I want to ROCK!

[Cajun]

In the immortal words of our buddy Dee Snider, "I wanna ROCK!".....crawler.  :lol:

Chris has inspired me to start planning my next build. I know I want to do a kit or a scratch build. I don't want an RTR, I enjoy the build process too much, so....I'm looking at the Axial AX10 Scorpion, since it comes in kit form, or just starting with a chassis. I'm actually leaning toward the AX10 because it takes away a good bit of the headache (and expense) of pulling a model together from scratch, but I still get to build the model. I did my Rustler from scratch and just getting all the parts was a giant pain. I want a 4 link (3 link is ok) suspension set up, I know that, I want a Castle Creations ESC for ease of use and I'll probaby use one of the 850kv brushless crawler motors. I also want a centrally located tranny vs. a motor on each axle. Eventually I'd like 4 wheel steering as well, something easily accomplised with the Scorpion. I considered hacking up my E-Maxx to build my crawler, but decided against it. My E-Maxx is too good as a bulletproof basher the way it is to pull it apart.

So, long story long, I got the ok from my wife and I'll be starting a rock crawler build soon.

[Miller Time]

Rock on! uhh yeah   :oops:

Good call on the AX10 kit I think. When I decided to take the plunge and get a crawler, I looked at all of the options that were out there. I didn't want to drop too much money in it, and I didn't want to fabricate anything myself. That really only left two choices, the Wheelie King or the AX10. I went with the WK for a few reasons - it is $100 cheaper, I liked the idea of being able to mod it as I go, and it seemed like AX10's were everywhere. I also liked that the WK ended up looking a bit more scale, which has some appeal to me.

Now that I've done some modding and some crawling, I've come to understand what makes a crawler work. I now also understand why the AX10 is so popular - right out of the box it's quite a ride. I actually ordered one last week (yeah, the sickness continues...) and it should be here in the next few days. I'm going to waterproof the WK and make it a trail crawler that I can beat up on, and probably aim the AX10 at a more serious crawler, maybe even competition entries. There are so many things that Axial did right on the AX10 that you don't have to worry about - I'm having a real problem with the high center of gravity on the WK. I've made it 10x better than it was, but it still needs work.

Glad to hear you're jumping in, and glad to see the forum    We'll have to try to organize a trip to some of the crawling spots that I see in the videos.

[upnover]

I've built them before from scratch and and 5 yrs ago you made alot of your own parts, chassis,4 link,and steering links. since then i have noticed that the crawling world exploded am here we go again. My crawler build will start in the middle of March... :roll:

[Miller Time]

I went out after work and crawled around some. Took the camera along to take some video, mainly to show the differences between now and when I made the first video. Hit some of the same areas, so I should be able to put together some comparisons. Then I headed down to the creek and was getting some nice video when the batteries went dead... in the camera.  

I'll try to get that video put together and uploaded soon.. but when I returned, there were two boxes sitting by my door.  

[upnover]

you got a ax-10 right ?

[srx]

i ordered the ax-10 kit last friday, we are gonna have a crawler club also, what could be next

[Cajun]

I went out after work and crawled around some. Took the camera along to take some video, mainly to show the differences between now and when I made the first video. Hit some of the same areas, so I should be able to put together some comparisons. Then I headed down to the creek and was getting some nice video when the batteries went dead... in the camera.  

I'll try to get that video put together and uploaded soon.. but when I returned, there were two boxes sitting by my door.  

So did you get it?  :shock:

[Miller Time]

Yarr - one box from CKRC with the AX10, and one box from Maxamps with my new small packs.

Shane - didn't know you ordered one! Looks like we will have a crawling group soon enough!

[srx]

yeap i got the kit, should be here this week. i dont know a thing about it or where to start

[Cajun]

Yarr - one box from CKRC with the AX10, and one box from Maxamps with my new small packs.

Shane - didn't know you ordered one! Looks like we will have a crawling group soon enough!

Sweet! I'm pretty sure that's where I'm gonna start with crawling too.

[Miller Time]

I wish I would have bought the small saddle packs, they make a mounting bracket for the front axle that lets you put the battery there if it's a split pack. I'd also go with 3s if you're going to get a Mamba system - I'm going with Novak so I'm limited to 2s. Not that it's that big of a deal, but the cost difference for the small batteries is not much, and you'll get a lot more wheelspeed with 3 cells.

The Wheelie King video is up, check the Videos forum.

[srx]

I'm going with Novak

what novak, i was looking at the goat

[Miller Time]

I have the Rooster Crawler combo - esc and 55t motor for $110 at tower or stormer. It's good, plenty enough for me - and the runtimes on that motor are crazy. I ordered some 2000mAh packs because I was running the 6k pack for two hours solid and not even going through half a charge.

The weight difference on the 2s 2000 pack is amazing, and the size is nice too. You want an esc that has a hold brake, I ran mine with the XL5 until I got my Rooster, and the difference was night and day. I don't know much about the Goat, but I know that the Rooster Crawler, Mamba Max, or even the Mamba 25 or Sidewinders are popular. With the Castle escs you can program them, plus run 3s packs if you have them, which is nice. The Rooster Crawler has a 90% drag brake that is not adjustable. It works fine once you get used to it, I don't think I would want it any lighter. You just have to be careful letting off the throttle going downhill, it shifts weight almost like hitting reverse, and will flip over.

[srx]

i have a extra mamba 25 esc for 1/18. will it work

[Miller Time]

It will, and I've seen people talk about using them. It has adjustable features like drag brake that would be nice. My only concern would be getting torque out of it without snapping the motor's shaft. You're going to be pushing a 10 pound truck with at least half a pound on each wheel, and torquing out of binds.

You would also need the Castle BEC, search for that at Tower, it's like $25. I'm not really sure what to say about using the M25, you might want to ask in the electronics forum at RCCrawler.com. I know it will handle the power just fine, it's the shaft I'm thinking might be inadequate.

-edit- Sorry, it's late and my brain isn't on. You were talking about the ESC, that should work fine. It's the motor that I would not suggest. Here is a great thread on two motors that are getting a lot of praise: http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=105584

I have one of the Warrior motors on backorder, they are $40 and supposed to be real beasts. That Cobalt is supposed to be even better, but it's also twice the cost, which is WAY more than I will ever spend on a brushed motor again.