Micro Rock Crawler BTA using stock parts

[Phatmac]

While taking pictures of the DP torsion chassis, the light bulb went off, and in 10 minutes I had the BTA mocked up, and a half hour later it was together.

Thanks to Papa Snachez and his TBit2 build, for showing BTA with an aftermarket servo and custom steering links.

This set-up was possible because the DP chassis allowed me to remove the front shock mounts. It may be possible to move the servo up and make a custom link to run BTA with shocks. YMMV.

The spacers I used came from a helicopter hardware set I bought at my local Hobbytown. Here is the specs from the package:

Align, www.align.com.tw, AGNH1150, Hardware Set, #H2027T, $3.99

The steps:
1. Cut off the shock mounts (I used wire cutters)
2. Remove the servo and steering link
3. Trim the bottom of servo horn
4. Reorient steerng link so it faces down and right
5. Attach steering link to back of servo horn
6. Rotate servo 180 and reattach one hole up
7. Flip knuckles
8. Add spacers between knuckle and steering link
9. Reatach stering link (the hardest part, I needed to file the one hole slightly larger to get it to pop onto the ball on the knuckle.
10. Enjoy how great it crawls

And on to the pictures! (next post)

[Phatmac]

[k20man]

nice, how does it crawl?

[Phatmac]

Originally Posted by k20man

nice, how does it crawl?

All I can say is wow, getting the steering link and servo horn out of the way makes choosing lines much easier. At the same time, I shaved the gear case screw that can hang up on everything, so it's even better.

I wish that my 2.2 would run as well with a $25 investment (chassis, hardware, and shipping).

[k20man]

well this is why I think this rc micro crawler is the best , cuz so ship to do things to it and you dont have to get out of the house, you can do this in the roon and have fun... lol

[losilover]

im gonna have to disassemble my new torsion chassis to put this in?

[Lorents]

Thanks for taking the time to post how to do this!
I've been thinking of shaving the screw off the rear axle too. Have you noticed any weakening of the axle without the screw?

im gonna have to disassemble my new torsion chassis to put this in

Nobody is forcing you

[Phatmac]

Originally Posted by losilover

im gonna have to disassemble my new torsion chassis to put this in?

You only need to remove the screws holding the chassis to the servo if you want to make this modification.

[Phatmac]

Originally Posted by Lorents

Thanks for taking the time to post how to do this!
I've been thinking of shaving the screw off the rear axle too. Have you noticed any weakening of the axle without the screw?

I shaved the screw off both axles, and haven't had any problems. Someone mentioned in another thread that these rigs are so small that it didn't much matter, and that the replacement axle cases are only $6 if there was a problem.

IMHO, it's very worthwhile to shave the axle housing to make it slide over terrain easier.

[Lorents]

the replacement axle cases are only $6 if there was a problem

Excellent point. Its just amazing how that little bugger can grip on to everything it passes...

[losilover]

i just attempted this...... how the heck did you get the screw on the back of the servo horn?!

[JeepinOR]

Originally Posted by losilover

i just attempted this...... how the heck did you get the screw on the back of the servo horn?!

Try installing the horn on the servo, after the link is attached to the horn?

[Phatmac]

Originally Posted by losilover

i just attempted this...... how the heck did you get the screw on the back of the servo horn?!

I did remove the horn from the servo to give me more leverage. It was a bit of a PITA, as applying enough pressure to the ball joint to start it threading into the back of the horn while keeping it square takes patience, but rest assured you can do it.

[LowCrawl]

The spacers I used came from a helicopter hardware set I bought at my local Hobbytown. Here is the specs from the package:

Align, www.align.com.tw, AGNH1150, Hardware Set, #H2027T, $3.99

Ive searched for the hardware set online and in all the pics of the products i see im not ID-ing the spacers you used. can you help me out with this?