rest of the front end. The steering links are completely different lengths, all of the screws are loose, and a front wheel bearing was completely destroyed, and a few of the balls were jammed into the RPM knuckle. This state of affairs led to me completely tearing the truck apart. Pics and details to come tomorrow when the USP is all back together and ready to rock.

the amount of damage done, is that more, or less than normal for you dr?

Fairly typical. It didn't help that I threw the thing together as fast as I did-- the bearings could have been blown for some time, I just never bothered to check. So the entire truck is getting the going-over it should have gotten when I started assembling it to begin with.

Forgot to mention- I spent a solid half an hour trying to get the seized bearing race out of an aluminum rear carrier-- which was itself a cast-off from Slash8 about a year ago when a screw broke off in the inner camber link hole. Because I'm trying to maintain the expenditure on this truck at the current level: $0.

You said trying, did you manage to get that bearing race out? Or will that be a job for tomorrow?

Oh, I got that thing out of there. The RPM carriers on the truck now are completely shot. The rear wheels can move from about 3/4" of total toe in to 3/4" of total toe out. At low speed, the truck moves like a crab.

literally burst out laughing ^

also just wanted to tell you Dr. Isotope... I was mid game play of border lands 2 and when I blew up the train and hear.. "BURN ALL THE BABIES" and said OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH that's what that's from!!! as the train flies of the tracks haha

Start off by saying I busted the $0 budget when I decided to go full beefy on the drivetrain, and went full Maxx driveshafts, including stub axles. Drilled out the 23mm adapters to accomodate 6mm axles and mounted it all up in Tekno carriers with big honkin' bearings in 'em. The inner rears are like 6x15x5. But all of today's work will be listed in the changelog, followed by some photos.

12/28 Changelog

• Replaced all spacers between the chassis extension plates to ones of correct length
• Replaced Monster Jam rear skid with a modded RPM rear skid
• Replaced front shock tower with an old G10 tower from Slash8 Mk.2
• Replaced stock TRX turnbuckles with Lunsford w/ captured ends
• Replaced shocks with a set of Duratrax extra-long shocks, fitted with T-MAXX red springs and RPM shock guards (magenta!)
• Replaced RPM rear bearing carriers with Tekno carriers
• Replaced stock hinge pins with STRC locknut pins
• Replaced Slash 4x4 bellcrank with FLM rigid bellcrank and Kimbrough HD saver
• Replaced all wheel bearings
• Fabricated acrylic tie bar for front bulkhead
• Fabricated parts to hold down MMP ESC (lower plate, standoffs, etc.)
• Added RPM motor guard, spaced to cover the massive Tacon 4074

Me too, I have to say I was quite relieved to know the good Dr. didn't just come up with that one.

And i have to say i am a huge fan of this one doc, looks like a blast to drive.

Ok, I gotta know - how freaking awesome is this big guy now?