The Duke 2.2: Semi-scale Clod Crawler
 

I love the competitions with the unlimited trucks but I really am a scale guy at heart so when it came time to do something for a new comp rig I decided that I couldn’t bear to toss The SuperDuke (TSD) and it’s chassis aside. Instead I decided to turn it into a 2.2 crawler. Ever since I got rid of the 2.2 wheels on my first crawler I have been dying to build another.
My goal for this project was not to build a scale trail rig, I’ll do that with my Bruiser axles, my goal was to build something that looked like a rock buggy/Bronco. I used the El Diablo chassis from The SuperDuke with shorter links and slightly modified shock mounts to get the chassis to sit lower. Shorter springs were used front and rear and that’s all the mods to the chassis. I locked out the rear steering to comply with the UTRCRC 2.2 class rules and mounted up some ProLine Masher 2000 tires on narrowed Rustler wheels.

Specs:
12.5” wheelbase El Diablo chassis
ThunderTech Racing upper link mounts
Integy MSR4 Aluminum Piggyback shocks
Losi 2” Orange coil springs rear, Losi 2.5” red coil springs front
HiTec HS5645MG steering servo
ClodMod Racing Unlimited Motor Mounts
13T pinion front / 12T pinion rear
Integy 55T Matrix motors
Novak Rooster ESC
HiTec 5645 winch with aluminum fairlead
Aluminum rollbar
Working LED lights (not pictured)
ProLine Masher 2000 tires
Traxxas Rustler wheels
Overall width: 11.5"

1) Here's an obligatory articulation shot.
2) From the rear you can see the rear steer lockout and coil sping suspension.
3) Up front is a brace mounted servo, HPI Savage front bumper and aluminum winch fairlead.

I need to make some new light mounts, paint a new body, and finish the rollcage.

This weekend was it's maiden run and it werked great I think. It really ran well, never broke, and climbed everything the big trucks did (with the help of the winch in a couple spots :wink: ).

Lemme know what cha guys think, I hope yall like it. I caint wait for the UTRCRC comps. :twisted: :lol:

That rig looks great Griz! Now you gotta finish your bruser axle rig! :)

thats nice, remindes me of the range bronco on the ultamate adventure in the petersons 4 wheel drive mag. :)

Looks good. Dang I wish I could have made it to the CO get together :( I may be getting a new car soon, a more reliable car at that, so hopefully I can make the more long distance comps.

Wow :shock:, I wasn't even done typing and you guys replied. :lol:

Badger, I think you mean I need to START my Bruiser axle rig. :lol: :flipoff:. Yea, I am trying to make time for that. I have a couple projects to finish up, a crawler for a friend of mine, some mods to my daughter's rig, and a new unlimited class rig. Hopefully soon. I have the tranny and driveshafts, I just need to build a chassis and suspension.

Mike, yea, Tom Boyd's Bronco was an inspiration for this. If I didn't have two kids and all their support equipment to haul around I would biuld my 1:1 very much like his.

Plays, sorry you couldn't make it, Bender has a great spot up there. We'll go back for sure. All I can say is yer TLT better be packin cuz this thing rocks. :lol: :wink:

Thanks guys for the replies.

It's missing one thing, diff clearance.

1 3/8", what's a TLT measure?

1 15/32... hair under 1.5" :flipoff:



Mashers on HPI narrowed rims and plenty of plastic shaved off the axle housings :lol:

How much does it weigh?



I'd like to see how it compares to a few of the ORCRC 2.2's..(5lb 7oz)

You scale guys got your work cut out for you! This is one awesome crawler, scale or not!

Dammit, advantage TLT. :lol: But really that is less than .100", I think I can shave some more plastic.......:lol:

Is that with a battery pack?
Mine is 5lb 15oz without a battery pack, 6lb 14oz w/ a 6 cell pack.
The winch servo adds about 3oz. Haulin around two motors makes for a heavy pig. :lol:

Thanks Bender, I thought it did pretty good for being so much smaller than the other rigs. I still want to tweak the suspension some too. :)

I too can shave a bit more plastic, who cares if the diff gear is exposed :lol:




Yes, fully RTR mine weighs in at 5lb 7oz, hacksters pops up at 5lb 8.5oz...I'm sure Vinny's is at the same as ours. We run BB's in our tires or stick on wheel weights on the rims.

Advantage: Bulu TLT rigs :flipoff: (The Bulu2 chassis weighs half as much as the Bulu1 chassis too.... Bulu2 rigs can be even lighter!)

Heck it's spinning the right direction to use it for traction :idea: :lol:

True dat! but I still have faith that the rocks will detrmine alot. I would really like to run it with a comperable TLT to see.
I just might make it to the NorCal get together. :wink:

I'll be taking you on shortly grizz, you can count on that one. I really want to have a scale truck shoot out. Take a PRP TLT, Bulu 2, TSC-10, and some clod Scalers, set them up identical as far as motors, tires, servos and radio gear. Then we could see once and for all who's got the king of the scale crowd.

I am all for it, I think it would be loads of fun and make for a great writeup for the board. :wink:
Who else around here is gonna run TLT's though, since you have the TSC-10 does that mean I should build a Bulu 2? I just dont know of anyone else that has one.

I could lend a TSC to someone. I have no money, and will have even less after I get a car, and all my radio gear is 2nd rate (stick Tx, $60 ESC, etc...).

I think the idea is kind of out there. It'd be hard to get a bunch of the same shocks, lathe motors (or maybe t600's?), mashers/dawgs, radios and servos. You'd need mostly new stuff, the ESC and servos could be used, but the motors and tires would definately have to be new, and thats quite a bit of an investment. And I don't have plans for a very long production run, so everyone that owns a TSC will know how awesome they are and everyone else will just have to wait for someone to sell theirs. :lol:

Well, time will tell if it happens then, but I dont think everything has to be identical. I think however some feels is the best way to build a particular rig is how it should be tested, except for tires, that should be the same. I'm game whenever someone steps up. I have too many projects to build a TLT anyway.

Maybe we have to settle for a duel between yours and mine. :)

awesome semi-scaler. Your original clod the Duke was a huge inspiration to build my TLT-axled rig. I love the coil sprung suspension, unconventional and a lot more work, but it's sick.