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-   -   •Project Lo-Do• (http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/1-9-scale-rigs/611561-%95project-lo-do%95.html)

dezfan 09-06-2019 10:00 PM

•Project Lo-Do•
 
So a neighborhood kid saw me testing one of my rigs in the alley one day. He was riding his bike and stopped to watch me for a few minutes asking a million questions.

After that it seems every time my garage door was open, I had a visitor.

He’s a good kid, he’s been the only one in 10 years that I can remember to actually come knock on my door and ask if I had any work so that he could earn one money to fix his go-cart.

Finally seen him and his Mom out walking in the neighborhood and chatted for a bit. Come to find out, his parents are split up, Mom works, and money is tight.

She mentioned that her son had been talking about the cool RC truck and how much he wanted one. She asked what they cost and groaned when I told her what the price range was.

I wanted to help the little guy out, but I too am on a pretty tight budget these days, but I figured I could squeeze some money out of my hobby budget.

I started looking through my spare parts and came up with tires, wheels, foams, battery, and a Tx/Rx.

Not much, but a start.

I started looking for a used roller. Nothing fancy, just something to start with when I came across the Austar Crawler sliding chassis (also available as s roller for $20.00 more) on e-bay for $92.99 shipped!

I hesitated, tried to hold out for a cheap SCX10, but after watching a few videos of the Austsr(also sold as an Injora), I ordered it.

Box arrived yesterday.

http://a68.tinypic.com/2m4efl2.jpg

I was pleased to see it arrived intact with no damage(others had reported damage to their box during shipping) and seemed to be fairly well packaged.

10 days from China to my front door and the USPS is responsible for one of those days. Not bad at all.

So this will be the build thread for Project Lo-Do (low dough)!

I’m going to surprise my new Crawling buddy with it.

After opening the box, this is what I was greeted with my initial impression is pretty good.

http://a66.tinypic.com/24bowzm.jpg

After a few minutes I had the included bumper installed along with the pins and Hexs.

http://a65.tinypic.com/2lnbnti.jpg

Had to throw the tires (4th tire is inbound do to the generosity of a fellow RCC member) on just to see what it looked like.

http://a66.tinypic.com/16a7i35.jpg

About as far as I got last night and I was traveling all day today.

Going to tear into it tomorrow, check to make sure everything is tightened, oiled, greased, and shimmed correctly. I’ll post my findings.

Ordered the least expensive body(that I thought still looked good on a Crawler)on eBay today.

Still need to get an ESC (may have a line on one from a local).

And I need to order a servo (provably order one of those Power HD 20KG Amazon units for under $20.00)

More to come...

M and M 09-07-2019 03:11 AM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Touched by this story..been there. Shame I'm so far away, have a few bits that may help you..maybd some on the forums closer may be able to chip in? Best of luck with this project.

durok 09-07-2019 03:26 AM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Great story, thanks for passing the hobby on to someone less fortunate -

Giving him something to do that takes him outdoors instead of the typical TV and video games that kids do these days!

indybama 09-07-2019 03:37 AM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Thats very kind of u dez! Its great to see young ones get into this hobby, keeps them out of trouble n in the fresh outdoors, plus theybget the exercise they need. I was goina say, ive got a jeep body id donate for the lil guy if needed. Looks like u got him a good start into this addiction lol. Hes goina b so suprised n excited. Youre a good man dez!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...58ff264bf8.jpg

Sent from my SM-J327VPP using Tapatalk

B-MOW71 09-07-2019 06:17 AM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Man, that's great dez!"thumbsup" That little guy is going to love it!

robbark34 09-07-2019 09:38 AM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
You are the man dude bet little man will love his truck

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk

dezfan 09-07-2019 09:47 AM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Thanks for the kind words, and I appreciate all the offers to help.

I think I have it covered.👍🏼

Brake Weight 09-07-2019 10:01 AM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
I’ve had decent luck out of one of these. Especially for the price point.

https://m.banggood.com/540-Motor-60A...p-1187528.html

dezfan 09-07-2019 12:21 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Brake Weight (Post 5960876)
I’ve had decent luck out of one of these. Especially for the price point.

https://m.banggood.com/540-Motor-60A...p-1187528.html

Wow, great price for an ESC+Motor combo. Definitely a great budget friendly offering!👍🏼

Luckily the Austar slider included a 35T motor, so that’s one less item I need to acquire.

The ESC that I’m picking up is a Hobbywing 1060 which looks almost identical to the one in your link except for the red heat sink.

I bet there are essentially the same ESC.

Brake Weight 09-07-2019 12:34 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by dezfan (Post 5960892)
Wow, great price for an ESC+Motor combo. Definitely a great budget friendly offering![emoji1360]



Luckily the Austar slider included a 35T motor, so that’s one less item I need to acquire.



The ESC that I’m picking up is a Hobbywing 1060 which looks almost identical to the one in your link except for the red heat sink.



I bet there are essentially the same ESC.



Likely they are.

hillbillyrc 09-07-2019 02:28 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Very cool idea.
curious how it will hold up. Would be a great option to get my son in the hobby and off his Xbox.

CM9000 09-07-2019 03:55 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
hell yeah. we got another one in. lol.

if you need a radio, I'm sure I have one.

dezfan 09-07-2019 07:02 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Gotta love the generosity here on RCC.

Thankfully I have the radio and receiver covered. ����

Spent a little time this afternoon tearing down the axles and shocks.

Seems the account of the axle being a mish-mash of Gen1 and Gen2 SCX10 axles was accurate.

Again, the plastic quality seems good. As does the quality of the hardware used.

I’ve owned Crawlers that cost 4 times this much and the hardware seemed to have been made of a mix of powered steel and room temperature butter.

Everything so far has been tight. Thread lock was used on all metal to metal parts and required s bit of heat to break the thread lock loose.

The diffs where lightly greased, to lightly for my taste. So I applied a healthly coat of CRC Sta Lube marine grease to the diffs.

The gear mesh between the ring and pinion gear is good and the pinion gear is held in place with an e-clip.

Everything spins freely and there isn’t a lot of slop.

So far so good, on to some pics.

Before:
http://a63.tinypic.com/25kk8zs.jpg

After:
http://a67.tinypic.com/oh8jec.jpg

Brass used for all spacers and balls.
http://a65.tinypic.com/2euu9zp.jpg

Is there supposed to be a bearing installed here?
http://a66.tinypic.com/20a6kad.jpg

Pinion retained with C-clip.
http://a63.tinypic.com/2wn5jep.jpg

Chubs and knuckles are Gen2 inspired and offer 8° of camber.
http://a65.tinypic.com/zlyt07.jpg

Internal gears and lockers.
http://a67.tinypic.com/14tq0yf.jpg

indybama 09-07-2019 07:49 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Nice, looks like hes goina have a real good starter rig. May have to get a couple of them for my boys for christmas so they can build their own. Itll be awesome to see that lil guy get his suprise. U goina video givin it to him?

Sent from my SM-J327VPP using Tapatalk

dezfan 09-07-2019 07:56 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Now I know why my shocks didn’t leak during shipping like others had reported, there wasn’t s drop of oil in them. 🤣

I decided to completely tear the shocks down, Slime(or in my case Honey Butter) the O-rings and fill them with some 30wt oil left over from my Enduro build.

http://a68.tinypic.com/iqwljb.jpg


The ball ends required a good amount of heat to break the seal of the thread lock installed from the factory.

In fact, the shocks are all metal minus the two 3mm O-rings.

The shock body, ball ends, spring retainer, tension adjustment ring, O-ring seal retainer, pivot balls, and even the shock piston are either aluminum, brass, or steel. 👍🏼

After tearing them down and Sliming the O-rings, reassembling, filling with oil, and bleeding them. They are ready to be reinstalled. They feel nice and smooth.

My only gripe is the smaller than normal diameter which prevents the use of standard Axial, Traxxas, Element, etc... springs.

The included springs are far to stiff for my taste, I’m using zero preload, I’ll mount them at a bit of an angle to get a bit more leverage on them, plus there isn’t any weight on the chassis yet and I’m hoping they might soften up a bit with use.

We’ll see.

I’m on the hunt for some Mini T springs to help with suspension tuning.

My next adventure with be tearing down the transmission. 👍🏼

dezfan 09-07-2019 07:59 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by indybama (Post 5960940)
Nice, looks like hes goina have a real good starter rig. May have to get a couple of them for my boys for christmas so they can build their own. Itll be awesome to see that lil guy get his suprise. U goina video givin it to him?

Sent from my SM-J327VPP using Tapatalk

They don’t know about this yet. 😈

I didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes only to disappoint if things went South with my plan.

I’ll talk to his Mom and see how she feels about it. 👍🏼

durok 09-07-2019 08:08 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Many name-brand RTR ESCs are just re-labelled HobbyWing 1060 ESCs...

The 1080 is programmable with an included box, and is what many people on the forum replace their RTR ESCs with.

But the 1060 will be just fine for a starter rig!

dezfan 09-07-2019 08:35 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by durok (Post 5960946)
Many name-brand RTR ESCs are just re-labelled HobbyWing 1060 ESCs...

The 1080 is programmable with an included box, and is what many people on the forum replace their RTR ESCs with.

But the 1060 will be just fine for a starter rig!

Love the 1080s. Run them all of my rigs.

I’ve use the 1040 in my GEN8 on 3S without issue.

The 1060 being under $20.00 and budget being key, I’m confident the 1060 will be more than adequate for Project Lo-Do. 👍🏼

Brake Weight 09-07-2019 08:52 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Forgot that this cheap one has a program card, too.

https://m.banggood.com/540-Motor-60A...p-1187528.html



https://m.banggood.com/Racerstar-LED...p-1057127.html

dezfan 09-07-2019 08:58 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Brake Weight (Post 5960953)

I might pick one of those up, just to have on hand for a future project.👍🏼

boldfin 09-07-2019 10:58 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
I've got like three full sets of both front and rear Losi Mini-T springs that I am not going to use now that I've upgraded to using DravTech's Mini-T sized springs instead. I'd be happy to contribute them to the cause if you still have a need for them.

BTW - I run the Mini-T springs on ECX Barrage Shocks. They fit perfect, with no mods required. I mention this just in case you find the spring cups for the Austar shocks don't quite fit the Mini-T springs. Takeoff ECX Barrage shocks (also sold under many other brands) are available on eBay really cheap.

dezfan 09-07-2019 11:17 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by boldfin (Post 5960967)
I've got like three full sets of both front and rear Losi Mini-T springs that I am not going to use now that I've upgraded to using DravTech's Mini-T sized springs instead. I'd be happy to contribute them to the cause if you still have a need for them.

BTW - I run the Mini-T springs on ECX Barrage Shocks. They fit perfect, with no mods required. I mention this just in case you find the spring cups for the Austar shocks don't quite fit the Mini-T springs. Takeoff ECX Barrage shocks (also sold under many other brands) are available on eBay really cheap.

That’s great to know.

I might take you up on that offer of the Mini T springs once the ones I ordered arrive.

Thanks for the information on the Barrage shocks."thumbsup"

CM9000 09-07-2019 11:39 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by dezfan (Post 5960937)
Internal gears and lockers.
http://a67.tinypic.com/14tq0yf.jpg

Hold the front door.... Square like losi and ascender????????????


Front shafts unis or dogbone? Edit: i see they are cvds... Are unis offered?


Sent from my LGMP260 using Tapatalk

dezfan 09-07-2019 11:46 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by CM9000 (Post 5960969)
Hold the front door.... Square like losi and ascender????????????


Front shafts unis or dogbone? Edit: i see they are cvds... Are unis offered?


Sent from my LGMP260 using Tapatalk

There where no options available for the axle shafts that I’m aware of.

HugoBiermann 09-08-2019 07:30 AM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Brake Weight (Post 5960893)
Likely they are.



Ive got one of those Racestar programable esc’ that just died for no reason. It was ok for the price considering the combo, but its definitely not hobbywing. A 1060 replaced it and you notice the difference. For what you can get a 1060 rtr on Aliexpress its silly buying anything else.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dezfan (Post 5960970)
There where no options available for the axle shafts that I’m aware of.


Those cvd’s look like the ones on Banggood?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

XSRCdesign 09-08-2019 03:53 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Good stuff Dez!

dezfan 09-08-2019 09:13 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by HugoBiermann (Post 5960980)
Ive got one of those Racestar programable esc’ that just died for no reason. It was ok for the price considering the combo, but its definitely not hobbywing. A 1060 replaced it and you notice the difference. For what you can get a 1060 rtr on Aliexpress its silly buying anything else.




Those cvd’s look like the ones on Banggood?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Darned hard to beat the 1060 when it comes to the price.👍🏼

Quote:

Originally Posted by XSRCdesign (Post 5961029)
Good stuff Dez!

Thanks *️⃣. 🤣

dezfan 09-10-2019 07:24 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
While waiting for parts, and in between trips to Phoenix, I got a chance to pull the Austar’s transmission apart just to get an idea what I’m dealing with.

Looks very similar to the Axial(*cough* original Associated Stealth transmission *cough*) 3 gear transmission.

http://a65.tinypic.com/11v02tc.jpg

With the final gear featuring a molded in hex in the center and outdrives being a one piece design with the center locked hex molded into the design.

http://a64.tinypic.com/i41dgp.jpg

http://a63.tinypic.com/nn2puc.jpg

So you can’t just slap a set of Axial gears in without also purchasing the Axial outdrives.

Hopefully the plastic gears will be ok with a 35T motor on 2S.

If not, I’ll have to do some upgrades. 😕

The spur gear has the hex molded into the gear that looks like it could use the Axial slipper pads, but has what appears to be some form of foam discs adhered to both sides the gear?

http://a63.tinypic.com/29cvzi1.jpg

The drive shafts are metal, they have some heft to them but attach to the outdrives and pinion shafts with 2 short 4mm set screws?

Although the shafts are drilled to accept the normal longer 3mm set screws?

http://a65.tinypic.com/ifqxl5.jpg

http://a67.tinypic.com/2usx4lk.jpg

Hopefully the dual 4mm set screws hold on tight enough that I don’t have to replace them.

More to come...

HumboldtEF 09-10-2019 07:42 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Hey Dezfan, its nice to see this project starting to take shape, very kind of you!

Subbed

dezfan 09-10-2019 09:44 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by HumboldtEF (Post 5961486)
Hey Dezfan, its nice to see this project starting to take shape, very kind of you!

Subbed

Appreciate your contribution. 👍🏼

After dinner, I got the transmission lubed, re-assembled, oiled the bearings on the motor and got it re-installed.

http://a67.tinypic.com/4icx1c.jpg

http://a63.tinypic.com/2ym8vmc.jpg

http://a63.tinypic.com/8z4490.jpg

And I found a set of drive shafts I forgot I had, installed them as they use the long 3mm set screws and lock the driveshafts on.

Might sell the metal drive shafts to help finance other needed items?

Anyways, ready to be re-installed in the truck.👍🏼

dezfan 09-12-2019 10:07 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Well the Mini T springs showed up.

Perfect diameter, just need to play with the length.

Right now I’m running a rear medium spring on the bottom with a rear firm upper (both are softer than stock) making it a sort of duel stage spring setup.

It feels pretty good.

http://a64.tinypic.com/vyt75e.jpg

I may try some shorter front Mini T springs just to gain use of the stock threaded spring retainer.

Not sure just yet, like I said, it feels pretty good now.

dezfan 09-15-2019 04:52 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
On one of my tips to Phoenix to visit my wife (in the hospital for some testing) I stopped by a hobby shop to look around and see if they had any stock Axial (3 gear transmission) gears.

While scouring the Axial parts section(to no avail) I noticed a box at the end of the display cabinet marked *Clearance*. After failing to find the Axial gears, I started rummaging through to box to see if there was anything that might be of use to me.

Lots of assorted parts, some SCT tires, decals, and a few servos.

I needed a servo for Lo-Do and had planned to pick up one of the Power HD 20KG servos off of Amazon.

But one of the servos in the clearance box was a Savox WP-0231.

It was originally marked $39.99. The clearance price was $19.99!

At roughly the same price as the no-name servo, I figured it was a good buy. While it’s only rated at 208 ozs, it’s waterproof and a brand I run in my other rigs.

Still need to get a servo horn which was included with the Power HD servo, but I think I did ok for the price.

http://a68.tinypic.com/4qofl.jpg

http://a65.tinypic.com/fvfi46.jpg

dezfan 09-15-2019 05:11 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Having some alone time this weekend, I was bored (always dangerous). So I headed out to the work bench and started tinkering.

I am going to use Traxxas Canyon Trail tires and wheels on Lo-Do at I had a set sitting in my extra parts bin.

I had watched a video about improving their performance by trimming the center lugs.

So being alone and bored...

Out came the cutters and I started removing part of the center lugs.

2 hours later, I had 4 completed tires and a sore hand. ��

http://a66.tinypic.com/25r1mw1.jpg

Then I stared thinking about adding a bit of weight to the wheels and foams.

I’m out of the wheel weights I usually use and I’m trying not to spend anymore than I have too on Lo-Do.

I started looking through one of the totes that I still haven’t gone through from the move last year and found some old lead/acid solder.

So I added 60gr of solder to each wheel. Didn’t want to add to much weight to the wheels as Im not sure of the quality of these CVDs.

Also found a set of 1.9 Rock Beast Deuces Wild foams Eddie from CI had sent me as a sample.

So the tires are now trimmed, weight added to the wheels, and new foams added, just need to glue them to the wheels.

http://a68.tinypic.com/141vzl.jpg

http://a68.tinypic.com/1zfjw42.jpg

indybama 09-15-2019 06:14 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Hope all is well with your wife dez.

Nice score on the savox! Ive been debatin doin that mod to my sons trail canyons. Your lil neighbor buddy is goina flip his lid wen he gets this rig lol

Sent from my SM-J327VPP using Tapatalk

Brake Weight 09-15-2019 06:31 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Cheap Chinese fleaBay aluminum servo horns take several weeks to arrive. If you have the time.

dezfan 09-15-2019 08:19 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by indybama (Post 5962607)
Hope all is well with your wife dez.

Nice score on the savox! Ive been debatin doin that mod to my sons trail canyons. Your lil neighbor buddy is goina flip his lid wen he gets this rig lol

Sent from my SM-J327VPP using Tapatalk

She’s fine, doc just needed to run some test before starting a new prescription regiment.

Thanks.

I hope he’s as excited as I am. 🤣

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brake Weight (Post 5962612)
Cheap Chinese fleaBay aluminum servo horns take several weeks to arrive. If you have the time.

I’ll see what my LHS has in stock and go from there. 👍🏼

crunky 09-16-2019 05:17 AM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
What a great story and awesome guy you are Dez !!!!
Thanks for sharing, what else might you need ?

themountain 09-16-2019 10:24 AM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
That savox servo is a PITA...would have better get a different one.8)

dezfan 09-16-2019 08:41 PM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by crunky (Post 5962681)
What a great story and awesome guy you are Dez !!!!
Thanks for sharing, what else might you need ?

Thanks, I think I have it covered. I’m just waiting on parts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by themountain (Post 5962762)
That savox servo is a PITA...would have better get a different one.8)

That’s it what I wanted to hear. 🤔

I’ve always had good luck with Savox servos?

themountain 09-17-2019 12:36 AM

Re: •Project Lo-Do•
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by dezfan (Post 5962913)

I’ve always had good luck with Savox servos?

No doubt they have excellent servos, but this is not one of them:mrgreen:


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