MadDogRC Capo Jeep CD15823

[Mad4Rnr]

We are extremely excited to that we have been given the opportunity to build one of the insanely detailed Capo 1/8th scale Jeeps! We will be building this as a promotional vehicle with tons of MadDogRC LED lights and scale accessories as well some custom one-off parts. This rig will eventually tour the country with its' owner making appearances at R/C Crawler events and competitions!

My plan is to start with a quick unboxing and some observations and then do the build per the manual. I'll finish the build with the upgrades and detailing.

Obviously when the package arrive today I could not help but to rush it into our new workshop and get it onto the work bench.



Box art it cool and to be expected of a rig of this caliber.







Once open the highly detailed cast aluminum body panels are sitting in the top tray



The second tray houses the CNC machined bead locks, chassis, shocks, and pre-built axles.



The bottom tray is where all the hardware, components and injection molded body panels reside.



I have to say that my initial impression is that this is the most realistic RC vehicle that may have ever been produced! Just check out the details on the inside of the cast hood



The proportions of the features all seem to be well executed and the fact that almost everything on this rig functions is mind boggling



From my initial inventory and scan of the instruction manual here are some of the key features of this awesome kit, some of which are not obvious from Capo's promo pictures:

- Cast aluminum body panels
- Injection molded interior panels
- Multi-speed transmission
- 2wd/4wd transfer case
- Functioning drive shaft brake
- Selectable front and rear locking differentials
- Cable actuated steering
- Faux engine with functioning drive belt

I'll provide more detail of the parts and pieces as I build, for me this will be the build of a life-time!

[Peaker]

Looking good indeed, and seem like a pretty high benchmark for the rest to follow.
And i can only encourage axial and who ever to start making those ( preferred ) 1:5 scale rigs

BUT ! please - please make them a lot cheaper as i ride my stuff hard, and i would cry like a little girl if i was driving a rig in this price range and it took simmilar tumbles & beatings my SCX10 and TF2 have gotten.

When done please do a little video of it running too

[Captainkickass]

Awesome man cant wait to see how it holds up after the build process


Sent from the clouds

[Mike Flea]

For the cost it should be highly detailed, I'm also interested in how it functions with all the realistic parts. I imagine with the cast aluminum body panels it would be sturdier than a sheet metal body in that it shouldn't show dents and dings. Looking forward to the build,

[brokennib]

This thing looks great, you gonna paint it?

[Mad4Rnr]

Originally Posted by brokennib

This thing looks great, you gonna paint it?

I wasn't planning on it but it needs it, some of the deep features on the body panels are light on color. If it does get painted it would have to be an automotive multi-stage paint job, the panels are too nice for a rattle can. Otherwise thinking maybe a wrap?

[BigBaller]

...must have. the details. I can't wait to see where this goes...

[gbean]

Man I hope this thing is as good as it looks.
Maybe I'll get to see it in person!
Nice score Erik.

[Mad4Rnr]

Alright here comes the build pictures and observations.

As I start to dive in I quickly realize that this build will be complex. The number of components and fasteners is unreal, glad to see very few plastic component. The CNC parts look of good quality, a few machine marks here and there but nothing too too bad.





The instruction manual is detailed but you have to mind the steps carefully. I had to break out my calipers becasue there are quite similar parts so taking measurements to keep them straight is mandetory.



The transmission gears are all steel and the transmission housing is cast aluminum with a gunmetal plating.



The transfer case is machined aluminum and fit * finish is is good but I ran into an issue with the OD of the front output shaft being oversized. I'll have to see what I can do to get the shift mechanism to work smoothly tomorrow.



Another observations I made tonight is that there are six servos required to run this rig. Three micro servos that are hidden inside the engine housing to shift the transmission, the transfer case and the brake. One micro servo that moves the steering wheel! And two regular sized servos that do the steering and diff lockers.

[rookie101]

Wow! The only problem I see with this rig is I could never bring myself to use it outside.

[bayareaaxial]

My problem is how many screws I would misplace lol, this is going to be awesome I was hoping to see a detailed build on one.

[bilinvic]

Definitely subscribed...

[tacocat]

Wow I totally understand the price tag now. That is some impressive stuff thanks for sharing with us!

[brokennib]

Originally Posted by Mad4Rnr

I wasn't planning on it but it needs it, some of the deep features on the body panels are light on color. If it does get painted it would have to be an automotive multi-stage paint job, the panels are too nice for a rattle can. Otherwise thinking maybe a wrap?

I know Corey (Mr RPP) has used some automotive finishes on his rigs.... he might be the go-to guy on this one. A wrap would be a good solution.

[BigSki]

Loving the pics so far, especially the gear train for the trans and t-case! The axles look really nice. Are going to crack them open so we can see how the locking mechanism works? ( although I'd bet that it's much like the mechanism inside of those Venom axles)

[Mad4Rnr]

Long day today with the family so I only had a couple hours to devote to the build. I started back in on the sticky transfer case issue and thankfully I own a 5mm straight reamer, not only was the OD of the front output shaft over-sized I also found a burr on the ID of the final transfer case gear. After reaming and polishing I was able to get the 2WD/4WD to shift like butter.



I buttoned the t-case up and also assembled the drive shaft brake mechanism. I have to say the brake is an ingeniously cost effective design. There is a slot in the lever shaft that moves a piston in the rear of the transfer case housing. I didn't take any pictures of it before I assembled it but here is the final result.





Here is a video:



I also mounted 55t motor and completed the assembly of the 3spd transmission. The pinion mesh was a bit hard to set but all in all the tranmission is a nice assembly.



It shifts pretty nice and after broken in will be pretty smooth.

[lil' bear 4wd]

sub'd to this epic build!! I wish i could get one of these trucks but way out of my budget :(

[Mike Flea]

Coming along nicely, and I too now understand the cost. The attention to detail, and the craftsmanship to make all those parts for this kit.

[Crawlin' Lobster]

Great write up so far. Sub'd

[Mad4Rnr]

FYI, this rig uses three sub-mirco (9g) servos for shifting duties. Standard micro servos are 6mm too long...



The smallest screws in this kit are the two M1.2x2 that hold the tiny motor for the drive belt system.



Functioning belt tensioner.



Servos and radio coming this week