** Crawler Innovations ** 8 x 8 Crawler Hauler * continuing build thread; pic heavy

[Nova's Ark]

Szczerba Built

First and foremost, the idea, the design, & hard work put into this 32 pound behemoth belong to Mr. Shane Szczerba. His original build thread started in November of 2013. Crawler Innovations stepped into the build once Shane had lost interest. With Shane's work, along with several other RCC Vendors, this was basically completed in September 2014 and CI took possession.

Szczerba's Original 8x8 Build thread link is below. His build thread is well worth the read. For the most part, this truck is one of kind & all hand made.
Szczerba's Tow Rig


Both the 8x8 & Top Shelf are now together in East Texas:

[Nova's Ark]

More picture fun

[Nova's Ark]

Currently the 8x8 utilizes a flat bed which was skinned beautifully by Freqeskinz:



JC Auto Design 3D printed grille:






Exterior body work, paint design, and paint work by JWalker Designs.
The interior redesign was also by JWalker Designs.



Running Light LED's courtesy of Roland Rock Shop:



Szczerba Built tire holders, rack & accessories:

[Nova's Ark]

More pics:

[Nova's Ark]

Electronics consist of:

Hitec 7950 front servo
Hitec 7954 rear servo
Castle Creation MMP One Cell ESC
Castle Creation PRO BEC
3S lipo 4100mah
Futaba RX
Holmes Hobbies Sensored Brushless Outrunner Motor




Holmes Hobbies Sensored Brushless Outrunner Motor
This motor is simply amazing. It pushes this big 32 pound 8x8 crawler hauler like a 4 pound comp rig. Holmes Hobbies is simply amazing

[Nova's Ark]

Mike's Hobby Shop in Carrollton, Texas is being forced to move due to the widening of the freeway in front his store. Mike had asked for support from customers and businesses on his last day of racing. CI showed up to demo some of our rigs on the rock course and talk with customers. The 8x8 was a huge interest to hobbyist of all ages. It drew out a lot of questions.

[MORE]

Hmm, it looks awesome but it needs something...

[braceysdad]

In, thanks for the chance...

[Nova's Ark]

Originally Posted by MORE

Hmm, it looks awesome but it needs something...

Agreed
I will be in touch when my pocket book has recovered some from these many current projects

Originally Posted by braceysdad

In, thanks for the chance...

Good one

[Nova's Ark]

This is the first official video displaying the Crawler Innovations 8x8 Crawler Hauler. Also featured in this video is the C.I. FTOY (Formula Toyota inspired the 1:1 Marlin Crawler FTOY). Both of these vehicles were Szczerba Built. There is a full build thread for each vehicle on RCCrawler - News, Reviews, Videos and much more! and links are below:

8x8 Build thread:
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/multi...pic-heavy.html

FTOY build thread:
Szczerba's F-Toy #744

Crawler Innovations Foams, Tire, Parts & Accessories:
Crawler Tires, Crawler Foams, Parts and Accessories by Crawler Innovations

The 8x8 is using RC4WD Mil Spec 2.2 Tires with Axial Trail Ready Bead Locks and Crawler Innovation Deuce's Wild 2.2 Standard Foams.

The FTOY is using RC4WD 1.55 Bead Locks, Pitbull Tire 1.55 Growlers, and Crawler Innovations Lil' Nova 1.55 Closed Cell Foam Pair with Soft outers in front and Medium outer in rear.

[Nova's Ark]

Just because it can run on flat ground, doesn't mean it's off road ready, especially when you weigh 32 pounds like this beast. LOL

These are some of the mods and changes I have done to the 8x8 after I received it to make it off road ready.

Front LEDs attached to cab:


Previous wiring:


Cleaned up:







..Uploaded from the lab @ the C.I. Compound...

[Nova's Ark]

Titanium steering linkage for rear most axle;




How do you keep your steering link erect? Add some rubber O Rings to hold it up.
LOL





..Uploaded from the lab @ the C.I. Compound...

[Nova's Ark]

32 pounds is heavy for any 1:10 RC vehicle. This truck needed some help to get chassis off bottom of the springs for some suspension travel. Szczerba made some simple spring hangers and I added Losi Mini T Front springs to the rear spring packs:


Mini t on left; stock on right


Steering linkage installed and mini t springs in




..Uploaded from the lab @ the C.I. Compound...

[Nova's Ark]

The 8x8 is back in the JWalker shop for more interior and detail work. Here's a pic Jesse sent me:





..Uploaded from the lab @ the C.I. Compound...

[Raceaholic]

Nice Job. I saw the beast at ECSC in August. Its a beast. And really cool.

[Nova's Ark]

CI's 8x8 Crawler Hauler has been at the JWalker Designs custom shop receiving some updates and details. First up was attaching the roof:

[jwalker]

Finally got a chance to work on Eddies tow rig. Got all the stuff built for the rear interior area, now I just have to paint them and make lexan windows.

[Nova's Ark]

This video is a compilation of video footage from many different RC cars Crawler Innovations has built and used to test and develop CI products. This video has the Sczcerba built 8x8 crawler hauler, "Top Shelf", CI "mega truck", 3 Pro 2.2 MOA trucks, 1 Sportsmans truck, "Big Blue", and 1:6 Willis Jeep. All vehicles have Crawler Innovations foams in one flavor or another.

Crawler Tires, Crawler Foams, Parts and Accessories by Crawler Innovations

[Nova's Ark]

This rig is back in the CI shop after several months at JWalker Designs. Jesse did an outstanding job and I will be posting detailed pics of his work later so it can be properly displayed. In the mean time, I have been attending to new electronic's and small details on this rig.

First up, install the correct size and mounting holed 3D printed grille.


First grille:


Correct grille with Aluminum wire mesh:


The first grille was printed incorrectly and a replacement was sent right away, but with a project of this size, weight, and uniqueness, it doesn't get shipped and it generally stays with whichever shop is working on it for a few months at a time. So obviously it can take extended periods of time to address items and issues.


..Uploaded from the lab @ the C.I. Compound...

[Nova's Ark]

Next issue to address was the motor. The first motor installed never performed correctly or consistently. When you have a 36 pound, hand made RC vehicle, you need full control over it. Tekin makes the best RC motors on the planet and there ROC 412 motors continue to surprise me in all of the crazy and unique situations I put them in. This situation is a perfect example. This 8x8 weighs 36 pounds currently & I enjoy driving my toys. I NEEDED a quiet motor, so that I could install a diesel sound generator. I also needed a motor that would start up smoothly in both directions and be reliable.


Tekin
ROC 412
1800KV
Using a Castle Creation 1 cell MMP esc,
3S lipo
Geared 64 spur 7 pinion

The Tekin runs so smooth and has so much more torque I went up from a 6 tooth to a 7 tooth pinion. I think the motor and temps would handle an 8tooth, but I don't need the speed in a 36 pound land barge.

And yes, it's so quiet, you can hear the diesel sound generator. I wished it sounded deeper, but it's fun and something different.




..Uploaded from the lab @ the C.I. Compound...