XR10 Bible

[Erik D_lux]

I want to add all XR10 parts to this thread. Please, if I missed your product, its not for any other reason than I am just getting this together and refining it. Post up in here or PM me if you want me to add your XR10 parts.

The purpose of this thread will be to inform new people (and maybe even some that have been around) on building a RC Rock Crawler or specifically a XR10 in this forum.

Not only should this post help people learn how to build their cars, but I would also like to post links of specific parts and where to get them.
I would like user input on this document and I will update it with new info as much as possible.

I hope this will help bring new people into the hobby and make it so its not so difficult to find information on how to join our wonderful hobby and have fun doing it.

I will try to put all the information in here. If you cant find it, please post up to let me know what information your missing and I will try an add it.
I might not be able to get everything in here. Using the “Search” feature is still going to be a very valuable tool.

[Erik D_lux]

Chassis

Best place to search is in the Vendors forum. Here is a list that I know of.

Y-Town Crawlers
Double agent chassis.
I think you need to PM Del Monte to order.

Dravtech
Sudu Pro
Sudo Pro 3D
The pro is available on his site at dravtech.net I think the 3D is coming soon.

5th Dimension
Dominator.
I think you need to PM Cboggs or King Gee to order

Dlux
Bounty Hunter
Dluxfab.com

RcBros Executioner v2
Available via PM

BDN Remedy chassis
Available via PM BDM

Vendors, please post up to have your chassis added

[Erik D_lux]

Shocks

The most commonly run shocks are either the Traxxas Big bore or the Axial SCX shocks.

The big bores come in 3.5” (tra2660), 3.7” (tra2661) and 4” (tra2662). The length will depend on the chassis so figure out your chassis first and then ask the manufacturer what length works best with their chassis.

Big bores can work in the stock form or you can do a “cap mod” where you cut off the top eyelet and drill and tap for a screw. That screw will hold a rod end on. Doing this mod will make for less binding when you set your shocks up.

www.dluxfab.com offers Traxxas Big bore shocks that have the cap mod and also offers lathing the bodies down. Lathing the bodies down reduces weight and lets the springs ride on the shock without rubbing.

The SCX shocks are usually taken from stock kits and bought “used” so your best bet is to find these in the classifieds.

RcBros carries an Egressor Delrin Shock Body which is a better version of the SCX shock. RCbros carries all pieces to run fully assembled shocks.

The most common springs to use on either shock is the Mini-T spring. LOSB1117 for the short springs (big bore), LOSB1119 for the long springs (SCX). I think the SCX can use the short ones also?

RCbros.com also carries Shock Springs that mimics most commonly used Losi Silver Spring Rate

You can use stock spring cups or Dlux Fab has no preload spring cups.

[Erik D_lux]

Links

You will need to find links for the chassis you decided on. There are lots of threads on how to build your own, the manufacturer can tell you where to source them or I, Dlux can make custom ones and supply a lot of links for a lot of chassis Dlux Fab.

Typically you want a Revo rod end for the lower links. They are strong and cheap. TRA5347
I use Traxxas 1942 rod ends anywhere I need 3mm sized rod ends (uppers on 1/8” links).

You can use a lot of different materials for links. Delrin, Aluminum and Titanium are the most common.
Delrin will be the cheapest and weakest
Aluminum can be had for cheap and can be great for upper links but typically too weak for lower links
The most common is Titanium 3/16” lower links and Titanium 1/8” upper links

[Erik D_lux]

Tires

Tires are usually Rovers, Sedonas, VooDoo, RC4wd Bully pin tires and some Jconcepts Ruptures.
Rovers, stick with the white or maybe Blue (harder compound).

RC4wd Bully pin tires come in one compound.

Sedonas only come in one compound, white.

VooDoo come in Gold (soft), Silver (medium), Blue (hardest, but still soft). All have their place and all work well.

If you want VooDoos that have been narrowed, PM EverettY

Jconcpets only have one Rupture compound

Foams will be a lot of preference.
You can get away with stock foam in the Rovers/Sedonas for a bit until you know what you want, the VooDoo really needs the Crawlerinnovations.com closed cell foam setup. Typically this will be a soft outer foam in the front around a 6” inner closed cell foam and medium outer foam in the rear around a 6” closed cell foam.

[Erik D_lux]

ESC(s)

I don’t know much about single ESC. I think you need a Punk dig bought from ?????? and your choice of ESC.

Duel ESC will give the ability to run each motor independently at its own speed as long as you have a radio that lets you. The popular ESC are a Tekin FXR, Castle creations micro sidewinder or the Holmes Hobbies BR mini. Everybody seems to have preference on their ESC so search around.

www.holmeshobbies.com carries his BR minis that are already "smashed" (putting two ESC's together).

[Erik D_lux]

BEC

Pretty much only one option IMO for this…. Castle creations 10a BEC. If you don’t use this your steering can get in a bind and then your car wont drive. You want a BEC. If you get the Holmes Hobbies shv500 servo, you do not need a BEC since it has one in the servo itself.

[Erik D_lux]

Servo/horn

You will find some preference here also. The popular Servos for XR10 are Hitec 7980 or Futaba BLS172.

List of good servos:
Hitec 7980
Hitec 7950 (may be a bit weak for the XR10)
Futaba BLS172
Holmes Hobbies shv500

For servo horns people really like the clamping Robitronics style but I really despise them after having multiple, multiple issues with them on my super. I suggest a non clamping style such as Air wild horns http://airwildpilotshop.com/ or a simple Hitec 55702. Either style you choose, a servo horn with 1” length usually works best for our cars.

[Erik D_lux]

Radio

People commonly use a Futaba 4pl, 4pk(s), or a Aritronics MT4 for pistol type radios. You can also use a twin stick with great success like the Futaba 6ex or the Specktrum dx6 or many others. I usually suggest sticking to pistol types as they are a TON easier to learn. Twin stick do have the advantages of more advanced options though.

Doing some research on the ole inter-web I found a couple of how-to videos by Harley

Programming the 4pk for Dual ESC's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwu-Wm3dRhw

Dual ESC's 4 wheel steer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY26rfFwlio

Go do some research on U-tube lots of info there on most common RC TX's / RXs

[Erik D_lux]

I need TONS of help and input on XR10 specific stuff for the axles. Please help.

Multiple axle shafts can be used in the front. Here is a list of them along with which knuckles you would need to go with them. CVD are typically capable of 50* where as a universal is capable of 70*.

Dlux FBA universals with 8mm stub shafts = Dlux knuckles
Dlux FBA universals with Axial XR/Wraith stub shafts = Wraith/XR10 knuckles and Dlux knuckles
SSD XR length CVD's = Wraith/XR10 knuckles and Dlux knuckles
Vanquish XR length CVD's = Wraith/XR10 knuckles and Dlux knuckles
Axial XR length Universals = Wraith/XR10 knuckles and Dlux knuckles

XR10 axles are no longer sold new. I believe you can still buy parts and build them up?

Parts are starting to slow down on these axles and upgrades are getting harder to find. They are still a good base axle.

At the minimum will need to upgrade the gears if you want it to be reliable. www.store.rc4wd.com or Axial gears are the most common.

Need info on running a front axle in the rear....

Vanquish used to sell aluminum tops for the axles. This was said to help the gears from skipping. These can be hard to impossible to find.

The bearings in the stock axles are small and need upgrading. Krazed builds makes a motor plate for bigger bearings.
Krazed Builds - Carbon Fiber XR10 Motor/Gear Plates

Tricks to help the gears survive

Use brass inserts in the axle housings. These are Mcmaster part # 94510A030 found at Mcmaster.com or www.dluxfab.com

2 bolt axle mod
Mark Reel's XR10 Build 11th place at nats

[Erik D_lux]

Motors

Motors can get complicated. I have learned a lot over time but still, when I order, I usually send a message saying "here is what I want, hook me up". Both EddieO (Team Brood) and Holmes Hobbies have great service and can help you out on a custom motor.

You can get "Machine wound" and "Hand wound". "Hand wound" to put it simply, will have more power and have better quality. If you want a hand wound motor, see above. You can also simply grab a machine wound motor off both www.TeamBrood.com and Holmes Hobbies LLC- Your Source for Power!

[Erik D_lux]

Knuckles/knuckle weights

You can use either XR10 knuckles or Wraith knuckles for the XR10.

Sometimes, a shorter arm is not desired on aftermarket knuckles where the arm bolts on. Rcbros.com makes a longer, zero ackerman arm to help with stronger steering and correcting the ackerman.

There are a lot of people who make replacement knuckles. Vanquish, STRC, Axial etc,.

One of the most important things when looking for knuckles is making sure you can get a knuckle weight. You can find some options used but, they can be hard to find.

Currently there are two options for knuckle weights. Dlux knuckles which are knuckle weights in themselves and RCbros has a weight hanger that attaches to the Wraith knuckle.

[Erik D_lux]

Wheels

Man, I almost dont want to go into wheels. There are a lot of options for this.

There are a couple of different types of wheels.
Beadlocks
Glue on

There are a lot of types of beadlocks. You can get anything from a stock plastic wheel of a lot of cars all the way up to a really nice aluminum aftermarket bead lock.

For crawlers, I prefer to have the flat faced wheel. This allows for weight to be moved as far out as possible and also to have as much weight as possible.

For flat faced beadlocks, I dont think there are many options. I think Dlux Fab might be the only place?

Glue on wheels. There must be a million out there now. Let me know if you need to be added to the list.

CrawlerInnovations.com 6 bolt wheels (not flat faced though)

5th dimension
Send PM to order?

Hulksta
Send PM to order?

Y- Town
Send PM to order?

Dluxfab.com

Dravtech.net

Krazedbuilds.com

Rcbros.com

[Erik D_lux]

XR10 accessories

Krazed Builds Electronics trays -
Krazed Builds .... BTM-Electtonics Mount


Krazed builds upper link mounts for tuning on those who cant get their hands on Vp's older ones.
Krazed Builds - Xr10 Upper Link Mounts

Barry's rc carbon
Makes xr10 chassis links and Servo guard.

[Tom G]

Good info Erik

TNX for your support in keeping Comp Crawling alive

[chevotafun]

Nice write up Eric,

Holmes -
Dual ESC
Servo
Motors

D-lux -
Knuckles/weights
Rims
Links

RCbro's
Knuckle weight set up

EY Designs
To get narrowed tires

Not sure if Rowdy still offers the Electronics tray and battery tray ?

[tapped-out]

Wow great info here and berg Bible.
Both theses threads should be stickies so they don't get lost.

[Tom G]

Here's some info that might be helpful to the newbie RC Comp Crawler

When I got into MOA Crawlers I was a newbie.
I spent hrs trying to figure out how to Program a 4 pk for dual ESC's and 4 Wheel Steer. After several frustrating hrs. I got it but the programming never really worked the way it should.

Who ever wrote the Futaba was not a normal person using real time logic.

Doing some research on the ole inter-web I found a couple of how-to videos by Harley

Programming the 4pk for Dual ESC's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwu-Wm3dRhw

Dual ESC's 4 wheel steer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY26rfFwlio

Go do some research on U-tube lots of info there on most common RC TX's / RXs

Waa laa

TNX Harley

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by chevotafun

Not sure if Rowdy still offers the Electronics tray and battery tray ?

We offer Electronics trays -
Krazed Builds .... BTM-Electtonics Mount


Also upper link mounts for tuning on those who cant get their hands on Vp's older ones.
Krazed Builds - Xr10 Upper Link Mounts


And carbon fiber motor plates that take the bigger bearings like RC4WD and Vp ones did.
Krazed Builds - Carbon Fiber XR10 Motor/Gear Plates



I would also throw in the brass insert mod for plastic housings -



McMaster part # 94510A030 -> McMaster.com



Also the 2bolt rear axle was a great one done for quite a while. Cant find the link to the build thread with it originally.

[mtnyote]

I've been off the grid for a while, but I run a punk dig with single fxr and dx3r. no issues to date. dig might be good to add to on of the saved sections