B1G's Axial AX10 Scorpion

[TheB1GDude]

Hi all,

So quite possibly my life in RC is now complete :) I have dreamed of owning one of these bad boys for many years now and so finally when the opportunity to buy a nicely upgraded used one came up I had to jump at it...

What I have here is a competition level Axial AX10 Scorpion Pro-Kit (part # AX90001) which includes:


Green Aluminum Links
Aluminum Front and Rear Lockers
All Steel hardware
2.2 Rock Lizards
2.2 Rockster Bead Locks


with the following improvements bolted on:


Xtreme Racing SSG Carbon Fiber chassis
HotRacing Alloy Body Posts
Axial Carbon Fiber Upper Chassis Plate
STRC Alloy Upper Chassis Mount Supports
STRC Inboard Mount Skid Plate
STRC Servo Mount
Integy Steering Link
Venom 3000 NiMH stick pack
Novak GOAT Crawler :)
HiTec HS-645MG Servo
FlySky 2.4GHz micro RX


Now for some pictures:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/ef654dc9.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/eeae07ea.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/df20673c.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/125f8df4.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/d593b467.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/b715fb77.jpg

Upgrades and Spare parts:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/f257dc24.jpg

Bit of a random assortment of spares, some I have been able to use, some are just stock and have been added to the stock parts pile, the others still have me confused about how to install them, for example the alloy 3-links, looks like I have to take the axles apart which I don't really want to do :)

The ESC / Motor combination is what makes this so special, the precision of the Novak GOAT Crawler kit is just unbelievable, I've only driven the AX10 around the house so far but plan on taking it outside in the snow / ice a little later today.

The one thing I don't have is a body and I don't want to take it outside and roll it so I'm trying to figure out if I can get my old Stampede body temporarily mounted up on it.

Oh and I got a sneak peak at my valentines day present from the wife and it's a new FlySky GT3B 2.4GHz kit, the TX is super-flashy for 35$ so I'll upgrade from my GT2 kit to that once I get it on Monday.

Q&C welcome.

Enjoy.

[BART]

That chassis looks great. I think the link that is right below hobico in the pic is the one I was telling you about ( you would need 4 obviously).

[TheB1GDude]

I believe that's the link for the extra clearance, sucks that I only got one :)

Couldn't get the Stampede body to clear the battery pack so threw on this smaller scale Hummer body:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/09904f7a.jpg

Which will do for the moment, I have been playing on spraying it black so if I did that I think it would look decent.

[Donziikid]

Looks like a great find, B1G! That Hummer body will look pretty nice painted up black. :nod:

Cheers,
Kyle

[TheB1GDude]

Thanks - thats what I figured on the Hummer, then I'll get some of the scale tool kit stuff and it should look pretty badass...

[TheB1GDude]

Few minor improvements:

1. Discovered that what I thought was a spare stock link is actually the high clearance steering link :) and given as how a lot people expressed concern over the quality of the Integy link I was running I decided to switch to it:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/1bf21f95.jpg

2. Tires have had airholes drilled into them, two 1/8th holes on opposite sides of the rim:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/7a7c16d3.jpg

You can see the tires under load in the above photo, this is supposed to give me more grip.

3. Adjusted the ride height, the Xtreme Racing SSG Carbon Fiber chassis is insanely adjustable so I dropped my shocks to a lower hold for more lift, don't have a photo so just imagine the AX10 as before but slightly taller :)

Have been trying to figure out how to inboard my lower links and finally realized that I just don't have enough screws to do it, need 12 I believe but only have 6, so need to order some extra hardware.

Oh also bound it to my GT3B TX which is working out really nicely.

[TheB1GDude]

Made a few more changes to my setup:

1. Added wire weight to my front wheels:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/eb35ab6e.jpg

Wire length in both rims is identical, both cuts came from same spool of wire, pre-cut sticky pads used to secure, so hopefully the weight of the rims with the wire is almost identical.

2. Installed the 3Racing carbon fiber servo plate:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/21c06610.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/553218dc.jpg

This moves the servo over to the side giving me room to mount a lipo pack, don't have the pack yet :) but hopefully will soon then I can shift even more weight to the front of the rig.

Biggest issue with this piece was that I didn't have all of the parts it originally came with, so I had to ghetto-rig it by flipping the servo and using the stock link connected to an offset servo horn, seems to work just fine though :)

3. Inboarded all of my lower links, this involves moving the mount point for the shocks and links and is made possible by my lower chassis plate, it gives me some extra room when turning the wheels and obviously moves the links so they don't catch as easily.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/dabed949.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/94e87711.jpg

Apologies for the crappy photos but only had access to the camera on my phone and it isn't the best.

[BART]

Someone did a really nice job on those wire ties... looking good.

[Evolution]

Looks good! Is the back sort of too long though? Not sure if it's just me though.

[winner]

looks great B1G! been wanting a crawler myself, we need some videos :)

[TheB1GDude]

Someone did a really nice job on those wire ties... looking good.

lol somebody has too much time on their hands but yes the ties and the neatness of the wires really do set this apart :)

Looks good! Is the back sort of too long though? Not sure if it's just me though.

If you basing that statement on how the body doesn't align with the chassis then don't worry about it, the body comes from a toy RC vehicle that was much smaller in scale 1/16 I believe, I use it because I like the monster truck look it gives....

looks great B1G! been wanting a crawler myself, we need some videos :)

Crawlers are awesome :) I have a video of the Mini crawler in the snow but I was being lazy and the battery for this one wasn't charged, and of course now it has rained for the past few days and the snow is gone so I'll have find somewhere else interesting to film it crawling.

[winner]

Crawlers are awesome :) I have a video of the Mini crawler in the snow but I was being lazy and the battery for this one wasn't charged, and of course now it has rained for the past few days and the snow is gone so I'll have find somewhere else interesting to film it crawling.

sounds cool, i love watching the vids of them goin to steams and creeks imo ;) but yea crawlers look like great fun, i was going to buy one a few weeks ago but decided to buy my Blitz cause i dont like the speed of crawlers, but i have found that im im going fast enough by blitz can go over some pretty but obsicles by bounching over them at a reasonable speed. not sure how good it is for it, but it sure is fun :D

what all do you have in store for this? do i smell a scaler in the oven?

[TheB1GDude]

I don't know if I'll do a scaler build, certainly I'll have some fun with it but I don't ever plan on making it a comp crawler, wouldn't need much to make it one but don't have any competitions running in the local area so why bother :) I'll just paint up the Hummer body (which is obviously the wrong scale) and then add detail to it as I go but this is just for fun so will never be quite right :)

[TheB1GDude]

Just a few updates on the crawler, these are much clearer photos showing the inboarding of the lower links, you have to change the shock and link positions and you need a skid plate such as my STRC one which has the mounts to be able to do this:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/050d02cd.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/3f9d1fc4.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/23b0712e.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/39ed2b3f.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/841f7636.jpg

Doing this not only helps with the clearance of ground based obstacles but also gives me some additional turning radius:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/2cae8ddd.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/8c8791e1.jpg

Installed the rear alloy servo mount in preparation for the rear steer upgrade, with all the space parts the only pieces I need to buy is the servo itself and the y-connector to power it:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/fdd1d4ee.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/ba93b123.jpg

The other modification I made today (which I don't have pictures of) was to cut the hell out of the foam tire inserts, what I ended up doing was cutting 1/2" off the width of them and then applying the star cut mod, the star cut mod is basically cutting the foam inserts into a star shape, the idea behind this mod is that less area of the foam is in contact with the tire making it easier for the tire to conform to various surfaces.

I haven't bother with pictures because it took me all day to do all 4 tires (around work) and they don't look that good :) they do however alter how the truck sits and crawls over obstacles, as I don't ever really plan on being in a competitive event this was a free and fairly easy mod to perform.

[TheB1GDude]

It snowed Sunday and yesterday I figured as I was already outside shoveling I may as well make myself a little course, so I put together about a 4ft long 1ft wide track of packed snow, I added a few dips and humps and ran the AX10 over it, I also blasted it across the fresh powdered flat top which was fun as it was kicking up rooster tails as it went.

Here are a few photos:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/c19e0fb0.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/cfa879ee.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/49510e23.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/bfb7b1f0.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/cc4006b8.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/dc450604.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/27d91602.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/87aab07b.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/1e96834d.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/215745ba.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/446fea95.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/41451e1d.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/6ad6fecc.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/1570fd78.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/f3c2eb88.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/94dd5202.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/3bcd792f.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/8a5f22d6.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/8754a3ae.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/5c3a10f4.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/01cb79ba.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/b5c35d85.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/814bca70.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/4566494d.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/56c0827c.jpg

Overall I am a little disappointed with how the AX10 handled my course, maybe the snow consisted of to much powder or maybe I made it to aggressive or maybe I just can't crawl for jack... actually I am inclined to blame it on what people told me would fail first and that's the tires, they don't hook up well on snow and no matter how I mod them they just don't seem to be very good....

Anyways it was a blast and I am going to get the AX10 recharged and back out on the mountain a little later today, hopefully now my snow pile has had time to sit it will be a little more compacted and easier to navigate.

[Blade.]

Nothing ever really hooks up well in snow.. The best solution to driving in snow, at this scale is 4x4. If you are running RWD your steering wheels get jammed up with snow and cause you to lose all steering.(Yes I do know that the Axial is 4x4. lol.) It won't really matter what type of tires you use, or mods that you do. Snow will always cause the RC to slip and slide. With the snow being powder, it packs up on the tires, causing it to lose it's tread. Making them into solid pucks that will cause the RC to slide.

No real advantage to snow crawling. Well... Except when you flip over it won't damage the body.:lol:

However, if the surface it ice. I'd suggest making either studded tires or chains that are removable(chains on the front wheels, it will help with both steering and drive).

Almost the same concept as a 1:1. Just a huge weight difference.:lol:

[BART]

That thing looks great man.

[TheB1GDude]

Nothing ever really hooks up well in snow.. The best solution to driving in snow, at this scale is 4x4. If you are running RWD your steering wheels get jammed up with snow and cause you to lose all steering.(Yes I do know that the Axial is 4x4. lol.) It won't really matter what type of tires you use, or mods that you do. Snow will always cause the RC to slip and slide. With the snow being powder, it packs up on the tires, causing it to lose it's tread. Making them into solid pucks that will cause the RC to slide.

No real advantage to snow crawling. Well... Except when you flip over it won't damage the body.:lol:

However, if the surface it ice. I'd suggest making either studded tires or chains that are removable(chains on the front wheels, it will help with both steering and drive).

Almost the same concept as a 1:1. Just a huge weight difference.:lol:

Yeap just going to stick to crawling on rocks :) Tires are two expensive to modify and I can't be bothered to scratch build chains....

That thing looks great man.

Thanks dude it's coming along nicely....

To hopefully lower the COG and make the crawler a little more stable I have adjusted all of my links and the shock mounting points, this is how she sits currently:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/d070e0af.jpg

Definitely lower than before but I noticed in doing so that I have a bit of lean on the body:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/3efc509a.jpg

It always leans to the right, I'm hoping it's just a shock low on oil but we shall see....

[TheB1GDude]

Oh wanted to add that I recently picked up on of these bad boys on eBay:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/dde3f2a5.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/6b70d550.jpg

It's a Punk RC Dual Steering Computer, I didn't really read before I purchased so unfortunately with my current TX that only has an on/off 3rd channel I don't get access to all of the functionality from the computer however the guys who built it thought of this and gave you an on board switch that allows you to set which two of the three modes you want the computer in.

Here's the overview from Punk RC's web site:

The Punk Rock Crawling Dual Steering Computer gives Dual Steering and Rear Lockout Control on the Fly. Compatible with all classes of competitions.

The Punk Rock Crawling Dual Steer Computer is truly one of a kind. It gives you competition steering for any class of crawler. Just plug the PRCDSC into your receiver and your front and rear servos into the PunkRC Dual Steering Computer. It does the rest. No more thumbing with a toggle switch. Do all your steering with a single wheel. There are three steering modes selected by your transmitters 3rd (or any other extra) channel.

Mode 1, Normal Four Wheel Steering - this mode alone is worth using the PRCDSC.

Mode 2, Rear Steering Lockout – this mode is useful in competitions where rear steering is penalized. Use it only when you want.

Mode 3, Crabwalk Steering – this mode adds a new level of control.

This unit will work with any dual servo vehicle.

Also, this units will work with a three position or two position 3rd channel switch. If using a 3 way toggle, all three modes are accessible. A non-centering knob will also work. If using a 2 way toggle, the user may use a either normal and crabwalk or normal and lockout modes. This is done with a switch on the unit.

I have tested it on the Axial by switching the front servo between the front / rear computer leads and I can see what it does when I turn my 3rd channl off / on but currently do not have a rear servo so will probably end up cannibalizing one of my other rides for one :)

[TheB1GDude]

Well I was on lunch and I figured what the hell I'll see if I can get the rear steering stuff setup. So I pulled what is at least a 10 year servo from my Losi XX and started to assemble my parts, I would like to point out that I did not purchase the official $30 rear steer kit from Axial my system consists of a bunch of mismatched stock parts :)

Here is the result:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/d4e57cec.jpg

I will try to take some better pictures later today but hopefully you can make out the servo sitting on the rear mount right over the center of the axle, right by that you can see the stock steering arm.

The picture below shows the temporary mounting of the Punk RC Steering Computer:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/38de83b8.jpg

When I get my lipos mounted over the front axle this will sit on top with the RX and ESC but for the moment this will do.

When I turn the ESC on the steering computer gives me four wheel steering, when the 3rd channel is turned on I can either lock out the rear wheels or go into crab steer (which is how I currently have it setup) turning the 3rd channel off goes back to 4WS... cool right :)

[TheB1GDude]

Little video:

bWFZMDctgPI

If you can't watch it click here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWFZMDctgPI)

Ignore the cats and the beeping, my TX batteries are low :(

[TheB1GDude]

Hi all,

Been a crazy busy year with work so all RC stuff has been basically minimal... I still try to get out with the AX10 whenever possible so here are a few crawling shots:

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/250742_10150265812936675_537361674_9339211_3891996 _n.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/253045_10150265827996675_537361674_9339471_2985983 _n.jpg
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/252677_10150265830066675_537361674_9339504_65021_n .jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/251741_10150265829186675_537361674_9339492_4859101 _n.jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/252643_10150265828221675_537361674_9339478_5295851 _n.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/253045_10150265827996675_537361674_9339471_2985983 _n.jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/250742_10150265812936675_537361674_9339211_3891996 _n.jpg

The one thing I noticed that really became annoying was whenever I went over the smallest little rock I would pop either the front or rear drive shaft thus loosing drive to those wheels. So got myself a set of MIP drive shafts and just finished up installing them:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/ca05eb94.jpg

Worst part was the hex nuts on the stock cups had been stripped so I ended up drilling out the cups so I could get the MIPs installed but anyways they seem much tougher and will hopefully sort out my problems.

[BART]

Your photography has much improved as well. Good shots.

[TheB1GDude]

Your photography has much improved as well. Good shots.

Lol thanks... Still no as realistic as other peoples but getting there :)

[winner]

Hey B1G, i woulf highly suggest getting some Drive shaft retainers, i started having my drive shafts pop off consistantly after awhile and rather then buying MIP drive shafts i bought retainers and havent had a single one pop off. i highly suggest it compared to MIP. i have the HR ones because they are cheaper but just as good as the axial ones. i bought mine for like $4 for a pair off ebay.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk101/suphaterz/006-29.jpg

[TheB1GDude]

OK so some updates on the Scorpion....

Added waterproof Traxxas servos to the front and rear steering setup, need some modifications to get them to sit flat but only cost 9 bucks a servo and they are waterproof (or at least splashproof :)) so they are a nice upgrade.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/1fa41789.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/c52ee23e.jpg

Also added insanely big 2.2 RC4WD Rock Stompers, got 6 of them plus 4 pre-star cut foams for 30 bucks, they are a little thinner than the stock Axial Rock Lizards but seem a better compound and much grippier...

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/185a1335.jpg

Then finally I switched to super-soft (red) springs which lowered my COG and hopefully stabilizes me a little...

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/878fa721.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/a52359b8.jpg

Have some high clearance alloy steering knuckles coming for both the front and rear setup but they haven't arrived and given the holiday probably won't until Saturday.

The body was ready for paint but had to have some chopping done to accommodate the tires so still work to be done on that.

[BART]

Looks incredible.

[TheB1GDude]

Looks incredible.

Thanks Bart!

So before my high clearance knuckles have even arrived / been installed I've already found a replaement for them:

http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/firekiddc02/DSC02061.jpg

A set of Felsenfest knuckles with the weights, will probably have to swap my beadlocks around to get these to fit but should keep my front end down nicely.

[BART]

I'm surprised you haven't got the high clearance leading and training arms yet. They looked pretty sweet.

[TheB1GDude]

Just haven't found them for the right price :) everything on this has been purchased used so when I see the links ill get them....

[TheB1GDude]

So here's a comparison shot of the new vs old tires:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/f95490f0.jpg

Then I also have the high clearance alloy steering knuckles compared to the stock plastic ones:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/8fdf3b6c.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/6a45bc96.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/TheB1gDude/Axial%20AX10%20Scorpion/514d3f34.jpg

You can see quite a difference in the shape of them which helps to change up the Ackerman steering geometry for better turning. I order 4 of these but at the moment I only have these installed in the rear as I am getting the weighted front knuckles....