Cheap TLT-1 MODS!!!

[Dugan661]

i got a TLT rock buster about 2 years ago and it..... well its sat in its box about 50% built most of the time ive had it... ive been thinking about getting it together alot lately but i dont think its gonna be much more then some thing i play with just every now and again.... ( very rarely..too many cars..) sooo...

im looken for the CHEAPST mods that can be done to this thing...im very handy and can build things well.. what are the best and cheapest ways to give it more "flex" useing as much stock parts as you can... id also like to streach it out as much as can be done ( on a budget)

thanks in advance for the help...

p/s dose any one know of any good videos showing the top speed of a 55t motor in a tlt?

 

[Big Mike]

Ok, here's a couple things to get your brain working.

I have done pretty much the same thing you want to do - built up a TLT into a pretty decent performing crawler using the stock chassis and transmission.

This thread has a couple of my drawings - how to add a belt tensioner to your stock transmission, and how to make up custom length dogbones when you stretch the wheelbase:

http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69630&highlight=belt+tensioner

(using dogbones nessecitates proper link geometry though - there can only be so much suspension "grow" or in other words the linkage can't change the wheelbase more than 3/16" to 1/4" at the most. More than this and you are looking at adapting some Stampede or Maxx driveshafts)

A thread on link construction:

http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1588&page=2&highlight=making+links

Or this is how I made up "roller-links" before I went to a droop set up and mounted my shocks on the lower links. Ignore the roller part and use 1/4" tubing and 6/32 all-thread instead and you have a basic link that is easy to constuct from hardware/LHS parts:

That will get you started - you can learn a LOT more by searching for specific topics on either the TLT page or the General Crawler page.

Good luck with it. Be patient and above all - have fun with it.

Here's my TLT in action - stock chassis and transmission (with lots of modification) It's certainly no threat at a comp, but it's fun to drive:

 

[USATorque55]

One of the best, and cheap things you can do is to sand the axle cases smooth on the bottom.

Start off with a dremel, then clean it up with some sandpaper.

 

[Dugan661]

thanks alot for the help mike and usa!!

LETS MAKE A FAQ ABOUT ALL THE CHEAP MODS THAT CAN BE DONE FOR THE TLT-1!!!!!


do you guys know any thing about out runners? i was thinking about getting the 55t brushed motor... but for about the same $ i can get this
http://holmeshobbies.com/product.php?productid=71&cat=0&page=1&featured

seeing as i all ready have a bunch of b/l stuff just sitting around i think that i would be better off with that... what are your guys ideas on it?
know of any other cheap brushless motors for a crawler? i have 1/18 and 1/10 escs i can use...

it dosent list the amo draw...watt or kv rating tho... thats the only thing...
but it shoull still have more bottem/ top end then the brushed 55t motors right? im gonna be running it on a 6cell nimh /3s lipo
thanks

 

[STEEL_CITY_CRAWLER]

LETS MAKE A FAQ ABOUT ALL THE CHEAP MODS THAT CAN BE DONE FOR THE TLT-1!!!!!

http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4521

there ya go....:roll:

just remember, the search button (top bar, 3rd over from the right...) can be your friend...."thumbsup"

 

[Natedog]

im looken for the CHEAPST mods that can be done to this thing...im very handy and can build things well...

Handy with the search and FAQ would be a great start: http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3996

and as Steelcitycrawler said.

 

[Big Mike]

just remember, the search button (top bar, 3rd over from the right...) can be your friend

not to bust chops - but that is good advice also.

Some of these guys have been at this crawling thing for YEARS - the amount of useful information piled up on this site is absolutely STAGGERING.

At this point in time you have to be one intelligent, imaginative, and innovative person to come up with something new and exciting. If you're new to crawling and have questions, I'd bet my paycheck someone has already asked before. The search can be frustrating at times, but it depends on what terms you use (I can recall one guy getting frustrated about getting no results on a search for "stearing")

 

[BGGruff]

No results for "stearing.":lol: That's freakin' hilarious!

I'm using the Stock TLT Tranny and I used Tamiya #53452, it's the TA04 Aluminum Hub Spur Gear for smoother operation and Traxxas Slipper friction Pegs to lock it (#4685). Works good, hardly any loss of power to the wheels although I probably need to do the belt tensioner thing, just haven't felt like pulling apart the whole rig to get to the tranny.