When TRAXXAS
released the new E-Maxx Model 3905, it began an era where a retail RTR
1/10 scale Monster Truck could be turned in a "Ferrari" without the
addition of thousands of dollars of after market hop up parts. Utilizing
all but a few OEM Traxxas components, we are able to build a Ready-to-Run
monster truck that will satisfy the needs of the hard core enthusiast and
still be drivable and serviceable for the beginning
hobbyist.
The Gorilla
Snawt Racing, Patriot Series V-Twinn Monster Truck will be a Limited
Edition run of only 9 trucks. Truck Serial #PS-01, will be the winning
prize in the Gorilla Snawt Loyal Customer Give-Away #3. Each truck will
have a Certificate of Authenticity included with delivery. The following
web pages will document the entire build of the first truck except for a
few proprietary modifications unique to the Patriot Series
V-Twinn.
Follow along
and maybe you can build the Monster Truck of your
dreams.
When Gorilla Snawt Racing
decided to step out of the private garage and offer products to the public, we
also elected to begin building our Limited Edition RC vehicles for sale to the
public rather than a few enthusiasts. The TRAXXAS E-Maxx model 3905 made that
possible, so follow along as we build unit #1 for a very lucky Gorilla Snawt
customer.
Traxxas originally built a 3905
with dual Velineon Brushless motors as a concept vehicle to test the durability
of the new drive train, but decided not to bring it to market. We did. Two
things needed that were determined while testing proto-types, was an 2-speed
transmission and corrective measures to the steering at high speed. With a lot
of research and some back yard ingenuity we solved the transmission need, but we
have to thank two individuals from the Traxxas user forum for the steering fix,
notnodak and FunkedOut.
Each truck is completely
dis-assembled, modified as required, and re-assembled with exacting precision to
insure long, reliable use and extreme fun. Each custom shell is painted by Ryan
of Adrenaline Art Customs LLC of Hawaii, and will have the Gorilla Snawt Logo on
the hood along with brightly colored True Fire and Red, White and Blue stars and
stripes to commemorate the American Soldiers whom every day put their lives on
the line to protect our freedoms and allow us to have the wonderful toys like
this RC Monster Truck.
Components
Required:
Quantity
Description
Part
No.
Retail
Value
1
ea
Traxxas E-Maxx
Monster Truck RTR
3905
$490.00
2
ea
Traxxas Velineon
Brushless Motor & VXL-3 ESC
3350
$600.00
1
ea
Traxxas 2-speed
Conversion Kit
3998
$55.00
1
ea
Traxxas OptiDrive
Electronic Shift Module
5398
$30.00
1
ea
Traxxas OptiDrive
Sensor Assembly
5397
$ 8.00
1
ea
Traxxas TQ3
Transmitter
2225
$60.00
1
ea
Traxxas T-Maxx
Engine Mount
5160
$11.00
1 ea
Traxxas Wheelie
Bar Assembled
4975
$20.00
2
ea
Traxxas Extended
Battery Hold Downs
3927X
$8.00
1
ea
Traxxas Steering
Assembly
4945
$9.00
2
ea
Traxxas Ultra
Shock UL Progressive Springs (4)
4957R
$16.00
1
ea
Traxxas Servo Tie
Bar
3968
$6.00
1
ea
Traxxas 5x11x4mm
Bearing (2)
5116
$3.50
1
ea
Traxxas 58-tooth
Spur Gear
3958
$3.00
2
ea
Traxxas 18-tooth
Pinion Gear
3948
$7.00
1
ea
Traxxas Stub Axle
Pin
2754
$1.00
1
ea
Traxxas 5mmx8mm
Teflon Washers
1985
$3.00
1
ea
Traxxas 6mmx8mm
Teflon Washers
1978
$3.00
1
ea
Traxxas 50K
DiffLube
5137
$9.00
1
ea
Futaba Mini Servo
Synchronizer
MSA-10
$65.00
1
ea
GS Custom Trans
Reluctor Wheel/Hub
PST-01
$45.00
1
ea
RPM Chrome Front
Bumper
80103
$10.95
1
ea
AdrenalineArtCustoms Custom Painted
Shell
3230
$195.00
1
ea
Deans 12ga. Ultra
Wire 24" B/R
1400
$8.00
2
ea
Hobbico Servo
Lead Futaba J
HCAM2300
$9.90
1
ea
EMS Futaba J Male
Connectors
EMO15000
$4.95
1
ea
Velcro Extreme
Fastener Pack
100539
$5.95
1
ea
Custom Works
Assorted Shim Kit
7047
$7.00
1
ea
ACM 14mm O-Ring
Hex Hubs
$20.00
2
ea
Gorilla Snawt
Synthetic Grease Tubes
$7.90
1
ea
AE 50W Silicone
Shock Oil
$7.00
1
ea
2"x3"x1/8" Aluminum Plate
Stock
$5.00
1
ea
Misc. Screws/Heat
shrink/Supplies
$12.00
==========
TOTAL RETAIL COMPONENT
COST
$1,746.15
The build
process begins with the complete dis-assembly of the Traxxas E-Maxx and all
individual components. Using electric motor cleaner, all factory
lubricants are removed and all the pieces grouped by use. Once this has
been completed, the re-assembly begins and we will go through each component in
the order of difficulty and importance.
The most
difficult of all the modifications is the transmission, but it's importance to
the overall drivability and durability is number one. In the quest for more
speed, which becomes almost an addiction to most RC enthusiasts, we continue to
add more and more power, but to utilize that power and achieve those eye popping
speeds, you have to gear very high. High gearing makes for great speed,
but low speed drivability and control are sacrificed. That is were the
Traxxas 2-speed conversion kit comes into play, you still have a high gear
for blinding speed, but also a low gear for great control and fun climbing and
tooling around. As we tested the durability of the 2-speed transmission
conversion in conjunction with the Twinn Velineon power, we found that
breaking parts was much more amplified when you were able to shift gears at high
throttle positions. Shifting from high to low with power and speed
applied, was in fact disastrous. That is where the Traxxas Optidrive comes
into the build. Originally designed to prevent inadvertent shifts into
reverse while moving forward, it acts as a safety device to prevent high
speed shifts on our V-Twinn. Also it gives us two reliable driving modes
without having to reprogram the VXL-3's. Low for precision driving,
climbing and chasing the neighbors cat, and high for blowing the wheels off all
the nitro cars.
After dis-assembly and cleaning, all
gears were de-burred with small jewelers files. Because of the
addition of the reluctor wheel for the OptiDrive sensor, about .25mm had
to be machined out of width of both of the output gears and the shallow
side of the front output was deepened about
.15mm.
In addition to the machine work on the two
output gears, about .35mm had to be removed from the shoulders of the
output shaft.
In the center of the picture is the new
reluctor wheel that will provide the references for the OptiDrive
sensor. It is fixed to the output shaft with a shear pin. When the
transmission is in either gear, the OptiDrive will be able to tell if the
truck is at rest, it will allow shifts back into low gear for
blinding quick starts or awsome speed
control.
With the re-worked front output gear installed on
the output shaft, a 6mmX10mmX.5mm Teflon spacer is installed, and the shear
pin. The reluctor wheel is slide over the output shaft and locked to
the shaft with the pin. The reluctor wheel fits partially inside the output
gear. This gear spins freely on the output shaft as the reluctor wheel is
locked in place.
The output shaft assembly is then completed and a
light coat of Gorilla Snawt grease is used on all contact surfaces. The
fully modified output assembly is now added to the transmission after all side
play has been shimmed out and then assembly is finished exactly as recommended
in Traxxas 3998 2-speed assembly
instructions.
The 54-tooth spur gear and slipper clutch is
installed after the motor mount plate.
We set the transmission aside and move onto the
blueprinting of the differentials.
Each differential is dis-assembled and
completely cleaned. Every gear tooth is inspected and then de-burred
with small jewelers files. All sharp edges are cleaned
up
The final assembly of the spider gears is
after trying different combinations of the four side gears to get
the best mesh and
clearance
Once we are sure the best spider
gear set has selected, the cup is filled with Traxxas 50K
DiffLube
After re-assembly of the center section and
the spur gear, lightly coat the pinion and spur with Gorilla Snawt
before final
differential
The first modification to the chassis is
the removal of the steering pivot stub so that a second servo saver
assembly can be installed. Also about 1mm is saved off the original
servo saver stub (and the bearing shank) to tighten the spring on the
assembly
Using the T-Maxx engine mount as the
template, mark the location of the screw holes and drill the required
four 3mm holes. The engine mount kit comes with the 4 screws to attach
it to the chassis. This raises both ESC's up above the chassis to
provide clearance for the shift servo and the electronics.
Mounting the ESC plates directly to the chassis, parallel with the
driveline, blocks the shift servo
location
Countersunk mount holes are drilled the 2"
x 3" x 1/8" aluminum plate using the T-Maxx engine mount as the template
to locate the spacing of the
holes
A small piece of the Velcro Extreme tape is
pressed onto the chassis just behind the two locator tabs for the
original ESC. This will hold the MSA-10 Synchronizer and the OptiDrive
control
module
The ECS mount plate is painted flat black
after holes have been drilled and tapped for the plastic mount plates
included with the VXL-3's. Stainless countersunk screws attach the
adapter plate to the T-Maxx mount. Velco strips are pressed onto the
back of the MSA-10 and OptiDrive to mate up with the strip attached to
the chassis
Install the two base plates for the VXL-3
ESC's with the cap screws provided with the T-Maxx engine mount and then
check clearances for the MSA-10, the OptiDrive and the shift servo. All
components should be easily accessible and
removable
Here are the four stainless cap screw
locations for the T-Maxx mount, the transmission, shifting servo, center
drive shafts, and chassis braces install on the
chassis
In addition to all the original steering
components, we have added the Traxxas 4945 steering bellcrank assembly
(servo saver) and a Traxxas 3968 servo horn, 2 additional 5x11mm
bearings are
required
This modification is to almost remove all
steering system play. It was developed by a Traxxas forum member,
Notnodak and illustrated by
FunkedOut. Using a second servo
saver to replace the stock idler arm, almost all play is removed. The
center stud hardware is replaced with 2mm longer stainless steel
countersunk screws for additional
strength
Both servo savers installed, one for each
servo. In some cases, the chassis braces might have to be clearanced for
the new servo saver, otherwise everything fits just like the stock piece
that was
replaced
Using the 2mm cap screws provided with the
BL kits, install both ESC's on their mount plates. Insert the three
wires from the BL motors into the ESC's by proper color
coding
Route the control wires along the route
they will follow and extend them accordingly so that enough length is
maintained that each wire is still removable for service of each wired
component. Install both waterproof servos and check the wire
routing
After extending the control wires to their
proper length and routing them across the chassis for the least
interference, install the receiver and hookup all the wiring. Wire ties
are used to group the control wires into a neat bundle. Using the
recommended Traxxas
methods, adjust the pinion clearance and slipper
clutch
Place the water tight receiver covers on
the base taking care not to damage the o-ring seal. Route the
antenna wire out of the box. The main chassis and all the electronics
are now complete and you can power everything up to sync the MSA-10 and
set the OptiDrive after putting the spur gear cover in place.
After dis-assembly of the drivelines,
all u-joint pins are checked for knicks or burrs and cleaned. A
very light coat of Gorilla Snawt grease is put on all the metal surfaces
and the pins. The axles are re-assembled making sure all surfaces where
movement takes place have a light coat of
grease
Axle carriers are dis-assembled and
completely cleaned. Dust boots and retainer clips are inspected for
proper seat and to make sure no tears and flaws are in the blue rubber
boots and all factory lubricants have been
removed
After cleaning and inspecting the pivot
balls and threads, each pivot is coated with a generous amount of
Gorilla Snawt before being re-inserted into the carrier. Slowly screw
each pivot through the dust boot until the threads are fully
exposed
Place a coat of Gorilla Snawt grease on the
pivot seat of each retainer cup before screwing them into the carrier.
The retainer cup is tighten until contact is made with the pivot ball
and the un-screwed 1/8 turn or until the pivot moves freely in al
directions
A-arms, carriers, and axles are assembled
to the chassis. Place a light coat of Gorilla Snawt grease on the
hinge pins prior to inserting and screwing them into the bulheads.
Install the bulkhead braces and bumper mounts and only snug tighten
all the screws
Factory shocks are set up for very light
use and the low power brushed motors. Each shock is dis-assembled,
cleaned, the two hole by-pass disk removed and replaced with a single
port custom disk. Shocks are re-assembled with 50W silicone oil and
Traxxas Ultra progressive
springs
Shock towers are installed and the screws
only snug tightened. All eight shocks are installed and free movement of
the suspension is verified
Factory side play tolerances on the axle
carriers allow to much play in the steering for high speed steering
control and requires shimming to remove play. Aluminum machined hubs
with O-ring axle pin retainers keep everything in place during tire and
wheel changes
After measuring the side play at each hub
and installing the appropriate shims, the axle hub is installed and the
O-ring placed to reatin the axle pin. Camber and caster is now checked,
appropiate shims added at the bulkheads, pivots properly adjusted and
dust caps installed
Rear steering toe links are installed and
adjusted for 2 degrees toe-out with the chassis setting with no
batteries or addtional
weight
The front steering toe links are
installed and the front toe is set to 3 degrees to-out without batteries
installed. The receiver is powered up and the steering drag link is
adjusted to center both servos
Front and rear bumpers are installed and
all the screws for the bumper mounts and the shock towers are tighten to
factory
recommendations
Front, rear and center skid plates are
installed. Steering assembly fasteners all all tightened and everything
checked for free movement. Power is applied and the drivetrain
tested for proper operation and
set-up
The wheelie bar assembly is installed along
with the tires and wheels. The rolling chassis is complete and Ready to
Run
Complete Ready to Run chassis less the
battery hold downs.
Side View
Front
View
Rear View
Here is the Custombody for
our V-Twinn Traxxas E-Maxx Monster
Truck
The Patriot Series V-Twinn
E-Maxx Complete Ready to Race including a Pro-Line 2007 Chevy Silverado
Extended Cab body custom painted by Adrenaline Art Customs LLC w/ a True
Fire Theme
