My Micro Build

[popejbryant]

Hey what's up? I've been on this forum for a while but I think this will be my first post. I started off a few years ago building a Cliff Climber but that was over 4 years ago. Recently I picked up a Trail Trekker from my LHS and this is what it has become. The first thing I bought for it was the DP chassis and used the TT upper links as lower links. I loved the chassis and the torsion set up but I wanted a longer wheel base. So I picked up the CrawlerX Blade TMC V2 chassis. For the full droop setup I'm running HR shocks with the softest springs. I'm also running a 4ws with Losi factory front hubs. Rather than reversing the servo I just rotated the rear servo arm 180*. The truck isn't done yet though. Currently I'm trying to find some more 2.5 mm threaded rods so I can finish the rear axle links. My LHS is out and I can't find any at the hardware stores around here so I guess I'm ordering some off the Internet. I'm running the predator 90t motor with factory ESC but I have a couple 2s lipos on the way.
I do have a couple questions though. Am I correct in saying that the Losi servo and JR servos have the same spline? Also my HR shocks are really tight around the bottom seals. Is this something that will loosen up as they break in or is there something I can do to loosen them up? I'll post more pics once its done. Finally does anyone know of a VW bug style body that might fit on a rig this size? Thanks guys.

 

[jprock]

Dogbreathracing made a VW body but they are all sold out and aren't coming back :/. That looks really like a sweet set up got any pics of the rear servo flip?

 

[popejbryant]

Here you go. Servo horn is rotated 180* to point upwards. Excuse the crappy make shift servo horn, it's just a temp for testing. I also like having the ball end on the rear servo mounted closer to the pivot point than the front. That way the rear doesn't turn quite as sharp as the front, but that's just my preference. Obviously you'll have to fab up your own link with the appropriate bends to make it work. I wasn't happy with the bends on my brass links so I'm redoing them now

 

[Gamyrc]

Ive had some success swapping around the wires on the servo motor and the red and black wire on the servo POT to make it rotate in a different direction. This would eliminate the need to rotate the servo arm 180 degree keeping it in the stock lower position. Its hard on the eyes getting it done but worth a shot!

 

[smuggl1n]

Team blue groove make a 1/36 bug body I use them real tight fit, but if your going to try and cover the chassi with it I doubt it will fit.
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?index=0&sbk=1&nav=SEARCH&itemId=151045284636
This is only one they have a few it's the same body that's on my micro crawler on eBay it's black and blue check it out to see what it looks like mounted, had too cut holes in the hood for shocks though

 

[smuggl1n]

And for the 4ws make sure you get a reversing y harness you won't have to mess with the servo at all!!!
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?index=0&sbk=1&nav=SEARCH&itemId=330720669873

 

[popejbryant]

Yeah I broke down and bought a reversing y harness the other day. It's a lot better. The rig is almost done, Im just waiting on my Miclaws and Dannally stroker kit to get in and itll be done. Pics to come in the next couple days. Thanks for the input y'all.

 

[popejbryant]

So my crawler is almost completed. I've played around with 4ws but I think I'm gonna keep it 2ws. I have a problem with my end links on my custom links popping off so I ordered some dubro 2-56 thread eyelets and we'll see how they work. They use 2-56 thread screws to secure the eyelet itself which is smaller than the thread of the ball ends that the losi comes with. I think to circumvent this I'll just use threaded rod with a nut on both sides to hold the lower links to the axle and transmission mount. The upper links on the chassis side will be easy too because they're just a nut and bolt combo. My only real issue will be where the upper links mount to the servo support. I have the losi aluminum servo supports and there isn't enough room to have a nut or bolt between the support and servo. I may have to countersink the inside and have a flat head fastener facing outwards to get around this issue. Hopefully my end links come in tomorrow and I can have this done by Tuesday. Pics to come soon...I promise.

 

[popejbryant]

Screw it...here's some pics of how it is now

I wasn't happy with the amount of flex the blade TMC chassis had so I fabed up so aluminum supports to make it a little stronger

Finally I still have to put some body panels on it. I wanted something just a little bit different so I came up with this

It's still in design phase but I think it'll make it look pretty cool and possible strengthen the cabin supports. I still have to come up with something clever for the hood and trunk. Any suggestions? Also does anybody know of a good glue to bond painted lexan to delrin?

This is my first chassis. I think I'm gonna use it to build a second one to mess with. Possibly put my predator 90t in it once my stroker gets here

 

[popejbryant]

Stroker motor kit just arrived! Pics this evening.

 

[popejbryant]

So everything for my crawler has arrived and it is complete. Parts list is as follows:
Losi Trail Trekker
Blade TMC Chassis (modified for extra support and to accommodate larger motor).
DDT Predator Stoker Motor Kit
RedCat Driveshafts
HiTec HS-65MG Servo
Custom links built using DuBro 2-56 Swival Ball Links (wheel base has been extended to 5-1/4").
DDT Delrin Beadlocks designed for Miclaws
Miclaws
and HR Aluminum shocks set up for full droop.
Here are some pics taken after the first run:

]
This thing crawls great. I love it. It's not done though. I still have to add some weight to the axles. My HR Shocks are still to tight. The wheels will drop one at a time but not the whole axle. So going over a ledge it still gets hung up on the chassis and stuck.
My dog decided that my servo Y-harness would make a good toy. So I'm still running a locked rear. These tires are awesome but the servo has a hard time turning them stationary.
I still have to get 2-56 locking nuts and appropriate length hardware for where the links mount so I think I'm going to upgrade to all stainless or titanium hardware. We'll see what I can find.

 

[DANALLY]

Holy crap that got a lot of stuff mounted to the axles !!! I bet it will crawl well tho! Nice set up. Do a video when u get it all done

 

[popejbryant]

Will do. Btw, these wheels and motor are awesome. So much friggin torque! On the tranny I only have a slight rub in reverse. Forward is perfect. Great products D! The TMC chassis is awesome too! As heavy as this rig is now I had to beef up the frame a little and make it my own, but it's still awesome. Great products guys. Now if only my HR shocks would perform better...

 

[DANALLY]

you know I just looked at the picture of the shocks and the angles...I don't think they will really drop well anyways. When both are angled in like that they don't like to pull straight down at the same time. Just an observation...not positive.

 

[popejbryant]

That's kind of what I was thinking. Kinda thinking about doing away with the droop setup.

 

[Jet-Pack-Jesus]

Hey love the truck. Im about to start my own build on my micro. Im waiting for my body to come in the mail. Losi made these trucks so they will fit under any 1/24 model body just an fyi"thumbsup"