Clod "Super Jr."
 

As of March, 2011:

It currently weighs in at 7lbs, 14oz., with A123 battery

It's wheelbase sits at 16.325"-- (initally it was 15.25, thus the "Jr." )

I had the Fast Lane Machine SPV chassis staring me in the face and just had to use it. I built this for fun & to get the MOA experience.

I made the links out of 3/8 aluminum rod. Drilled & tapped as well as tapered to 1/4 on a metal lathe.

The steering is independent F & R -- custom Front servo mount, Thunder Tech rear servo mount. BTA F&R - nothing fancy but works.

Axles: Clodbuster OEM center sections, 55T Integy motors, 8T pinions, Integy aluminum tubes, JP Knuckles, TTR CV shafts, aluminum gears in the rear, aluminum spools F&R.
Electronics: homemade 3C A123/LiFe packs (9.9V) & 1300Mah 3S Lipo (11.1V), Sidewinder, Punk Dig, Traxxas 27Mhz TQ4, Castle 10A BEC powering both of the Futaba 9157 steering servos.

7" IMEX Rubicons on 3.2 / 12MM Maximizer beadlock rims.



photos of it's progression:

first time running, with 2.2 Chisels. The Plastic gear servo lasted about 5 minutes, before the teeth stripped out.
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_0923.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...111091952a.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_0908.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_0915.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_0911.jpg


upgraded the tubes, tires/rims, gears, lockers & knuckles & added PunkDig
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_1164.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_1168.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_1167.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_1166.jpg

With the larger tires, I kept breaking the dogbones... :evil:
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_1154.jpg



I scored a used set of TTR shafts & JP knuckles, along with a 4 channel radio & another servo mount-- got all that mounted up...

Nice build. What are your thoughts on the Rubicons?

Thanks.

I can't compare them to much-- as I have only run Chisels on my 2.2 & this rig before. They seem work well. I especially like the profile-- I'm not a fan of the wide tire look. They are pretty tall & fairly soft-- not as soft as the Chisels. I have foams in them-- they were really hard-- I star cut them. The still have good side-hill ability (they don't fold over)
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_0593.jpg
That made a big difference. Some memory foam might soften the tires a bit more.

just an idea. but what if you took some softer foam and cut chunks to fit them between the "arms" of the star?

Looking better and better.

I like your servo mounts."thumbsup"

Hmmm-- that might work well. I think I'll try a full memory foam insert first, when I get a chance to play with the foams. For now they are working OK and flex better than not.

I did vent the rims (drilled two 1/8" holes in the inside surface).

I know they'd be way too soft/floppy without any foam.


Thanks Duncan-- it came out as well as I had hoped. :)

I am running the rubicons with custom memory foam inserts from a foam pillow. Here is the link.
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showt...hlight=walmart
So far it works great and I am happy with their performance. "thumbsup"
Steve

That's where I got the idea :-P-- thanks for posting it! "thumbsup"

recent pics -- rear steer, JB Knuckles, TTR shafts


I'm looking to stretch the rear links to make it a 'regulation' Super & bend all the lowers for clearance. It'll be about an inch, making the wheelbase 16.5".

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_1464.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_1453.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_1473.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_1456.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_1459.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_1460.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_1315.jpg

I'm looking to stretch the rear links to make it a 'regulation' Super & bend all the lowers for clearance. It'll be about an inch, making the wheelbase 16.5".

Nice job on the BTA steering "thumbsup".

Glad to see the parts being put to good use.

thanks to you, man! "thumbsup"

No problem :mrgreen:. Let us know how you like them.
If I can ever get my mill up and running again I will make new gears and get the transmission fixed so I can use mine more.
Steve

Putting the Super to work... ;)
 

I got tired of pushing him & figured there was a better way...

sorry for the crappy cellphone video:roll:



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I think tying a brick or two the roof will help alot in the grass.

I was amazed that the motors & ESC barely get warm. The batterys last 15-20 minutes.

Pete, That is the coolest"thumbsup"

How did your kid like the ride?

I think my kids are a little too big for me to try that, But they sure would like it.

Thanks Duncan.

He loved it-- he sqeals a little in the on-road clip. The resolution is too low to see the smile on his face, too.

I can't wait 'till he's old enough to drive a power wheels-- that's gonna be a whole 'nother build!:mrgreen:

This was great, good dad! "thumbsup"

Fact is, that is why i'm getting back into the hobby again, my son (3.5 yo), got into my stash of RC models. Now, all he talks about is "dad can we play with your trucks!" Problem is, everything I own are all nitro, high powered beasts. So i thought its time to build a crawler, so he can man the controls, and I was about to a year ago or so.

Anyways like the rig, and the vids were great.

Nick

Thanks Nick-


The crawler is great for kids that age, that want to R/C. They are slow and durable-- heck, sometimes I have a hard time breaking it!:lmao:

Did some work on it this weekend-- attempted to get the wheelbase to a full 16"-- it now sits at about 15 7/8" :roll:

Got around to weighing it-- ready-to-run-- with battery, it comes in at 7lbs, 14oz.

Trimmed the 'horns' off the front of the chassis--

Fabbed up new lower front links (bent them to get them out of the way of the steering- at flex). Finally got some more permanent lower shock mounts in, all around. I still have to trim the second mounting hole off of them.
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_1730.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_1731.jpg

The old lower front links were moved to the rear, after shaping them a little (inspired by some of the other Super builds)-- This bent configuration definitely helps in climbing ledges! The little side tabs keep the links from getting pinned under the chassis... a little cheezy, but it works!
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_1728.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_1736.jpg


as it sits-- added 80 WT oil all around and now the front droops a little-- center ground clearance is now at 4"
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_1732.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...C/IMG_1726.jpg

I Like the new links "thumbsup".

Your making it a more competitive crawler every day:shock:.

Thanks-


blame it on this new section-- tons of info & ideas from yous-guys! "thumbsup"