My crawler build

[4u2nv]

Just thought Id post up some pics of where I'm at with my crawler build so far. So far I got most of the chassis mocked up, just waiting to get the 4 links spun out on the lathe.
The Diffs are locked TLT's
Shocks are Integy Msr4's

Next step will be pick up a Stampede Tranny and probably decide how I'm going to mount the battert. (Thats why the bottom chassis plate is long). All together the wheelbase, from nut to nut, should be 13 inches.

Anyway, heres some pics of the build so far.

Where it all started...

Fresh cut chassis plates (I cut 4 sets incase I screw up..lol)

Locked (With Jb weld) Diffs

Mocked up

 

[SMaxxin]

That looks great Andy, nice job!

 

[itsme]

Yeah Andy thats looking good keep us posted thoughout this thread on how its coming along.

 

[Plaidfish]

nice stuff.....is there a plan you picked up or this all from the top of your itty bitty own head..... :jk: (on the own head part, I know this can't be from you right, LOL) looks like a fun toy to make......nice cat chaser I bet.....

 

[4u2nv]

Just kinda a whim I guess. After Seeing the ones here on the forum a while back, I just started reading up on them and got the bug.. My father has helped me quite a bit with how the layout is going to be and such. Hopefully it goes as planned..lol.. Thanks for the props fellas. Ill be sure to keep everyone updated.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Lookin' sweet, Andy! Looking forward to seeing more of the build, my man!

 

[4u2nv]

I'm just waiting on a tranny right now and the custom 4 links should be done here mid next week, also a machined servo guard.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

You should send me your chassis plates and let me powder coat them for ya!

 

[phx123]

Hey Andy.. Why didnt ya get the new PTI Crawler ? Its already locked front and rear and is longer than the original PTI. I think it costs more though.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Alright Andy, what's the latest, Ace? Let's hear how it's going!

 

[4u2nv]

You should send me your chassis plates and let me powder coat them for ya!

I might take ya up on that!! Thanks bro!

I got the Tlt Rockbuster because I was told the only difference is the shafts. And most people dont use the stock shafts anyway. Plus the price was right ($70 shipped to my door) I couldnt pass it up.

I've been so busy with stuff and now the holiday garbage that I havnt even had time to look at it. I was just thinking about it earlier today now that ya mention it..lol.. I gotta find out how these guys are mounting the Msr5 shocks.. I also got the links from the 4 links back I had my dad turn on a lathe.. Look pretty sick. Ill see if I can snap some pics.

 

[4u2nv]

I'm running into a prob on how/where to mount the links. I was told to run a 6 link suspension, that consisted of 2 links to the side of the chassis, and then one link from the back of the servo mount (A aluminum piece) to the center of the inside of the chassis. I seem to get biding issues. Anyone have any suggestions or tell me if theres a better setup? (I have 8 link bars if needed. It was my plan to run a 4 link from the start)

Also another issue I'm coming up with is the shock mounting. I'm running a set of Integy Msr5's I picked up from eddy and on the top of the shocks where you mount it is flat.. Id I put a spacer in between that and the chassis, then I get even worse binding. I have the chassis at 3 inches wide which is the normal width of a typical chassis, so I'm not sure if I need differnt mounts on the axles or what. Any suggestions on what to do there either??

Everytime I ask any questions on a Rc crawler forum I've been reading in (I wont mention any names) everyones been a real prick, and basically call me a stupid noob and tell me to piss off. I've noticed in the crawler scene there seems to be alot of "elitest's" that feel there on a platform and not as friendly to "noobs". Not real sure whats up with that, definatly wasn't expected since 99% of the people I've chatted with in R/c have been real nice and helpful.

 

[SMaxxin]

Go with the 4 link, it's smoother and more adjustable IMO. As for mounting the shocks, snap a pic of what your working with, maybe a mock up with the shocks close to where they should be...maybe someone will see something your missing...Maybe you could link mount them? I know where you can get some nice link mounts. I was looking for pics of my old ones but they are not 3 inches wide (chassis) so the set up will be different.

As for rccrawler, I joined in 2004 and still don't have the required 30 posts to view the BST forum LOL. It's like NCNitro said before, for some reason guys into crawling are not friendly.

Thank Goodness for RCNT!!!

 

[NCNitro]

Everytime I ask any questions on a Rc crawler forum I've been reading in (I wont mention any names) everyones been a real prick, and basically call me a stupid noob and tell me to piss off. I've noticed in the crawler scene there seems to be alot of "elitest's" that feel there on a platform and not as friendly to "noobs". Not real sure whats up with that, definatly wasn't expected since 99% of the people I've chatted with in R/c have been real nice and helpful.

If it is the one I am thinking of, you have found the motherload of pricks! You think Traxxas mods are bad there is this pos named after a nasty little animal, and the name fits his nasty little ass perfectly, very rude and on a severe power trip! I do not bother visiting ANY crawler forums anymore, I had found one that was ok, Clod Talk, but I never felt comfortable or wanted there either. You are 100% right Andy, a lot of these guys think they are something special, why? I have no clue. Stay here with us man, we'll help you figure it out buddy.

 

[4u2nv]

Today I got some time to mess with the crawler project and I fixed the binding issue. When a Tlt is stock they mount the cantilever arm for the shocks and the links at a angle, and that just wasn't working with the new setup. So I remounted them as I saw in a picture of one I saw for sale on ebay..lol... Seems to have ALOT more room.
After this I was all excited because I figured I could finally get the stance of the crawler up and running, and start with the fun stuff.. Then I ran into this...

I think I might have measured wrong for the length of the links... Whatd ya think??

 

[redneckracer1979]

Yeah the links look a little long. I would leave the rear long and run a shorter front setup. it works like a 60/40 split when it is done. Your lower links are in the same place I run my lowers now you just need to get the uppers in place. I mount my uppers on the inside of the chassis and go to my servo mount plate. Look at the Bender link mount plate to get an idea of what I am not talking about if you don't understand what I am trying to say. Shoot me a PM if you have any questions and I will try to answer them the best I can.

 

[4u2nv]

Got the new links today, and got it all mocked up.

Now just gotta get the 4 links on, and get the wheel extenders fabbed up.

 

[SMaxxin]

Looking good! How do you plan to make the wideners?

 

[4u2nv]

I'm gonna have my dad Cnc some out for me at work. Hes been helping me out alot with it.

I was thinking, since I can have him pretty much do any size of hexes, do you think itd be good to bump it up from 2.2, to a maxx/savage size hex? I mean my wheel base is 15 inches, so maxx/savage size rims on there might be a little more proportional.. Any benefits for the 2.2 size over maxx/savage size wheels? I've seen some dudes run 40 series on there, but I think thats a little much.

 

[SMaxxin]

Maxx sixe tires would look better with the long wheel base and give more ground clearance. The only down side would be a little extra stress on the diffs and tranny.