mini giant

[MaxxZilla]

I have been looking at getting one and I was wondering what there is to make it a better crawler? locking the diffs and narrow the rims would be a start, but what else? Are there any bigger tires you can run with these trucks? Are the stock shocks oiled or not?

[pedesrule]

i would recommend gettin more articulation if you want it to be a serious crawler and a more powerful motor. As for different wheels i know there are different ones i just dont have any links. And i dont believe the stock shocks are oiled.

[MaxxZilla]

links to better tires would be nice.

[Plays_with_Toys]

I'll get pics later today, but I was able to lift it big time and get more articulation by switching to TLT shocks and changing the stock link geometry slighty. The only problem is I need to move the steering to the axle. I can actually get a coke can under a tire and have some flex left 8O

[MaxxZilla]

Alright, thanks.

[Plays_with_Toys]

Here you go:



Wheelbase/body look funky, but I think extending the wheelbase .5" and dropping a different body, something like the 1:18 hummer or bug bodies will make it look better.

[MaxxZilla]

How did you move the links?

[Plays_with_Toys]

All I did was unscrew the top solid link out all the way, then threaded it in only a fraction of the way in. Still is pretty solid, I do want to make it a true four link though, and the back shocks need some work, there is rubbing because the back is actually wider than the front of the chassis.

[MaxxZilla]

Well, let me think about those savage shocks in my downstairs that are not being used 8O But really I think I may try to get some 1/10th scale shocks on it, set them shock body down to help get some low weight. have you found any bigger tires that fit the rims?

[Plays_with_Toys]

1:10 shocks are going to be very hard to fit on there, and savage shocks are probably as long as the truck is.... I think I might flip the shocks upside down in the back to see if that helps it clear everything...

As for tires, I don't know if they are bigger, but Losi Mini-t wheels/tires can go on the truck with a little modification.

[MaxxZilla]

I was joking about the savage shocks, I guees I'll have to find some tlt shocks or some old buggy ones. I've seen some pretty good looking tread for the mini-t, I'll narrow the stock rims then see how I like them, are the stock tires soft? I just got an idea from looking at your truck, if you took the stock shocks and mounted them right where the links meet the axles it would help a little with the articulation. At least I think, I've been out of rock crawling for far too long.

[Plays_with_Toys]

The stock tires are pretty soft, there are no holes in the wheels to allow for air to vent, so you if you drill one out, it should help alot. I was thinking about pulling a Digler and cutting the tire into 3 sections, basically take a center strip out, flip it around and glue it back together, then the tred would go 4 different directions across the tire, give it a custom look, and maybe improve traction.

TLT shocks, the mini-t shocks, probably even Kyosho overland shocks would work.

What is that you're thinking of doing with the truck?

[MaxxZilla]

A little of everything, some hill climbing, some rock crawling. Overall I just want to improve it's offroad ability.

[MaxxZilla]

I have heard that rc raven is going to be making wheel adapters for the giant, No idea about release date.

[Plays_with_Toys]

Wheel adapters, for what purpose???

A cool little widener trick I just learned is if you take the little black hex that goes over the drive axles and you flip it around. It adds maybe 2mm of width to each side. Not much, but still something.

I want to find alloy wheel nuts though, the plastic ones strip too easily.

[MaxxZilla]

To put larger tires on, I'll have to try that 4mm is enough for me to do something, considering the size of the truck. I'm thinking about trying a catilever system, we'll see.

[SnaFuBAR]

hey what's up guys? i'm new to the forums and r/c crawling. i'm a jeep guy so a crawler seemed like a natural choice over a track car (take that, xmods! ). so i picked up a mini-giant, i just really didn't like the looks of the tlt... you guys are doing some great things here with your crawlers, and i'm looking to follow your examples :P . i just put bearings in it last nite, fairly easy. as for shocks, i've been told by my LHS that the VMG oils are available, and i can probably get them ordered on monday, but don't rely on me for info! i never thought of putting the tlt shocks on the MG, but i like it 8O ! if you relocate the bottom of the shock to the front bumper, you can get more articulation. i did it with the horrid stocky shocks and meh, it's a little better. how much can i pick up the tlt shocks for? anyone know where i can get a jeep body that would look good on the VMG? i also heard that RcRaven is going to make wheel adapters for this little truck, but i have no more info than that. i saw a guy who did one himself, nickname is cbr74. he has one hell of a MG. cantilever setup, with huge tires. looking forward to seeing more for this neat little truck!

ps. i'm doing a 1/64th scale version of this truck (2x4 of course) just for kix. hope you guys can see that soon enough as well!

[Plays_with_Toys]

Welcome aboard, I've been a toyota truck guy myself for a while, moving down to a Subaru though since RC offroading is much cheaper.

As for TLT shocks, I don't know how much they would cost. I would approach some of the guys who have extended their TLT's and make an offer on the shocks, or check ebay. I just grabbed mine from when I did my conversion.

Mounting the shocks down to the bumpers definately helps, and if you go with a TLT it is the only way they will fit. Right now I actually only have dampeners. I have no springs whatsoever. I therefore have that lower ride height, which gives better roll resistance, but if a tire needs to articulate down to another surface, the shocks will allow it to drop. I am in the process of looking for super soft springs that will allow it to sit low but push the axle down when one side gets unloaded.

As for a body, I have been looking at Walmart, Target, even model shops trying to find either a Toy or a model for my next body. There are quite a few small RC's or toys at walmart and target that could be appropriate, but none that have tickled my fancy (mostly fords). Good luck with your VMG!

[MaxxZilla]

Does anyone know the size of the wheel the adapter is for? 2.2's would wouldn't they? how much room is from axle hub to axle hub? cause4 average 2.2 would take up 120mm (both of them from place of mount back)

[pedesrule]

2.2s would be nuts on such a small truck.......I LOVE IT!!! i hope thats what its for. Dang with some real small electronics and some chassis weight cuttin you could probably make it float!!!!