Stock CR01 vs. Stock High Lift

[DRW-FJ40]

I've got a bad itch to get a Hilux. I have a CR-01 with a Novak 55T & I miss having the option to go fast. I have a very challenging "rock garden" that I have expanded this winter by clearing more trails. It's literally a scale boulder field that's all grown up with 1-3" saplings so all I have to do is get out there and cut & I can expand my playground. Anyway, I like Toyotas, kits, scale & my oldest boy is 6 so he can handle my FJ40 at low speeds real well & I want a Hilux to play with him.

Here are my questions:

How does the high lift in low gear compare to a CR-01 for crawling? I know the tire size & suspension differences but how does that compare when crawling? I know it's a tough question, i.e. a bit subjective, but I'll put it out there anyway.

I don’t mind doing a few mods to get a better crawler but I want to maintain the scale look too. I want to have my cake and eat it essentially. I’m looking for ideas to make the high lift a better a better crawler but if I put 2.2s, a lexan body & 4 link suspension, I might as well build another CR-01. Any suggestions?

I saw in another recent post about a hobby shop suggesting that the high lift was not suitable for RC and essentially a plastic model. I won't even comment on that other than to say I would look elsewhere for RC advice and if you like scale kits and aren't a fan of RTR, Tamiya is the only way to go. But someone mentioned using a Lexan body for crawling. I know the FJ40 is too short. What other Lexan bodies work well with the high lift & can go back and forth with the Hilux body relatively easily? (FJ40 troop carrier... hmm).

[860Crawler]

You've got to be dedicated to rock crawl with a leaf sprung rig. Prepare for many bent and broken leafs (leaves?). Trail running should be just fine but heavy articulation will tax the leafs. There's a guy in our club that runs his leaf sprung rig in our scale comps (w/ TLT axles) and he has some issues every now and then.

I'd stay with the 1.9s though, the 2.2s on a Highlift seem too big.

I'd love to see what hobby shop suggested the High Lift was just a model. They probably cater to the Traxxas crowd

[McFig]

First off, your CR-01 is running 2.2s and the Hi-lift's are 1.9s. So right there you are going to see some differences. You can put 2.2s on your Yota, but it will take it a little bit out of scale. I would suggest some tall 1.9s from RC4WD.

If you leave it with leafs, you will be limited compaired to the CR-01, but then that might make it more of a challange to keep up with your kid. To get more out of it, you can four link it with coil over shocks and get alot more crawling capability out of it.

As far as speed: you can drop it down to first gear and depending on what motor you have in it, it can crawl pretty slow. i.e. 55T

[DRW-FJ40]

Thanks for the info. I'm wanting to stay away from the 2.2/4 link mod mainly because of cost. the kit by itself will put a serious dent in my toy budget. I like the scale look & features of the high lifts and I do have a CR-01 if I want to play a little rougher by myself.

How is the high end, 3rd gear speed with the stock motor? similar to the stock motor (27T?) in the CR-01? I thought the stock motor in my CR-01 was a fun speed for havin' a beer & chasing cats and what not around the driveway, just not well suited for crawling. That's why I need a three speed, to catch the cat.

[OldSchoolRC]

In third gear, the HL will outrun the stock CR any day of the week, but it's not a touring car by any means. Having said that, if you were happy with the speed of your CR with a 27t motor, you'll be overjoyed when you shift into third gear!

I've run mine with 2.2's, and it did ok. Doesn't look as scale certainly, but they fit ok and clearanced just fine. Had the best luck with a set of HPI geolanders. Running a tall set of 2.2's requires a body or suspension lift.

On a side note, I've 4 linked mine for under $20 - doesn't have to be an expensive mod at all, and it can be done in a way that you can go back to the stock leafs whenever you want. Defintely helps on the rocks, but does take away from the cool scale factor. :)

Here's mine with the 2.2 geos playing last winter. Stock other than the wheels at that time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBiA_VxeEEs

[DRW-FJ40]

Having said that, if you were happy with the speed of your CR with a 27t motor, you'll be overjoyed when you shift into third gear!

3 speed here I come, the cat's in trouble.

Your truck looks good with the 2.2s. I agree, not as scale but they don't look as out of scale as I thought they would. Nice sound track too... Toys in the attic, talk about old school... I had that one on vinyl.

Was your $20 4 link mod a kit or custom?

[OldSchoolRC]

You'll find a lot of the bad boys from Boston in my vids ...and I have it on vinyl as well! :)

Custom, there's quite a few ways to do it. Some people use the stock skid as a link mount, some make new plates for the sides of the chassis. I used some chassis plates from another truck as the chassis mounts, some 4-40 rod, brake line and a few ball ends. Hardest part is working out the upper axle mounts, but there are always ways around it. Check my hiliftapalooza thread here for a chassis shot.

[Mouton]

I have them both and mine are still very close to stock. Both are capable. At first I was surprised that the CR-01 was not that much more capable. It is the better crawler of the two, no doubt there. But not by as much as I thought it would be (given the same tire compounds). Please to not consider this as criticism of the CR-01 but rather a positive review of the High-Lift. It is much better than people give it credit for as a crawler. Add to that its bullet proof design and I am confident I you not regret getting one.

Get one, I am sure you and your son will have lots of fun together! That is what this hobby is all about.

[Arcocustom]

Get one, I am sure you and your son will have lots of fun together! That is what this hobby is all about.

:agree: That's how I got started almost 25 years ago. :eek: Start em' young I say.

[DRW-FJ40]

I got started that way as well. My Dad had an old Sterling Chris-Craft cabin cruiser, probably built in the late 50's. I wish I knew what happened to it, he doesn't remember & it's no where to be found. But he took me to a lot of RC events as a kid in the 70's. His boat was electric & I remember how boring that was compared to the dumas gas hydros. What I wouldn't give to find that old sterling boat now.

Anyway, thanks for all the info. I am going to post another question about MCF. I can't deny the itch for a new truck & should have a little tax return play $.

[monstermunch]

i actually think the cr 01 looks more weird with 2.2s:( im thinking of getting a set of 1.9s for my yota just for pics but for crawling 2.2s all the way:)