89redranger's MRC Pro build/rebuild for 2014

[89redranger]

First time shaving...sidewalls! Still got a little cleanup work, but came out decent. 2 of 4 done. No money left in the budget for tires, so I gotta make these work. As long as I don't burn through the other two, I'm good. Thank you MRCrackhead!







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[MRCrackhead]

It's a messy affair, but well worth it in the end.

Very nice job. They look really good.



Not to get too far ahead of the situation, but if you need a bit more bite out of them, you can do a little siping to break up the block patterns a bit.

Large blocks on light rigs tend to hop.

Cutting the big blocks into smaller blocks lets each new "mini lug" move independently of the one next to it.

This allows them to conform a little better to the surface.

It also softens the tire just like shaving does (as I'm sure you've noticed).

Look closely at my Rovers in the later photos of my build and you'll see what I mean.

Simply cutting the lugs with a razor knife will do. I used a dremel with a cutting wheel to create some separation between lugs.

I siped the front more than the rear.

The theory is the front of the car could drag the rear end around more effectively. Also, the rear end would slip a bit on steep stuff, instead of flipping the rig over.

[89redranger]

Got lots of experience with different tire heights, foams, and whatnot, just not shaving sidewalls. I probably won't do any siping this time around, simply because the lava rock around here likes to tear off chunks afterward. To get that desired forward biased traction, I will play with the sidewalls in the rear. Right now they are unshaved. I'll start there, and shave more as desired. After all the other mods I've done to tires over the years, I couldn't believe how simple and easy this is.

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[bigblock123]

Nice job Looking Good.


Thanks

[89redranger]

Got the topper!















Also, went and shaved the outside sidewalls of the rear tires. Ti links and electronics soon!

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[MRCrackhead]

This rig is really turning out sweet. The cab looks right at home.

Love the narrow wheels and shaved tires.

Completely changed the look, seemingly overnight.

Of course, it will change completely once more when you get some panels on it.

Might change for the better, or worse...

Don't screw it up! LOL

[89redranger]

Originally Posted by MRCrackhead

This rig is really turning out sweet. The cab looks right at home.

Love the narrow wheels and shaved tires.

Completely changed the look, seemingly overnight.

Of course, it will change completely once more when you get some panels on it.

Might change for the better, or worse...

Don't screw it up! LOL

Thanks man, it really has changed quite a bit fairly quickly. I'm very happy with the looks of it so far. Between the polished brass, all black axles and wheels, ti chassis and topper, and the shaved tires it's starting to get an "all business" look. Just what I was after. Low, sleek, agile, simple, and clean.

This has been a long slow build, starting well before the thread. I'm happy to finally feel like I'm making progress. I've been on the hunt for some of these parts for over a year now. As you said, gonna have to be careful with the panel work. I'll either make it, or break it...


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[winnerone23]

I agree, turned out extremely nice! Digging the look, all around.
Only thing to make it super extreme would be some CF panels... :thumbup:;)

[89redranger]

Don't say that... I just got home from staring at a roll of CF mat, and resin. What kept from doing CF "hard skins" is the bend under and around the motor. I just couldn't do faux carbon decals or paint on this rig if going with a CF look. I'm thinking a simple black paint job, with a few transparent areas like windows using window tint. Ought to be able to see the motor and a few key parts through the skins if I do it right.

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[Crawllife]

Ya ya Troy! If he goes carbon it will be with paint;). Sick looking build bud. Did you get a goody box in the mail today?

[89redranger]

Thanks a ton David! If you wanna bust out some skins I can cut them out. I lack the talent to paint carbon, and hate those bullsh!t ricer carbon decals. If it gets carbon, they gotta look damn real, and I know you're one of few who can do it right. Yes, I'm that anal.

As foe the box of parts, I got it, and I will be getting in contact tomorrow. The ESC in the box is NOT a Sidewinder though bro (don't wanna say much more and let the cat out the bag)! I got questions to say the least...

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[winnerone23]

Oh great! You know that guy.... :banghead:

Lmao! Yeah yeah David, If he wanted paint, but why not Real CF.. I know a guy that can do That just very thing! :cool:

[89redranger]

David is a great guy. I've already got a lid coming from him for my next rig. I like you guys' sales tactics though. Bad thing is, I'm over budget on this thing as is guys. Whatever happens is gonna have to be cheap. One of you guys wanna sponsor me? Hahaha...

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[winnerone23]

I couldnt say enough good about David! We comp with eachother.
I had CF panels on my mini juice, I made.
I'm with ya, I couldn't stand the look of the stick on stuff, for panels. I have actually been pretty surprised with the durability of the CF I make panels out of. Weighs less then lexan as well.
I still have the panels on my xr SMASH, from all season!... They are ready to come off for fresh painted, Crawllife Graphix panels for this season tho.. right after the man gets done with my 1/10 & 1/18 bug bodies he has..

[bigblock123]

Been Watching as this Rig Changes Bit by Bit. Looking Sharp!


Thanks

[Crawllife]

This forum is too fun. I cut the panels with good success bud. I just need something to trace onto the lexan and you will be surprised in how they come out. All the panels I've done have been cut here. I haven't had the luxury of painting pre cut panels ;). Send em over with our next exchange and I'll hook em up. If you'd consider real carbon panels, I can pass the templates along to Troy. I'll be seeing him as soon as this damn snow melts

[89redranger]

Bigblock123- thanks a ton man!

Crawllife and Winnerone23, I'll give the panels some thought over the next few days and get back to you guys. Real carbon would look trick. A little overkill, but trick.

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[89redranger]

Alright guys, after getting this far I've really been giving electronics some thought. Waiting for taxes in a week or so. Here's what the next round of goods looks like so far...

Moes670- Full Ti link set (straight front lowers, 20* rear lowers, full set of uppers, and steering links), another used Infectious Ti Topper, a spare set of Ti links sliders, and two bags of MRC rod ends.

Mike's RC Hobbies (a bad ass LHS)- CC Micro Sidewinder, CC 10 amp BEC, Thunder Power 325 3s LiPos (x5), two spools of 20 gauge wire, a roll of servo tape, a billet Futaba pattern clamping servo horn, and the new Holmes Hobbies brushless servo (418oz.in. @ 7.4V, 0.14 transit time!!!)

HobbyKing- Mini "Deans" plugs (I believe they are a smaller Chinese copy of the original Deans)

[MRCrackhead]

If you're putting in an order to Holmes Hobbies, why not consider the Br-mini esc?

It's about the same price, and it's built for crawlers by a guy that builds some of the best crawler motors on the market.

I've had bad luck with the CC micro. Won't buy another one.

[89redranger]

Because it's a PITA. I have one sitting here for a customer now. My rig will NOT be getting one. That is an ESC tweaker's dream come true, but a PITA for real world use. Simplicity means reliability.