[MOD] 42126 Ford Raptor 4WD RC

[Arie]

Contrary to many people I actually quite like the looks of the F-150 Raptor set, and decided to build a new chassis for it to motorize it. I wanted to give it plenty of power, a working steering wheel (I'm always a bit disappointed with models that don't have a functioning steering wheel), and it seemed like there was quite some space so I wanted to have some extra functionality, therefore I added differential locks on all three differentials.

The truck has four wheel drive, with differentials on each axle and a center differential. All three differentials are lockable. The suspension has remained roughly similar to the original model, with double wishbones in the front and a live axle in the rear. The steering wheel in the cabin is also connected to the steering and moves with the wheels.

The steering and locking differentials are each powered by a control+ L motor, two control+ XL motors are used for drive. 

 

The control plus hub is easily accessible under the hood.

To make everything fit I had to give up the rear bench (the lock for the center diff is 2 studs too high to make it fit), and I had to sacrifice some ground clearance in the middle of the chassis and on the rear axle.

The axles where the most challenging part, in the front because the model is not wide enough to fit a differential, U-joints and CV joints, therefore the front differential is placed longitudinal and connects to the CV joints using bevel gears. In the rear, the problem was that the front axle has a 1:1 ratio from the wheels to the diff, and there was no space left in the chassis to increase the speed of the driveline before it goes into the rear axle. That meant the rear axle also needed to have a 1:1 gear ratio, which was very challenging. I managed it in the end by using two 3650 24 tooth Crown gears being driven from a 16 tooth gear on the driveline axle and driving the 16 tooth side of an old differential with the same crown gears. 

Overall I'm quite happy with the result, however if you go from full speed forward to full speed reverse the crown gears still slip. I'm still doubting if I will give reinforcing the bracing of the gears another go or if I'll leave it like this for now. I'm also still doubting whether I will rebuild the chassis in better matching colors, 

Let me know what you think! And if anyone has another idea on how to make the rear axle with a 1:1 ratio and space for the diff lock I'm very interested :)

 

 

[Jundis]

Very clever solution of the fron diff problem!

Aside from that, you really packed this thing to the max, I'd never thought there would be enough space for hub, 4 motors and locking diff O_o

[Arie]

9 hours ago, Jundis said:

Very clever solution of the fron diff problem!

Aside from that, you really packed this thing to the max, I'd never thought there would be enough space for hub, 4 motors and locking diff O_o

Thanks! Decided to leave the build as is for now and move on to something else :)