If you can't beat 'em...

[Miller Time]

RUN 'EM OVER!



I had been talking to a guy about buying his rock crawler Wheelie King, but turns out he sold it right under me yesterday. So I'll be building one myself. Ordered the kit, 55 turn motor and esc, and a high-torque servo. I'm going to go with it like that for now, and work on a full "Rock King" conversion over the next weeks.

Miller Time racing sponsored by Visa! Life takes Visa.

[upnover]

Here is another great crawler out of the box...

http://www.axialracing.com/ftp/Press-Releases/04-07/AX10.htm

On sale at Stomer $218

https://www.ssl-stormerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/seekpart.pl?src=ns&pn=AX90001

[upnover]

and here is my old crawler 14.5" wheels base low and slow,had super rooter,clod axles 55 turn cans with 9tooth in the front and 10tooth in the rear. 4 link suspension,4wheele steer, stretched the rear for a 40/60 ratio...



[URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1369309742068252862oXqVPN][img]http://thumb2.webshots.net/t/42/42/0/97/42/369309742oXqVPN_th.jpg[/img][/url]

[URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1407576450068252862BwvCOI][img]http://thumb2.webshots.net/t/50/50/7/64/50/407576450BwvCOI_th.jpg[/img][/url]

[Miller Time]

Picutre didn't seem to work..



I was looking at the AX-10 and was pretty close to going that route. It's about $100 more than the WK and in the end I couldn't justify it. I'm sure in a few months I'll regret that as I'll probably have invested more in getting the WK up to that capabilities.

[srx]

i want one also but guess i will wait to see yours before i buy one

[macr0w]

So what's the deal? Are you getting the WK or what?

I have been wanting to build a crawler for some time. That was my original plan. But I just haven't gotten started.

I was going to make my Maxx a crawler but since going brushless it's too much fun going fast.  

Now I've gotten started on another project and it's not a crawler either. I'd really like to build one though. If you get one going post it up. I'd love to see it. And maybe it would get me into making one of my own.  

[Miller Time]

Yes it should be here tomorrow  

I have some other parts on order from different sources and they won't arrive until Saturday or more likely next week, so I'll be running it mostly stock for the weekend. I will be making it into a crawler over time, going to start simple with locking the diffs, removing the lower braces for more articulation and ground clearance, and turning the front tires around. Going to move the battery mount up front to balance it out some, it's very back heavy stock which is why it's called the Wheelie King

I'm going to see how well it works like that before going further, but I am pretty sure I will want to do some more to make it a better crawler. Eventually looking stretching the wheelbase, relocating the steering servo over the front axle for more front weight and better geometry, and probably flipping the chassis too. I am hoping that will turn it into a decent crawler without having to go through severe modifications.

I've been interested in a crawler for some time now, decided to bite the bullet and go with the project now that the weather is getting better outside. I'm looking forward to some plain ole bashing again soon!

[macr0w]

That's cool.

You are going to get me back into crawling I guess.

That was where my main interest was but it sort of changed because no-one else around here seemed interested.

If your building one then I'll have to get back on it.  

[Miller Time]

[srx]

nice................... :shock:

[Miller Time]

Ok this thing is seriously WEAK stock :lol:

Part of the problem is I'm using an XL5 esc as my Novak setup didn't arrive, and it didn't want to setup with the Spektrum too good. I think the ESC might be damaged too, anyway it's going to be a long wait for the next delivery. With a 27t motor and 6cell nimh I'd say it tops out at around 10mph.  :oops:  I have a 55t motor coming, which I hope will be at fast on the top end but with more torque. If the top end scales the same I don't think this thing will have enough wheelspeed to crawl. I will be able to use a 2s lipo with the Novak at least, that might pep it up a bit.

Crawling stock was a bit of a joke, but I expected that. I just had time to get the receiver, servo, and esc installed before sundown so I didn't mess with anything else. Not having the diffs locked obviously isn't going to work. All of the weight is in the rear and up high too, so front traction is bad and it topples easy. Moving the battery under the chassis and over the front axle should help that a lot.

[macr0w]

Wow! It sounds like you have some work to do.

I have heard that the WK makes a good crawler though. You just have to modify the crap out of it.  :lol:

I'm sure it will a lot of fun though.  

How do the axles look? I think that's why people are using them. You should give us a lid off picture. It's a shafty right?

They have diffs in there from the factory right? Do they make a spool kit for them or do you have to lock the diffs somehow?

[Miller Time]

Gah.. I just got through putting it all back together. I should have thought to take pictures while it was apart, this thing has a SERIOUS axle assembly. I'd say the front and rear case weigh near a pound each. The bevel gear in the case is about the size of a silver dollar, and twice as thick.

To be fair, my first reply above was early.. I knew this thing wasn't crawler material out of the box but really was just saying that I can't see why anyone would want this truck as it comes. It's not a crawler, not much of a basher because it's too slow, and has serious weight distribution issues. I couldn't get up a grass hill here because it would stand up and roll back end over end.

I relocated the battery to the front yesterday and took it out for about an hour, just that one simple change turned this into a whole new truck. Not only was I able to make it up that same hill at full throttle or slow speed without a problem, I got it to do a bit of crawling. BIG difference in the stability and performance from that alone.

I broke it down, locked the diffs, put fuel tubing in the shocks to lower it slightly and reduce some up travel, took out the rear brace, and I'm getting ready to cut the tires so they flex a bit more. I'll be taking it out shortly, should be able to get some pictures or even video of it in action. This has some excellent articulation now (which reminds me I also have to trim the body..) and should be in good shape. Softer tires are next, these things are just too solid to grip well, and make the truck a bit bouncy too. The stock suspension setup is very springy, so I need to lighten the coils.

[Miller Time]

WOW  :shock:  This thing is sweet  

Took awhile to get used to going so slow and picking out lines instead of just slamming into stuff :lol: It's a lot of fun, and this thing is pretty capable for the small amount of modifications I've put in so far.

I'll have a video up soon, but here are some pictures for now.

Photo album
or
Slideshow


Short video

[icepick]

Get some of those jumbo kong tires to help keep the axles off the rocks!! :shock: