CR-01 Evolution

[The CrAwLL BLACK]

Hi everyone,
Thought I would show the evolution of my CR-01 to where it is today:
So, let's see...got my brand new CR-01 for Xmas 2008...actually got it the week before and had it built and ready to play
with on Xmas day...
This is what it looked like when completed:





Since then the rig has undergone various Modification Stages. Here's a quick review:

STAGE 1:







STAGE 2:






STAGE 3:







STAGE 3A:










STAGE 3B:




STAGE 3C:









Further details:

Still running CR-01 running gear - Diffs & tranny

Shocks are 3Racing CR-01 Alloy units and have been converted to semi-droop with internal springs.

DIG is a 3Racing unit designed for Axial, modified for use on the CR-01 tranny.

I upgraded to the high strength internal axles with the locker as I wore out my original dogbone pins.
Also upgraded the wheel axles to the high strength ones at the same time.

Have upgraded to the alloy c-hubs and knuckles too as when my dogbone wore out it broke and damaged my c-hub.

Currently running Tekin FX-R speedy and Integy 55T brushed motor (Was running Novak 55T but needs a rebuild)

Wheels are now alloy and am running Rock Grabbers or Rovers depending on the day.
Running small lead sinkers for weight in the tires.

This is a very quick look at how my rig has changed over a very short time.

Let me know if you want more details on any of the mods I have done, or if you have any questions.

Cheers,
Mike.

[The CrAwLL BLACK]

Originally Posted by Jingles

Firstly, I think the evolution of the rig is very interesting and I'm sure I'll be pouring over the picture to glean a few insights into your setup.

It was a very interesting exercise also. This is my first ever RC vehicle, and I had to learn a heap when I got it and have been learning about RC Crawling ever since.

Originally Posted by Jingles

That having been said, I kind of liked the original CR01 frame and think that when those big chunks of alloy get replaced with something different (as they always seem to be on CR01s), the rig loses some of that weirdness that makes it unique. Sure, the stock unit can't keep up on a crawl, but it has it's own charms.

Just my opinion.

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. I was trying my best not to make that chassis change and it was only after STAGE 2 that I bit the bullet and went the full monty.

Originally Posted by Jingles

I would also like to thank you for being the only guy on this forum who seems to use weaker servos than mine. Everyone says crawlers need 200oz servos at minimum but I'll assume your 128oz units are holding up.

Jingles.

Sorry to disappoint Jingles, at Stage 3A I went for the Hitec 7955TG units front and rear.

[LOSIASSOCIATED]

Very nice CR-01 you did what I did.The Pics of mine is the Heavly Modified CR-01 in the same section.I had the 3Racing Drive Shafts and they suck the broke or stripped now I use TMaxx shafts but nice Build.
Greg

[860Crawler]

Nice progression!

[The CrAwLL BLACK]

Originally Posted by Jingles

Aww....... crap!

Can I ask if they did well up untill they were replaced and with the original chassis or were you always hungry for more?

Jingles.

Hey Jingles,

As soon as I started putting weights in the wheels and running serious courses I needed to upgrade. With the stock CR-01 setup the smaller servo's worked fine.

Cheers,
Mike.

[The CrAwLL BLACK]

Originally Posted by LOSIASSOCIATED

Very nice CR-01 you did what I did.The Pics of mine is the Heavly Modified CR-01 in the same section.I had the 3Racing Drive Shafts and they suck the broke or stripped now I use TMaxx shafts but nice Build.
Greg

I drilled the 3Racing drive shafts and put screw pins through, this way the little grub screws could never strip and slip.

Cheers,
Mike.

[vipxj]

Kool cr build you got there.Ive followed your evolution on the "pit".

[The CrAwLL BLACK]

Originally Posted by 860Crawler

Nice progression!

Thanks.

It was a very big learning exercise for me being my first rig, and also my first foray into RC, let alone crawling.

Totally enjoying it though.

Cheers,
Mike.

[The CrAwLL BLACK]

Originally Posted by vipxj

Kool cr build you got there.Ive followed your evolution on the "pit".

Cheers mate.

Are you crawling back in NZ? Where do you go?

Cheers,
Mike.

[vipxj]

We do a bit locally, i got 3 mates and we get together quite often.
If you know NZ at all , theres mount manganui,mclarens falls,and my backyard,like mclarens it has scale tracks ,and plenty of rocks to crawl on.

Where into both scale and comp!!! NZ has only had 3 comps ,so its more scale,but good fun all the same.

I got a 2.2 clod crawler,of course a CR01,a rockforse(yeah i no ,horrible things),and a clod bodied,xtrailed chassised, with hilift running gear,bitza.
The cr and the bitza are my favarites.
I coppied a few of the things youve done with yours,like the flat plate chassis,but alloy,the triangleulated lower links,but kept the coil springs.

So are you a kiwi? just with the silver flag you have on your crawler.

Originally Posted by The CrAwLL BLAC

Cheers mate.

Are you crawling back in NZ? Where do you go?

Cheers,
Mike.

[The CrAwLL BLACK]

Originally Posted by vipxj

We do a bit locally, i got 3 mates and we get together quite often.
If you know NZ at all , theres mount manganui,mclarens falls,and my backyard,like mclarens it has scale tracks ,and plenty of rocks to crawl on.

Where into both scale and comp!!! NZ has only had 3 comps ,so its more scale,but good fun all the same.

I got a 2.2 clod crawler,of course a CR01,a rockforse(yeah i no ,horrible things),and a clod bodied,xtrailed chassised, with hilift running gear,bitza.
The cr and the bitza are my favarites.
I coppied a few of the things youve done with yours,like the flat plate chassis,but alloy,the triangleulated lower links,but kept the coil springs.

So are you a kiwi? just with the silver flag you have on your crawler.

Sounds pretty good, you should post up some pics of your rig.
The DIG was a great addition for comping...

3 Comps ever? Or just this year?

Born and bred Kiwi mate. Born on the West Coast of the South Island, move to Chch for about 9 years, then AKL for about 10. Been in Sydney for 2.5 yrs now.
The crawling scene is steadily growing here. I have only been doing it since Jan this year but the comps are getting more and more people at them.
The last comp at Lithgow (out near Bathurst) has some great rock.

Cheers,
Mike.

[vipxj]

Hows it, yeah 3 comps in total,its very slow to take off!!! oh well.
I love the scale side of things just as much,building and modifying rigs.
Woldnt mind a dig in the cr one day.
Should take some pics,im a bit slack taking pics,to busy crawling and building,lol.

I been into this sport about 2.5 years,and loving it.

So you are a southener then,ah. So you got plenty of places around sydney to crawl?

Thanks Nick.

[The CrAwLL BLACK]

Originally Posted by vipxj

So you are a southener then,ah. So you got plenty of places around sydney to crawl?

Thanks Nick.

I like to think of myself as a Mainlander :-P

There are heaps of awesome places around Sydney to crawl. Plenty of good places along the coast at some of the beaches. Plenty inland a bit.

Pretty much rock everywhere.

[vipxj]

You guys over the ditch are lucky with all the places you have where to crawl,tauranga is the crawl capital of nz.

So what other crawlers ? or any other rc you got?

My son also has a cr01,and my bast mates got one as well,as you can tell we luv them,they handle so natural,i just like the coilsprings ,that makes them different.


nick.

[The CrAwLL BLACK]

Lucky there is so much rock - totally agree.
Unlucky there are so many Aussies

This is my first ever RC vehicle. I really enjoy the rock crawling so will stick with it as I love the technical aspect of both building/modding and driving.

I have a few more ideas up my sleeve for the CR-01, and also for some new rigs...I wont go in to any details until they have been proven in the field...

Cheers,
Mike.

[vipxj]

Hi, woulnt think u could do much more to the cr,looks pretty capable as it is..

[FuriousCal]

Full blown crawler now, huh?

[HDMM]

Nice evolution on the CR-01, but honestly, when I wanted a full blown crawler I got a AX-10 kit and started with that as a bease model. The CR-01 is what it is, a fun RC vehicle that is semi-scale, semi-crawler. You're final stage of it's transformation looks more like a AX-10 build now.

Good work though!

[The CrAwLL BLACK]

Originally Posted by FuriousCal

Full blown crawler now, huh?

Yep, I compete in the top class in Australia (Trail Class). Up against Bergs and modded Axials etc.

Took the overall win just last weekend at our Southern State round. Got ragged on for not attempting the bonus line, but knew I wouldnt do it...the Bergs struggled - I think only 1 drove it.

Cheers,
Mike.

[The CrAwLL BLACK]

Originally Posted by HDMM

Nice evolution on the CR-01, but honestly, when I wanted a full blown crawler I got a AX-10 kit and started with that as a bease model. The CR-01 is what it is, a fun RC vehicle that is semi-scale, semi-crawler. You're final stage of it's transformation looks more like a AX-10 build now.

Good work though!

Hi,

I had no idea that RC Rock Crawling existed when I bought the rig. My mate got one first and I had a go and thought that's a bit of me. Got one and then found out about crawling and went from there.

I'm actually glad I did it this way as I have had to learn so much about how everything works to mod my rig to where it is now. This will only help me in future builds and mods.

Cheers,
Mike.