My son's GC1 AX-10
 

My son's interest and skill in crawling seems to keep growing. He also wants to get involved in building more. He wants to try competing in 2.2 so we felt it was time to upgrade his rig. His original build thread is here:
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/axial-ax-10-scorpion/98319-my-sons-ax-10-a.html

We decided upon a GC1. He wanted to have the same chassis as the current 2.2 national champ. I PM'd GateKeeper and bought this:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/...6d005111be.jpg

I ordered the GC1 with the skid undrilled. I wasn't sure if we were going to use his Axial trans or a RC4WD R2D. We decided to stick with the Axial and will be picking up the Visionary Fabrication dig unit for it. I drilled the skid to mount the trans as far forward as possible to leave room for the VF dig:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3005/...e894e90750.jpg

You still need a few items to complete a GC1 build:
TLT link mounts:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/...1b1ff0fbe4.jpg

You'll need Traxxas #5318 revo push rods, 102mm length for upper and lower links:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2115/...349f8e32c6.jpg

With the skid drilled it was time to attach the trans to it:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2014/...62ec8e37c6.jpg

Next was the TVP's:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3128/...1d97f3a617.jpg

On came the lower links:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2410/...80d3e51abf.jpg

Then the link plates to the axles:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/...34b944ef17.jpg

And this is how far he got before his bed time:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2369/...5baa01f00c.jpg

I had his blessing to go ahead and finish it up because we were planning to go out crawling the next day. After my son went to bed, I figured the rest of his GC1 build would be a simple bolt together. Once I attached the upper and lower links along with the Traxxas Big bore shocks we were using to his axles, it was clear it was going to be anything but that. The pinion angles were way off. No problem, I moved the TLT link mounts to the second set of holes more inboard on the link plate. Wrong. That didn't work either. The second set of holes are drilled at an angle and the suspension was bound up.

So to the computer and RCC I went. I searched the AX-10 section and TLT section for every GC1 build to read up and see what was going on. As it has been stated before on RCC; If you give 20 people the same chassis, they will build it 20 different ways.

Problem numero uno for us was the 100mm shock length of the Traxxas big bores for E / T maxx. The GC1 chassis for an AX-10 axle needed longer shocks. Also, if I wanted the upper TLT link mounts in the front holes on the GC1 link plates, I was going to need longer upper links. If I used longer upper links, they were going to hit the upper link plate and not articulate. The other problem in all this was pinion angles. Frustrated I went to bed to ponder and think about what to do next.

After some time to think and having talked to Pariah (a local RCC member) I came up with some ideas.

1. Move the TLT link mount to the outside holes
2. Trim the upper link plate for clearance
3. Swap out one side of the 5318 revo end links for jato (which are longer)
4. Modify the traxxas big bore shock caps to get the needed length
5. High clearance the lower links (Not really a problem, but might as well do it now)

Those were the modifications needed for my son's GC1. I also custom fitted two 6 cell sub c packs for it. It hasn't been on the rocks yet. Just some testing in our back yard on our obstacle course. Once this rig has dig installed, it should be very capable.

Side shot
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2412/...1e8f477234.jpg

Almost 3 inches of belly clearance. We could get more if we move the shocks to the lower mount holes on the chassis, but then we raise center of gravity. We are still testing, so this could change.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/...ab7d6248d9.jpg

Modified T/E Maxx receiver box to house and protect the ESC.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3061/...abcfec8097.jpg

Side shot
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3034/...e8fe1655d9.jpg

6 cell custom fitted sub c battery pack. I am trying to keep the weight as low as possible and as far forward as possible. The GC1 doesn't offer to many battery options and neither does the Novak Rooster Crawler. I would like to upgrade my son to a Mamba Max, CC BEC and 3S lipo (that is what I use on my rigs) but I am concerned he will break parts then. We'll see how he does with this and go from there.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2371/...fec0c280b1.jpg

The lowest sub c is sitting slightly below the upper link plate and right on top of the pinion output housing on the axle.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2094/...a53389b3fe.jpg

Taped up and ready to hit the rocks.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/...899d16faa2.jpg

5 pounds 13 ounces is what it weighs right now. Too heavy to be lite, not heavy enough to be heavy. I think we will be adding weight to it.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2298/...ac5d053d9a.jpg

This is pretty much maxed out on the flex. Not a whole lot, but just enough. Too much flex is a bad thing.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/...7690c3ac5d.jpg

That a 40 series XTM thorn rim with Losi tires to give you an idea of size.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3066/...e7f30f18d1.jpg

Heres the current specs:
GC1 Chassis
AX-10 axles
AX-10 trans
Axiom 55 turn
Novak Rooster Crawler
Tower Pro MG946 steering servo
Futaba 3PM-FM TX &RX
6 cell sub C's
Axial Beadlocks (weighted with stick on lead weight)
Losi Rock Claws
ACE Doughnuts

We are still tuning the suspension. We started with Losi yellow springs in the rear with Losi whites up front. The yellows were to much and went to whites in the rear. We also changed out the front shock oil. This link configuration is very nice. Articulation is so smooth. It is very easy and smooth to drive. It's unlike any of the other chassis designs we have owned.

Not sure what body is going on it yet. His Betty Body needs paint and he still hasn't really decided on a color. He wants another bug body. We'll see.

Great build thread. Like the details given about problems ya'll encountered. Good to see young interest in a "slow" sport.

Jam up post, planning on a GC chassis myself. Also like to see kids get hands on experience. (Ralph Earnhardt quote " Can,t put in in you cant take it out").

Great build! Above all great that you involve your son in this hobby. When I was a little older than him I was mowing lawns and shoveling driveways to get into the hobby. My Dad never helped me more than ordering things and taking me to the track. When my son is old enough I will be like this with him. I am glad you have the desire to show him these things.

Sorry to digress but I wanted to say that. I think it is really important that you two share this. rig looks amazing too. He has better specks than most of us do!!! lol "thumbsup"

Great looking rig Eddie!

I really envy you right now! I wish still had the same desire for crawling as you seem to possess at this time.

I have had my GC-1 for months and between the weather, life in general, and my schedule, I've only used it once.:x

I will reference your build when I get around to working further on mine."thumbsup"

Can you get a better pic of the link mounts after your mod?

Thanks for the kind words. His mom and I had bought him a RC18T a year ago. Once I got into crawling, he wanted to also. So I sold his RC18T and we bought him the AX-10 kit. He has never looked back and he enjoys crawling much more. Slow and over things is much more fun to him.

I never had that hands on experience taught to me. I either taught myself or it was neighbors teaching me when I was growing up. I will not let that happen to my kids.

I totally relate to you. It was my newspaper route that got me my first black foot and then I moved onto RC10's. I have so much fun teaching him news things. Out on the rocks though, some times he teaches me. It's amazing the driving lines he sees. Thanks for the kind words guys. "thumbsup"

Wow, thanks dezfan!

Here is better pic of the link plates:

This is a stock GC1 upper link plate. (This one is on a TLT GC1 I have that I will get around to building once The Grunt my 2.2 pimp cane clod, my pimp cane clod super and my High Lift scaler are finished. :roll:)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2328/...e113a6a58f.jpg

This is the GC1 upper link plate on the AX-10 axle:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2038/...78290a0ef8.jpg

This is just to reference the size difference between a revo rod end and a jato:
The Jato is on top and the revo is below.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2103/...69f3d7c570.jpg

Thank's man, I may follow your lead!"thumbsup"

looks really good"thumbsup"

im new here and new to crawling!not new to rc's!!;-)i just picked up a ax10 kit yesterday along with a jr650m , tcs split cell battery and front axle battery mount for 3/3 packs, and a tcs delrin skid plate .already have a micro dsm reciever that will fit well in it ,controlled by my m8 radio. my next buy will be the novak rooster esc and motor. in a few short hours today i built the axles shocks and all suspension parts and attached them to the axle! lookin good soo far"thumbsup"

Looks great Eddie! You guys have been busy. Sorry I missed your call earlier but I was out on the town. I'm already sick of dating again and it's only been like two weeks:roll:. I guess I need to get focused on my crawlers and try to get them running again. After smoking a brand new crawlmaster on my Hustler then breaking the pinion on my front axle right after replacing the rear one for the same thing, I guess I've been a little discouraged. Guess the brushless is coming back out of my 2.2 also.

The torque from brushless motors is amazing. It sucks that you keep breaking stuff. You gotta at least fix the 2.2 so we can go crawl this weekend. The comp is only four weeks away.

We have tuned his suspension some more. Changed shock location and inverted all of them. Also swapped springs and shock oils. I think it's ready to hit the rocks. All it needs now is a body and mounts. I am very excited to watch him drive this at Children's Park. I am going to wait and see how he does "as is" before we add any more weight to it.

The axle plates that came with my GC-1 are a little the different. The three holes that are used to mount the suspension stays are in a straight line. I'm using the position closest to the center of the vehicle without any binding problems. Maybe Austin changed the axle plates recently.

I am not sure Kawika. To be fair to Gatekeeper, this was a blemished chassis and link plate set that I bought from him. In order to keep cost down, I bought a blemished version from him for my son.

One of the benefits of the AX-10 axles, is the clocked axle c's. When I used the 102mm upper links, my pinion angle was level (or 90*) with the ground. I wanted the pinion angle pointing upwards.

So for my son's chassis, I needed longer links on top to rotate the axle so the pinion was pointing upwards. I have not seen another GC1 AX-10 in person, so I don't know how other peoples chassis look or what their pinion angle is. For that matter, in my area, I am the only person that has this chassis design (one TLT GC1 mine and this AX-10 GC1 my sons).

One of the problems that appeared when the axle was rotated, was that it also rotated the link plate and caused the link plate to hit the upper link. That is why I removed material from the link plate for clearance.

Update
 

Well my son decided on a color(s) for his Betty body. Outlaw black on top and competition orange on bottom. We put the stickers on it today but these pictures are from the previous day. I am going to bead blast the rock rings and get the green off.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2161/...c4530dd9bd.jpg
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Blinged out with a set of RC4WD super narrow beadlocks, ACE doughnuts, and M2K M2 compound mashers.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2003/...ac628f90ed.jpg
(Flash on)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3225/...d9a946ec08.jpg

It came out pretty good considering I have painted a lexan body since I was 13. That was 18 years ago:shock:. Wow, life goes by fast.

Comp ready
 

Body off picture with the suspension tuned:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2275/...7a62c1a669.jpg

This is his bug body for bashing and competition. We have a comp at the end of the month (TXRCRCA) and it will be his first. Still waiting on the VF dig, but he'll compete with or with out the dig. I gave my son some sticker sheets and let him have at it. Here's what he came up with:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2352/...bcd03c5033.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3021/...087c205558.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3241/...a01bb80895.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2266/...db1e5c8b3e.jpg

Looks fantastic, working on a Scorpion for my boy right now too!"thumbsup"

Great build thread! Do you have the part number for the Jato rod end?
I am working on an AX-10 GC-1 build now.
Thanks
"thumbsup"

Great job on the body!
It is so great to see kids and there fathers working on a common hobby. be it RC cars or real cars it is all great bonding!
I cant wait to have a son of my own to pass on all my knowlege of life onto.

great body, great frame, great build!

TRA5525

Thanks dezfan

Great to see the photos of the little dude working on his rig "thumbsup"

Thank you guys for all the compliments. Every time I read them to my son and show him the responses he gets a huge smile"thumbsup".

Dezfan is correct, Traxxas #5525. Here's a link to them on Tower Hobbies:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXKMD6&P=FR


Update on my son's crawler:

I sold the Rooster Crawler ESC and traded away the Tower Pro steering servo. I bought a used Mamba Max from 01XJ here in RCC. I also took advantage of the March sale from Holmes Hobbies and picked up 2 BEC's. One for his truck and one for my super. I am upgrading him to a KO Propo steering servo (200oz - torque). I am also stepping him up to 8 cell 2/3As.

I should have everything installed Friday night so that he can hit the rocks this weekend to practice. We are still waiting on the VF dig, but we have a comp on the 30th. I am very excited to see how he does.

That rig is awesome."thumbsup" Did he build it all by himself ?

My son built 70% of it. We were side by side so I just guided him through the process. I did go back after he was done to make sure everything was tight though.

My son is very good with his hands. He plays a lot with legos. He's only 6 years old and cannot read yet, but he can count and can follow picture instructions well. His older sister is 10 and reads well. He hits her up for help when the instructions must be read. They are both home schooled.

His driving skill is well. Some of the local members of TXRCRCA have noticed that. I am very interested to see how he does in a real comp. Thanks for the compliments on his build."thumbsup"

I wanted to update the thread some. TXRCRCA was forced to postpone our comp on the 30th of March due to bad weather. We are suppose to have it this Sunday. So here is how my son's GC1 sits ready for the comp this weekend:

- 10 weight losi oil in both front
- Right rear has 30w, left rear has 40w oil
- Losi white springs all four corners
- The rear shocks are in the rear most shock holes to stand them up some, while the fronts are in the inner most holes to lay them down. This worked well with my SW2, so I carried it over to the GC1's. I have not really noticed a big difference in travel smoothness by using any of the different shock locations other than ride height and belly clearance can be modified.
- Links and location of them are same
- New mamba max
- CC BEC (6.2V)
- 9 tooth pinion
- 8 cell 2/3A's (the height and weight of the sub c's were too top heavy)
- added more weight with stick on lead weight to the front axle housing and under the front GC1 link plate
- Hot Racing aluminum knuckles up front, (with the new KO Propo steering servo and the CC BEC it kept breaking plastic knuckles)
- still waiting on the VF Dig:roll:

He's been practicing in anticipation for the comp. It's taken some time for him to get use to the 8 cells. That was a big jump up from 6 to 8 cells. Another thing he is still learning is the drag brake on the MM. The MM does not hold as strong on incline / declines as he was use to with Novak Rooster Crawler. However that annoying Novak glitch is gone and the MM is so buttery smooth and he likes that. Plus he picked up a bunch of wheel speed with the MM and 8 cells. We could have never done that with the Novak R.C. because of it's 7 cell limitation. Another benefit is the CC BEC. That 10 amps and higher voltage on the CC BEC just puts the Novak R.C. BEC to shame. That is the main reason he kept breaking plastic steering knuckles, the servos finally had enough power to take full advantage of the torque they produce.

I will post up after this weekend and let everyone know how he did and where he placed in the comp. It should be a good size comp. We have crawlers coming in from Louisiana, the DFW metroplex, as well as a bunch of locals. Should be a fun time.

Good luck at the comp. Great looking truck.

The DFW chapter of TXRCRCA had it's comp Sunday ( 4/6/08 ) in Tyler. My son placed 7th with a total score of 58. He drove very well considering it was his first comp and no dig (what is taking so long VF?) The GC1 performed very well. I can't wait to see what he will do once he gets dig.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/...cb001c0763.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2075/...b35a9a7e6a.jpg
1st course of 3 for the day
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2nd course
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Love seeing the kids involved! He looks like he is really into it!"thumbsup"

Your son is good, and the rig performs well :shock:

He managed his way through the courses without any help or guidance from anyone really. Very impressed for a 6 year old "thumbsup"

He is definitely into it. I had to remind on the way to the comp that this is all about fun. The minute you take it too serious you will lose the fun. Don't do that. I had to take him up to the truck for a pep talk after the first course. He did really well, but since it wasn't a perfect run, it bothered him. After the talk he was good to go. Dig would have made such a difference. It sucked he didn't have it, but it might be good because once he gets it, his scores will be lower and he will be able to see himself improve.

Thank you D.S."thumbsup"

Before the comp I had asked Pariah and Mexican to maybe coach him because I knew I didn't want to. Dad's can sometimes seem over bearing or pushy to a child and I want him to figure out for himself. Pariah felt my son didn't need any and Mexican pretty much agreed. We all crawl together so we know what he's capable of. Besides, more is caught than taught and he is obviously picking it up on his own with out any pressure or influence. I hope to have the VF dig installed for the next comp. It will be fun because it will be new terrain and now he has the experience from this, his first comp.

More pics from other members of my son's rig from the TXRCRCA DFW Comp #5 in Tyler;
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2224/...e7faa57435.jpg

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Wow Nova I am so impressed by this whole thread. I too ahve a 6 year old and he loves all things R/C. I am currently treaching him how to race my T4 with the help of a friend who has been racing for years. He has seen my crawler and is dying to drive it, and I cant wait to get it finished so that he and i can go play with it in the rocks somewhere. Reading your thread has been an inspriation of sorts for me as it just goes to show if a child has interest in something it doesnt matter the age, they will succeed at it. Good luck to you and your son. Thanks for sharing.

Dan

The truck looks awesome Nova "thumbsup" and even better that your 6 year old competes with you and hangs in there.

as above great thread dude tell your kid to keep it up and nice truck to by the way

Thank you guys for all your positive comments! Every time I read the comments to my son he just smiles ear to ear:D. It's good for him to know other people support him and it makes him feel 8).


Dan, my son's first rc was a used mini T when he was four. Unfortunately it had a bad glitch and would not find neutral. He played with it for a while, but like anything, life and moving from California to Texas got in the way. I sold the mini T and told him I would buy him a new, better one after we moved and got settled. We moved, and we bought him a new RC18MT. He drove it pretty good, but he wanted to climb things more than go fast. While the rest of us were driving fast or racing on the drive way, he was out in the grass climbing over sticks, twigs, small rocks, etc.

I was getting burned out on nitro racing at the time and had been lurking on RCC just reading, but never registered. Finally I had enough of nitro, sold a couple 1/8 scale buggies, bought a used and abused SW2 TLT and the rest is history. Once my son saw the crawler, saw what it could do, it became obvious what the next step was. I sold his RC18MT and we bought him a AX-10 kit. It was a perfect fit.

A few months later we upgraded to this build. I charge the batteries and leave his crawler where he can get to it in the garage. That way, when he feels like it, he drives his crawler while I am at work (we home school) and practices on our rock / brick / log / cinder block pile. Being able to climb over things is what it's all about for him.

Sometimes speed is not what it's about or best the thing to teach with. Don't push your son. They will pick so much of it up by just watching and hanging out with the guys. Somebody on RCC has in there signature, "you gotta crawl before you walk". That is so true. If my son ever decides to go fast, (and I am sure he will, what man doesn't like speed :roll:), now he will understand that there is a driving line on a race track as well. A good friend of mine who is a sponsored rc builder gave me much of this advice because that is what he did with his two sons (which are now grown and in college).

It also helps having some really cool local guys to crawl with. They compliment him and they teach him things too. I try to be really hands off. So many parents today push there kids and live vicariously through them. I had a good life with no regrets, I don't have the urge or need to do that. Just open the doors, give them the opportunity and see what doors they choose. More often than not, they will truly surprise and inspire you.

Eddie, the whole way back from that comp. sunday my dad couldnt stop talking about these things.


well im gonna build him one, looks like really soon. so he'll be my team mate. lol

this is the scary part....i have done spent almost $1300.00 of his money just today.....and still have a few more things to get :shock::!::shock:

It was so nice to meet you and your dad Cody. He was really into it, especially on the last course of the day. It's no surprise your building him one.

As for the $1300, if your building him one as nice as yours, it's no surprise. Sometimes you can get good deals on rolling high end crawlers, but if your building a clone to yours, then you really have no choice but to build from scratch.

I wish you were closer. We have another comp on the 19th but it will be in DFW this time. Grapevine to be exact. Let me know if you want to make the three hour plus drive. I definitely want to get to Shreveport and crawl with you. Some of the terrain in the photos on your photo bucket look great. "thumbsup"