{"id":13008,"date":"2016-04-08T10:15:02","date_gmt":"2016-04-08T14:15:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ammorc.com\/?p=13008"},"modified":"2017-06-10T20:15:09","modified_gmt":"2017-06-11T00:15:09","slug":"axial-wraith-spawn-packed-with-performance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/driverc.com\/index.php\/2016\/04\/08\/axial-wraith-spawn-packed-with-performance\/","title":{"rendered":"Axial Wraith Spawn – Packed With Performance"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>AXIAL WRAITH SPAWN RTR<\/strong><\/h2>\n
I\u2019ve watched and helped as friends built full-scale jeeps and trucks to handle local attractions. \u00a0I\u2019ve driven and been a passenger of many off-road adventures. \u00a0I\u2019ve also watched off-road adventure shows and rock crawling competitions on tv.<\/div>\n

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1:1 off-roading is\u00a0a world I know a little about, but not one I dove into head first. \u00a0It\u2019s something I\u2019ve enjoyed because of friends, not because I was putting my own money into it.\u00a0 So while it\u2019s interesting to me, it\u2019s not something I\u2019ve invested my time or money into in any meaningful way; it is a world I enjoy, however.<\/div>\n

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I first met the Axial Racing<\/a>\u00a0group at iHobby expo in Chicago several years ago, and have been following them ever since. \u00a0The company had everything that appealed to me as an off-road fan and r\/c enthusiast– the product looked fantastic and it was obvious they knew what they were doing. \u00a0I had never seen anything like it.<\/div>\n

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As\u00a0Axial Racing<\/a>\u00a0expanded their product line, the crawling community started to grow. \u00a0The next step for Axial Racing<\/a> was to create Axialfest, a rock crawlers paradise event. \u00a0It seems the r\/c crawler world has mimicked the full-scale world and the r\/c enthusiasts are every bit as passionate; quite frankly, this looks like a lot of fun to me. \u00a0As quoted from their website:<\/div>\n

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“As R\/C offroad race tracks have become sugar coated and manicured into brown tarmac, We are put the rocks and ruff back into offroad racing! You do NOT stand on a driver stand! You are your own \u201chelicopter-spotter\u201d thus you are physically moving around a designated course while driving your rock racer!<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
Rock Racing is fast and ferocious and we test the limits of the machine as well as the man manning the machine! No computer timing systems; just line \u2018em up and let \u2019em rip! 3-Lap qualifiers. Next group on deck!<\/em>“<\/span><\/div>\n

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Just like in real life however, I continue to live through the experiences of others and watched on the sidelines as the crawler niche exploded… largely at the hands of\u00a0Axial Racing<\/a>. \u00a0As the industry evolves so too does my interest in r\/c– from flying airplanes, to helicopters, to racing buggies to flying drones. \u00a0It seems I always have something in front of me that keeps me from crawling.<\/div>\n
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Introducing\u00a0the\u00a0Axial Wraith Spawn<\/a>. \u00a0Yes, I\u2019m aware it\u2019s been around for a couple years,\u00a0but\u00a0it\u2019s new to me, so it feels like I should introduce it. \u00a0Since my first real hobby-grade r\/c in 1986, I\u2019ve been involved in nearly all aspects of this hobby– the one area I haven\u2019t been involved is crawling… despite my obvious interest. \u00a0Enough is enough, it\u2019s time to see why the crawler community has exploded, and the Axial Wraith Spawn<\/a> is\u00a0my entry ticket.<\/div>\n
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AXIAL WRAITH SPAWN RTR<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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FRAME<\/strong>
\nStarting with the full tube frame and composite chassis, the Wraith Spawn<\/a>\u00a0is built with full-scale construction in mind. \u00a0This means whether crawling or going full throttle, the\u00a0Wraith Spawn<\/a>\u00a0should be able handle what you dish out.<\/p>\n

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SUSPENSION
\n<\/strong>One of the most important parts of the crawler, next to the frame, is the suspension. \u00a0If you don\u2019t have a suspension designed to take the articulation of crawling, you don\u2019t have a very good crawler.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Wraith Spawn<\/a>\u00a0utilizes as 4-link suspension design to reduce axle steer, while giving it the right amount of anti-squat and roll characteristics. \u00a0\u00a0It also comes with oil filled shocks tuned with a softer spring rate which allows\u00a0the\u00a0Wraith Spawn<\/a> to soak in the terrain.<\/p>\n

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BODY<\/strong>
\nMounted to the frame is the body, which kind of reminds me of a\u00a01980\u2019s Jeep Wagoneer. \u00a0Axial Racing<\/a>\u00a0has kept the body simple, with only a few \u2018sponsor\u2019 graphics pre-applied. \u00a0You\u2019ll note I added the AMAIN Performance Hobbies<\/a> graphics. \u00a0The body is everything I would expect, and believe it will hold up to wheel rubs, scrapes and scratches.<\/p>\n

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WHEELS & TIRES<\/strong>
\nA rock crawler without the a good set of wheels and tires doesn\u2019t make much sense. \u00a0Axial Racing<\/a>\u00a0ensures this isn\u2019t a problem with the\u00a0Wraith Spawn<\/a>. \u00a0Included in the RTR package is a set of officially licensed METHOD IFD\u2122<\/strong>\u00a012 spoke beadlock wheels with 2.2\u00a0RIPSAW TIRES\u2122<\/strong>. \u00a0It doesn\u2019t get much more serious.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Three piece beadlock design
\n\u2022 Utilizes new 2x11mm pins for added strength
\n\u2022 Updated plastic hub adapter to eliminate slop and capture the new 2x11mm pin
\n\u2022 Adjustable breather holes for fine tuning tire performance
\n\u2022 Compatible with most 2.2 tires
\n\u2022 Easy six screw disassembly<\/p>\n

Turning those massive wheels and tires is a Tactic TSX45 metal gear servo. \u00a0Rated at 151 oz-in torque and with dual ball bearings, the servo provides strong holding and smooth movement.<\/p>\n

DRIVETRAIN & ELECTRONICS<\/strong><\/p>\n

The\u00a0Wraith Spawn<\/a>\u00a0does its job using a\u00a020T brushed\u00a0motor, controlled by the 3S capable AE-5 ESC. \u00a0The AE-5 keeps things simple with jumpers to easily switch between LiPo and NiMh batteries, leaving out the programming complications\u00a0of many entry-level transmitters. \u00a0You can also set brake drag to 50 or 100 using a jumper.<\/p>\n

The ESC states that it\u2019s waterproof, however Axial still suggests caution on the website: “Do not run your product in water or snow or submerge it in water without fully waterproof gear.\u201d \u00a0Axial Racing<\/a> also links to a blog post<\/a> on their site, but the recommendations are for the AR-2 rx and AE-2 ESC. \u00a0Perhaps it\u2019s time for Axial Racing<\/a>\u00a0to update their website?<\/p>\n

The axels\u00a0Axial Racing<\/a>\u00a0uses are labeled AR60-Axle\u2122\u00a0<\/strong>OCP (Off-Center Pumpkin). \u00a0Creating a true 4wd locked differential improves traction, and moving the housing (pumpkin) off-center means better clearance\u00a0and driveshaft angles. \u00a0A locked differential provides the most positive wheel traction and requires less maintenance. They are also easily serviced by removing four screws to gain access for rebuilding and performance tuning as well. \u00a0Does it get any more like full-scale driving?<\/p>\n

Connecting the transmission to the differentials are the \u00a0WB8 HD Wildboar\u2122<\/strong> Driveshaft\u2019s, which\u00a0are large in diameter and have\u00a0an M4 Screw Shaft (2mm hex drive) for added strength. A center splined slider floats between each end and features added material which reduces flex and fatigue.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Wraith Spawn<\/a>\u00a0takes advantage of a\u00a0dual slipper design which uses a pad on each side of the spur gear. \u00a0Increasing the surface area allows for more precise tuning and holding power. The spur gear features strong, 32 pitch gearing for high torque applications.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Keeping the AR-3 2.4 GHz rx safe is a waterproof receiver box with three different silicone seals: one for the antenna, one for the servo wires, and one acts as a gasket for the receiver box cover. \u00a0It\u2019s a well protected system, contrary to the information on the website.<\/div>\n
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