ScoobySting

First, I would like to say hello, as this is my first post. I've been following the other posts on this subject, getting ideas, suggestions, and basically picking the minds of other members here, in order to get my idea off the ground. A HUGE thank-you goes to TechyJoe and HurricaneFibers for their valuable input, not to mention everyone else who added their thoughts on the posts.
I was very dissapointed in what NewToy had as an RC snowmobile. I've been in RC for over 10 years, mostly 1/10 and 1/5 on-road. And was never tempted to buy store-grade RC. But I wanted to get my son involved with me, and what better way than to get him an RC snowmobile for Xmas. Spent 4 hours Xmas eve building a track in the backyard, only to find out that It was useless! What's worse is to see my son's face of dissapointment! That was 3-4 years ago, and the idea of modding was born. Never had the time to get around, even got a second XP off ebay, so that we could race the mods together. This is my attempt at making it a better RC though the love I have for this hobby. I do not have the machining equipment other members might have (although I do envy them!), so it is with patience and a little DIY attitiude/persistence That I was able to get to what you see here.</p>

First, I thought maybe using another childhood passion could help me mock up some kind of track suspension:</p>

<u><font color="#0066cc">http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...1-31105513.jpg</font></u></p>

Then went to the drawing board, to get some ideas to paper:</p>

<u><font color="#0066cc">http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-04140715.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-04213434.jpg</font></u></p>

Worked out some prelim tracks, which I've kept, putting them on the sled:</p>

<u><font color="#0066cc">http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-04233836.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-04233956.jpg</font></u></p>

On to the drive wheel, a big thank-you to the other members for this idea:</p>

<u><font color="#0066cc">http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-05140317.jpg</font></u></p>

Now, I wanted to change the front arms/knuckles, so thought this up:</p>

<u><font color="#0066cc">http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-06111700.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-12205717.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-12205756.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-12205825.jpg</font></u></p>

Then came the rollers for the track (again thanks for the patio door rollers!):</p>

<u><font color="#0066cc">http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-12205942.jpg</font></u></p>

Its coming together nicely:</p>

<u><font color="#0066cc">http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-13143345.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-13173033.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-13213933.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-13213941.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-14194143.jpg</font></u></p>

Ordered some crawler coil-over-oil shocks (could be a little stiffer, but do not want the bounce):</p>

<u><font color="#0066cc">http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-19232035.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-19232137.jpg
</font></u>
Decided to use my old tamiya F350 HiTop shocks, but added an additional smaller spring inside to stiffen up the front:</p>

<u><font color="#0066cc">http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-19232125.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-19232205.jpg</font></u></p>

Now comes the brushless/ESC/tranny mod. Many questions answered by memebers here for this one. Wanted to go belt drive, but others saw problems arise, so kept original tranny, with exception of swapping out 2 first gears for traxxas 9 and 18 pin (32p) pinions. (Note: there is some slop in 2nd pinion, which I wish to eliminate, but do not have the proper hardware ie. metric screw, to firm it all up, see pics below): <u><font color="#0066cc">

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-19232227.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-20191500.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-20191511.jpg</font></u></p>

Next, tackling the steering, giving it a much needed power boost. I had to order some alu servo arms, as the composite ones stripped out:
<font color="#0066cc">
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-22150456.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-22151043.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-22151143.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-22172058.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-22172135.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...2-22172146.jpg</font></p>

Next, battery choice: LiPo, obviously!! Had to find the largest battery capacity available, but I'm sure there's bigger out there (anyone?), because there's still about 1/2 the battery thickness left over in height under the seat which could be put to good use:<u><font color="#0066cc">
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...3-18101812.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...3-18101847.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...3-18101945.jpg</font></u></p>

Note the travel for the track, I find it has reasoanble flex. The only problem I found after initial test runs on the pavement, is that there is some bind in the track, not sure if others found the same problem, but its more apparent if at lower speeds. Also, there was some left to right swaying at acceleration, so added an anti torsion bar between the 2 swingarms, problem solved!
<u><font color="#0066cc">
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...3-18144546.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...3-18145524.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...3-18145533.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...3-18145557.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...3-18145602.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...3-18145633.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...3-18145648.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...3-18151453.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...3-18151516.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...3-18151552.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...3-18151608.jpg </font></u></p>

<span id="1363791150029S" style="display: none"></span>We just got about 40cm of snow since yesterday, so will try to see if my fears that it will simply dig into the snow, not float over it, as this is what the original toy did, will prove true! I wanted to mod the larger sleds like HurricaneFibers does, but they are no longer available, and the ones on ebay are selling at insane prices!
Anyway, thanks for viewing, and any sugesstions are always welcome!

S
</p>

hurricane-fibers

Hello Scooby

Thats looking good.
If you would like some help I would be more then glad to lend a hand (milling) some of them parts.
I have one just have not had the time to finish modding it.
Been crazy busy at work and building my kits for the new bright sleds, to date 39 kits and 6 full sleds.
but if you would like if you send me your parts you have modded I can help with the cad and milling of them your parts would not cost you just shipping.
maybe I can even add a few touch's to them as for the track suspension I have found it lots of testing to get it so the track always stays tight at any angle.
But I will leave it up to you for what ever you would like to do.

You have some really good idea's there now your making me what to tweak my kit again LOL.
I have always wanted to do the front a arms with out using the trailing arms, just never done it yet.
Or if you can email me all the specs and measurements of everything I can put it into my cad program and see what I can do.

Thanks
Hurricane

ScoobySting

I have an update video:
Ijust want to point out that my 8 year-old son is on the controls, so I could film. Also, the ESC is in training mode, so that he doesn't cram my 3-month project into a curb [:@][:-]

http://s268.photobucket.com/user/Sco...800RC.mp4.html

Sorry about quality, using my phone for this.
So for those who wanted to see it in action, here you go!
S

trx young gun

sweet that's the same bracket I use for my servo but insteade I put it on top, where you put yours lower. I cant do that because I have 1/10 electronics. now I just need to do the rear suspension. nice work. check out my galley and you will see what I mean by the servo bracket