Gmade Spider - Any tips?
 

Just received a second hand Gmade Spider - what a heavy weight...
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/CIMG0951.jpg
Only had a quick run around the garden, to test all was working.

Was wondering if any owners had any tips, warnings, things to watch out for?

Found the steering heavy, and the turning circle is not very good.
Presume this is the extra wide tyres.

I am going to install rear wheel steering which should help and was supplied.

Thanks in advance,
Drew

thats an awesome looking crawler. below is a link to their website.

http://gmade.net/

Thanks, it is rather special.

Here is a naked picture... ;-)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/CIMG0950.jpg

It has:
2x Integy 45T motors
Novak Super Duty XR esc
Traxxas 3 channel radio gear
Oil shocks with piggy back reservoirs

Rather trick piece of kit.

Hope to have a test video soon.

Cheers,
Drew

The lack of steering might be due to an under powered servo or locked axles. All locked axle rigs have a wide turning radius.

Ah, right, so this is expected behaviour.

Thanks for the reply. That has put my mind at rest.

Will be installing the rear steer later today, hopefully.
See if that improves things.

Update:
Just added the supplied second servo to the rear axle.
Initial testing in the house is looking good.

This is one already sorted kit.
The 3 channel Traxxas TX has already been modded to allow for switchable rear wheel steering. Can use just front steering, mixed back and front, or can use just the rear steering on its own if needed.

Very pleased. "thumbsup"

First run through the test course - and it performed really well.
Had to adjust the shocks a little, had softened them too much.
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/100_0015.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/100_0016.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/100_0017.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/100_0018.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/100_0020.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/100_0022.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/100_0023.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/100_0024.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/100_0025.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/100_0027.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/100_0028.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/100_0029.jpg

The rear wheel steering has really helped get the thing turned better.

Lovin 'Rock Crawlin'

Going to have to build a rock garden now...... ;-)

I got the Stealth kit, which is basically the same except for the chassis.
I cut those small knobs on the knuckle that limit steering radius, that helps increase your turning a bit. Try to lowered the height as much as possible, helps your side hill climb a lot. I also switch my wheels and tires to MoabXL, big improvement. Oh and if you could use Lipo batt, either 7.4 or 11.1 V., you'll notice the difference. Happy crawling."thumbsup"

Thats an idea. I have a spare set of MOAB 2.2 wheels and tyres...
Or should they be a larger diameter?

Going to give that a try later, thanks.

How are you finding the Stealth?

Thanks,
Drew

MoabXL is 40 series 2.2 would be too small for a spider.

Thanks for the information, will have a look for some 40 series wheels and MOAB tyres.... cheers"thumbsup"

anytime mate, cheers "thumbsup"

Got the MOAB XL and some 3.7 14mm Hex wheels ordered....

Measured the hex, and its 14mm on the Spider.

I almost ordered the wrong wheels - was looking at 23mm Hex :roll:

Man...you are serious about crawling...a lot of rigs there...I also have one Spider from Gmade in almost the same config:
2 x 55T motors
1 x Heavy duty XR
rear axles blocked
4WS (but now one of my servo is dead, so normal steering)
BigBore traxxas shocks
3S Lipo with Lipo cutoff

Interesting machine indeed, but a little too big for my needs (how much did you pay for a second hand one?)
I'm still waiting for Creeper, but gotta tell you, the orange Axial ARTR with ProLine tires are a very high temptation...:shock::shock::shock:
keep us update when your tires arrive...can you give me a link to that?...
thanks."thumbsup"

That is very close spec to mine - not sure what make the shocks are, but have piggyback reservoirs.

The site I have ordered the tyres from had a "special order" notice against them, so may be New Year before they arrive?
And with the wheels, are not that cheap.

Will report back when they have been tested.
And might get a set for the Jeep.

what Jeep?...and where did you order the tires/wheels?...if it's not allowed to link here, please send me a PM. thanks.

are the tires and wheels posted on gmade page good for spider??:shock: looks pretty nice"thumbsup"

This HSP 1/8th Jeep
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...6/CIMG0954.jpg

Getting them from here:
http://www.wheelspinmodels.co.uk/ite...ng-Pair__252d/

Along with the 3.7 wheels.

Would think, as long as the wheels on Gmade site are 3.7 and 14mm hex, they should fit?

The ones above should get here quicker than from Gmade site, been waiting 3 weeks for other parts to come from there already.... :-(

Update:
Cant get the wheels and tyres I wanted - :-(

The Moab XL slim wheels only come in 23mm Hex hub size.
And the Spider is 14mm.

Checked some adaptors, but could not find any to match the axles.

So, have ordered the standard 40 series Moab on 3.7 wheels.
Maybe in the future there will be an adaptor that fits.
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...eriesWheel.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...esMoabtyre.jpg
Wheelspin have been really helpful, and noticed my order would not work together... cheers.

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