My Upgraded 77 GMC Trail Trekker

[razors 33]

I'll briefly introduce myself.

I am brand new to crawlers, but not rc.

When I was younger I had several Tamiya land vehicles, but got out of the hobby in high school.

I later started my rc hobby back up, 4 years ago with rc helis, and have since also taken on planes.

In the past year, I have pondered getting to crawling as I can appreciate the technical aspects and skills required, plus it looks damn fun 8).

So, after doing a little research and not wanting to spend tons of money on a first rig; I bought the losi micro trail trekker.

After using it for 10 minutes I fell in love; this little truck is awesome. My only complain is that I should've bought it before there was snow on the ground lol. Oh - and what the hell is with the plastic wheel nuts? Come on losi; what a way to cheap out :roll:

After a while, like every other rc I own, I had to figure out how to mod the trekker. I came across this forum, and well, here I am .

Thanks for all you many members there is a huge wealth of info on here.

During my searching travels, and conversations with other members I decided on the following upgrades. I originally had planned on not spending too much money, but I didn't go a huge amount over budget. I wanted to keep as much stock as possible.

Oh and yes; I have definitely caught the scaler bug

For free upgrades I have done the following

Small 2S lipo - I have lots from my PZ UM planes
Removed shock limiters
Lowered shocks for more ground clearance.
Added BBs to stock tires.
Made myself some removable wheel chains thanks to swas79 on youtube.
Uses stretchy hair elastics and dollar store neck chain.

Upgrades Already Arrived

Stock Black Chrome Rims
Miclaw Tires
BWD Wheel Wideners
Applied Corrosion Block to electronics. I also have some Plasti Dip I plan on using.


Upgrades to Arrive (still in mail)
rc4wd alum beadlock rims + wheel nuts
Mickey Thompson Baja tires
Interco Super Swamper TSL/Bogger Micro Crawler Tires
Danally stock size 100T motor.

I also have some 5/32 styrene tubing I plan on using to make roll cage.


As you can see from pics; I have completed the scale 77 chevy body. Its been a while since I did a model so be nice please lol.

I tried to make the body, without too much alterations to model or frame, sit as low as possible and found a decent compromise. It does look high, but the miclaws should make up for that. Also, when I use the other tires I will just raise the stocks back up which should help.

I also plan on adding more detail to the body, including wheel well rubbers ect.


More to come

 

[BJoe]

Re: My Upgraded Trail Trekker

Is that the Revell 1/24 Chevy/GMC pickup?

 

[razors 33]

yes it is

 

[MaD222]

lookin good, did u put the interior in? damn those tires are big, cant wait till mine show up

 

[razors 33]

No not yet

Not sure it'll fit with the way I want electronics to lay - everything is in stock trekker configuration

Problem is body is 70 grams and thus I get body roll which looks dumb lol

So

Like you did I may try different springs - problem will be finding a good balance


My stock body has been tweaked and ill likely use it for any crawls where lightness is a huge factor

I'm likely to change to other bodies as well as I have set mine up to do so.

It does look too high though - need wheel well skirts or something

 

[razors 33]

Is, it possible to set up rws using stock tx or do I need at least 3 ch programmable?

 

[rcdave13]

You can use a Y splitter on the servo so you can hook 2 servos up to 1 channel but if you want front and rear to work independantly you will need a 3 channel wich means a new reciever and speed control. I found a way to make 4 wheel steering using 1 servo but it requires alot of customising.

 

[razors 33]

Cool

Thanks

Any idea exactly what stock parts are needed?

 

[razors 33]

Had some stock axle parts arrive today. I iI am hoping this will solve my wobble issue.

 

[ky_ace]

Can you post a pic from the front? and maybe with a coke can next to it for size reference? Looks like a sweet build!

 

[razors 33]

Thanks

I'll post a pic tomorrow

Still not Able to mount Miclaws yet

 

[razors 33]

Sorry for not updating

I've been a way from this for a bit, plus I am still waiting on rims and tires.

In the process of buying a new home as well so ill have a brand new basement in which to make a course for which I fully intend to do

 

[razors 33]

question

I am pondering getting a better servo

does anyone know if the Hitec HS-65MG is a drop in replacement?


also

I am considering doing 4 wheel steering.

Are the parts listed below all I need or am I missing something?

Losi Steering Link, Servo Saver & Hardware Set
[LOSB1704]


Losi Front Spindle, Carrier & Rear Hub Set
[LOSB1702]

 

[razors 33]

Anyone?

 

[Sh0rtBus]

yes on the HS65MG. drops right in but you'll want to get a good servo arm

 

[razors 33]

Ok thanks

As in a metal arm?
this could work


http://www.servocity.com/html/55707_single_arm.html

 

[razors 33]

work on this girl tonight.

added on the bwd with stock tires and rims for now till rc4wqd stuff arrives.

Also found and worked on another body - this time a revel snap tite hummer h1. It looks ok thus far and fits well; lower on frame than gmc does. This snap tight came with metal axles and moving tires - so, I have plans to use that to make a tandem trailer Will have to figure out hp to make hitch and receiver now as well lol.

I finally installed my new stock size danally 100t motor and it works well - definately more low end torque than stock motor. I've only used it on stock batt so far but will try 2s lipo tomorrow.


Will post pics soon.

 

[razors 33]

pics

Here are a whole wack of pics showing various things I have done

some of the gmc body - smashed up already lol

truck + pop can as requested

some of new H1 which I installed some of the interior - will post more pics of this later.

Tweaked stock body

Made some LED top mounted lights - doesn't look scale but very brite.

I removed the shock limiters for more articulation

New Danally 100T motor

 

[razors 33]

Here's a vid of some runnen I did today with H1 body

Not happy with stock tires at all; can't wait to able to use miclaws and rc4wd tires

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=D1t-csVVs84#!

 

[MaD222]

what rims did you get for the miclaws?