Scale Crawler (TJ Jeep) With Pics!!

[Greg_Hager]

Well, this is my first crawler, and I think I did a good job. Then again, who isn't proud of their first born? lol

It's built out a T-Maxx 116mm Turnbuckles for the fourlink, and T-Maxx shocks for the dampening. TLT Axels, just bare right now, nothing inside them. Wanted to mock up the chassis, so I paid the $10 for the empty caseings. Will fill them on the next payday, I'm sure you know how that goes. As for the sideplates, take a guess. First one to guess right..well..guesses right. HPI Chrome 5-Spoke wheels and DirtWorks for tires. Will have four wheel steering (HS-645MG), right now I've just got extra turnbuckles mounted inbetween the knuckles to hold them (almost) straight.

Enough talk...here's the pics.






Questions, suggestions, comments are appreciated and wanted!

[Greg_Hager]

For some reason, it won't let me edit, any ideas?

Anyway, I forgot to mention, it's going to be a 'Pede tranny, with both the axels locked. Body is a HPI Rubicon, because I want one so bad I can't stand it. lol

Suggestions on how to mount the tranny?

[RockSurfer]

wow nice job my brother had the same idea for the side plates.t he are a nitro quake shock tower I think. he got his out of a junk box at a local hs.
I want to see it done. My brother was going to use them on a clod axle crawler.

[Nitro]

Nice truck, can't wait to see it complete!!!!!!!

[hcfr34]

It looks good, but the shock do not appear to be doing anything. Maybe wanna try new mount location, or are they for looks?

[Slowpony]

Yeah, it appears with angle of the shocks that once you get the tranny, motor, battery and electornic mounted, it'll be sitting on the ground. I'd say your off to a really good start, but your going to want to fab some type of taller shock mount.

[Greg_Hager]

The suspension is pretty hard right now, I'm going to find a way to mount the shocks higher though. Still looking for suggestions on mounting the 'Pede tranny.

Electronics::

Stinger 20T Motor (Replaced with a Stock Motor later, no extra ones laying around)
Epic 3000 Stick Pack (Have about 7 because of my T4)
XRS Speed Controler
RJ142E Reciever

Thanks for the comments you guys.

[icurnvs]

I've seen his truck in person tonight... It's very nice... I'm Looking forward to seeing it finished so I can start mine...

[RXcrawler]

Where did you get the empty axles? Can you buy the empty axles and stuff to complete them for cheaper than buying the whole truck?

[BoilermakerFan]

It would be over $100 to buy all the parts new to make two axles. You would be better off buying a complete TLT-1 from Ultimate Hobbies for $99.95. Sell off the additional pieces you don't use. The TLT-1 bodies are $14 new at Tower so you could easily get $10 just for it.

Search Tower Hobbies for 47201. That's the Tamiya item number for the TLT-1.

[Magic]

first off, nice truck,
second, you will love the rubicon body. i have the same. let me know how the pede tranny fits.

[Greg_Hager]

I'm going to buy the complete TLT kit more than likely, I just opted for the empty axels so I could mock up the 4Link and figure out everything else. READ:: I'm broke right now thanks to Christmas. lol

Here's a link to the empty axels::
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...LXGHG0&P=Z

James, thanks for the comments.

As for the wheelbase, I'm not exactly for sure. I'll measure it tomorrow and post a pic.

And yes...I already love the Rubicon body, can't wait to get it painted in the black and Olive Drab I have planned. ;)

[Greg_Hager]

Must...stop...watching...crawler...videos... Check out the list::

HS-645MG (2)
Servo Y-Harness
White Stampede Wheels (Will be painted BLACK)
GD600 (With 12T Pinion)
T600 Motor
TLT1 Rockbuster Kit
TLT1 Ball Bearing Kit
Aluminum Idler Gear

By the time this comes in, I'll have the axle links relocated (away from the bottom IE this thread) and a new shock mount point...but I'm thinking the 4-link relocation might help out on the shock angle. The battery mounting position is still undecided and the electronics will be attached to the bottom of a plate that will be mounted fore and aft of the tranny (which will be inbetween the round braces in these pictures). Will relocate the shocks and 4-link tomorrow and post pics.

Keep the comments comming.[/url]

[BoilermakerFan]

Instead of paint for the Stampede wheels, use vinyl dye. It comes in an aerosol can like spray paint, but it will penetrate the plastic. If you screatch the rims, it won't show up as bad and you can touch it up easier. The vinyl dye is sold in auto parts stores to "refurbish" old vinyl seats and interiors.

Definitely use in a very well ventilated area! It has about ten times more VOC's than regular spray paint so it is very harsh if you breathe the fumes. Picked that tip up from the PC modder guys!

[Greg_Hager]

I was thinking of either the vinyl paint (like what I used to paint car interiors), the Krylon Fusion paint (it's supposed to penetrate too?), or actully RIT Dying it.

Anyone see anything I should Add/Subtract from the Shopping List before I finalize it?

[Greg_Hager]

Ok, got the links relocated, and the shocks work a LOT better. Will take pics tomorrow. Question is...anyway to stop the tires from contacting the shocks when the wheel is at full lock and the suspension is compressed? Will it hurt it THAT bad if it catches a little bit?

[BENDER]

If tire just touches spring it's not a problem. As long as it doesn't rub shock body too hard, should be fine.

Rig looks nice.

[Greg_Hager]

Thanks, I appreciate it. Hopefully I'll get my stuff in before Christmas, and I'll have it running for Christmas.

[Greg_Hager]

Got everything in yesterday, and axels are completed with ball bearings installed. Decided to try bumper paint for the wheels, they're not but a few dollars, so if I mess up to bad I'll just order another set. T-600 is attached to the GD600, and I'm going to have it running by the end of the day. It's 0544 here, and I'm about to die. lol All night kit bashing for axles makes man tired. About three hours of sleep later, I'll be back to work and posting my progress here.

Checklist to complete::

Unbolt empty axels, replace with new finished ones including HS645MGs
Paint Wheels
Mount Tires
Mount Tranny
Turn Down GD600 Shaft
Install Motor w/GD600
ESC and Reciever
Clean Up Basement Mess (lol)

[Greg_Hager]

Originally Posted by Greg_Hager

Checklist to complete::

1:: Unbolt empty axels, replace with new finished ones including HS645MGs
2:: Paint Wheels
3:: Mount Tires
4:: Mount Tranny
5:: Turn Down GD600 Shaft
6:: Install Motor w/GD600
7:: ESC and Reciever
8:: Clean Up Basement Mess (lol)

1:: Done
2:: Done (Read Below)
3:: Nope
4:: Done
5:: In Progress (Read Below)
6:: Partly Done
7:: Reciever Done
8:: Yea, Right. lol

Well, I got the wheels painted, and the tires about to be mounted, when I realized I got the wrong wheels. :( They're inset to much and hit the steering knuckle. New ones on the way.

As for the GD600 Shaft, I sent it with a buddy of mine to drill out a pinion, we'll see how it turns out. Motor is installed, as with the R142JE Reciever. I need to get an ESC, then it will be complete. Pics real soon.