RCCrawler Forums

Hardrockguitar1 · 10-28-2006, 01:35 PM

Hey everyone,

I am brand new to RC and bought a RTR TLT based rig. My plan is to own one more or less done to learn it, then get into building. I wanted to post some pics of what I have for suggestions on how to improve it.
(ps- this forum is awesome! I was looking up info for my little walmart xtreme rock machine I used to mess with and ran across this site. I didnt even know RC crawlers existed! thanks for the inspiration

)

stats:
15" wheelbase
11" width
ground clearance is right at 3"
moabs on 2.2 rustler wheels
locked rustler tranny
locked TLT axles
55t lathe
hi-tec servos w/ metal gears
4 wheel steering activated by TQ3 w/toggle
chassis is modified TLT cut and bent under
wheel wideners from crawler store
dynamite ESC w/reverse (delayed)
aluminum 4 link suspension
2400 mah peak racing batteries

the truck runs real nice, but gets high centered on the skid plate pretty easily(might be my lack of skills to blame though lol)
what are your recommendations for added strength and capability?
with a 15" wheelbase, what approximate scale body should I be running? currently has an escalade truck, but I am a Jeep guy and would like to swap a CJ body on it.

some pics:

thanks for the help!

Dave

whalebone · 10-28-2006, 01:40 PM

Move the batterys to the axels low cog.Looks good other than that check my link to see my tlt

BigRedB2 · 10-28-2006, 01:47 PM

I saw your from raleigh...is that NC? if so check out this thread Attention Carolina Rock Crawlers

its our club, Carolina Rock Runners. We meet i think its every 3rd saturday, or supposed to be every third anyway. Sometimes scheduling interferes and we have to post pone. Anyway...point is, were a great bunch of guys and all of us are willing to help ya build anyway we can.

Club meet places vary, The Bullhole in Coolemee seems to be our home terrain but we get out to miller park in winston salem, Devils playground in greensboro, some of the guys know of a park near apex ( i think, i havent been to one of those meets though). Scan through that thread see what ya think.

Hardrockguitar1 · 10-28-2006, 04:36 PM

yep, raleigh,nc is where I am. If you guys make it to apex, I will definitely come out and play! I dont get alot of time for traveling though...wife, 3 kids and self employed.
I dont see a good way to mount the battery stick anywhere else without losing articulation....may have to make some custom packs and mount them on top of the servos or axles.

hotwheels000 · 10-28-2006, 05:14 PM

Shorten the wheel base....it will help you from high-centering and also bring you into spec with the national rules if that matters to you.

Have fun :-P

Hardrockguitar1 · 10-28-2006, 05:32 PM

hmm in my quest for bigger,badder,more, shortening the wheel base completely escaped me. thats a good idea! I am not concerned about rules with this particular rig, but I am sure in future builds that will be a goal. what would an acceptable wheelbase be to fit in the guidelines for a 2.2?
my u-joints at the tranny side and driveshafts are plastic, is there a metal replacement? (u-joints at diffs are metal- I assume I can use the same at the tranny end)

roadblock · 10-28-2006, 05:38 PM

2.2 is a 12.5in WB i belive

BigRedB2 · 10-28-2006, 07:33 PM

You can tell your from NC...the tread is caked with mud!

gasshead · 10-28-2006, 08:14 PM

yeah it has only been raining here in NC for 2 days

Hardrockguitar1 · 10-28-2006, 08:20 PM

heheh yeah it was a bit wet out today for the inaugural run, but I couldnt wait. I stacked a bunch of medium size rocks up I had laying around and went at it.

now I just need to break something so I can start learning lol

slobin3d · 10-28-2006, 08:23 PM

stampede sliders or maxx sized and metal output yokes, drill the pinion gear on the axles and there bomb proof

gasshead · 10-28-2006, 08:24 PM

well thats the only way to learn on a RTR right? just wish i had my tlt so mine would be finished

BlueMonster · 10-28-2006, 10:18 PM

If you are planning to run in a lot of mud, I have heard the Moabs don't do well in that. I run them, but haven't tried them out in mud/dirt yet.

It looks like your front driveline is at a clean angle, whicj would mean that the front axle has been tilted forward for a better pinion angle. You will get better steering if you run the axle straight ahead. The pede/rustler axles can handle it.

The metal ends you want are a Traxxas upgrade part. Check with your LHS, they should have them or can get them. They are $20 a pair.

roadblock is correct, 2.2 WB is 12.5", axle center to axle center.

You are right on the money for the battery setup. I made a custom front servo plate that moved the servo all the way over and made room for a 2/3A battery pack.

run2jeepn · 10-29-2006, 01:21 AM

The reason you are getting caught up on your skid isn't your wheelbase. It's all in your lower links. They need to be mounted flush with skid plate. They act as skid aswell. You have your skid just hanging there waiting to grab stuff. I took your pic and flipped it for ya. You have two choices on lower links bent or straight. Either way works good. The straight protects the shafts more. Bent links don't get hung up as much. Theres really not that much diff...The Pos and Neg on both weigh out about the same. Anyway do you links like this.

Mnster · 10-29-2006, 01:47 AM

Shortening the wheelbase would help you in the ledge like stuff. Provide better center clearance. Allow for a tighter turning radius. Much easier to find a body that fits the truck to. Only thing is I don't think your chassis would allow for that type of modification as the shorter you would go the higher the truck would ride.

run2jeepn · 10-29-2006, 02:37 AM

Might try some taller 2.2's Like Red Rocks or All-T's...Maxx Mashers are the same size as the RR and All-T's...Just another option. I didn't notice you had a 15in Wheelbase. Try doing what I said in my above post and then shorten your front links by an inch and or rears about 1/4in..that should bring you in the ball park were you need to be. also give you a better 60/40 set up.

Hardrockguitar1 · 10-29-2006, 12:56 PM

I think I will relocate the lower links to attach to the bottom of the skid plate, then move the uppers down on the chassis. have threaded rod for the links, but need to get some alum. tubing from home depot or wherever. I also may get a better designed chassis...this is just a modded bent up TLT chassis and it does not appear to give me alot to work with on setup.
another issue may be that I am driving it over 10-12 medium size 8-16" rocks I threw together in my backyard. alot of peaks and not much width to pick alternate lines. I need to get alot more rocks, and/or run it somewhere more natural.
thanks for the advice everyone!

10-28-2006, 01:35 PM	#1
Hardrockguitar1 Rock Stacker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Raleigh Posts: 65	(newb) how to improve this rig? Hey everyone, I am brand new to RC and bought a RTR TLT based rig. My plan is to own one more or less done to learn it, then get into building. I wanted to post some pics of what I have for suggestions on how to improve it. (ps- this forum is awesome! I was looking up info for my little walmart xtreme rock machine I used to mess with and ran across this site. I didnt even know RC crawlers existed! thanks for the inspiration ) stats: 15" wheelbase 11" width ground clearance is right at 3" moabs on 2.2 rustler wheels locked rustler tranny locked TLT axles 55t lathe hi-tec servos w/ metal gears 4 wheel steering activated by TQ3 w/toggle chassis is modified TLT cut and bent under wheel wideners from crawler store dynamite ESC w/reverse (delayed) aluminum 4 link suspension 2400 mah peak racing batteries the truck runs real nice, but gets high centered on the skid plate pretty easily(might be my lack of skills to blame though lol) what are your recommendations for added strength and capability? with a 15" wheelbase, what approximate scale body should I be running? currently has an escalade truck, but I am a Jeep guy and would like to swap a CJ body on it. some pics: thanks for the help! Dave

10-29-2006, 01:21 AM	#14
run2jeepn I wanna be Dave Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: USA Posts: 11,196	The reason you are getting caught up on your skid isn't your wheelbase. It's all in your lower links. They need to be mounted flush with skid plate. They act as skid aswell. You have your skid just hanging there waiting to grab stuff. I took your pic and flipped it for ya. You have two choices on lower links bent or straight. Either way works good. The straight protects the shafts more. Bent links don't get hung up as much. Theres really not that much diff...The Pos and Neg on both weigh out about the same. Anyway do you links like this. Attached Images

10-28-2006, 01:40 PM	#2
whalebone Quarry Creeper Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: THE WAING Posts: 323	Move the batterys to the axels low cog.Looks good other than that check my link to see my tlt

10-28-2006, 01:47 PM	#3
BigRedB2 Quarry Creeper Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Winston Salem Posts: 235	I saw your from raleigh...is that NC? if so check out this thread Attention Carolina Rock Crawlers its our club, Carolina Rock Runners. We meet i think its every 3rd saturday, or supposed to be every third anyway. Sometimes scheduling interferes and we have to post pone. Anyway...point is, were a great bunch of guys and all of us are willing to help ya build anyway we can. Club meet places vary, The Bullhole in Coolemee seems to be our home terrain but we get out to miller park in winston salem, Devils playground in greensboro, some of the guys know of a park near apex ( i think, i havent been to one of those meets though). Scan through that thread see what ya think.

10-28-2006, 04:36 PM	#4
Hardrockguitar1 Rock Stacker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Raleigh Posts: 65	yep, raleigh,nc is where I am. If you guys make it to apex, I will definitely come out and play! I dont get alot of time for traveling though...wife, 3 kids and self employed. I dont see a good way to mount the battery stick anywhere else without losing articulation....may have to make some custom packs and mount them on top of the servos or axles.

10-28-2006, 05:14 PM	#5
hotwheels000 I wanna be Dave Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: under a rock and a hard place Posts: 5,443	Shorten the wheel base....it will help you from high-centering and also bring you into spec with the national rules if that matters to you. Have fun :-P

10-28-2006, 05:32 PM	#6
Hardrockguitar1 Rock Stacker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Raleigh Posts: 65	hmm in my quest for bigger,badder,more, shortening the wheel base completely escaped me. thats a good idea! I am not concerned about rules with this particular rig, but I am sure in future builds that will be a goal. what would an acceptable wheelbase be to fit in the guidelines for a 2.2? my u-joints at the tranny side and driveshafts are plastic, is there a metal replacement? (u-joints at diffs are metal- I assume I can use the same at the tranny end)

10-28-2006, 05:38 PM	#7
roadblock Pebble Pounder Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SW Charlotte Posts: 137	2.2 is a 12.5in WB i belive

10-28-2006, 07:33 PM	#8
BigRedB2 Quarry Creeper Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Winston Salem Posts: 235	You can tell your from NC...the tread is caked with mud!

10-28-2006, 08:14 PM	#9
gasshead Pebble Pounder Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: High Point Posts: 188	yeah it has only been raining here in NC for 2 days

10-28-2006, 08:20 PM	#10
Hardrockguitar1 Rock Stacker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Raleigh Posts: 65	heheh yeah it was a bit wet out today for the inaugural run, but I couldnt wait. I stacked a bunch of medium size rocks up I had laying around and went at it. now I just need to break something so I can start learning lol

10-28-2006, 08:23 PM	#11
slobin3d I'm a stupid C U N T! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In the Garage! Posts: 4,307	stampede sliders or maxx sized and metal output yokes, drill the pinion gear on the axles and there bomb proof

Sponsored Links

10-28-2006, 08:24 PM	#12
gasshead Pebble Pounder Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: High Point Posts: 188	well thats the only way to learn on a RTR right? just wish i had my tlt so mine would be finished

10-28-2006, 10:18 PM	#13
BlueMonster RCC Addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,437	If you are planning to run in a lot of mud, I have heard the Moabs don't do well in that. I run them, but haven't tried them out in mud/dirt yet. It looks like your front driveline is at a clean angle, whicj would mean that the front axle has been tilted forward for a better pinion angle. You will get better steering if you run the axle straight ahead. The pede/rustler axles can handle it. The metal ends you want are a Traxxas upgrade part. Check with your LHS, they should have them or can get them. They are $20 a pair. roadblock is correct, 2.2 WB is 12.5", axle center to axle center. You are right on the money for the battery setup. I made a custom front servo plate that moved the servo all the way over and made room for a 2/3A battery pack.

10-29-2006, 01:47 AM	#15
Mnster MWRCA'er Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Machesney Park IL Posts: 3,995	Shortening the wheelbase would help you in the ledge like stuff. Provide better center clearance. Allow for a tighter turning radius. Much easier to find a body that fits the truck to. Only thing is I don't think your chassis would allow for that type of modification as the shorter you would go the higher the truck would ride.

10-29-2006, 02:37 AM	#16
run2jeepn I wanna be Dave Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: USA Posts: 11,196	Might try some taller 2.2's Like Red Rocks or All-T's...Maxx Mashers are the same size as the RR and All-T's...Just another option. I didn't notice you had a 15in Wheelbase. Try doing what I said in my above post and then shorten your front links by an inch and or rears about 1/4in..that should bring you in the ball park were you need to be. also give you a better 60/40 set up.

10-29-2006, 12:56 PM	#17
Hardrockguitar1 Rock Stacker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Raleigh Posts: 65	I think I will relocate the lower links to attach to the bottom of the skid plate, then move the uppers down on the chassis. have threaded rod for the links, but need to get some alum. tubing from home depot or wherever. I also may get a better designed chassis...this is just a modded bent up TLT chassis and it does not appear to give me alot to work with on setup. another issue may be that I am driving it over 10-12 medium size 8-16" rocks I threw together in my backyard. alot of peaks and not much width to pick alternate lines. I need to get alot more rocks, and/or run it somewhere more natural. thanks for the advice everyone!

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