I have started a crawler

[skyjacker_rc_club]

1'' longer in the rear is good

[toyofast]

My rig is at about 14.25"... I'd like to gain another 1/2" at most.

I started out at 13.75" it felt good but rolled over backwards a bit too much. Now with 14.25" it feels way more stable on steep climbs and larger drops.

I would start at 15"... make it easy to adjust the WB when you feel like it. The more you play with the WB once you have it cralwing the better. If you look at the Aussie's trucks most of them are very near the 15" range, few are a bit more but I really think 15" is a good place to start.

[skyjacker_rc_club]

it wrilly depends on were you crawl. you might want to make a few differnet sizes so you can tune your crawler from place to place.

[skipstr71]

Theres a good idea. As long as I make it easy to change! I will have multiple opptions on angles, but changing the length means different links. Great stuff guys. Thanks for all your imput.

[toyofast]

Originally Posted by skipstr71

... but changing the length means different links.

No, not really. Just make more mounting options on the chassis and on axles to vary the WB.

[RcRock-Guru]

Ya I have different mounting points on my chassis for the rear links. It works great and makes it really easy to adjust the wheelbase.

[skipstr71]

Ok I finaly got the tranny, and I will get it it tomorrow. So the spur gear facing back right? Yea I know dumb question. Should be able to get the link mounts done this weekend to.

[toyofast]

Originally Posted by skipstr71

So the spur gear facing back right? Yea I know dumb question.

Ohh... that depends. Are you going to run a reduction unit? Forward or reverse rotation motors? So many options for us crawlers!

[skipstr71]

Oh great... Yes I wanna run a gear redution, but I have NO idea about motors. But after looking at it, I will be able to turn it around later if need be. Where can I read up on the motors and electronics.?

[skipstr71]

And can I just run one motor?

[toyofast]

Originally Posted by skipstr71

Oh great... Yes I wanna run a gear redution, but I have NO idea about motors. But after looking at it, I will be able to turn it around later if need be. Where can I read up on the motors and electronics.?

Are you dropping in a Maxx tranny? Or is it a Jugg/TXT tranny?

Either way you shouldn't have any problems turning the tranny around to face the correct direction. My motor is in the rear due to having normal(forward) rotation motor and a gear reduction unit that flips the rotation to reverse direction...it's almost hard to explain but once you get your hands on the goods it'll hit ya like a sack of bricks. 8O

Originally Posted by skipstr71

And can I just run one motor?

Yes. I'm only running one motor with the gear reduction.

[skipstr71]

cool, thanks. yea i have the emaxx tranny. it will be mounted tomorrow. I guess i'll order one of those gear redution boxes. Thanks for the imput

[skipstr71]

I got the tranny mounted today. I also got the link mounts done. I need my ballends and some electronics and shes ready to go.. Oh and I need a name too.

http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mck...el%3as,1%3af,0

[SlinkySam]

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn.... Looking great Skipstr. I am very impressed with the realistic design so far. The adjustablility in the links is a VERY smart way to go. Do you basic have dimensions on your chassis? (just height width length). Just curious what the size is.

On another note, where are you at in the Bay Area? I am over here in Santa Clara myself and wouldn't mind checking it out some time. I am building a clod now and have a TLT on the way, so I wouldn't mind seeing how yours is up close.

-Sam

[skipstr71]

Thanks Slinkysam! As far as the dementions go.. its hard to tell. But the shape of the cage was built inside of the HPI bronco body. So that might give you of an idea of the size. The scale looks as big or bigger than my savage. I'm gonna put the wheel base at 15.5". and go from there.

I live in Fremont. 10-15 minutes from you. Shure sometime give me a pm about meeting up. Do you know anything about electronics? I'm a nitro guy, so I have no clue about electrics.

[skipstr71]

And does this e-maxx tranny have a selectable 2 speed?

[SlinkySam]

Unfortunately I am not the man when it comes to R/Cs. The last time I had one running was in Jr. High which was my BullHead (a.k.a. Clod Buster). However, I am trying to get a mad rush course in it all to get one up and running again so I can compete. I am only stepping up from LEGO crawling, so I am a little behind in the "Tech" department.

Way off topic, but here are some fun pics of my Lego Crawlers in competition:
Blue Lobster - Swing arm with forced articulation


Rubber Bando - Portal axle rubber band suspension (2003 series points leader)


Pneumatic suspension in forced articulation routing


If anyone else is competing with Lego crawlers, let me know. We will be starting up the series again shortly.

(Sorry, went waaaaaaaaay off topic on that)
-Sam

[skipstr71]

Dam you deffinitaly have a brain. Thats some interesting stuff. I never heard of lego crawling. They look like they work good, the RC crawler world is a whole different story. I'm finding that out right now.

http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mck...seye/my_photos

[RcRock-Guru]

Ya the e-maxx tranny has a selectable 2 speed, but you'd need a 3 channel controller for it and you'd have to make a servo mount and put a servo in it for shifting. Probably your best bet would be to lock it in first gear and leave it in that. I think when the shifting rod on the tranny is all the way in it's in first but not positive.

[skipstr71]

I have plans to get a four channel radio, so I can control the front an rear steering independently. if i do i will have an extra channel for swicking gears. how does that sound?