Ok, this is one that I threw out there on the H drive thread but thought I better bring it to its own little area so the other thread wasnt flooded with an off the topic question.
The question I raised was this. Would you guys like to see the front end that was formerly used by Trc a few years back, brought back to the market? Same basic design as the associated. But a slightly different caster block mounting and system. Many of you know the front end but for those who dont here are the details. Same basic design as the associated. But the caster blocks bolted on from underneath instead of the side. They do not require aftermarket caster blocks to raise or lower the roll center. Shims come with this one to simply add or subtract to obtain the roll center you need or want. It also uses the same pivot balls. I have the option of bringing this front end back out if it appears that there would be enough demand for it. Throw me your opinions and Ill see where it goes. Im working on having a trial run shot already. Ill keep you posted on availability or if I proceed.

Thanks for your time
ROB @ MURDOCK R/C & PERFORMANCE

Rob as I posted on the HD thread I would be intrested if you produce them.Craig

rob,

I have run the disruptor before. nice front end, if the plastic was the same fiber re-enforced material that assc. uses...would take that flex right out. just a thought. that, or if someone were to make a aluminum lower A-arm w/ some type of plastic 'give' bushing around the lower eyelet. i hate it when i have a nicely setup assc. front end and have to scrap the lower A-arms because i stripped out a 8-32 hole :(

Well, I ran one, it was almost as bad as the HPI frontend. One bump and the whole frontend was off. The camber/caster blocks have no way of keeping them from moving in a brush with the wall or another car. I think a whole frontend is in my scrap box.

It would need some improvements before its would be a race ready product.

It would be nice to have another frontend on the market.

I would like to see this front end upgraded and re-released. I still have TRC front end parts that are New In Package.......:)

you know the answer to this: if you feel this front end is better or the same as the associated than you know you need to start selling them? if you think there crap and outdated or have many design flaws...well you know not to make them,lol. racers vote with there wallets..if the product if good they will buy it...

I'd buy one. I ran the TRC front end for a few years until parts for it ran out.

I never experienced the problem with them getting off in a wreck or anything myself. That is not to say it couldnt happen though. Some different materials would fix that though. I know what materials were used before and they are durable as all get out but did flex a bit more than we may want. As I mentioned that is not always a bad thing but we cant have our setting through off either if that is the case. That can be easily addressed if need be. Keep it coming.


Rob @ Murdock R/C

I gots to words for ya Rob.....MAKE IT!!!!!!!

I ran the TRC front end before, and found it was pretty sumple and bullet proof for me. I like simple things....and I find it a real pain to change roll center on the front ends to day when you have to pull the pin, screw around with spacers and such, only to loose precious track time.....

Kris

I would be willing to buy one, just to see if it works. I like new things!

I'm in.

i wouldnt mind seeing it again... but i think an aluminum upper arm mount(/caster block) would be good... u can screw it down tighter... it always seemed, once u put a few spacers under it , mine always seemed to twist.... if you use your hand, you will see what i mean... i always ended up using long motor screws as well.. the 4-40's seemed to srip out.. the thicker motor screws were not as bad..

do i think it is any better then the ae.. id have to say no,,, i think it is basically the same deal, just reworded..

it was cool, that you could use the trinity plate in front then use the tie rod setup like they had.... and i liked the white parts lol.. cause you could dye them the color of your car...

I would like to see the TRC front end back in production. I still run the TRC disruptor today, and anybody that I race with will tell ya that I am usually close to the front of the pack, if not in the lead.

I use the 5-40 screws on the upper arm mount with no movement.

The color would most likely stay black. With the white that can cause problems as well. When you dye it it can warp. That is not to say I cant do both though and the option would be yours. Materials can be addressed for strength that would certainly help with any flex in the caster block, and a bigger bolt for more stength is also something that can be addressed. The strenght of that front end was a non issue really. I never broke an a arm on that thing but at the same time we dont want to much flex in the caster block either. Im taking notes and will see what happens here.


Rob @ Murdock R/C & Performance

Rob,

Are you looking at making new molds and everything? just curious, because there are a MILLION ways to improve on both the Assc. and disruptor front end if someone were to start the design from scratch, just maintaining the 8-32 bolt configuration so it can fit all models of pan car....

I believe I have one of those front ends. I have never run it, but if parts were available, I see no problems making it work as good as the associated. I would run it.

These are the same mold. Throw your update ideas at me though and Ill see what I can do. As for the 8/32 they are the same as the associated which to my knowledge fits all existing cars of today


Rob

Just make Ill buy it...You know that, and I dont even know what the old one is like.

-Taller left camber blocks
-Thinner top a-arm pivot eyelet

The dust is being blown off the molds as we speak. Hopefully I will have some samples the end of next week or so. At that time they will be sent out for testing by MR/C drivers including myself. If all goes well I would expect to see the front end available to the public in a month or so. Stay tuned for more information. Feel free to keep the coments coming so I can keep compiling information on your thoughts.


Rob @ Murdock R/C & Performance

Rob did those have the option to adjust out as well? I remember the spacer thing for the roll center.

Chad

If you mean moving the caster block in or out Stagger they did not have that option. But down the road if all goes well I already have drawings done for some option parts that will allow that to be done. I personally dont like moving the caster block in and out all that well. It is a good option to have and does serve a good purpose at times but then your throwing other mixes into the fire. That will change the progression of the gains and that can result in having to make other changes to make up for it. Again, not a bad thing and is usfull but that road will be crossed late on.


Rob @ Murdock R/C

the caster blocks were made offset, dont actualy know the proper way to mount them. but you can mount them either way.
willis.

compared to an asc front end, if you removed the kingpin and pushed the top link front to back of the car, the trc font will move much easier than the asc. the castor piece has to be made out of a pretty hard material, the lower arms are reinforced nylon, but the castor block was just nylon, which made it flex alot. also the holes in the lower arms have to be very tight to the screw so they wont be able to move.

I highly doubt he is planning to do new mold tooling. He'd be looking at 10k for the tooling. That's kind of a guess since all he'd need would be low grade or protype tooling since this would be extremely low volume. I generally deal with much higher volume mold tooling. It'd take an awful lot of front ends to pay back that tooling cost even at only 10k. My assumption would be you guys have the opportunity to get ahold of TRC's old tooling for 10 cents on the dollar or less. If you did do white you wouldn't dye it anyway. You'd have your injection molder use white raw polymer, which depending on your polymer choice would add cost. Also, polymers that flex more are not necessarily more likely to be permanently distorted in a crash. There is much more involved than that, especially when dealing with plastic. Something like a 30% glass PBT would work really well as a material choice. Just my 2 cents.

The parts will be made of the same material as far as what each individual piece is made of. There are shots being done right now and will be testing them soon. 30% glass is way more than you want in a parts like this though. That would cause breakage left and right. Material percentages are already set on for now and they will be slightly different than they were in the past. If changes need be done after testing then Ill cross that bridge when I get there. Right now my main concern is to get it going in some testing because when I put it on the market it will be right from top to bottom. Or at least as right as it can possibly be. Certainly someone will have a different opinion but Im a very attention to detail person and I dont expect my customers to buy or use something that I wouldnt use myself. At least there will be another option available and I will make some improvments as needed and even though they are not really needed an aluminum caster block has already been drawn up. My current plans are to make this front end in kit form with everything that you will need to have a top performing front end. You wont get king pins or any stuff that isnt used or wont do the job that is needed. Hopefully all goes well. Keep the ideas and opinions coming. Im taking it all down

Rob @ Murdock R/C & Performance

...I don't remember ever seeing one of the TRC front ends...

I use to run the old HPI front ends though...

What does this front end look like (different than Associated?)

Overall it is the same as the associated except that the caster blocks were a totally different design. This front end has the ability to change roll center without buying aftermarket caster blocks. Just a slight tweak in design and funtion from the assciated. As soon as I get a complete front end here Ill take some pictures and post them here. I guess to sum it up it is much more adjustable out of the package than an associated. It has been several years since this front end has been packaged and it hasnt been used in a kit since the days of the disruptor.


Rob @ Murdock R/C @ Performance

You are right about 30% glass, Rob. I typed 30 while I was thinking 15%, my bad.

In case your wondering the test run of front ends are here and will be going into testing as soon as some of my guys and myself get them on the cars. Hopefully all will go well. Stay tuned in here for more updates and information


Rob @ Murdock R/C & Performance