n00b "builds" a Marlin Crawler Edition Trail Finder 2

[Col_Sanders]

I see the usual people griping about it being a let down, but it looks like a pretty significant step up from the standard TF2 to me.

I ended up ordering one last night. I'll put in some good electronics, Punisher driveshafts, and some scale goodies and run it for my class 1. I planned on running a Venture for this, but HPI keeps screwing around and I'm tired of waiting.

[pardonmyn00b]

Originally Posted by Col_Sanders

I see the usual people griping about it being a let down, but it looks like a pretty significant step up from the standard TF2 to me.

I ended up ordering one last night. I'll put in some good electronics, Punisher driveshafts, and some scale goodies and run it for my class 1. I planned on running a Venture for this, but HPI keeps screwing around and I'm tired of waiting.

Good on you! It's a great vehicle, honestly. Aside from electronics I'm running it as is for C1. Just needs some lights and a few accessories and it's maxed out. I feel the same about the HPI. I'm over it and I'm very much a fan of FJ Cruisers. I still don't want it.

[WHITE-TRASH]

Originally Posted by Natedog

BTA is sweet, used to be done by some of the Toyota guys back several years ago and IIRC somebody sold a kit. Great way to get your steering out of the rocks, love the new Marlin TF2 version! HPI Venture has it too.

4x4labs


That is sick that they made a decent replica of Marlin's truck but it needs 2 more transfer cases to be correct.

[1tonblazer]

Well dang you Mr Noob, I read this thread and ended up ordering one.... first ever RTR I've ever ordered from RC4WD....

[pardonmyn00b]

Originally Posted by 1tonblazer

Well dang you Mr Noob, I read this thread and ended up ordering one.... first ever RTR I've ever ordered from RC4WD....

Success! I think you will really enjoy it.

Originally Posted by WHITE-TRASH

4x4labs





That is sick that they made a decent replica of Marlin's truck but it needs 2 more transfer cases to be correct.

Ah yes the famous 12,976,276:1 gear ratio


I added some beef. Joke! They're made from brass. I'd have to keep the truck refrigerated if they were actually made from beef. Now that we have that cleared up, they have enhanced the truck's cwalerbility.

[2-shot]

[QUOTE=pardonmyn00b;5758361]

Second trail run. I removed the springs from the shocks and took out the small helper. Major improvement. Feels like the springs softened up a bit by the end of the bash session. I also threw in a bench seat (not included) so Creepy Uncle Albert could drive. I don't like shooting video of trucks without drivers.

Did you put any oil in the shocks after you removed the internal springs?






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[skybolt]

Hey n00b, talk to me about the beef patties: can I assume they are the 1.55 version? I just landed a Marlin also and wanted some weight down low but didnt want to add any track width. Did you use the oem hub adapters? Thanks!

[pardonmyn00b]

Originally Posted by skybolt

Hey n00b, talk to me about the beef patties: can I assume they are the 1.55 version? I just landed a Marlin also and wanted some weight down low but didnt want to add any track width. Did you use the oem hub adapters? Thanks!

[QUOTE=2-shot;5769069]
They are the 1.55 patties for RC4WD wheels. The beef patties themselves are the hub adapters. There is a 12mm hex machines into them. Only thing I had to do was tap the holes in the patties for the M2.5 hardware the RC4WD wheels had. If you can't do that you could get some long M2 bolts and use nuts similar to how RC4WD's stamped steel wheels are.

Originally Posted by pardonmyn00b

Second trail run. I removed the springs from the shocks and took out the small helper. Major improvement. Feels like the springs softened up a bit by the end of the bash session. I also threw in a bench seat (not included) so Creepy Uncle Albert could drive. I don't like shooting video of trucks without drivers.

Did you put any oil in the shocks after you removed the internal springs?






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I did not. Just left whatever residual oil in the shock from before.

[generalee7]

Did you have to modify your front bumper mount at all? In comparison to the body, it looks like my bumper sits higher up on the body than yours. Also if you could give me some pointers on how to lower the truck to that height would be great! I already pulled the smallest leaf all around but it still needs to be lower

[pardonmyn00b]

Originally Posted by generalee7

Did you have to modify your front bumper mount at all? In comparison to the body, it looks like my bumper sits higher up on the body than yours. Also if you could give me some pointers on how to lower the truck to that height would be great! I already pulled the smallest leaf all around but it still needs to be lower

I removed some material from the bumper mount stud (I guess that's what we can call it). So that I could tuck the bumper into the body one more hole. Odd about the height of the bumper I didn't change anything on that. Regarding lower suspension, my springs are bent from jumping the truck.

I will have some updates on this soon. Building a rear bumper and other stuff.

[natskiboy]

Rich, are you using a Warn MINI winch?

[pardonmyn00b]

Originally Posted by natskiboy

Rich, are you using a Warn MINI winch?

No, it was the regular size one. But now it's the 8274.




I mounted an RC4WD 8274 winch on the stock bumper with a little modifications. I wanted to be able to run the bumper tucked all the way in with the big winch but it wasn't clearing so I did a little cutting and brazing.


And in case you didn't notice, I painted the bumpers an ugly green color. I wanted to help make it stand out. I think I succeeded. I also threw on a snorkel because scale points.


Also took the opportunity to build a new rear bumper while I had the brazing stuff out. Simple and effective.

[natskiboy]

Is it for sale yet?


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[1SLWMoFo]

Weird green!!! But somehow it works really nice. No more a regular run of the mill marlin tf2...
I'm diggin that rear bumper. Was it custom built?
On the front bumper, I noticed you cut out the vertical part of the winch plate where a fairlead would mount. Did you actually removed the whole plate and soldered it back on or was there some other modifications involved? I'm actually looking into that same winch for my MCTF2.

[pardonmyn00b]

Originally Posted by 1SLWMoFo

Weird green!!! But somehow it works really nice. No more a regular run of the mill marlin tf2...
I'm diggin that rear bumper. Was it custom built?
On the front bumper, I noticed you cut out the vertical part of the winch plate where a fairlead would mount. Did you actually removed the whole plate and soldered it back on or was there some other modifications involved? I'm actually looking into that same winch for my MCTF2.

Rear bumper was custom made. I used the RC4WD bumper mounts for TF2 and brazed my own steel to them.

The only mod to the front bumper was removing the horizontal bar above the winch plate and reattaching it on the outside. On my bumper (at least) the winch wouldn't line up with the mounting holes. You could probably get away with just drilling new holes in the winch plate. The 1/10 WARN fits without mods.

[Digital]

That's awesome! I like the look.

[pardonmyn00b]

New tires! RC4WD 1.7 Wrangler MT/Rs

[rm25x]

Looks good with the green. Dare to be different.

[sgtlt]

really like that rear bumper, have you thought about making some to sell ?

[Natedog]

Green somehow works with the red truck, nice new RC4WD 1.7 Wranglers, sweet rear bumper you made too very similar to my 1:1 bumper that I built! Anymore off-raod pics or are you buried under snow?