Gmade Spider - Any tips?

[drewpyfz6]

Originally Posted by RCtweakR

Try HPI Savage wheels, they have some 14 mm. hex, good luck.

Have managed to find a 23mm Hex adaptor for the Spider, so its ordered but may take a few weeks to get here....

Give me time to save up for the Moab XL wheels and tyres.

The normal 40 series are already ordered and hope to have them before xmas.

[Froger]

Your truck is looks cool, I have the Steath. I am using Maximizer beedlocks 14mm hex with HPI GT tires. I also cut off the stops on the knucks and I don't use a servo saver.

[drewpyfz6]

Originally Posted by Froger

Your truck is looks cool, I have the Steath. I am using Maximizer beedlocks 14mm hex with HPI GT tires. I also cut off the stops on the knucks and I don't use a servo saver.

Hi Frogger,
Will post some pictures of the repainted shell later.
Just a shame there are so many scatches on the outside.

Am waiting for some 40 series Moab wheels and tyres, should help with turning.

Will have a look at removing the stops from the knuckles.
I have a spring loaded servo saver, and this might be hindering the steering?

Thanks.

[RCtweakR]

Glad to hear that you found 23mm. adaptor.

[drewpyfz6]

Originally Posted by RCtweakR

Glad to hear that you found 23mm. adaptor.

Thanks, they are on the way from the Gmade website.

Should have looked there first.... and the wheels have been dispatched today.

[antikas]

Picture of my Spider with a homemade pimpcane chassis:


With powerful servos You should ditch the servo savers and buy some aluminium servo mounts, the stock mounts flex a lot.

[drewpyfz6]

Originally Posted by antikas

Picture of my Spider with a homemade pimpcane chassis:

With powerful servos You should ditch the servo savers and buy some aluminium servo mounts, the stock mounts flex a lot.

That looks really cool....

My rear servo does not have a saver, so may just go straight connected at the front as well.

Thanks.

[drewpyfz6]

Originally Posted by RCtweakR

Try HPI Savage wheels, they have some 14 mm. hex, good luck.

Going to be getting the Moab XL - 23mm Hex wheels and tyres now.

Have got the adaptors for 14mm to 23mm Hex.

[drewpyfz6]

What a difference a coat of paint can make...

The original Spider body shell:



Then after a paint stripping session and new design applied:



Not too happy as there are that may scratches - still looks tatty.

So, a new shell was purchased and painted:




It looks fabulous now, no transfers used, or fancy masks, just good old home made masking and simple design.

Like it -

[drewpyfz6]

Got my new wheels and tyres now - took most of yesterday to get the tyres on the rims and all the beadlock screws in place.

Took ages to get each one done - is this normal, or just me?

Will post some pictures later of them in place.
Have the 40 series Moab XL narrow wheels and tyres.

[drewpyfz6]

New wheels on my wagon....

These are the hex adaptors taking it from 17mm to 23mm.



Then added the Moab XL narrow tyres and wheels.



And compared to the standard wheels.


And the finished article.


Those beadlocks are a pain to get started, and do they need all those screws?

Had to remove 1 tyre and redo it, as I had put the tread facing the wrong way...

Hope to get out today and have test drive.

[JOOTZ]

rig is looking way better now than when you first got it...

[drewpyfz6]

Originally Posted by JOOTZ

rig is looking way better now than when you first got it...

Thanks Jootz,
Bought it second hand and it was well used... plenty of scuffs and scratches.

Am pleased with the way it has turned out.

Going to try lowering the suspension, give it a more scale look, there are plenty of adjustment options.

Cheers and thanks for the support.
Drew

[curve]

No, those beadlocks do not need all of those screws. I run the same setup and I only use 6 screws in each side. To help your steering even more you need to cut the stops off of the steering knuckles. This will make a huge change in turning. I cut all the stops off and put 4 wheel steering on mine and it will turn around quiker than any 2.2 rig I have ever owned.

[drewpyfz6]

Originally Posted by curve

No, those beadlocks do not need all of those screws. I run the same setup and I only use 6 screws in each side. To help your steering even more you need to cut the stops off of the steering knuckles. This will make a huge change in turning. I cut all the stops off and put 4 wheel steering on mine and it will turn around quiker than any 2.2 rig I have ever owned.

Will have a look at removing the stops.

I have already added rear wheel steering, this has made a big difference on its own.
And am hoping the thinner tyres help as well.

Cheers,
Drew

[curve]

When you remove the stops make sure to get all 4 off of each steering knuckle.

[cornel4web]

can you post some pics of your modified pieces...thanks...same tires/wheels setup there???

[AdverseCity]

Nice looking truck, I was thinking of a Stealth kit myself but they're quite expensive.

I'd try removing the springs and running it droop. I'm by far no expert in crawling but I've found that all my sprung rigs have worked better droop, by just removing the springs and using a little piece of fuel tubing to raise it up if necessary. The truck has the same articulation when required but have a lower center of gravity for side hills and climbing. Just something to try.....

[cornel4web]

how it performs with new tires setup?

[curve]

I don't have any pics at the moment but I will try and get some up for you. The easiest way now is to order the aluminum knuckles and be done with it but that's $80 for all 4.. The plastic knuckles have little tabs on it just like clod axles and you just nee to cut them down with a dremel so the will go under the hub.