The Nerd's new rig

Here's some pictures of the very first set of Ras Customs wheels. Granted they aren't completely mine, but they do prove the concept.

I later realised I should have got the weight of the complete wheel, but just as a comparison here is the weights of the original wheel, and the parts that replaced it.





The wheels proved to be very easy to mount, about the same, if not easier than the 'normal' style beadlock. Best part though is it will fit about about 49mm knuckle weights for even more weight under the axle.







Original next to the new internal style


Little bead holding test




Kieren

Spot the difference


This might help...


Kieren

This updates a couple days old now, but I'll post up anyway.

Weight of Eritex Charlotte (light version)


Weight with my parts


Just to show how much room these wheels have. Note that the weights on there are already 'oversize' at 44mm compared to the standard 38mm or 40.5mm.





Kieren

Just a little project I tried to test out my new toy for the mill. Unfortunately this one will have to remain a unfinished prototype, I stuffed up the position of the bearing pockets so the mesh is too tight.





Kieren

[JERRY2KONE]

Your a lucky man to have access to such tools and have the time to play like this. You are on another level from what most of us are able to accomplish in this hobby, and it is nice to see someone have the chance to take things to a whole other level in the hobby that we all know and love. I always look forward to ready through your updates sir. I wish I had the machining tools, and skills that you posess for doing this kind of work.

What you experienced with this particular project is exactly what scared me off from becoming a career machinist, because of the failure factor involved. Thinking that you could litterally spend thousands of hours working on a project for some client and end up destroying it with one tiny mistake, and having to start all over again worried me. So I became a mechanic instead. Although I do wish that I had the skills to do what you are doing I have experienced the same level of confidence working with wood. Keep up the great work and please keep sharing your projects. Have a Happy New Year 2012.

[coolhandcountry]

Looks great!
All the new and unique things about the truck is just great to look at.
What is the deal with the new gear box?
Lower gearing or just stronger?

[JERRY2KONE]

Heck you might as well just machine a custom gearbox out of aluminum and rid any chance of flexing which can destroy your nice steel gear setup? Your work has been impecable so far so I am sure making a new gearbox is not that far out of reach for you.

Originally Posted by JERRY2KONE

Your a lucky man to have access to such tools and have the time to play like this. You are on another level from what most of us are able to accomplish in this hobby, and it is nice to see someone have the chance to take things to a whole other level in the hobby that we all know and love. I always look forward to ready through your updates sir. I wish I had the machining tools, and skills that you posess for doing this kind of work.

What you experienced with this particular project is exactly what scared me off from becoming a career machinist, because of the failure factor involved. Thinking that you could litterally spend thousands of hours working on a project for some client and end up destroying it with one tiny mistake, and having to start all over again worried me. So I became a mechanic instead. Although I do wish that I had the skills to do what you are doing I have experienced the same level of confidence working with wood. Keep up the great work and please keep sharing your projects. Have a Happy New Year 2012.

Thanks very much for the kind words. I really lucked out as the old man is a fitter and turner and I get to use all his tools and machines. I'm hoping to invest in a desktop CNC sometime in the new year to hopefully kick things up a notch.

I know what your saying, but at the moment the machining is just hobby stuff, so if I stuff up it's not to costly to have another crack. That's quite funny you should say that, I'm terrible making anything out of wood

Thank you, happy new year too you too.

Originally Posted by coolhandcountry

Looks great!
All the new and unique things about the truck is just great to look at.
What is the deal with the new gear box?
Lower gearing or just stronger?

Thanks!

I was making the gearbox mainly to be more compact. It still uses all the original gears etc just a different housing to hold it all together.

Originally Posted by JERRY2KONE

Heck you might as well just machine a custom gearbox out of aluminum and rid any chance of flexing which can destroy your nice steel gear setup? Your work has been impecable so far so I am sure making a new gearbox is not that far out of reach for you.

Oh but delrin machines like butter, it also slides on rocks extremely well. I'm going to redesign the housing so it should be easier to get the bearings positioned and have another crack at it.

Happy new year to all!
Kieren

I forgot to put these updates up so here's a few pictures for any onlookers...

Here's a few pictures of my trip to north NSW. For the most part I could only look at majority of the rock seen on the trip, that said though of what I saw quite a bit was man made rock walls, which can be pretty much all the same. However I did find a couple natural formations (only got to drive on one though), so it wasn't all the same. One thing that I noticed on all the rock down there was a large decrease in grip compared to my usual spot, but then again sandpaper is a decrease in grip compared to my normal rock

First spot I actually drove on was a rock wall at Fingal Head/Tweed Heads. Wasn't a whole lot here that was actually drivable due to the nature of the rock, but had some fun anyway.



















Kieren

Look out for more shortly. Also sorry no video as I still haven't got myself a decent video camera. It's on the wish list though so hopefully shortly.

Kieren