Crawler Canyon Presents: ICFTW Vol6 Ep3, Straight Axle Phoenix Build, the VFD Twin (Bag D)

We're taking this one more slowly than I do ordinarily-- not in terms of "this is going to take 3 weeks" but more along the lines of "we're going to break this into pieces so it's not a single 5 hour long video."
Let's find out if I learned from my mistakes building my Phoenix portal, and what kind of differences I find between the two. This is Episode Three of It Came From The Workbench (ICFTW) Volume Six: bag D, the gear-stuffed VFD Twin gearbox.
IG: crawlercanyon

[@Oper8or]

Call me crazy, but I would love to see a hard body go on this build. Even if its an Injora body. Its already heavy, so what is a little more heft gonna hurt! Love the video as always. Keep yourself sane sir, we are here to help. Also, you never mentioned how your arm is doing. Inquiring minds need to know.

[@CrawlerCanyon]

Despite the price, the Killerbody LC70 is a near-constant temptation. But my course and temperament don't really lend to that "hardbody life," I think.

[@Oper8or]

@@CrawlerCanyon Chicken. :) Its the one thing you don't have in your collection that I can tell, except the RC4WD truck that is. That is a leaf spring trail truck though. I'm just challenging you to get outside the norm. Its not cheap either way.

[@Triple_C_RC]

LC70 for the win!! Lol

[@Andy_Yates]

I just followed along on this vid to build the VFD transmission on my Phoenix. Super helpful and I initially went looking just to see how you oriented the wires. I also remember seeing this the first time and ordered a PanaVise because it looked very helpful. I can vouch, it is extraordinarily helpful and is available on Amazon for a reasonable price. Another tip for search terms would be to add "Phoenix transmission" into the title or the key words. Bag D is very helpful but I totally forgot that is how you named this series 🤙

[@kravenkrawlhobby5438]

You got the 2300 pro, REAL GOOD!! I remember when I asked you about getting one and you said not doing it. Glad you came to your senses cause the price is not to bad considering what you get for the money. The fusion is my go to motor. Either the fusion or the 1080 we all love so much. 1080 is my favorite ESC. I normally watch your videos on my TV KZbin but I had to jump on my phone and leave a comment saying congrats on the PRO!

[@CrawlerCanyon]

The Fusions came back into the mix when Castle bumped all of the Copperhead combos north of 200 bucks. At the time, I think I paid less for the CC combo that's in Argentum than I did for the new Fusion Pro. We all know it, but it bears repeating: prices be getting crazy.

[@chriscord6524]

I know someone who works for Castle C. 100% of the esc are made here in KC. But motors are made by uncle Wu. They are worth the cost

[@nrvous309]

This video will come in handy in about 2 hrs give or take a few minutes. Bc right now, I'm pooping myself thinking about VFD assembly

[@GhostRider-ii7tz]

I’d like to get the straight axle phenix to my collection.would look awesome next to my vs410 pro.awesome channel sir.👍

[@Brian_Mowry__BMOW71]

Good stuff! On to the next!

[@jayleeson8517]

Man I think you would be an excellent person to sit down with a beer and chat

[@JPWirt]

I'm still rooting for the TRX4 Sport Camper body, especially after seeing those wheels!

[@augustzackery]

I’m really looking forward to building this kit. I’ll be getting it soon. ExocagedRC made a video on the solution to the 10.3 click. Might be worth checking out

[@ardvark1835]

Great Video. You explain the method as you go . I love watching your vids. I am Hooked on them

[@brianargo1659]

I would like to get one of those 1080 program Cards. If ur willing to come off it that is. Save me an HR drive one way to the hobby shop. Mine was crushed. 😂 By the way. I enjoyed this video👍

[@CrawlerCanyon]

Oh man are you in luck. I think I might have 1080 cards into the double digits. Get ahold of me through IG or whatever so we can work out where to send it.

[@jaydarciesrcadventures2233]

shim gear 23 or use the machined gears and the clicking go's away lol.

[@FaithSaraG]

Don't feel bad about getting confused inside the transmission. The first time I swapped overdrive gears on an Element transmission I got it screwed up and lunched the bearings.

[@CrawlerCanyon]

😬 Relatably, I mixed up the screws that hold the Stealth down to chassis, and stuffed an M3 into the main gear. Luckily the factory gears are plastic. That was Yella's OE gearbox, which now lives... somewhere? I have no idea what rig it's in. But some quick work with a file and the teeth were EASILY 70% good as new. 😆

[@mrchucklesssss]

Hey did you have shave part of the upper link mount to fit the fusion pro? I just put mine in last night and it wouldn’t sit without a little shave. Then my skid plate did not and doesn’t want to line up with the motor cover/plate without my screw being angled and not fully seated. I’ll keep fidgeting with it but wanted to see if you experienced or notice it on yours. I appreciate these videos tremendously, thank you for taking the time film :)

[@CrawlerCanyon]

I don't believe so? I also took out that front screw that goes from skidplate to motorplate. It quieted the rig down significantly, so something in the tolerances must be slightly off. I'll double check the skids on all the Phoenicians to make sure, but I don't think I've had to trim anything using a VFD Twin.

[@BlackHawk7616]

I had to in my rig I have the vs4-10 phoenix Falken edition

[@bouncingnoise]

Hey there, just 4 info, we’ve built 2 VRD and after a few runs both started clicking 🤔 So the click definitely doesn’t happen in the dig unit. I’m still searching…

[@CrawlerCanyon]

The only thing that stopped the click in Argentum's gearbox was the machined gears in the back half. Meanwhile, the other Twins in the fleet have never made a sound, so my suspicion is likely the same as yours-- manufacturing error/quality control. My first Phoenix was a "launch edition," so it was a little bit expected, but a bummer to see it happening in the VRDs, which are a whole lot newer.

[@bouncingnoise]

@@CrawlerCanyon today I shimed the input shaft behind the aluminum motor plate, and both output shafts on the outside, and the rear output gear inside the transmission…for now, it’s gone

[@CrawlerCanyon]

@@bouncingnoise oh, I got mine to stop for short periods numerous times. Always came back. I wish you better luck.

[@Truckguy41]

the extra covers for the dig an overdrive if i remember from hearing reviews its so if you only want dig you can block off the overdrive an or block off dig an keep overdrive

[@CrawlerCanyon]

Makes sense on the one hand, but on the other hand, why would a human person buy a rig with a VFD Twin and opt not to use it? People are strange.

[@after9527]

Comp rules maybe...? Allows one but not the other. Not sure how the rules work, never done one.

[@auggysimcity]

@@CrawlerCanyon definitely comp rules if one chooses.... or if one is broke.. they can add a dig or OD servo when bonus paychecks come in... or when you go for a bank loan!!

[@CrawlerCanyon]

Comp rules! I genuinely do forget about those, because the only rules in effect here are flexible and few. I do remember the first Phoenix I saw built up, full Tekin from end to end. Somebody managed to find a way to make the electronics cost 2x the cost of the kit.🤣

[@auggysimcity]

@@CrawlerCanyon agreed. There is a bridge to be sold to everyone. I sent you a message on the link you provided regarding the phoenix lexan.