R.Billy Rob's first build. (Blue Toyota)

[R.Billy Rob]

Ok, today is a sad day. I think I might have fried the esc in Ol' Blue.
Well, I do have a spare, so it's not a total loss. I will just have to tear her all down and investigate. I guess I know what I will be doing on my Saturday night. I guess that's what I get for trying to run too much battery. I'll keep y'all posted as to how it goes.

[R.Billy Rob]

Well, this is confusing... Earlier I couldn't get my truck to work at all. I tried both style batteries and nothing. I would turn it on, and the servo would twitch for a second, then nothing. No matter what I tried. So I tore the whole truck apart, plugged everything back in to bench test t one last time, and she works just fine!?!? Like I said, I'm confused. Happy, but confused. Maybe my esc had a brain fart earlier, a mental vacation of sorts. I don't know. Not sure if I care either, as long as it works!

[hmmwv15]

Sweet yota. I'm in the process of building one myself (still haven't located a model kit yet). I've been thinking about the crawlerx chassis, how does it flex with all leaf springs? Looks like you still have to run lower links on the axle as well, so it seem like the leaf springs just replace the upper links and shocks correct?

Those headlights/tail lights look killer.

[R.Billy Rob]

It actually flexes very well with the CrawlerX chassis. Especially now that the springs are well worn in. As far as the lower links go, they're a must. Without them you get axle wrap. And with that DDT stroker motor, without lower links it'll snap driveshafts in seconds!

[R.Billy Rob]

So while she's apart I've been toying with the idea of coating my esc in liquid tape. If anyone out there has done this please let me know how well it works. I'm not looking to drown it, but it is river season, and I would love to take her out there for the day. Please let me know if there is any reason not to do this.

[hmmwv15]

Cool. I've got a hilux body on order (but I haven't seen this particular model done yet). I want to see what the wheelbase is before I order the blade chassis, since they make two different sizes.

For the lower links, I think I'll be removing them and testing out a different setup for the axle wrap situation. I'm stealing the idea from a 1:1 rig so I'm not sure how well it will work on an RC.

[R.Billy Rob]

So now I finally got my Miclaws, and my DDT wheels with DDT beadlocks!
Only problem is, it's after 9:00, and I have to be up at 4:30 am to catch a flight to Vegas. No not for fun exactly, for a business convention. I wish I could mount my wheels and tires for one last crawl before I leave, but I still have to finish packing.

[Fungi]

Nice beadlocks!

[R.Billy Rob]

Yeah, I'm lovin' those beadlocks! Someone did an awesome job!

[DANALLY]

Those will look sweet on there!!! I need to check and see if there are any more miclaws in stock.

[R.Billy Rob]

Hehehe!

[R.Billy Rob]

So the wife and I came home from Vegas a day early, so I got my Miclaws mounted up. Ok quick vent, you know how people say that Vegas is like Disneyland for adults? Well I would have much rather been in Disneyland! When you don't drink, smoke, gamble, and are not into hookers, Vegas is rather boring! Anyway, back to the truck. The Miclaws were not as hard to mount as I've heard. Just takes a little patience, and a small flat head. although I did find them harder to mount than a set of 35x12.50r15's! I can do that in about 15 minutes, where as the Miclaws take about 20. They look good on Ol' Blue, although they are not meant for her. They are meant for a whole other build. But no reason not to run them a couple of times on Ol' Blue.

[DANALLY]

I think you might be mistaken there...I say THEY DO BELONG!!! Man that looks nice

[R.Billy Rob]

Well, they might just stay there a while! After just a quick run on the foam mountain, i realized just how much better they actually crawl! I can't wait to take them to the rocks tomorrow! They will eventually find they're way to another rig.Don't worry though Dan, it'll be just as nice. I want a 1:20 scale Toyota FJ40 landcruiser, but I don't want to pay $100+ for one! I did find out that MGCrawler has a couple of these kits. Maybe he will cast them! I want to make a buggy out of one. And one to match my dad's '73, but that's a whole different story! I love FJ40's, I learned to drive one when I was 10!

[MGCrawler]

Ol' Blue is looking killer with the tire/wheel combo chief! So I like the your plan for an FJ RBR... Guess I better finish up the molds for this 1/20 Hilux i'm working on and get around to the 40

[R.Billy Rob]

That would make me a very happy man if you molded up the 40! I'd love to get a few off you, as well as a few hilux's! I just love the Toyota's.

[R.Billy Rob]

For some reason every time I try to load video it tells me "invalid URL number"? Well I'm done trying for now, but if y'all want to see some video, find me on YouTube. Search for my name, Rob Russ.

[R.Billy Rob]

Ok, here's a video link. Hope it works.

Ol' Blue's trail run. 1:20 hilux losi trail trekker rc crawler. Playing on the rocks. - YouTube

[R.Billy Rob]

And here's one with Miclaws.

Ol' Blue gets a new pair of shoes!" - YouTube

[R.Billy Rob]

Here's a little video I filmed at the river today. Happy 4th!

Ol' Blue's 4th of July Yuba river run. Music by: Ray Wylie Hubbard. - YouTube

And another one, just for fun.

Ol' Blue in "Jungle Crawl". Featuring the songs: "Fadin' Moon", and "Gutter Stomp" by Hank 3. - YouTube