4X4 Jeep Comp. Crawler Build [Archive] - minirccrawler.com Forums

Kel

02-25-2008, 12:10 AM

I am starting up a ssmt using the 1:43 ssmt axels and 3-link suspension, similar to a 2.2 crawler. I was lucky enough to get some of these axels a while back, when they weren't as rare. I am planning to use the CJ-7, but that may change. So far I have a mock up, and I think I am going to try and find some bigger tires, the aoshima swampers just don't cut it. Well, here are the pics so far:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3358.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3360.jpg

And here are the infamous axels:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3361.jpg

I got the smallest servo I could find that had similar specs to the HS-55, but thinner. The GWS Pico:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3363.jpg

And that is all I got so far, but I should have some updates my tomorrow, or maybe later today. I going to head to the hobby shop and get some materials for building the links and suspension now.

Kel

02-25-2008, 12:11 AM

Continued:
I actually plan to mount the servo on top of the front axel, like on larger rigs, to get more flex out of it. I will have to modify the axel a little to get it to sit right. And here is a shot of where it will be placed, and to see how thin the servo really is:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3362.jpg

Kel

02-25-2008, 12:12 AM

I have figured out how I am going to do the transmission and motor. I have hacked up the ssmt transmission and have put some Gen1 Xmod CVD's on it for the driveshafts. The motor and gearbox is actually going to be a servo, so it will be very torquey.
Here is the hacked up ssmt tranny:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3365.jpg

And here it is with the tranny sitting on it, I'm going to try and hide it if I can when its all said and done.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3366.jpg

And I have cut up the body a little bit for the "crawler" look, like other comp. jeeps. Should give more tire clearance also.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3367.jpg

This is what the axels look like with the aoshima swampers on them. They look very scale, but the grip is'nt all that great. I'm going to try to get some of cooldragon's new tires for this rig, if possible. I'm sure they would be better than the aoshima's.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3364.jpg

The chassis is being painted right now, and the links are being fabricated, should have them ready by tomorrow.

Kel

02-25-2008, 12:13 AM

Here is an update:
I got the body and chassis painted, and the tranny is not mounted yet, but you can see how it will all fit together when it is glued in place.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3369.jpg

The Driveshafts fit right into thier slots on the underside of the body.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3370.jpg

Here is the chassis. It is made from the chssis that came with the model kit and I added some styrene peices for suspension mounts:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3371.jpg

Here it is mounted under the body:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3372.jpg

Kel

02-25-2008, 12:13 AM

I have figured out how I am going to mount the servo to the axel! I designed an aluminum mount that screws on to the top of the axel and holds the servo, it also beefs up the front knuckle holders.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3376.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3375.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3374.jpg

Now I just need to figure out the suspension. My original plan for the suspension is not going to work, but I'll think of something.

Kel

02-25-2008, 12:14 AM

I am very pleased with how the front axel has turned out. The servo is mounted with trinity narrow servo tape-the stickiest stuff I have ever seen, it almost permanently bonds things together and is only 1mm thick!

I made the links out of aluminum tubing and xmod shock ends. I trimmed up the knuckle arms to allow for the tightest turning radius, any more steering and the CVD's begin to bind. I acutally had so much steering I had to trim it on the radio so the CVD's would stop binding. That is another advantage to mounting the servo on top of the axel, more steering travel.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3377.jpg

Here you can see the top of the servo is almost even with the height of the tires. I should get some good flex out of it.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3380.jpg

The aluminum servo mount also has room for some suspension mounts, as you can see.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3379.jpg

I am still working on suspension designs and the chssis confirguration. All comments are welcome!

Kel

02-25-2008, 12:15 AM

I got my reciever today, pulled it from an rc18t and took it out of the case to reduce the size. It fits nicely under the hood, I just hope there will be enough room for an ESC and a small li-po battery in there too.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3381.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3384.jpg

I just finished up the tranny, it is fully working and pretty bulletproof. It uses an HS-55 with the pot taken out of it. The servo isn't strapped down yet, and the driveshaft isn't glued becuase I am still deciding how I'm going to hide it. I was thinking either making it a tool box or a fuel tank, what do you guys think?
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3382.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3383.jpg

Its gettin' there!

Xmodification

02-25-2008, 12:18 AM

I'm keeping an eye on this one! I like your ideas for the custom mounts (I like cutting and shaping aluminum sheets also), i'll probably try it out for my next try on a SSMT built.

Nice work so far dude! :)

ashrimp

02-25-2008, 12:31 AM

Awesome!

I really like your swampers.

arch2b

02-25-2008, 01:05 AM

the custom axel mounts are great details to your build!

how durable is aluminum? i've only worked with brass which i could bend and solder.

Donziikid

02-25-2008, 01:18 AM

Depending on the thickness it's very durable, Arch. I'd say that's a good 1/16th of an inch thick aluminum, purty strong when used correctly.

I really like this build. The wheels really put the servo into perspective; it's really, really tiny! :eek:

nazcom_101

02-25-2008, 07:40 AM

woow... thats some sweet fab work on that servo mount and the drive line, also looks very well though out, keep up the great work...

Kel

02-25-2008, 12:40 PM

The aluminum is pretty thick for what I'm using it for. I can only bend it with pliars or a vice, so it should hold up nicely. I am in the process of making an aluminum skid plate and bumper for it right now. I also plan to take off the styrene link mounts and make them aluminum too. It should end up being pretty bulletproof!

microrccrawler

02-26-2008, 04:04 AM

Awesome build Kel. I would definitely suggest, when you are finished, entering this build in the site contest for the top of the forum.

Kel

02-27-2008, 03:07 AM

Kel

03-01-2008, 01:43 PM

I finally have an update!

I got the main part of the suspension done and now its a roller. I stretched the wheel base a little than how I origninally had it, and I plan to lower it a bit forom where it sits now. The flex is awesome! I was only able to snap 2 pics this morning, but I will try to get some more later.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3385.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3386.jpg

I also got a Novak ESC that is small enough to fit under the hood. As I wire it up I am working on a skid plate and a cage for it.

mini-z guy

03-01-2008, 01:59 PM

lookin good kel! should be sweet when its done. btw, you still making that model railroad? would be a good test-track for it

microrccrawler

03-01-2008, 09:20 PM

Microrccrawler- I will enter it as soon as I finish, which should be in about 2-3 weeks. Is there any deadline on the contest entry, or are you just waiting until you have a good amount of poeple entered?

I have figured out the suspension, it will be a 3-link with torsion rods for the spring action, with dummy shocks for suspenson limiters. Should have updates by tomorrow.

We haven't set a final date for entry, as we would like to wait for more members to sign up and have the chance to submit something. There is plenty of time, no rush. We are probably a good 3 ~ 4 months away from picking a winner.

nazcom_101

03-01-2008, 10:02 PM

u lost me... why is the front axel that far out front just looks out of place with that body...

Kel

03-03-2008, 12:42 PM

I'm going to shorten it for you nazcom, I was thinking the same thing. I may have stretched it a bit too much.

nazcom_101

03-04-2008, 06:49 PM

lol... u don't have to do it just cuz I said that, if you like it do it they way you want...

but if after looking at it you, think the front axel is to far out under the body, then thats fine...

Kel

03-04-2008, 08:01 PM

I shortened the front by 2-3mm. If I go any shorter, it looses some flex and suspension movement, and I'm trying to make this rig perform as good as I can get it to. After I make the front bumper and put larger tires on it, it wont look so out of place, I think.

Started work on the cage. Still needs some work, but you can see how it will kinda look when it's done.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3399.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3398.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3397.jpg

And I burnt out my drive servo when testing it out. The HS-55 servos don't work with anything over 6V! Don't forget that! I guess I need to get a new servo now.

I can't wait for the tires to get here, I have been dying for some larger, softer tires, and I think I found them.

helhedded

03-05-2008, 01:19 PM

I can't wait for the tires to get here, I have been dying for some larger, softer tires, and I think I found them.

I was just going to ask about that.

DanK

03-05-2008, 05:06 PM

Tamiya 4x4 tires i presume?

nazcom_101

03-05-2008, 05:16 PM

the roll cage is sweet... I can never make them out of plastic like that they always fall apart...

Kel

03-05-2008, 08:29 PM

There is an ebay store that sells 1/24 diecast models, and the rims and tires for them. I found some that are soft, others are rock solid plastic. Here is a pic of them:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/81f3_1.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/84fa_1.jpg

Just like the super swampers, but bigger and wider. Not as wide as the Iroks, but they are softer!

Kel

03-06-2008, 08:59 PM

I got the tires!

I got the tires in today, very fast shipping if you get them from the guy on ebay, and they look great. My first impression of taking them out of the shipping envelope was how heavy they were, which made me think they were sold rubber or something. But after taking them out I could feel that they were not as soft as I thought they were. They are a bit harder than the aoshima super swampers, and they are almost solid. I have felt the IROK and bogger material, which is a very hard plastic, but this is a different material, definitly softer than the plastic ones, and these tires look so sweet! Here are some pics and comparison to the aoshima swampers:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/133_3400.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/134_3401.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/134_3402.jpg

I will get them mounted soon, and get some pics up to see how they look.

helhedded

03-06-2008, 09:52 PM

yes!!! :D

Xmodification

03-07-2008, 08:54 PM

This project is looking better every time I see it :)

I just got those tires to day also - they're not quite as I expected - kinda hard but not solid. I do like them because they're pretty much bigger/wider than the swampers but I do wish they had them in a softer rubber compound.

Anyways, i'm looking foward to seeing how it will be on your jeep.

mini-z guy

03-08-2008, 03:40 PM

try puttin the tires in very warm water (not boiling) ive heard it makes iroks softer. try it a few times if it doesnt soften them at first. the cage is sweet, should look awesome when its done:)

Donziikid

03-09-2008, 03:00 AM

I have also heard the same about boiling the IROKs. Maybe these tires will do the same as the IROKs in boiling water.

However, those tires are quite large and have a very nice tread pattern! ;)

Kel

03-10-2008, 12:27 AM

I have heard about the boiling tires thing, but I hear they only get soft for a little bit as they cool down, then they harden up again.

I got the driveshafts and cvds finished, and the transfer case is complete! I got the new wheels mounted, and they look great. I added a little more to the cage too.Tell me what you think.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/134_3403.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/134_3405.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/134_3406.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/134_3407.jpg

helhedded

03-10-2008, 02:07 PM

looking good! I hate to say it, but that front end looks like it's sticking out a little to far. It may just be the angle of the pics, though

Kel

03-14-2008, 06:53 PM

Thanks for all the compliments!
I switched to the HS-81 in back, way more torque than the HS-55. The cage just looked high without the hood on. Here are some updated pics:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/134_3414.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/134_3415.jpg
Tons of ground clearnace!
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/134_3417.jpg

Kel

03-14-2008, 06:55 PM

The flex shots!
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/134_3410.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/134_3412.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/134_3411.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/cmppbdjj/134_3416.jpg

More to come!

helhedded

03-14-2008, 08:27 PM

this is going to be completely awesome

helhedded

04-29-2008, 07:44 PM

what did you use to make the roll cage?

rocresq

05-17-2008, 01:40 AM

i just found this site but i am hooked. I loved build 1/24 when i was a kid i will definately be building one of these in the future to compliment my 2.2, super and 1:1 crawler rigs. I am wondering where you guys are getting these micro axles. Oh yeah, your rig looks badazz