Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

It was a big orange crawler (Nylint Jeep) that got me into crawling back in 2005. So it’s only fitting that another big orange crawler would bring me back.

I moved to the mountains of N. Arizona and there are lots of rocks around here that have been tempting me. So when I started to look at a new crawler, image my surprise when the RedCat GEN8 had just been released.

I watched s ton of videos, joined a bunch of FB crawler pages, and started frequenting RCC again. All of this lead to the conclusion that the GEN8 was for real.

Me having always been a fan of the underdog, I decided the GEN8 was just what I needed to get back on the rocks!

So I made a trip down to my LHS and the next day, a got a call stating my RedCat was ready to be picked up.

http://a65.tinypic.com/kdr3ty.jpg

Now back in the day, one of my rigs was called “The Grunt”, another was called “The Corporal” so when it came time to name this rig, it was obvious what I would call it and “The GEN8RL was born!

http://a66.tinypic.com/2aerq6g.jpg

I’m having to start from scratch here as I had sold all of my crawler gear years ago, so this will be a slow build as I waiting on lots of parts, tools, accessories, etc... to show up. Plus I have a lot of catching up to do as crawling has really advanced in the time I’ve been away.

PARTS LIST

RedCat Gen 8
Savox SA-1230SG Servo
Hobbywing 1080 ESC
Holmes Hobbies 21T Torque Master 550 motor
Rc/Tx Undecided(recommendations welcome)
Ovonic 3s 2200 Lipo
IMAX B6 Lipo Charger

DeadLoc UnderDrive Transfer Case
OttSix 1.9 KLR Tires (Gold)
Austar 1.9 Tires (Hyrax Clones)
Crawler Innovations Lil Nova Comp Cut Fosms
EBay Chinese Bead Slick Wheels
Club 5 Heavy Duty Stainless Links

I’m sure there will be lots of other mods, upgrades, and parts to follow. Just need to get this thing running ASAP as the local Crawlers are having a GTG in a few weeks!

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

First thing I did after getting the G8 was tear it down. I had read that RedCat had skipped lubing some people’s portals, I checked to be sure all of my portals, diffs, granny, and transfer case gears where lubed. Mine where thankfully and I added a little grease to the areas I felt needed a bit more than the factory had applied.

I also replaced the factory links with some Club 5 HD Stainless links I found on EBay. The factory links just seems kind of flimsy, although I can’t say I’ve heard of anyone having an issue with the factory links. Plus The HD links added a bit of additional weight down low in addition to their added strength.

http://a66.tinypic.com/2qi0fgx.jpg

http://a65.tinypic.com/14dj61k.jpg

Stock link.
http://a67.tinypic.com/2s97j3t.jpg

Club 5 Stainless
http://a65.tinypic.com/v30h2u.jpg

Had to go a little filing on the 6mm rod ends to get them to not rob on the mounts, but for $20.00, they aren’t bad.

I might replace the lowers with brass at some point as I see hey are even heavier than these. We’ll see.

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

One of the issues I noticed on the Gen 8 was the tumor on the skid plate. It just looked like a hang up point just waiting to catch a rock.

So I started looking for a solution. I thought I was going to just shave off the tumor and raise the transfer case. Then I found the Bowhouse tapered skid that eliminates the tumor. Though for sure that was going to be the solution I went with until...

I happened upon a video from Deadloc RC.

They offer a smooth skid that was not only snag free, but was recessed about 4mm into the bottom of the chassis.

Even better, it comes with a replacement transfer case that gives you the option to underdrive the rear axle!

It also retains the ability to power the rear axle 1:1 for trail riding with ease!

Needless to say, it’s now mounted in the GEN8RL!

http://a66.tinypic.com/jqpyjo.jpg

http://a65.tinypic.com/2cy2l52.jpg

Can’t wait to get this thing
running(come on slow boat from China) to see the difference this makes on the trail and in the rocks!

It should also help with turning as the rear won’t be pushing the front.

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

I’ll be anxious to hear reports on that deadloc tcase. I like the OD/UD capability.

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

Still waiting on parts, but made a little progress today.

New Savox servo installed.

My Trailmaster 550 21T motor showed up from Holmes Hobbies.

http://a65.tinypic.com/k486ms.jpg

And my Lipos showed up.

http://a63.tinypic.com/2l95ria.jpg

Hopefully more parts will arrive soon. I’m itching to drive!

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

Still waiting on the wheels for my Hyrax tires to arrive, but I picked up a set of G-Made bead locks to mount my Austar (Hydrax clines) tires mounted. Added about 4 ozs of lead weight to them as.

Also replaced the foams in my stock wheels and weighted them as well.

Steady progress.👍🏼

http://a64.tinypic.com/33jl93k.jpg

Austar Hyrax clones on left, Hyrax (Predator compound) on right.

http://a64.tinypic.com/axem9y.jpg

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

What's the compound like on those Chirax's? They're very tempting, but if they're hard as rocks, I'll pass.

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

https://youtu.be/UyomOcobWWI they are pretty soft "thumbsup"

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

From the test I’ve seen the Austar’s, their performance is really good. They wear quicker without a doubt, but for $20.00 shipped for all 4 tires and decent foams, I figured I would give them a shot.

You can tell they are Chinese clones as the side wall print scream Chingenglish. “Super Swamper Rocks Tyre”.

Exo’s video was one of the videos I watched that inspired me to buy a set of the Austars. ����

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

Well the GEN8RL is all back together.

Completely tore it down and checked to see that the diffs, portals, axles, tranny, and transfer case where lubed. Mine where lubed, but I added a dab more grease to the portals and diffs for additional insurance, also replaced 98% of the hardware with stainless. Not needed, just my personal preference.

Trimmed the mounts on the front bumper to allow it slide in as close to the body as possible and increasing the approach angle.

http://a65.tinypic.com/2yns5cg.jpg

Also flushed the rear bumper with the rear of the body to increase the departure angle to its max while still rocking the Scout body.

http://a64.tinypic.com/2v9ajnr.jpg

http://a68.tinypic.com/i2lxlu.jpg

Raised the stock slider 6-7 mm to match the height of the bottom on the chassis and trimmed the sides and rear of the body a bit to accommodate the raised sliders and tucked bumpers.

http://a68.tinypic.com/25zjek0.jpg

http://a64.tinypic.com/ege6i9.jpg

Also got the Austar Chirax tires mounted up on the G-Made beadlocks. They look very 70s (ish) and I’m digging them on the Scout.


http://a64.tinypic.com/2duq6e.jpg

Anyways! Having a ball playing with this thing and I haven’t even driven it yet.

More to come.👍🏼

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

I'm not sure if you're this kind of guy or not, but thingiverse has an entire slew of free downloadable 3d print files for these things from wipers and door handles to grills and tailgate applique. Looking good. keep it up.

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

That transfercase + skid looks pretty interesting. Would like to hear more about it after you run it. I use the Crawler Central links for my HPI Venture. Definitely nice links.

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

I’ve read that Red Cat and others had printable options for the G8. I’m lucky to be able to post pics on the intrawebs, 3D printing at this point is beyond my abilities. 🤣

Thanks for the compliment. So far I’m very impressed with the GEN8. 👍🏼

Maybe I’ll look into it and see if you can have them printed for a fee.

Yes, the skid and underdrive transfer case where the first major upgrade I made. I hope it performs as well as I hope. I’ll be sure to post my findings.

I’m happy with the links so far.

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

My gen 8 stock out of the box has been great . No problems so far . Time will tell how well it holds up.

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

Looks good so far. Wheels match nicely.

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Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

I’ve watched every Gen 8 video I could find on YT and FB. The G8’s stock crawling ability is what convinced me to get one over say the SXC10 II.

That and I love an underdog or undercat in this case.

Plus I have as much fun tinkering with these things as I do driving, so I figured I’d make some changes first.

I plan on adding a second G8 or a G8 P.A.C.K to the mix soon. And I can compare stock to modded.,


Thank you. I really like them. My other Chi-locks showed up today, waiting on foams to arrive. Hope to have more pics up soon.

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

My Chi-Locks finally showed up, had to mount the spare tire to one of the new wheels just see what it looks like. I’m digging these wheels too.

http://a65.tinypic.com/2m2xoye.jpg

I have a bad feeling I’m going to have a large selection of bead lock wheels soon...I think I’m addicted.🤣

My Hyrax are sitting on the bench just waiting on my Lil Nova foams to arrive and I’ll get these all mounted up and on the GEN8RL. 👍🏼

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

They look great ! Have exactly the same in red and black on backorder for my car...cant wait that they arrive!

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

Thanks, I think they look great as well. 👍🏼

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

Nice write up( beautiful Redcat ) and good to the Austar know off tires"thumbsup"

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

Thanks! The Austar tires are known to wear rather quickly, but $20.00 for 4 tires!

I figured I’d give them to try.

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

Don’t you hate it when things don’t go as planned?

I bouht the Gen 8 because I loved the Scout II body. I think Red Cat did themselves a great favor by choosing to license the Scout instead of going with an unlicensed knock off that kinda sorta resembles a Scout.

The only thing I wish Red Cat would do is leave the windows clear and offer more color option.

So I decided to clear the windows, did some research and found people where having success removing the paint from the windows with Citri Strip.

It’s fairly cheap, it doesn’t put off toxic odors, and worked great at clearing the windows on the Scout. It worked so well, I decided I would use it to remove the orange from the Scout so I could use something that would make the GEN8RL stand out.

That’s when things didn’t go as planned.

Not sure what happened, but as you can see, the Citri Strip damaged the body.

The transition between the fender and the hood cracked? No issues on the flat surfaces, but it damaged the seam?

http://a68.tinypic.com/2dwdgfl.jpg

http://a64.tinypic.com/2mwumhu.jpg

Well I was pretty upset, as I said I really liked the Scout body.

So I just walked away from my work bench for a day or two.

I stewed about for a while, then I was like, well being mad won’t fix it.

So what am I going to do now?

I decided to go another direction. As much as I love the Scout body, it’s BIG! The fact that all of the inner and outer fenders, the bumpers, electronics trays, sliders, etc... where made for the Scout, I decided to remove them.

The Scout and all its accompanying accessories adds quit a bit of weight. Weight that I decided to remove in expectation of increasing the GEN8RL’s ability on the rocks.

So I starting removing stuff. When I was finished, the GEN8RL was nearly 2 POUNDS lighter!��

http://a68.tinypic.com/2qlabm1.jpg

http://a67.tinypic.com/295p9mq.jpg

1 pound 13.2 ozs to be exact!

Losing that much weight should help the GEN8RL on the rocks.

Now to find a replacement body, something cool, old, light, and fits my personality. You know old, rounded, gruff.

I thought about the Pro Line 66 Chevy

http://a67.tinypic.com/2ebc1oy.jpg

I’m a Chevy guy, it’s about my age, and it was almost exactly what I wanted, but then I clicked on the Pro Line 46 Dodge Power Wagon!

http://a68.tinypic.com/dpbkea.jpg

I was in love!

That was it. I placed my order and awaited delivery.

More to come...

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

Great story. I have been debating on that body myself. I'm not a Chevy guy but if I was I would be all over it.

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Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

I love that power wagon body, there is one in my future as well

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

Maybe the 66 Ford F-100? Another good looking option.

http://a65.tinypic.com/rjidcn.jpg


Pro Line has some killer bodies available at the moment.

This is another option I think I might try. The Associated Trophy Ray body.

Love the lines of this one as well.

http://a63.tinypic.com/2d7as7t.jpg

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

The Ford body looks the tits , man!! :O

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

I had thought about putting that associated body on a rig. Would be a challenge to get to sit very low like the picture but I still think it would be cool.

I like that short course body but it's a hair wide. The description says 9.5 but that's at the cab. At the flair it's around 11.5. I checked one out at the hobby store.

They do have the Ford cabs but none have that separate box like the other models for some reason. Maybe some day.

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Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

Well the body arrived and it’s as cool as I hoped it would be.

I hated cutting so much of if away, but I wanted to go light and small, do the Lexan slinging began in earnest.

I’m very happy with the the way the cab turned out, but the bed, I’m not sure I like it?

http://a65.tinypic.com/sm3xmw.jpg



To get the body as low as I wanted? I had to cut out the recessed portion of the bed which exposes the Gen8’s shock towers.

While perfectly functional and fairly beefy, they’re not the most attractive design in the world.

I installed a 3D printed fuel cell just to help fill the area in the bed, I may add a scale radiator & fan set up in the bed as well.

Thinking of throwing a spare in the bed to disguise the shock towers a bit as well, what do you guys think?

http://a67.tinypic.com/33adijp.jpg

http://a63.tinypic.com/2wdrldu.jpg

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

I like it. Not sure if you are going that route but a roll bar would look good on it I think.

I have an old Parma 34 Ford I was thinking of doing something similar but I can't get myself to cut it apart lol.

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Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

Actually, the bed is just temporary as I intend to “back half” the GEN8RL and turn it into a truggy.

I got one pic to load, but it seems BIGGER. Tiny Pic has never acted up on me before, not sure what’s going on?

I hope they get it squared away ASAP. 👍🏼

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

Can't wait to see how that comes out. Are you going to be doing some brazing or going to use something like the proline cage?

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Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

I going to be doing some UPSing.

Vaguely using this as a template. But with much artistic license.

http://a64.tinypic.com/2njlh0j.jpg

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

That will look good and be light and low. Very nice.

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Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

So anyways, while waiting for my new Power Wagon body to show up, I needed to figure out where to mount all the electronics.

Got that squared away.

http://a65.tinypic.com/mt5lj.jpg

Also received my foams from Crawler Innovations.

Eddie rocks, sent me some free samples, some score sheets and he sent me a bunch of decals! A man can never have to many decals! :mrgreen:

http://a66.tinypic.com/2m7j6fm.jpg

Got the foams installed in my Hyraxs and mounted them on my new wheels. I think they pretty “fly” as the kids say.

http://a65.tinypic.com/165ee9.jpg��

Also changer up the steering set up to minimize the bump steer.

I rotated the servo do that the servo arm would be closer to the side of Gen 8 that the link attaches to.

Switched out the stock rod end for SSD bent ends and attached the ends to the knuckle instead of the drag link.

I then went old school by using some Revo rod ends, some 4mm threaded rod, and some tubing and made my own replacement lower drag link to replace the stock unit.

Decided to use brass as brass seems to be all the rage on these new fangled rock crawlers.

http://a66.tinypic.com/p3if8.jpg

And just after getting my electronics squared away, this shows up. Completely brain farted the fact that I had ordered it.

http://a67.tinypic.com/33az0vd.jpg

No problem as it’s actually smaller then the Red Cat HW1040 it’s replacing.

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

Finally got the GEN8RL all painted up. Also installed a new bumper.

Got to get the magnets attached all it’s ready for our next GTG.

http://a66.tinypic.com/6rh3t5.jpg

http://a68.tinypic.com/npjnkj.jpg

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

Looks great. I like the bumper. I have the same thing on my trx4 defender.

Gotta love the power wagon.

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Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

Thanks, I think it turned out pretty good considering I handed painted a body in over 7 years. 😮

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

My Gen8 had the 66 C10. The body is thin at the back of the cab. Mine cracked and split. Shoegoo and window screen to the rescue. The C10 is a great looking body but it tends to get hung up with all the square corners on it.

Now on my Gen8. the power wagon body but the bed was flipped around and mounted. No fenders.

The power wagon on my 10.2. I inserted a small piece of battery foam where the cab and bed meet to eliminate the flex between them.

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

Looking good, how did you do the citri strip on the windows only. Mask off around them and let it sit a bit and wipe paint off?

Re: Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling
 

.

The 66 Chevy was on my short list for sure. I may still pick one up and do a class 1 build with it.

Thanks for the tip about using the foam strip between the cab and bed.👍🏼

I masked around the windows and made sure the seal the edges of the masking tape to the best of my ability.

Applied the Citri-Strip to a paper towel and started applying in small circular motion being sure to be gently near the edges of the tape and using a fresh towel with freshly applied Citri-Strip often.

It worked really well on the windows, I was really bummed when I noticed the cracks in the transition between the fender and the hood.