--- The Crawler Innovations XR-10 Build --

[Nova's Ark]

I am notorious for dragging my feet on things. This XR-10 build has been no different. It's not so much that I'm a procrastinator, it's just that new designs always have flaws and with the durability our bergs have given us, I had no desire to move to an XR-10.

Crawler Innovations became a dealer for Axial through one of our other distributors so I purchased an XR-10 kit back in June. I gave the kit to my 9 year old son Gavin about two weeks after school got out for the summer. I showed him all the parts I had slowly collected for the this truck and gave him the option to build it box stock and sell it as a roller for the store and I would pay him for his labor. Or... he could build the truck for himself and it would be his new comp truck assuming he liked it of course.

Well Gavin decided to keep it from the beginning. So he only assembled the axles from the kit. I had purchased a Y Town Crawlers, Carbon Fiber, V4 Beetle Juice from Jeremy back in April in Alabama at the East Coast Championship. So once Gavin assembled the axles, I began setting up the chassis and links.

At first I used the Crawler Innovations delrin lower links. I used black low clearance delrin links in the front and black REAR high clearance delrin links in the rear. It was set up in a 60/40 configuration. It was OK, but I did not like how my titanium upper links turned out looks wise. Being a newb with the XR-10, I also was unsure what direction to actually go with the truck. Do I use front axle cases for both the front and rear? Should I modify the rear lower links to mount to the rear shock mount? Is 60/40 best for this truck? Etc, etc, etc... I tend to over think things.

So... I scrapped the first set up and went for a K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) set up. I ordered titanium upper & lower links from Chaotic Crawlers along with there Ti steering link for VP Knuckles. I used 3.5 Traxxas shocks in the front and 4.0 Traxxas shocks in the rear. I also kept the axles and mounting positions as designed.

Slowly the truck came together, but it's taken three months to get it running. Mostly from me being busy running the business and partly from a lack of interest. With the historic heat wave Texas is having this summer, it's been to hot to work in the shop and too hot to go out and crawl. We have finally had some nice weather this last week. I took advantage of the Labor Day holiday and finished this truck. We have the ETXRCC season opener competition this Saturday and we will see how this trucks performs on the rocks in competition.


Specifications:
- Axial XR-10 Axles

Front axle Upgrades:
BWD HD Steering Servo Mount
BWD HD Steering Arm
Chaotic Crawlers Ti Steering Link
Crawler Innovations Engraved Servo Guard
RC4WD Hardened Steel Gear Set
Rowdy Racing Battery Tray
VP Aluminum C - Hubs in Black
VP Aluminum Steering Knuckles in Black
VP Aluminum Motor Plate in Black
VP Aluminum Transmission Case in Black
VP XR-10 Knuckle Weights


Rear upgrades:
BWD HD No Flex Rear Axle Brace
RC4WD Hardened Steel Gear Set
VP Aluminum Motor Plate in Black
VP Aluminum Transmission Case in Black


Shocks;
Front:
3.5 Traxxas Big Bore
3 Hole Piston
15 Weight Oil
JeepinDoug Mini T Spring Cups for 2.2
Mini T Soft front springs
Shock Cap Mod


Rear:
4.0 Traxxas Big Bore
2 Hole Piston
30 Weight Oil
JeepinDoug Mini T Spring Cups for 2.2
Mini T Firm front springs
Shock Cap Mod
Limited Externally 1/4" with fuel tubing


Chassis:
Y Town Crawlers, Carbon Fiber, V4 Beetle Juice


Skinz:
Custom Made by Freq-E-Tag Designs


Links:
Chaotic Crawler Titanium Link Set for the Y Town Crawlers, Carbon Fiber, V4 Beetle Juice


Electronics:
- Hitec 7955 Steering Servo; programmed and wired directly to the BEC running 7.4 Volts.

- 2 x Castle Creation Mamba Micro Pros; I disassembled these, removed the on/off switch at the board, removed all castle wiring, installed 18 Gauge wire, shortened the receiver leads at the circuit board, and programmed them.

- CC BEC; programmed to 7.4 volts with shortened leads and re-shrink wrapped

- wantamix V2.0; I got with Losikid (Austin) about two months ago to work with him on these. My original wantasummit mix was glitching and I was never happy with it on my berg. I was also not excited about the super long leads and added weight. He came up with a new firmware and a new design. So we tested it and it was definitely an improvement over the original design. On this XR-10, the unit performs flawless. The unit on my berg is still having occasional issues, but I think I have narrowed it down to the DX3R. So the DX3R will be going in for repair soon.

Motors:
2 x Holmes Hobbies 35T Hand Wound

Batteries:
850mah Turnigy 3S Lipos
460 mah Turnigy 3S Lipos
We are still testing battery brands, C ratings, and mah size. So far these Turnigy batteries are doing great. The last few Hobby City batteries have failed prematurely and not held up under load.


Pictured Wheel, Tire & Foam Set up;

Front:
VP DH1 Bead Locks (1.25" width wheel)
Crawler Innovations Aluminum Weights
HB White Dot Sedona siped & grooved
Crawler Innovations Double Deuce Foams;
Firm Inner, 2.00 Width, Soft Outer
460 Hub

Rear:
VP SLW V4 Bead Locks (1" width wheel)
Crawler Innovations 1/4 wheel widener mounted on inside (brings the wheel to 1.25" width)
HB White Dot Sedona (no mods to tire)
Crawler Innovations Double Deuce Foams;
Firm Inner, 2.00 Width, Medium Outer
600 Hub

I am always humbled and amazed by the success Crawler Innovations had received. This little sticker reminds me of that and I am grateful for all the support and encouragment I have received from customers and RCC members. Thank you so much for making this possible.














Ready To Run Weight - 6 Pounds exactly

[chicklet]

Looking great Eddie! Tell Gavin he did an awesome job!

You must be a mind reader because I was going to email you about your delrin links and the BJ4 chassis. LOL!!!

[GEARSCIENCE]

looks nice man, i like the way the chassis doesnt have that leaned back look that a lot of the bj trucks have. no khaos tires?

[Nova's Ark]

Originally Posted by chicklet

Looking great Eddie! Tell Gavin he did an awesome job!

You must be a mind reader because I was going to email you about your delrin links and the BJ4 chassis. LOL!!!

Thank you and he will read this when he gets home from school this afternoon. He loves this truck. The only simple comparison I can make is that it's like driving a Cadillac. It's so smooth and works so well. Gavin and I are both shocked at how well it is doing as is. We have not invested a lot of time in tuning the truck. It has 5 battery packs through it total now. Gavin and I play follow the leader, he drives the XR-10 and I drive the berg and both trucks are just amazing. But the berg drives and feels more robust and heavy duty, where as the XR-10 drives smoother. I'm saying one is better than another, but I am excited to see how the XR holds up.


As for the delrin links, I prefer delrin lower links and titanium upper links. I think delrin links slide better on the rocks. The delrin lowers on my berg have two years on them now and they are smooth with the rod end on bottom from all the drive time on them.

The XR-10 axle design and the V4 chassis design were different link wise. I had to reform the REAR High Clearance links with a heat gun in order to curve from them chassis out to the rear axle link mount. The V4 is a very skinny chassis and the XR-10 rear link mount is pretty wide on the axle. The front low clearance links were not a problem.

Of course I want to sell my products, but I am not 100% sure what is best and easiest for the customer at the moment. I don't have a lot of time myself lately, so I purchased the Chaotic Crawler links. Chaotic's service and products have been excellent. If you prefer to run delrin lower links, let me know for certain and we can set something up.

[Nova's Ark]

Originally Posted by GEARSCIENCE

looks nice man, i like the way the chassis doesnt have that leaned back look that a lot of the bj trucks have. no khaos tires?

Thank you.

Like I said earlier, this truck has little time on it. It just got running late Monday afternoon. As for the Khaos tires, we have been running Blocks mostly and testing new proto types. We started with this Sedona set up because it is what Gavin drove at Nationals last year and finished 52nd at only 8 years old. We have also loaned this set up out to other drivers at big comps. So we were looking to create a baseline to begin testing from with a set up we are very familiar with. I will post pictures and videos of some of the other items were have been testing when the time is right and the items have been proven.

[chicklet]

Originally Posted by Nova's Ark

If you prefer to run delrin lower links, let me know for certain and we can set something up.

I definately want delrin...the weight savings is a plus too. I'm ordering some stuff from you today for my Wraith .

[dude26]

hi

this is a nice truck

and cool to give us all this info

I'm interested too for the delrin link, I have some High clearance link for the rear but this not as smooth as I want

[Farmer]

Very nice Eddie, looks sweet. Gavin should have a blast with it

Later,
Farmer

[roninwarrior555]

very nice. that is going to be slicker then snot on a door knob.

[Chaotic Crawlers]

That is a good looking XR he has there!!!

I love the stance!
I think he will really like the truck! Once you get past the breakage prone parts, the axles seem to drive alot smoother than other axles out there.

We appreciate your support of us, and the compliments you've given!!!

I'm interested to hear how you like that foam combo in the truck.
I've been thinking about trying sedonas again.

[MitchellY]

HAHA Can I be your kid? That's one nice crawler! I'm sure Galvin will love it!

[ebomb]

As for the delrin links, I prefer delrin lower links and titanium upper links. I think delrin links slide better on the rocks. The delrin lowers on my berg have two years on them now and they are smooth with the rod end on bottom from all the drive time on them.

The XR-10 axle design and the V4 chassis design were different link wise. I had to reform the REAR High Clearance links with a heat gun in order to curve from them chassis out to the rear axle link mount. The V4 is a very skinny chassis and the XR-10 rear link mount is pretty wide on the axle. The front low clearance links were not a problem.

Of course I want to sell my products, but I am not 100% sure what is best and easiest for the customer at the moment. I don't have a lot of time myself lately, so I purchased the Chaotic Crawler links. Chaotic's service and products have been excellent. If you prefer to run delrin lower links, let me know for certain and we can set something up.[/QUOTE]
i have to say i love ur products! my viper is loaded with ur kahos tires and foams to ur derlin links. but my 2 cents on the rear high clearance links, is that the ends need to be a little longer so u dont have to use the jato rod end, and ive also niticed when in a hard bind my rear lowers bend pretty easy but i love the derlin cuase it slides so nice over the rocks. well keep up the good work and im sure u will hav esome more of my money soon as i just picked up a wraith

[Nova's Ark]

Originally Posted by dude26

hi

this is a nice truck

and cool to give us all this info

I'm interested too for the delrin link, I have some High clearance link for the rear but this not as smooth as I want

Thank you and you are welcome. I will keep you posted on the delrin links and the V4.

Originally Posted by XJ Farmer

Very nice Eddie, looks sweet. Gavin should have a blast with it

Later,
Farmer

Thank you Farmer. So far he does love it.

Originally Posted by roninwarrior555

very nice. that is going to be slicker then snot on a door knob.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Chaotic Crawlers

That is a good looking XR he has there!!!

I love the stance!
I think he will really like the truck! Once you get past the breakage prone parts, the axles seem to drive alot smoother than other axles out there.

We appreciate your support of us, and the compliments you've given!!!

I'm interested to hear how you like that foam combo in the truck.
I've been thinking about trying sedonas again.

You are welcome. Quality service and products rise to the top and you stuff has been good for us. So thank you for making an easy way to get titanium on a great chassis.

The combo in these sedonas are proven. Scattman ran them at the East Coast Championship this year and had never run them before. He needed something for his truck and borrowed what he wanted to run from me and used them the entire comp. He liked them.

Originally Posted by MitchellY

HAHA Can I be your kid? That's one nice crawler! I'm sure Gavin will love it!

Thank you.

Originally Posted by ebomb

i have to say i love ur products! my viper is loaded with ur kahos tires and foams to ur derlin links. but my 2 cents on the rear high clearance links, is that the ends need to be a little longer so u dont have to use the jato rod end, and ive also niticed when in a hard bind my rear lowers bend pretty easy but i love the derlin cuase it slides so nice over the rocks. well keep up the good work and im sure u will hav esome more of my money soon as i just picked up a wraith

Unfortunately there is nothing I can do about the link length at this point. I just completed the second production run of the REAR high clearance delrin links. One thing that can be done to strengthen the delrin link when used with a Jato rod end is to change the 4mm x 20mm stud for a 4mm x 40mm stud. The longer stud stiffens the longer Jato rod end and still bottoms out in the link. That's the strongest the link is going to get.

Delrin is still a form of plastic and can only handle so much. Plus my links are pretty thin and light weight so you have the added risk of link failure. I am aware of a few link failures and those links have been warrantied. But overall, the delrin links have held up well. Thank you for using Crawler Innovations brand products

[dstrbd1]

Great looking build. 52nd and only 8? Thats awesome My boy is only 3 but he loves to watch me work on and play with the Crawlers. I can't wait til he can join me with a crawler of his own.

-Trent

[Stormin2u]

Eddie, that's a great story, it was very enjoyable to read and Gavin has put together a great looking XR. I'm sure he'll put it to good use and soon be showing lots of us how it's supposed to be done. It's got a strong backbone of great options and I'm betting this thing has got some staying power. Gavin's going to give this one a good work out on those new crawling areas out your back so we'll soon see.

Nice work by both of you.


Delrin is a great way to go, it absorbs shocks much better than rigid links IMO, I like the way it feels when driven. My uppers and lowers are both Delrin and they are strong and light and no problems.

[Nova's Ark]

Originally Posted by dstrbd1

Great looking build. 52nd and only 8? Thats awesome My boy is only 3 but he loves to watch me work on and play with the Crawlers. I can't wait til he can join me with a crawler of his own.

-Trent

Thank you! This is a great hobby to share with your kids and it creates some great and lasting memories. I am so grateful that Gavin shares a true interest in this hobby.

Originally Posted by Stormin2u

Eddie, that's a great story, it was very enjoyable to read and Gavin has put together a great looking XR. I'm sure he'll put it to good use and soon be showing lots of us how it's supposed to be done. It's got a strong backbone of great options and I'm betting this thing has got some staying power. Gavin's going to give this one a good work out on those new crawling areas out your back so we'll soon see.

Nice work by both of you.


Delrin is a great way to go, it absorbs shocks much better than rigid links IMO, I like the way it feels when driven. My uppers and lowers are both Delrin and they are strong and light and no problems.

Thank you so much Norm.

[Nova's Ark]

ETXRCC (East Texas RC Crawlers) had our season opening competition yesterday. Gavin won first place using this truck. It definitely needs more drive time and tuning, but obviously it worked well enough to win, so that was really neat. The courses were pretty hard. Gavin was the only driver to complete course 3 and that was the difference between 1st and 2nd. We didn't take any video or pictures unfortunately.

We ended up running Red Blocks for the competition instead of the Sedonas. We also had to widen up the track width front and rear. The courses had a number of off - camber challenges and a few tough break overs. This truck is off to a good start and I will post up the changes we make to the truck as the season moves forward.

[eric113]

That awesome Eddie!

Gavin, good driving and keep up the good work! I know everytime I hang get hang out with you I learn something new. Can't wait hang out with you guys on the Oct 8th!

[Nova's Ark]

Originally Posted by eric113

That awesome Eddie!

Gavin, good driving and keep up the good work! I know everytime I hang get hang out with you I learn something new. Can't wait hang out with you guys on the Oct 8th!

I will let him know Eric. We are going to have a great time on the 8th. We will be cutting down a huge dead pine tree in two weeks and incorporating it into the G6 course for the 8th.


For those that don't know, Crawler Innovations will be hosting this G6 cash comp and USRCCA ETXRCC Season comp #2 on October 8th:

*-*-* Crawler Innovations G6 Cash Comp - October 8th, 2011 *-*-*

[chicklet]

So what size hubs did you run?