RC4WD Gelande Defender build

[skottoman]

[flomofo]

Thanks for the thread too, looking at the D110 from Gelande or RCMODELex if I cant get a TF2.

These things really make you appreciate the value of a TF2 kit though!

[Rook82]

Rig looks amazing even on close ups. That is quality work. I love the overall theme with the yellow and flag on top. All the colors blend well. Your pilot/driver must be crazy as the dog in the passenger seat looks like he is scared to death

[IKke]

Nice work, great attention to detail

[cbp27]

I've been following this build and it's great! Amazing paint work and attention to detail. I wish my paint work could be that nice.

[skottoman]

Originally Posted by cbp27

I've been following this build and it's great! Amazing paint work and attention to detail. I wish my paint work could be that nice.

Thanks man, I just looked at your entire Defender thread, and you do a lot of great custom stuff! Wow...

[Desert Rc]

Originally Posted by tozrovr

Yeah the green Gelande I posted earlier has a 35t in it and compared to my scx10 with the 27t Holmes its a bit comical. Hardly enough wheelspin to clean the tires or make certain climbs.

Same situation here with the low gearing. I bought a couple new 20t wraith motors on here for dirt cheap and was saddened that the motors did not fit as well. But I did a bit of grinding on the lip of the motor and wallah it fits. The 20t is like a 40t now but at least doable. I don't think with the GRU I will ever break anything......maybe that was RC4WD master plan to combat thier inferior parts.

[DRW-FJ40]

First, let me say, very cool build. It always amazes me when someone can build something that's been done so many times and make it different. Your attention to detail is really nice.

I'm also building a gelande/defender. I've been looking into suspension options. I've got a lot of weight on mine too. I see that there are now HD springs for the stock shocks. How do you like the tamiyas?

On upgrading the drive train, I was going to start with just the two punisher shafts & see how it holds up. But I have added XVD's, aluminum knuckles to the basket & then taken them out. didn't really want to have to upgrade the housings.

Any thoughts on best bang for the buck on the drivetrain?

again, sweet build!

[skottoman]

Originally Posted by DRW-FJ40

I see that there are now HD springs for the stock shocks. How do you like the tamiyas?
Any thoughts on best bang for the buck on the drivetrain?

Thanks for the kudos, I try and make my builds unique!

As far as the springs, I put on some stock Tamiya F201 springs on the bottom, and they might actually be a little stuff, but they hold the entire weight of this build, and still allow the softer springs to articulate. I also have a ton of different springs for the F201 so I might try some different weights, but for now, the stock F201 springs are working great it seems.

As far as the drive train, as you can see I upgraded the driveshafts with the Junfacs, the gearbox to transfer with the RC4WD truck Mega shaft, and added the XVD's, AND the aluminum knuckles because mine came cracked already from the screw in them!!! :(
The only thing left to upgrade would be the T-Rex axle cases, and rod ends!

Oh, I love your Wolf Creek RC park. It's really cool!

Cheers,
Skottoman

[skottoman]

Looking to finish this up this weekend.... Have a list of about 18 things to do!

More detail work, and starting all the lights...

[ScaleFreak93]

Looking pretty sweet man! Keep up the awesome work! What does it weigh in at now?

[skottoman]

Originally Posted by ScaleFreak93

Looking pretty sweet man! Keep up the awesome work! What does it weigh in at now?

Thanks! It's about 10 pounds... I haven't been able to drive it offroad yet, but I can't wait to see how a 10lb truck runs. Gotta tune the springs first also...

[skottoman]

Got the lights installed, winch is working, rear bumper and mud flaps installed, and the body mounted. What a pain! Very tough to stuff all wires/battery under the interior!
Getting close to the end though!

[skottoman]

Ok, going to do a rant here...

I got my RC4WD 35T motor today, and decided to swap it out for the 21T I had in there. (Which was running very smooth)
Well.... I'm guessing I got lucky with the installation of the 21T the first time, because over an hour later, I still have no motor in the chassis.

I blame the design of the "disrupter" planetary gearbox. In order to adjust the pinion, you must:
- Unscrew 3 hex head bolts holding motor mount.
- Unscrew 2 phillips head machine screws holding motor to mount. Remove mount, and hope and pray the planetary gears don't fall out.
- Loosen grub screw, move pinion less than 1mm guessing as to where it should be.
- Tighten grub screw on pinion.
- Re-install 2 phillips screws to hold motor to mount.
- Re-attach motor mount to Planetary gearbox with 3 hex head screws.
- Turn on radio and test.
- Scream and swear as it makes grinding noises.
- Repeat.

Ok, well, I did this process at least 20 times!

In the process, I ended up stripping the "upgraded" pinion I purchased, so that is now trash.
2 of the cheap hex head screws provided with the kit have now stripped the heads.

The problem is for a planetary gear system to be smooth, everything must be centered. And with all the play in the screw holes, it's just not working! I have no idea how I got it to be smooth the first time, but after over an hour, and many stripped screws and a ruined pinion later, I gave up.

I am so un-impressed with the quality and design of the Gelande chassis it's not even funny.

EDIT: 20 minutes later and I was able to finally get the 21T motor to run in the gearbox smoothly. Total luck. Took me about 4 tries, but now that it's smooth again, I'm not messing with it....

[Titus]

Making some awesome progress there. Loving the lights. You can certainly be proud of this build. Very high standard I must say. Keep it up.

Cheers

[skottoman]

Took it out for a run today, and to get some outdoor shots. Still shots and some video stills. Video of it coming later...

[skottoman]

[jhtfarquhar]

Great looking truck!!

I really like the lights and am hoping for some night running videos. This reminds me of a truck I saw on youtube, it was a modded SCX10 with a defender body and the guy had set up a miniature "Camel cup" or whatever it's called video.

The 2nd shot down looked just like the real thing!

[Titus]

fantastic! what a turn out and the pics, are brillaint. A few of those would fool a lot of people into thinking its a 1:1

What you think of how it runs now, seeing as you have given it a bit of a spin?

must commend you on a fine build!

Cheers
T

[tozrovr]

You Sir have done a GREAT job. HUGE thumbs up!