Do I need this or not??
 

I'm thinking seriously about building my own set of clod axles from parts so I can build a super class crawler.
Anyway, my question is after looking at the tamiya parts breakdown for the clod axles there is a ton of stuff that goes into making a set of clod axles.
Do I need to "not" buy some parts during the initial build because I'll only need to modify them or get something metal to replace something plastic or what???
Do I need to buy upgraded metal gears or will the stock plastic ones work okay?
Do I need to buy aluminum axle housings or hubs or will the plastic stock ones do??
I hate to ask a really stupid question, but since this may cost a small fortune I sure need the input from somebody who's worked with clods before so I don't buy a bunch of pieces I might not even need to begin with.
Mr. Moderator== If I've put this in the wrong forum please forgive me.
Thanks DC

Depending on how hard you wheel it, I would upgrade to alum. knuckles and axle tubes right from the get go.

Cvd's, knuckles, bearings, and a solid diff gear are worthy upgrades. Most of the other stuff I have found doesn't do much.

Metal gears are a good investment if you plan to run brushless. If not I wouldn't worry that much about it. Think of how many sets of plastic gears you could have for $100. But, on the other hand that gear set does come with the diff lock gear which you will need. The set is very smooth and well machined.

I was thinking of doing exactly the same thing, building clod axles from scratch. I was thinking of purchasing the clod axles from RCP that come unassembled just to learn what makes them work, and gain future knowledge of how to fix what gets broke.

Are there any manufactures that sell that type of kit (unassembled) for clod axles that includes the proven upgrades for a comp crawler? I would think that would be a worth while kit for the novice and the competitor. Any suppliers out there that want to put a kit like that together?

I just went through this exact same thing. I decided to part and build the axles I wanted. I used a few stock parts (gear housings and gears) and purchased the rest from vendors here (mostly JP Customs). Here is what I ended up with:
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u...1/P1000232.jpg

Those axles are sick!:shock:
How about a parts list? We could put together our own kit!"thumbsup"

Well, I have not finished building them yet (still open diffs and some of the bearings havent arrived yet), but I can create a list (by this evening) of what they will have when complete.

Very cool!

Doing any BTA steering?

Did you start with unassembled stock clod axles?

I agree with Mnster. The aluminum tubes look cool but the stock ones are fine. Actually, aluminum is kinda like a rock magnet. The plastic slides better on the rock and doesn't hang up as much. The main thing to get is the metal differential gear or the kits that bolt on to the stock plastic ring gear so the brass hexes fit into metal and not plastic. I think CPE and M&L Art make them.

I'd say the aluminum diff locker, knuckles, and CVD's, from JPCustoms are all good upgrades. The other aluminum things like gears, tubes, and cases are dependent on how hard you are on it.

Yeah, the front axle will have BTA, the rear will be regular.
I started with the clod manual, ordered the parts I needed from tower, then ordered the upgraded parts from the vendors here.

Well ain't you da man!!!!
Thats what I'm talking about.
I might even sell my 2.2 tuber if the clod build went okay.
I've downloaded the data and parts PDF's from tamiya and I also am in the
process of making a parts list.
So ya'll are saying there is a certain "locked" diff that I can buy complete??
This might be do-able after all.
Thanks
DC

OK, the parts I used are as follows:

From Tower:
- Gear Cases
- Gear Sets
- Metal Parts Bag 58065 (for spacers, bearings posts and other parts)
- Integy clear gearbox covers
- Gear Countershafts 58065/89
- 8/12mm bearings

From JP's:
- Small C aluminum axle tubes
- small aluminum knuckles
- short cvd's
- aluminum hexs

From TCS (soon):
- RCguy Adjustable motor mounts
- Delrin spool

I think that is everything so far.

If this is going to be a Super. I would recommend the thundertech Racing CVD's over the Shorter ones.

The first things to break or bend are the Axle Tubes and Knuckles. But this last time out I broke a TTR CVD and Stripped the Plastic gears with a Brushed motor.

Yeah, I guess I should specify that I am building a smaller tire'd crawler...

Thanks for the list. Is it possible for you to give a rough estimate of how much you have spent on building your own clod axles?
Thanks
DC

Awww man.....I try not to look at that stuff! If my wife came in and saw me figuring that info, I dont think I would be able to finish the build!!:lol:

Thats cool, don't wanta get you in trouble;-)
I'll look them up myself later.
I'll post the grand total here when i'm finished checking it out.
Thanks
DC


From Tower:
- Gear Cases----$8.99
- Gear Sets----$7.99 Integy
- Metal Parts Bag 58065 (for spacers, bearings posts and other parts)---$6.49
- Integy clear gearbox covers------$2.89
- Gear Countershafts 58065/89------$2.29
- 8/12mm bearings--didn't know how many?????sorry

From JP's:
- Small C aluminum axle tubes-----$28.88 per axle / requires 2
- small aluminum knuckles-----$28.99 per axle / requires 2
- short cvd's-----$38.99 per axle / requires 2
- aluminum hexs-----$7.99 per axle / requires 2

From TCS (soon):
- RCguy Adjustable motor mounts-----$26.99 per pair / requires 2
- Delrin spool---$43.99-/requires 2--this may be wrong check for yourself.


Thanks DC

Damn, not sure I wanted to know that.

BTW, you will need a total of 4 of those bearings.

I know what you mean.
I might just build mine stock for a while without the aluminum axle tubes and knuckles and see how it goes.
DC