How do you plan/start a build

[Tallbump]

I'm posting this in here instead of the general build section becuase I am referring specifically to building crawlers.
I currently have 3 SCX24s that were bought RTR and have been modded.

I am in the process of "finishing" hehe: like it will ever be truly finished) my first ever build.
I already have the gears spinning on my next build.

For the sake of the conservations, I am talking about a full chassis up build, not modding a purchased RTR - unless someone actually buys an RTR with the plan of stripping it and rebuilding it...I guess that counts.

For my first build, I had a goal in mind. Comp style, with rear wheel steer, and I had a specific wheel base I planned on going with. I selected each part to go with both the function I wanted, as well as the aesthetics.

Now, I picked up a toy that I dissembled to steal the body, and plan on building to make the body work, focusing on aesthetics first and performance second - like many rigs featured on 24Yep Roastin Rigs.

For this build, wheelbase will be the main thing I need to focus on, as I don't want to mess with the body at all. Well, specifically, the fenders and such. I did remove some things and will add some for appearance sake. I am trying to keep the interior if possible.

As far as figuring out the wheel base, and for planning any future builds, I have an idea, and I wonder what everyone else does.

I already have factory JLU/Basecamp and Gladiator links. I also have sets of stock shocks. I am going to buy a basic, stock Axial chassis and deadbolt links.

I figure with all of that, I can nail down all the proper proportions. Then I know what aftermarket gear to buy to make a quality build.

Does taht make sense? Anyone else have a differetn or better way?

Have y'all just done it enough that you already know when you start? Or do you just figure it out as you go?

 

[Tunedfrog]

Interesting thread. I'm a researcher so it's just a matter of sitting at my computer and find parts.
Usually, it's just stuff that pops in my head at the moment.
I do enjoy the challenge of installing parts without a diagram.

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

Cool thread idea

I usually find inspiration in something first.
Be it a body, a set of wheels or a vehicle from my past. I usually start out with a look in mind and then build a parts list around that.

At this stage of my life however (busy Dad to a young one) I tend to like RTR's that I can throw a few things at and go.

 

[BashingBrian]

I get my wallet out..!!

 

[xjtorc]

Or do you just figure it out as you go?

This. Of course, planning out whatever you can is the best way to start. But, you can have all the details figured out in your head and something will be off by a mm or a part may be 100% incompatible with another part. It's the beauty and fun of scratch building...yet, it can also be the money suck that takes the wind out of your sails if things stop going well and parts just don't want to cooperate lol.

Having a substantial pile of spares and random parts always makes things significantly "easier" but is in no way a gatekeeper. Do the research, buy some stuff, and send it. You'll figure it out along the way and when you're finished, you'll appreciate that build a significant amount more than your other rigs.

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

This. Of course, planning out whatever you can is the best way to start. But, you can have all the details figured out in your head and something will be off by a mm or a part may be 100% incompatible with another part. It's the beauty and fun of scratch building...yet, it can also be the money suck that takes the wind out of your sails if things stop going well and parts just don't want to cooperate lol.

Having a substantial pile of spares and random parts always makes things significantly "easier" but is in no way a gatekeeper. Do the research, buy some stuff, and send it. You'll figure it out along the way and when you're finished, you'll appreciate that build a significant amount more than your other rigs.

There is always the unforseen.

I have had to have a bunch of stuff custom machined lately OR I just wasted hundreds of dollars on parts (Not the first time).

Customizing can be is expensive.

 

[Antlers]

I'm posting this in here instead of the general build section becuase I am referring specifically to building crawlers.
I currently have 3 SCX24s that were bought RTR and have been modded.

I am in the process of "finishing" hehe: like it will ever be truly finished) my first ever build.
I already have the gears spinning on my next build.

For the sake of the conservations, I am talking about a full chassis up build, not modding a purchased RTR - unless someone actually buys an RTR with the plan of stripping it and rebuilding it...I guess that counts.

For my first build, I had a goal in mind. Comp style, with rear wheel steer, and I had a specific wheel base I planned on going with. I selected each part to go with both the function I wanted, as well as the aesthetics.

Now, I picked up a toy that I dissembled to steel the body, and plan on building to make the body work, focusing on aesthetics first and performance second - like many rigs featured on 24Yep Roastin Rigs.

For this build, wheelbase will be the main thing I need to focus on, as I don't want to mess with the body at all. Well, specifically, the fenders and such. I did remove some things and will add some for appearance sake. I am trying to keep the interior if possible.

As far as figuring out the wheel base, and for planning any future builds, I have an idea, and I wonder what everyone else does.

I already have factory JLU/Basecamp and Gladiator links. I also have sets of stock shocks. I am going to buy a basic, stock Axial chassis and deadbolt links.

I figure with all of that, I can nail down all the proper proportions. Then I know what aftermarket gear to buy to make a quality build.

Does taht make sense? Anyone else have a differetn or better way?

Have y'all just done it enough that you already know when you start? Or do you just figure it out as you go?

First *steal (I'm picky)
Second, just wing it! I always have way more fun just choosing things as I go! It can also save you if you end up changing your mind on something.

 

[Doom!]

I'd like to say I plan everything out, and research my options, but my Mom told me it's not nice to tell lies.

I am from the school of RTR so there! When I have enough extras laying around, I just sort of go with the flow and see what works, then order more stuff if I can't make it work. I don't have a lot of time to dedicate to building.

 

[Ramp addict]

All my 6s super bashers are ground up builds.
I work out exactly what I want ahead of time and then add it up before I start. You need to know what you want before you start buying parts. Buying parts then changing your mind and buying more parts gets really expensive fast.

I have a plan before I start.
I know what it's going to cost before I spend my first penny.

 

[Tallbump]

I do have some spare parts, and I am working on accumulating more.

For the one I have in mind, wheel base is the biggest issue.
Once I get that figured out, I'll know what driveshafts I need.

I think having spare parts in different sizes makes the most sense, figure out what sizes I need, then I can choose aftermarket parts in those sizes.

Like, my current build, I didn't realize how tight it would be inside the chassis. Then the motor/trans/ESC combo took a lot of room. Had I realized it would be so tight, I would have gone a different route on electronics becuase I wanted to use that chassis...but I had never ran that electronic combo so i didn't know how big it was. I did know what wheelbase I wanted, that was the impetus for this build, so I picked everything, starting with the chassis, around that.

For my next build I have the body, the challenge will be getting the wheel base (an, of course, the driveshaft length) to fit in the existing wheel wells.

My plan is to get a stock chassis, and use different links until I find the right combo. I have the stock shocks, axels and wheels and tires so I can basically make a rolling chassis that fits the body.
Once I know the right lengths, I can then order all the exact links and driveshafts I want/need.
Then I will decide on a chassis.
From there I can decide what shocks and wheels I want and need