RCCrawler Forums - Building a Maxx crawler

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- - Building a Maxx crawler (http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/traxxas-crawlers/12386-building-maxx-crawler.html)

Building a Maxx crawler

As you all know, a Maxx in stock form is not very capable.To turn a Maxx into a capable crawler, you will need to do a few things to it.There is no need to go out and do a complete rebuild just to make it go.

first you can only use 4 shocks( 1 per corner) and stiffen the springs up( due to suspension sag)

Then lock the diffs with either spools(highly suggested),JB weld( not the quick stuff ) or moose doo http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showt...=locking+diffs
TIP* DO NOT only lock one diff at a time. It will raise havock with your driveline and break axles.

next is to upgrade your steering servo. The stock Traxxas 2055 servo is only 80oz torque and is not up to the task of crawling. Alot of people run Hitec 645mg's with good results.Anything that's 130oz torque and more should work.

Then to save some weight,convert your EVX over to one battery http://www.rccrawler.com/evx.htm

Be sure to also gear down your truck. go with a bigger spur gear(72 tooth) and a smaller pinion( 9 tooth )- make sure both are 32 pitch gears

But with those little things done, you will be able to go more places than you thought.

Now if your ready to fab stuff up and spend more money and make a real crawler,then next section is for you ;-)

Lock your Emaxx tranny into first gear
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/traxxas-crawlers/13031-tech-how-lock-emaxx-trans-into-1st-gear.html

Locking your Tmaxx tranny
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showp...5&postcount=22

Locking out your factory a-arms or build custom axles
(factory a-arm lockouts)- http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showt...highlight=lock
(custom axles)- http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showt...+straight+axle
(custom axles) - http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showt...ighlight=axles
(custom axles)- http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showt...highlight=lock
(custom axles) - http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/general-crawlers/4147-new-project-begins.html
(custom axles) - http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/traxxas-crawlers/59567-complete-start-finish-maxx-build.html

2.2 Builds
TwistedCreations' 2.2 buildup

On The Farm's 2.2 w/ PVC axles

SlowToyota's 2.2 comp crawler

Building a Custom chassis
Tube chassis - http://www.rccrawler.com/tuber.htm
Get more ideas here - http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showt...custom+chassis
and here - http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/general-crawlers/5556-members-rides-no-talking.html

Building your suspension links
http://www.rccrawler.com/customlink.htm
http://www.rccrawler.com/links2.htm

Rod ends
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showt...ighlight=bible

Other things needed for a build
CVD's - http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXDXN7&P=ML

Revo driveshafts - http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXHFY3&P=ML

Installing Revo shafts - http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/general-crawlers/5371-ive-seen-lots-posts-asking-about-revo-shafts.html

Revo knuckle and shafts swap...
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/traxxas-crawlers/17482-cheap-must-have-steering-upgrade-check.html

Rear steering - http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showt...ght=rear+steer

To do the rear steer- you can either get a Y harness with a reverser or get ahold of Kevin at http://www.thecrawlerstore.com/ and get your TQ3 radio modded for independant steering

Installing EPA pots on your TQ3 radio
FritoBandito shows how to install them to help with End Point Adjustments
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/electronics/9765-my-modded-tq3-update-added-epa-pots.html

GD600 ( if needed ) - http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXSL79&P=ML
With running a GD600, you will need to have a motor set to 0* timing and switch the + and - wires or get a reversed motor like Magnetic Mayham motor. Also with buying a Gd600, you will need to have the shaft turned down to 1/8"

Lathe motor - http://integy.automated-shops.com/cg...55105189936.2e ( 0* timing)
http://integy.automated-shops.com/cg...55105189936.2e (adjustable timing)

To find out your final gear ratio - http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showt...ght=gear+ratio

Top 2 tire choices
(Moabs) http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXJGS0&P=ML
(LST's)

Tire listing
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/tires-wheels/3992-%2A%2Aultimate-tire-size-listing%2A%2A.html

RCCRAWLER tips, cheap tricks / parts guide
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showt...highlight=revo

So this is just a few things to get you started at building a Maxx crawler.There are so many things to do, this list would go on forever.

I will continue to add helpful tips and tricks to build a Maxx Crawler. If anyone feels something should be added, please feel free to post it up here.All non tech will be deleted

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwistedCreations

first you can only use 4 shocks( 1 per corner) and stiffen the springs up( due to suspension sag)

Whats the best method for doing this? Should I use preload spacers, or different springs? If springs are the way to go, what color/weight do I need?

it dosent really matter
my self i use preload spacers
it also depends on your weight

Whats the purpose of locking out the factory A-Arms? Sorry noobi question but Im trying to figure out which platform I wanna start with, and I like the E-Max. If you lock out the A-Arms then do you still use shocks?

Thanks Everyone

the steering links i have seen some that are straight and some that are bent for clearence would like to know how to make the bent ones thanks

Depending on the amount of bend you need use a brake line bender, or you can use your leg to bend over.

another way to lock out your axles is to make a link to go from the lower a-arm where the shock mounts to the upper hinge pin, this requires you trim some material from the bulkhead and possibly the upper a-arm unless you shape the link to go around it.

here is an example
http://img73.imageshack.us/my.php?im...wler006lp9.jpg

mounted
http://img73.imageshack.us/my.php?im...wler005or9.jpg
in this pic you can also see on the front axle how i did my driveshafts. I put the long female shaft twards the differential and a shortned female shaft twards the hub carrier with a male piece glued to one side in between. it is very strong and i did it with peices that of broken parts i had laying around

what is the standad length for the 2.2 suspension links
:?:

what is the cheapest way to turn a emaxx into a crawler i have a stock emaxx laying in my room

glad to see this still around for I've forgotten about it

I've been hoping that this very tread was still around for i got two Emaxx' that are to become crawler's soon and I'm very thankfull for all the info and great tip's & etc' that ive found in this and other link's that have been posted into this very tread'... Thank's brotha' for all the advice and great tip's and help,...ol'Scoot'er.

Hi i know this is randum but i dont know much about traxxax, but i bought the VXL3s water proof esc and motor system, traxxax doesnt recommend it submergining it in water, thats the whole reason i bought it. you see people n u tube doing it and it fine, is it really water proof?? anything i need toi know about it?

im putting it on a scx10 dingo.

Re: Building a Maxx crawler

hi guys just on a whim i bought some 17 mm whele nuts for a cheep chinese 1/8 scale rc from nitrorcx and thay fit my old
e-max perfect and for $14 + shipping it was a great find and ther mad torque wheels work perfict with thim. here are the part numbers you will need.

Item# 63P-BS936-003

Item# 63P-BS936-002

you will have to order 4 of each pice but its a perfict plug and play change.

Re: Building a Maxx crawler

great thread. keep up the good work. i would love to see some videos of one crawling posted up. thanks

Re: Building a Maxx crawler