Where do I start ????

[BIGDADDYV]

I have seen all the crawlers running around and WOW are they hot ..... I cant find one on here that i wouldnt want to take out and hammer the life out of ....... The problem is very simple ...... I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THEM ....... I have tried to disect what you all have going on here and i have looked at webistes ....... Trouble is I have no unearthly idea what I am looking at ...... After 21yrs in this hobby I have no idea ..... Its kinda frustrating if you think about it ....... I can fix just about anything that comes acrossed my bench and I have had countless models but i have no unearthly idea on how to build one of these things and or how it operates ..... I have been a lurker here for a while but now i have to speak up ...... I need help here ..... Where do i start and what isnt going to cost me half a million bucks to build .....

I am basically asking for a bit of starter help ..... What I should be looking for and whats going to give me the most bang for my buck ..... Not saying cheap by any means but i like to buy stuff once and just do minor repairs when i have to, not buy the cheap stuff and have to replace it every 20 runs ....
I see these diffs all big and plastic but where are you all getting them from ?? Whats better a full chassis or a "Pimp Cane" ????? The electronics part i have handled no problem ...... Super rooster and some 55t lathe motors should do the trick and well as some Hitech 645 servos i have laying around but the rest is a mystery ....... can someone please explain the basics to me and where woudl be the best place to start BUILDING one of these creepy lil fellas ..... Also what type of radio do you need and are there mods that need to be done to that as well ??? Can you buy a crawler style radio ...... I have 6 3chnl radios but i need to know if thats all i need ..

A lil help for your old Uncle V would be very appreciated ..... Thanks in advanced to all those that reply ...... BigV

[z-man280]

hey Vince!

i got the bug too man, so dont feel alone. I guess the first question to ask yourself is " what do i want it to do?"

Now, i am by NO means an expert on this, just what i have seen, but if you want to seriously crawl, then one of the "backbone" syle chassis's would be the way to go, and yes, you are on the right track thinking of the pimp cane.

want it for more? I would say a 4-link set up, something similar to what a full scale monster truck is. These look pretty versitile, as they can problably see double duty quite well.

now, what size do you want?

clod-based axles, and a bigger chassis will give you a big one, and TLT axles, made for the 1/18th truck, but with 2.2 rims/tires, will give you a 2.2 class rig.

Myself? i am going for a 1.9 rig, and scale. a Trail rig, if ya will, that i can do alot with. I plan on building a small trailer, and this could be a tow rig, a mild crawler, or somethnig to take to the beach as well.

It really depends on what you want to do with it first. As for the radio- i would use a tried and true TQ3 if you want basic function + 4 wheel steering. Granted, you can use a 2 channel with a y harness, and have both front and rear turn with the wheel, but opposed. The 3rd channel on the TQ3 is super easy to mod,...simply grab a 3 position momentary toggle, ( i used scrap lexan to mount mine) and remove the rocker switch. There will be 3 wires on it, white, black, gray. Just make sure gray goes to your neutral on the new switch, and you're good to go. This will allow self centering ( thus, the momentary) and dedicated rear steer, giving you crab, opposed, or only rear or only front steering.

As far as using DIG, ( a devise that dis-engages the rear drivetrain to prevent flipping in steep climbs) and things such as that, i cant help ya there, as i have not read up much on that.

hope this helps, and keep us posted!!!

[BIGDADDYV]

Well hell, that just posed like 4 more questions now doesnt it ..... I guess i would be going with more or less the 2.2 size . I being i know theres a ton of 2.2 stuff out there and well I dont want the Pede getting jealous ..... Really it comes down a to matter of expense to be honest .. Finding out where to buy this stuff and what to buy is probably the next logical step .... SO with the 2.2 size in mind I guess i set out on the jouney which is to be crawler .... TQ3 i have plenty of ...... PLENTY .. :D
I guess i want to build a rig that can climb like a spider monkey on crack and bash a lil bit too without tearing stuff up too much .... As far as steering goes I am going to have it 4wh steer just makes more sence to me to have it as agile as i can possibly make it ........
One of the things that vexes me is the whole locking up the rear end thing on steep rocks .... Not sure how that all works .. WIth the radio or with some good ole silly puddy or with a locking rear end , I have heard the words spool a few times ..... All of which just make my head spin ..... but i am sure one of the vets in Crawling will see my plea thread and make me understand ...... Funny if you think about this aspect of the hobby ...... Most of us when we first got into it made our rides RUN.. Then we do all sorts of special stuff and make em FLY , now after 21yrs i want to learn to crawl ...... Somehow this whole going back to move forward thing applies, I am just not sure where or how :D .....
This is a long road and I am sure there will be plenty of posts to follow somewhere in the crawlers world from me .... I hope to have something by the end of summer but I am not holding my breathe .....

[z-man280]

ahhhhhh, as for locking a diff- i use play doh, :D but, if you want it locked up soild, a bit of j-b weld will do the trick. You are mainly just locking the spider gears. As for a spool, this eliminates a differential all together, and both axles pull constant. no one-wheel-in-air-not-moving anymore!

i think if you search one of James Bernatchez's threads, yuo will see a demo and a much better explanation of front dig, as he used it on his crawler.

( come on James, step up here)

and yeah, it is funny....we go from W.F.O. to barely moving....lol.

[suckfish]

hey guy's well i'm a newbie to crawling but I have put together a very nice 2.2 comp rig. Here's a good thread to check out http://forums.radiocontrolzone.com/showthread.php?t=231490
James definatley knows his stuff and was a great help getting me setup..
XRC 2.2 chassis with Links
Mamba MAx w/ 55t lathe motor
RC4WD 2.2 Beadlock Rims
2.2 Moab Tires
645 Hitec for Steering
Stampede tanny locked with JB weld
TLT F/R Alxes Front I locked with JB weld, Rear I Hot Glued
(12) 5x11 bearings..
Battery & body ready to run..
Had a blast at my first Crawler Compitition last weekend learned alot.. The Super Crawler were very cool especially with thier size but remember bigger means more $$. The 2.2 can basically go anywhere a super can.. okay I'm gonna get it now.. :roll2:

[BIGDADDYV]

thanks for the input Fishy.... I dont think James and the crawler bunch will give ya too much grief ;) We are all loyal to our machines :D ..... i will start looking around for the stuff that was in that thread and see what i can do to aquire some parts for the 'NEW" project ..... With my other project winding down I need to have another in the works or i just go crazy ..... I think the crawler project is going to keep me busy for a while :D Thanks for the help and if you think of anything more LMK :D

[savage100]

There are a few questions that you want to answer before you start buying.

Do you want to run 2.2, super, or scale? 2.2 is good to start out with because they are easy to build and fun to drive. They also cost less than the supers. Anywhere from $400 up. 2.2's and scalers will usually run tlt axles, or now wheely king. Supers use mostly clod axles.

How much do you want to spend? If not a lot, get a 2.2 or scaler. If you got a lot to spend, you might want a super, or you could get a really nice 2.2. If you are just messing around, you probably won't need the most expensive stuff. And i use the traxxas TQ3 radio system. You can put rear wheel steer on it if you want too. Once you answer those, then you can decide what chassis and stuff to get.

[BIGDADDYV]

I am thinking of going the 2.2 ... To be honest i want less cost and more fun :D ..... Kinda like everyone else .... but the 2.2 crawler is definatley the way to go thus far .... Now to start tracking down parts .. That should be the fun part .... Wheres a good place to start looking .... I like to camparison shop :D

Thanks for all your help again guys and keep the info comming ;)

[savage100]

There is rcpcrawlers.com thecrawlerstore.com and just lhs to get the usual parts you need. Here is the list that i made for myself when i was looking into buying one. It has most, if not all the parts you will need for a 2.2. Just they don't have to be the same as mine.

TLT Kit $70
SW2 Chassis $90
Integy 55 turn lathe motor $20
M.troniks waterproof ESC $40
Traxxas T-maxx receiver $27
Traxxas Stampede half shafts 2 packs $10
Traxxas stampede drive yokes 2 packs $6
Robinson Racing Pinion gear $4
Hitec 645MG $40
Maxx 105mm turnbuckle 2 packs $10
Deans Wet noodle 12 guage motor wire $1.50 per foot
Deans ultra plugs 1 pair $3
Wheels and Tires about $50 to $60
Body about $30
Traxxas TQ3 $50

You will need a battery and charger also. Maybe some other stuff too. And a handy thing to have is a dremel. You will need to make your own extended driveshafts.

[nthstr]

I have started on my 2.2 scale crawler. I am basically building the same crawler as featured in the Feb 2007 issue of RCCA (pg.194) with a few custom touches. I have the TLT diffs all ready to go and the chassis is in the mail from Blew By You Racing. Along with the links, trans and servo mounts. I'll post pics when it is complete. This being my first crawler I thought that this would be a good way to go. If the bug bites me as hard as I think it will, next will be a super class.

Is four wheel steering legal in a 2.2 rig for competion?

[nthstr]

I am thinking of going the 2.2 ... To be honest i want less cost and more fun :D ..... Kinda like everyone else .... but the 2.2 crawler is definatley the way to go thus far .... Now to start tracking down parts .. That should be the fun part .... Wheres a good place to start looking .... I like to camparison shop :D

Thanks for all your help again guys and keep the info comming ;)


Ebay is where I picked up my TLT Max Climber.

[MattHiggins]

I have started on my 2.2 scale crawler. I am basically building the same crawler as featured in the Feb 2007 issue of RCCA (pg.194) with a few custom touches. I have the TLT diffs all ready to go and the chassis is in the mail from Blew By You Racing. Along with the links, trans and servo mounts. I'll post pics when it is complete. This being my first crawler I thought that this would be a good way to go. If the bug bites me as hard as I think it will, next will be a super class.

Is four wheel steering legal in a 2.2 rig for competion? You let BBY know where you saw their chassis, right? :D

I'm using that chassis in competition, and it works great. I've made some changes and have more in the works, but that's crawlin'.

[BIGDADDYV]

I dont want anythign for comps ... I just want one to add to the growing family that i like to call my collection :D ..... Thing is i dont like mine to get lost in sea of other RC's .... Being semi-original is the key as far as i am concerned .....

[z-man280]

hey vince, if ya want somethnig totally unique, what about this:

oh hey, that wont work, cuz everyone will want one!! check your pm's.

[BIGDADDYV]

I am gonna sell my Super Rooster and my Lunchbox and get some cash up for my crawler project
I think thats the best way for right now..... You all heard it here first ...... LOL .... Will check em Ron, thanks :D

[savage100]

Is four wheel steering legal in a 2.2 rig for competion?
No, it isn't.

[mdrevo]

hell....vince i just sold mine crawling isnt for me...i was bored after 5 minutes...i like speed...you seen the savage i traded for...but i was only asking 300 plus..if your interested i canget another cawler with stick chassi...airtronics radio and reciever spektrum recievers..2.2 beadloks...this truck is hooked...lmk i'll call the guy and lowball him on the price:wave:

[BIGDADDYV]

LMBOBO ....... Thanks Jess I knew i could getcha to lowball for me .... :D

[z-man280]

meh, come on Vinnie, you cant just "buy" someone elses rig, i know ya better than that...you're a hands dirty guy. I think you need to go with the "thing" we discussed:D

[nthstr]

You let BBY know where you saw their chassis, right? :D




You Bet I Did :D

[BIGDADDYV]

Thats true Ron if i didnt build it i feel like i an driving someone elses rig and for me thats a no no ....... I will have to gather thoughts about this ...... It seems like thers a bunch of things that go into one of these lil fellas