Axial SCX10II UMG10 Build Series - Upgrade - Extending the Wheelbase to 305mm

As we all know, the UMG10 comes in at a wheelbase of 11.4" or 288mm. As appropriate as that wheelbase may be for this rig, I didn't enjoy driving it this way, and I decided to increase the wheelbase just a little more to a 12" or 305mm wheelbase.

To lengthen the wheelbase I decided to pick up the following:

• Club5 Racing Husky 305mm wheelbase links for the SCX10II

I have a few of their links now, and I'm overall pretty happy with them. The rod-ends are also Traxxas rod-ends, so light years better than the stock Axial ones as well as coming with metal pivot balls.

The stock links that come from the SCX10II kits (Cherokee, UMG10, RBK) are nicer than their RTR links, but the rod-ends are what really bring them down.

The quality of the Club5 Husky links are much better.

Got the front links on...

Comparison of the length difference of the rear 288mm wheelbase links and the new 305mm wheelbase links

You'll also need to lengthen the rear driveshaft in order to accommodate the 305mm wheelbase. Luckily I've got enough Axial WB8 Wildboard driveshaft parts sitting around.

Front and rear links all installed!

But wait! What's this? The infamous issue of the rear fenders not lining up when extending the wheelbase of the UMG10. What to do....

So... the many UMG10s that I've seen with an extended wheelbase all cut their rear fenders, or removed them altogether. I would like to keep the rear fenders if possible to keep the overall look.

After studying the rear cage and body mounting system, I thought this might be a good chance to learn how to create my own 3D prints.

So this is what this post has been building up towards. How do you keep and avoid cutting or removing the rear fenders when you extend the UMG10 wheelbase to 305mm?

Well for this you'll need the following:

• UMG10 Rear Bed Set (eBay)
• REVolutionX 305mm Wheelbase Extension parts (Thingiverse)
• M3x30 Cap Screws (eBay)
• M3x20 Cap Screws (eBay)

Here are the parts I used.

I created a chassis brace/hinge and some spacers for the doubling up of the rear cage bar.

Here's the doubled up part of the cage with my spacers in order to extend the length of the cage.

Doubling up the base part of the rear cage turned out a lot better than I expected!

Here's the rear brace I made. The ugly looking parts are the areas where I used support braces on the printing plate. This is actually an older version, and I actually have a new one with the little round tab next to the last hole instead of another hole.

Here's the latest revision mounted up to the chassis. You can already tell it's going to reduce some of the chassis flex as well.

I kept the rear LED holes, so you'll still be able to mount LEDs back there.

Body hinge with the body attached

And finally, the outcome of my first 3D print design. I've achieved extending the wheelbase to 305mm and keeping the rear fenders intact and lined up in the process!

These changes are really subtle, and I think at first glance, no one would even suspect the wheelbase has been extended unless you take a closer look!

I had fun using this for my first 3D print design project. I've got plans for the UMG10 6x6 next!