Transforming the Axial CJ7 with 3 Upgrades!

[@Livlifetaistdeth]

Just casually redesigned the entire truck to be more functional in less than a week no biggie. I bet the Axial guys love this channel. Just one of the best rc channels in youtube.

[@scalebuildersguild]

Gosh, that's some good looking lexan.

[@bcochener]

The blue wheels were a proper choice! Looks so much better sitting lower as well. Great progress!

[@longtalltexanrc3358]

This is a fantastic upgrade. I think you’ve just made a bunch of Scxiii owners very happy.

[@westdesertwheeler]

Solid build here. Thanks for sharing

[@HighSocietyHobbies]

I used a picture of the ripper today for my College humanities class because we were supposed to write/talk about our hobby’s and boy the amount of comments about how “you just play with RC’s” and then proceeded by “ wait those are how expensive!?” Lol some people just don’t understand.

[@christophermears7738]

Awesome .. thanks for making the 3rd files available. This should make the 10iii platform more driveable

[@Vanquishfanboy]

I didn’t have cad or a printer when I did my vfd swap into a gladiator. I just did some trimming to the vanquish skid plate and put the vanquish skid plate in the axial chassis

[@Sysiphos]

Since anyone hasn't said it yet, should've come (more) like that from factory. I actually believe what Rich T said in a wednesday live that axial trucks are very dialed in to stock setup, but the flipside seems to be that you get barely any performance benefits with smaller modifications unlike in many other crawlers. If you're still reading, try the clipless body mounts Fine Laser Designs released

[@kennethrobinson9008]

The Scientist is killing it! Love the upgrades. Josh, thanks for the 3D parts!

[@kevin_fine]

Love this idea, would love to send you some of my Fine Laser Designs clipless body mounts to help you with getting the body on and off!

[@HarleyDesignsInc]

I’m willing to try anything to make it easier!!

[@rc-daily]

Ive always wanted to put a vfd in my basecamp

[@RadRaf]

Excellent tips and video! Not to mention the truck looks great after the modifications but ofcoarse that subjective. Look forward to the crawling review, I'm sure it'll be nigh and day difference! As always, thanks for the insight Matt!

[@mikebird8290]

Thanks Josh VERY helpful sir. Really looking forward to receiving mine ordered in red 🇬🇧🇺🇲✌🏼🤩

[@jjvizms]

Great series and the reason why i started watching this channel. Looking forward to the future upgrades to this rig and future wild builds

[@thomasbialzik3060]

Coming along nicely. I miss you guys on Fridays, but I understand the need for some time with your honey😊

[@RIdeWerksInc]

Wow a difference stance makes.. Actually makes me want one now after I seen the work you did on it... pretty awesome

[@Brian_Mowry__BMOW71]

Perfect wheel and tire combo! The CJ is looking really good now and sitting where it should be with the shorter shocks and the addition of the VFD. I'm looking forward to picking up the VFD 3D printed mount to add to my 10.3 JLU. I've always wanted to add the VFD to it, but haven't taken the time to come up with a mount.

[@carjeep3750]

Hey man, I’m interested in this mod. Besides the transmission kit @ $120, and the 3d printed part and longer drive shaft, what else do I need? The tranny in the video looks different than the tranny on their website which throws me off. I’m not familiar with vanquish parts.

[@modelcarjedi]

Those blue wheels looks fantastic on it. Nice upgrades

[@outcastrc8052]

Excellent video Josh! I really like what you are doing to that Jeep! It is looking better and better as well, the performance will be so much superior! Great stuff and a treat to see your thinking process to obtain the desired results!!! Well Done and Thanks!

[@cotecollins]

Finally! Some tires from my 1:1! I have a set of mt 003s on my superduty and they absolutely rock!

[@discoveryrc]

Got those tires and foams coming for my cj7. Gonna have to look into to the vfd swap. Great video 👍

[@TerzosToys]

Stock tires actually do well when wet. Wonder how they would perform with some tread modded.

[@Braindog]

Cool Mod.👍 Now i only need this Car😆 Thanks for your 3D Parts.

[@markhinkle3234]

Awesome!! Thank you so much for the mods! Excellent video! 👍👍

[@Chibs_Creationz]

Those wheels are badass😎 tube style door might look good with that build. And removing the over plastering of the axial logo

[@TheLilhulk1111]

You need to do some outside testing on the before and after

[@DadsRCGaragePNW]

Nice!! I put wheels on mine gunna run the tires for a while. Put front rotor weights on it. I found it had the want to flip backwards a lot on my shake down run. It’s made it up my challenge spot the early bronco didn’t so that was cool. I also put brass diff covers on mine cause it was cheap easy weight. It helped. I have dual stage foams in it now and plan to put the brushless castle system I have in it. My only issue is no where to mount the esc unless I wanna run the battery in the back but who wants to do that!! lol. Was hoping and praying you did some mount thing over the receiver box to be able to run an esc or something lol. Back to head scratching.

[@bucksrcworld8119]

those blue impacts look killer on this rig!

[@deriklarsen]

Could the vfd skid plate be used instead of the stock axial skid and the printed part?

[@R.Sole88109]

If you ain't rubbing, you ain't off roading hard enough!. 😉😄

[@carjeep3750]

Is there a parts list of what is needed?

[@3875jd]

Wow, very cool. Really like the CG lesson video also 👍

[@mtrrc85]

I've been following your build series for some time now. How bout I suggest you build a rig RC-RFC style. That event is similar format to the 1:1 scale RFC. Will love to see you build up a rig in that style. Thanks for the inspiration for cage build mate.. 🤜🏽🤛🏼

[@bluegroovemodelsports9650]

Great video, great tips for that chassis

[@TheRCNetwork]

Great video, Josh 👍

[@chrisb5986]

Those wheels are sick.

[@KInd325]

I never use to like Mickey Thompson tires either but after watching reviews I put a set of the Baja boss A/T’s on my full size superduty and they are by far the best tire I’ve ever ran. Crawler Canyon did a review of the Axial Baja Boss tires and they did better then the VP Falkens in his crawler rock yard. Like the tread pattern or not Mickey Thompson has a design that really works.

[@braddahdussifyoumuss596]

Good stuff man!! Just seen a couple of these tumblin down the mountain the other day😂 hopefully I can share this video to them🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@ELLISON-Auto-performance]

Some +10mm spacers would give that thing a meaner stance and help even more with stability I put +20mm spacers on my 10 3 wrangler wich made it ar60 width and it’s a whole different machine put countless hours on it with them with a 25T equivalent motor and 3S bashing it on hills with zero issues if there is extra wear it’s not enough to matter

[@needlejuse1113]

Awesome

[@SuperDrake79]

Would you please put together a required list of vanquish parts to make this work for those that aren’t Vanquish savvy?

[@BlindGuyRc]

That there is sure the problem.. I feel like it would be easier to just design the body mounts to fit on a vs4-10 hahaha. That said. You just making a axial so much better. Next step HD44 axles hahaha Awesome designs. Great work. Love these kind of videos. It's cool seeing the stuff you design to make things better.

[@dhstube]

Josh can you make a short of COG of the ripper? I always want to know how the weight is distribuided in this rig. TIA

[@clintonlloyd8561]

Will the Incision drive shafts be long enough?

[@HarleyDesignsInc]

I’ll have to test, I would assume they will be.

[@WoolstyRC]

It needs a blue graphic or something blue on the rear quarter. It just looks abit off to me. If I cover the rear the front looks good but if I cover the front the rear looks abit boring/plain 😅 be good to see how it performs now

[@dhstube]

Is possible to install this transmission backward to get a 2WD/4WD rig? TIA

[@crawlerballer]

Looks great!

[@cablety]

What’s the physical size of the battery you’re running in the side tray?

[@OutlawFarmersRC]

So will this also fit the Twin. I want that dig and shiftable overdrive

[@pwrofgrayskull]

Same here. Same question. I’d like to be able to get the VFD Twin in this rig.

[@jasonbecker4997]

In another reply he said it wouldn’t fit the twin.

[@jbrunsonjr]

What batteries are you running? New to the hobby and bought two zee 5200mah, 11.1v with an EC 5 connectors. Trying to figure out if I can change the plug, or do I need new batteries?

[@vincentmainguy6154]

Tu es vraiment brillant 👌. Quelle belle modification!! Bravo ! Cap Santé G0A1L0 🤟🤟🤟

[@silentjde]

I installed the vfd and love how it works but the mount has not worked out to well, I’ve broken 2 of them. Not sure if it’s a material issue or not printing correctly but need a metal version or I have to try different material

[@bradlycruse73]

Great episode! What material do you recommend for these vfd mounts? Thanks

[@HarleyDesignsInc]

I tried to beef up the link mount to work with most materials but stronger the better still. But I bet even PLA will survive most normal use.

[@bradlycruse73]

@@HarleyDesignsInc thanks for the reply. I’m gonna have to do this! When is your running video with the new transmission?

[@paulgaddini]

Nice work Brother! When do we get to see it perform?

[@rayduffield749]

Does the VFD transmission have a dig unit built in like the stock transmission does?

[@jessevanderlinde8889]

Can you make a mount for the five twin?? I will buy that!!

[@johnwisniewski5786]

Do you put holes in the tires or the wheels?

[@CrawlersCampRc]

I'm super excited for this! Love what your doing with it. I have done all the same except for trans in early bronco. I can't 3d print that mount though. Is there anyone that I can pay to print one for me?

[@jjvizms]

There is a skid on shapeways that replaces the 10iii skid and you can order it printed already forgive $40. Not sure of the name but you can search Google or shapeways.

[@danytremblay6168]

Nice video as always. I dont know why Axial keeps putting those 100mm shocks on their trucks, I have the early bronco and it was the same thing, I've replaced the shocks for 90mm and by doing this it's already a much better look and cog :)

[@frozenphyro2302]

Did the same on the JLU. Went with some 80mm from the Phoenix portal.

[@michaelmaxwell7638]

I used the same stock shocks. I ordered just 90mm springs from my local hobby shop. Lowered the truck that way.I now have long down travel and doesn’t rub fender on up travel.

[@SivartCustomRCs]

Nice mods, too bad you need to spend 500 on it and spend another 300+ to make it actually work well.

[@BSalc]

Nice mod 👍🏽👍🏽.. will there be an issue with the shroud installed on VFD trans?

[@ekpauly]

Its 8 weeks of “budget” build in one episode. Nice.

[@davidbanaszak562]

Can Vanquish make a machine aluminum version?

[@JPWirt]

This swap is going to be great in the C0/C1 SCX10iii 2-door JK Hardbody truck I'm building! What spur/pinion would you recommend for 3.93 tires with this transmission swap?

[@fredhenschel3000]

Great video !!! Thanks

[@soggycivic8594]

What material would you recommend to print the 3d mounts?

[@Mikro383]

Would anyone know how the VFD gear ratio is with straight axles? I want to do this with my Gladiator on AR60's and the 10.3 transmission without the straight axle gear set is awful.

[@jamesrussell4216]

Do you have a shape ways account anywhere I can get this already printed thanks in advance

[@blackpete389]

Hello I would like to put this transmission in my 10.3 gladiator. I have the transmission but don’t have a printer or no anyone who does. I went on Shapeways to see if I could buy in your store but the adapter is not available. Where else could I purchase. Thanks.

[@pwrofgrayskull]

What a great transformation! Will your file work with the VFD Twin? Forgive my ignorance, but I do not have any Vanquish transmission experience - however I have been wanting to get a VFD Twin for quite some time.

[@rc-daily]

It should bolt right up

[@nicholasstephey8475]

A vfd twin and a vfd have different bolt patterns

[@pwrofgrayskull]

🧐🤔 Feels like conflicting information.

[@HarleyDesignsInc]

It will only work with the standard VFD

[@pwrofgrayskull]

@@HarleyDesignsInc - well dang. Thanks for confirming. Wish I had CAD. And skills. 🤣

[@brandonchayka4009]

I looked but didn’t see the parts on your website.

[@brandonchayka4009]

Finally found it. Got myself to the thing-averse page and couldn’t find it.

[@petechipps9770]

Great mod and video as usual. Will this mod work on the Basecamp?

[@Triple_C_RC]

I don't believe so being that the base camp has a single speed smaller gear box. But you never know, I'm sure there is some way to fit it 💪

[@Triple_C_RC]

Could be wrong

[@JohnCollins-kv5kj]

Does anyone know if this will work with a vfd twin transmission? Thank you

[@matty8272]

From everyone's description it handled like a jeep. Top heavy and tippy. Lol.

[@hotboyracing]

Am I going to buy one no, did I enjoy watching you work on it yes, yes I did

[@davidrzr99]

Would that VFD Transmission mount work with a VFD Twin? If not, what’s the difference between the two transmissions?

[@HarleyDesignsInc]

No it’s for the standard trans only. The whole back half of the trans and internal shafts are different.

[@jetbuilder]

Will the vfd twin fit with this mount?

[@scaleaddict7688]

No Weight in the rear? Felt like since the body is top heavy to the rear that would be something done to keep the rear down during side hill and decent.

[@HarleyDesignsInc]

Just by lowering the COG it will keep it down better. I don’t like to add weight to the rear unless absolutely necessary and I don’t feel it is here

[@timothybrown1189]

Okay, but does it work with the VFD twin? Would you still be able to run it at Axialfest? Asking for a friend......

[@HarleyDesignsInc]

The twin is a different bolt pattern. I may try and see if I can fit it but I’m not sure it will clear the link unless I shift the trans forward and redesign the front servo mount. Which wouldn’t be that hard.

[@TVsGringoStarr]

Only a few hours in CAD? It that all? 🤣

[@chedisme]

Do you think this would work in the early bronco? They have the same chassis, I don't see why it wouldn't. But I figured I'd ask

[@HarleyDesignsInc]

It should work in any of them that use this chassis and trans.

[@Rc-Adventurers]

Looks Sick👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@jeremyrobert413]

What motor did you go with?? I am hitting the passenger upper link after trying to install the vfd.

[@HarleyDesignsInc]

I’m using a Spektrum 2-1. Are you hitting the motor or the link mount on the skid?

[@jeremyrobert413]

Upper link mount but a little Dremel work I fits. Thanks for the reply But I have broken 2 3d printed mounts I am thinking about contacting send cut send to get a metal one. What do you think???

[@Manuelblancobandera]

You haven't thought about putting hex extensions so that the wheels are further away from the bodywork?

[@HarleyDesignsInc]

That would only cause more rubbing and issues with the bumpers. Making it wider will increase scrub steer and swing the tire into the body work.

[@themountain59]

@@HarleyDesignsInc huh??I am not following..🙄

[@TicoCrawlerRC]

Also it will limit the steering radius.

[@HarleyDesignsInc]

@@themountain59 making the truck wider with larger hubs will increase scrub radius, causing the tire to swing more into the fender and bumper during the range of motion.

[@jrfishes]

Should went with dredgers over skarns 😊

[@DinkAround]

Wish I had a 3D printer to make this mod

[@EricsRC]

Any chance of you loaning me 1/10 axial for axial fest this year? I just learned about it and I don't have any axial products yet. I'm local and could even meet up at R&H sometime. Just thought I'd ask. Thanks 😊 You can hold onto my K10 for your Cj7. I got 2k invested. I just wanna hit the trails at axialfest

[@mathias4891]

I got the vfd trans kit to shoehorn into a basecamp kit to fit a body as the stock trans hits the tunnel far before I can mate the mount . This is my first scale-ish build I've done and I don't have a printer . Would you please oh please be willing to send me these parts they look like they'd be perfect because it would keep me from having to source custom links? I have PayPal if that would work for you please and thanks

[@joemomma-l6e]

Hey what transmission is that?

[@HarleyDesignsInc]

It’s the VFD transmission.

[@RCplamodel]

Thank you for sharing a good video with a nice car! 💯👍👍~~~^_^😮😅😊

[@Shkieletor]

You moved motor from the verry front to the middle... And center of gravity moved from the back to the front...? How... I think You made an error when measuring stock SCX10.3 because looking on the layout it should be verry front heavy and swaping to VFD should move the CG to the back a little...

[@Mike_and_Life]

And by 4.75, you mean 4.70, right?

[@treavonbrooks78tb]

Are u going to sell them

[@HarleyDesignsInc]

I sell the files only. They are linked below.

[@GoatneckRCC]

So in other words just buy a vanquish and put this body on it…

[@madmaxximus1234]

Now that's sexy!👍🤙

[@standforjesus7427]

Seems like if you pay 500 then you have to put in hundreds more to make it work well. Are you sure it's not a overpriced red cat I think I will just wait for the body

[@rcjoe406]

Just sell that body already!come axial you know you really wanted to put a trx4 under it 😮😅😊

[@RCRitterFPV]

isn't the proper way to use corner weights flat, then raise the front 45 degrees... some math and bingo ?

[@HarleyDesignsInc]

A common method in 1:1 for sure. But you do end up with a fudge factor based on assumptions you have to make for non-ideal circumstances. This is a method that takes out a lot of those factors because a pendulum doesn’t have a lot of outside influences.

[@knutroald5332]

BUT JOSH!!? Its several shades of BLUE not ORANGE!! Is Matt hiding out of frame holding you at gunpoint?! Blink twice if you need help🥴