I've started by initially constructing a new centre section out of 2mm (for the lower side plates) and 8mm (for the base) aluminium plate. This has a width of 80mm, with a distance of 120mm between the lower link mounts, and 82mm between the uppers, with 40mm vertically between them. This leaves them pretty close to parallel when viewed from the side. What I've done here is to reverse the positions of the pairs when compared with the 'Zilla. Now, the upper pair are mounted inboard at the chassis end and the outer pair run to the bottom of the axles. Also the upper links are longer on the top, whereas the 'Zilla ones were all of equal length. So far articulation seems reasonable, the axle moves up and down until the ball ends bind out, and wheel clearance is improved again in comparison with the 'Z. Currently I've only made one set of linkages to test the design, once the lengths are finalised the ones at the rear will probably become the fronts, then maybe I'll be able to crank the not-yet produced rears slightly to alleviate some potential hang-up issues.
The centre section itself was initially devised to accommodate a standard 7.2V stick pack, which can be seen in its place already. The thick piece of plate poking out the front isn't anything to do with the construction, it's the same material as the base is made out of, for the time being the extra bit is only maintaining rigidity here, later on some of it may become an upper or mid-chassis plate mounting the necessary accessories. The new lower side plates are still covered with the blue plastic coating that come on (some) new ally sheet, and I've just used a redundant Tamiya TLT side plate (currently located with elastic bands alone!) to set the shock upper position. This dimensioning will set the ride height of the truck exactly, and may well require considerable adjustability building in. This positioning simultaneously adjusts the wheelbase of the truck, which without changing rods can be varied between about 17 and 20 inches depending on centre section ground clearance. This will be the next stage - designing and producing the upper chassis plates.
The Axial shell is a left-over from that project and I think it suits. The bottom of it should line up with the bottom of the centre section when it's properly mounted. One of the later tricks will be to make the H2 Hummer body fit as well, although I'll have to significantly limit the suspension travel. So far there's only been one dropped goolie. I managed to snap a M3 starter tap when cutting one of the (10) threads in the base plate. It broke sub-surface at full depth so it's in there pretty tightly. I don't think there's much chance of getting it out, although I'll have a go after I've got it good and hot. Beyond that I might be able to drill it out being as it is only made of High Speed Steel, though I'll have to make a jig for concentricity, and even then it will probably knacker a cobalt steel drill or two and the hole to boot. Uggggh!
