Another Radio Shack "Crawler" Thread

[iamnonstop]

I am a spotter in 1:1 rock crawling. Love it. I'm a spotter because I can't afford my own. However, I do buy an inexpensive rc crawler from time to time to run for fun. I've had a couple Nylints and a couple box store toys, but the best cheap rc crawler I've bought is the Petersons Ultimate Avalanche from Radio Shack (I can't believe I'm posting this, flame suit on).

I've searched alot on this forum but haven't had any luck with any one else talking about their avalanche.

My complaints with it is weak steering, hardly ANY suspension, dog bone style drive shaft from back to front killing belly clearance and its tendency to do wheelies when climbing. But it has taken a BEATING! The gears have held up (for 2 years :shock. I've done some basic mods to it to lighten it up and lock the front axle. I'd like to put bigger tires, but I'm sure that would kill it. I run it almost every day for a batteries worth of time and I really enjoy it.

I'm guessing this post will die and early death, but anyone else have good luck with this truck or what? I'm going to run it until it dies and then maybe spend some good money on a real crawler.

Just wanted to know what others have thought about it since there isn't much I could find with the search.

 

[Crawler374]

pics?

 

[iamnonstop]

Yeah here's mine. Body trimmed, some removal of chassis weight, locked front.

 

[Reflection]

IMHO,they ain't worth fixen.

This probably ain't the answer to your questions.....but it will however be ALLOT better for what your doing,and about the cheapest way to get into RC Crawling and have a TRUE performer...............

http://www.rcpcrawlers.com/home.php?cat=29

 

[iamnonstop]

Oh yeah, I've seen the AX10. My brotherinlaw also recommended a 4x4 wheelie king. I could definitly find myself getting heavy into this. I love competing in W.E. Rock, so I'm sure after a while I'd get into r/c comps too. Maybe I'll get a AX10 next year.

But in the mean time, anyone have ideas on improving suspension? I've got a few that are drastic and I don't want to ruin the truck. BTW, small ball bearings in the front tires are an amazing help with this truck since all the weight (motor) is located on the rear axle.

 

[Crawlin4fun]

If you are out on the rocks havin fun thats all that matters, Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that we all play with toy trucks, and we all started with toy store trucks before we progressed to "hobby grade" "thumbsup"

 

[iamnonstop]

Thats right. I get funny looks from my wife when I tell her I'll be outside for the next 20-30 minutes because she knows where i'm going. And I'm sure she'd be willing to by me a AX10 for Xmas (if it meant I put off getting a 1:1 buggy any time soon:lol.

Am I missing any threads on this truck?

 

[66shift]

wow that brings back memories i used to have like 10 Radioshack trucks then i bought a stampede loved it then a tamiya pajero loved that then i progressed to a revo then my tlt crawler and my latest toy an emaxx. I LOVE RC so much"thumbsup"

 

[Reflection]

Thats right. I get funny looks from my wife when I tell her I'll be outside for the next 20-30 minutes because she knows where i'm going. And I'm sure she'd be willing to by me a AX10 for Xmas (if it meant I put off getting a 1:1 buggy any time soon:lol.

Am I missing any threads on this truck?

I don't know much about those. Never fooled with them. I started out with an Emaxx then bought a couple Twin Forces and built them. We used to have a Nylint section. The lack of interest and replies in the section,we realized it was useless. All the threads in that section were moved to the General section. You might do a few searches in there,it might bring something up. I don't know if your truck is compatible with any of the other "cheaper" or "toy" grade trucks. I know,they are all toys....you know what I mean.:lol:

Not sure if you were there or not. ETRC put on a demo crawl/comp at Jellico last season while W.E.Rock ran. Only about 1/3 of us were able to make it though. Hopefully we'll be able to do it this year as well. If you ever get down to the Knoxville TN. way,holler at us. Maybe we'll be crawling somewhere."thumbsup"

 

[iamnonstop]

We'll def be there next year. I didn't see you guys running the r/cs but I'll find you at the next comp in Jellico. Heres a pic of me and the buggy I spot for...

 

[DumpsterRC]

I apologize in advance for bringing this back. It has become a fairly capable crawler, but is pretty fragile. It is an older version of the truck you have. It was called the Aftershock and originally had an S-10 body. If you like making parts that wouldn't need replacing on a real crawler, and modifying parts to work with real crawler parts, I would still not recommend it. However check out this post if you want info. http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58698&highlight=Rat+shack

To start with: 1. Lock the differentials. 2. Modify the motor mount so it is adjustable. 3. Install a smaller pinion 6-8t and real motor 55turn. 4. Relocate the battery. 5.Upgrade to hobby grade electronics/w high torque servo. 6. replace the chassis / lock out independent suspension. 7. Replace the tires. 8. Install ball bearings. 9. Buy real crawler axles. 10. Repeat all steps from 1-8 that apply.

Good luck. feel free to PM me if you need more info.

 

[iamnonstop]

I did have the F350 like that, pretty fun, but too fast for me (geared too high) and I wasn't as into it as much at that time so I didn't really try to modify that truck at all. Wish I still had it.
Do you have any videos of yours running?

 

[DumpsterRC]

No I don't have video. We have quite a bit of powdery snow on the ground right now so crawling video would be difficult. Maybe after the snowbanks harden.

Is the Avalanche geared lower than the f350? Is it independent suspension or not? I guess I assumed it was just another version of the Hummer/F350/S-10. Or is it one of the 9.6V 4x4s. I have one of the 9.6v 4x4s around here somewhere too, but I think the drivetrain is a little more difficult to mod. I locked the diffs and had it set up with hobby-grade electronics for a while. It did ok but really needed a better chassis and softer tires.

If yours is one of the 9.6v models there is one here somewhere that is 4-linked.

 

[iamnonstop]

Yeah, its geared way lower. In low range, you don't really have to worry about shock load on parts because you can't build up enough speed. Even 'bumping' ledges is out of the question unless I have a full battery.

It has solid axles which I like and the rear has some sort of 'slip gear' that clicks when really bound up, but hasn't gotten worse, so I'm guessing its a fuse type deal to keep from breaking other stuff.

But the tires are pretty hard and I'm scared to run anything bigger.