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Crawler Newbie looking for place to start.

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Larryhorner732000

RC Newbie
Supporter
Military Veteran
Messages
11
Reaction score
34
Points
605
Location
Sterling, IL
RC Driving Style
  1. Bashing
  2. Crawling
  3. Scale Builder
I've had lots of cars & trucks, boats & drones too I guess, over the years but been away from it for awhile. For whatever reason the whole Rock Crawler world has me super interested all of a sudden. I bought the TRX4 a few weeks ago and almost immediately wished I had waited and done more research first. I'll never do any competitions or anything, but I'd like a pretty capable crawler, and now I'm seeing ones with animated drivers which I think is really cool. Can anyone point me in the direction of researching that? I have been searching for days, don't want to be that guy that gets the comments "Use the search bar", but maybe I'm not searching the right terms or something. Once I get started down the right Rabbit Hole I think I'll be fine, but any help would be appreciated!
Oh, and I'm sorry if I posted this in a stupid spot. Thank you!
 
I've had lots of cars & trucks, boats & drones too I guess, over the years but been away from it for awhile. For whatever reason the whole Rock Crawler world has me super interested all of a sudden. I bought the TRX4 a few weeks ago and almost immediately wished I had waited and done more research first. I'll never do any competitions or anything, but I'd like a pretty capable crawler, and now I'm seeing ones with animated drivers which I think is really cool. Can anyone point me in the direction of researching that? I have been searching for days, don't want to be that guy that gets the comments "Use the search bar", but maybe I'm not searching the right terms or something. Once I get started down the right Rabbit Hole I think I'll be fine, but any help would be appreciated!
Oh, and I'm sorry if I posted this in a stupid spot. Thank you!
VERY STUPID!!! 🙄🤣🤣🤣🤣
JUST KIDDING LARRY!!!

WELCOME TO RCTALK.COM!!! 😎

@WickedFog just posted a link to some cool moving driver interiors.

I'm sure he won't be long... 🤣
Lots of other ppl here with crawler know-how too.
@Doom! has quite a collection!

Check out some of the build threads too. There's SO MANY cool crawler builds!!! 👍
 
Welcome in @Larryhorner732000 , there's nothing stupid about it, if it's wrong, one of our team leaders will place it where it needs to go.
Why do you wish you would have waited? The TRX4 is a awesome rig. I don't own one but Traxxas makes awesome rigs.
 
Crawlers are fun, drivers are usually controlled by servo. There is probably a way to rig a link to your steering servo so that your driver looks the direction the truck is moving. Just have to get a little creative. :thumbs-up:

Danny Huynh is the master, watch some of his vids.
 
what @doom said lol danny huynh is the king, but his skill level is lightyears beyond mine lol, i just shoe goo a permanent driver onto the truck lol.
crawlers are hella fun and so many options, a few of the more popul;ar brands in no order are
axial, element, vanquish and many others those 3 along with traxxas pop up the most often in conversation.
i have an element ecto and an axial basecamp as well as a few others, their all on par with one another to most extent.
what are you trying to do with it? crawl rocks? drive thru creeks? walk thru the woods? whats your terrain like? vanquish will probably be a little better at that but its also the most expensive in general (i dont have one but they are top notch) , the elements and axials are great for trail running and climbing stuff, mosst come pretty well waterproofish,
are you looking at kits or rtr?
o redcat ascent deserves mentioning, but in my opinion its the only crawler id get from them, its awesome! their other trucks really dont compare in that class lol, the redcat ascent is fantastic.
the most important thing is the aftermarket support! but all those brands have insane support in general.
welcome to the party..
also i dont think I've seen anyone say use the search bar lol, we LOVE answering questions lol
 
Welcome in @Larryhorner732000 , there's nothing stupid about it, if it's wrong, one of our team leaders will place it where it needs to go.
Why do you wish you would have waited? The TRX4 is a awesome rig. I don't own one but Traxxas makes awesome rigs.
TRX4 is awesome, don't get me wrong! Like I said, only had it a few weeks and already put aluminum sliders, rock lights, lighted roll bar, and the Pro Light kit on it. Can't get my tail/brake lights or any of the side markers to work yet, but I will, gotta be either the light or power module since I verified the LEDs all work when plugged into different ports. I have the Brown F-150 Hight Trail and love the looks and the aftermarket availability.
That being said... I keep seeing videos of Crawlers doing things that make my jaw drop and say "No Way, That's Awesome!", especially the ones with the little drivers that turn the steering wheel.
 
VERY STUPID!!! 🙄🤣🤣🤣🤣
JUST KIDDING LARRY!!!

WELCOME TO RCTALK.COM!!! 😎

@WickedFog just posted a link to some cool moving driver interiors.

I'm sure he won't be long... 🤣
Lots of other ppl here with crawler know-how too.
@Doom! has quite a collection!

Check out some of the build threads too. There's SO MANY cool crawler builds!!! 👍
Thanks for the quick response and warm welcome, you and everyone else that's already replied! I'll be sure to check those links and builds, thank you!
 
what @doom said lol danny huynh is the king, but his skill level is lightyears beyond mine lol, i just shoe goo a permanent driver onto the truck lol.
crawlers are hella fun and so many options, a few of the more popul;ar brands in no order are
axial, element, vanquish and many others those 3 along with traxxas pop up the most often in conversation.
i have an element ecto and an axial basecamp as well as a few others, their all on par with one another to most extent.
what are you trying to do with it? crawl rocks? drive thru creeks? walk thru the woods? whats your terrain like? vanquish will probably be a little better at that but its also the most expensive in general (i dont have one but they are top notch) , the elements and axials are great for trail running and climbing stuff, mosst come pretty well waterproofish,
are you looking at kits or rtr?
o redcat ascent deserves mentioning, but in my opinion its the only crawler id get from them, its awesome! their other trucks really dont compare in that class lol, the redcat ascent is fantastic.
the most important thing is the aftermarket support! but all those brands have insane support in general.
welcome to the party..
also i dont think I've seen anyone say use the search bar lol, we LOVE answering questions lol
Thanks for the response, lots of great comments and questions; I'm too used to reading facebook posts, they're mostly snide and negative. To be honest, I haven't even thought of searching forums until today.
So what am I wanting to do with it? Not entirely sure where to drive it yet, not much I've found in my vicinity, but the TRX4 seems great for trails, I have a Slash Ultimate, Big Old Losi LST2 Nitro for speed and, well, Hugeness, 1/16 drift car, 1/18 buggy, pretty much have everything covered that I like (oh and a boat and some drones), so I'd like to eventually have a cool crawler. No hurry, probably even leaning more toward building one I guess, but where to start? I don't want to end up with $2,000 into it, or more knowing me, but I want to start with the right platform (chassis I guess) so I'm not wasting money as I go.
 
TRX4 is awesome, don't get me wrong! Like I said, only had it a few weeks and already put aluminum sliders, rock lights, lighted roll bar, and the Pro Light kit on it. Can't get my tail/brake lights or any of the side markers to work yet, but I will, gotta be either the light or power module since I verified the LEDs all work when plugged into different ports. I have the Brown F-150 Hight Trail and love the looks and the aftermarket availability.
That being said... I keep seeing videos of Crawlers doing things that make my jaw drop and say "No Way, That's Awesome!", especially the ones with the little drivers that turn the steering wheel.
It's amazing what is available for crawlers now days. As @Doom! mentioned, servos control the driver and as a matter of fact, there's lots of cool things that can be done with servos. We are only limited by our imagination.
Most important thing is, you are having fun you are now addicted. :D
 
Thanks for the response, lots of great comments and questions; I'm too used to reading facebook posts, they're mostly snide and negative. To be honest, I haven't even thought of searching forums until today.
So what am I wanting to do with it? Not entirely sure where to drive it yet, not much I've found in my vicinity, but the TRX4 seems great for trails, I have a Slash Ultimate, Big Old Losi LST2 Nitro for speed and, well, Hugeness, 1/16 drift car, 1/18 buggy, pretty much have everything covered that I like (oh and a boat and some drones), so I'd like to eventually have a cool crawler. No hurry, probably even leaning more toward building one I guess, but where to start? I don't want to end up with $2,000 into it, or more knowing me, but I want to start with the right platform (chassis I guess) so I'm not wasting money as I go.
Sounds like quite a fleet!!! Post pics!!!👍😎
There are lots of great trail trucks out there too.
I think the general idea in crawlers is that you'll end up building more than one so build it to do 1 thing VERY well instead of 10 things, so-so.
Most ppl here love their crawlers and dive in face-first! 🤣👍
No need to build a $2000 crawler unless thats really what you want to build. It seems 'not hard to do' 🤣 tho so def great idea to ask around.
@MVRCA has posted some AMAZING builds and videos too.

Def ask questions. Start new posts for new subjects. Ppl here love to help out. ( esp with spending YOUR money! 🤣)

I'll be here to provide lots of snide and snippy remarks so you won't feel too homesick! 🤣
 
Sounds like you've got a good selection and a good plan. A little research goes a long way. A good trail truck (which is what most crawlers start out as) is a good thing to have, very relaxing and you can push it a bit and still have lots of fun.

Comp crawlers are a whole different animal and can do amazing things, but do tend to get pricey. High end performance comes at a price. Work your way up and enjoy the journey. I feel bad for the guys who just go out and drop a bundle for the best without really enjoying it.
 
Through the years. RC10gt was my first.

IMG_9115.webp
 
Welcome to the site. Is the f650 a losi? Electric I'm assuming? Love the old stampede.
 
It sounds like you’re really after the animated driver. So…I would recommend building a Vanquish H10 Optic kit and getting your hands on the Knight Customs 3D printed interior. You can buy the file and print it yourself or find one of Knight’s partner printers to do it for you. I mostly make this recommendation because I just finished building an Optic and I am absolutely in love with it. It performs lightyears beyond what I expected out on the rocks and the customization options for it are endless.

Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with the TRX4 platform you already have, either. I have a stripped down, slightly modified Sport and it crawls really well. I’m not sure if there are any “out of the box” options for animated TRX4 drivers.

Or, for a really fun adventure, you can piece together a bunch of new and used parts and pieces and create a Franken-crawler. I highly recommend this route as well! lol
 
Welcome to the site. Is the f650 a losi? Electric I'm assuming? Love the old stampede.
Thank you! Losi LST2, Nitro. Probably about 15 years old. Yeah, probably closer to 20 years old. "Losi Super Truck", ie LST, 2nd version I guess. FWD/REV, 3-Speed transmission, crazy fast crazy big tires crazy heavy! I'll have to get a pic of it with the body off, lots of aluminum and full SS Rollcage.
 
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Welcome to the clubhouse. Lot’s of info and experience here, including a fair number with crawlers. I have a stock AX24 that I enjoy.

View attachment 219396
i9ve got the green one, loved it till a 3 year old got hold of it lolol
 
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