The Maytag Man GC2

[wrightcs77]

Well, after liking the GC1 with Poulsons and loving the GC1 with TLT's, I decided to get a GC2 with a new set of Axials.

Here is are the specs:

Axles:
Axial axle kits
Axial straight axle adapters
Axial HD lockers
Axial HD gears
STRC aluminum steering knuckles
will be ordering clockable aluminum axle C's shortly
Aluminum clamping hexes

Chassis
GC2
Traxxas aluminum upper links
Traxxas steel lower links
Traxxas Bigbore shocks
Axial transmission w/slipper
VF dig with full size servo

Electronics
Tekin FXR
Thunder Power 3S lipo
JR 9100T servo for steering
Spektrum DX3R
CC BEC set to 6V
55T Integy lathe, soon to be a handwould 35T or 45T from HH

Eritek beadlocks
Comp Heavies with NWA hybrid foams and Panther Cougars
Solids with NWA red/pink foams with Losi Claws

Onto the pics.

Here is what my table started as for the Axial axles.



After about 1 hour, I had a set of axles that should be comp ready.




A quick pic showing the width compared to the Poulsons. They are the same width from outer hex to outer hex as the Poulsons set in the wide setting.



Here is how it sits after a few hours or getting it set up. The only reason it took so long is I had to tear my electronics and shocks off my GC1 rig. The rig goes together very easily. With the links that Austin recommends, my wheelbase is perfect, I am between 12 7/16" and 12.5", can't get much better than that. The only thing I have left to do is drill out the shock caps and put rod ends on them so I don't have to use fuel tubing. This will also gain me a hair of center skid clearance (right now it is at 2 5/8" clearance at center skid w/Losi Claws). You can also get more clearance by replacing the shock ends with HPI ones.

Right side shot.


Left side shot


Shot of bottom



As it sits right now, it weighs 5 lbs 13.5 ounces ready to climb. The front wheels (either set) weigh 12.5 ounces with rim, tire, foam and weight. The rears are 8.5 ounces. I can't wait to get this thing out on the rocks. It is supposed to rain here all week, but I am going to bring it with me to work, just in case it is dry out on my way home from work.

[Stormin2u]

Sure looks good Casey, you didn't waste any time getting that together.
Can't wait to see it on the rocks.

[goofy4d]

Why are you drilling the shock caps? Sorry for the newb question.

[SACCO]

Originally Posted by goofy4d

Why are you drilling the shock caps? Sorry for the newb question.

he is gonna use a rod end and a screw so the end of the shock will pivot smoothly

[wrightcs77]

Yep, SACCO hit the nail on the head. I did the mod this morning with some plastic caps I had sitting around to see how it will work before I do it with the aluminum caps. I will get some pics of it later tonight or tomorrow.

[BrandonW]

Originally Posted by SACCO

he is gonna use a rod end and a screw so the end of the shock will pivot smoothly

anyone on these boards do a how to on that, i searched and came up empty.

thanks

[wrightcs77]

I thought Tanis did on his GC2 build...not sure. I can shoot a few pics tonight on a spare cap. It takes about 2 minutes a cap on the plastic caps. I think the aluminums might take 5 minutes for a cap.

[Grizzly4x4]

Check out the last pic in Tanis' post.

My Gatekeepers Designs GC2

[THAT1GUY]

Looks good Casey !!

[wrightcs77]

Here is a pic of the shock cap mod I did. I used plastic shock caps for now, just to see if I liked the extra length and extra height that the mod provides.



Let me know what you guys think.....bug body or Losi body?


or......



I then mounted up my new Panther Cougers on my Comp Heavies with NWA hybrid foams.



I will say that just a quick test on my rock pile in my basement, the Panthers were great. If the weather is nice tomorrow, I will be doing a test session where there are some great lines.

The only things I have left to do is a low COG mount for the dig servo and look into BTA steering. I see a small path where this may be possible.

[screaminsavage]

looks nice, I say the truck body

[prdquik]

Losi Body for sure.

[RXcrawler]

Looks good man! The Losi body looks better but the bug will roll over better.

Nice paint choice!

[THAT1GUY]

Use both, Im sure your going to spend more time on the lid then anything,

[wrightcs77]

Well, I got a good hour and a half on this thing today on some great rocks. I am very impressed. The rig is just plain stable. It is very consistent and did some climbs that none of my other rigs have ever been able to do. I even did a climb that I think only 1 other person has done.

I tried the Panther Cougars with 8# Reach Hybrids front and 5# Reach Hybrids rear for 1 pack. The other pack I ran Losi Claws with Reds in front and Pinks in back. Both sets ran 12.5 ounces total for each front rim/tire/foam combo. The rears are 9.5 ounces for Cougars and 8.5 ounces for Claws. The set up was exactly the same with the exception of 1 ounce more per wheel in the back with the Panters (Comp Heavies weigh 1 ounce more per side). The performance is a toss up to me. I do like the extra clearance of the Cougars, but it seems the Claws had a little more forward bite. I did not get a chance (I just forgot) to flip the Cougars and run them in the opposite direction to see if the forward bite improved. They weren't bad, but the Claws where noticably better.

I will post up some videos once I learn how to edit videos and post them.

Thanks,
Casey

[THAT1GUY]

Hurry up and post the vids already. I want to see that climb !!

[wrightcs77]

Here is a quick vid (I don't know how to edit), but this is a short, steep and very technical climb. I have never seen anyone make it and I know a ton have tried.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=nx3DuYsWhBo

Here is a view of the climb from the side
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsIxqBPvnSg

[wrightcs77]

A short clip of the pretty steep climb it did. It climbs well and is hard to flip over backwards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Xc7FxMJtaY

Yes, the camera is on flat ground.

[THAT1GUY]

Nice work !!

[THAT1GUY]

Any new updated pics yet ? How you liking the set-up?