Declassified: Griz's Miniclod 2.2 comp rig

[Grizzly4x4]

It’s finally time to post up my latest 2.2 comp rig build. I have been working on this idea for some time now and finally figured out how to do it last summer. I had the parts machined by Quicksand Off Road and first ran this rig at Nationals in 2008. I have been trying different setups since then and think I have finally found the right one. I went out a couple weekends ago to try my latest setup (using Cougars and not the HB Rovers) and it worked great. It was pulling off all but a couple of the “impossible” lines that Turtle was showing me and was keeping up with his Berg really well. I think with the tires I’ll be able to pull of all the lines now.

The axle center sections are Tamiya Clodbuster and the axle tubes are my design. They make use of the Axial axle C’s, steering knuckles, rear straight axle adapters, and front and rear axle shafts. Overall width comes out to about 10.5” with the HB Rovers on MSD 4-Dyce wheels (TLT offset) and about the same using Panther Cougars on Axial 8 hole beadlocks.

I was trying to set it up to run 3 ¼” of belly clearance for really good breakover clearance, but just couldn’t seem to get it to work right. The latest setup has 2.75” of ride height clearance with 3.25” fully drooped. To get this ride height I used 3.5” Traxxas shocks with the long rod ends from the HPI 85050 parts tree. It seems to work great; I wouldn’t mind a bit more articulation but a beer can (5.125”) seems to be good enough for now.

The Reign Widemouth chassis turned out to be the perfect setup for the Miniclod axles. Not too much triangulation on the lower links, just enough to clear the motors. I really like the width of the chassis and the multiple mounting locations for the shocks and upper links helped me get this setup dialed in.

A big thanks to Team RCCrawler, Holmes Hobbies, TCS Crawlers, Reign RC, and Montana Scale Designs for their support over the years. These guys are the best.

Here is the parts list:
Chassis/Suspension
Chassis: Reign R/C Widemouth
Axles: Quicksand Offroad Mini-clod
Lockers: Quicksand Offroad Mini-clod
Front axle C: Hot Racing Aluminum SCP1901
Front steering knuckle: RC4WD aluminum X-0372
Front axle shafts: Axial AX30420 inner, Axial Ax30366 stub shaft
Rear lockouts: Axial plastic AX80020
Rear axle shafts: Axial straight axle AX30421
Shocks: Traxxas 3760 3.5", HPI 85050 long shock ends/spring cups
Springs: (front) Losi 2" red 5128
Springs: (rear) Losi 2" orange 5129
Front upper links: Traxxas 5139
Rear upper links: Traxxas 5139
Upper link mounts: Thundertech Racing
Front lower links: Traxxas 5319, 1 Jato rod end 5525
Rear lower links: Traxxas 5319, 1 Jato rod end 5525
Lower link mounts: Tamiya 9804179
Tie rod: Traxxas 5319, 1 Jato rod end 5525
Draglink: Traxxas 1842 rod end (2x), 6-32 all thread

Drivetrain
Motor Mounts: Thundertech Racing
Pinion gear: Losi 10T front, Losi 9T rear
Wheel hex: Axial green aluminum, AX30430
Wheels: Montana Scale Designs 4-Dyce, TLT backspacing, Taylor Hobby Products Outer rings (62pyro)
Tires: Hot Bodies Rover, white compound
Foams (front): Kreepy Red foams with 1/3 Proline standard foam on outer sidewalls
Foams (rear): 1 1/3 Standard Losi grey

Electronics
Motors: Integy 45T
ESC: Castle Creations Sidewinder
Steering servo: Hitec HS5955 TG
Dig Servo: Hitec HS 81MG
BEC: CC BEC
RX: SR 3001
Radio: Spektrum DX3 with 3 position switch mod

Misc
Body mounts: HPI A371
Steering servo mounts: Traxxas 2715

[Grizzly4x4]

Naked pics.

[Nabil]

I snuck a peek at nats but it just now made sense. I knew something wasnt right about the axles but couldnt figure it out. Are the lockers just a full gear replacement machined to accept the axial shafts?

The truck looks good Grizz. Definately out of the box

[rc4x4nut]

That is absolutely bad***. I've been thinking of building a 2.2 clod with the widemouth chassis and now I think Im gonna do it.

[quickster47]

Well Grizz, that is some fine thinking outside the box and a great implementation of your idea.

Gives me hope for finishing my own 2.2 Clod with perhaps borrowing some of your ideas.

Carl

[Grizzly4x4]

Originally Posted by e-hills4x4

I snuck a peek at nats but it just now made sense. I knew something wasnt right about the axles but couldnt figure it out. Are the lockers just a full gear replacement machined to accept the axial shafts?

The truck looks good Grizz. Definately out of the box

Lots of guys couldn't quite figure out what was going on, even though it just didn't look "right". On the locker, it still uses the stock gear. I don't want to say any more than that for now. Thanks Nabil.

Originally Posted by rc4x4nut

That is absolutely bad***. I've been thinking of building a 2.2 clod with the widemouth chassis and now I think Im gonna do it.

Thanks rc4x4nut. You won't be disappointed with the Widemouth, it's a great chassis.

Originally Posted by quickster47

Well Grizz, that is some fine thinking outside the box and a great implementation of your idea.

Gives me hope for finishing my own 2.2 Clod with perhaps borrowing some of your ideas.

Carl

Thanks guys.
The final inspiration for this came about when the Berg axles came out. I really wanted to go to the MOA because I have always been a big fan of the design, but I just couldn't see spending $300 to get them when I have 4 sets of Clod axles sitting around. Plus I didn't want to have to spend the money on new wheels when I have so many Axial type wheels.
This was a way for me to do it without breaking the bank since I had most of the parts I needed.

If you guys are interested in building a 2.2 Clod like this, the parts will be available soon.

[JohnRobHolmes]

Boy howdy that is slick! Clod axles just seem tougher than the bergs, there is a lot more gear width.

[Scattman]

That will never work. ;)


I like your thinking Grizz.

[dezfan]

Sweet! I loved my Clod, it was just to damn wide! Looks like you fixed that!

Now that tire designs have caught up(read taller), the Clods may make a return!

[punkuup5150]

ok ive never been into the moa because they were made outta metal it looks to me that the clod houseing is plastic right? so no more caught ups on the rocks? i cant beleave someone didnt think of this sooner this is going to kill the berg market way to go!

[Wrecker]

I'm glad to see you finally let the cat out of the bag on this one.;)
That thing is super bad ass for sure!

[4xFord]

Man thats awesome! I have been wanting to so the exact same thing for a little while now also. I was thinking of having a bolt on locker like the CPE one machined with the axial oval shaft hole machined in the center, or just the stock little hex size machined with the same hole in the center, that way it would work with other aftermarket lockers. I'm glad to see that you did it and it was possible.

Are you or the machine shop considering making a run of these?

[Just Zach]

I'm glad you posted this up. It was easily one of the coolest rigs I saw at nationals. Nice work Griz!

[BigB_117]

very cool truck you've build there.

[Grizzly4x4]

Originally Posted by JohnRobHolmes

Boy howdy that is slick! Clod axles just seem tougher than the bergs, there is a lot more gear width.

Originally Posted by Scattman

That will never work. ;)


I like your thinking Grizz.

Originally Posted by dezfan

Sweet! I loved my Clod, it was just to damn wide! Looks like you fixed that!

Now that tire designs have caught up(read taller), the Clods may make a return!

Originally Posted by Wrecker

I'm glad to see you finally let the cat out of the bag on this one.;)
That thing is super bad ass for sure!

Originally Posted by Just Zach

I'm glad you posted this up. It was easily one of the coolest rigs I saw at nationals. Nice work Griz!

Originally Posted by BigB_117

very cool truck you've build there.

Thanks for the good words guys, I appreciate it.
I agree John, I've said for years that I don't think you'd ever have a gear problem with a 2.2 Clod.

Originally Posted by punkuup5150

ok ive never been into the moa because they were made outta metal it looks to me that the clod houseing is plastic right? so no more caught ups on the rocks? i cant beleave someone didnt think of this sooner this is going to kill the berg market way to go!

Correct, the Clodbuster axles are plastic. You just need to shave a couple screw bosses off the bottom. The clearance is around 0.100" (just under 1/8") less than an Axial with the same tires but I have not found that to be a problem yet.

Originally Posted by 4xFord

Man thats awesome! I have been wanting to so the exact same thing for a little while now also. I was thinking of having a bolt on locker like the CPE one machined with the axial oval shaft hole machined in the center, or just the stock little hex size machined with the same hole in the center, that way it would work with other aftermarket lockers. I'm glad to see that you did it and it was possible.

Are you or the machine shop considering making a run of these?

The locker actually ends up being more complicated to make work than you first think. The stock Clodbuster axles pin together and that is what supports the gear/locker. ;) We figured out how to make it work though.

Yes, we will be doing some production pieces now that I feel the bugs have been worked out.

[po' riggity]

That is a thing of beauty and a work of art! Very cool!
Scott

[2JSC]

Holy crap! THat is snazzy! Them axle tubes sure are sweet!

[ADDICT]

Nice job Chris. Love the rig. Def something out of the box. Nice way not to break the bank by just using your head. I think im going to have to cut out my new grappler body like that.

[EeePee]

Something is not quite right with that truck, but I can't put my finger on it...

What's going on here?

What is that a Clod with some homemade axles and some kind of like, aluminum outer parts? It can't be a Clod, who would run a Clod in 2.2? What forum am I in? Non Crawler RCs?

I just don't see that thing working at all. I don't like it.

Chassis is pretty cool though.

[Nabil]

Originally Posted by EeePee

Something is not quite right with that truck, but I can't put my finger on it...

What's going on here?

What is that a Clod with some homemade axles and some kind of like, aluminum outer parts? It can't be a Clod, who would run a Clod in 2.2?

whats funny is that's exactly what went through my head when i saw it at nats