166 replies to this topic

[ravenguard]

Well thought I would give it a try to scratch build an fg shorty
It will work out 65mm shorter so not that much.
First job make a chassis




3mm stainless steel then weld side plates for extra strenth.

Next is to start sorting parts (donations welcome)
Steering
Rear parts
Fuel tank
Roll cage
Front axles

[Carpmart]

You see, that's the trouble with this time of year, all us busy people (no work to occupy us) get bored and start projects which we never finish!  

Looks like a great start and I'll watch this with interest!  I hope you prove me wrong and get it finished!

BTW (tell me to mind my own business if need be but .....) is that not really heavy in stainless?  Why not use one of the better grade alloys (as strong as stainless but way lighter) or something a little more exotic, titanium or something like that?  I appreciate its more difficult to weld (TIG etc) but the welding is only one small part of this and a few beer tokens could have sorted that if you don't have the gear or skills?

[Carpmart]

One other question, isn't an FG short enough?  What's the rationale for taking that much (65mm is actually a considerable amount) out of the length?  

What kind of issues do you anticipate with that short a wheelbase and how do you intend to counter its tendency to be a complete Kylie?

[Rover Man]

Im sure ive got a leopard tank in the shed i could donate

[ravenguard]

The best part is I am at work hence nothing to do,
Only used stainless as I had It here,also the weght of chassis should stop any wheelies?
But the main reason for trying it is just to see how it runs

[Carpmart]

ravenguard, on 29 December 2011 - 03:27 PM, said:

The best part is I am at work hence nothing to do,
Only used stainless as I had It here,also the weght of chassis should stop any wheelies?
But the main reason for trying it is just to see how it runs

Never mind stopping wheelies, it could stop any performance full stop!  

[ravenguard]

got a 26cc to put in so should be ok ,ill be useing the lightest of metals or platsic so the only heavy part is the chassis.but once done if all ok then I can change chassis to alloy,

Been looking at baja shortys and havent noticed any loss in proformance with it being shorter.

Only thing is maybe it could be turning problems but not no until done.

And at the end if it doesnt work then thats part of the fun of building.


Leopard tank would be great :-)

[Carpmart]

The Baja shorty takes the chassis down to a similar length to an FG Marder.  Arguably the handling improves with the Baja chassis reduction but its tendency to swap ends, disproportionately increases!  I would imagine that taking another couple of inches plus out of that FG Marder length will have some quite significant consequences.  Just interested in your rationale for doing this, as in what performance characteristics are you trying to achieve by shortening the chassis to this extent?  I totally get the scratch build (I've built a couple of kit cars myself) but don't understand the shorty idea and I'm keen to understand this and what your goals are?

My original 'Kylie' comment was obviously tongue in cheek, BUT my guess is that it will be permanently swapping ends.

[ravenguard]

True fact about swapping ends, but then my fg and hpi do that anyway, idea of shortening it isnt fr any improvement , mainly to see what it does. Also just to say I tryed that :-)

If it doesnt work ,it will look nice on shelf

[Redneck29]

the main issue i can see will be mounting things as the servo tray on the fg is big due to the 1/4 scale servo, its pritty tight on my leopard there is very little space to play outher than the splash guards, so that 65mm may cause a lot of issues when mounting things

[Nitroholic]

Just mount the steering servo across the chassis. Makes no odds to how it works.

[ravenguard]

I carnt see an issue with the servo tray?

Like nitro says the steering servo can go long ways ,battery will go elseware.
Ok what ill do is start at front and do the servo tray next.

As soon as I get the steering parts ,ebay tonight

[Redneck29]

ahh good point i did not fink of that

[ravenguard]

Any one got a servo saver with bars for sale?

[ravenguard]

Early finish today so fitted parts I have






Well so far there wont be an issue with fitting servos