FLM's SPV1 & SPV2 Rock Crawler Chassis

The Fast Lane Machine SPV2 Chassis - September 7th 2008
Designed by Tony Arnold - StampedeProject.com

RETAILERS CLICK HERE

Bourn out of a a want and need for a more universal style chassis, I developed and designed the SPV1 and SPV2 chassis. Currently the designs are licensed to FLM (Fast Lane Machine) and hopefully available via all your favorite crawler retailers very soon.

Available at These Retailers

RCBros.com
Holmes Hobby

RC-Monster.com

Addicted2RC.com

It all started when I heard of Losi's mini-crawler several months back. I though a mini-scale crawler would be cool, but how about a true 1/12th scale... durable and easily built based via Wheelie King parts, a Traxxas Stampede tranny and whatever else I had laying around. The result was my below 1/12th scale FrankenCrawler with parts from just about everywhere. The FrankenCrawler is very capable considering it has a Stampede tranny, Wheelie King axles, mix and match driveshafts, EMaxx Shocks (later Axial Shocks) and of course the original prototype of the SPV1 chassis.

It suddenly occurred to me that if a plate style chassis was flexible enough it could be used on anything from a mini to super class builds and satisfy everyone from the Clod, Berg, Wheelie King, Axial, and other builds with about every hole you could need all in one chassis and still be USRCCA compliant. The result was the SPV1 & SPV2 - StampedeProject Version 21Chassis shown here with the original black Derlin prototype. The SPV1 was designed specially as a bolt up replacement chassis for the stock Axial chassis.

I worked up the first below test version and had Jamie at FLM cut the blank. I mentioned to Jamie that John Robert Holmes (of Holmes Hobbies) would provide un-hindered feedback and I was right. From his comments we ended up with the second version thanks to some excellent recommendations from Holmes. What we realized was that not everyone wanted all the prolific perforations in the chassis and extreme adjustment capabilities probably were not needed for most people, but we decided to offer two chassis side plate versions one universal chassis with all the holes in the below chassis, and then a cleaner version like the one Holmes ran at nationals and pictured a little further down. We also beefed up the lower windowsill and moved the front windshield forward for those people that are running a slipper clutch. The chassis plates will all bolt directly to a stock Axial chassis.

[Below is the original Universal SPV1 Prototype with lots and lots of holes]

Another thing Holmes pointed out right away was how cool the chassis worked with on a Berg setup. FLM is offering the chassis in either SPV1 Universal (above) or the less holy SPV2 Standard version (shown below on Holmes chassis running Nationals in Moab with a Berg setup) with either 81mm Axial width chassis spacers or narrower 55mm spacers for Berg, Clod, Gmade or other Dual tranny builds.

Both chassis are shown here. The Axial mounted chassis is the final design of the standard SPV2 chassis. The unmounted version is our first prototype of the Holey SPV1 Universal chassis with the shorter Berg/Clod spacers.

Templates will be supplied for cutting body panels from standard Lexan. In the pics above I just used some scrap cut-off from a Pro-Line body. Each spacer has tapped screw holes to secure body panels, lights, or anything else you might want to bolt on.

I am not selling any of these directly, so you will need to go through FLM or Holmes Hobby for purchases - I am just the designer.

Want to run a droop suspension setup - either chassis has the holes for you.

Here is the Marketing Fluff I wrote for FLM that explains the models offered.

FLM's SPV1-81 & SPV2-81 Rock Crawler Chassis – For AX10 & Other Driveshaft Crawlers

This super light and durable 81mm spacer width chassis is specifically designed as a direct bodiless stock chassis replacement for the Axial Scorpion AX10 using the stock skid plate. The chassis also works great for anyone doing a custom HPI Wheelie King, or Tamiya TXT/TLT rock Crawler build. The milled 81mm chassis spacers are drilled, tapped and ready for your body panels or scale accessories to be mounted. Both the SPV1-81 and SPV2-81 chassis will accommodate Axial, Losi Crawler, EMaxx and other similar rock crawler shocks in both sprung and droop crawler suspension configurations. For those wanting the ultimate in mounting flexibility, the SPV1-81's extra tuning holes will provide the customer crawler builder nearly unlimited tuning options. This chassis conforms to the 2008 USRCCA chassis rules for competition with required hood, roof and door body panels (not included) installed. The SPV1 and SPV2 chassis are StampedeProject.com designs.

Approximate Weight 5oz.

SPV1-81 & SPV2-81 Chassis Include:
Chassis plates
Seven (7) – 81mm Milled Chassis Spacers
Fourteen (14) – 3mm Machine Screws
Four (4) – Milled Shock Mount Offsets

FLM's SPV1-55 & SPV2-55 Rock Crawler Chassis – For 2.2 Class Berg & Clod Crawlers

This super light and durable 55mm spacer width chassis is specifically designed as a direct bodiless chassis for Berg and Tamiya Clodbuster style rock crawler builds. The milled 55mm chassis spacers are drilled, tapped and ready for your body panels or scale accessories to be mounted. Both the SPV1-55 and SPV2-55 chassis will accommodate Axial, Losi Crawler, EMaxx and other similar rock crawler shocks in both sprung and droop crawler suspension configurations. For those wanting the ultimate in mounting flexibility, the SPV1-55's extra tuning holes will provide the customer crawler builder nearly unlimited tuning options. With the included 8mm body panels spacers installed and required hood, roof and door body panels (no included), this chassis conforms to the 2008 USRCCA chassis rules for competition. The SPV1 and SPV2 chassis are StampedeProject.com designs.

Approximate Weight 5oz.

SPV1-55 & SPV2-55 Chassis Include:
Chassis plates
Seven (7) – 55mm Milled Chassis Spacers
Fourteen (14) – 3mm Machine Screws
Four (4) – Milled Shock Mount Offsets
Four (4) – 8mm Milled Body Panel Offsets

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THE RTR BUILD
Just to assure everything was lined up I picked up a Axial RTR and swapped out and simply swapped out the chassis with the SPV2-81. Gotta say a pretty nice upgrade that allows for some real tuning options for even on the RTR even if you just want to build a rock racer. I will run though a build using the SPV2-81 and an Axial RTR.

Will a body fit on top?
This has been a question from more than a few people and the answer is yes, however with the not that the intention of the chassis was to omit the need for 5-10oz of body weight hanging up high. Here are some pics of bodies placed on top of the rigs. Not some fitting and mounting points will be needed (the stock mounting point holes are provided in the chassis.

DIG SETUPS

OK my DNA dig unit with the mini-servo mounted on top of the unit fit the chassis, however as many have noted a full sized servo makes shifting much more reliable. When I originally designed the chassis the intent was to offer the below part, however you, know, other things in life happen and it takes you months to get the thing done. So here we are today the end of January and I finally have had a chance to finalize the design and prototype - ugly but functional. As soon as FLM can get caught up, it will be out as an accessory to the SPV2 chassis. The final version will also allow the stock DNA dig servo mount to be relocated for slightly lower CG, however I think most people will just opt for a full sized more powerful servo.

What I eventually came up with was a mount that screwed right to the stock SPV2 chassis cross braces and would include a third point mount that mounts to another existing SPV2 chassis hole. This setup ends up being plenty sturdy.

Another frustration little piece of my DNA dig unit was weak linkage. I have had a ton of issues where the stock grub worm unscrewed from the collar. There was also a ton of linkage flex or at least a lot of things that would go wrong between the servo and the shift rod. I used some shortened (FLM) Stampede rod end and just made a link that connected the servo and the shift rod. The grub screw was eliminated with a standard threaded machine screw instead and I did use the Dremel to notch the dig shift rod to assure no more slippage. Not sure if this link will be included with the Dig servo mount, but I will see what we can do.