**Rock Beetle-Extreme rock racing rig**

[nitromtcrawler]

Well guys and gals I am at it again. A new project and something a little different. This build was inspired by the "King of the compound" a rock race that will be taking place tomorrow. I was hoping to have this done for the race, but things didn't go as plan so it will have to wait.

This is a full independent suspended rig, yes you read right. I will be building this to be the ultimate rock racing rig. I plan to have a 20-25mph top speed and still be able to keep up with a decent comp rig. It will be tricky to dial in the shocks to be soft enough for crawling but stiff enough for jumping.


Most of the parts are still up in the air but I have a list of some of the parts that are on the rig.

Unknown 1/10th buggy
Moabs on Pede wheels
ESC?
Servo?
kyosho 18t motor
4000mah 7cell battery
Tranny?
Hpi bug body (recycled)
Airtronics 2ch radio

Well there is a lot of work to be done still but here are some pictures to keep you guys interested.











The chassis was boat sided by hand which was a PITA. This is a short chassis and its only a test bed for now.


Thanks for looking and comments are greatly appreciated.

[2JSC]

Whats your track width? Any ideas on how you will do the steering? I'm liking the idea and it has me intriqued.

[nitromtcrawler]

Originally Posted by 2JSC

Whats your track width? Any ideas on how you will do the steering? I'm liking the idea and it has me intriqued.

I'm right at 11" outside of the tires, and I'm at about 11 1/4 " wheel base. I'm planing to keep the steering as simple as possible (less things to break). I'm thinking two drag links from knuckle to servo.

Thanks 2J!

[Offroader5]

One of the problems with doing the steering like that and keeping the independent suspension is unless you get the ties rods perfectly horizontal from the servo horn to the knuckle...you'll end up with alot of bump steer. Even with the rods horizontal, you will still get some at full compression of the suspension.

Why not use the same bellcrank steering setup as the buggy probably had originally?

Originally Posted by nitromtcrawler

I'm right at 11" outside of the tires, and I'm at about 11 1/4 " wheel base. I'm planing to keep the steering as simple as possible (less things to break). I'm thinking two drag links from knuckle to servo.

Thanks 2J!

[fernando]

Cool looking. That bug looks like a Baja bug. Keep us posted on your progress.

[nitromtcrawler]

Originally Posted by Offroader5

One of the problems with doing the steering like that and keeping the independent suspension is unless you get the ties rods perfectly horizontal from the servo horn to the knuckle...you'll end up with alot of bump steer. Even with the rods horizontal, you will still get some at full compression of the suspension.

Why not use the same bellcrank steering setup as the buggy probably had originally?

Thanks for the info as I was not informed about that. I have the stock ball crank but it has a built in servo saver. I'll see if I can come up with something like that.

Originally Posted by fernando

Cool looking. That bug looks like a Baja bug. Keep us posted on your progress.

Thanks thats kind of the look I'm going for.

[JRock]

That's a great lookin build so far. Love seeing all the different ways of building a rock racer. Can't wait to see what it looks like when your done.

[xjcrawler]

wow it looking great buddy!!!

[durango#95]

I have been wanting to try something like this for a while now. I will be keeping a close eye on your build, looking good so far. Any reason in particular that you went with the Moabs?

[Duuuuuuuude]

Gonna be a cool build! I like it!

Those headlights are a nice touch, but they're gonna die an ugly death IMO...might want to make them removable before spirited drving.

X2 on the bumpsteer. It took me quite a while to sort it out of one of my old projects, even with the stock steering parts. The added suspension travel played havoc with the geometry.

I know skidplates are kind of taboo on crawlers, but you might want to think about a small one to keep the chassis edge and bulkhead from snagging on something.

[nitromtcrawler]

Originally Posted by JRock

That's a great lookin build so far. Love seeing all the different ways of building a rock racer. Can't wait to see what it looks like when your done.

Thanks I been wanting to make a rock racer for quite a while, and when this buggy was in the for sale section I knew it would be the perfect base.

Originally Posted by xjcrawler

wow it looking great buddy!!!

Thanks, but you know it looks worse in person

Originally Posted by durango#95

I have been wanting to try something like this for a while now. I will be keeping a close eye on your build, looking good so far. Any reason in particular that you went with the Moabs?

Do it, they are soooo fun to build and I'm sure it will be a blast to drive. Thanks I'm glad you like it. The only reason I used moabs because i had them and they are the O.G crawler tire

Originally Posted by Duuuuuuuude

Gonna be a cool build! I like it!

Those headlights are a nice touch, but they're gonna die an ugly death IMO...might want to make them removable before spirited drving.

X2 on the bumpsteer. It took me quite a while to sort it out of one of my old projects, even with the stock steering parts. The added suspension travel played havoc with the geometry.

I know skidplates are kind of taboo on crawlers, but you might want to think about a small one to keep the chassis edge and bulkhead from snagging on something.

Thanks Duuude!

The headlights give it nice touch, and I will have some sort of tube bumper with a skid to protect the lights and give it a smoother front.

I have been doing some searching and I think I found a way to have all the steering throw while using some of the stock buggy steering. I did not extend the travel on my rig so I should be ok.


Thanks for all the comments.

Today I stripped the body its all clear and ready for paint.

More updates tomorrow, keep the comments coming.

[suchmuchfun]

Looks interesting, but any concern being an "unknown buggy" as to getting replacement parts? I have run into this problem with DIY projects in the past.

[nitromtcrawler]

Originally Posted by suchmuchfun

Looks interesting, but any concern being an "unknown buggy" as to getting replacement parts? I have run into this problem with DIY projects in the past.

Well its not really a big concern, because a lot of the parts are the same or almost the as my nitro mt. When (not if) somethings breaks I'll modify parts from other RC's to work.

Thanks!

[m&mkrawler]

very nice job....I'm a big fan of the Bug.....Nice to see more and more...
Good job.... Gives me some crazy ideas...

[nitromtcrawler]

Originally Posted by m&mkrawler

very nice job....I'm a big fan of the Bug.....Nice to see more and more...
Good job.... Gives me some crazy ideas...

Hey man how are the wheels? I'm glad you like this big hunk of poo

Well today I had a bunch of time to work on this beast and got the main essentials done. I ran it around the house for a while and its a lot of fun. I still need to do all the minor details but she's a runner.

Pictures: coming soon!


Thanks for looking and comments are great!

[starvenamrvin]

Thats sick bro nice work, gotta love the baja bug. Put a mamba max in that bad boy and well tranny, i dont know cause i dont now what the output shafts on the diffs look like.

[nitromtcrawler]

Originally Posted by starvenamrvin

Thats sick bro nice work, gotta love the baja bug. Put a mamba max in that bad boy and well tranny, i dont know cause i dont now what the output shafts on the diffs look like.

Thanks man! I'm a big baja bug fan too. I wish i had the money for a mamba max but I got a real nice Tekin Rebel 2 and its awesome. The tranny is from an RC10T2.



Here are the promised pictures, ready for the desert!







It will stand on its side with the battery in it.



chassis clearance.



Diff clearance.



Re-painted body



And over all shot



Thanks for looking and comments are great!

[Ripperfi]

Ive got those same lights. Cant remember who makes them. Where did you find em?

[nitromtcrawler]

Originally Posted by Ripperfi

Ive got those same lights. Cant remember who makes them. Where did you find em?

I got them at mt LHS. I don't remember the brand, but they are not bright enough in stock form, so I put a ultra bright led in them (i haven't done these yet).

[crawler_king]

They look like RAM brand lights