Haven't Got A Clue!

[Luke69]

Hello,

Im after one of these Electric RC 4wd's. I want to use it for driving rocks, mud, loose dirt, sand.

Can somebody give me some links, so I can get to know what goes into these toys.

Luke.

[fourbyboy]

mate, im not sure where you woudl get one from, but dont go anywhere near a Hobbyrama (if u have them where you are)

MASSIVELY overpriced, and the guys who work there dont no anything,


umm, check ebay out, my mate put one together with parts he got off ebay, was about a 5000 truck, ended up paying 600 all up for all the parts

[Magnat]

E-bay, Search for HBX Bonzer... it is what I use...

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/4447/img0006yl3.jpg

It is pretty good at Sand, Mud and moderate rocky surfaces
YouTube - Bonzer Rock Climbing (http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh25O0tQfxk&fmt=6)

There it is in action, it has a Pink Skyline Shell on it, perfect for when your driving up a rocky cliff face and your at the bottom....

[Luke69]

E-bay, Search for HBX Bonzer... it is what I use...

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/4447/img0006yl3.jpg

It is pretty good at Sand, Mud and moderate rocky surfaces
YouTube - Bonzer Rock Climbing (http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh25O0tQfxk&fmt=6)

There it is in action, it has a Pink Skyline Shell on it, perfect for when your driving up a rocky cliff face and your at the bottom....

Yes, so if I bought something like that ^^ , would I be able to get a custom Lwb Gq Patrol Body made to fit that? What would be needed to put another body shape on that?

Luke.

[fourbyboy]

another body, well, ud need to find someone who has one,

or mould ur own,

if you mould ur own, then u coudl make it fit yeh

[Magnat]

No one makes a GQ Body... they Make FJ Landcruisers but no one has a Patrol body on the market...

A Custom made lexan formed shell would cost around $200 or so.. and you need to be able to find a mould or something to mold it from in order to get it formed...

[Luke69]

another body, well, ud need to find someone who has one,

or mould ur own,

if you mould ur own, then u coudl make it fit yeh


Nah, there is no way i'd make my own body, maybe I can find somebody to make a custom body, but I also want good suspension (that flex's alot!!), diff locks, crawler gears, steel rims (maybe Mickey Thompson Classic Lock 2), TSL Boggers etc.

[Magnat]

Then your going to need to look at getting a rock crawler... and they cost big $$$$
An Axial AX10 Scorpion would do the rock crawling easily, but it is not the sort of RC you would take to say the Beach and have fun ripping up the dunes as they are designed for Crawling, not Bashing...

The HBX Bonzer is more of your, Multipurpose Budget Electric offroader..
It does a little bit of everything without being exceptional at any..
It will do Mud, Sand, Grass and Gravel with the Ability to tackle the rocks as shown in my Vid but it has very little suspension flex, enough to have ground clearance but has no chassis twist which limits just how far they will go on rock crawling...

If Your looking at a Truck to go ripping up dunes, clearing Table top jumps and climbing up huge gravel piles then a HPI E-Savage or Traxxas E-maxx is more what your after, they tip the scales at $750 when They are set up and running properly..

So Here is a Budget Layout
HBX Bonzer off E-bay Ready to Run with Charger and a Battery $130-$200 depending on your luck at the Auctions..

E-Savage or E-maxx $550 + $200 on Decent Batteries and a Charger

Ax10: $399 for the Chassis, $120 on radio Gear, $300 on a Rock crawling Motor and ESC and then $200 on Decent Battery and charger

[fourbyboy]

hey magnat,

how good is the HBX Bonzer??

im keen, :P



she good for crawling and runnign round ect??


dont wana go dune bashing,

[Luke69]

Then your going to need to look at getting a rock crawler... and they cost big $$$$
An Axial AX10 Scorpion would do the rock crawling easily, but it is not the sort of RC you would take to say the Beach and have fun ripping up the dunes as they are designed for Crawling, not Bashing...

The HBX Bonzer is more of your, Multipurpose Budget Electric offroader..
It does a little bit of everything without being exceptional at any..
It will do Mud, Sand, Grass and Gravel with the Ability to tackle the rocks as shown in my Vid but it has very little suspension flex, enough to have ground clearance but has no chassis twist which limits just how far they will go on rock crawling...

If Your looking at a Truck to go ripping up dunes, clearing Table top jumps and climbing up huge gravel piles then a HPI E-Savage or Traxxas E-maxx is more what your after, they tip the scales at $750 when They are set up and running properly..

So Here is a Budget Layout
HBX Bonzer off E-bay Ready to Run with Charger and a Battery $130-$200 depending on your luck at the Auctions..

E-Savage or E-maxx $550 + $200 on Decent Batteries and a Charger

Ax10: $399 for the Chassis, $120 on radio Gear, $300 on a Rock crawling Motor and ESC and then $200 on Decent Battery and charger

Ok, I want something with ALOT of flex. What type of RC would have good flex, good for slow crawling, but something I could upgrade.

Upgrade;
Diff/Axles
Gears
Tyres/Rims etc.

I just found my old TAMIYA Blazing Star. It has no flex. :mad: And I broke it awhile ago, and ever since i've had problems with the front end, it wont steer, and doesnt seem to have any drive to it, and I have no idea on how to fix this? :( I know this isnt the best 4x4 RC toy, but is there aftermarket parts I can upgrade for this Blazing Star?

Luke.

[Magnat]

Alot of Flex,, Axial AX10 is the way to go...
The HBX has about 1 inch of flex tops the axial has around 2 inches + Chassis twist..

A Rock Crawler is what you are after..
There are ways to make a rock Crawler from normal RC Trucks but requires alot of mechanical skill and usually alot of custom metal work..

The Axial AX10 Scorpion is a rock crawling chassis and it is a great place to start if you want to go crawling, But it will cost close to $1000 to get one up and running..
http://www.norterc.com/tienda/images/axial_ax90001.jpg



Thats the AX10.. And thats all you get for $399 (+a Body)

You then need Radio Gear
Preferably a 3- channel controller but a 2-channel will get you through
So add $120
http://www.modelflight.com.au/pics/xr3_set_a.jpg


Now to get the Axial Moving, you will need a 45T or 55Turn Lathe Motor
Integy usually make them for around $90
http://www.rcplanet.com/v/vspfiles/photos/INTSCM4501-1.jpg

Then you will need a Rock Crawling ESC to turn the Lathe motor So a Novak Rooster Crawler is recommended $ 170-$180
http://www.rcguy.com/images/novm1841.jpg


Then you will need a Battery and Charger to go with it so Budget around another $200

http://www.modelflight.com.au/buy_models/images/swallow_2_ac-dc_charger6.jpg


http://www.azmodel.net/shop/images/intellect%204200%20stick.gif
So You see things add up when you get into rock crawling..

I Use the HBX as it cost me $130 and can go pretty much anywhere but is no where near as capable as the AX10 but is alot faster lol..

[fourbyboy]

yeh, things add up if you use Li-po packs and a swallow charger,lol

is it possible to use a Li-On pack???

[Ian Wilkinson]

yeh, things add up if you use Li-po packs and a swallow charger,lol

is it possible to use a Li-On pack???

Sure, as long as the voltage is within the range of the ESC (the speed controller for the drive motor). Some ESC's handle considerably more than the 7.2 v most cars work at, and some won't. If you can build the packs to fit within the voltage range of the ESC and the physical size of the assembled pack fits in the car then go for it.

Many cars that usually run 7.2 v absolutely fly when running with a few extra volts. A couple of mine usually run at 7.4v's but if I just want almost uncontrollable speed I throw in one of the 11.1volt packs.

[fourbyboy]

:P

i fly electric planes, i have a few Li-Po pacs, my only issue is, i accidently forgot to check the voltage on one of my flights, completely discharged it, and, took it to the carpark to watch it go BOOM!

was a bit upset, it really only puffed up and went POOF!

lol


but yeh, im a bit careful with the li-po packs,

[Magnat]

I use Nimh when offroading, too scared a lipo will get punctured and go POP..Sure the packs are Heavier but that can also help keep the damn thing in contact with mother earth...

[fourbyboy]

yhe,

and when a lipo goes pop, well, ur in a whole lotta trouble


i only use lipos with my indoor planes but, cause u cant use petrol indoors,
im a nitro man, :P


im consodereing builiding one of these crawlers, on a budget,

i built a chassis outta lego Technic (IT SOUNDS DODGY) just to get some ideas for flex ect...

ill post some pics up, :D

my 4 y/o brother likes playign with it to, cause "it flexes good like the navara"

:D

[fourbyboy]

heres some pics of how my "lego" car flexes,

gave me some good ideas as to how im gonna build my chassis,

i dont think im gonna have springs, :D

ill do some sketches up today (when im not painting) and scan them in for all to see,

[Magnat]

I am Strictly electric.. Nitro is too noisey and too messy.. and with the cost of fuel..... bad for the enviroment (Helps when your racing your RC Boat in a Catchment area as they are Zero Pollutant)

[fourbyboy]

hahahha

yeh, ive been tinkering with nitro engines since i was a little tike, so, its just second nature to me,

and i love the noise, with planes anyway, with a car its a different story,


fuel, hmm, your right, it does cost a bit, but we mix our own, so its a bit cheaper for us,.

[ice_spy]

If you want flex check this out!
Hand built by myself with tamiya parts from the 'Clod Buster'
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t156/ice_spy/myrcrockcrawler001.jpg?t=1208338333

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t156/ice_spy/wyomingrccrawl001.jpg?t=1208338409
video:-
http://s159.photobucket.com/albums/t156/ice_spy/th_wyomingrccrawl004.jpg
YouTube - rc hummer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc2RAVdn-MY)

If scale looks is more your thing, like Mickey T's and classic 2's
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t156/ice_spy/myrcrockcrawlers003.jpg?t=1208338575

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t156/ice_spy/myrcrockcrawlers001.jpg?t=1208338612


I added scale 38x15 MT's claws with classic lock 2's, locked frnt & rear, low low gearing,inverted rear shocks and a body lift.
Video:-
http://s159.photobucket.com/albums/t156/ice_spy/th_adamspajeromovie.jpg
YouTube - tamiya pajero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-6teHcFpfM)

You should of seen the wifes face when i tricked her with the pic of 38x15's on her pajero....
Tamiya have just re-released the tamiya 'metal top wide pajero'. or check out the Tamiya landcruiser 40.

"Tamiya were the inventors of the 1st RC car".

[fourbyboy]

hmm, well, now im intrugued,


how cheap do u rekon i can go with getting diffs???

[ice_spy]

ebay is your best bet. Sometimes ive seen complete diffs, however your best bet if you like the hummer/rock crawler is to buy the tamiya super clod buster which will give you all the parts needed basicly. Then just build your own chassie, diff control arms and diff mounts. I just searched the net then copied proven ideas. electronics is the expensive things.
As mentioned, prices can become excessive once you get into it.

[fourbyboy]

electronics, i.e radio gear ect...already got it all, im a mad keen Aero-modeler, i fly planes most weekends, have PLENTY of gear,

so, how much is the clod buster???

[ice_spy]

bout $300 i think mate. but for that you could prob get the landcruiser 40. did you see them?

[fourbyboy]

nope, they any good?

im hoping i dont have to spend much, as im paying to get my Navara sorted, aswell as schoolies (sic) and my horse,

but, theres always xmas,

[ice_spy]

do a quick search on them, worth a look. i havent got one myself yet.....

[Minty97GXL]

Want a pro crawler, check this site out
Crawler & Monster Truck Kit : JunFac.com (http://www.junfac.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6&zenid=8c0a14e7a62dec01767234406d914506)

Here is a picture of one of the kits they have on offer

http://www.junfac.com/shop/images/categories/gmade_spider.jpg

http://www.junfac.com/car/image/spider2.jpg




Bad news is, they cost 478 and i think thats US dollars and then you still have to get everything else you need. Or, you can also go to that site and have a custom made job made up for you.