Project: Mini Libby (RC Car)

[XJ Wheeler]

Something a little different. :crazy:

Since i've had a lot more time at home i decided to break out one of my old hobbies, radio controlled trucks. I forgot how much fun these things are. I have a few RC trucks but ever since crawlers and scalers became so popular a few years ago i wanted to get back into it and build one but didn't have the time (and wasn't willing to spend the dough on it).

So here's the project.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-07-28000234-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-07-28000259-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-07-28000401-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-07-28000650-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-07-28000609-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-07-28000628-1-1.jpg



Its a Tamiya CC-01 Pajero XB rtr, that i've had for several years. The rtr means "ready to run". It also comes in many other models; Yj wrangler, Unimog, Fj-40, and early Bronco (these are newer versions).

To give some info on it. This is a cheaper one mainly built with plastic and runs older electrical technology speed control (mechanical, not electronic), so it doesn't perform very well now. I hope to change this, if i can find a good deal on a esc. Anyways it has front ifs and rear 4-link solid axle. Coilovers at all corners. Can't tell ya the gearing ratio but its way to high for what i want.

Ive done some stuff already (modifications and repairs), and plan on more. So i thought you guys might like to see this mini build.

Let me know if its cool to put this here.

[XJ Wheeler]

Had a TJ wrangler body setting around and the wheelbase somewhat lined up so i fitted it to the chassis. But that was short lived as it didn't fit the best (height wise).

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-07-11182135-1.jpg

At this point i was missing a tire and was in dire need of a pinion gear. The pinion gear i'm talking about here is not in the diff, it goes on the end of the shaft on the motor. I ordered a new gear set as a worn pinion ate the plastic spur gear. Also, i ordered a steel pinion gear.

[XJ Wheeler]

Mini Libby 3
A common free mod on these is to cut off what is called the "brick". It is a big chunk of plastic that hangs off the front end in front of the suspension. It gets caught and hung up constantly, so i took a hacksaw to it. I still need to make a skid plate to protect the chassis.

Brick

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-07-26232606.jpg

No brick

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-07-27092650.jpg

[XJ Wheeler]

If anybody is actually reading my dribble you might have been wondering why i named this Mini Libby. Well, i found the perfect body from another rc, a cheaper toy unit. Its a Liberty and fits great sans the fenders being a bit small. Those got some trimming, and i made a hidden body mount system.

Before trimming

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-07-21192249.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-07-21192648.jpg

After

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-07-26191929.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-07-26191951.jpg

Also, i installed the supplied locker in the rear axle. What a difference!

Its basically two small plastic pieces (not pictured) that replace the spider gears.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-07-09010516-1.jpg

[cantab27]

hey thats pretty cool...........keep the updates coming

[4.3LXJ]

Ya suppose those plastic plates will work for me? :D

Fenders look goood

[UpstateXJ]

Looks good, I will have to make a thread about my rc endeavors. I have been doing mainly the shortcourse trucks but have a few scale crawlers hiding as well.

[XJ Wheeler]

Looks good, I will have to make a thread about my rc endeavors. I have been doing mainly the shortcourse trucks but have a few scale crawlers hiding as well.

Sounds great, do it.

I've love these little things and have been since i was maybe 9 when my brother got a Kyosho Ram (nitro). My first was a Clodbuster, then it kept going with a Rc10t3, E-maxx, the Pajero pictured above, and lastly a Mini-t. Still got em all and most still run, not the mini-t (steering servo is out) and the Clodbuster (getting a full rebuild to turn it into a crawler).

[Brasscatz]

Dude, that's awesome! I've heard of people with those expensive RC cars that do like 100+ mph, but I don't think I knew they did crawlers too! My interest is peaked! Makes me want to get into this stuff too!

[Cartman4241]

Great little rig


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[XJ Wheeler]

Dude, that's awesome! I've heard of people with those expensive RC cars that do like 100+ mph, but I don't think I knew they did crawlers too! My interest is peaked! Makes me want to get into this stuff too!

Crawlers have blown up in popularity in the last couple years and now there's an endless supply of aftermarket support for ones like the Axial crawlers. They're much easier and cheaper to repair/modify than the full size variant. There's even Cherokee and Comanche bodies as well. One day i'd like to build a mini version of my XJ.

They're also tons of fun. There's even rock crawling events held around the country.

I have a small area for rock crawling but the rocks are a bit too big so i'll be searching for some smaller ones.

Here's some Axials with XJ bodies.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/big_15773230_0_809-600-1.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/cherokee-153-1.jpg


If you really want to have a reason to spend your next several paychecks check out http://store.rc4wd.com/ They are pretty much the leader in aftermarket scaler/crawler parts and pre-built rigs.

[XJ Wheeler]

Finally found a decent set of "new to me" tires and wheels. They're actually stock ones from another crawler model. The beadlock rings are removable but don't actually hold the bead down. Although with some short pieces of 2" pipe i can easier make them "true" beadlocks and plan of doing this as i want to be able to swap tire around eventually.

The tires are a bit bigger and the wheels have a slightly wider offset all meaning i will need to trim some more.

Oh, and i made an aluminum extension for the spare tire mount to mount one of the stock tires up right and angled to preserve the departure angle.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-08-02174818.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-08-02184459.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-08-02193623.jpg

[UpstateXJ]

Cool deal. I have an SCX10 and an AX10 from Axial. I also have several Tamiya Bruisers that I mess around with.

But, the Pro Line XJ bodies are at the top of my list right now.

[XJ Wheeler]

Cool deal. I have an SCX10 and an AX10 from Axial. I also have several Tamiya Bruisers that I mess around with.

But, the Pro Line XJ bodies are at the top of my list right now.

Nice! I've wanted a Bruiser for years, one of the first true "scalers" in my opinion. The Axials have also caught my eye as well, they just need to be cheaper.:rolleye0012:

[bluedragon436]

You want to sell that E-maxx you got there Jake?? I've wanted to pick up an E-maxx for years.. I have always been more of a basher RC truck person than the slower crawler type.. I have run many different RC trucks and buggy's over the years... I have a Team Losi XXX buggy, that I've been slowly working on converting over to being the XXX stadium truck, just need a new ESC and the longer rear arms/axles and it'll be ready to play again, and a Team Losi rally car, that just needs the electronics, as I put it all together and then put it up on a shelf.. I have been thinking of selling all the cars I currently have and picking up either an E-maxx or the Summit and doing some upgrades, nothing too crazy as I'd rather spend money on my real XJ, but am def. wanting to pick up the XJ body and some other scale parts over time to make them look even better... I'll def keep an eye on this thread, as I enjoy watching people and their RC build threads.. Another new one I like is the Axial RC tub crawler that they put out..

[XJ Wheeler]

You want to sell that E-maxx you got there Jake?? I've wanted to pick up an E-maxx for years.. I have always been more of a basher RC truck person than the slower crawler type.. I have run many different RC trucks and buggy's over the years... I have a Team Losi XXX buggy, that I've been slowly working on converting over to being the XXX stadium truck, just need a new ESC and the longer rear arms/axles and it'll be ready to play again, and a Team Losi rally car, that just needs the electronics, as I put it all together and then put it up on a shelf.. I have been thinking of selling all the cars I currently have and picking up either an E-maxx or the Summit and doing some upgrades, nothing too crazy as I'd rather spend money on my real XJ, but am def. wanting to pick up the XJ body and some other scale parts over time to make them look even better... I'll def keep an eye on this thread, as I enjoy watching people and their RC build threads.. Another new one I like is the Axial RC tub crawler that they put out..

You wouldn't want it, something breaks every time i drive it. I've got some giant tires on there that seem to take their toll on everything else. Even now its down with burnt motors. Mines a first gen as well, about ten years old.

They are great vehicles though, runs over just about every thing. A basher like you said. I've ran mine through tons, everything you can think of that doesn't involve moisture as the older ones aren't waterproof like the newer variations. Running two batteries gets old quick though.

[XJ Wheeler]

Mini Libby 6
A few updates here:

The "new" tires are so very soft, they stick to everything. Very impressed with their capability, although they seem to be chunking a lot. Might need a spare set.

Found some info on a rc forum i'm a member of on how to lock the front axle using one of the spider gears i removed from the rear. Works quite well. Even more capable!

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-08-23174811-1.jpg

The stock mechanical speed control has been giving me lots of problems and after mending it numerous times it finally fried itself. Kinda bummed i remembered i had an old Dynamite electronic speed control from my T3 that had stopped working. I had just replaced it when it went out but had kept it. So, i figured giving it a look wouldn't hurt. I opened it up and it had an 40a automotive blade fuse in it, that was blown. Replaced the fuse and it fired right up. Still need to make a mounting plate for it.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-08-22015720.jpg

A little trail repair, tire flew off at speed. The nut just loosened so there was no damage.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-08-251955520-1.jpg

And finally, the stock motor has been running hot, enough to start melting the chassis. A couple days ago it finally stopped working all together. So, i found a good deal on a new Axial 55t motor. The 55t is a higher turn motor, meaning more torque but slower speed.

That is all.

[4.3LXJ]

I had that wheel flying off thing happen to me once :bang:

[Brasscatz]

I had that wheel flying off thing happen to me once :bang:

I did too.... some jerk had loosened the lugs on my Trans Am driver's rear wheel. Flew off going 45mph, hit the median, flew 30 ft. in the air and landed on some lady's windshield going the opposite direction. Everybody was ok though, thank God.

[4.3LXJ]

My Bronco spit the axle out a long ways from nowhere

[Brasscatz]

ouch

[XJ Wheeler]

I did too.... some jerk had loosened the lugs on my Trans Am driver's rear wheel. Flew off going 45mph, hit the median, flew 30 ft. in the air and landed on some lady's windshield going the opposite direction. Everybody was ok though, thank God.

Sounds like more than a jerk, maybe someone needs a little jail time to clear up the :crazy:

[Brasscatz]

Sounds like more than a jerk, maybe someone needs a little jail time to clear up the :crazy:

Yeah, no kidding. I just wish I knew who for sure it was and that I could prove it. But that was 9 years ago. I'm thankful that nobody was hurt, and I've pretty much forgotten about it. Gotta take the high road :innocent0002:

Oh, I forgot to mention that it flew off (no joke) right in front of my insurance agent's office. Very convenient as I didn't have my insurance card with me at the time :bang:

[XJ Wheeler]

Yeah, no kidding. I just wish I knew who for sure it was and that I could prove it. But that was 9 years ago. I'm thankful that nobody was hurt, and I've pretty much forgotten about it. Gotta take the high road :innocent0002:

Oh, I forgot to mention that it flew off (no joke) right in front of my insurance agent's office. Very convenient as I didn't have my insurance card with me at the time :bang:

Well, at least you got a good story.

[XJ Wheeler]

I made a front plate out of some plastic i had, and epoxy'd that sucker on there. This stuff is super strong, the vehicle is able to be hoisted from that piece alone. It will get a nice (hopefully) coat of satin black soon that will most likely get removed rather quickly rock by rock.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-09-03224036.jpg

Made a mounting plate for the esc out of an extra cd case (if anyone remembers those). Just don't have any double sided tape, so actual mounting (ok, sticking) will have to wait. This too will receive a layer of satin black, later.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-09-03235844.jpg

The new motor came in and i got it wired up. I chose to install Deans connectors in between the motor and esc so i can interchange motors if i choose later.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-09-041844060.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-09-041857310.jpg

Overall i haven't been very impressed with the motor, but i think it might be the esc is just not setup for crawling/trailing. It lost a fair amount of speed, which i expected. Although i had believed i would have more torque, which is comparable with the old motor.

If i can find one that's isn't stupid expensive i'd like to get an Axial AE-2 esc in hopes of better tuning for this type of driving and to gain a drag brake.

I also added some small o-rings inside the front diff side axles to aid in fixing the problem of the shafts popping out when the steering is maxxed. So far its worked. Good tip from a member on a RC forum.

[XJ Wheeler]

Last week i redesigned the area i drive these things including the rock pit, so i got some driving in to test it out. Finally got some video.

Tamiya CC-01 Rock Crawling Part 1/2 - YouTube

Tamiya CC-01 Rock Crawling Part 2/2 - YouTube

And i used a feature on my phones camera i just found.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-09-20184823-1_zps41c267fd.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-09-20185247-1_zps0de7330e.jpg

Then the bad. A few days previous to this i had noticed the link mounts on the rear axle had cracks where they were molded in, so i put some epoxy to help secure them. After the above abuse the right side gave out anyways.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-09-202132230-1_zpsed53df18.jpg

So now i think i'm going to make some new mounts but if it proves pricey enough i'll just get a new housing.

[Carves]

I didnt realise how realistic the RC jeeps are ...

... bits breaking and falling off, motors running hot ...

Tis just like the real thing .... :D:D


Keep the story running XJ Wheeler ... tis good reading ..

[XJ Wheeler]

I didnt realise how realistic the RC jeeps are ...

... bits breaking and falling off, motors running hot ...

Tis just like the real thing .... :D:D


Keep the story running XJ Wheeler ... tis good reading ..

:rotfl2: So true.

Thanks.

[Brasscatz]

That's pretty awesome! I like the little jump in the first vid around 1:35... that was the magical winch, right?

[XJ Wheeler]

That's pretty awesome! I like the little jump in the first vid around 1:35... that was the magical winch, right?

You guessed it, just put that on last week.:D

[XJ Wheeler]

Finally engineered a design i believed would work without much modification to the axle.

I took some spare aluminum i had and cut two pieces to size to run from two bolt holes on the side of the broken link mount. So glad i got a set of small files a while back, very helpful in fine tuning their fitment. Then i drilled them so i could run screws/bolts threw the housing to secure the plates.

I also got a spacer and cut it down to go in between the plates so they wouldn't compress and fold toward each other. Also, i cut a small piece of spacer to fit above the top plate to give some distance between the top and bottom links to be more like the original setup.

Overall it seems to perform great, if not nearly identical to the original mount. Plus, i didn't spend $20 on a new housing. My quick figure came to about $2.50 for everything.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-09-290152340-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-09-29020149-1.jpg

[XJ Wheeler]

About time i updated this.

Got a great deal on a used RC4WD Crawler 65t motor but didn't have any more connector to wire it in. Got some more connectors and it... SUCKS! Couldn't have any less torque. Wouldn't even reverse up a gradual 30(?) degree hill. Oh well, at least it wasn't much money. Might try looking into it some to see if maybe there's something wrong.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-10-161846430.jpg

Replaced the stock metal driveshaft, which ears were getting twisted to the point i was wondering about shearing one off, for this concoction of traxxas axle shafts.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-10-17010422-1.jpg

Played around with trimming the couple of stock tires i have. Trimmed on left, stock on right.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-10-181605320.jpg

Toying around the idea of making an offroad trailer for it. Made a mock up cardboard variant. What are pizza boxes for, right. Still trying to figure out the suspension and frame, though i have started on the body using 0.060 styrene plastic.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-10-290253510-1.jpg

[Brasscatz]

that trimming looks good man! I never would have guessed that was wasn't a stock tire

[Carves]

Trailers cute ... look forward to seeing that finished .. :thumbsup:

[XJ Wheeler]

that trimming looks good man! I never would have guessed that was wasn't a stock tire

Thanks, bud! Took a while but i like the look better, plus they're a really hard compound so that cuts help it flex.


Trailers cute ... look forward to seeing that finished .. :thumbsup:

Cute!?!? Thanks :p Figuring out the axles is giving me the most issue. Hopefully i can get it done without spend hardly anything.

[XJ Wheeler]

Got some of the body of the trailer started. Still a long way to go.

After figuring up the Liberty body is right at 1/11.4 scale, i figured up the trailers cargo area (at 1/11.4 scale) would be 7.6' long 4' wide 1.7' high.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-11-130319090-2.jpg

[Brasscatz]

would be 7.6' long 4' wide 1.7' high.


After reading that, I was like "holy crap! 7 feet long??" LOL, I figured out you meant inches though! Looks great buddy! Very interested to see that thing finished up!

[XJ Wheeler]

After reading that, I was like "holj crap! 7 feet long??" LOL, I figured out you meant inches though! Looks great buddy! Very interested to see that thing finished up!

Lol. I actually did mean feet. That's what it would measure it were 1:1 scale (full size). The real measurement is 8 inches long.

[bluedragon436]

Project is looking good.... Can't wait to get settled in and start toying with my RC's, or selling the ones I have to pick up one that I want.... won't be getting rid of my crawler though, but def want to outfit it with a much better body!!!

[Brasscatz]

Foot + mouth = me.... lol

[BlueXJ]

I'm impressed with this whole thread.

[XJ Wheeler]

Project is looking good.... Can't wait to get settled in and start toying with my RC's, or selling the ones I have to pick up one that I want.... won't be getting rid of my crawler though, but def want to outfit it with a much better body!!!

Be having fun with em before ya know it. Maybe a cherokee body for the crawler?:D


Foot + mouth = me.... lol

Rofl! His dare you crack me up... Pieces... everywhere... just everywhere...


I'm impressed with this whole thread.

Thanks, Blue!

[XJ Wheeler]

I actually haven't been dealing with this in a while, because its out of commission. The rear ring & pinion chose to eat each other. I take the rear axle apart semi-regularly so this must've happened fairly quickly. I've searched for some time to find a replacement, and got a tip to call Tamiya. Haven't done it yet though.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-12-11025956-1.jpg

Before that i put some new Rock Claws on that i had gotten a while back.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-11-251656350-2.jpg

I was bored one night and there just happened to be a black paint pen sitting in front of me. Did up the flares and front bumper. I also cut and bent up some aluminum tubing for a quick little bar to mount on the front bumper. And, if you look closely you can see some test paint on the rocker.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-12-081645150-1.jpg

And, the trailer. I've gotten a good chunk of the frame done, with a front crossmember and rear bumper. Still waiting to make either one or two center crossmembers depending on the suspension.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2012-11-292239240-1.jpg

[Brasscatz]

the black looks good! I'm excited to see how that trailer turns out too

[XJ Wheeler]

the black looks good! I'm excited to see how that trailer turns out too

Thanks, i do plan on painting the flares a satin black once i get the base color down.

[bluedragon436]

I'd love to pick up a Cherokee body for my crawler one day... just wish I could find a 97+ body... I think I am going to sell of my other RC toys and get my crawler back up and going..

Sorry to see that the ring and pinion gears decided to eat themselves... I've been seeing that quite a bit after people mod and swap out motors and tires and wheel them... or not even make the wheeling part... but while doing shake down runs.. Kind of the reason why I'm always worried about putting the time/money/effort into my crawler... but can't wait to see how you build goes... to include that trailer build you got going...

[XJ Wheeler]

I'd love to pick up a Cherokee body for my crawler one day... just wish I could find a 97+ body... I think I am going to sell of my other RC toys and get my crawler back up and going..

Sorry to see that the ring and pinion gears decided to eat themselves... I've been seeing that quite a bit after people mod and swap out motors and tires and wheel them... or not even make the wheeling part... but while doing shake down runs.. Kind of the reason why I'm always worried about putting the time/money/effort into my crawler... but can't wait to see how you build goes... to include that trailer build you got going...

To my knowledge, i have never seen a '97+ Xj body. Only the older style. Hmmm, wonder why. What other vehicles do you have, and what kind of crawler?

I'm thinking my bushings may be a little work, leading to excess play. This motor does have some more torque but the tires definitely have have tons of grip. And i really bash on it sometimes. Since my brother got one, we developed a race. Its very diverse, and i have made a few mistakes in my haste.:rolleye0012:

[bluedragon436]

I have an older PTI Goliath crawler... haven't done the suspension upgrade yet to take it to the full 12" length, maybe once I get it back up and going I'll look into it as it does help for flex and suspension travel anyways.. I think I'll just run it with the Durango body and the other body can't remember what it is right now, and maybe later down the line I'll either build an XJ crawler with the older body... or I'll work on doing a tube crawler or something..

As far as other RC's, I have a Team Losi XXX buggy, that I've been working on converting over to a stadium truck setup, I have a Team Losi Rally Weapon as well, that I have only assembled but never run at all, or even painted the body, and I have an older nitro touring car, that the guy before me jacked up the shocks and so it sits more like a rally car... but I have pulled the electronics off of it for the Rally Weapon as I have given up on nitros and gone to electric only... due to ease of running no matter what the weather is outside and where I am at the time I decide to run it... which was a huge issue just trying to run that car and my old nitro MT here in DE, because the weather changed so much I had to keep tuning it to keep it running... not to mention it is a whole lot quieter running the electric cars... Like I said I am more of a crawler and basher type... so that is why I have thought about selling all of my other cars and pick up an older E-maxx to enjoy for bashing and playing... especially as it was the RC truck I wanted for the longest time until I heard that Traxxas was putting out the all purpose basher/crawler in the Summit and then I put off my E-maxx purchase to hold of to pick a Summit up... but they are a bit out of my price range... Hey for motors for your crawler check out Kershaw Designs (http://kershawdesigns.com/Motors-ESCs-Brushed.htm), they have a 550 crawler motor that is from what I've read online while researching a pretty decent setup and it is like $10 to pick up... so even if it doesn't work for your setup, you won't be out big bucks... they have the motor upgrade as well as a few other upgrades that I was looking at running if I had picked up or if I find a good deal on an E-maxx..

[XJ Wheeler]

I have an older PTI Goliath crawler... haven't done the suspension upgrade yet to take it to the full 12" length, maybe once I get it back up and going I'll look into it as it does help for flex and suspension travel anyways.. I think I'll just run it with the Durango body and the other body can't remember what it is right now, and maybe later down the line I'll either build an XJ crawler with the older body... or I'll work on doing a tube crawler or something..

As far as other RC's, I have a Team Losi XXX buggy, that I've been working on converting over to a stadium truck setup, I have a Team Losi Rally Weapon as well, that I have only assembled but never run at all, or even painted the body, and I have an older nitro touring car, that the guy before me jacked up the shocks and so it sits more like a rally car... but I have pulled the electronics off of it for the Rally Weapon as I have given up on nitros and gone to electric only... due to ease of running no matter what the weather is outside and where I am at the time I decide to run it... which was a huge issue just trying to run that car and my old nitro MT here in DE, because the weather changed so much I had to keep tuning it to keep it running... not to mention it is a whole lot quieter running the electric cars... Like I said I am more of a crawler and basher type... so that is why I have thought about selling all of my other cars and pick up an older E-maxx to enjoy for bashing and playing... especially as it was the RC truck I wanted for the longest time until I heard that Traxxas was putting out the all purpose basher/crawler in the Summit and then I put off my E-maxx purchase to hold of to pick a Summit up... but they are a bit out of my price range... Hey for motors for your crawler check out Kershaw Designs (http://kershawdesigns.com/Motors-ESCs-Brushed.htm), they have a 550 crawler motor that is from what I've read online while researching a pretty decent setup and it is like $10 to pick up... so even if it doesn't work for your setup, you won't be out big bucks... they have the motor upgrade as well as a few other upgrades that I was looking at running if I had picked up or if I find a good deal on an E-maxx..
Those Goliaths have a nice looking suspension, but yeah, probably would make it more capable and best center of gravity.

That Losi would be cool as a stadium truck, maybe a contender against my T3. :D The only Nitro experience i have was a Kyosho Dodge Ram my brother has, its a pain to run and i never had an interest since. Plus i like that electrics don't cost anything run, well i guess charging the batteries cost something but i'm sure is a lot less than the fuel.

I've heard of Kershaw, might of been for a brushes setup but i'm not sure. Doesn't say what turn that motor is.

[bluedragon436]

Yeah I do like the electric setups much better than the Nitro that I have run in the past.. and it is much cheaper to run in the end... I do like the Goliath... and the one time that I have run one of them it was pretty awesome rig... I did find a couple bodies that I think will work nicely on the PTI once I get it going again.. but no newer XJ bodies... oh well... LOL..

Kershaw is actually pretty good on answering emails... I know I was looking at one of the other motors he used to have a while back when I was looking for a motor for my buggy/stadium truck... and it didn't say how many turns it was or would be comparable too... and I sent him an email, and he replied back and gave me that info..

[XJ Wheeler]

Yeah I do like the electric setups much better than the Nitro that I have run in the past.. and it is much cheaper to run in the end... I do like the Goliath... and the one time that I have run one of them it was pretty awesome rig... I did find a couple bodies that I think will work nicely on the PTI once I get it going again.. but no newer XJ bodies... oh well... LOL..

Kershaw is actually pretty good on answering emails... I know I was looking at one of the other motors he used to have a while back when I was looking for a motor for my buggy/stadium truck... and it didn't say how many turns it was or would be comparable too... and I sent him an email, and he replied back and gave me that info..

You gotta get that thing going,now you're making me want to get mine going even more. The PTI looks like a blast.

Okay, i got ya. I found it odd at first, but thought it might be because they offer multiple turns. Thanks.

[XJ Wheeler]

I finally got the gears ordered last Friday, so hopefully they should be here real soon.

I've been working on the body, to get it ready for paint. Making some functional offroad lights out of some old plastic toys lights. And finally I've been doing a lot of hacking and cutting to fit the winch i got for Christmas. Already made the mounts and secured it but i have to clearance the body for it. Shame is i need another channel on my radio to use it like i want. So, i guess a new radio and transmitter is in the list. Hoping to find a good deal on a Traxxas 2.4 ghz 3-4 channel, i would love to have 4 so i can run the lights on one.

[XJ Wheeler]

Wow its been longer than i thought since i last put something here.

So i did get the gears previously mentioned, i had ordered two sets just in case and glad i did. The first new set didn't last too long. When i changed out the ring and pinion the first time i noticed the pinion shaft was quite worn, along with the bushings holding one end in place. So i got a new shaft, much better i think this is why the ring and pinion weren't meshing right and thus, wearing so much. Here you can see how worn the left shaft was.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-02-26224034-1.jpg

I also got a new Axial 27t motor for cheap, burnt it up on the second run, warrantied it, installed another one. It does donuts now. :P But is kinda awkward in doing so with the lockers. And now i need to stiffen up the shocks for high speed runs, but some clips will solve that so i can easily remove them for crawling. But overall the more power is nice. :D

Installed a bearing kit, and it made such a difference. The bushings were very worn, even had lots of play in certain areas like the rear end.

I had mentioned a bit about the winch before. Its mounting is done, i had to cut out a chunk of body behind the front bumper. That chunk had one of the bumper mounts on it so i had to move it. I still don't have the radio/receiver to run the winch though. I thought about wiring in a switch temporarily so i can switch between the steering and winch but i could only operate one at a time.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-02-15024942-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-02-15025042-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-02-160359110-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-02-180318300-1.jpg

[Brasscatz]

wow, that thing just keeps getting sweeter and sweeter!

[XJ Wheeler]

wow, that thing just keeps getting sweeter and sweeter!

Yeah, i can't wait till i get the body painted and the lights set up. Thanks, bro.

[XJ Wheeler]

I had to get a new motor mount, the original was plastic and after so many times getting hot it just got brittle and started cracking pretty bad around the mounting screws. I don't think i'll have the same problem with the new solid aluminum one.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-04-270035290-1.jpg

I had been noticing the front stock shafts becoming quite worn on the insides. And looking for an excuse to get some i got a new set. The new ones are different. They have a universal joint at the knuckle side instead of the original separate "dogbone" setup. HOWEVER... The set i got started coming apart and i got a refund. Then, with some advice from some rc forum friends, got some GPM units. So far so good.

This with the set that came apart (before they came apart) but the GPM shafts look identical.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-04-27030918-1.jpg

Old worn end.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-04-27031103-1.jpg

New end

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-04-27031259-1.jpg

And during the time after the first new set came apart and still waiting on the GPM shafts i put the originals back in. In that short time i broke one of them, in a completely different way than i thought i would.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-06-03023839-1.jpg

[XJ Wheeler]

Reeeemix!

I grew tired of the way this thing looked so the Liberty body has been undergoing a semi-major transformation for the past few weeks. I have finally gotten the body painted, after a long decision making process. I chose to go with a matte finish dark red. When i pictured it in my head, it was a close call between that and desert tan. Figured this would better handle the potential damage later on. And gladly, it came out rather smooth. This pic, well...sucks. It is actually darker than it shows here.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-05-18190335-1.jpg

Now, i did get that done a little while back. So, i have been putting some work down on this beast to get it DONE! Finishing paint touches, adding more realism. Its gonna be all flat/matte. I usually like the way that looks and thought it would be easier to spray. For (again) more realism, i sprayed the flares, bumpers, rockers, roof rails and hand painted the mirrors, door handles, window molding, and door seals in flat black as it most likely would be in full scale.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-08-23025210-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-08-10032943-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-09-11000350.jpg

If you were hoping to see pics of the whole thing finished....... Keep waiting, its getting close. :bacondance:




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[EricT93]

so cool!

[Brasscatz]

Wow, great detail Jake! And of course... red is best ;)

[F1Addict]

Wow, great detail Jake! And of course... red is best ;)

I agree. That is some seriously impressive detail work. Can't wait to see the finished shell.

[bluedragon436]

Man, now you're making me want to get my Goliath back up and running... I'm just torn between my rock crawler or the Stadium truck setup to get back up and running..

[XJ Wheeler]

Thanks a lot guys! I'm am a bit of a perfectionist, so i tend to look at it and only see the flaws. Lol.

I knew that color would get a good response... from some. :D

Plenty more to come...

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[XJ Wheeler]

Man, now you're making me want to get my Goliath back up and running... I'm just torn between my rock crawler or the Stadium truck setup to get back up and running..

My choice would depend on what you want to drive more and the terrain you have available.

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[XJ Wheeler]

I had four off road type lights from an old Hummer toy. Although they were softer plastic and solid, just for looks as they say. Instead of buying some housings for about $20 i decided to make these operational. Two would be mounted on the front bumper, and two for a-pillar lights. So i hollowed them out with my Dremel and cutting a lip for a lense in each at the same time. Then drilling out a mounting hole in the bottom and another in the back for wiring. By the time i trimmed them up they were quite flexible, so i laid a coat of plastic weld on the inside to stiffen them up some. Painted flat black to add to the "scale" effect and i cut out some lenses from an old cd case.

Here you can see how they came on the right, versus everything but the lenses done on the left.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-03-100308080-1.jpg

Now, what type of lighting to use? I wasn't gonna do anything but LED because of how much power they draw versus pretty much any other option, plus the size is great and the look is usually very nice. I chose to make mine using automotive bulbs though, 194 bulbs to be exact. This way i could get them cheap, ready to use right out of the package, and runs on a 9v battery. I got a couple sets, at about four for $1 on ebay. And guess what, once removed from the holder the small board fits great in the off road light housing. With them now removed from the holder i soldered on some leads to each, liquid electric tape over the back of the LED boards, epoxy'd in the housings, epoxy the lenses on, and repaint the lights.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-08-12035727-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-03-100310040-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-03-100309040-1.jpg

The final assembly for the offroad lights.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-09-10234000-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-09-10233818-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-09-11001752-1.jpg


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[abebehrmann]

This is really cool. I never knew they made rc rock crawlers.

[XJ Wheeler]

This is really cool. I never knew they made rc rock crawlers.

Oh yeah, and it gets so much more extensive than what i can afford.

I'm talking 3 speed transmissions, working transfer cases, scale Dana 44s-60s-rockwells-unimogs axles, coilovers, winches, and it goes on and on.

If you wanna see some cool stuff, check out these guys. https://store.rc4wd.com/?view_full_site=1

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[Brasscatz]

Amazing attention to detail bro

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 because my microwave couldn't do it

[saar]

Amazing. I like it :)

[XJ Wheeler]

Haven't really been working on this but remembered some updates o forgot to post.

----------------------------------------------


You didn't think those four lights were gonna be it did you?! :D

Its has headlights, with seven LEDs per.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-08-070332070-1.jpg

These will have lenses. ;)

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-08-23024617.jpg

Driving lights in the original location and four tail lights that are the same type and wired similarly to the offroad lights.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-09-10234335-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-08-10032840-1.jpg

Also a white LED strip in each fender for rock lights.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-09-13024231-1.jpg

Overall, the Libby will be filthy will LEDs... 66 in all. Although i am contemplating front parking lights, i can't seem to come up with a good bulb to use.

[XJ Wheeler]

For all the lights, i of course have to send power to them. I used 22 gauge wire, soldering all connections, heatshrink and liquid electric tape for insulating the joints.

I also used some small connectors so i could unhook each individually, although these connectors are giving me lots of trouble so i may have to come up with another option.

Routing was a process of its own.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/P1120713-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-08-23025557.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/CC-01/2013-09-16042952.jpg

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