Well it's actually my Tamiya TLT-1 with a new shell on it. I used a Losi 1/18th Grappler body, painted it white, and dressed it up with some spider flames and a spider. Turned out pretty good. To get it running, I had to relocate some electronics. So right now it has the following gear on:
2 Towardpro MG946R servos for 4WS
Futaba MC230CR ESC
Tactic TR654 receiver
Tamiya stock motor (was not being used)
Onyx 3000mAh 7.2v NiMH battery
Tactic TTX650 transmitter
with it all together and setup to drive, I finally took it out for a drive in the front yard. This little truck moves decent. Here is the video:
I already have some updates in the works. A new body has been trimmed, painted, decorated, and mounted. This time I used a Team Associated SC18 Short Course Truck body. It actually fits much better than the Grappler, and looks better too. I painted it white and black, and used an old sticker set from another body. I'm also working on getting some lights installed on it. Problem is i have to make some custom light bucket mounts, so it may be a few months before I get them on. In the meantime, I'll try to take out in the next coming weekends. I may make one change and switch it over to the Spektrum DX3C gear. I'll loose the on-demand front and rear steering, but the Tactic is going to the Honcho for some upcoming upgrades (more on that another time).
E-Maxx:
I was able to successfully get my E-Maxx 90% disassembled. The only things not taken apart were the front/rear diffs and the transmission. Everything came apart quite easily. Here is the E-Maxx in pieces, minus the wheels/tires:
Lots of parts. During the disassemble process, I came across some bent screws. So I ordered up replacements along with some shock rebuild kits. All the parts came in and it was time to reassemble. Using the manufacturers exploded views, I was able to get it back together. There were a few screws that I got mixed up, but was able to get them all in their proper places. During this process I missed a bent screw. Well I got the screw back in with little effort, but decided this was a good time to buy a RPM upgrade part that came with screws. I received it but have yet to get it in. The E-Maxx is all together, mostly cleaned up, and waiting to hit the road and rocks. Time for some more E-Maxx videos. This has been a very good, fun, and durable R/C truck. Many thanks to Traxxas for such a good product. I have had it since 2004/2005 (can't remember which one), and only 3 bent screws so far. And I consider myself a moderate basher. So if you're getting into hobby-grade R/C, Traxxas is a great brand to start with. Even though their models are already put together, it's always a good idea to do a complete tear down and rebuild every so often. You will not always see the damage that happens during crashes and tumbles.
SCX10 Dingo:
Well the Dingo is finally out of the garage after doing an upgrade that I planned on for a later time. I got in the extra parts to make the Dingo a 4-link rear suspension. But after getting everything back together, there was some binding in the rear drive-train that went away as the rear axle got closer to the frame. Not good. After some thinking and looking at the spare parts I have, I was able to remove the binding. I ended up using longer ball links on the ends of the upper links. This ended up clocking the rear axle back, thus decreasing the angle of the axle input shaft to the rear drive shaft, which in turn eliminated the binding. And since the rear was now 4-link, I decided to upgrade the front to 4-link. Ordered the parts, got them in, and upgraded the front. With the DIG and links done, time to get the lights in order. For the body set, I'll keep the G.T Power RC lights (bought from Team Integy R/C). I did have 2 of the lights going to the front bumper, but decided to remove them. I also did some rearranging for better power connector access. I also redid the Great Planes ElectriFly Flylites green light tube on the chassis. I also finally got my R/C Lights light set together and installed on the chassis. Part of the light rewiring project included power switches for each set of lights. This way I can turn them on and off as needed. All lights are installed, routed as cleanly as I can, and working. The R/C lights set runs off of the receiver, and the other 2 use 4 AA batteries each. While I was at it, I decided to add some additional details: window wipers and side mirrors. Now I just need to hit the rocks with it. Speaking of hitting rocks, there is the Dingo 1st run video:
TLT-1:
The TLT-1 is back together, set up on electronics, and has a new body. I took it out for a drive today, and it's a good little truck still. A run video should hopefully be up before the end of this year.
Speaking of the end of this year, Merry Christmas people!
Micro-T:
I have the HIGHroller conversion almost complete. I just need to get the ESC/Receiver mounted and all should be ready.
SCX10 Trail Honcho:
The Honcho has been converted over to 4-link rear setup. From what I have read on 3-link vs 4-link, this will give better articulation in the rear with no axle steer. For the crawler that's already my best, this should just make it better.
SCX10 Dingo:
I installed a DIG transmission, but ran into problems with getting the rear back together. It seems that even though the SCX10 is listed as compatible, it appears that you need to have a specific setup. I got a few parts ordered to make it a 4-link rear setup (which I was planning on anyways), and hopefully this will work. If not I'm going to have to figure out how to fit the DIG transmission to the Trail Honcho.
TLT-1 Rockbuster:
I decided to get the TLT-1 up and running, so a rebuild was in order. With the manual in hand, I got the truck apart and back together. Unfortunately this model is discontinued, so an extra belt and spur gear are not possible. With that I put in a brushed system instead of going with brushless. Now I just need to setup the electronics and take it for a run.
EXO Terra Buggy:
After not being satisfied with trying to use my Castle Creations Mamba Max setup in the Dingo and not wanting to put that powers the TLT-1, I decided to put it back on the EXO. While I had the EXO opened, I changed out the spur gear. Since I still don't want crazy speed so I changed to a 50/14 gearing.
E-Maxx:
The E-Maxx was making a loud noise after the last run, so I decided it is next up. I got the gear cover off and one of the pinions slipped. I got it set back on and used some tired lock on the screw. While getting it back together the shocks looked dirty. Time for a shock rebuild. Oh what fun. With the shocks apart , I decided to do the whole truck. I hope I can get back together ok.
Yep. The Micro-T is in the garage again. This time for a major overhaul. I've been looking at the Losi micros and wish I had picked up some of the other models like the Micro Baja and Raminator. But that never happened. One other model caught my attention. After some looking around, most parts are still available (minus the wheels/tires and screw set).
Well as monstrous as a Micro-T can get. I have a new Classic Hauler body painted up black with some spider flames and a Monster Energy logo on the roof. To get it to fit good, I had to trim the front bumper a little as I have the RPM Micro-T bumper installed.
I decided to go back to the aluminum arms and hubs that I had. Once those were on, I put on the Micro-DT wheels. They definitely look the monster part. Might have to pickup the black chrome versions to go with the black body. Since this is an off-road truck, I though I would change the shock springs to soft. And they happen to be white for both front and rear.
While I was changing all of these things around, one of the motor wires broke off from its joint on the motor. Oh great, this just isn't my week for micro R/C. Well I still have the stock motor off the Micro Crawler. They are the same size. Got it out, put on the medium size pinon from the extra Micro-T parts, and mounted it. Once all together, I drove it around. With the stock Micro crawler motor, it still moves pretty quick. I might actually consider putting on the large pinion for more speed.
The other night I decided to try out my Micro Rock Crawler. I could steer but could not move. thinking that is might have been an issue with the motor getting stuck, I took out the transmission, and everything looked OK. Next I thought it was the battery. So I reprogrammed the ESC for NiMh and tried again. Still nothing from the motor. Maybe it was an ESC calibration issue. I went through the steps, and the ESC was not responding correctly. So I swapped some connections around: move the Steering servo to the channel I'm using for thorttle. When I turned on the system, the front steering went full right. Maybe it's an issue with the receiver. Turned the truck off, changed profiles, got out the original receiver that came with the radio, connected up the steering servos (one to the channel I use for throttle), gave it power, and this time the front steering servo went full left. Guess what that means? Yup, the radio has a problem again. This time with the Elevator function.
Well I was lucky when I sent it in last time, and Horizon Hobby didn't charge me for service repair on the radio. I packed up the Spektrum DX6i and both receivers. I am going to wait to send it in as I know it's going to cost. Heck I may not even send it in and just save the money towards a new radio altogether.
Well to get this crawler going, I decided to see if my 2nd Tactic TTX650 receiver would fit. It does, just barely. So I got the crawler back together. Then installed the receiver, setup the radio, and linked the receiver to the transmitter. Next, I got the ESC calibrated and reconfigured it back to LiPo 2S mode. I turned on the truck, and was driving. Maybe because it's still brand new, but I really like this Tactic TTX650. It is fairly easy to setup and use.
So I was driving, the chassis/body kept rolling to one side. As it turns out, this new brushless motor really puts out some torque twist. So last night I decided to put the springs back on the shocks. It gives it a taller ride height, but we'll see how the torque twist is.
