My Clod Crawler project!!!

[Rex2342]

Here's a little update. Nothing much just the steering setup and a little more detail on how to make the links for those interested.

Here's my new links my buddy drilled out for me. Dead center!! LOL much better than when I tried with my cordless.

Heres how I put the threaded rods in.

Heres my steering setup for the front. The rear will look the same once I finish it.

Sorry for the fuzzy pics my cam must be on the fritz again.

 

[Rex2342]

Hers few more with the new links. The wheelsbase is now 16 1/2". I also finished the rear steering links. I've been tossing around the idea of a skidplate to guard the lower links too. I've also got some ideas for a base for the chassis to hold the batts and electronics.

 

[Rex2342]

Here's a little progress but not much. I picked up some shocks and I've been messing around with the chassis a bit to stiffen it up more and make room for the radio gear.. The lower shock mounts are zip ties before anybody asks lol. I just mocked them up until I can get the real ones.

The shocks are Hotbodies T-Maxx shocks. I used a set of MGT body posts for my body mounts. I just drilled the centers of them out so I could mount them the way I wanted to. I swapped out the round braces in favor of these squarded ones(also from a Savage). The square ones made it easier to mount the plate to. I made the top plate using .50 thick lexan to make it easier to mount the ESC and Rx. The batteries will rest under the ESC and Rx to keep the COG as low as possible.

 

[Rex2342]

Here's another little update. I've got my wheels and tires ready and mounted. I used a set of TxT-1 Outbacks I had for my Savage. I stripped the chrome off (Thanks NCNitro ) and dyed them black using Rit Dye. I had to mod the Clod hubs a bit to get the TxT wheels to fit right but they do now and I like it!! I do have to get wideners though. At full lock the tires are about 2mm from the lower link and it's a bit to close for me.

 

[NCNitro]

Looking great man!

 

[Rex2342]

Here are the rims and tires after I narrowed the rims by 1". This brings the lugs further down the side for added grip and it also gave me the clearance I needed for the lower links.

Practice one compared to stock:

Narrowed on the left, stock on the right.

It almost looks like a truck now!

 

[ImBroken]

Looks great man.. Ya did a nice job on it..
Let us know how she performs...

 

[bustedgears]

that is sweet!
It's always better to have something original.

 

[bustedgears]

It's always better to have something original.

 

[Haganator]

For more help on building up a clodbuster you could always go to Clodtalk.com
i have two clods and they are great trucks. with the right set ups they can climb over anything in their way.

 

[wannarunem]

what mounts are those that you are using to bolt the bottoms of the shocks????

 

[ImBroken]

what mounts are those that you are using to bolt the bottoms of the shocks????

At the moment, they look like zipties... lol He will probably use something like this...
http://rc4wd.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=1_4&products_id=378

 

[Rex2342]

LOL yeah right now I have them zip tied so I could take measurements for the links and stuff. ImBroken is right, those are the mounts I plan on using. I'm still waiting on my upper link mounts! I ordered them 2 weeks ago! My LHS is having trouble getting them in from New Era. They don't deal allot with them so it's taking forever.

 

[Plaidfish]

I particularly like the Marlboro lower chassis....you might want to ask their permission before putting the logo on your RC though

 

[beason]

how much do you have in it as it sets?? how much to make it whole? thats a great job.. i may try it if the price isnt to high..

 

[Plaidfish]

yeah about 100 dollars...yeah...

 

[Rex2342]

Well if I didn't already have most of the stuff from my Savage it would have costed a bit more. All I need to finish her is the adjustable motor mounts, shock mounts, upper link mounts, and the rest of the electronics (motors, ESC, one servo) The motors are like $20 a piece and the servo is $35. The ESC is going to be an either the E-Maxx's EVX or the Super Rooster. Either one will work and can be had on Ebay for $50-$80 new/used. When it's all said and done it will probably be close to the $400 range but would be more if you don't already have a lot of the stuff. You could always find items to make it cheaper though. A lot of the stuff I bought new when I could have bought used or even went with something else entirely. So far I'm pretty happy with it! I just need to finish it now and go find some rocks!

 

[Rex2342]

Just another update. I've finally got my top link mounts and made the top links. I also got the foam inserts trimmed down and now all I need are the lathe motors, one servo, and an ESC.

Low COG

Flex shot!

 

[Loser]

looks awsome!!!

thats cool how you modified the foams, i would have never thought of that.
keep it up and let us know how she crawls when your finished with it.

 

[Rex2342]

Sorry for the long delay guys! I've been busy with a new job and got a bit of a suprise coming my way. My girl friend is pregnant!!! It's a boy too!!! I so excited! The crawler is nearly complete too! I just picked up the EVX today and will be finishing her tonight. I went with some cheapo 27T motors until my 55t lathe motors arrive and I'm running 9t pinions. I will post some more picks of the completed project when I get them.