Shane Rutter Blog

Tag: ascender

  • New Weights, Foams and Stamped Beadlocked Rims (Defender D90)

    New Weights, Foams and Stamped Beadlocked Rims (Defender D90)

    It’s taken a couple weeks (3 I think) for the stamped beadlocks to arrive but not I have everything I need to replace the plastic, glued rims on my Vaterra Ascender truck whilst also adding some important weight.

    2015-10-07 22.32.28

    The Ascender comes with Interco TSL SX Super Swamper tyres which are awsum so I will be keeping these, the only down side is the standard rims are plastic and glued.

    I will be uploading another post with how I got the glued super swamper tyres of the glued rims and probably another for fitting the stamped beadlocks.

    2015-10-07 22.27.28

    The new rims are black which will fit better with the new spray which I will be starting hopefully in the next couple of weeks. Metal rims for added weight but also beadlocked so no more annoying glue.

    2015-10-07 22.27.33

    I’ve opted for star foams instead of the default solid foams which come with the Vaterra Ascender, I’ve read that these should allow the tyre to mould around objects keeping as much traction on the ground at all times, I will let you know how it performs on my first test run.

    2015-10-07 22.27.22

    The current wheels already have weights, but I decided to be save and buy some extra. I don’t think I ever weighted the back wheels so I am sure those needs weights anyways. Whatever I have spare I will most probably cut into individual pieces and place around the chasse to increase weight where required.

  • Beginning work on the fenders (Defender D90)

    Beginning work on the fenders (Defender D90)

    I’ve decided I don’t like the plastic fenders which are molded onto the shell so off they come. As I’m using a Vaterra Ascender chasse the wheels are hitting the shell creating a horrible plastic noise when turning (the RC4WD D90 shell is designed for a SCX10 chassis so the wheels don’t align perfectly).

    I’ve managed to acquire some rubber fenders, came in a set of 4. Here is a link where I brought them. Took about a week to arrive but I am very happy with them.

    2015-10-06 21.14.41

    Being rubber they look much more realistic, whilst I will be cutting the wheel arches bigger granting more room for the tyre, I still expect some binding but the rubber should flex more easily than the plastic.

    2015-10-06 21.14.14

    I’ve gone and cut the fender off the first wheel and increased the arching allowing the wheel to fit more in centre, it’s defiantly an improvement. If you’re wondering what tools I used….

    2015-10-06 21.14.08

    Yep that’s a jigsaw blade clamped into a clamp plier, worked perfectly. I would recommend using clamp pliers as you don’t have to waste energy trying to hold the blade.

    2015-10-06 21.47.22

    So let’s see how the rubber fender looks, to me that looks a lot better. There is a notch in the rubber so it slides onto the shell. I am only holding it with my fingers but I will be using tire glue to hold it on once I have resprayed the shell.

    2015-10-06 21.48.19

    I’ve decided I like the look of the fender starting slightly back, it also gives the wheel slight more room when turning which is a plus. Now let’s do the other 3 which will have to wait for another day as its getting late.

  • The Defender D90 Project

    The Defender D90 Project

    I have a Defender D90 shell on a Vaterra Ascender chassie but it is starting to look a mess, partly due to me leaving it last minute to spray and build the truck just before the RRCI Scale Nations 2015 August meet up. We were still working on it late into Friday night ready for the morning.

    As you can see we managed to get the truck running and it looked good, this didn’t last very long. It turns out spraying 6 lays of under coat, spray and lacquer all within about 5 hours does not allow the paints to adhere correctly.

    As the shell is designed to fit a SCX10 the wheels didn’t align up perfectly leading to quite a bit of rubbing, I learnt a lot that weekend and have since decided it’s about time I redo the whole truck. I will be posting up regular updates on my progress which will hopefully be of interest.