View Full Version : Clod Buster Resurrection
Jet-Xino
05-26-2005, 02:54 AM
About 7 or 8 years ago I was lucky enough to receive a Clod Buster Monster Truck for Christmas (I'm 19 now) and my cousins who were way into RC cars put it together for me. I was pretty young and knew little of any of the technical aspects of RC. All I knew how to do was charge the battery pack turn on the truck and go. I loved the Truck and got a lot of good use out of it but as time went buy my interests shifted and the Truck got packed away in the closet and I kind of forgot about it.
Just recently I've had the urge to rejoin the RC hobby and am thinking about picking up a nice Nitro kit but that a whole other post. I remembered my old Clod Buster and dug it out of the closet and dusted it off. I have a brother who I'd like to hand it down to when I upgrade to a Nitro car. Thing is last time I powered it up I believe the wheels spun wildly until I turned it off again. I believe one of the wires has been severed and needs to be re soldered and there may be a few other areas in need of repair or replacement. I have a few pictures attached in hope that they can help clarify.
What I want to do is repair the Truck and getting it running as good as if not better than it was originally. And I'm also interested if there would be any upgrades to motors or accessories that anyone would suggest to improve speed or any other performance aspects. At this point I know very little about the technical aspects of RC cars but I’m starting to learn and want to learn as much as I can.
I appreciate any suggestions comments. Thanks
Pics:
http://www.the-red-army.com/images/Top.jpg
http://www.the-red-army.com/images/overtop.jpg
http://www.the-red-army.com/images/side.jpg
http://www.the-red-army.com/images/bottom.jpg
http://www.the-red-army.com/images/grill.jpg
http://www.the-red-army.com/images/wire.jpg
Couple more
http://www.the-red-army.com/images/clod.jpg
http://www.the-red-army.com/images/buster.jpg
The contacts on that speed controller are terribly worn. Get an electronic speed control to replace it. They extend run times to almost double and they also don't have the resistor that is capable of melting your brothers fingers.
If you don't want to pump money into it, sell it to me :D I'm looking for an original Clod to be a shelf queen.
Ps- Nice Yoda :D
Jet-Xino
05-26-2005, 01:23 PM
Any suggestions on a specific brand or model of ESC? I should be running into some cash so I'm not afraid to dump some money into this. I think I'll hold onto it for a while.
And Yoda = :cool:
DFXXX
05-31-2005, 11:56 PM
I had a clodbuster from way back. It was running 32 d-cells and set up for pulling. Steel gears, 4:1 gear reduction, sassy chassis, astroflight motors, etc. Then I found it in a box last year and put a clodzilla racing chassis on it that I bougt online. Didn't even go into a hobby store.
Then, after the clod was all restored, I went to the hobby store to buy some glue. WHOA!!! Gas powered monster trucks with bigger tires than the clod, 2-speed transmissions, and 45mph+ speeds all for $450!
I just blew $350 restoring the clod. How stupid was I? I sold the clod on ebay for $650 and bought a REVO for $450.
Done.
starluckrc
06-01-2005, 06:49 PM
Clods have there places. The thing now is a pair of Integy lathe motors (not faster but more torque for crawling). A popular esc is the Novak Rooster or SuperRooster. The Rooster or almost any esc really will work fine on 6 cell batteries and a pair of stock motors. As long as it supports 13 turn single motors or higher, you should be fine.
bouche
06-02-2005, 01:13 AM
Clods do have their place, I had one, it didn't go fast and it never broke anything. I wanted more speed so I sold the clod and got an emaxx, now it goes too fast and breaks everything. I suppose I could not go as fast but that wouldn't be much fun. I was never too into the rock crawling thing.
I tried making a clod go really fast, I found out quickly that 4WS does not like too much torque. EVX + 12 cells + stock silver can motors = burning motor brushes and a dancing clod (rear wheels went crazy).
Grant Tokumi
06-03-2005, 03:51 PM
If you put the EMAXX (550 size) motors into the clod, in addition to your EVX and 12 cells, its a very tight fit, but that will give you the power of the EMAXX into the clod. That setup is WAY fast and lots of fun. But the clod is even more brittle than the EMAXX so I warn you ahead of time. :)
badtodabone
06-04-2005, 05:05 PM
get a super rooster speed control and a high torque steering servo mounted to the front axle and lock out the steering in the rear and use a cheap radio and your good to go. I have a clod rock crawler. PM me for pics/info or questions on how to get your clod running great!
FESTER2004
06-05-2005, 03:09 AM
from the pics,its looks like yr spped control ant in neurtal.adjust yr throttle trim on yr radio to get into neutral n that will stop the will from spinning or u could buy a esc. hang onto the clod if u can,wish i had have the cars i got rid of.
rcconcept
06-06-2005, 08:47 PM
This is what a mod clod can look like.I`m running two 15 turn Reedy Flashpoint motors & 8 Sanyo 3600 MAh battery pack in a Thunder Tech racing Ripper chassis
kitty
06-07-2005, 12:11 AM
A popular esc is the Novak Rooster or SuperRooster. The Rooster or almost any esc really will work fine on 6 cell batteries and a pair of stock motors. As long as it supports 13 turn single motors or higher, you should be fine.
The Rooster will handle down to a 15 turn motor. Below that, a Super Rooster is needed. I have one of each, which is how I remember that.
I like badtodabone's idea. It will run and turn much better without making it into a speed demon. Plus, he knows his crawlers.
DFXXX: 32 D cells?! Where did you fit them all? Sounds awfully heavy.
rcconcept: What servo is that in the picture? It reminds me of one that was made by GWS a while back but with a different label. I miss the clear servo cases.
rcconcept
06-07-2005, 01:13 AM
It`s a Cirrus Cs 80 & is now longer made.
DFXXX
06-07-2005, 02:23 AM
DFXXX: 32 D cells?! Where did you fit them all? Sounds awfully heavy.
Yep. It was a Turbo Zeta Esc., needless to say, there wasn't much of a clod left after all the mods. I used a VERY stretched aluminum tub Sassy Chassis. I can't remember how much it was able to pull, but it was a lot. It was just a local hobby shop organized pulling event that got out of hand over the years! ;)
The Turbo Zeta should clue you in to how long ago that was!
jck_ahk
06-07-2005, 03:37 PM
DFXXX i have a zeta pdi esc do you still have the programing guide?
DFXXX
06-07-2005, 04:18 PM
DFXXX i have a zeta pdi esc do you still have the programing guide?
No, I sold everything all together. I did see a pair of zetas on ebay. You might ask the guy to make you a copy before he sells them!
bholio
06-08-2005, 08:52 AM
Dude,
First thing to try is to turn on your radio transmitter before turning on the car. I can see your speed control is set in the 'full speed' position from your pictures.
See that orange-ish thing with the black disc on top? That needs to be centered, or else the car will go at full speed. Hopefully, if you turn your transmitter on first, then the car, the servo which controls the speed control will reset back to center and cut the power. You can also turn it back by hand before powering up, just do it slowly so you don't break the servo.
I'm pretty sure that broken wire on the speed control (the copper braided one), is not that vital. I think mine is broken too and my clod runs just fine.
You could probably get $120-$150 on ebay for your clod right now, assuming the main body shell is not cracked or shattered. $120-$140 will get you a brand new Traxxas Rustler from www.towerhobbies.com which is a way better first car for your younger brother.
The Clod's a pretty cool truck to have, but I wouldn't want one as my only car.