Team Associated CR12 Build
 

So this truck showed up July 5th (finally). https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...192b72d201.jpg
I wish I would have taken a picture of the poor factory steering geometry but the front steering servo was so far forward that when the tires were turned left full lock and you tried to turn right the servo was doing more pushing against the axle than turning the wheels. Keep in mind this is only under load, it seemed okay when just sitting. Anyways I tore the truck to pieces within an hour as most would expected me... and designed a new battery tray with an integrated servo mount that moves it up and back slightly. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ff10afd62b.jpg
Ever since I installed the piece everything seems to be working as it should. The factory radio also seems to be jerky so I’ve replaced it with one of the original Axail radios that came on the old RTRs. It’s a huge improvement over stock. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a5422050fc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c28a157015.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5706329dff.jpgI don’t have any more pictures with me at the moment but you can check out the unboxing if you wish here:
https://youtu.be/yaPa3ahi55o

The modification video here:
https://youtu.be/5I4d1VbMTAI

And a running video should be up shortly. Thanks for looking!


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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Just got one Thursday & it's still in the box. Neat to see what you are going to do with it.

Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

That truck looks seriously good. Love to hear some thoughts on performance.

Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Thanks, so far other than the steering it seems to be decently put together.


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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Thanks, I’m hoping to cover that in a video soon but I’ll make sure to cover it in a short write up here.

For anyone wondering here is the running video:
https://youtu.be/-2kc_RxZcFg


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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

How is it holding up? Mine is still in the box. Ugggg

Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Haven’t had any major issues yet. After fixing the steering geometry and greasing the axles and transmission everything has been fine. I’ve also changed the stock radio for one of the old Axail ones that used to come on the RTR’s before they switched to tactic. Here’s my more in depth video review:
https://youtu.be/ktyS_pjo2-M

I plan on machining a bull bar like this one for my truck as well.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...74f603fb5f.jpg

Hopefully it’ll look as cool as I plan. I’ll be incorporating a D ring mount into it as well so that I’ll have a dedicated recovery point.

Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Hey guys thinking about one of these, or another smaller scale trail truck. I have a a small course in my backyard that the SCX10 is just to big for. I live in a rural town in Canada and I'm a 3 hour round trip from the LHS. Can someone please do me a favour and post a size comparison photo beside an SCX10, I'd greatly appreciate it. I want to see if this truck would suit my track, before I make the trip to the LHS.

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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

In another related thread it was said to be the same size as the Thunder Tiger mid sized crawler from a few years ago.

Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

I read that, but Thunder Tiger is not really readily available in Canada. Actually that was the first time I heard Thunder Tiger even made a scale crawler.

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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Not sure if your local hobby shop has them in stock or not. When I was at mine this week I didn’t see any. I got my from RPP. If you watch my unboxing video you can see it compared to my TF2 and TRX4. Also the thunder tiger 4x4 hilux is the same platform as this Truck basically.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c5acf48118.jpg To the left: Scx10 dingo
Center: Team Associated CR12
To the right SCX10 Honcho

Hope this helps.


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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

That picture answers my question perfectly, thank you. This truck will fit my course a lot better then my SCX10, now just to make the decision between this and the Barrage.
My LHS has 3 in stock according to the website, 2 blue, and 1 black and I like both colors so that doesn't really matter to me. Of course I'll have to call before making 3 hour trip. I want to pick up a boat as well.

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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

i LOVE those tiny tires!!!
i wonder how this would do against a barrage... hmmm...

bull bar looks like its coming along! you going to use links for the bars? seems like a natural choice.

Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Glad I could help! If you pick one up and are interested in any of the CNC parts I cut shoot me an email at extremerc4x4@gmail.com


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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Me too! I love tall and skinny tires. The biggest hang up on this truck is that the differentials get hung up easily but it makes for a fun challenge. I’m going to get back to work on the bull bar soon as I had to stop so I could build my new TRX4 kit. I picked up some 1/4” aluminum rod at Lowe’s that I’ll be drilling and tapping rather than trying to braze this together. All I really have left to do on it is cut two new main supports and then cut, drill, and tap the aluminum rod as needed. Hopefully it will look as cool as I planned it to.


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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Hi everyone! Got some work done on this little guy in the last couple of days. Here’s the finished bull bar:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a02fd6ea94.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...6c8e4d77c7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...180b87ad3c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...de13f13c4a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...57c2769627.jpg
The sides are 1/8” and the cross braces are 1/4” rod that is drilled and tapped for M3x8mm hardware. For those who are interested here is a video from my channel covering it in more detail:
https://youtu.be/fqmIZqcFeTI

Thanks for checking out the build!


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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

That's nicely done!

You could even use square bar stock for the middle crossbar and drill it for lights...

Cool extra touch with the tow rings mounted down low!

Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

That push bar looks fantastic!

Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Agree with above, nice work!!!
Looks extremely stout, would easily take any abuse that little guy could dish out.

Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Thank you! I was thinking about center drilling the lower rod but I don’t have any extra lights at the moment. I thought I would throw the tow rings on for a simple, but useful touch. The bull bar is practically part of the frame so I have now worries about it!



Thank you!



Thank you! It easily supports the entire truck so I would probably take a hard hit to break it. I’m sure the 1/4” rod definitely helps strengthen the mounting plates.


The next item I’m hoping to improve is the side steps/rock sliders. They just don’t fit the truck well. The factory bumpers look correct on the truck but it would have been much better if they would have completed the package with some new side steps. At the moment I’m not sure if I want to use the factory plastic mounts or start completely from scratch and build the steps that directly mount to the frame without an adjustment.


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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

It has been a while since my last update, but I’ve finally got some new stuff to show off!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...acf28013d7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9f7b8e8867.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a73205806c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7a40ff9a41.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d616cfc1c9.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...cfe8ec5a34.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ceb9194aa6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a93895ac7e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...8203d35f04.jpg

The extra holes in the rear bumper mounting posts are for attaching a hitch if the need arises. Both bumpers are 1/4” 6061 aluminum using about the same profile as the stock ones just thinner. Within the next couple weeks I believe I’ll be making a winch bumper for this truck for someone in Germany and I’ll try to post pictures of that as well. Let me know what you think!


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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

That looks really good.

Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Thank you! I started working on a winch bumper just to see how it would look. It will need to be changed slightly I’m sure once I get the final winch dimensions. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7d8d1f87bd.jpg


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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

I like these little trucks - body looks fantastic right out of the box. The bumper looks great!

Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Me too! Thank you! I wish I could have this body with clear windows and a drop bed. It would make it look much more scale.


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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Very sweet little scale truck and I like what you're doing with it! :)

Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Thank you!

Here’s another customer part I got finished up. Just working on finishing up the bull bar for this bumper. It uses a regular 1/10 scale winch and the bumper is about 3/8” thick. I’m considering also making a rear bumper that is thicker and would have a step where you see the license plate on most trucks.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9b7edb90d8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5e100b3249.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...86cfe50f85.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ae9bdc8316.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...870ff60f0c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...048c5ba8b6.jpg

Thanks for looking!

Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

And now for possibly to coolest piece yet.... a roll bar! The base is CNC machined 1/8” aluminum plate and the tube is 1/4” aluminum rod. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be fighting the tubing from melting during the brazing process and the solid rod is much easier to bend. Not the best brazing joints in the world but I’m sure they work!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a3e3fbcecb.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e5af973305.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...09480b4133.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...027491d507.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...6c7a7b96d1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...becef33bd7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...41381a2240.jpg

I’m definitely going to have to try making some rock sliders with the same general construction. Thanks for looking!


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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

That looks awesome!!!!!! Great job!

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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Thank you! It’s going to turn out to be an awesome looking truck!


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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Started on some side steps last night. Just need to cut out some plates to bolt to the frame and then braze them together. A little closer to the truck than I’d like but if they are too close when I’m finished I’ll just make another set.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0e220cebc3.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ced6ad0a37.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...8a6e2a78da.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...217027e03c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c6ccd0bc1e.jpg


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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Your doin one heck of a job with that truck. Told my wife i wantd one lol, just because it almost matches my 1:1 truck. Wish i had the talent u got for makin all the extras u put on that lil truck. Keep up the great work!

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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Looks really good!

I think this rig would really benefit from nice, aluminum wheels and scale tires. Are they 1.55 or 1.9 wheels on it now?

Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Agreed! Looked like 1.9s, but looked it up and specs say 1.55. Some nice metal beadlocks would add to the looks and capability. :)



https://www.teamassociated.com/cars_...d_F150_Pickup/

Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Thank you very much! It’s a lot of work but the truck is really starting to come together! You should get one of these trucks, tons of fun for the money.


The wheels are 1.55”. They look bigger than they are because the truck is so small. I’d love to get some aluminum rims but honestly I love the narrow tire width.



Aluminum rims would definitely help from a weight stand point. My dads been bugging me to machine some of my own but I think it would be a lot of machining time. Might be worth it though!



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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Quick video overview of some of the parts I’ve made:
https://youtu.be/pCHGW4uYVEM


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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

If I had the ability to mill some wheels I’d be all over it. I think some basic Mickey T. Classic II looking wheels with some weight would go well with that truck.

Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

It would be a fun project just a lot of time I think. Maybe if I get some time over my next vacation I’ll look into it.

Spending some time practicing my brazing skills had really paid off. Came out to be some of the cleanest joints I’ve ever done. Just like the roll bar I used an 1/8” machined aluminum base plate and 1/4” rod to make the side step.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...609aac64fb.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...51b1e0ccd8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0138bc608a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...19149481c2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...6dc7d043b4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...394626c2b6.jpg

Only this I saw that didn’t come out as well as i hoped was the slight bend in the 1/8” plate. I think this happened because it was bent slightly in the clamp and once heated it never went back straight. Not a big deal as it does sit pretty flush to the frame. I may try and make another that sits further away from the truck to look more like a step than a rock slider but I’m sure it could do be things well! Overall I’m really happy with them, definitely strong enough (the frame bends before the side steps). A great improvement over stock on my opinion. Thanks for checking out the build!


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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

It’s been a while since my last update but I will try my best to show everything that has changed. Firstly I had started to compete with this truck in class 1. It’s been a lot of fun on the indoor course and it’s major limitations seemed to be differential clearance, transmission clearance, and not having good enough steering.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f7fd513c6c.jpg
Here’s a rear bumper I made up quick just to have a look at the new design. Personally I think I prefer the first one better.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1c34eb3488.jpg
And since we had snow for around a week or so the stock tires really weren’t cutting it. Adding snow chains on just the front tires made a huge difference and it’s pretty fun to drive in the snow!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...bebcf5a982.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5b5c910c13.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c06480cf64.jpg
This is my new high clearance transmission. Really helps with the ground clearance and uses the factory gears. I’m really happy with it and the short wheelbase of the CR12 means that this truck hardly gets high centered even on stock tires now.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...03acd7bc9d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4b2bd60930.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5006a931e6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e3f68b1758.jpg

My new transmission doesn’t work with the factory electronics plate or the one I had been using so I also did some work to fix that.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...529bc0677b.jpg
Servo mount platehttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a67f9c4d06.jpg
LCG battery tray
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...54b899da5c.jpg
Rear electronics trayhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4573d4c58e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7ff441454f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c23ad7a483.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...8a371b892c.jpg
Oops, ended up with a second one :)

That will be a separate build of its own.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4b2eca4b0b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...297eb5bf95.jpg

In order to improve the steering I installed a savox servo. Much stronger but I lost a lot of steering throw when I used a regular servo horn. The servo saver one the CR12 is so long that you almost need an arm that long to get full travel. Although the new servo helped a lot I still needed more steering. I felt like the servo saver was handicapping the servo and so I drilled a small hole under the piece that attaches to the servo and to stop the parts from rotating together I installed a small grub screw. This way if I ever want to unlock it I can simply remove the screw and it will be all set. Now the truck steers full lock both directions. Barely touching both steering locks on the axle. My next upgrade for the steering might be adding a Panhard bar, I don’t have an issue with bump steer however the steering angle changes as the suspension cycles.

To help aid with front differential clearance I installed 1.55 Rc4wd mud thrasher tires. They look big on the body and it seems like the truck overall has lost a lot of its torque. That’s an issue I’ll have to investigate another day. Thanks for looking!


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Re: Team Associated CR12 Build
 

Hey, Ethan! You're doing some beautiful machine-work! My buddy, Travis has been talking to you ( IG?) and we're both excited to soon have some of your work on our cr12's. Will continue to follow along... really well thought-out and executed mods!