BMRC Comp Tuber

 
My latest creation is based on a tucked bug body and an R2, and was originally designed for a droop suspension.

I really hated the big ugly shock mount up front, it totally ruined the lines of the truck.
 
Here is a shot of it before I added the shock mount, it flows.

 
 
The answer?  I installed a torsion front suspension a la piano wire.  This also allowed me to get rid of the front upper links.

 
 
It allowed the removal of the shock mount hoops.
 
 
The rear went from droop to sprung, I like it much better, the belly clearance has not change, and the COG has moved a tiny bit forward like this.
 
 
Damn near vertical.
 
I switched it up, removing the front torsion and making it a droop setup.  Seems to work well, better articulation that the wire, but the tires are rubbing the shocks at full turn.
 
...And again.

I made some delrin front links, Clod-style, and mounted up some nice little touring car shocks for another droop setup that does not interfere with the tires at all.

I'd like it if I could get some springs on the shocks, but I don't have much room to play with.
 
Chop, Cut, Rebuild time!

Here is how it started, with some 4" shocks in a mock position on the front.
 
The entire front end was removed, I was never quite happy with it anyway.
 
Cut to the end, this thing is AWESOME.  I am sure I have said that before with different suspension setups, but I was completely amazed by the places this truck will now go.
 
I need to figure out something for a hood panel, as required by tuber specs, but that's about it.  The front shocks go through the windshield.
 
The rear needs to be cleaned up, since I redesigned the whole rear to get a better shock angle.
 
I also made some bent links and raised the chassis about an inch.  I shifted the entire chassis forward a bit as well.
 


 
 


 
 

 
 

 
 
Added an R2-Disco today.  Here is what came in the mail today, thanks to jpcustomrcs.com!
 
New motor chosen by JP as well.  It feels plenty strong, I like it so far, even though I have only run it for a couple minutes.
 
After several different configurations, this is the servo mount I came up with.
 
I am using some kind of buggy servo stands.  They didn't have the normal blue bling ones I usually get, so I got the stock part so at least the holes will still line up when the nice ones come in!
 
I had to place the battery up high, no where else for it to go.  If it was a 2-cell, maybe, but it's not.
 
When they don't make the parts you need, make 'em!
 
Charging up for it's maiden voyage.  With all new link geometry, now motor, new trans, new shafts and new electronics mounting, etc, it's more or less a different rig than I had before!
 
Traded for some Ericson beadlocks.  Polished everything up, all new stainless hardware and M3 Mashers. 
 
 
 
 
 
I installed a set of RCP rear lockouts, these are really nice parts.  They work with RTC4WD straight axle shafts as well as stock axle shafts.  My wife is running stock shafts, and both rigs were outfitted with these lockouts.  They replaced the RC4WD ones that were making contact.
 
Here is a comparison, RC4WD on the left, RCP on the right.