Dezfan’s GEN8RL return to crawling

[dezfan]

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.



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!



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!

[dezfan]

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.





Stock link.


Club 5 Stainless


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.

[dezfan]

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!





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.

[DukeMinnix]

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

[dezfan]

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

New Savox servo installed.

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



And my Lipos showed up.



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

[dezfan]

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.👍🏼



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

[Bob_in az]

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

[themountain]

Originally Posted by Bob_in az

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

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

[dezfan]

Originally Posted by Bob_in az

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

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”.

Originally Posted by themountain

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

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

[dezfan]

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.



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.





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.





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.




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

More to come.👍🏼

[DukeMinnix]

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.

[soze]

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.

[dezfan]

Originally Posted by DukeMinnix

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.

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.

Originally Posted by soze

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.

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.

[raydaddy]

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

[mgputer]

Looks good so far. Wheels match nicely.

Sent from my Vivo XI+ using Tapatalk

[dezfan]

Originally Posted by raydaddy

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

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.,

Originally Posted by mgputer

Looks good so far. Wheels match nicely.

Sent from my Vivo XI+ using Tapatalk

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.

[dezfan]

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.



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. 👍🏼

[themountain]

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

[dezfan]

Originally Posted by themountain

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

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

[Teng]

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