Ya I'm not to happy with the angles on the steering arm but have to see how it does in the real world of rocks. In the kitchen it seems to work fairly well, I do need some adjustment though as I have more steering to the right than the left. The 8/32 allthread is pretty strong though so I think it will work. Its a start anyhow on getting those links out of the way. I will see how it does on the rocks tomorrow but I plan on an OTA setup soon. I like the BTL from rmdw but I see alot of clearance issues- like i dont have enough already!

I made a little video before the latest changes- let me know what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0lgQ_MVuWo

That is likely due to the way it's set-up. You may need the servo arm offset (not straight down) and lengthen the link from servo to knuckle to fix your current issue. Getting the link closer to the tie link would be better.

LOOKS LIKE YOUR GETTIN' IT FIGURED OUT. "thumbsup" PAPAGO IS AN AWSOME PLACE TOO.
I LIKE THE NEW BTL PLATE, HAVE'NT GOT IT ON THE ROCKS YET, STILL WAITING ON MY SERVO ARM, BUT I THINK ITS GONNA WORK FINE. THERE WILL BE SOME MINOR ADJUSTMENTS HERE AND THERE , CAN'T WAIT TO TRY IT OUT. I'VE STILL GOT TO GET MY BTL PLATE MOUNTED ON MY RIG TOO. MY WIFE AND I WILL BE CRAWLING TOGETHER REAL SOON:mrgreen:.

looks good man

i think that u should maybe you should rotate the srevo arm toward the knuckle that it is conected to

the BTL dose not have any clearance issues at all if you set it up right. it works great "thumbsup"and I will never look back at any other steering mod.

x2 on that the only think i dont like is the battery is way out in the open

So i got to the rocks the other day to see how the bta steering works. It was alright, did hang up a couple times but easy enough to wiggle the tires a little to get off the rock. The aproach angles were much better though. I added some more weight to my front tires- to much now I think. I added 3 5/8 washers to each wheel behind the lock ring and my servo didnt like it to much! Weight will be coming out and I've decided to make my btl steering set up- I ran out of alluminum for the plate so will have to wait until tomorrow. Also while running I popped a shock cap off, I was able to thread back on and finish the day so for a quick fix I put some heat shrink tube over the caps. See how long that lasts- Need some losi shocks for sure now! This is my start for the btl- links relocated. I added a little piece of alluminum for some different upper link placements at the chassis. Hopefully I get it all together tomorrow!

looks good "thumbsup"

I know I stole RMDW's idea on the BTL plate (I wont be making them for anyone) but work has been slow and I have lots of time to tinker and not much money to tinker with!

So I'm stoked! the btl plate i made seems like it will work great. I also made a little extension for the servo arm to get max steering out of it and things line up really well. No binding or rubbing anywhere, makes me think I did something wrong! lol. The tie rod is 8/32 all thread wraped in brass tubing which is surprisingly strong. I use it for most of my links and have never bent one yet. I will see how i like having the battery in the front, my only concern is rock rash. I will probably make a cover/guard for it if I like the way it performs. The tires just barely clear the battery at max steer- 2200mah 3s. I like the run time of about an hour but I might get some smaller batteries in the future.

O and i got some paint on my Bicycle too!

Got out to Papago on sunday to see how the steering and link changes work and man I'm happy with it! Getting the upper front links higher on the chassis really helped with the TT just like RMDW's diagram shows. The steering is great- I now have full lock to lock with the servo extention and no more chewed up servo horn and catching the steering links on the rocks. I know this truck will probably never truly be finished but I'm really happy with its performance now. Having the battery on the front axle works out really well also and my body covers it just enough to protect it for the most part. Unfortunately we were taking some video and the battery died on the camera! Next time out I'll get some vid of my two trucks and my cousins rig- hope to take them all camping this weekend.

GLAD TO HEAR YOUR HAPPY WITH YOUR CREEPER MAN, KNEW YOU'DE LOVE IT ONECE YA GOT HER FIRGURED OUT "thumbsup"

Not that Im a Creeper Driver, but I would suggest getting the steering link on the BOTTOM of the servo arm to lessen the angle to the knuckle. It will likely reduce the loads on the servo & knuckle making it work better and last longer.
Just a suggestion. Not sure if you have the clearance (without modding other stuff).

na thats fine the way it is mines on top of the servo horn

I tried to get under the arm to lessen the angle but it just wont happen. The clearances now are perfect and they are tight! I plan on doing a similar set up on my other rig- maybe in that process I'll see what I can do to lessen the angles but I'm super happy with the way its working now. I didnt seem to loose much servo torque with the extension but I'm thinking I would like to try a better servo- right now its a TP 946 (I think thats it) but shocks come first, like I said it will probably never done! but thats what I love about these crawlers- always something to mod and tinker with.:)

Went out to Mt Ord this past weekend for night of camping/drinking/crawling. All was successful but had some carnage on the creeper! I lost my steering servo first- replaced it- then I broke an axle and munched my front diff gears. Hard to see in the pics but the spider gears blew a few teeth. I have been using the shim method of locking the diffs but I got a bit carried away in a bind with the 3s lipo (sure the beers had a little to do with it) and parts just went. You can also see how where the splines of the locker go in started to elongate the holes in the plastic diff housing. Makes me reconsider the shim method of locking the diff. Major bummer but I had my Crawler king based truck along also as back up so the fun continued! Instead of ordering the xvd's and a gear set I just ordered another creeper kit for parts. For now I JB welded the front diff , it has some nice flat spots now for the JB weld to bond to! I'll wait for the kit to arrive for the new axle. Hopefully its here by the weekend to go romp some more!
ps the the btl steering kicks butt, just need a better quality servo. Any recomendations for less than 50 bucks?

looking good man i like it keep up the good work"thumbsup"

LOOKS LIKE YA HAD A GOOD TIME, THE WEATHER 'S STILL NICE FOR NOW. THE JB DIFFS IN MINE HAVE HELD UP FOR 6 MONTHS SO FAR, AND I HAVE 8 SPARE AXLE SHAFTS FOR BACKUP."thumbsup" ALONG WITH C HUBS AND KNUCKLE BEARINGS.

Ya I figure by the time I order spare parts it would be cheaper to just order another Creeper! Good to hear on the JB diffs. I cant find the Flm lockers that people on here talk about- guess they really are hard to find. I was going to weld it but I'm afraid of the alignment with the axle shafts so I'll give the Jb a shot and I'll have two complete spare axles for parts soon! I might send my buddy up in Denver one of the diff assemblies and have him make me some lockers out of alluminum that will fill the housing. If he has time to do it I'll have him make me a batch and get them out there. He runs a cnc mill up there and has made some killer wheels so I know he can do it, just finding the time ya know.

The weather was perfect! If I can get it back together in time we're goin back this coming weekend-- before its 117 out there! RRRRGGG just means its time to head to Co for some rocks! lol:ror:

for less then 50 for a steering servo would be a 625 but just get the 7954 for 100 and not have to worry about torque and gears

Yep,.....used.........:lmao::lmao:"thumbsup""thumb sup"

At a minimum, I would do a HiTec 7955tg, for a little more, you can jump up."thumbsup"

I just ordered my lockers directly from FLM. I suggest email, they didnt answer the phone.

I will be keeping an eye on the classifieds for a servo- thanks for the servo sugestions. I just looked at the FLM lockers on their website and they look really nice. For 12 a piece not a bad deal at all but no link to purchase online. I will see how the JB diff holds up first though. I just prefer to make my own mods. Just waiting for the kit to show up for some axle shafts!

Yes no online purchase from them. Phone didn't work either. Email was quick and easy. I paid with paypal also.

Nice! thanks for the info. I'm also looking at their alluminum shock bodies- good price and they look great, just havent seen anyone running them yet.

I got my new kit and got around to replacing my axle to find I also twisted the front Traxxas drive shaft! Man I must've been really bound up to cause all this damage! -Exploded the diff spider gears, broke an axle and twisted a driveshaft all in one run! Its back together now though but have to wait till next weekend to see how she holds up.
I got an updated kit with the pin locks for the drive shafts and the axles so thats pretty cool. Nice pieces too. I have lots of spare parts now!:ror:

Spare parts are great, where did ya order the kit from?

glad to see it's coming along goat "thumbsup"

I ordered from CKRC. 113 shipped to my door in 4 days time. Not a bad deal at all. Lots of hardware and parts and alot of it will go into my re-vamp of my Crawler King based truck. Just glad the kit was so cheap I would spend nearly that much just replaceing the few items I destroyed.

Well we had a great outing - my cousin providing entertainment by falling down the mountain into a palaverde! (only hurt his pride) and the best part is his GF got it on video and he didnt even bend his antenae! ( I think years of drinking beer helped with that skill) Trying to get the vid up so hopefully soon.
The JB welded diffs performed flawlessly and we had no breakage. Gonna start working on my other truck soon- it will be a Creeper with at least one Crawler King axle- an axial tranny and traxxas shocks- you get the idea- hodge podge it all together and see how it works! I need to see how different the final drive ratios are between the Ck axle and the Creeper to see if I can mix them.
Any way hope to get the video up soon and some pics of the progress on the new creeper/?

I have put quite a few runs on the creeper lately- try to get out once a week when possible. This is the most recent little video I've put together
http://youtu.be/s1Fke5l9wwE
Some more Papago park at my testing grounds! I have been having trouble with my Hobby wing esc with constant throttle delay and I am done with the cogging. Granted the cogging isnt that bad but I want smooooth power! The tekin fxr and 55t are on the way. The JB weld diffs are holding up very well so after the Tekin install I think I just need a stronger steering servo. So I hope to be ready for some comps when people start coming outside again! I had 120.4 out back on saturday! Hit the rocks at 530am and be home by 9 and in the pool!
Oh and the video isnt the best just a little show and I was having an off day- usually make those lines smoother.

COOL VIDEO, LOOKS LIKE YA GOT IT SETUP "thumbsup"
MAN , I KNOW I'M READY FOR FALL TOO :twisted:

Thanks Bob! I am very happy with the venom Creeper and its performance. With just a little tweaking its an awesome machine! I have been fiddling with my other truck but just cant get the same performance out of it. My buddies I think are soon to join the Creeper Wagon ride! They get a little upset when I creep right past them! Always a good time though!

Got the new fxr and 55t motor in and out to the rocks today. Super happy with the esc! Only problem is at times my servo glitches- I've never had this problem before on this truck. Thinking I might need some capcitors on the motor since it didnt come with any.
I use a 2.4 radio with a tp servo and a cc bec wired to the servo on 3s lipo so I dont think this has anything to do with loss of power from the bec. Have to dig in the parts boxs and see if I have some caps around.

Capacitor on the fxr and a bec

Ya I have the cap on the esc- double checked to make sure I installed it correctly and its all good. The cc bec I have never had problems with. Maybe I need to break in the motor properly? I havent broke in any of my crawler motors- didnt really see a purpose in it to go so slow with them- figured the rpms of normal running would do it for me. Gonna dig for motor caps in a bit and see if that helps.

So I tried various things to determine where my glitching is coming from and when I eliminate the CC BEC and use the tekins power for the servo there is no glitching at all. Hmmm I would like to use my CC Bec but it doesnt appear to like the Fxr for some reason. If I'm not mistaken the Fxr puts out 6v @3amps so thats not bad but I hope to be getting a hitec 7955 from a member soon and want max power.

I put caps on the motor also and that did not help- definately the bec. I just dont understand because its wired the same way I've always used it with both brushless and brushed and never had a problem. (only signal wire from servo to rx and power direct from the Bec)
and yes I tried different servos also- digital and non with the same results- bypass cc bec and all is well.

Any help would be great!

So I removed my CC Bec for now. I read that hooking up the ground along with signal wire might help but I'll wait till I get a new servo before messing with it.
I did however improve my steering setup- at least I hope- rocks will tell!
Shortened up the draglink and put a "stabilizer" on for the tie rod. On the bench it works great- have to get it out again soon and see .

Did a lot of crawlin this weekend! I did figure out my bec problem thanks to the forum. Just ran the signal wire and ground to the rx and no more glitching. Good thing because the fxr was shuting down on me when the steering got even the slightest bind. Very anoying but found with a 2s it was fine- strange?
Meet up with some guys PARC at Papago today and finally got to see what others are running! They all drove built xr10's. Very impressive and I got the chance to drive one. The dig is great, might have to get one for the creeper. I am happy to report that my truck took virtualy every line the built xr10's did but them having dig on the down hills was a major advantage.
Hope my servo shows up early this week so I have a good reason to go crawling again!

I had the same problem need that ground signal wire and it stoped glitching you run a futaba radio?