RCCrawler Forums

WolverineX · 09-22-2009, 08:37 AM

Just my brand new RC4WD Bully...

At the moment it has two Novak 55T motors with stock Bully pinions, and an ACE 1015DS high torque servo fitted.
The axles have been stripped, greased and rebuilt and threadlocked.
I was a bit dissapointed at first, there didn't seem much articulation, I asked around and was told the shock shafts were dull and will cause a little friction. I stripped them down and used T-Cut (abrasive polishing paste) to polish the shafts making them smoother. A friend on the UK forum also reckons red or black Tamiya o-rings would not cling to the shafts as easily as the softer RC4WD items.
It was an improvement but still felt like it was binding. I stripped the links and adjusted them so each rod end was parallel to the surface it was mounting on (know what I mean?). Now it's much better 5 1/2" under the wheel and about 45 degrees of axle articulation! A couple of the ball ends seem to be damaged - the balls do not rotate freely without force - but they may bed in over time.

Culetto · 09-22-2009, 12:38 PM

Looks like you covered the bases. I would be very gentle with that servo, i ran the same one on one of my first crawlers and it isnt even good as a winch now

. Its just not up to the torque requirements of the heavy bully's. Good luck with the axles, they are the best of the best, no question!

Rocksmith Eng. · 09-22-2009, 02:10 PM

If you have rod ends binding up
It probably has to much length on the setscrew sticking into the rod end

RCROCIN' · 09-22-2009, 07:07 PM

Looks like a good start! Mine started out the same however i ended up going with the hellstorm chassis from JPCustoms after a while. I felt the same way you did at first but mine actually articulate pretty smooth now. I found that the shocks work really well with just enough oil in them to lube the shaft and no more.

WolverineX · 09-23-2009, 08:34 AM

Thanks for the replies. I used those servos in my Clod axled Super with no problems, maybe I just got lucky with my two?

carbonuts · 09-23-2009, 08:56 AM

I would try to inboard both top and bottom links on the chassis. Especially the bottom ones.

I will try to get a pic of my setup posted this afternoon.

WolverineX · 09-23-2009, 10:00 AM

That'd be cool thanks.

carbonuts · 09-23-2009, 01:58 PM

*Warning*
My camera is one of the ones they used on the Mayflower.

I threw in one of the tray I made for the electronics.

WolverineX · 10-18-2009, 02:27 PM

Here's where I'm up to so far with my first comp crawler...

I have lay the shocks down a bit more, and added 40w shock oil all round.

12Amp microswitches from Maplins (electrical suppliers in the UK)

The nice Reedy #631 RX Battery 2100mAh 7.4V LiPo to go with my nice charger/balancer. (No idea how many cells it is - new to this LiPo lark!) Just need to fit a deans connector.

...and here's this weekends homework...

WolverineX · 10-24-2009, 01:20 AM

As I always do, I rushed the paint job and didn't use the proper masking materials! I didn't get any of the shading around the chrome right. Stuff it....it'll have to do. It looks OK from a distance!

So in goes the 40w shock oil and what a difference it makes!

These are not pose shots - I drove over and around my rock pile trying new lines and it just went for it. Then again, it's different terrain and a
different atmosphere at a comp, so I'll practice a bit more and then see how she handles next time.
LiPo fitted with deans and charged.

Skullbasher · 10-24-2009, 03:35 AM

Body looks good from here. How's that lipo holdin up? any overheating or anything?

Culetto · 10-24-2009, 05:33 AM

Well the paint looks good in the pictures, so thats enough for us. Looks like that chassis turned out better than i thought it would.

WolverineX · 10-24-2009, 11:15 AM

Thanks guys. Only used the LiPo once in anger, but seemed fine. Going to do more testing tomorrow!

carbonuts · 10-24-2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Culetto

Looks like that chassis turned out better than i thought it would.

Why you gotta be hating on my chassis. LOL

Still need to inboard the lower links, and you will like the chassis even more.

Jeepial · 10-26-2009, 12:01 AM

Awesome looking build..I am really liking the body..Looks killer..Great job..

WolverineX · 10-31-2009, 11:29 AM

Thanks, its growing on me now!

WolverineX · 11-04-2009, 02:40 PM

Sorry RC4WD but I don't rate the Heavy Duty body posts!
After a couple of rollovers on a particularly steep incline one had shattered completely, one had cracked and the metal insert split in two! The other two seem OK. I used the metal insert from the shattered one to replace the split insert so at least I have three useable posts now. They do seem to be very brittle!

WolverineX · 11-04-2009, 02:59 PM

Maybe it's cos the Bully's so damn heavy!

WolverineX · 12-23-2009, 01:43 AM

Ended up using Axial body posts, they seem a bit more flexible. I ordered one of Xirtic's Bully steering plates, got it last Saturday morning - quicker than the uk's postal service!

Fitted it, and managed to knock up a smaller steering rod, but may change the steering rods at some point - not happy with the one from the servo going below the knuckle! I need to fit a longer steering arm.
Before fitment of Xirtic's kit...

...after fitting the kit...

prusik333 · 12-23-2009, 04:03 AM

Bully's looking good, just a heads up on the kit
the 4 bolts that hold the skid to the chassis....come to find out they are only 6mm long (little guy), probably why i couldn't find it in the sand, when it came out

I lost one maybe after the first battery then second battery other came out and the skid hanging down

I checked the hole and its deep, so i replaced all 4 with 12mm

hate to see your chassis fall off during a comp

09-22-2009, 08:37 AM	#1
WolverineX Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 404	UK Bully build. Just my brand new RC4WD Bully... At the moment it has two Novak 55T motors with stock Bully pinions, and an ACE 1015DS high torque servo fitted. The axles have been stripped, greased and rebuilt and threadlocked. I was a bit dissapointed at first, there didn't seem much articulation, I asked around and was told the shock shafts were dull and will cause a little friction. I stripped them down and used T-Cut (abrasive polishing paste) to polish the shafts making them smoother. A friend on the UK forum also reckons red or black Tamiya o-rings would not cling to the shafts as easily as the softer RC4WD items. It was an improvement but still felt like it was binding. I stripped the links and adjusted them so each rod end was parallel to the surface it was mounting on (know what I mean?). Now it's much better 5 1/2" under the wheel and about 45 degrees of axle articulation! A couple of the ball ends seem to be damaged - the balls do not rotate freely without force - but they may bed in over time. Last edited by WolverineX; 09-23-2009 at 10:01 AM.

09-22-2009, 12:38 PM	#2
Culetto RCC Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sin City Posts: 1,332	Looks like you covered the bases. I would be very gentle with that servo, i ran the same one on one of my first crawlers and it isnt even good as a winch now. Its just not up to the torque requirements of the heavy bully's. Good luck with the axles, they are the best of the best, no question!

09-22-2009, 02:10 PM	#3
Rocksmith Eng. Rock Crawler Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ventura, Ca Posts: 528	If you have rod ends binding up It probably has to much length on the setscrew sticking into the rod end

09-22-2009, 07:07 PM	#4
RCROCIN' Quarry Creeper Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Lansdale Posts: 375	Looks like a good start! Mine started out the same however i ended up going with the hellstorm chassis from JPCustoms after a while. I felt the same way you did at first but mine actually articulate pretty smooth now. I found that the shocks work really well with just enough oil in them to lube the shaft and no more.

09-23-2009, 08:34 AM	#5
WolverineX Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 404	Thanks for the replies. I used those servos in my Clod axled Super with no problems, maybe I just got lucky with my two?

09-23-2009, 08:56 AM	#6
carbonuts Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: I didn't build that course. Posts: 479	I would try to inboard both top and bottom links on the chassis. Especially the bottom ones. I will try to get a pic of my setup posted this afternoon.

09-23-2009, 10:00 AM	#7
WolverineX Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 404	That'd be cool thanks.

09-23-2009, 01:58 PM	#8
carbonuts Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: I didn't build that course. Posts: 479	Warning My camera is one of the ones they used on the Mayflower. I threw in one of the tray I made for the electronics.

10-18-2009, 02:27 PM	#9
WolverineX Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 404	Here's where I'm up to so far with my first comp crawler... I have lay the shocks down a bit more, and added 40w shock oil all round. 12Amp microswitches from Maplins (electrical suppliers in the UK) The nice Reedy #631 RX Battery 2100mAh 7.4V LiPo to go with my nice charger/balancer. (No idea how many cells it is - new to this LiPo lark!) Just need to fit a deans connector. ...and here's this weekends homework...

10-24-2009, 01:20 AM	#10
WolverineX Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 404	As I always do, I rushed the paint job and didn't use the proper masking materials! I didn't get any of the shading around the chrome right. Stuff it....it'll have to do. It looks OK from a distance! So in goes the 40w shock oil and what a difference it makes! These are not pose shots - I drove over and around my rock pile trying new lines and it just went for it. Then again, it's different terrain and a different atmosphere at a comp, so I'll practice a bit more and then see how she handles next time. LiPo fitted with deans and charged.

10-24-2009, 03:35 AM	#11
Skullbasher Pebble Pounder Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Carlsbad, SoCal Posts: 118	Body looks good from here. How's that lipo holdin up? any overheating or anything?

10-24-2009, 05:33 AM	#12
Culetto RCC Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sin City Posts: 1,332	Well the paint looks good in the pictures, so thats enough for us. Looks like that chassis turned out better than i thought it would.

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10-24-2009, 11:15 AM	#13
WolverineX Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 404	Thanks guys. Only used the LiPo once in anger, but seemed fine. Going to do more testing tomorrow!

10-26-2009, 12:01 AM	#15
Jeepial I wanna be Dave Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: behind the wheel of a monster truck... Posts: 2,878	Awesome looking build..I am really liking the body..Looks killer..Great job..

10-31-2009, 11:29 AM	#16
WolverineX Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 404	Thanks, its growing on me now!

11-04-2009, 02:40 PM	#17
WolverineX Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 404	Sorry RC4WD but I don't rate the Heavy Duty body posts! After a couple of rollovers on a particularly steep incline one had shattered completely, one had cracked and the metal insert split in two! The other two seem OK. I used the metal insert from the shattered one to replace the split insert so at least I have three useable posts now. They do seem to be very brittle!

11-04-2009, 02:59 PM	#18
WolverineX Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 404	Maybe it's cos the Bully's so damn heavy!

12-23-2009, 01:43 AM	#19
WolverineX Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 404	Ended up using Axial body posts, they seem a bit more flexible. I ordered one of Xirtic's Bully steering plates, got it last Saturday morning - quicker than the uk's postal service! Fitted it, and managed to knock up a smaller steering rod, but may change the steering rods at some point - not happy with the one from the servo going below the knuckle! I need to fit a longer steering arm. Before fitment of Xirtic's kit... ...after fitting the kit...

12-23-2009, 04:03 AM	#20
prusik333 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Nevada Posts: 1,267	Bully's looking good, just a heads up on the kit the 4 bolts that hold the skid to the chassis....come to find out they are only 6mm long (little guy), probably why i couldn't find it in the sand, when it came out I lost one maybe after the first battery then second battery other came out and the skid hanging down I checked the hole and its deep, so i replaced all 4 with 12mm hate to see your chassis fall off during a comp

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