Im new here...

[airdreams1]

Hi Im new here & just bought a TLT-1
Its been customized & I dont have a complete list of what all has been done, so Im sure I may need some help/advice. I should have it in my hands in less than a week.

Here is a partial list of what has been done to it & a bad pic (will update when i get the truck)

"This started out as a stock TLT-1 and made its way to this monster.
There is too much to list that’s been done to her but a few include;
HPI belt (same dimensions but a bit wider, stronger)
oil shocks
Axial bead lock rims,
red bead lock rings,
Moab 2.2 tires with custom cut inserts,
Aluminum wheel wideners (i paid like $40 for them),
E-max (i think) links and drive shafts,
Belt tensioned I made so you never need to worry about skipping belts .

I have a brand new Novak XRS for it along with a extra XRS I will add free since it has had some water damage (it isn’t totally dead, it operated the RX and servo but don’t send enough power to turn over a motor (but sound like its trying to), you can send it in to Novak usa for a repair ($25 I think).

I will also include a 7cell 7x2/3A 1050mah 8.4v battery pack, brand new large spur gear for more torque, two brushed motors (silver can motor I re-winded for more torque).

I spent a good amount of money on this thing. I has only had under 10 runs.

All it really needs is a pinion gear, servo, pair of Revo links for steering, RX and your ready for the rocks and mud!

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/ysrriders/RC/DSC01858JPG.jpg

[OldSchoolRC]

Welcome! TLT's are great little rigs. Don't see maybe with the stock chassis anymore. What are your plans for it?

[airdreams1]

Just something to play with for now.. Its my first crawler. Dont know if we have any RC crawler clubs here.. Ill maby join up if I find one close.
I just realy love the Tamiya cars. They are prety indistructable..

Does this seem like a good truck to start with? Anything I should posibly look into changing out? Got it for 150 shipped.
Did ask the guy to make a full list of everything that was changed out & with what part. Also asked if he found any stock parts, to throw them in.. Ill have to wate & see what he sends.

[OldSchoolRC]

well, i would say get it and drive it for a while and see what you like and don't like, then you can decide what to change.

[That guy]

Good luck with the new rig.

[airdreams1]

Any recomendations on a VW body that will fit it?

[Arcocustom]

:welcomeani: to Tamiya Crawlers airdreams1. Lots of possibilities with the TLT-1 axles. You will find a lot of useful information on here on how to turn your rig into a more capable crawler. Here are some articles that may be of some help to you. :)

Building a TLT-1 Crawler
http://www.tamiyausa.com/articles/feature.php?article-id=350

Rock-Crawling with Tamiya
http://www.tamiyausa.com/articles/feature.php?article-id=135

Go Climb a Rock
http://www.tamiyausa.com/articles/feature.php?article-id=243


Any recomendations on a VW body that will fit it?

Well, I believe that Tamiya makes the most realistic bodies out there but , if you want something different, Pro-Line also makes some nice lids as well.

Rock Crawling Bodies
http://prolineracing.com/rock-crawling-bodies

Volkswagen Baja Bug Clear Body
for 1:10 Rock Crawler
http://prolineracing.com/bodies/volkswagen-1-10-rock-crawler-body/

Length: 14.6" (371mm)
Width: 5.8" (147mm)
Height: 4.8" (122mm)
Wheel Base: 9.6" (244mm)


Volkswagen Baja Bug Clear Body
for Monster Truck
http://prolineracing.com/bodies/volkswagen-maxx-short-chassis-revo-2-5-savage-tnx-flux-body/

Length: 17.6" (448mm)
Width: 7.0" (178mm)
Height: 5.8" (146mm)
Wheel Base: 11.4" (289mm)

[airdreams1]

Cool... at least i have some size refferances... Its prety hard to just go to the 1 hobby store & fork over the $ on something u have no Idea if it will fit or not... They dont stock any VW bodys, except the do have a 1/5 one for some reason.

I think the body oin the truck now looks horible.... Its way too small.

[JAnderson]

1st Welcome

2nd Nice rig except for the HPI stuff and stickers:LOL:

3rd I would ditch the chassis and center tranny.

The belt drive in weak for crawling ad high torque. I'd go with a CR-01 tranny or RC4wd. The axles are a great base, you just need a tranny that you can count on. The TLT-1 was never designed as a crawler and the tranny will not last long under crawler wear.

if you are going to stick with the TLT tranny contact vertigo Performance
http://www.vertigoperformance.com/
and tell the Joe said you needed a TLT-1 locker. (he does not have them listed but I think he has them instock)

This will replace the spool and lock your center tranny.

As far as bodies, your best bet is get the chassis all setup the way you like it and take the chassis in to your local hobby store for a fit test. You can get a better idea of clearance and mounting ideas that way.

Hope that helps,

Joe

[airdreams1]

Yah, I hate the HPI stickere too! Thats going to be the first thing to go. If I roll any stickers they will have to be Tamiya or something realy cool.....

I emailed Vertigo Performance & will see what it will cost me to get one..
is there a way to tell if the truck already has one?

The CR-01 tranny looks like it will cost me about $100 so Ill have to wate a wile for that one..
Im lost as to the RC4wd. i found a site called that but hey offer like 10 different trans???

Whats wrong with the stock chassis?

Like I said the local hobby town doesnt stock any VW bodies. So its a crap shoot. Thats why I was asking here....

Oh & thanks for the advice so far everyone.

[OldSchoolRC]

Here's a way to lock the diff for $3. Pick up a set of the old Traxxas Rulon pegs for their old slipper assemblies, should still be able to find them. They are a perfect fit in the ball holes in the ceter ball diff. Clean out all the grease, replace the balls with the pegs, and bolt the whole thing back together. I ran that set up for a year with no slippage!

If you are planning to replace the transmission at some point (Joe's right, the stocker with it's belt drive will not hold up for long) the easiest replacement is an RC4WD R2 Tranny. It has mounting holes on all 4 sides, what I did was drill 4 holes in the stock chassis plates and mounted it directly to one of them. Worked great! There's more to it than that (axle mods, a few chassis mods, etc), but that's the main gist of it.

here's a test video: HERE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URL1bqzMjkE)

I did run mine around almost stock for quite a while, again, I'd say run it for a while and see what you think the most important changes are. A TLT is not a true crawler per-se like the CR01 chassis, but it can certainly be turned into one with some custom work.

[airdreams1]

Ill tare into it when I get it & see if or what was done to the transmision.
If nothing has been done Ill try to find the old Traxxas Rulon pegs. then Make a decision as to what way to go.... Any idea what traxxas car the pins are from?

This thing looks like its a far cry from stock... So Ill keep fingers crossed that it will have something done to the trans.... & it looks like it could go over some big stuff.

[airdreams1]

Is the RC4WD R2 a single speed trans? If so would a 2 or 3 speed be better?

[Arcocustom]

If nothing has been done Ill try to find the old Traxxas Rulon pegs. then Make a decision as to what way to go.... Any idea what traxxas car the pins are from?

E-Maxx/Stampede
Friction pegs, slipper (12)
Traxxas part #4685 :crawlers:
http://www.buytraxxas.com/product_info.php?products_id=1364


Is the RC4WD R2 a single speed trans? If so would a 2 or 3 speed be better?

R2 is a single speed transmission. You will want to use a single speed. The R2 comes in 4 different (No dig, Rear dig, Dual Dig, and Enclosed dig) variations.

http://www.rpphobby.com/category_s/256.htm?searching=Y&sort=3&cat=256&show=10&page=1

[JAnderson]

I doubt it has one, but put the truck on the ground. Lift rear wheels and spin both rear wheels the same direction. If the front start to spin, they are locked, if not they are stock.

RC4WD depends on what you want.

Chassis was not designed to crawl, center of gravity very high (battery and motor at top)

body, it's going to be hard you can give your over all dimensions and hope someone can help out. Its got to be more of a 1/8 scale setup but the chassis is narrow.

[airdreams1]

Its defanatly locked!
not sure waht with yet.... I even tryed to step on the front tires & turn the rears to make it slip & couldnt get it to do so.

Pics coming soon...

[airdreams1]

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/ysrriders/RC/DSC03398.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/ysrriders/RC/DSC03401.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/ysrriders/RC/DSC03402.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/ysrriders/RC/DSC03399.jpg

It looks like the PO used screws to lock the gears... But I havent had time to pull the gear box... (went on vacation & got sick + hurt my back.)

[OldSchoolRC]

Where are the chassis braces?? Going to need those, especially where the shocks mount otherwise those chassis plates are going to start bending.

[airdreams1]

Thats good a question & the sort of info I need.
Guess ill have to make some. any sugestions on size or placement of them?

It looks like the PO cut the chassis plates down to me.

[OldSchoolRC]

Trying to find the stock ones may be impossible. The tranny's about 52mm wide, so 4 Axial 50mm posts and a few washers should work. They are threaded inside, so you can screw the shock screws right into them and it will beef up the chassis considerably.

I used the orange ones on my clod - they come in very handy! you can see how they are mounted up...
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/clod/05232010009.jpg

[McFig]

Thats good a question & the sort of info I need.
Guess ill have to make some. any sugestions on size or placement of them?

It looks like the PO cut the chassis plates down to me.

I have some stock ones you can have. PM me your address.

[airdreams1]

That would be Cool. I PMed you..
Im itching to get out & try this truck out.

[airdreams1]

Was looking on ebay & was wondering if any of the Hop-up parts were worth putting on the truck or maby even the berring kit?

[airdreams1]

Oh & what chassis would be beter than stock?
I see the GPM one on ebay but it doesnt look much different than the stock one.
Seen sever other co. that no longer make them or have them too but dont know what one to look for..

FYI the wheel base is 12.5 inches now.

[OldSchoolRC]

Bearings would be a great adddition. Less rolling resistance and less wear and tear on the gears and shafts - highly recommended. The only time I ever use bushings is for a truck that will a lot of snow or mud - bearings will rust, bushings will not. On dry land, bearings are the way to go.

As far as chassis, hmmm...depends what you want to do. Assuming you want to stay with a crawler, there are few upgrades on the market anymore for that chassis and tranny. You can probably find some older bender chassis kits out there though. The stocker will work fine for as long as you need it to, imho, I would look for a new chassis when looking for a new tranny to go with it. You can also get yourself some flat aluminum stock and bolt it to the top of your current chassis, drill a few holes for the shocks, and that will give you more options for a very affordable price. Check out Moondoggie's Gekko for some ideas on how to customize the chassis. Little different set-up, but the principle is the same.

In my vid posted earlier, i was using the stock chassis just cut down a bit and with an R2 tranny stuffed in there. Worked great in that configuration, no need to upgrade it.

[airdreams1]

Thanks McFig Got the braces Today & installed them already. It seems to have stiffened up the chassis a bit.
Now if I can find the brand new motor gear I lost, i could go drive it.

[airdreams1]

Found this cool litle plastic tonka toy car @ the good will today & thought it might work as a temporary body for the TLT-1.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/ysrriders/RC/DSC03660.jpg


Here it is mocked up on the truck.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/ysrriders/RC/DSC03661.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/ysrriders/RC/DSC03662.jpg

Actualy looks even better than I thought it might. Still need to trim up the chasis part to fit on the TLT & look right. I have the perfect LED taillights. & some headlights that might be the right size. just have to find them. may even do some dash lights. weel see if i get that bored..;)

[airdreams1]

Got the bodie mounted, but had to move the batery up inside the front of the bodie.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/ysrriders/RC/DSC03669.jpg


I need a new battery & probably a differant motor. Didnt have much torque (barly wanted to climb this tiny pile of rocks), but may be the weak battery. will most likely need a different chassis with more center ground clearance.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/ysrriders/RC/DSC03668.jpg

[JAnderson]

Looking good!

you can check out my TLT-1 build
http://www.tamiyausa.com/articles/feature.php?article-id=350

[Wyoming]

Sorry I hadn't seen this thread earlier lol! Does look great with that tonka body. and if your still looking for a bug body Pro-line makes a really nice bug body like I used on my Levant and that also looks a lot like that 1:1 you have in background

http://prolineracing.com/bodies/volkswagen-1-10-rock-crawler-body/

[airdreams1]

Got some new batteries on the way so I can try it out with new ones...
Motor will be next...

[airdreams1]

just bought this chassis prety cheaply. Anyone know who makes it? its about 9.5 long & 3.25 wide.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/ysrriders/RC/lg-773941-3-6694.jpg

hopefuly i can make it work... Hopeing to use a peed trans. & Ill have to figure out links & shocks..
Im going to remake it out of alum, because I dont like carbon.

[airdreams1]

Got the chassis, but I dont realy like it, so Im just going to make my own out of alum using this one as a guide. the finished product will look similar, just nicer (i hope)
Ill try things out on this one just to see what changes need to be made then it goes back up for sale.

[airdreams1]

ordered some new integy T-maxx shocks for the new build...

Just have to figure out what links Im going to use.....

anyone ever build a K2 chassis & have the instructions or remember the recomended parts?
I guess thats what this chassis I got is supose to be a coppy of... Though I was told it was a pro made chasis. once in hand, its odvious that its a homade coppy.

[airdreams1]

Dont think Im going to be able to use this chassis with T-maxx shocks.... Does anyone know if they will work with a bender or gatekeeper chassis?

finaly decided I want a crawler that can go almost anywhere... Dont care about using it in comps at this time... any help would be appriciated.....

[OldSchoolRC]

I had a K2...didn't come with any directions or anything. Why does this chassis not work with the shocks?

[airdreams1]

the shocks are about 4" center to center... That pushes the axles way down to the point the drivelines bind up.... Guess I could bend the links to try to compensate for that but that will change the way it stears & length of the truck. The only real advantage I can see is that I would gain ground clearance.... but then you trade that for a higher center of gravity..
Not 100% sure the meisurements of a real K2-5S so Im just guessing that this one is close to the same size. I know its a bit shorter by the manufacturers info, but they dont give a height


I realy would like to use the new shocks since I got 2 sets (16 total) of them for way less than you can imagine!

Ill slip it back together & take some pics to show what Im talking about.

[airdreams1]

Here are some pics of my local rock pile.... this isnt all of it, was in a hurry, but Just wanted to share some pics for now. For size referance the few Large bolders you see in the top 2 pics are about 1/4 to 1/3 the size of a VW bug. If I had to guess id say there is around 5000 to 8000 sq. ft or more... should be able to find some good runs or atleast be able to make some.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/ysrriders/RC/DSC03740.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/ysrriders/RC/DSC03741.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/ysrriders/RC/DSC03742.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/ysrriders/RC/DSC03743.jpg

hope to get the rig going befor winter so I can go try it out...

[OldSchoolRC]

Looks like a fantastic spot to crawl!

Couple of options on the shocks: you can lay them down maybe, so they are mounted at about a 45 degree angle or fab up some plates to move the shock location up.

My shocks were too long as well for the stock locations, so I made some plates to move the mounting point up. Works like a charm!
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/CR01/110509017.jpg

[airdreams1]

will that sort of thing work well with a full blown crawler or just on a scaler?

[Northwest 4x4]

it works well for both Arco. has alot of his biulds like that, you have travel still. So you should be fine with making mounts

[airdreams1]

Ok i just wasnt too sure since most crawlers seem to have them at some sort of angle. Thats the bad part about being a fng...

Even in 1/1 im not realy a 4x4 guy... I just like my Baja's. they go almost everywhere I want them to go. Plus are cheaper & easier to work on. :)

[Northwest 4x4]

ya I agree with you on that. Now the sand scorcher will be worth buying, it to can go lots of places

[airdreams1]

here is what I have for the truck so far....



Bender Chassis, Alum wheels, tekin FXR, hawk trans, integy maxx shocks, HiTec CRX radio & reciever. have a new 55T teken motor on the way....

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/ysrriders/RC/DSC03855.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/ysrriders/RC/DSC03856.jpg