Need suggestions for a custom budget crawler

[trw]

well, after having a bad bad expirience with a Nylint, I went and got my money back, and am still yearning for a crawler that I can customize.

I have a total of $230, and am looking to build a custom chassis with basic electronics, (though I will probaby pull the servo and radio out of my nitro TNXand since this will definitly see water I will take the extra effort to waterproof it.

its been a very long time since I've been into electrics, so I have no knowledge on new technology, I do remember 3300 batteries being satisfying on their runtime, so the higher capacity batteries are nice now

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXKHJ8&P=7
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXUF43&P=7

those will probably bee my choice of electronics
as for an ESC, I do have a retired LRP Runner ESC out of my old TC3, though it needs a new battery connector, but I have no idea if it works or not.

as for a tranny and axles, I am completely lost as to what to even look for, I know TLT axles will probably look good, but other then Ebay, I dont know where to get such, and quite frankly I want to stay away from Ebay as much as possible.
And I dont even know where to start for a tranny.

Driveshafts I would probaby use some universal joints from a Tamiya XC, but I cant find the one universal joint that telescopes to compensate for suspension movement, so I need some help here too.

As for a motor, I have an old Chameleon 19x2 sitting on the shelf that needs its magnets re-zapped that Ill probably use with a fresh set of brushes and comm cut.

the body, I am bent on using a radioshack mangler body I have on the shelf that Im anxious to use on something 4wd

for suspension, Im going to do just a simple 4-link with shocks of whatever length preferred,

steering might have to be axle mounted, but since I like to make things work I might mount the servo on the chassis and use a drag link (given its not to tall, but too early to tell right now).

but the biggin here is the chassis, I have a dremel, drill and soldering iron but no lathe of any sort, so Im banking i might have to go with a tubular style chassis, whats the best material to use and is there a bender I can use? also would brazing work well?

to sum it all up, I need a chassis, axles, driveshafts, tranny, suspension, battery and charger, wheels and tires plus all the hardware all on $230
any and all help is greatly appreciated

[Mad Scientist]

Searching the forums will really help you out. These are common issues that have been discussed before.

- $230 is going to be cutting it close, but you may be able to pull it off, it you get some good deals.

- Where to get a TLT (other than eBay) - Hobby Shop, Online Retailers, RCC "For Sale" Forum

- Transmission - Traxxas Magnum 272 (Stampede, Rustler, Bandit) is most commonly used, AE Stealth or Losi are possible alternatives

- Driveshafts - Traxxas Sliders

- Motor - that Chameleon 19x2 will more than likely be too fast to work well in a crawler. 27t is about minimum, and even that is pushing it. Generally 55t is the "standard".

- Chassis mounted servo will be more realistic, but will limit your articulation

- Tube chassis - most use automotive brakeline tubing, and braze it together, you can get benders at hobby shops, and auto shops, maybe the hardware store

[rbl]

i can help ya out..pm me you should have an email tho


brad

[nktrnl]

Originally Posted by trw

but the biggin here is the chassis, I have a dremel, drill and soldering iron but no lathe of any sort, so Im banking i might have to go with a tubular style chassis, whats the best material to use and is there a bender I can use? also would brazing work well?

If your on a budget, one of the easiest and cheapest materials is angle aluminum, and flat stock aluminum, you could even use Plexiglass or many other cheap materials. Ive built 2 chassis out of angle of different sizes. If you can find a plastics supply house, go check the scrap bin, the one by my house sells the scrap for dirt cheap. Your local hardware store should carry the aluminum. The one I go to also has aluminum rod, so you can build your own links and chassis bracing.


Dont fear ebay, it can be one of your best friends when your on a budget.

[Fastball]

TRW,


Trying build what amounts to a custom truck on that budget be difficult. I recommend that you either save you pennies or purchase a truck that you can start out with and build gradually as money allows. Custom is neither easy or cheap especially if you do not have a lathe and mill to build parts on. There are many many custom projects out there that were started on and never finished due to the frustration of trying to cut corners and never getting quite what your need. I am new to the RC crawling scene but some truths hold true from the full scale offroad world down to the scale world.

Fastball
"The only real jeeps had flat fenders"

[trw]

yea, I figured it'd be hard, but I also figured that would make it fun, If i get stopped by money, Ill just wait until I have some but I wont quit the project, definitely not since I've always wanted to do this.

the reason I didnt start with an already produced vehicle is that most are full blown crawlers, I wanted more of a trail rig type vehicle with crawler performance, which is why Im using a hard body of an Early Bronco and all I need to do is fab up a simple chassis rather then a full cage and just drop in the drivetrain.

and I actually got a break today on a tranny, motor, wheels, charger, battery, and ESC. I remembered a long time ago I gave my friend my old Tamiya hummer which he hasnt driven in a loong time, so tomorrow Ima go rob it of its rear end and mabuchi motor, wheels, battery and charger and ESC, and use those since it already has a locked differential and wouldnt cost me a dime, then use drive cups and dogbones for driveshafts, which leaves me with just needing shocks, links, and axles.

*edit* oh and the motor and wheels would be tempts btw, until I could get a mayhem, or 55t and some better wheels and tires

thanks for all the help and suggestions everyone, it would be neat if I can pull this off.