Rather than blindly follow other guys' mods (although they ARE good) I decided to try a rear suspension redesign, also using pretty much stock parts only. A small handful of unrelated hardware was involved. Now my 'crawler achieves about 88 degrees of articulation with the front end *almost* unmodified...

Another view... And yes, it was driven into place!

Rather than butcher the inner tub (where the axle pivots) further, I removed the axle pivot and mounted it to the OUTSIDE surface of the tub. Used a metal cable clip in place of the little plastic barrell. Upper shockmount was made from a small 90* bracket and some nylon cable clips. Lower shockmount was made from aluminum sheet and attached to the axle using those unused servo mounts...

Sweeett.

Showing the pivoting upper shockmounts...

Body off, rear view

another angle

Note how the upper shockmounts swivel on both axes to align with the axle and eliminate binding...

I still haven't addressed the steering or cut the tires, got lots to do. Better hurry, though, I gotta go back to work on Monday!

WOW thats reallllly nice!!

very cool man

Dang Toy pullin out all the stops!!
I still havent done my step sons truck.....hmmmmm hmmmm

Now the cable clips. Are those what is used for repairing ends of cable cord?
Both plastic and metal. I want to go to radio shack today and get the necessary parts!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Gimme,

They're used to secure wires in place. The shock bolts slide nicely thru them, and they'll pivot on the mounting screw. My shock bolts are STILL stock...

cool now that i see them...thats so easy! very slick idea!!

metal clips the same size?

and the did you leave the stock barrel on the axle? just put the metal clip over it?

thx for the help!

Hey, no prob! I love bashing ideas off you guys! Glad to help, you've helped me! Umm, the metal one was basically the same size, but i did a little bending on it to make a more or less exact fit on the shaft. Got rid of the barrell. I made two spacers out of vinyl tubing to eat up the gap on either side between the clip and the axle arms, so the axle wouldn't slide sideways. I used the metal clip on the axle arm for durability, and the nylon ones for the shocks for friction reduction. Thanks for the kudos, and if you or anyone want more details, just ask! Cheers!
PS- After I drove it up the wall for the first pix, my wife picked it up, and as she was twisting the axles back and forth, she kept saying "Sick!" Dunno if she meant my Jeep or ME!

The flex is very nice, but the pics are hard to make out (dark). I'm stil unclear on how the barrel part works. Can you post some shots with better lighting?

LOL@Sick!!
Ive got the same reaction. hehe

Think about this Toy. Both front and rear with your setup!! Probably have to cut the hood up, but i bet you could get Over Vertical flex!!!

wow

DROOL!!! could maybe drive thru a tunnel with one axle on each wall???
I'll work on pix, but camera old and crappy. Whaddya need to know?

i think im in love with a suspension setup!
dont tell my wife. hehe

I won't tell yours if you don't tell mine. Deal?
K7- Barrell part (axle pivot) works much like before, but has been relocated OUTSIDE the body tub. Plastic Barrell (the actual pivot point) has been discarded, and it's duties are replaced by the aforementioned metal clip.

very cool, good job thinking outside the box

Thanks, Toy - makes more sense now. I'm just slow