IT'S TIME FOR STAGE 2

The Trail Basher is a complete blast to drive and it is getting some miles put on it! There were a few things that I would have liked to add to Stage 1 but I was running out of time and wanted to get it online. I planned on tackling some other items in a Stage 2.

So here we are….Stage 2!

Axial has done such an awesome job with the AX10, we wanted to try out a few of the many trick upgrades they offer. Being that our Trail Basher is Axial based and Rummy RC did a great job utilizing the kit components, we should be able to use pretty much everything Axial offers on our custom rig.

Here’s the list of goodies:

Performance Upgrades

• Axial Aluminum Shock Bodies - AX30122
• Axial Slipper Clutch Set - AX30414
• Axial Drive Shaft Rings - AX30493
• Axial Aluminum Rear Axle Lockouts - AX30494
• Axial Straight Axles - AX30421
• Axial Aluminum Wheel Hexes
  

Cosmetic Upgrades

• Axial Blue Color Pack ( blue bent links, blue spacers, etc) - AXA1409
• Axial 2.2 Beadlocks - AX8110 & AX8115 (Blue)

Like any of our projects, we try to plan ahead and address any potential issues but there are almost always a few that pop up. The only real "major" problems experienced so far with Stage 1 of the project are drive shafts popping apart and some shock leaks. Some driveshaft rings and some aluminum shock bodies should help remedy those minor annoyances.
The rings are easy to install and a small drop of CA glue keeps them in place. Our yokes are already getting pretty worn/twisted and it took significant force to get the rings into place. I've run a number of packs through the truck with the rings installed with no more driveshaft failures. Yeehaw!
The Axial aluminum shock bodies are really sweet! These are some high quality pieces and they not only work well, they look even better. Obviously you need to do a complete shock rebuild to get these installed. It's an easy task on this truck and the only other upgrade we might need here are some aluminum shock caps? Time will tell with more bashing, crashing and crawling time. A+ on these shock bodies Axial. Very well done.

In an effort to reduce some drive train strain, I opted to install the Axial Slipper Clutch set. This requires a quick transmission tear down to install but as any Axial owner knows, this is a quick and easy job. Axial gives you everything you need to complete this upgrade and it installed without any glitches. Knowing the power of the Holmes Hobbies 7T puller motor, we'll have to keep the slipper pretty tight. However, even a little slip under high loads should help reduce shaft and transmission wear and tear. After running the truck with the slipper installed, it is safe to say that there is zero performance loss and all the while, it is good to know we are tearing things up under the hood a little less than normal.

Another issue we had a few times while rock climbing (or rolling down a rock pile) was one of the rear turn buckle rod ends would pop off. Axial wisely has the truck setup for an easy 4-wheel steering upgrade but for the BYT Project Truck, that option is not anywhere in the near future. I would rather keep the rears straight and tight. Luckily, Axial has thought of my needs before I even knew I had them! Their rear axle lockout kit will eliminate a lot of extra stuff on the rear axle I am not using and it will also strengthen rear axle setup. I opted for the aluminum lockouts and straight axles. Installation is simple! Check out the pile of stuff I was able to remove by upgrading to these lockouts! Amazing! And note how solid, clean and sweet those axle lockouts look. Very nice and thanks again to Axial for anticipating my every need :)

Axial now offers a number of different color packs to upgrade your AX10 and make it more custom looking. As this truck is in "blue mode" and I really wanted some bent links for the rear, I had to get the Axial Blue Color Pack (with blue bent links, blue front axle and steering links, misc blue spacers, etc) - AXA1409.
While this color pack is mainly a cosmetic upgrade, the bent links have been a nice performance booster. On the rocks, they allow my tires to grab an obstacle and keep the links from getting hung up on the obstacle.

I liked running the Losi Clawz on the Axial beadlock rims but the green rings were just not cutting it. As I was feeling “ blue” about that, I picked up a full set of the blue beadocks. I was a little worried about blue overload but once everything was installed, I was very, very pleased with the visual and performance results.

Installing all of these items was a breeze as I did it all at once. Tear the truck down one time, install everything and reassemble. Axial also makes it easy with a well thought out and designed truck. As our truck is based on the Axial AX10, all of these hop-ups were a dream to install and work beautifully....even though we are running a custom chassis.


Axial has not failed to impress, whether it be the AX10 kit itself or the ample hop-ups they provide for their rig. All of the parts we used in Stage 2 were awesome, delivering the promised performance upgrades and looking good at the same time.


Will there be a Stage 3? Well, I doubt Axial or any other active aftermarket companies are going to stop making parts for the hottest crawler on the market. And of course, is any project ever truly "done"? You can answer that question yourself.

As always, stay tuned to BYT for the latest and greatest.

Now it is time to........GO BEAT YOUR TRUCK!