Prime Mover 6X6 build

[Shergar]

 

This started off as an unnecessary purchase last year (don’t they all!) when I spied this on JK-RC website. It is a Radshape steel chassis and body intended for a Maverick Scout (which is a pretty close Axial AX10 clone). I have a few Radshape chassis and they are high quality zinc steel, accurately cut, if a little heavy weight. I believe it was made about 10 years ago, possibly older - this wasn’t a regular production chassis so who knows how many actually exist.
 

With all that in mind the only part fitted intended for the original chassis is the SCX clone 3 gear transmission! I have used TRX4 axles, links and propshafts and TRX6 rear axle casing. The front axle has an Injora axle mounted servo and 4 links in lieu of the Traxxas Panahard link. Getting the links and geometry right was a little bit of a headache, much assembly and disassembly handily the transmission frame and chassis rails came with approximately 5000 holes drilled in them however. Unlike non-portal axles you need to have the angle dead right for the hubs. Heads up to Jennys for suppling most of the TRX4 parts bar the axle casing and rear shaft.

 

 

 

Specification wise its standard TRX4 axles, no brass (yet!) as its heavy enough so far. CEN F350 rear shocks and springs, and Tamiya front CVA shocks, which will gain softer springs. Motor is a 27 turn 540, but will be replaced by at least a 20 turn, probably higher as its slower than a TRX4 locked in low gear presently and could do with a bit of pep. With the portals and the 3 gear transmission it has ample low down gearing. (I will swap the metal spur for a quieter plastic one though). Cranky cheap servo and ESC are placeholders, I have HW1080 ready to fit. Wheels are reverse built wide rims to narrow the track @200mm to tuck under the body. The Proline Grunt tyres look perfect in my eyes. It really is a parts bin mongrel 😁

Next step is to strip down and paint the chassis, fit the new motor, install the HW 1080 then ready the all steel body. Jury is out on wether I’m painting the wheels or matching the wheels to the chassis paint. Or close enough will probably be the end result!

 

 

[wolfie1]

So what are you going for body wise a truck or a pick up style thing?

[Shergar]

I have steel body with a double cab and a dropside rear, in the style of a MAN KAT truck, though it needs some work and detailing. However the axle placement is in the right places and nothing rubs! My intention is to trail run and operate with 1/14 Tamiya’s rather than rock crawl it - more show pony than swamp thing 🤠

[Stormbringer]

Really interesting mate and if it goes anything like the TRX6 youl be well chuffed with it 

[wolfie1]

Im interested to see the body

[Lone-wolf]

Nice interesting unique build, look farward to seeing it as it nears completion 

[Shergar]

42 minutes ago, wolfie1 said:

Im interested to see the body

In its raw state, looks the same but not for much longer. (Wheels are far better centred now and it sits lower). I like the proud hex bolts and dislike the hex bolts in equal measures! Seems a shame to paint it really!

 

[Nitroholic]

Does the rear pass-through diff housing just get made from stock parts?

 

I know when I made my 6x6 Hyper7, I had to trim the housings where they had a locating ridge...but they basically just fitted neatly together. Not the case when I looked at doing the same with Savage parts. The diff housing was not symetrical inside, and I couldn't make that work easily.

[ad456m]

That looks ace man! 
It could be an expensive adventure but scale hardware would help hide the hex heads. 

[Shergar]

Pass through diff is a standard TRX4 pinon and shaft but with a specific diff cover which feeds an upside down axle case for a TRX6.

 

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/product/traxxas-axle-housing-rear-6x6-444740

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/product/traxxas-differential-cover-trx-6-intermediate-black--442786
https://www.modelsport.co.uk/product/traxxas-differential-cover-trx-6-rear-black-t-lock-fork-gray--442787

[Shergar]

2 minutes ago, ad456m said:

That looks ace man! 
It could be an expensive adventure but scale hardware would help hide the hex heads. 

Thats the sneaky plan 😉

[Stormbringer]

What about replacing the body screws with domehead hex screws might make them less obvious ?

Really like the body tho its begging to be painted green or green/black camo 

[wolfie1]

The bolt heads make it look very military, like it’s armoured 

[Stormbringer]

Very true 

[Shergar]

So I completed and painted the chassis, and gave it a few tweaks. Because of the SCX clone transmission coupled to the TRX4 portals the reduction is huge so I’m running a 15 turn 540 with a 87t spur and a mystery pinion (well its gold, that much I know!) I‘m hoping the torque ought to be ample. I added Traxxas servos for the diff locks for front and centre axles, but my experience in RC semi’s has taught me to leave the back axle unlocked or you can‘t turn the a thing this long.

Shocks, oil and springs still need playing with, its quite weighty with the body work attached, so much so those are monster beetle CVA’s and springs on the front! Axles are stock TRX4 but I did oil the bearings and regrease with Vanquish grease. The front axle has an Injora truss and 4 links in lieu of a panhard rod. Most of the parts were cribbed from Jenny’s. To hold the diff servos an alloy Boom racing servo holder got hacked and filed to fit. Finally a trusty 1080 was fitted.

Now I just need to test run in the wild, but with coachwork 🤠
 

 

[Shergar]

The body that came with it is fitted to it! A sort of MAN/Eastern bloc military double cab mash up.

From a simpler time, the steel/allloy shell is the same as the chassis rails is quite impressive even if it wont really win scale points. As mentioned previously Radshape racing constructed it to fit an AX10 clone called a Maverick Scout. The rear dropside only has a rear flap, and the cab needs detailing, lights, mudflaps, exhausts, badging and an interior but I’m happy for now 👍
 

 

Don’t look too closely at the paint or the runs - its going to be gently scuffed and used this weekend! Rear mudguards will get a coat of grey to match the chassis, and I have a tow hook for the rear crossmember to fit. Jurys out on wether the dropside body stays au natural. Battery goes under the (ajar) toolbox behind the cab. I’m looking forward to playing with it!
 

 

 

[BlackSeaRC]

Some inspiration for customisation...

 

[Stormbringer]

Looking good mate 

[Shergar]

First time out off the bench it works! Surprisingly well and not as slow as I worried it might be either. Obviously its like a crude Tonka compared to some of this kit, but then again I’m not finished detailing either! Approach and departures angles were impressive too, it just kept pushing.


 

 

 

[Lone-wolf]

Dude that looks amazing, give your self a big pat on the back for this, and it will improve with a few more bits of details

[Shergar]

I wish i could take the credit I just bolted it together!

[Stormbringer]

It looks fantastic in the pictures mate 

[Shergar]

So been out for a quick crawl, articulation is great, but the links do hang up. It would probably benefit from a stronger servo too. Those Minster Beetle CVA shocks are scandals to a crawler connoisseur but they handle the cab weight just perfectly. The soft rear shocks are usual crawler specs though.
 

 

However I built as a trail truck not a full on rock crawler so I’m pleased with the outcome 👍

 

 

[Stormbringer]

Looks good mate but once you detail it up will look awesome 

[Ninetiesbeard]

Really dig this mate you should be well proud 🙂 got something like this up my sleeve and if it turned out anywhere near this in terms of quality id be very happy. Looks right at home at the expo!