sweet googly-moogely.

ran some tests today on the stealth - no steering yet (STILL waiting on that stupid y-harness from tower), but i tested it over some backyard rocks with the following a123 configurations:

* 3s - not even worth it. i was right - it does run, but has almost no climbing power (quickly realizing how bad these tires are for climbing too. no stickiness)
* 4s - now we're getting there! much better power. i was able to climb most things, but taking a vertical wall made it work. it climbed, but...just a little... more juice...
* 5s - PERFECT! lots of power at hand, and nothing stopped it. it scaled the vertical wall like spidey, even with the garbage tires.

so, 5s it is! i checked temps on the MM, and it was hardly even warm - even with no fan (i am using the CC BEC to get 6v to both 645mg servos, though). this thing is amazing - a waaaaaay better crawler than my old modified JPS clod. it has a longer wheelbase and lower COG, which helps immensely.

bad news? with 5s2p a123 batts, the weight is 12 lbs. 6 ozs. heck, just the batts alone are 1 lb 14.3 oz. (with a parallel deans harness and series deans harness included).

that's 16.5v through the latest MM esc - internal BEC disabled, of course.

can't wait to really give this a workout! now if only that tower order would show up...

Wow, I suprized it really needed 5s to make it come alive, but if it climbs that well then its ideal.

55t motors on 5s a123 would be very nice. I like to run mine on 4s lipo. I still crawl though, not bashing so much. That is what the emaxx and wheelie king are for.

just an update on my Stealth:

* bought a 2nd MM and a Spektrum DX6. the plan is to hook one MM up to the front motor, and one stick on the radio controls the front forward/reverse and the front left/right steering. the other stick controls the same for the rear. i can get creative with some channel mixing, but i plan to keep it simple. oh - and she'll have DIG. :mdr:

* the plan is to go outrunner BL for both - just not sure which model yet. most likely a Holmes Crawlmaster (they're sealed, and black! hee hee)

* a single a123 3s1p pack will power each MM, and a castle BEC is already providing the 6v of juice to both servos. with the configurations of my current packs, i can only go 3s1p on each, or 2s2p. but to go 3s2p or 4s2p, i'll have a 'boat load' of battery weight as it'll be X2. someday i may build a 5s1p pack they can both draw off of, but for now it's 3s1p each. obviously it's not ideal to run 2 packs as the rear pack could give out before the front, but i'm not competing. just having fun. :tongue:

i'll get updated pics up once i have the latest changes installed.

Mmmm sounds good. Makes me want a crawler. I think I am going to have to get a second job. I didn't realise the stealths were so heavy.

she is heavy - but i could drop a lot of it by going with less heavy wheels/tires and a single 4s or 5s lipo pack (all of which i don't have... yet)

major upgrades!
 

the Stealth has seen some serious wrench time (and cash) in the form of lots of upgrades. i'm tired of waiting for a nice sunny day outside to take it out for shots - so i took these 2 inside shots.

what i've done:
* brushless! i threw a pair of AXI outrunners on. 2217/16 Gold's each attached to it's own MM, and 3s a123 racing packs. the AXI's are max 83% efficient, and each has 1050 rpm/volt
* 9 tooth long hardened steel pinions from RC4WD
* new wheels/tires: Axial's new oversize narrow Rockster beadlocks paired with RC4WD 40 series Mudslingers. these things are huuuuuge
* the lightest, softest springs i could find. they're Losi's, and fit over the big bores nicely
* a Spektrum DX6 radio system so each stick can control the front and back (1 stick controls front throttle and steering, the other stick controls the rear)

the lower chassis plate now has 5.5" of clearance! the power this thing now has is absolutely crazy too...

sorry for the poor pics - i'll shoot some better ones when the weather clears up. inside pics suck. :sleep:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...r/IMG_0817.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...r/IMG_0816.jpg

Axle mounted ESCs. Is that safe? Those tires are huge. We need more pics and some action videos.

axle mounted esc's aren't totally unheard of in Supers. here's one example of a nice one. the esc's are tucked away in an area that is fairly well protected by the wheels, and there is no speed at all. if the truck flips or falls, there won't be any impact on the esc. i just have to worry about no servo saver. i already had to replace the gears in the front 645mg due to running into something with one front tire too fast.... :oh: stripped out instantly.

once i get a nice sunny day, i'll take it out to a nice crawling spot and get pics and video.

edit: i just read the review of the stealth in the latest RCCA (p. 124/125) and they added dual axle mounted MM's too.

I look forward those pic's and vid Scott.

Everytime I read about or see at Stealth I wonder how your's is treating you. :whistle: Same goes for the Xray too. :smile: You did a complete 180 it seem's from your "Clod" & "Maxx" days. Have you missed them much yet. do you ever hear from the guy that got your SM?

I was gonna pm you about the Stealth in RCCA this month. Glad I checked here first. :yes: But that pretty much could be your Super Comp in RCCA magazine, dontcha think? MM at each end, outrunner motors, Traxxas shocks, stick radio, etc.

I hear ya player !!! :great:

So how are those motors treating you :)

thanks doug - yes, i do miss beating the snot out of the maxx... but that was before the SuperMaxx days, lol. before i had a ton of $$ in it, and was afraid to damage anything. the funny thing is, the guy i sold it to parted it out. i've seen almost all of my parts on ebay, except for the UE lightning chassis. i'm sure he's keeping that. i didn't know it at the time, but he's one of the bigger 'chop 'n sell' sellers on ebay. sniff, sniff - my poor truck, lol.

still don't have the Xray back yet. i dropped it off at the beginning of december, and was told it'll be a while yet. oh well - it's not like i can run it until spring anyhow.

har har... i know i know.... i should've listened to you in the first place. :rules: i'll be placing an order tonight for crawlmaster sport outrunners tonight, JRH. :great: (to everyone else: the AXi's are too small of an outrunner for my 11.5 lb. rig.)

The AXI's would work good in a 2.2.

I wondered about servo savers on crawlers. Servo saver kind of defeates the purpose of having a big strong servo. Even though it's not a big strong servo really if it can break it's self.

i'm reading more and more people with crawlers who have issues with the 645's... i guess you get what you pay for. if i have any more issues with them, i'll send 'em to hitec for service, sell 'em, and buy a couple 5955's.

it's the 2nd largest brass countergear that strips out so easily. every time, actually. i would've thought it would be the small plastic gear that sits at the bottom.

I have been running 5955's and 5995's since they came out. Hands down my favorite servo still. Waypoint just released a servo to compete with the 645, but with full metal and more torque for about the same price. Testing has gone very good.

it took some modification, but i managed to get my new Holmes Hobbies Crawlmaster Sports installed. :yipi:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...r/IMG_0839.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...r/IMG_0838.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...r/IMG_0842.jpg

I really like the way those look. What pinion are you using? All that isn't black are the links.

i'm finding people either love 'em or hate 'em... very little in between. the ones who aren't crazy about the design seem to be the hardcore crawlers who like the tubers, sticks, etc.

funny you say the only thing that isn't black are the links... i'm looking at possibly replacing the aluminum links with black delrin rod, and would increase the wheelbase at the same time (like what kamikaze did to his super). then it would be all black, and longer than the 16.5" it currently is.

i'm still using 9 tooth pinions. i just got a set of 7 tooth pinions, but they won't fit - the ONLY thing i'm not happy about this truck is that GMade made adjustable motor mounts but won't allow the shaft (with the 7 tooth pinion) to get close enough to the spur. i have to dremel out material so it can get closer.

last night i saw that GMade came up with a super-strong servo saver that's integrated into the steering link. i placed an order for 2 of them, to see how they do. i fried another 645 last night.... :grrrrrr:

http://www.junfac.com/shop/images/op...ering_red4.jpg

Thats a new one on me, looks rather interesting. As for the chassis design- I prefer something that looks at least a tad realistic.... a stick chassis is just that; a stick!

Very interesting servo saver.

i'm not holding my breath that it'll work well, but we'll see i guess. there are 2 types - 'normal' and 'hard'. i ordered the hard. the shaft extends as well as contracts. i plan to order a pair of 5955's, and don't want to blow those out very often (even though they'll be much tougher than the 645. at least the 5955 on my eXT8 is tough).

we'll see. it could very well be something that ends up in the toolbox, lol.

a little animated how-to at the bottom of the page --> http://www.junfac.com/shop/index.php...roducts_id=184

i just now got my package from Korea, with the new 'hard type' servo saver linkage. i can barely move it in either direction by hand - so it is pretty tough, or at least much tougher than any other servo saver i've seen. i'll install everything (including the new pair of 5955's and the 17mm adapter/wideners) this weekend. :yipi:

G-made is good stuff!!!!!!
 

hi guys, i'm from HONG KONG and got a G-made Spider...thats a really good crawler and i really LOVE that beast! i also got the stealth and g1 chassis for replacement and alot of goodies from junfac. they got some really good stuffs for sale, but if you want to ask anythings at all, no need cause they never return any.....for me, i sent more than 40 e-mail but none return....bty, i'll try to post some of my rc pics when i get back to my office on MONDAY and see if you guys will like it?

Hay Clodmaxx..

That's one sweet build you have there, very jealous, great job in documenting your build..

Would you have a parts list that you can share with the team, I'm thinking of getting me one of these bad boy's and it's just easier for me if you have already done all of the leg work (part numbers, vendors, costs)..

Thanks for your time, I'm looking forward to your next update..

Have a great one

Shaun.

hey shaun - thanks much for the kind words. :smile: unfortunately, that pony is no longer in the r/c stable anymore. i'm down to my brushless xray truggy, sniff sniff...

i ordered the stealth kit and Gmade option parts from junfac.com - they are:
- adjustable duralumin axle mount (2 kits)
- duralumin short axle guart kit (only one - on front)
- aluminum servo mount (2 kits)
- bended lower rod (4)
- servo saver steering (hard type) (2 kits)
- diff locker (2 kits)
- 17mm wheel adapter & widener (4)

a list of other things (i think this is a complete list, but some things may be missing from my short term memory):
- 40 series mudslinger tires from rc4wd.com
- axial oversize narrowed 40 series wheels
- dual CC mamba max esc's
- CC BEC (set to 6v)
- dual Holmes Hobbies Crawlmaster Sport brushless motors
- hardened crawling pinions from rc4wd.com (can also be ordered from holmes hobbies)
- dual hitec 5955tg steering servos (333 oz)
- 4 traxxas big bore shocks, with Losi extra soft springs (white)
- spektrum dx6 radio system - modded so left stick self-centers

i believe that's it. i ran both MM's from a single 3s1p a123 racing battery pack, and it had a LOT of punch and torque. as for costs - you'll have to do that legwork yourself, as i never look back at that. :oh: :great:

good luck. i highly recommend the kit as a great alternative to a clod-based super class crawler...

:surprised:WWWwwwhhhhaatttt!!! :oh:
That was / is an awesome build.. I'm so sorry for your loss..

Should I still consider / invest the money and time for it??. I mean is / was it worth it?? or did you sell it because it wasn’t as good as you were hoping for??

Thanks for your time ClodMaxx..

Have a great one..

Shaun.

it was a great truck - i just realized (after over $1k invested) that i'm much more of a basher than a crawler. that's why i'm sticking to my brushless xt8, and will probably get into racing it here and there. i also just bought a house, and need to invest my time and $$ in that.

i do think it's a great kit - but it might not be the most comp worthy. at least, it'll take some time and work to get it to a point where you'd be able to start being a force to reckon with in comps. but if you're looking for a good bashing crawler, you'll have fun with it.

Got you!...

Thank you soooo much for all of the great advise and (FYI) I'm using your thread as my foundation for my crawler project..

Have a great one ClodMaxx and thanks again for all of your time..

Shaun.

you're very welcome - glad to help. don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, or if i can help any further. good luck and have fun! :smile:

Hey Saun, you gonna document your build on here? I'm infatuated with the G-Made Stealth. Went with an AX-10 as two of my buddies got them for Christmas. Some of your stuff on the EMaxx forums is fantastic! Using a kit will be a lot easier than doing one from scratch, especially if it's your first crawler. Take my word for it!! Maybe you remember my Maxxxcrawler thread on the Traxxas forums.....

Hey Clodmaxx, AWESOME RIG!!! I plan on building a stealth once my erevo is brushless
that steering link/ servo saver looks freaking sweet!
so are the axles the stealth come on a clod axle or something all its own?
can you put clod axles under the thing or something like the raptor axles?

http://www.rccrawler.com/articles/raptor/raptorsm.jpg
http://www.rccrawler.com/articles/raptor/gearssm.jpg
i like this, probably your style
"Each gearbox accommodates 32 pitch motor pinion sizes from 8T to 20T to offer overall gearing ratios to 30:1. This gearing may be a little too high for those wanting very slow crawling, but may work well with torquey brushless motors. We’ll soon see. Also, a clear dust cover over a large window on the side of the gearbox makes setting gear mesh easy."