Fixing up the Frankentruck(s), the fleet of them

[Frankentruck]

After upgrading to an SS4300 brushless motor w/ Super Sport ESC and Lunsford Punsher tie rods the T3 Frankentruck is basically done.
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I think I've also determined that the motor mount it came with is a Custom Works motor mount for 2.4 transmission. It's been trimmed for clearance but may a little too much so I might pick up a replacement.
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[Frankentruck]

My parts searches have lead to looking over some of the other truck models, which lead to getting a T, T2, another T3, and a T4.
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All of them are basically stock, and the T2 and T4 are actually in really nice condition. The T2 was a well cared for carpet racer and the T4 appears to have seen minimal use. The T3 was going to be turned into a pile of spare parts but all it really needed to become a good basher was some new stub axles and hub bearings. But the RC10T... after starting teardown and doing a little cleaning, most of the T is looking to be in good condition. The exception is the back section of the chassis. The motor guard is a little tweaked, some extra holes have been misdrilled, and the holes for the suspension arm mounts have been enlarged. I was planning to just clean up the chassis and use it for the rebuild, but it either needs significant repair or replacement. Of course the repair possibilities could lead to this becoming another frankentruck project.

[Frankentruck]

The RC10T is a monumental pile of schmutz. I don't understand how anyone could stand to have that much mud and grease caked all over their RC. Holy crap.

I snoozed on a really nice used Composite Craft double decker chassis that recently sold too cheap. Hopefully someone here got it and will enjoy it. Every once in a while I admire the oddball cluster-design that resulting in the Ishipla Monster. Recently that got me thinking about this chassis pan. I'm considering cutting the back end off and grafting a custom made back end fiberglass or carbon fiber plate to be the new transmission and rear suspension mount area. There are enough OEM holes in this B stamp pan to make a good rigid attachment. But I really have to clean up the piles of cruddy parts before I take that any further. I also dislike the rear suspension arms and will be hunting for alternatives which might end up as just designing and printing something I like better. These seem more like they belong on a Rustler than an RC10T, but I'm pretty sure them are just beat up RC10T rear arms. I can probably do marginally better than what I have here.

[Frankentruck]

I came across a cheap usable chassis so I can at least build this 10T into a runner. The chassis got a little attention and a rattle can job to make it more presentable. I'm not really loving this truck yet, but there's still some work to do on it. There are some other chassis options I'm keeping in mind. For the diff rebuild, those McMaster Carr diff rings were a great option.
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[juicedcoupe]

If it's going to be a runner, I'd suggest getting rid of the 10T geometry bellcranks. You'll be happier with buggy sized ones.

[Frankentruck]

The 10T bellcranks do seem a bit oddly shaped. The set that came with the heap don't seem like they have much utility left in them, so thanks for the geometry suggestion. I'll probably end up making a replacement set.

[Frankentruck]

Much better. Sitting on wheels feels less like just having a pile of random used parts. It's easier to see the finish line from here. Beefier turnbuckles will be a must.
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The front wheels need some serious balancing. I'm thinking I'll try some repositioning of the tire on rim, and after that some stick on weights. Or, I've seen this dynamic balancing trick with loose BBs inside a tire. I might try that also. Has anyone tried that yet?

...I also picked up another shell for my T4, so this truck might get some hand-me-down clothing from the T4 while I figure out how I want to paint it's body.
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[Frankentruck]

If it's going to be a runner, I'd suggest getting rid of the 10T geometry bellcranks. You'll be happier with buggy sized ones.

Do you have any pictures of the 10T front with buggy bellcranks?

[juicedcoupe]

If it's going to be a runner, I'd suggest getting rid of the 10T geometry bellcranks. You'll be happier with buggy sized ones.

Do you have any pictures of the 10T front with buggy bellcranks?

I used 3 8-32 X 1/4 screws to attach the nose plate. Then used some button head screws through the front holes (might have to be tapped). The bellcranks will attach to the front.

[GoMachV]

That is exactly how our ball bearing steering kits for the 10T are set up. The geometry is much better with the shorter buggy cranks- must be why they went back to it on the GT and T2

[Frankentruck]

I saw this and thought it would be cool to have as a 10T chassis.
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I know it means I'll end up with a shorter wheelbase, but I'll have to make a new front suspension bulkhead anyway and can recover some of the lost length in that process.

[Frankentruck]

I got my front bulkhead made and the suspension fits nicely.
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Then I bolted everything up and it looks like it will work well on this graphite chassis.
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Although after finding 4 screws I didn't install, "bolted up" isn't really the right term. I neglected to notice that this chassis is only drilled for a 6 gear setup. I recently bought a drill template because I thought it was a cool piece of history. I guess I get to try it out now.

[Frankentruck]

It's now an RC10T Graphite. Gearbox is mounted and steering is sorted out. All that's left is pick the receiver, ESC, motor, make a front bumper, and add an undertray. I did some wet sanding work to mostly clean up the underside and don't really want to add new scratches. An undertray sized for the aluminum chassis will work, but will be a bit wider than needed (which is ok). I just need to go ahead and order a couple of them.
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[Frankentruck]

Added a Futaba R162 receiver and a Novak T-1 to go with the S9452 servo. t's a runner, but I need to up my motor game a bit. I put in a cleaned up, but well used Monster Mash. That motors best days are behind it. I've got a new 17T Radon 2 I'll probably put in next.
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[Frankentruck]

The current T through T4 lineup... (a T5M was really close to being added)
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The current truck lineup in the house. Some day some of these will get their own, freshly painted bodies. Maybe.
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