Mods for robotic VX

[nocturnalVX]

I run Pro Comp ATs on my VX and they are very good tires. Pro Comp also has a mud-terrain and an "X-terrain" if you want a more aggressive tread pattern. Here's a link to their website... http://www.procomptires.com/ . Good luck!

[SGT.BATGUANO]

We need to get a BIG vehicross.info sticker on this robo-vx.

Are sponsorships available and how much does sign space go for?

[Moncha]

My thoughts also, was just giving them time to settle in

[Art]

My thoughts also, was just giving them time to settle in

We consider this forum an invaluable resource... we'll put the sticker for free. Where do you want it? Do you have encapsulated postscript (.EPS) file with the artwork? We'll have it made at FastSigns. Thanks!

Art

[Moncha]

Very COOL!!!
As it happens, I do have an .eps file also .psd and anything else you may need. The .psd and .eps banner I have is 24" long but can be resized and is 300dpi. I have smaller if you want also.. Tell me where it needs to be sent and I can get it there right away.

"Where do you want it?" - On the windshield of course But, I don't want to get pushy.

[Art]

Very COOL!!!
Tell me where it needs to be sent and I can get it there right away.

info@austinrobot.com

Very COOL!!!
"Where do you want it?" - On the windshield of course But, I don't want to get pushy.

Lemme see what we can do

[Swordy]

I spend quite a bit of time playing in the California Desert. In fact I'll be heading out there for the weekend in a few hours. I'll vote for Dirtgripz or a similar tire. 11.5 to 12.5 wide. Use as tall a tire as you can reasonably fit without interference. Something with extra thick (E rated) sidewalls to deal with the jagged rocks. Air them down to like 13-15 lbs. for good stable contact, shock absorbtion, and floatation. For good bite, they should be luggy critters with a decent amount of void between the lugs. The sidewalls should be fairly tall.
If you go with a thinner C or D sidewalled tires, to obtain the desired squish factor, air up to a higher pressure. Obtaining the right amount of air-down is important to keep you from sliding on hard surfaced rock laden corners. They do need to be stiff enough to minimize body roll though. Use some strong cast smaller diameter rims. Not steel. Use some fairly stiff shocks in the rear, or/and split your rear bumpstops since riding on the bumpstops kills your traction at any appreciable speed.
At the risk of sounding conceited or arrogant... Actually,, to haul @ss across the Ca desert. I'd pretty much set it up like mine.

[Art]

Thank you Swordy... I found PJ DirtGrip here:

http://www.ntwonline.com/acb/showdet...unt=1&DETAIL=1

This seems to be the tire for us:

PJ-31x10.5R16 (10 ply)
Load Range: "E"
Section Width: 10.3
Tread Width: 8.8
Rim Width: 7-9
Outside Diameter: 31.50

This one is bigger, would it fit ????

PJ-33x12.5R16
Load Range: "E"
Section Width: 12.4
Tread Width: 10.4
Rim Width: 8.5-11
Outside Diameter: 33.30

Here's a picture of our front right wheel.

Thanks for everyone's help!

Art

[Moncha]

Your mail box is full.. I can make it available for a download If that would be easier

[Art]

Use some strong cast smaller diameter rims. Not steel.

Why not steel rims?

I believe the only stupid question is the one that is never asked (except maybe "Don't you think it is about time you audited my return?")

[mbeach]

I'm assuming that this project is on some sort of budget.

I'd pick something not horribly expensive -your money would be better spent in software rather than tires. Having spent a fair bit of time driving about the Mojave Desert, I'd have to echo AlaskaVX's comment about flotation -fatter the better. The MT Bajas are reasonably priced, and offer excellent sand traction. Your speed(s) and route will not likely take you across tire-puncturing terrain, so just steer clear of any brush and mountains and your tires should be fine. You can add a can of Fix-A-Flat to each one to give you piece of mind.

Your robot's biggest enemies will be heat and vibration. Heat can be beat with a fair amount of A/C, but the VX is a well-known rump-shaker. Since plush suspensions aren't my thing, I'll have to hand that one off.

[Dallas4u]

Don't count out the Yokohama Geolander AT+II's!!!

[StinkBug]

i know the tire of choice for all the desert racer guys is the BFG Baja T/A, very tough, good in the desert, but also fairly expensive and somewhat stiff for some vehicles. Good luck.

Dallas

[Moncha]

http://www.austinrobot.com/

[WyrreJ]

That's odd. There was a press release a month or two ago from DARPA that listed all of the groups that made the first cut and I specifically looked for these guys and did not find them on the list. After that, I stopped paying attention.