Rustic Ade Posted April 4, 2023 Share Posted April 4, 2023 (edited) Alright folks, Given my lack of competence, am I mad in thinking I can build a crawler from scratch, selecting the parts I want, or am I best buying a self build chassis kit and my own electrics, wheels, body etc? A mate and me have decided to build vehicles, he is very technically minded and me not so. I love the design of the chassis on the Enduro Ecto Trail with the gatekeeper rear suspension arrangement but ideally want a self build. How easy is it to source components, axles, gear boxes, transfer boxes, shocks etc, to put something together, are you limited to the manufacturers or can you literally find the bits you want and 'sling' them together. Any particularly good bare chassis' anyone can suggest as my starter for 10? Also, straight axle over portal? I do not have an unlimited budget but am doing a slow cook on this so won't be buying all at once. Definitely consider second hand parts so may put some shout outs. My little SCX24 is set so it slumps and rides low, it seems very stable and forms its self over stuff, whether big obstacles or general rough ground, I'd like a similar stance to a bigger model. AND, should I do this, how many questions can I ask before you all get the hump? Edited April 4, 2023 by Rustic Ade Grammar 🙄 and extra questions. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustic Ade Posted April 4, 2023 Author Share Posted April 4, 2023 I'm not joking @Stormbringer! Know of any idiot guides out the to help with compatibility of electronics etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormbringer Posted April 4, 2023 Share Posted April 4, 2023 you can do that and theres some build threads on it obviously a kit gives you all you need to build it but sourcing parts for a custom build is harder but at the end you get more or less exactly what you want have a read at those build threads and see what way you want to go 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustic Ade Posted April 4, 2023 Author Share Posted April 4, 2023 1 minute ago, Stormbringer said: you can do that and theres some build threads on it obviously a kit gives you all you need to build it but sourcing parts for a custom build is harder but at the end you get more or less exactly what you want have a read at those build threads and see what way you want to go Build thread in this forum? What do you think of the gatekeeper chassis? There don't seem to be many that feature it but I do like it for the suspension position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormbringer Posted April 4, 2023 Share Posted April 4, 2023 Check out his build threads he does really nice scale builds cooper_xl theres also a section on crawlers by Stimpy I really dont know anything about the gatekeeper chassis I have the TRX4 rtr the TRX6 rtr A Hobao DC1 kit and a Redcat Wendigo i bought almost ready to run from A.J 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustic Ade Posted April 4, 2023 Author Share Posted April 4, 2023 2 minutes ago, Stormbringer said: Check out his build threads he does really nice scale builds cooper_xl theres also a section on crawlers by Stimpy I really dont know anything about the gatekeeper chassis I have the TRX4 rtr the TRX6 rtr A Hobao DC1 kit and a Redcat Wendigo i bought almost ready to run from A.J Cool, Thank you, this is the kind of stuff I need 👍🏻 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormbringer Posted April 4, 2023 Share Posted April 4, 2023 no probs but im no expert on them As for electrics Brushed a Hobby wing 1060 or 1080 the 1080 is better more set up options using the program card but costs a bit more A Holmes hobby trailmaster or crawlmaster 35 turn 550 motor really good motors for crawling/trailing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustic Ade Posted April 4, 2023 Author Share Posted April 4, 2023 1 minute ago, Stormbringer said: no probs but im no expert on them As for electrics Brushed a Hobby wing 1060 or 1080 the 1080 is better more set up options using the program card but costs a bit more A Holmes hobby trailmaster or crawlmaster 35 turn 550 motor really good motors for crawling/trailing Compiling a list of recommendations 👍🏻 Expert or not, everything helps mate 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormbringer Posted April 4, 2023 Share Posted April 4, 2023 Ohh i meant to say you can go brushless as well but youl need to research that bit tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustic Ade Posted April 4, 2023 Author Share Posted April 4, 2023 3 minutes ago, Stormbringer said: Ohh i meant to say you can go brushless as well but youl need to research that bit tho As I've looked and browsed, most people's crawlers seem to run lipo and brushed, is this for simplicity? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormbringer Posted April 4, 2023 Share Posted April 4, 2023 Lipos are better but most crawler/trail kits or rtr come with brushed motors so the cost of a brushless set up may put folk off some folk prefer brushed but if my brushed set ups die i may look into brushless for mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4inbrain Posted April 4, 2023 Share Posted April 4, 2023 6 minutes ago, Rustic Ade said: As I've looked and browsed, most people's crawlers seem to run lipo and brushed, is this for simplicity? It's cheaper. That's what it boils down to, dedicated brushless systems are better in every measure. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4inbrain Posted April 4, 2023 Share Posted April 4, 2023 Ah, in regards to the original question: buy a kit. You'll not be able to screw together random bits to get a decent crawler. Most aren't intercompatible, and without actual background you'll never get any decent form of suspension geometry together. You COULD technically decide on a chassis, buy all the suspension/drivetrain components of it, and bolt it to a piece of wood or something - but in that case you might as well just buy the kit of said choice. It's not impossible, but it's so much work for a subpar result that i don't see why anyone would do it. Indeed, i really haven't anyone seen do it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormbringer Posted April 4, 2023 Share Posted April 4, 2023 (edited) A TRX4 kit will give you a good crawler/trail truck and you can upgrade them as you go , theres stacks of aftermarket bits,n,bobs available for them Buying a kit will most likely be cheaper than sourcing bits that may or not fit from various makers In the future with more experience then try a custom build Edited April 4, 2023 by Stormbringer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shergar Posted April 4, 2023 Share Posted April 4, 2023 I’m currently fixing TRX4 parts to an SCX based chassis and the suspension geometry is way out, its took lots of sodding about so far! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustic Ade Posted April 4, 2023 Author Share Posted April 4, 2023 8 minutes ago, Shergar said: I’m currently fixing TRX4 parts to an SCX based chassis and the suspension geometry is way out, its took lots of sodding about so far! Sodding about is something I'm keen to avoid. Don't mind figuring out but no sodding about. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustic Ade Posted April 4, 2023 Author Share Posted April 4, 2023 With wheel size, is there any merit in using the slightly larger 2.1 wheels over the 1.9 to give more clearance? Or will that cause problems? My mate that is also building one is opting for portals but I don't want it so high. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustic Ade Posted April 18, 2023 Author Share Posted April 18, 2023 Have decided to go down the Injora route. SCX10ii base. Ordering a chassis then selecting compatible bits to suit. I've ordered the chassis, axles, links etc along with odd other sundries. Plan to set it up, then buy suitable length shocks to suit the ride position. After this it's over to electronics and motors so then the questions will really start. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustic Ade Posted April 18, 2023 Author Share Posted April 18, 2023 Very frustrating though, the only bits I have so far is the bodywork, the last bits I need! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormbringer Posted April 18, 2023 Share Posted April 18, 2023 Always the way mate 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone-wolf Posted April 22, 2023 Share Posted April 22, 2023 seen a review on the Austar/Injora chassis with 2 speed and portals, it did very well 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustic Ade Posted April 23, 2023 Author Share Posted April 23, 2023 (edited) On 22/04/2023 at 20:38, Lone-wolf said: seen a review on the Austar/Injora chassis with 2 speed and portals, it did very well I'm just going single speed and straight axles. Bits have started arriving now, and though I have nothing to compare them with, seem well made. Still waiting on axles but staring to put it together, seems to be plenty of options for configuration. Edited April 24, 2023 by Rustic Ade 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustic Ade Posted April 23, 2023 Author Share Posted April 23, 2023 The bits so far. Have monkied about putting the rock sliders on, moved the battery tray forward, just playing about till I get the axles and can really get started. Seems ok to my novice eyes. It'll keep me busy (not quiet) for a while anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustic Ade Posted May 17, 2023 Author Share Posted May 17, 2023 Well she's fighting all the way but am loving the challenge of this kit. No idea if I'll end up with a functional truck. Seem to be issues everywhere with clearance and angles but nothing rearrangement, an angle grinder, and leverage hasn't fixed yet. Currently 'modifying' the front motor mount to give the axle mounted servo some more space. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormbringer Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 At least progress is being made 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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