A Tale of 2 Axial Crawlers

[Corbet]

So our Durango wheeling group has been bitten by the scale crawler bug. Evenings in camp now become RC crawling time between campfire and meals.

My son, then 7, got to demo an Axial Bomber at the 2016 W.E.Rock Championship Weekend in Farmington. Didn’t take long for him to get hooked too.

Shortly there after I found an Axial Wraith on Craigslist used for only $180. Basic RTR unit but had a decent charger, battery, and upgraded steering servo already installed. The rear axle was a mess so I found a new take off on eBay for $45.

Since last fall I’ve let the boy find the weak parts on the Wraith. He burned out the motor, cooked a battery, drove it until loose parts fell off and wondered why it quit working. I put a rebuildable Axial 55T motor in to replace the standard 27T that burned up. Slowed the car down a bunch and made it crawl much better. Replaced the loose hardware and it’s been pretty solid now for a few months.

 

[Corbet]

This fall the boy turned 8 and I got him an Axial Bomber kit.

The plan, build the kit together and swap in all the electronics from what is now my Wraith. Then I get to rebuild the Wraith into the truck I want.

The kit form of the Bomber seemed like such a better value as it comes with upgraded; links, front inner axles, gears, shocks, & tires. Plus I did not need another set of basic RTR electronics.

 

[Corbet]

Building it has been pretty fun but slow going given my schedule.

It’s turned more into Dad’s project as I’m fearful he will strip out the screws during assembly. But he is watching and learning how things work. So that is cool.

Where it stands now

 

[Corbet]

The boy wanted a poser shot.

Up next is Building the shocks, paint, and move all the electronics over from the Wraith.

 

[Corbet]

Got some paint on the body panels. Decals yet to be applied. While many seem to have an adversion to the gold Axial components we decided to embrace them with a gold metallic paint choice.

 

[mattv94]

When you're building the shocks I'd use some Team Associated green slime on the o-rings. Miracle fix for leaks in my experience.

Glad to see more RC build threads here. I need to post my latest project build

 

[Corbet]

When you're building the shocks I'd use some Team Associated green slime on the o-rings. Miracle fix for leaks in my experience.

Glad to see more RC build threads here. I need to post my latest project build

I've been reading about the green slime too. Our most local RC shop did not have any. I'm going to try using a mountain bike suspension product that I have and see if that will seal them up. If not I'll order the green slime online.

 

[Corbet]

Trying to keep the upgrades to a minimum. But these seemed logical.

 

[Corbet]

Shock Building started this morning.

First shock completed.

I used some “Slick Honey” grease to try to get a good seal on the shock o-rings. It’s what I use on my mountain bike suspension seals. We will see how well it works.

 

[Corbet]

Where is stands now with the shocks and decals installed. Need to start painting the interior/drivers.

 

[Corbet]

Wraith tire and wheel upgrade teaser. No time to build the rest this week.

 

[Corbet]

I just realized I never posted the finished Bomber. So here are a couple pics. Bomber ran great for a week or so and then the boy stripped out the steering servo gears. New servo arrived today. I’m going to downgrade his steering linkage to plastic to put some flex into the system.

 

[Corbet]

Out in the shop today building barriers and took a step away for a mental break. Finished assembling the Wraith beadlocks. They are GearHead BTR wheels. Axial Ripsaw soft compound tires.

 

[Corbet]

Spring is in the air and our snow is melting fast. Time to get back on the Wraith build. Visited my local supplier “Finishline RC” in Farmington NM. Got some supplies ordered.

Link kit. Much more to come.

 

[Corbet]

Installing some links while welds cool on Barriers today.

 

[Corbet]

Picked up the front axle rebuild parts. Vanquish Stage One kit, brass knuckle bushings, VDI axle kit, and servo mount.

 

[Corbet]

Little shop time this afternoon. Got the axle parts installed. Ordered a battery relocation tray this morning. Once that arrives I can start the electronics install. Hopefully the steering servo that’s backordered ships soon.

 

[Brake Weight]

I’ve got a couple of Wraiths and a Bomber, too. Loads of fun. If you stay with the brushed motors I highly recommend the HobbyWing 1080 ESC. Hands down better.

 

[Corbet]

I've already picked up a Holmes BRXL ESC and Torquemaster motor. Waiting on a backordered steering servo from them. For now I'll see how I like them and adjust from there. Part of the reason I did not get anything fancy for my son's bomber. That way I can move what I don't like into that as an upgrade for him if need be.

My battery relocation tray showed up this week. So I could start the wiring process but I'd rather have the servo in-hand first.

 

[Brake Weight]

Holmes is some good stuff. Great CS after the sale, too. Check out the Magnum lineup he’s got going now. They’re pricey but an advancement for brushed motors.

TorqueMaster Magnum 540 - TorqueMaster Series - Brushed Motors - Motors