School me on rock crawlers/anything for sale?

[edog's 80]

Ok, I have a heli, enough said about that-I find it's too much time working on it/crashing it.

I tried out my friend's rock crawler last year in Moab and had a blast with it, the best part seems-I won't destroy parts and spend money each run and let my kids actually operate it instead of the heli which breaks if they look at it.

What I am looking for:

Not to spend over 200-300 bucks-someone have a good platform they want to sell me?

Something used/ready to go, I would prefer not to have to buy a transmitter, blah blah to get it going.

Stuff to watch out for, good links to knock offs/clones.

People's advice-I wish I would have read more online prior to getting into helis-

Thanks!

 

[concretejungle]

PM jfz80. I think he has one almost ready to run (ARTR) for a heck of a price.

However, i must say that if you think you can just run these without spending money, you are mistaken. You will either break something, get frustrated with a line and keep at it until you break something, break something just so you have a good reason to upgrade, or just upgrade it! Trust me!

They are a blast and it gives me another reason to get outside and enjoy a beautiful day! A couple of us have started having a crawl day, where we meet up and crawl a spot, head to another spot, then stop for lunch and recharge batteries, then head to another spot. Pretty fun.

I will also add, that most of the stuff you find you will need to buy a transmitter/receiver to make it run. Seems like that piece of equipment depends on the type of truck you are running, what electronics are on the truck, if you want dig or not, if you want a display showing telemetry, ect... Very subjective piece of the puzzle.

 

[jfz80]

Yeah ive got one for sale ready to go.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/nc-olde-north-state-cruisers/62895-sale-wanted-107.html#post6377687

Its axial axle based, with a custom tube chasis and carbon fiber links and traxxas electronics.
PM me for info. Asking from 200 as a roller to 300 as is to 400 with upgraded ESC/motor.

I dont know if I necessarily agree with the "your gonna bust it" motto. Its definately possible but just as each persons definition of wheeling is different the abuse you put the RC may vary as well. The friend that got me into these bought two stock losi night crawlers and when stock they did great and put up with the abuse of a 3 and 5 year old. Now when he started upgrading and tinkering they had some issues.

That said, there are a few week points to address if using spiritedly and the there is the stuff youll just plain want

I never broke so much as upgraded. One exception was the output shaft, but once I put a HD one in, no more issues ever. Then there are the plastic drive shafts which are fine till they get a lot of time in the rocks and reduces effectiveness of "slip" yoke. There are fun and easy mods like longer arms and such and price usually depends on your craftiness and willingness to DIY .

You can buy 25 dollar links or buy a threaded rod at the hrdware store an make your own
Same story as the 1:1 rigs, some guys can make it happen for cheap and other pay big to make it happen.

No matter how you use it I believe youll be hooked and wanting a more advanced rig for yourself to keep the kids company shortly after the initial rig It is more fun with company but a blast killing time solo too.

My recommendation would be a losi night crawler to start. Ive seen used ones for under and around 200 with everything but a charger. I would recommend the axial ax10 as well, though they are only sold in RTR form now. Options are more plentiful on the axial and its still the rig I drive.

Second recommendation is going to LIPO batteries and reading up on the safety aspects.

Have fun and keep us posted.

 

[concretejungle]

I dont know if I necessarily agree with the "your gonna bust it" motto. Its definately possible but just as each persons definition of wheeling is different the abuse you put the RC may vary as well. The friend that got me into these bought two stock losi night crawlers and when stock they did great and put up with the abuse of a 3 and 5 year old. Now when he started upgrading and tinkering they had some issues.



My recommendation would be a losi night crawler to start. Ive seen used ones for under and around 200 with everything but a charger. I would recommend the axial ax10 as well, though they are only sold in RTR form now. Options are more plentiful on the axial and its still the rig I drive.

Second recommendation is going to LIPO batteries and reading up on the safety aspects.

Have fun and keep us posted.

Coming from the guy who has replaced every part on his rig... rigs!

I kind of disagree with the night crawler. Why get a night crawler that does not have a dig transmission when you can get a comp crawler for practically the same price if you look.

I do agree with Lipo batteries. You will want to upgrade to those. They are great when you learn how to care for them.

Happy shopping.

 

[edog's 80]

Wow that crawler is awesome! It's a bit more than I want to spend right now, it looks like a great deal though. I am probably going to sell my heli on craigslist, if that moves fast I would definitely be interested. The Losi nightcrawler looks like a good deal too.

Ideally, I would like to buy this from someone who is into the hobby, I learned from the heli experience that you spend a boatload of money replacing the weak entry level components.

 

[concretejungle]

as long as you are light on the trigger as you begin, stock should be plenty good.

think of it on the scale of the 80 series... if you drop a ton more horsepower and torque in the 80, and then got it in the rocks, get into the gas and you are going to break something.

i should probably retract my night crawler comment.... on the basis that i'm really not sure what the price difference is between the comp and the night. But having the dig transmission is an advantage for sure. The night crawler is a good rig, but if the price diff between the two is small, i say step up to the comp crawler.

 

[jfz80]

Got a few others for sale now if you or anyone else is still looking.

stockish new ax-10 with custom tube body w/ NiCd charger $250
built but used ax-10 with tons of upgrades $450
RC4wd Bully MOA with a chasis, servo, steering upgrades and electric dig $550

PM for more details, offers may be considered
really just looking to sell the tuber and one of the other two, but will make a heck of a package deal

all include a controller and two batteries