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
|