Crawlers thread. (Page 1 of 2)
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Posted: 2/21/2025 11:04:40 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Never_A_Wick][Edited]
THE crawlers thread!  I did a little crawling years ago, going to hop back in with mini/micro scale for now, simply because it’s cheap and so are the upgrades. But share your crawlers, projects etc of any size. Traxxas that was my last crawler about 5 years ago: Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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Items for forthcoming rig: Attached File |
One WIP. Vaterra Ascender chassis and 3D printed Nissan D21 body. Working on body mounts right now before testing if it runs well or needs chassis tuning.  My go to crawler. Tamiya HiLift Hilux. I can't believe I don't have a better photo.  I have 2x SCX24 crawlers too. The power wagon bodies. Looking at printing a body for mine. |
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Drive shafts and hex spacers came. Attached File Wheels were supposed to be here too. The bubble envelope was dropped on my porch. I opened it, and it was empty  Amazon is shipping a set out. Really weird. |
1/6 scale Hasbro GI Joe Willys build 1/6 (really about 1/8) scale New Bright CXT build. It's hard to tell the scale in this pic but the wheelbase is 16.5" and it will really surprise you with where it will crawl.  I also have a Bomber build but don't have pics of the damn thing. |
"You can't tourniquet a taint, folks." - Andrew Branca
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Originally Posted By Never_A_Wick: Whoops, went to HobbyTown. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/578900/IMG_3256_jpeg-3472502.JPG I did that with 2 of them! They are fun but tiny. I'm currently getting a second 1/10 crawler together. Printed a body and getting body mounts figured out. And a bumper of sorts. Will have to do a better bumper later. Maybe make some spacers and push the bumper further out then lower the front of the body some more. |
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Here's one, 2nd pic shows new chassis Attached File Attached File Random projects Attached File |
Originally Posted By TacticalGarand44:
Bring it. Our side has a hundred billion bullets. Your side doesn't know which bathroom to piss in.
Bring it. Our side has a hundred billion bullets. Your side doesn't know which bathroom to piss in.
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Originally Posted By bansil: Here's one, 2nd pic shows new chassis https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/388306/1000004252_jpg-3472526.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/388306/1000004253_jpg-3472527.JPG Random projects https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/388306/1000004256_jpg-3472530.JPG Nice. I am trying to stay 1/18 and 1/24 just to control costs. Yeah I know, good luck 
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That's a stock 1/18 trx4m, that I painted...oh and it has heavy wheels. Ex Camel Trophy Truck, left in Rhodesia and brought back to life, to race again... still need to do the glass
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Originally Posted By TacticalGarand44:
Bring it. Our side has a hundred billion bullets. Your side doesn't know which bathroom to piss in.
Bring it. Our side has a hundred billion bullets. Your side doesn't know which bathroom to piss in.
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Took the rack off, added brass beadlocks and different tires, painted the bed and hard top to match my full scale ride. I had some blocks and wood boards set up, crazy how much better it is with the wheel and tire change. Attached File |
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Threw some brass at my SCX24 Power Wagon. Wife's truck is basically bone stock. Tips over at between 35 and 40 degrees sidehill. Super scientific eyeball vs how tall a screwdriver is. Anyways, brass diff covers, brass "brake rotors" and brass front knuckles on mine. I'm going to estimate 45-50 degree tipping point. I can lift the wooden slab about the same width as the truck another inch higher. Pretty happy with that! The Power Wagon body is pretty heavy. I wouldn't mind adding some metal links for a little more low mass. I'll wear these out pretty good before I do that. Looks like a PITA to swap links due to the tiny size of everything. |
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Redcat Ascent 18 finally came. Attached File Cool rig, does well with the portal axles. I think it will be a lot more capable than the Axial with some weight and better tires. |
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Originally Posted By Never_A_Wick: Redcat Ascent 18 finally came. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/578900/IMG_3362_jpeg-3476196.JPG Cool rig, does well with the portal axles. I think it will be a lot more capable than the Axial with some weight and better tires. I'd love to do a comparison with the SCX24. I've always read the Traxxas micro crawler is the best of the bunch but the one I wanted wasn't in stock so I went axial. I'm on stock tires with a little weight. I have a Tamiya HiLift Hilux on leafs that hangs with SCX10II rigs with ease. Sometimes the most unlikely crawlers end up being really good! |
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Originally Posted By Deerhurst: I'd love to do a comparison with the SCX24. I've always read the Traxxas micro crawler is the best of the bunch but the one I wanted wasn't in stock so I went axial. I'm on stock tires with a little weight. I have a Tamiya HiLift Hilux on leafs that hangs with SCX10II rigs with ease. Sometimes the most unlikely crawlers end up being really good! I am far from a crawler expert. Everything I’ve read says that the Ascent is better. Obviously once you start applying mods things change. My SCX24 is probably going to outdo it since I swapped the wheels and tires. But if I do the same for the Ascent, I think it does better. I do feel like it’s a bit more top heavy than the SXC24, stock for stock. Might be the size and the taller ride height too. Mini/micro crawlers are annotating segment of RC. They’re surprisingly capable for their size and upgrades are cheap(as always depends how far you want to go). My FIL has a shit load of stone and brick out back. I could build just about anything…. Attached File |
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My SCX24 Power Wagon is crazy top heavy. It did OK but it really hurt performance on more technical lines. I think the shocks could use a little heavier oil. When the snow melts some more in the high elevation I'm going to go take the truck up in the mountains and fill it with slate. |
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Whoever said 1/10 scale gets expensive really fast wasn't wrong. Vanquish Products VRD Carbon comp crawler in class 3 configuration: Excellent tire deformation of the 2.2"LP JConcepts Ruptures. Attached File Pulled this line easily. Also, "Bro, do you even articulate?". Attached File 5.25 tires rubbing the body though. Have to figure out a way to mitigate that so I don't kill my unobtanium tires. |
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Here's one of my SCX-24's I built from scratch. I dont even want to know what I've put into this thing. Mofo X-15 axles w/ 3 Flow add-ons Brass case Mofo ServoBeast servo 180 sized brushed motor Dinky ESC Spektrum DX-3 transmitter & SR315 reciever QuadraBlue "Cyber Mog" body DJ Crawler 74mm tires Went for more of a monster-truck look on this build, but with crawler-style parts. Was hoping it would be a decent blend. However, the high CG and the heavy-@$$ 3D printer body makes this thing tip over if you look at it wrong lol.  Currently working on this second build, using a titanium Mazz Designs V3 Cheat Code chassis. Working to make this one a little more low-slung and more crawler oriented. Still has a little way to go before it's crawling. Mazz V3 chassis Mofo X-15 axles w/ 3 Flow goodies (4 wheel streering set-up) Hardpark RC Shocks Mofo ServoBeast servos (alloy case in rear, front will get a brass case for weight) Dinky ESC (just came in) Noble NB3+ will be what controls it when I get the funds 
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With some weight mine, SCX24, does much better than before. Needs more weight though. I did brass diff covers, brass knuckles and brass axle weights. I'm waiting for the poor itty bitty motor to go up in smoke. Then I can get something with some power and probably replace the ESC with something better too.  Got to run my WIP rig for the first time. 3D printed body on a stretched Vaterra Ascender chassis. Crawled pretty good actually. Lots of overhang in the rear and the tires were well worn when I retired them from my HiLift so it needs new shoes.  Lots of work to go still. Not sure what to do with the front bumper yet. |
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Modded 1/10 Axial Capra initial test of Desert Lizard shocks in full droop setup. Also has: Hobbywing Fusion SE motor. 27% front overdrive. Brass portal weights. Vader products skid. 45 KG servos. Vanquish products 3 gear transmission. Injora Turbine 2.2 wheels. Chirax tires. (Shitty Proline Hyrax knock-offs) Attached File Slow crawl is best crawl. 
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1/24th scale is not my thing at all. Tried multiple times to get into it but I just cant. The motor in my scx24 fried after a few packs. I upgraded it and bought my son a new Gladiator for Christmas. After a few packs, the motor on his Gladiator fried. I sold the darn thing and made a trade to get him a TRX4M. It's way better and easier to work on. I'm thinking about getting an Ascent 18 to run with him. I do a lot of 1/10 scale crawling. My main comp rig: Attached File |
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Originally Posted By JackRebney: 1/6 scale Hasbro GI Joe Willys build https://i.imgur.com/32suQRH.jpg 1/6 (really about 1/8) scale New Bright CXT build. It's hard to tell the scale in this pic but the wheelbase is 16.5" and it will really surprise you with where it will crawl. https://i.imgur.com/zIiHv4L.jpg I also have a Bomber build but don't have pics of the damn thing. I love that Willys build!!! |
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New set of tires need dual stage inserts. Attached File 8 total prints. 4 inner and 4 outer. |
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Originally Posted By toaster: New set of tires need inserts. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/11545/20250315_173324_jpg-3491535.JPG 8 total prints. 4 inner and 4 outer. Are the inserts flexible enough and they won’t crack? |
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Originally Posted By Never_A_Wick: Are the inserts flexible enough and they won’t crack? Yes. They're printed with TPU filament. Very flexible. ETA: Here's an example of a TPU print. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/uJ7WMpFabco |
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Originally Posted By toaster: New set of tires need dual stage inserts. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/11545/20250315_173324_jpg-3491535.JPG 8 total prints. 4 inner and 4 outer. Nice. I’ve bought enough 3D printed bodies and parts that I could have paid for a printer by now haha. I need to just get one. Is that a Bambu Labs A1? Does it meet all your needs for RC work? |
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Originally Posted By PirateEC: Nice. I’ve bought enough 3D printed bodies and parts that I could have paid for a printer by now haha. I need to just get one. Is that a Bambu Labs A1? Does it meet all your needs for RC work? Yep. Bambu A1. So far its great for my needs, though I'm only printing with pla and tpu for now. Completed inserts. Attached File Now I'm waiting on wheels to arrive. |
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Originally Posted By DaywalkerJ: 1/24th scale is not my thing at all. Tried multiple times to get into it but I just cant. The motor in my scx24 fried after a few packs. I upgraded it and bought my son a new Gladiator for Christmas. After a few packs, the motor on his Gladiator fried. I sold the darn thing and made a trade to get him a TRX4M. It's way better and easier to work on. I'm thinking about getting an Ascent 18 to run with him. I do a lot of 1/10 scale crawling. My main comp rig: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/168749/1000003394_jpg-3487028.JPG @DaywalkerJ What chassis is that? |
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Originally Posted By toaster: @DaywalkerJ What chassis is that? Exo Half Dome. Also using his Alpinist transmission and skid. I have another one with 4.19" tires and a carbon fiber Jeep body for my Trail class truck. Both perform very well. I got first overall in both classes in our local series last year. I am starting another build now. Got driveline and electronics but havent picked out the chassis yet. Nothing wrong with the Exos. I just feel like wasting money and frustrating myself with tuning again. |
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Originally Posted By bansil: Pirate nice rigs! Thank you Sir. With credit to 24Yep on YouTube, I’m starting this Playmobile kids toy VW bus body that’s almost perfectly SCX24 C10/Deadbolt wheelbase.  Super cool 24Yep video for inspiration. |
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Originally Posted By Deerhurst: I was very tempted to buy one of those redcats when I saw one in a store a few months back. They look awesome and seem to be a solid build! I think the Redcat Fusion is probably one of the best out of the box RTR crawlers. Carbon fiber chassis, a great motor and servo. The only thing you might want are heavier metal wheels but it's not really needed. I ended up getting another when it went on sale so now I have two. LOL |