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Build Guide - Model 1: Rancher 4x4

Version 1.1

3D printed radio controlled

4WD scale model.

www.3dsets.com

3dsets Facebook

YouTube video guide

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Rancher 4x4 – version 1.1 technical specs.

  • Dimensions: 51.0 cm length, 24.5 cm width (including mirrors), 22.5 cm height
  • Model weights roughly 3,2 kg (including battery)
  • Permanent 4 wheel drive, all differentials are in locked state
  • Remote controlled steering and speed control
  • Suspension with real springs and dampers for good offroad capabilities
  • Reduction gearbox with 1:40 gear ratio for slow motion and high torque
  • Doors, hood and trunk can be manually opened

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Before you start

  • Get ready all tools.
  • Buy necessary parts that cannot be printed (screws, bearings, motor etc.), these parts are listed on next page.
  • Make sure that your printer is calibrated well – print our “calibration part” to ensure that you can fit bearings on shafts properly! Calibration part is located on “Print Plate 0”.
  • Use higher printing temperatures – use about 210-215°C for PLA to have firm layer adhesion!

  • Build guide is divided on steps and subassemblies. Subassembly is a sequence, where you will make some independent sub-part like gearbox, axles etc. Later you will install subassembly in the car.

  • Model 1: Rancher 4x4 includes 2 different wheel designs. Both designs shares the same tire dimension, so feel free to choose the right design for you:

  • For “Wheel A”, print plates with “Wheel A” in name.

  • For “Wheel B”, print plates with “Wheel B” in name.

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Are you new to the Radio Controlled models?

Don’t worry, Radio Controlled (RC) models are not as complicated as they can look! However, it’s a good to know some basics before you will start buying parts.

Most mechanical parts in our products will be 3d printed on your own printer, so we will focus here on RC electronics.

On-line beginners guides:

If you have any questions regarding our models, feel free to ask us (or other 3dsets

builders) on our Facebook discussion group, available here: Facebook – 3dsets

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Rancher 4x4 – version 1.1: What do you need?

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Rancher 4x4 – version 1.1: Required hardware

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Screws and nuts (in metric size):

  • M2x6: 160 pcs.
  • M2x8: 17 pcs.
  • M2x10: 100 pcs.
  • M2x12: 15 pcs.
  • M2x16: 1 or 51 pcs. with wheels B - 1 pcs., with wheels A - 51 pcs.
  • M3x6: 4 pcs.
  • M3x10: 80 pcs.
  • M3x12: 30 pcs
  • M3x16: 40 pcs.
  • M3x20: 2 pcs.
  • M3x25: 12 pcs.
  • M3 nuts: 6 pcs.
  • M3 locknuts: 20 pcs.
  • M3x6 Set Screw : 2 pcs.
  • M3x6 Socket(!) Head : 6 pcs.

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Check 3d printer calibration!

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Please at first test whether the bearing can be inserted into the calibration part. If you have problems or the bearing fits too loose, please make sure that the printer is properly calibrated. Dimensions of the printed parts should match dimensions of the 3d model.

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Subassembly #0 – Arms

In this 1-step procedure you will assemble axle arms, steering rods and trackbar. These parts consists of “arm” and “ball joints” and they need to be pressed together.

Required print plates (for Prusa i3):

  • “Print 0 - Calibration + Front Panel” - you can print alternative color filament
  • “Print 1 - “Chassis 0”

Required print plates (for generic 20x20 printer):

  • “Print 0 - Calibration + Front Panel 20x20” - you can print alternative color filament
  • “Print 1 - Chassis 0 20x20”
  • “Print 2 - Chassis 1 20x20”

Non-printed parts:

  • Grease
  • Any Hammer or Vise (for pressing)

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Arms + Ball joints

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1x M3x6

Apply grease on Ball joint.

Press Ball joints in arm ends. Pay attention to combine parts correctly! Ball joints requires correct orientation on specific arms – check next page!

Option A: use a hammer

Be careful as you can break the arm if you use too much force!

Option B: use a Vise

This is a prefered method as you can proceed slowly.

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Arms + ball joints

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On the pictures below are rendered final Arms assemblies. Please note that some Arms requires opposite Ball joint orientation!

Blue marked Ball joint – upside down!

Shorter Arm (127.6 mm) = “Control Arm – upper”

Longer Arm (132 mm) = “Control Arm – lower”

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Rancher 4x4 – chassis

In this 5-step procedure you will assemble chassis of the car and front panel.

Required print plates (for Prusa i3):

  • “Print 0 - Calibration + Front Panel” - you can print alternative color filament
  • Print 2 - Chassis 1”
  • Print 3 - Chassis 2”
  • “Print 4 - Chassis 3”

Required print plates (for generic 20x20 printer):

  • “Print 0 - Calibration + Front Panel 20x20” - you can print alternative color filament
  • “Print 3 - Chassis 2 20x20”
  • “Print 4 - Chassis 3 20x20”
  • “Print 5 - Chassis 4 20x20”
  • “Print 6 - Chassis 5 20x20”

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Rancher 4x4 Chassis - step 1-2/5

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1x M3x10

5x M3x12

5x M3x12

1x M3x10

2x M3x6

8x M3x10

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Rancher 4x4 Chassis - step 3/5

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4x M3x10

1x M3x12

6x M3x10

4x M3x12

1x M3x12

4x M3 locknut

2x Ø2mm

“Front frame - right” have 2 holes for Track Bar - front!

Correct servo mount position.

Track Bar mount – there are 3 different sizes, choose one depending on your shocks size (for longer shock use bigger Track Bar mount). Proper orientation: shorter end is facing forward!

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Rancher 4x4 Chassis - step 4-5/5

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4x M2x6

4x M3x10

4x M2x10

2x M3x16

2x M3x6

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Subassembly #1 – Gearbox

In this 7-step procedure you will assemble gearbox with motor. To complete this task, get ready all necessary parts:

Required print plates (for Prusa i3):

  • “Print 5 - Gearbox + hinges”
  • “Print 6 - print with brim”

Required print plates (for generic 20x20 printer):

  • “Print 7 - Gearbox + Hinges 20x20”
  • “Print 8 - print with brim 20x20”

Non-printed parts:

  • Screw M3x10: 10 pcs.
  • Screw M3x25: 7 pcs.
  • M3 locknuts: 7 pcs.
  • M3 nuts: 2 pcs.
  • M3x6 setscrew: 2pcs.
  • Electric motor: 1 pc.
  • Bearings: 12 pcs.
  • Grease

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Gearbox – step 1/7

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Put gears onto corresponding shafts. Pay attention to combine parts correctly!

Correct configuration

of gears is shown above.

Recommended material for gears: Fillamentum PLA Extrafill, as it is very rigid (PET may be too fragile!). Or use another top-quality PLA – you can test it by flexing the end of the filament on your spools and you will see which one is fragile. Use higher printing temperatures, about 210-215°C for PLA to have firm layer adhesion!

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Gearbox – step 2-3/7

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Put bearings on shaft ends. If you printed and checked the “Test part” with bearing successfully, bearings should fit smoothly.

Insert shafts into the right side of the geargox housing. Then apply grease on gear tooths.

10x

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Gearbox – step 4/7

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7x M3 locknut

7x M3x25

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Gearbox – step 5/7

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Motor pinion – version A:

use this pinion if you are using “round head screws”

M3 nut

Recommended material for motor pinion: ABS or CPE, as the PLA is can melt due to the heat from the motor shaft and PET is too flexible (pinion will slip from the shaft).

M3 nut

Insert nuts into holes in motor pinion.

Motor pinion – version B:

use this pinion if you are using “socket head screws”

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Gearbox – step 6/7

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Now mount the motor and bearings to their positions. Then install motor pinion on motor shaft.

Insert nuts into holes in motor pinion.

2x

4x M3x10

2x M3x6

8xØ3,2mm

M3 nut

Recommended material for motor pinion: ABS or CPE, as the PLA is can melt due to the heat from the motor shaft and PET is too flexible (pinion will slip from the shaft).

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Gearbox – step 7/7

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Now you have complete and working gearbox.

Mount gearbox cover with motor to assembled gearbox housing. Pay attention to bearing and shaft, which sits in gearbox cover.

8x M3x10

Recommended material for “Gearbox housing - front”: ABS, ASA, CPE or PET-G, as the PLA is can melt due to the heat from the motor, if you drive continuously or in warm weather. It is strongly recommended to install optional motor heatsink, preferably active! Purchase links are here or use any similar heatsinks.

active heatsink

passive heatsink

Test the gearbox before mounting to the chassis!

You should be able to turn gearbox output shaft by hand with some force (attach Cardan Joint Yoke to the output shaft). After that, you can connect 3 - 7 V battery directly to the motor, it should run.

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Rancher 4x4 – gearbox installation

In this simple 1-step procedure you will install Gearbox in the center of the chassis.

Required non-printed parts:

  • Screw M3x12: 2 pcs.

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Rancher 4x4 - step 1/1

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2x M3x12

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Axles – postprocessing

Before you start building Axles, carefully remove printing supports (marked red) integrated to specific parts rendered below. You can use pliers and sharp knife to make the procedure easier. Be very careful as you can harm yourself!

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supports marked in red has to be removed

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Subassembly #2 – Rear axle

In this 6-step procedure you will assemble rear axle. Axle include locked differential and driveshaft.

Required print plates (for Prusa i3):

  • “Print 6 - Print with brim”
  • “Print 8 - Axle”

Required print plates (for generic 20x20 printer):

  • “Print 8 - Print with brim 20x20”
  • “Print 10 - Axle 20x20”

Non-printed parts:

  • Screw M2x6: 20 pcs.
  • Screw M3x10: 1 pcs.
  • Bearings: 6 pcs.
  • Grease

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Rear axle – step 1-2/6

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M3x10

4x M2x8

4x

4x M2x6

1x M3x10

Ø3,2mm

Recommended material for differential gears & cardan joints: PLA, as it is rigid enough for this purpose.

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Rear axle – step 3-6/6

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4x M2x6

8x M2x6

4x M2x6

Apply grease on gear tooths.

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Subassembly #3 – Front axle

In this 10-step procedure you will assemble front axle. Axle includes locked differential, driveshaft and complete steering assembly.

Required print plates (for Prusa i3):

  • “Print 6 - Print with brim”
  • “Print 8 - Axle”

Required print plates (for generic 20x20 printer):

  • “Print 8 - Print with brim 20x20”
  • “Print 10 - Axle 20x20”

Non-printed parts:

  • Screw M2x6: 28 pcs.
  • Screw M3x10: 7 pcs.
  • Screw M3x16: 2 pcs.
  • Screw M3x25: 1 pcs.
  • Nut M3: 2 pcs.
  • Locknut M3: 2 pcs.
  • Bearing: 10 pcs.
  • Grease

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Front axle – step 1-4/10

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M3x10

1x M3x10

4x M2x6

Apply grease on gear tooths.

4x M2x6

Ø3,2mm

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Front axle – step 5-6/10

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8x M2x6

4x M2x6

4x M2x6

1x M3x10

1x M3x10

Ø3,2mm

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Front axle – step 7-8/10

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4x M3x10

M3 locknut

M3 locknut

2x M3x16

1x M3x25

M3 nut

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Front axle – step 9-10/10

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4x M2x6

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Rancher 4x4 – bodywork & axles

In this 10-step procedure you will assemble bodywork of the car and then you’ll install axles, that you have finished from previous steps.

Required print plates (for Prusa i3):

  • “Print 7 - Fender Flare”
  • “Print 9 - Body 1” - you can print alternative color filament
  • “Print 10 - Body 2” - you can print alternative color filament

Required print plates (for generic 20x20 printer):

  • “Print 9 - Fender Flare 20x20”
  • “Print 11 - Body 1 with brim 20x20”
  • “Print 12 - Body 2 20x20” - you can print alternative color filament

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Bodywork – postprocessing

Before you start building Bodywork, carefully remove printing supports (marked red) integrated to specific parts rendered below. You can use pliers and sharp knife to make the procedure easier. Be very careful as you can harm yourself!

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supports marked in red has to be removed

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Rancher 4x4 - step 1-2/10

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8x M2x6

8x Ø2mm

4x M3x10

2x M2x6

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Rancher 4x4 - step 3-4/10

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4x M3x10

4x M2x10

2x M3x10

7x M2x6

1x M3x6

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Rancher 4x4 - step 5-6/10

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4x M2x8

1x M2x6

2x M2x12

1x M2x16

6x M2x10

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Rancher 4x4 - step 7/10

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4x M2x6

2x M3x10

4x M2x6

Ø3,2mm

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Rancher 4x4 - step 8/10

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8x M3x16

8x M3 locknut

4x M3x10

132 mm = “Control Arm – lower”

127.6 mm = “Control Arm – upper”

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Rancher 4x4 - step 9/10

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6x M2x6

8x M2x6

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Rancher 4x4 - step 10/10

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17xM3x16

1x M3 locknut

1x M3x20

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Rancher 4x4 - Electronics and Seats

In this 4-step procedure you will install all electronics equipment and cables. Then you will mount seats on their positions.

Required print plates (for Prusa i3):

  • “Print 13 - Interior 1”
  • “Print 14 - Interior 2”

Required print plates (for generic 20x20 printer):

  • “Print 15 - Interior 1 20x20”
  • “Print 16 - Interior 2 20x20”
  • “Print 17 - Interior 3 20x20”

Non-printed parts:

  • RC Receiver
  • ESC (speed controller)
  • Cables
  • connectors

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Electronics and Seats – postprocessing

Before you start building Electronics and Seats, carefully remove printing supports (marked red) integrated to specific part rendered below. You can use pliers and sharp knife to make the procedure easier. Be very careful as you can harm yourself!

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supports marked in red has to be removed

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Rancher 4x4 - step 1-2/4

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4x M3x10

Twin cable length 280mm

Twin cable length min. 250mm

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Rancher 4x4 - step 3-4/4

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4x M3x10

screw M3x10 into Floor Mat

1x M2x10

loose M3x16, insert Rear Seats, then tighten again

2x M2x6

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Subassembly #4 – Bumpers

In this 2-step procedure you will assemble front and rear bumpers. To complete this task, get ready all necessary parts:

Required print plates (for Prusa i3):

  • “Print 15 - Bumper + interior 3”

Required print plates (for generic 20x20 printer):

  • “Print 18 - Bumper + interior 4”

Non-printed parts:

  • Screw M3x16: 6 pcs.
  • Screw M3x25: 2 pcs.

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Front Bumper – step 1-4/4

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2x M3x16

1x M3x25

2x M3x16

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Rear Bumper – step 1-2/2

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2x M3x16

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Subassembly #5 – Windshield

In this 3-step procedure you will assemble windshield. To complete this task, get ready all necessary parts:

Required print plates (for Prusa i3):

  • “Print 14 - Interior 2”
  • “Print 15 - Bumper + interior 3”

Required print plates (for generic 20x20 printer):

  • “Print 17 - Interior 3 20x20”
  • “Print 18 - Bumper + interior 4 20x20”

Non-printed parts:

  • Screw M2x6: 4 pcs.
  • Screw M2x12: 6 pcs.
  • Clear Binding Covers, or any clear foil up to 0,5 mm thick

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Windshield – postprocessing

Before you start building Windshield subassembly, carefully remove printing supports (marked red) integrated to specific part rendered below. You can use pliers and sharp knife to make the procedure easier. Be very careful as you can harm yourself!

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supports marked in red has to be removed

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Windshield - step 1/3

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At first, you will make a “windscreen glass” from any transparent foil up to 0.5 mm thick. Thicker material is more durable than thinner, but we found that “Clear Binding Covers” are OK.

Place the Windscreen Frame on the foil, sketch the Windscreen Frame to foil and then cut the Windscreen glass by scissors or sharp knife.

Sheet of transparent foil, max. 0.5 mm thick.

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Windshield - step 2-3/3

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4x M2x6

6x M2x12

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Rancher 4x4 - windshield, bumpers and dashboard installation

In this 4-step procedure you will mount windscreen in place. Then you assemble the dashboard and attach it. Front and rear bumpers are installed too.

  • Windshield subassembly
  • Bumpers subassemblies

Required print plates (for Prusa i3):

  • Print 13 - Interior 1”
  • “Print 14 - Interior 2”

Required print plates (for generic 20x20 printer):

  • “Print 15 - Interior 1 20x20”
  • “Print 16 - Interior 2 20x20”
  • “Print 17 - Interior 3 20x20”

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Rancher 4x4 - step 1-2/4

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4x M3x10

4x M3x12

2x M2x10

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Rancher 4x4 - step 3-4/4

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2x M3x16

2x M2x8

1x M3x25

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Subassembly #6 – Roll Cage

In this 2-step procedure you will assemble roll cage. To complete this task, get ready all necessary parts:

Required print plates (for Prusa i3):

  • “Print 16 - Roll Cage”

Required print plates (for generic 20x20 printer):

  • “Print 19 - Roll Cage 20x20”

Non-printed parts:

  • Screw M2x8: 2 pcs.
  • Screw M2x10: 14 pcs.

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Roll Cage – postprocessing

Before you start building Roll Cage, carefully remove printing supports (marked red) integrated to specific parts rendered below. You can use pliers and sharp knife to make the procedure easier. Be very careful as you can harm yourself!

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supports marked in red has to be removed

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Roll Cage - step 1-2/4

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2x M2x10

10x M2x10

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Roll Cage - step 3-4/4

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2x M2x10

2x M2x8

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Subassembly #7 – Wheel (A or B)

Now you will assemble wheels. You can choose between 2 designs (wheel A/wheel B):

Wheel A:

Required print plates (for Prusa i3):

  • “Print 11 - Wheel A - Beadlock”
  • “Print 12 - Wheel A - Rim”

Required print plates (for generic 20x20 printer):

  • “Print 13 - Wheel A - Beadlock 20x20”
  • “Print 14 - Wheel A - Rim 20x20”

Non-printed parts:

  • Screw M2x6: 50 pcs.
  • Screw M2x16: 50 pcs.

Wheel B:

Required print plates (for Prusa i3):

  • “Print 11 - Wheel B”

Required print plates (for generic 20x20 printer):

  • “Print 13 - Wheel B - inner Rim 20x20”
  • “Print 14 - Wheel B - outer Rim 20x20”

Non-printed parts:

  • Screw M2x10: 50 pcs.

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Wheel A

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10x M2x6

10x M2x16

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Wheel B

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5x M2x10

5x M2x10

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Rancher 4x4 - Rollcage & Wheels installation

In this 2-step procedure you will install the Rollcage and then mount 4 wheels on axles plus one wheel as a spare on trunk holder.

  • Rollcage subassembly
  • Wheel subassemblies

Required print plates (for Prusa i3):

  • “Print 13 - Interior 1”
  • “Print 14 - Interior 2”

Required print plates (for generic 20x20 printer):

  • “Print 15 - Interior 1 20x20”
  • “Print 16 - Interior 2 20x20”

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Rancher 4x4 - step 1-2/2

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4x M2x10

2x M2x6

1x M3x16

4x M3x10

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Subassembly #8 – Doors

In this X-step procedure you will assemble doors. To complete this task, get ready all necessary parts:

Required print plates (for Prusa i3):

  • “Print 9 - Body 1 with Brim”
  • “Print 14 - Interior 2”

Required print plates (for generic 20x20 printer):

  • “Print 11 - Body 1 with brim 20x20”
  • “Print 17 - Interior 3 20x20”

Non-printed parts:

  • Screw M2x6: 8 pcs.
  • Screw M2x8: 4 pcs.
  • Screw M2x10: 4 pcs.
  • Screw M2x12: 2 pcs.

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Doors – postprocessing

Before you start building Doors subassembly, carefully remove printing supports (marked red) integrated to specific parts rendered below. You can use pliers and sharp knife to make the procedure easier. Be very careful as you can harm yourself!

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supports marked in red has to be removed

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Doors – step 1-2/2

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3x M2x6

1x M2x6

2x M2x10

1x M2x12

2x M2x8

Pictures shows just left-side doors – repeat these steps for right side too.

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Rancher 4x4 - Hood & Doors installation

In this 2-step procedure you will install the Hood and then mount both Doors in their place. This is the last step, so then you are ready to ride the model.

  • Doors assembly (left, right)

Required print plates (for Prusa i3):

  • “Print 13 - Interior 1”
  • “Print 14 - Interior 2”

Required print plates (for generic 20x20 printer):

  • “Print 15 - Interior 1 20x20”
  • “Print 16 - Interior 2 20x20”

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Rancher 4x4 - step 1-2/2

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8x M2x10

4x M2x6

2x M3x6

2x M3x6

2x

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Rancher 4x4 - model complete

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Now you are ready to drive :-)

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Rancher 4x4 - general tips

  • Always use a proper battery charger. Bad charging of the Li-Pol battery may lead to a risk of fire!
  • Disconnect the battery when the model is not used. The small switch on the ESC doesn't disconnect the battery and the ESC may draw a small amount of current even in OFF-state.
  • Do not go into water unless you have waterproof electronics!

  • Adjust the steering in such a way that the maximum steering angle is about 35 °. A greater range of steering angle leads to high stress on the cardan joints and may cause damage. If your steering angle is too high, you can shorten the servo arm (use another hole) to reduce it.

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