My first crawler..
 

I just got my first Crawler (Yhaaa) :party:

Please let me know if you see anything I need to improve (?) it runs great, I was out flipping it over for about 30 minutes early today. I'm hoping to get some get time with it this weekend.

Here is what what she is on paper:

Axial base, although all thats left of it is the axle housings
Blackjack chassis, with custom gusset and skid plate
RC4WD R2D trans with Rocksmith teflon shift bushings for dig
Holmes hobbies Crawler sport brushless outrunner, 1000kv
RCP Alum c's
RCP alum knuckles
Rocksmith titanium lockers front and rear
Rocksmith titanium links all around, lowers, uppers and steer, with axial rod ends
RCP rear alum lockouts
RCP SS one peice axles for rear
MSD Six shooter billet beadlocks with Proline badlands and NWtractech memory foams
Stock axial wheels cut and narrowed with new Losi claws and foams
TCS Rear upper 4 link plate, alum
TCS front upper 4 link plate delrin
TCS front 3 link bracket, alum
custom radio and electronice plates
Jato drivelines
TCS dig servo mount
JR 8711 servo for steer
Hi-tech 645mg for dig
CC external bec w/programmer module
Losi crawler shocks built as droop setup with internal springs 35w fr,40w rr.50w lr



Anyway on too the pics..

Here is everything it came with..


http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3388.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3389.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3390.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3391.jpg


Can someone please explain the foam (?) and especially the ones cut like tractor tires (?) what do I do with those (?) I'm told that I have memory foam in them now, so do I even need to keep the foam one I have (?)..


http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3402.jpg


Here is the beast!.. LOL..


http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3393.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3394.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3395.jpg


Here is close-up of the DIG and wiring:


http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3396.jpg

The underneath:


http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3397.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3398.jpg




Is this lift average (?) I have no idea what so ever. I'm thinking it should be almost vertical right (?)



http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3399.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3400.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3401.jpg




Now I just need to program my radio to work the dig system (good god !) LOL.LOL…


P.S. / for what it worth.
I traded my first 808 for it, I still have my Pro (E) 808, I think it was a far trade across the board..

I'm also told I can 45 -60 mimuets out the batteries (still don’t belve it we’ll see)..

Thanks for your time everybody and have a great day..

Shaun.

The cut foam compresses more easily to provide better traction - Thats about all i know about crawling...

Here is a guide:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_5272041/tm.htm

I think you need these :

http://rc4wdstore.com/product_info.p...roducts_id=718

http://www.tracgear.com/product/rc4w.../g2/AX10C2.jpg


And
http://rc4wdstore.com/index.php?cPath=63
http://rc4wdstore.com/index.php?cPath=42

You will have incredibly long runtimes because it's such a low-current set-up.

The articulation is perfect. We used to think that more (90 degrees) was better, but it is actually a detriment more often than a help. Too much can allow a tire to drop into a deep hole that it can't get out of.

Very cool rig! I wish mine had some of the stuff that yours does.

Thats a great looking crawler you got there Shawn! :yes: Really makes me want to build one up too. :wink:

Can someone please explain to me what the DIG set up does and how it works, why its helpful, etc please? Thanks in advance.

Dig is used essentially to allow the crawler to pivot around its rear tires. Dig can have different positions - the first is 4wd, the 2nd is locked rear driveshafts, and sometimes there might be FWD. When locking the rear driveshafts there is front wheel drive and the steering from the front. This results in a much tighter turning radius which can be helpful for getting around obstacles. The FWD/open rear driveshafts also yields a tighter turning radius, but isn't as useful for avoiding obstacles.

Shaun, you gonna bring it by Hobby People soon? I'm working tomorrow (Saturday) and will have my crawler with me... Marvin might have his with him as well.

Thanks Travis. That really helped. :yes: As for the servo, I am assuming that it is what switches the transmission from 4wd to fwd/locked axles, etc? How do you usually set it up on your radio system? Is a 3 channel radio enough? Thanks again.

cool truck shaun, i dont think i have the patience for a crawler, to slow, lol, i dunno tho never tried it

My wife thinks I'm crazy because I'll stand in one spot and attempt a particular line for over an hour until I can get it. The challenge is wicked fun, especially when you finally get over the obstacle!

oh yea, watching them is fun, especially when they go up vertical walls!

Yep, the servo actuates the dig. 3 channels is a necessity for dig, for sure. Dig, however, isn't necessary IMO. It does help, but if you're not competing there's no real need for it (IMO).

Got it! that makes a lot of sense..

Thanks for the link Chris..

Have a great one

Shaun.


Thanks Kulangflow!.. that makes sense too.. I'm still learning these things..

Thanks for the kind words and for stopping bye..

Have a great one Sir..

Shaun.



Thanks Josh.. it really is turning out to be a blast to play with..

I see that Travis explained the DIG system, it does work really cool and surprisingly enough it’s real simple to use once you get the hang of it..

Have a great week Sir.

Shaun.

Thanks Greg… It’s actually a blast!.. I’ve been out (so far) for about 3-4 hrs and time just flies bye. You get to beat the hell out of your toy at slow motion.. LOL.LOL.. it’s also quite challenging , finding the lines, learning that you drive it on it side and even learning that once you’ve flipped it over, you can right it back up with just some rocking of the tires.. Man this thing is cool..

Have a great one Sir..

Shaun.

So I had the opportunity to paint my first body this weekend, nothing to fancy but all and all it think it turned out ok.


http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3405.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3406.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3407.jpg


Then I had the opportunity to spend some time at the park with it:



http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3409.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3438.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3436.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3435.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3437.jpg



here is the link to the Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOE59l1_4Fw

Awesome looking build Shaun. Everything looks so clean and well laid out. No need to hold back, huh? You build them soooooo fast. Do you have anytime to enjoy it?

Great to let everyone know how much fun crawling is. Especially after being used to the ballistic missile's you usually build. I cant believe how addicting crawling is. We had 23 guys at our last $2 Buy In Comp.

And yeah, I usually run thru 3 courses and/or 3 hours on the rocks without touching my packs. Of course I'm not running the whole time. But my packs are right there threw the whole comp. One less thing that needs attention, so thats a plus.

How are the Traxxas shafts holding up?


-Doug

Looks cool. You got a video coming right? Wait a minute. It's rock crawling and you guys say you can stand in one spot for hours trying to get a line over something. That might be a awfully long (slow) video. LOL. It still be cool to see you flip it back over on it wheels or something. Never really thought about a crawler but after you all mention how fun it could be and why. Sounds like it could be.

Dougs right! Shaun, didn't you just build up a slash last week?

Doh! Just saw the link to the video on your last post. THanks for understanding!

nice set up ihave about the same thing only without a dig droop setup and the 7t motor.

those losi rock claws arethe best tires i have found so far and ive tried lots of tires. im running maxx shocks with 20 wt oil and super soft springs my ride hight is about 2 and a half inches and its perfect. i would get a set of mip c shafts in place of the jatos there super strong. if you havent already join www.rccrawler.com im on there and my name is ax10ny

Thanks for the kind words Doug, Crawling is really FUN, :yes: it’s SLOW but I'm amazed every time I go out what this thing can do and how deferentially it react’s to smallest of changes.. Just changing foams for the surroundings makes all the difference, it’s been a blast..:party: As for the Jato shafts, I'm replacing them on an average of once every three outings :neutral: I'm not sure if that good or bad, but I do know I'm not hurting my diffs or trans and I’ve got down, I can change out a drive shaft in under 2 minutes.. :angel:

Have a great on Sir



Thanks you traxasrevony and COOL we have the same build :smile: (basically) Yep I'm a member on the forum too.. Same name (TDC57)..:whistle: I checkout your bad boy, looks real good… I’ve been experimenting with different foam compounds and tire weights at the moment, I’ve quite happy with my badlands for most situation, but the rock clawers do provide a better side grip (IMOP) :wink:. What foams are you running (?)..

Have a great one Sir

Here is quick update on my Crawler,
I just love this thing, but now I'm thinking about building “The Stick” (?) More money, more money.. Anyway I also had the opportunity to final paint my first body’s.. So in keeping with my “fighter theme”, here is my “comp rig” in all it glory :lol: :intello:..



http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3449.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3450.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3451.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3455.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_3453.jpg




Have a great week everybody.. :party:

Shaun.

That body turned out great, Shaun! Unless the image is playing tricks on my eyes...

I like the body Shaun....specially the nuclear danger logo...I think I want to put one on the Slayer project...bigger one (if I can get my project done) :lol:

How does sensorless brushless setup behave in you crawler? I mean cogging, precision, neutral brake, etc.

I think SW Micro or M Micro Pro would be enough for that motor.

Great crawler BTW :D

A SW micro would be enough.

Looks like a great build! Very stable, and you got a great mix of quality parts in there.

Sensorless doesn't have the super low speed control of a brushed motor, but the drag brake is very strong and the lack of maintenance is very nice in those wet or dusty conditions.

thanks Sir, it was my second attempt at it and as long as i was sober i had a above average shoot of pulling it off.. :wink:




I found a spare Nuclear decal if you want it ?? just PM me address Sir..
Thanks for the compliments I am happy with how it turned out IE (Not a complete embarrassment!) LOL.LOL



Hey Maciolus,
I really like it!, I have no cogging issues at all and it very predictive!.. thanks for the compliments and have a great one!..

Shaun.


Thanks Sir..

Whoa, I missed this one! :oh:

Looks very nice- I hope you can get it to perform the same way! :whistle:

Rock Crawler Maintenance: (Tons of pictures!)

Ok it’s been a couple of months and it’s about time for me break this thing down, get it the once over IE: (re lube everything, polish everything, etc everything). So here is an 8 page update on the status of my crawler!.. I hope you enjoy it!..



So here is what it looked like before I started: (not too bad but obliviously room for improvement!.. LOL



http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4184.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4185.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4186.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4188.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4190.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4191.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4192.jpg

Ok do lets start the dismantle phase!.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4193.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4194.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4203.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4205.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4206.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4208.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4210.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4214.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4218.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4220.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4224.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4226.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4227.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4230.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4231.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4232.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4233.jpg

Ok now we move on the cleaning and polishing phase


http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4234.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4225.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4228.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4229.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4238.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4243.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4247.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4249.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4250.jpg

Now we start the reassemble phase:


http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4254.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4258.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4259.jpg


http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4257.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4262.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4264.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4265.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4266.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4269.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4270.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4271.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4273.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4274.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4276.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4277.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4278.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4282.jpg

Before and after: LOL.LOL not bad haa.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4225.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4228.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4243.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4257.jpg



http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4214.jpg

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http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4262.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4220.jpg

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http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4269.jpg


http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4195.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4270.jpg


http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4184.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4185.jpg


http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4276.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4277.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...7/IMG_4278.jpg



Builders Notes:
OOhh yeah, I'm using the 4x4 high performance “gearjelly” with secret additives. That’s way I can I give linc a run for his money. LOL.LOL..
Here is the thread that got me hooked on it!,, so just an FYI.. http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=127981

Also what do I spay on my tires to get that new look on soft rubber without damaging the tires ?? is it simple green??

Thanks for your time guys I’ll post more pictures once I mount up the RX, ESC, etc..

Have a great week everybody!..

Shaun.

The motor was really rubbing on the dig clutch... OUCH!

Yeah I let it go for one run and since it put the stripe there I thought I might as well make the best of it and polished the whole motor.. LOL.LOL at least it looks better now..Hahahaha..

I would have stripped it all, too. Of course, I wouldn't have allowed the friction in the first place..... :whistle: :oh:

Did the clutch loosen and tilt into the motor? It looks like you could file it down a bit if you wanted to.

YES.. :yes: WE all know your a better MAN than I..:lol::lol:

No just a screw came lose.. my fault completely

I sense sarcasm... Oh well. :lol:

Nah, I meant I'm a perfectionist with the mechanical stuff. Even little things like that would bug the hell out of me. :smile:

Oh god and I thought I might have a chance in the crawler category!

Sick... as always.

I believe WD40 does the trick...