View Full Version : Tamiya Clod Buster questions
th'Kooz
10-26-2002, 11:24 AM
Just got one from the wife for my birthday :)
Any links to information on this monster?
It's my first electric - I have a nitro buggy, but this looks like a different kettle of fish ;)
Links, comments, reviews ... all good please
GreenArrow
10-26-2002, 11:51 AM
Well I don't have a Clod myself (should get one later today or early next week though :D)
http://clodtalk.clodparts.com/forum/index.cgi Good forum, but kinda quiet.
http://www.clodparts.com/index2.html Get all sorts of parts and stuff here.
http://pub24.ezboard.com/brcmtnet44998 A very good forum, when you sign up make sure you make your name and e-mail addy public. Otherwise you won't be accepted.
I know I can't wait for mine, hope you have fun with yours!
tadium54
10-26-2002, 01:04 PM
Stock it kina sucks, but with an aftermarket chassis/or even ball bearings ESC, oil shocks,high torque steering servo and a good battery, it can hold its own. With an aftermarket chassis, tho, it rules-loads of fun.
SteveK
10-26-2002, 08:28 PM
Stock Clods are a BLAST. Sure, they are speedsters or great crawlers or anything like a modified Clod or TXT-1, but don't forget: When the Clod was built, the real trucks were stiffly sprung, under-damped bouncy trucks. It's a lot of fun to just go out and bash and not worry about cantilevers, aluminum chassis, and whatever else.
You can easily modify a Clod, and modifed they are more fun, but stock ones are fun too.
th'Kooz
10-26-2002, 08:29 PM
ESC = Electronic Servo Control?
where do I get one of them?
E-MaxxDestroyer
10-26-2002, 08:45 PM
ESC= Electronic Speed Control:)
Boy do I envy you. For my birthday, my wife was threatening to throw away everything I have that is RC!
My Clodbuster has the ESP Clodzilla IV chassis, full ballbearings in the drivetrains, dual Speed Gems 17T singles, Super Rooster, and a few more things. I've finally decided to keep it (I've been trying for a while to sell it, without luck).
I'm going to upgrade the servo mounts to the ThunderTechRacing ones, the front with a bumper. Other than that there isn't much more to do with it.
th'Kooz
10-27-2002, 03:46 AM
I dont want to go too crazy with the modding - have other things to spend time on.
ESC sounds good idea - what do I get for my Clod? What's best?
I dont have much interest in reverse ... and I'm not flash with electronics, so I dont want to do too much 'modding' of the zappy stuffs ...
Which ESc can I just slap in and go?
What motors are the best? I'd like to rip it up - I dont think i'll be into rock crawling much - I like jumps ;)
I live in Japan atm, so if you have a manufacturer & a part number that would be even better.
Do I need foam inserts in the tires? do they come stock?
Do those Alu wheels wiegh more than stock? Are they stronger (duh)? Do I have to COMPLETELY glue the tire to the rim?
th'Kooz
10-27-2002, 03:48 AM
Also, I'll have to buy an Airtronics Sanwa Blazer, cos they're the only controllers at the shop ;) ... I've got them in my nitro buggy, and I like the controller. The servos seem a bit 'slow' tho ... can I mix & match servos with recievers from other brands?
SteveK
10-27-2002, 11:29 AM
Servos-
As long as the plugs match up, you can swap servos around all day long. Get one with a lot of torque, at least 70 in/ounces. Speed isn't really relevant in a giant truck like that. Hitech makes some good ones that are relatively cheap.
ESC-
Look for one with a low turn limit. That way, you won't have to worry about using motors that are too powerful (Remember, there are two motors, which strains the ESC more. It's a little more expensive for a good ESC, about $100+ here in the US, but that isn't the place to skimp, and it pays off in fewer headaches later. You'll want reverse too. Novak, LRP, Hitec, and Futaba offer ESCs that should fit the bill.
Motors-
Stick to higher turn motors. Anything 17 or more is a good choice. You want torque over RPMs, and if you go purely for top speed, you'll find the truck lacking in acceleration and power. Regular machine-wound motors like Trinity's Speed Gems series will work OK.
Wheels-
Aluminum wheels are both stronger and heavier, but plastic is OK for most people. They are also about 1/10th the price of aluminum wheels, which are hard to find now. Plastic wheels should be OK.
Tires-
You really should glue the tires to the wheels. A few spots is all it takes, maybe every 1/4 of the wheel. If you don't glue them on, then the tires can come off the bead on a jump, or the wheels can spin inside them.
Chassis & Suspension-
Since this is your first Clod, a ready-made chassis and suspension kit is a good choice for you. Something from ESP, JPS, or Thundertech will work great. You'll get the chassis and suspension links, as well as all the hardware. You could try and make your own, and save some money, but that's a whole post unto itself.
th'Kooz
10-28-2002, 04:01 AM
Thanks for the advice guys. Here's what I think I'll do ...
1. Build it ;)
1.a. ESC - Novac Super Rooster, if I can find one.
2. thrash it ;)
3. Trinity speed gems something or other.
4. new chassis
this is the kinda thing I want ... http://www.rcarchive.com/rca/gifs/rc/faclod1.jpg
what would give me the stadium truck looks, but the wide/long wheelbase and good clearance for jumping?
GreenArrow
10-28-2002, 07:13 AM
My guess would be either a Clodzilla 3 or 4. The 4 I do know is very popular and I should be getting mine soon. The other fellers here with hands on expereince can give ya some better advice I'm sure.
Edit: Duh, shoulda included the address for ESP (they make those chassis') http://www.esphobby.com/
th'Kooz
10-28-2002, 08:22 AM
Thanks Greenarrow, I've been looking at that page anyway.
They support 2 servos for steering, huh?
I kinda like the carbon or plate Alu, but I dont like the tube frames so much ... any other options?
Grant Tokumi
10-28-2002, 03:20 PM
Hey, That blue clod is a picture from my website. I took that picture from a local race back in Hawaii years ago. I believe that chassis was a clodzilla 3 or 4.
th'Kooz
10-28-2002, 06:39 PM
Small world huh Grant? Yeah, looks like a 3 but I'm not sure ... looks the ticket to me ;)
JAnderson
10-29-2002, 05:07 PM
www.thundertechracing.com
GreenArrow
10-29-2002, 05:21 PM
http://www.xtremercracing.com/main.html These guys have a couple of carbon fiber chassis for the Clod that I've heard are good. You might wanna check'em out.
I got my truck the other day, it's a Zilla4. It sits kinda high so you might want to look more at the Zilla3. As I understand it the 3 is better for racing.
Have fun with your clod!
On my Clodzilla IV, I don't like the fact that the chassis rails will hit the steering servo, the steering servo mount, and motor. Also, the steering servos are just servo taped to the mounting plates and it moves around when you are trying to use it. I will be getting a Thunder Tech Racing steering servo mount set for it which will help with both problems.
th'Kooz
10-31-2002, 01:34 AM
Another question - I went to the LHS and said I wanted an ESC and the guy tried to talk me out of it.
He said that Tamiya designed the Clod with MSC & that's the best for it. He also said that because it has 2 motors, the ESC is a bad idea.
I didn't think that was the case?!? I thinking of buying a Novac Super Rooster to replace the agricultural looking MSC.
Good idea?
SteveK
10-31-2002, 09:03 AM
Don't listen to that guy from your LHS: He doesn't know what he's talking about. There is never a case where an MSC is better than an ESC. Does he also think it's better to keep the stock plastic chassis, suspension, and friction shocks?
The Super Rooster is one of the most popular choices for the dual-motor trucks. Don't even run the MSC: It's a waste of time.
I examined a Clodzilla 4 a couple times, and I didn't like it very much. The Clodzilla 3 looks OK, but the JPS or Thundertech chassis seem the best kind.
TORQUER
11-01-2002, 11:23 PM
Yeah, don’t even listen to that guy. A Super Rooster will do the trick for you. Don’t toss the Mechanical speed control though. You can use it for the mud and water to eliminate any chance of destroying you ESC. You might really also consider a high torque servo…or two. Here is a link to a great “do it yourself” for Clods if you get the urge to build your own parts as well as a link to my photo album. Please keep us up to date on the progress of your Clod.
Will
mattsrcstuff (http://www.mattsrcstuff.com/)
imageevent (http://imageevent.com/torquer)
http://photos.imageevent.com/torquer/clodbuster//Klubfoot.jpg