The KEI Crawler

[TeknoJ]

I have been mulling over this KEI truck for a while and just started printing parts a couple weeks ago. I purchased the files for the cab and bed. I got a carbon fiber chassis from amazon that is a replica of the SCX10 pro and cannibalized all the parts from my injora rock buggy to complete the build of the rolling chassis.
It is maintaining the 313mm wheelbase, the files allow you to print parts for 3 different wheelbases.
I cannot use any tire greater than about 98mm in diameter, which I have none unless I use the tires off the Mini Maxx. They are a perfect fit but don't have the proper wheel offset.
Once I get my phone back from my son, I can provide pictures of what I have done so far.
The image below is a snip from the gentleman's showcase, it is not my own. I can provide a link to where I found this truck and quite a few others that look really cool.

I purchased these chassis rails for about $22. 3.5mm thick carbon that appears pretty good.
https://a.co/d/9Qc0p1m

 

[TeknoJ]

A few items left to do:
- Find some tires or a tire/wheel combo to fit
- I need a new front driveshaft, those injora stainless ones do not have a durable grub screw hole. I had to take a drill bit to mine and line it up so to speak, then it just seems like the pin doesn't go all the way in because it has deformed again. Pictures will come later.
- Paint.... I ran out of black filament, so I printed some parts in white PETG- I need to paint them
- I want to make this an outrunner with the AM32. I will either go cheap with the 9iMod combo or pay quite a bit more for the RhinoRC combo. No way am I paying what Holmes Hobbies is asking for the same product. (yes, they claim it is different with a proprietary programming but how will I ever know?)
- I need some magnets for the doors
- I need some Km and a half long screws, to mount the body to the chassis. They pass through the body mount that also captures the links.
- Make a front windshield out of polycarb or lexan so the wipers sit onto a surface.
- The $$$$ to purchase this crap.
Between work being slow and being sick as a dog all the time lately, I just can't catch a break. Having some time off was perfect to start building this but dang, no work=no RC funds. I gotta eat right?

 

[Xraycer]

Get well soon, Dude!

 

[TeknoJ]

I bought this transmission awhile back which fit into absolutely nothing I had. The skid is an odd one, the holes don't line up to scx10 or element stuff. It could be for a Capra but I will never know. Some links need to be moved to the frame. Anyway, it's an OD-3 claiming to have 18% underdrive in the rear output shaft. 48p gears with a 44t spur.
The screws stripped while driving them in the very first time. Comical
I had to design and print my own skid because there is absolutely no way you could mount a motor larger than 28mm in diameter without it rubbing on the skid. It is designed for an outrunner for sure.

Speaking of outrunners, This 9iMod combo has me intrigued. About $40

The RhinoRC stuff looks promising. It has gone up to $100, these things started at $60 when I first heard about them. Holmes has the same ESC or very similar at least for almost twice the price.

 

[TeknoJ]

I was going to town sanding on all the parts that came out with a top layer that was somewhat undesired. I realize I could have turned the top layer “ironing” on to possibly smooth this stuff out.
The real issue is the sandpaper, and a couple files I used had some dirt or something that stained the plastic a bit.
This thing is probably going to tumble and get dirty anyway, and I decided against painting it white with a coat of clear.

 

[TeknoJ]

Here is the rolling chassis. It is on SSD pro44 straight axles, using traxxas big bore shocks with the stock senderoHD grey springs, I designed a simple forward electronics/battery tray to fit everything in the cab, and I also had to design my own skid to get the OD-3 to sit up a few mm’s higher and match the mounting holes of the chassis.
It would be an awesome performance machine but instead, I’m slapping a big heavy thing on it and downsizing the tires simply for a scale look.

 

[TeknoJ]

The entire body is pretty much assembled, it just needs some accent paint for the details I want to be black.

 

[Xraycer]

The entire body is pretty much assembled, it just needs some accent paint for the details I want to be black.
View attachment 228299View attachment 228300

Nice!

 

[xjtorc]

Awesome build!! Love Kei trucks.

If you're still deciding on electronics, check out the Sequre Escape32 70-amp ESC and their 3625 1800 kv outrunner (if it'll fit) on Amazon. It's the same physical hardware and opensource firmware that runs on the Rhino and 9imod stuff.

 

[TeknoJ]

Awesome build!! Love Kei trucks.

If you're still deciding on electronics, check out the Sequre Escape32 70-amp ESC and their 3625 1800 kv outrunner (if it'll fit) on Amazon. It's the same physical hardware and opensource firmware that runs on the Rhino and 9imod stuff.

That was probably you I heard about the Escape stuff from somewhere around here. I have it in a webpage on my phone but forgot all about it so, thank you for reminding me. I can get a 36mm diameter motor to fit, I designed the skid to fit a HW fusion if necessary, providing the cab will not interfere. I did consider chopping a chunk out, but I think the body will actually sit high enough to have no issues with whatever I choose. The body is so heavy that I am obligated (almost) to make this an outrunner or all in one/fusion type crawler. I have been wanting to try both of these anyway.

 

[xjtorc]

That was probably you I heard about the Escape stuff from somewhere around here. I have it in a webpage on my phone but forgot all about it so, thank you for reminding me. I can get a 36mm diameter motor to fit, I designed the skid to fit a HW fusion if necessary, providing the cab will not interfere. I did consider chopping a chunk out, but I think the body will actually sit high enough to have no issues with whatever I choose. The body is so heavy that I am obligated (almost) to make this an outrunner or all in one/fusion type crawler. I have been wanting to try both of these anyway.

Send it!!

 

[TeknoJ]

I was wondering what is "Kei"? How is it a Kei if it has so many brands? I am that typical ignorant American right now that did not realize it means something. I won't butcher the Japanese language, but the translation is light automobile, and kei is a shortened version of the full term. It is the smallest category of Japanese express-way legal motor vehicles.
If you didn't know, I am a huge fan of Japanese vehicles. Japanese culture also fascinates me.
Now my next quest, is to decide what brand I want to badge it with.

 

[xjtorc]

Subaru Sambar is the first thing that came to mind when I first saw it.

 

[TeknoJ]

There is a guy here in Idaho Falls that has a Subaru he claims is his daily driver. Theres a tire shop close to where I live that has a stock looking one (dunno what brand) wrapped with their logos, and a big, modified crawler looking beast that I have also not caught what brand it wears.
My wife says go with Mitsubishi since I have red PLA still, but I also have blue...

 

[xjtorc]

There is a guy here in Idaho Falls that has a Subaru he claims is his daily driver. Theres a tire shop close to where I live that has a stock looking one (dunno what brand) wrapped with their logos, and a big, modified crawler looking beast that I have also not caught what brand it wears.
My wife says go with Mitsubishi since I have red PLA still, but I also have blue...

That’s awesome. We have a nearby JDM dealer always selling Kei trucks of all varieties. One of these days I’ll have one lol.

Either Subie or Mitsu are solid choices for sure!

 

[Doom!]

Lookin' really good!

 

[CertifiedMike]

This is a cool idea!!! I love that you're making it yourself!

 

[TeknoJ]

Tires and the mile long screws to mount up the body to the chassis came!

 

[TeknoJ]

 

[Doom!]

That is just so cool, how much room is there for articulation, looks tight.