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I got the Frog universals. They do not fit the Associated outdrives.

Frog: 6.85mm ball with 3mm pins
AE: 6.24mm ball with 2.3mm pins

Other than not fitting the outdrive, they are the right dimensions.

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I wouldn't have thought that Tamiya used multiple outdrive sizes.

I measured ones from a Stadium Blitzer and Comical Grasshopper, which were about the same.

I'm curious to see what sort of mash up can be done with these axles. The ball is on the bone and the socket is on the axle, so opposite of RC10 / Custom Works CVD, but not completely unique. Not completely decided if I'm doing CVD / CVA or loose dogbone.

Yeah Racing HPI Sprint 2 CVD dogbones connect nicely to the Tamiya Frog CVD axles. I would like the Yeah Racing dogbones to be a few mm longer but I can deal with this. It all meshes nicely with the Associated outdrives.
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I haven't had as much free time as I was hoping but starting to make a little more progress. I ended up with 42mm length dogbones. The 38mm were too short and I'd have to narrow the rear arms. For the 42mm I'll have to widen it a few mm, but that should be helpful for higher powered launch stability. For using the OEM chassis shock mount connection locations, I think the rear shocks will need to be inverted so the swivel ball can be at the top. I also need to tweak the upper gearbox bracket a little, but just minor printing details. Maybe change to a different/softer material too.
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I think I've hit on a design that will work. I've also reversed the top shaft direction since the gearbox is flipped around.
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It's coming together well. The CVDs have good smooth range of motion and the shocks are smooth, although the springs seem too stiff.
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Now I just need to install the electronics.

Need to get a motor sensor cable and change the ESC battery connector, but otherwise it's ready for some running. Added a Futaba S132H servo and R152JE receiver to go with the Tamiya brushless ESC and 10.5T motor. I might tinker with trying to get equal tie rod length for the steering, but it's fine for now.
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Very nicely done we are going to need running video though

Yes, I understand that requirement. If only I had a racing loop in my yard with a jump to test the suspension.

Frankentruck wrote: ↑Mon Jan 09, 2023 6:04 am Yes, I understand that requirement. If only I had a racing loop in my yard with a jump to test the suspension.

If there's a will there's a way! Definitely want to see this little guy rip!

RogueIV wrote: ↑Mon Jan 09, 2023 10:16 pm

Frankentruck wrote: ↑Mon Jan 09, 2023 6:04 am Yes, I understand that requirement. If only I had a racing loop in my yard with a jump to test the suspension.

If there's a will there's a way! Definitely want to see this little guy rip!

Dadio recently got done making a bionic Grasshopper and posted a video of the running in his yard. I was poking a little at his sneaky transformation of a dirt mound into a jump.

https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?p=540790#p540790

You can always post it to me , strictly for evaluation and video , I'll send it right back honest

If I did that, it might not want to come home after living the good life on Dadio's private race track.

Frankentruck wrote: ↑Tue Jan 10, 2023 6:49 am If I did that, it might not want to come home after living the good life on Dadio's private race track.

It's wet dismal and the grass too long right now , how we do love a British winter

Nice work! Pretty radical design with surprisingly few parts. It looks closer to an insect to boot