Phase 2 of my Clod with pictures

[Mad Racer]

Hello everyone.

When I purchase the Clodzilla IV for my Clodbuster (Phase 1), I thought that the chassis didn't need some adjustments and tweaking set-ups, because I seen many people using it and seem to be happy with it. I always thought that this chassis was going to be a good mod for the Clod, but now it turn out to be a lacking machine. It lacked a lot in the cantilever suspension and steering set-up.

The Clodzilla IV's cantilever suspension set-up went to many failures. So now I change all the stock cantilever suspension set-up and try some different set-ups of what can I think of.

I remove the the whole truck's cantilever suspension set up. The stock set-up of the cantilevers wasn't that beef up and it lead to many problems, like steering was lacking a lot, when suspension was articulating. And the screws holds the cantilevers are always loose and I try everything, like using glue locknuts to keep them from loosening out, but never work. I was able to mount a shock on each side of the wheels, when I notice that the holes holds the cantilevers and pushrods in place were direct fit to mount a shock. So I tried it and it actually work. Also, it is better than the stock cantilever set-up.

I'm also working on a better body mount set-up. The stock wasn't impressing me. The stock set-up of the body mounts were too low, when putting the body on and when the truck is suspension is articulating, the body hits the tires very easily.

I'm not working on the steering set-up yet. I like the stock set-up, but when I was using the cantilever suspension set-up before, the steering wasn't effective since suspension was articulating, but when I changed it, the steering still lack, but not a lot before with the cantilever suspension set-up.

Here are some pictures of Phase 2:

[Mad Racer]

Two more pictures:

[Mad Racer]

Here are the pictures of the truck with the body. The tall body mounts mod have just been finished. Enjoy the pictures everyone.

[Mad Racer]

One last picture shot of the truck. I don't know how this picture came out with a little black on a corner, but oh well. Enjoy.

[JeLeAk]

cool, i dont care much for ESP products either, overpriced and poor quality

[Mad Racer]

Thanks. Yeah, well this chassis, when I first purchase it, there quality was very poor, like the metal parts. Some ESP Hobby stuff are over price, but this chassis wasn't, since I got it off ebay for 139.99. I'm thinking this chassis won't last in the future coming, since the metal parts looks very fragile...Oh well.:(

[Benz]

hey i love the job u did on that project. IT IS REALLY SICK.:D :D :cool: :cool:

[Mad Racer]

Thanks man! This project is by far the best project I ever did.:)

[pedeboi364]

cool, i dont care much for ESP products either, overpriced and poor quality

ESP ******* SUCKS!!!!!!! anyways, that's a pretty nice lookin' clod there

[Mad Racer]

Thanks. Well, ESP Hobby is not too bad, but I had to say, I did a lot of custom building on this Clodzilla IV chassis, so that it will make it better and run property. But, then again, this chassis is not that good and I wouldn't recommend anyone getting this chassis. For the future coming, might go on to Phase 3 on the Clod, changing to whole chassis for a very good quality probably a JPS Pro, Thunder Tech Rage or The Ripper, or the Crawford Performance engineering chassis's.

[pedeboi364]

ESP isn't too bad?!?!?!?! well, idk about you, but i had their bumper and wheelie bar for my pede and the screws were almost out just from doing high speed runs on semi smooth gravel...and they bend wicked easy!!!

[Mad Racer]

Oh yes, I experienced the ESP screws coming loose the same as well on my chassis. But good thing I had some Tamiya glue screw lock, so that they can keep the screws from coming loose and stay tighten.

[pedeboi364]

lol, i learned that thread lock was my best friend the hard way...

[Benz]

Thanks man! This project is by far the best project I ever did.:)

well can u pm me pictures of your other projects?

[Mad Racer]

Oh, well then, my other projects are gone now. This is the only project I got now. The rest of my other projects are sold. This is the only project I got now, but it was by far the best out of all the ones I sold.

Sorry that I can't sent you pictures of my other projects, since I sold them.

[Benz]

Oh, well then, my other projects are gone now. This is the only project I got now. The rest of my other projects are sold. This is the only project I got now, but it was by far the best out of all the ones I sold.

Sorry that I can't sent you pictures of my other projects, since I sold them.

oh thats ok then.:D

[Mad Racer]

Ok. Will be taking action shots of the Clod soon, if the snow melts or probably in the snow action shots. Stay tuned...

[Benz]

will do that bud

[Mad Racer]

Yeah, I will soon.

[1 bad bug]

Hey Mad Racer, do have stock gearing with those 550 motors? I finally built crawford chassis and I want to get some 550 motors to get the tires moving. BTW Your Clod is awsome looking.

[Mad Racer]

Hey Mad Racer, do have stock gearing with those 550 motors? I finally built crawford chassis and I want to get some 550 motors to get the tires moving. BTW Your Clod is awsome looking.
Thanks. Yeah, I'm using stock gearing on it, along with those 550 motors. The stock gearing set-up is good enough to use those huge 550 motors. It provides the Clod a lot of torq!

[Philderbeast]

I just put 650's on my e-maxx, I thought of going larger cause I am a torque freak. maybe next time right!!!

[Mad Racer]

Lol, 650 sounds a little too much. 550 is good enough for me.

[Benz]

what do you mean by 650 and 550????:confused: :confused: :confused:

[JeLeAk]

what do you mean by 650 and 550????:confused: :confused: :confused:

the actual size of the motor it self

standard electric motors are sized as 540, 550 is the size of the e-maxx motors... 650 is a even larger electric motor... but a downfall to larger motors is they dont spin as many RPMs but make up for that in torque/power

[Benz]

the actual size of the motor it self

standard electric motors are sized as 540, 550 is the size of the e-maxx motors... 650 is a even larger electric motor... but a downfall to larger motors is they dont spin as many RPMs but make up for that in torque/power

oh i get it know thanks a lot man??:D :D :cool: :cool: :) :) :o :o

[Philderbeast]

To be honest, my maxx is about 5 mph faster since the installation of the 650 engines. I thought it would be slower also, but with loads of torque, I have the torque and the speed.

[Mad Racer]

Yeah, well 650 will provide a lot of torq. I wonder what will my Clod be like with those 650 motors. I'm guessing it will have a lot of torq obvious.

[Mad Racer]

Here are some actions shots of my truck. They don't look that good. Enjoy:

[Benz]

Here are some actions shots of my truck. They don't look that good. Enjoy:

that thing is sick.

[Mad Racer]

Thanks! Yeah, got a lot of power, when running on dual 550's and dual 7.2v packs.:)

[Mad Racer]

Yeah, guys I am experiencing major problems on the Clod with the 550 motors. It seem that my throttle control is lacky, since is it either due to the motors (which I am assuming) or the radio.:confused: I think I should change them and run Tamiya 540's at 14.4v. Might be better. If the throttle control is still lacky with those 540 motors, it got to be the radio.

[JeLeAk]

to be honest, i like my Integy 45t 540's than the Traxxas 550's

i got a major power/torque upgrade with the 45 turn motors as well as a big jump in run time... jus somthing to think about

[Mad Racer]

I see, the Integy's are good, might get them soon. Or should I stick with the Tamiya 540's? Integy's are also 540 size, but have more torq. Hmm...:rolleyes:

[Mad Racer]

Guys, just find out that my motors been damaged a lot. Found out it was due to the aluminum using. There was too much aluminum being used, that the motor's voltage was cutting out a lot. Same as the ESC and receiver. Although the ESC and receiver was not damaged, which is good, but both front and rear axle's motors are severely damaged. Here are pictures of the front motor damaged. Don't got rear axle motor pictures, but they are in the same shape as the front axle motor is. Sorry about the pictures, they are a bit blurry.

[JeLeAk]

yeah, only bad thing about 550 motors is how long they are, but good news is high turn brushed motors are relatively cheep

[Mad Racer]

Yeah, well they are very hard to fit on the axles, because of there size. I prefer 540's for this Clod.

[master_of_desaster]

for clods stick with 540 size motors. just a ton easier to find what you need without having any fitting issues

[Mad Racer]

Yeah. Anyways, Clods were made to use 540 motors, not huge 550's. I'm sticking with 540's now on my Clod.:)

[Mad Racer]

Anyone have any suggestions on what 540 size motor that will be perfect for this Clod?

[Mad Racer]

Update on my Clod. Replaced the 550's for the 540's. Using the Tamiya 540 motors.

[Mad Racer]

Action shots:

[Mad Racer]

I like the third action shot of it, since you can see the suspension working, after taking the jump and landing.

[Philderbeast]

you were asking about a good 540 motor. You still in the market? And do you want torque or speed? Trinity has a motor called Revenge of the monster. It is a 27 turn motor and has a ton of torque. If you want a little more speed, trinity has the 17 turn camillion 2 motor that I recently put into my tc4. Wow, is it wicked fast for a 17 turn, and the torque is there also. Trinity has a very good product, as does reedy. trinity is a little better IMO.

[Mad Racer]

you were asking about a good 540 motor. You still in the market? And do you want torque or speed? Trinity has a motor called Revenge of the monster. It is a 27 turn motor and has a ton of torque. If you want a little more speed, trinity has the 17 turn camillion 2 motor that I recently put into my tc4. Wow, is it wicked fast for a 17 turn, and the torque is there also. Trinity has a very good product, as does reedy. trinity is a little better IMO.
Yeah, I have been thinking of getting those Trinity motors. Trinity do makes good motors. But no, I never had time to drop by at the hobby shop to get better 540 size motors. I'm using the Tamiya standard 540's. 540's still made me happy, when I saw how much speed and torq it had, when running them on 14.4v. So I'm using the Tamiya 540's and running them on 14.4v for now.

[Cooldude999]

nice clod man!!

[miniRaminator rules]

vary cool:D

[Mad Racer]

Thanks guys!

But my Clod is now down and won't be in use in a long time now. Might sell it though, not sure...

[1 bad bug]

Thanks guys!

But my Clod is now down and won't be in use in a long time now. Might sell it though, not sure...

Whats wrong with it? If you do sell it though LMK.

[LSXEric]

Nice ramp! "Teacher" wheres ur homework. "Mad racer" Ahh, I waz jumping it with my clod buster R/C.
_________________________
Holy crap:eek:

[Mad Racer]

I'm only having some minor problems. Not that bad. They can be fixed very easily. I will let you know Bug, but first, needs to do some fixing on it.

Lol, thats a good one, Eric!

[1 bad bug]

Cool, I hope you get it up and running again, it's a really cool looking clod.

[master_of_desaster]

sorry mad, this isnt what i expected... the whole body is way too high. jus git it done right man and get a crawford sniper buddy sorry for the harsh words. but you still got the great base vehicle. IMO

[Mad Racer]

That's ok MoD, but thanks. The body has to be set high, since if I lowered it, the tires will rub on the body, when the truck's suspension is compressed. I have no choice, but to put the body that high. The sniper body is cool, but I got a Grave Digger body that I am thinking of using. I'll see what I can do.

[Mad Racer]

Clod update:

I remove the servo that I been using ever since I started this project. That was a very cheap servo and destroy most of the Clod's steering. I put a High Torq metal gear steering servo in it. It's a super kicker!

Also changed the front cantilever suspension set-up for a Clod style set-up. I leave the rear staying as Cantilever set-up.

I used to have 550 motors in it, but it never went well with those motors. So I stick with the Tamiya 540 silver cans. Good enough...

Tested it today. Steering was much, much better and the suspension design went very well, tackling rough terrain and getting perfect landing from jumps with ease.

[Mad Racer]

Articulation of it. Not bad, but it's not really use for rock crawling, just bashing:

[master_of_desaster]

that looks like suspension will be more tollerable and predicatable

[Taylor]

WOW! :eek:

[OldSchoolRC]

looks good, i like the servo placement - much better then trying to sutff it on top the axle somewhere.

[LSXEric]

I know u've have thought it over with the motors, but are we gonna see some high end 540's on it?

[Mad Racer]

Thanks guys!

I'm not sure about the motors yet. But I might stick with these for now, until I get into crawling with this. Integy motors are the way to go.

[LSXEric]

True keep having fun with it!:D

[Mad Racer]

Thanks man!

[Mad Racer]

Well, I finally got two videos of my Clod today. Here they are:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejlw8DTlk0M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHkJ5OMtgtU

Sorry about the low quality of the video, this is why I needs a better camera. I tried my best.

[LSXEric]

Looks great mad! I really like how in the first vid how the left front tourqes up like a real monster! Is impossible to keep that nose down looks like a tymia WK.:D

[Mad Racer]

Lol, Thanks! Yeah, it's like a real monster!

[Mad Racer]

I'll be making a better video tomorrow guys. Stay tuned...

[Mad Racer]

Third video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1IXFogrBSc

A bit better than my previous Clod bashing videos.

[LSXEric]

Nice vid once again Mad. U should conseder going to the grave digger event. I would love to see it there! I'm going in 09!:D

[notatoy]

WOW that thing is awesome fastest clod i have ever seen love it

[1 bad bug]

That is one fast clod but all you're running in it is the stock 540s right?

[Mad Racer]

Thanks guys!

You think I would do good there Eric? :D

Yeah, I'm running stock silvercans 540's. They are good enough.

[LSXEric]

Heck yea! I'm mean even if u dont do 100% its the experiance thats also fun. I think a new monster truck body and mabye some faster brushed motors and u got a good chance at brused monster truck! Plus wouldn't u love to meet Denis Anderson? I would:D

[Mad Racer]

Lol, yeah, would be cool to see him in person. I might stick back the 550's in them, they are better than the 540's, but needs custom building, also, I got a Grave Digger body, that I am thinking of putting on it.

[LSXEric]

Awsome! Cant wait to see that! How much better are the 550's? And have u seen they closed like 5 of my threads!:eek: Well I can see why.:(

[Mad Racer]

Yeah. 550's has way more torq then a 540.

Really? Closed them? I think we learn our lesson about posting competition. Better get back on the Clod topic. :D

[Mad Racer]

Got these action shots today. I was taking pictures and driving at the same time, was pretty hard...

I like the first picture, where that it's moving pretty fast in motion.

If anyone is interested in seeing the video of it(video was taken about a week ago), here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1IXFogrBSc

[Mad Racer]

Don't got more shots since the day ended with three bended body posts and rear steering lock is bended from hard wheelies, as you can see in these pictures.

[1 bad bug]

Hey mad Racer, what batteries do you use in your clod. I use two duratrax 4600 mah batteries and they run out of juice after about 5min of run time. How long are your run times. BTW cool pics.

[Mad Racer]

I knew that the Duratrax packs are no good.

I uses SMC 3800 Ni-Mh 7.2v batteries. They have good runtimes, about 15-20 mins.

[notatoy]

mad racer very cool i gota get me one of these clods . did you go back to the 550 motors ???

[Mad Racer]

Thanks notatoy. No, I still can property fit those huge motors without them touching those metal link rods. I might be going on to Phase 3, where I will take this poor chassis off for a Thundertech Rage or Ripper. Then I could put those huge motors in them. Also, the Rage has a excellent battery mounting, unlike the Clodzilla IV.

[master_of_desaster]

lol you know what im for but i'll say it anyways... RIPPER!!!!

[Mad Racer]

Yeah, or I can save some bucks and get the Rage. Either the Ripper or the Rage, can't make up my mind. But I seen many videos of them freestyling and racing, and they are perfect, unstoppable, don't break.

[master_of_desaster]

MOS DEF! lol its all in the money man. either one you can't possibly go wrong.

[LSXEric]

Hey MMad did it eat the tree in post #77 pic 3? Looks like a camera man and driver;)

[master_of_desaster]

I knew that the Duratrax packs are no good.

I uses SMC 3800 Ni-Mh 7.2v batteries. They have good runtimes, about 15-20 mins.

thats the set up i run when i'm not running lipo's

[Mad Racer]

Hey MMad did it eat the tree in post #77 pic 3? Looks like a camera man and driver;)Well, I had to take pictures and drive at the same time. It actually bumped into that tree, that's how my front body posts got destroyed.:eek:

[Mad Racer]

thats the set up i run when i'm not running lipo'sI wish I could run LiPo's. Sadly, don't got the experience with them and don't have the money to buy both the LiPo battery and charger.:(

Cheap batteries like these and other are always in use for this truck, don't last long, needs matched packs.

[master_of_desaster]

I wish I could run LiPo's. Sadly, don't got the experience with them and don't have the money to buy both the LiPo battery and charger.:(

Cheap batteries like these and other are always in use for this truck, don't last long, needs matched packs.

i agree. i really am super new to lipo tech still. but they are really easy to work with. the chargers aren't as expensive as you might think. just the good batteries are expensive. maxamps and cheapbattery are the best places to go.

[newviennajj]

just curious what does that thing weigh ?

[Mad Racer]

Not that heavy, just around 9-11 lbs with all that alloy stuff...

[Mad Racer]

i agree. i really am super new to lipo tech still. but they are really easy to work with. the chargers aren't as expensive as you might think. just the good batteries are expensive. maxamps and cheapbattery are the best places to go.The Maxamps are mostly expensive, but I'm sure they are very good, never heard anything bad about them.

[master_of_desaster]

The Maxamps are mostly expensive, but I'm sure they are very good, never heard anything bad about them.

as the saying goes, you get what you pay for and running mod clods, a battery is quite the key. i good running hi-mah battery really helps the performance insanely

[Mad Racer]

Yeah, I'm gonna stick with those 7.2v stickpacks. Anyways, getting out of electric soon, so it's going be hard to get rid of the Clod. Let's see....

[LSXEric]

Mad ur going nitro?!?:eek: Welcome to the nitro corner!:D

[master_of_desaster]

wow getting rid of the clod. bummer.

[Mad Racer]

Yeah, well Eric, I have been in Nitro for quite a while now, probably couple years.

It's really a bummer to sell the best electric mt MoD. Due to the fact that I'm having a bad time finding the right battery packs for it. Don't have much knowledge in batteries.

[master_of_desaster]

well shoot. thats not that hard! look into a couple good 360mah packs and your set. they are only $38-$45 which is pretty good. for my wheely king i had a venom 4600mah 7.2 and i probably got around 150 cycles and its been in that truck since i bought it 2 years ago. i jus now bought a new venom 3600mah battery and and a maxamps 8000mah lipo.

[LSXEric]

Yes the venom 6-cell 1800,3000,3300,3600,4200,4600,and 5000 mah seem as they last forever! My 3000 just bit the dust at about 200 cycles, and now I have just ordered a new one.

[Mad Racer]

I don't know but I always thought that the Venom packs are weak. I'm sure you guys uses them with no problems, just that when I see them, looks like they are cheap.

[master_of_desaster]

well they are no thunderpower, maxamps, or trinity battery. but for the price and their longevity (?spelling?) they are good packs.

[LSXEric]

Yes and you have to remeber they are sport packs not full race packs. I've even heard good things about the Lipo's at my LHS.

[notatoy]

I don't know but I always thought that the Venom packs are weak. I'm sure you guys uses them with no problems, just that when I see them, looks like they are cheap.mad racer i use them and i agree with you they are cheap ,this is another example of you only get what you pay for iam on a budget so i have to make do but if i had the money maxamps would be my choice ,:D

[master_of_desaster]

mos def on maxamps! but its nice to have a battery you really dont have to worry about. like in my mudding vids i have the trusty 4200mah venom pack in there. i wouldn't dare do that with any of my lipo's!

[Mad Racer]

Well guys, going with the Trinity or Maxamps packs. Don't really like the Venom ones.

[rcjwp]

I don't know but I always thought that the Venom packs are weak. I'm sure you guys uses them with no problems, just that when I see them, looks like they are cheap.

We all have our own opinons.... I do run a venom pack in my brushless revo and nothing to complain about yet.:)

[master_of_desaster]

Well guys, going with the Trinity or Maxamps packs. Don't really like the Venom ones.

yeah yeah Maxamps baby!:D:cool:

[LSXEric]

Yes indeede max amps are VERY good. Lipo or Nimh?

[Mad Racer]

I say both are very good Eric!

[LSXEric]

No I was asking which ones are u geting?

[Mad Racer]

Oh, probably Ni-Mh first, heard they are very good and LiPo no, I don't have the knowledge for them...

[master_of_desaster]

Oh, probably Ni-Mh first, heard they are very good and LiPo no, I don't have the knowledge for them...

good idea. if your in the market for a charger, make it easier on yourself and get a charger that charges both nimh, nicad, and lipo. i made the mistake and ended buying a $115 nicad/nimh charger. then i ended up buying a $124 lipo/nicad/nimh charger...:(

[Mad Racer]

I see, well I always uses the Duratrax Twin pulse charger, charges two batteries at the same time!

[master_of_desaster]

yeah i love the MRC 977 charger! it does dual charging but it can also do lipo nicad and nimh batteries. its reasonably priced as well!

[rcjwp]

yeah i love the MRC 977 charger! it does dual charging but it can also do lipo nicad and nimh batteries. its reasonably priced as well!

That is also the charger I use. Nothing to complain about with it, and Its nice to be able to charge nimh, nicd, lipo, and lead acid. I wont have to buy another charger for a long time.:)

[master_of_desaster]

oh yeah mos def!

[rcjwp]

The nice thing about it too, is that when your real cars battery is dead and you dont have jump start cables, you find a power outlet and extention cord, and charge up the car battery somewhat so that you can start it!:D

[master_of_desaster]

haven't used that feature yet thank goodness!

[rcjwp]

It happend to us when we stoped at a motel for the night while I was in texas. Woke up one morning, got everything loaded into the car and tryed to start it, and it was DEAD.:rolleyes:

[master_of_desaster]

major suckage! oh sorry Mad we def. got carried away

[rcjwp]

Yes, sorry mad! How is that clod of yours doing?

[master_of_faster]

Nice!!! It gets alot of articulation

[Mad Racer]

That's ok guys. I don't mind that.

Thanks MoF! But I want more articulations for those rocks!

[master_of_desaster]

right on Mad, you'll be the first person i know to crawl with a ripper chassis haha

[Mad Racer]

Lol, I don't know MoD, the Ripper chassis is also good for bashing at those dirt pits that I got at my place and for freestyling too!

[master_of_desaster]

oh i know that all i ran a ripper for... freestyle and bashing.

[Mad Racer]

Hmm, well I seen many videos of Ripper's freestyling on indoor nationals. Makes me want one!

[master_of_desaster]

thats why i bought mine. it was jus fun as hell to run!

[Mad Racer]

Yeah, also it doesn't uses the stock steering set-up, the CZ4 uses stock steering set-up just servo mounted on top of gearbox. Such a poor design IMO. I'm always breaking those steering links, but the Ripper uses a different set-up. It has a servo mount in front of the axle right?

[master_of_desaster]

well yeah kinda. you rarely ever see the ripper without a BTA conversion

[Mad Racer]

Yeah, most Clod owners would get rid of the stock steering system, which I'm gonna do that soon.

[master_of_desaster]

good move. you'll love the mod