"Snowbird" T3 conversion expiriment

[teman]

I was bored and want to bash around, we'll see how it goes in the snow

The Skis are Du-bro Snowbirds. If you try this do not use Park Flyers as they are Lexan, the Snowbirds are polyethelene. I tossed on a rear pair of shocks up front to make up for the loss in ride height. The ESC is a sc700 and water resistant uh, maybe I have a spare LRP x11 13.5 BL so we'll see how that goes. Tires are Pro-line Snow-paws *ahem* Dirt-paws I plan to run an old buggy body for an over-tray to hopefully keep snow out.

We'll see what happens, I'll try to get a vid or something

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

I'll try to get a vid or something

Video is NOT optional, it's a must! Great project!

[Charlie don't surf]

Cool!!!

[teman]

Thanks guys it was pretty inexpensive/easy and I just needed the skis since I already had everything else - motor, esc, tires etc.

All I had to do is drill the mounts out to 3/16 and make them somewhat springloaded > The skis came with this rudimentary system so they were spring loaded but I had to change that a little due to the unobtainable length of axle needed for a "stock set up", that's why you see normal axles, t4 castor blocks and a long hinge pin used as a king pin used to attach one side of the spring to avoid using their collar/ spring system that I knew wouldn't work

So... as it turns out, it WORKED just not in light powder When the snow turned a little crusty this evening, the ditch digging rear end grabbed and a way it went I only used a buggy body at this point assuming the extra truck body was just adding weight, I'll have to test that later to see if it matters or not. It was a BLAST

The only thing I think could make it better is using carbide studs on the tires and skagging the skis (metal rails attached to make them bite more). I have a lead on some real mini carbide studs made for shoes that I could use on the tires, just not sure what I could use for rails on the skis

I'm working on the vid, check back a little later

[teman]

[youtube]ZlqqS7r6dBo[/youtube]

[THUNDERSTRIKE1]

First time i seen one run with skees,lol still it was fast too.DON

[slotcarrod]

That is awesome! I'm surprised how well it ran, especially without paddle tires! Looks like it turned better on power than off? Can you show a better pic of how you mounted the ski?

[farmer]

lets see some jumps and some slow mo
looks good
farmer

[Lonestar]

That's very cool

there's 5 inches of snow in the yard this morning and I sold my DX300 a couple of yrs back... gives me ideas

Paul

[UserUnrelated]

I wish I had a snow rc right now... Even just my wheely king would be great.
Bt... I have more than 2 feet of powdery snow with more falling as I type, so it really wouldn't work towel haha
Why's your video blocked to mobile viewers? Just curious, I really wanted to watch!
It looks real nice though.

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

Why's your video blocked to mobile viewers? Just curious, I really wanted to watch!

Are you trying to watch it over the mobile browser or thru a youtube app? Whichever you are using, try the other one. If that doesn't work then select "go to full site" or whatever option your particular device gives you. Unless it's in a format that your phone doesn't support that may work.

[Lowgear]

This is the only place I know of that sells R/C ski kits: http://www.fullforcerc.com/categories/ski-kits/ The one they have listed for the Rustler should be easily modified to fit various vehicles.

[teman]

Tried another run today in wet snow, it just dug a ditch and got stuck like it did in powder snow The skis themselves aren't really the problem, they seem to float over the snow in any condition, it's just the tires and/or weight in the rear that causes it bog down. Maybe a different tire for different conditions is needed or maybe none at all will work in those conditions. I have a couple different tire types, I'll try a few out and see

Here's another photo, you should see a little better how the spring is mounted on the axle and attached at the lower end of the king pin. The collar and a few washers were used to keep it from popping off. The long king pin also keeps the ski from rotating backwards. The opposite end of the spring is loaded and pushes down on the rear of the ski keeping it from rotating forward.

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

Looked like a lot of fun. Great soundtrack too. I felt like I should have fired up a doobie.

[Lowgear]

How about trying duals on the rear like most winter conversions use? Besides the traction advantage, the larger surface area might increase the floatation since it's putting less pressure to the ground.