Super Clod Buster black edition build

[MadAtComputer]

I've been under the weather but still got my clod buster built. I didn't get too many photos because I was having so much fun building that I did not want too stop lol. Absolute blast to build. Only issue is that the tires are filthy even after scrubbing(mold release?) and two out of the four do not fit the outside bead well. they are very loose on the wheel.

It is built stock other than some fast eddy bearings and RR steel pinion gears. Servo is an injora 35kg, flysky reciver, Gens ace 5000mah NiMh battery. It will get some aluminum anti rotation brackets next month and likely aluminum servo saver or steering bell crank.

I have paint for it. Probably not doing box art, but I will see. I've been thinking of getting a set of the MCI retro King Krunch decals for it.

[MadAtComputer]

I contacted Amain about the ill fitting tires and they directed me to Tamiya. Worst case I'll buy a pair of tires next month. It's deer season so it will be a couple weeks before I get to painting the body. It will be painted TS-14 black, but leaning towards a MCI retro King Krunch decal set vs the box art. Will see.

I need to figure out my Kyosho headlight kit. I figured the 3rd channel would be able to turn the light kit on and off, but it dose nothing. Tried in both my tamiya trucks. I could wire up a switch to one of the two unused switch locations in the chassis. The halogen color LEDs do looks great though.

 

Edit: Amain sent out a pair of tires

[MadAnt]

On 11/8/2024 at 2:18 AM, MadAtComputer said:

two out of the four do not fit the outside bead well. they are very loose on the wheel.

Once you glue them they should not be loose, maybe use some zip ties or a strap or those tire band thingies after applying the glue. Also I've heard shoe goo can be used for these lower speed applications.

[MadAtComputer]

4 hours ago, MadAnt said:

Once you glue them they should not be loose, maybe use some zip ties or a strap or those tire band thingies after applying the glue. Also I've heard shoe goo can be used for these lower speed applications.

it's about an 1/8th of an inch gap from the bead to the wheel. I could have tried to fill it with glue, but didn't want to mess up the wheels which were a large reason I bough this specific kit. Hobby shop I bought it from(Amain) has sent out new tires.

[MadAnt]

59 minutes ago, MadAtComputer said:

it's about an 1/8th of an inch gap from the bead to the wheel. I could have tried to fill it with glue, but didn't want to mess up the wheels which were a large reason I bough this specific kit. Hobby shop I bought it from(Amain) has sent out new tires.

Oh wow! An 1/8th of an inch is a large gap, hopefully the new tires fit better.

[MadAtComputer]

one of the old tires vs the new. two were real bad, one I could have lived with and one fit right. Probably hard to make such large r/c tires.

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[MadAtComputer]

Painted the body this afternoon. got the garage up to about 60F. Nocked the shine off the plastic with some 0000 steel wool, washed with dish soap and let it dry. Used one full can of ps-14(5-6 coats) and I am happy were it is. I bought two cans but I can't really see a reason to use the second. It is a driver so not going to wet sand ect.

I plan on ordering some MCI Retro King Krunch decals for it next week. Fits the color scheme, and I like old school monster trucks.

 

 

[MadAtComputer]

I assembled the body and painted the turn signals. I'll wait for a couple days before I mask and paint the side markers. I may paint the tail lights too instead of using the decals.

[MadAtComputer]

Got the side markers painted. Pretty happy with em. Going to go ahead and order some red and paint the tail lights too. More i look at the truck the more I am thinking of not doing any decals at all. Hmm

[MadAtComputer]

Got most of the last parts ordered. CPE aluminum anti rotation brackets, switch relay for the headlights, 3D printed covers for the switch holes in the chassis, and red Tamiya brush paint for the tail lights. I need to find a decal for the old style air scoop though. Any suggestions were to look? dose not look like the sticker sheets that come with the truck have one for it.

Next month I might order a spare front bumper and an injora winch and see if I can modify the bumper to make it fit. Not to get the clod unstuck, but mostly for looks. And to play around with. Maybe pull my blackfoot out if it gets stuck lol

that one

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083ND79RC/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=A3IVS9PE9W6NFK&psc=1

[MadAtComputer]

switch covers and aluminum anti rotation brackets came in and I installed em. The red paint I ordered for the tail lights keeps getting delayed so I went ahead and used the decals. Going to finally drive for the first time since the snow is mostly melted. I'll grab a few photos.

[MadAtComputer]

That did not go great. pulls pretty hard right. seems to be the front having issues. front wheels will not turn left at all while on the ground. But nothing broke. I am happy with the 5000mah gens ace NiMh. I think I have already had it with the stock steering lol

I am looking at the Jconcepts behind the axle steering setup, as well as other axle mounted servo setups. I'll have to wait til next month to order anything though.

Only got one photo, I was preoccupied with messing with the steering.

 

Edit: managed to bend the front steering linkages taking them off to make sure they were the proper length or adjust them if needed. I bent it back, I guess that is a benefit of it being made out of wet noodles haha. For sure planing on upgrading the steering.

[MadAtComputer]

It steers and goes in a straight line now. CPE steering came in. Rear lock out and front on axle servo. I still need to trim the steering stops off to get a little more steering angle. but I wanted to make sure everything fit before modding the steering knuckles.  After that a little rework of my headlight kit and figure out a way to get the LEDs to stay put(hot glue?) and it should be done. for now. oh and maybe wheel spacers, and a different grill and.. lol

[wolfdogstinkus]

Clodbuster's won't move their wheels while stationary, the servo saver just takes the strain unless you have it set super tight but even then it'll struggle to move those big heavy tyres unless it's moving.

You've sorted it now anyway, most upgrade to the servo on axle steering as it is much tighter and more precise.

Nice Job.

 

[MadAtComputer]

2 hours ago, wolfdogstinkus said:

Clodbuster's won't move their wheels while stationary, the servo saver just takes the strain unless you have it set super tight but even then it'll struggle to move those big heavy tyres unless it's moving.

You've sorted it now anyway, most upgrade to the servo on axle steering as it is much tighter and more precise.

Nice Job.

 

Thank you. Yeah even with a 35kg servo the front wheels didn't do much when moving, especially to the left. I tried to snug down the servo savers but it did not seem to do alot. And there was a lot of bump steer on both axles. I was originally planning to upgrade the oem style steering, but after thinking on it it seemed better to go to an on axle servo for me.

[MadAtComputer]

Bought a hot glue gun at the local hardware store and got the LED headlights mounted. I need to find a decal for the old style hood scoop.

 

[MadAtComputer]

Did some steering work. Removed the stops and re shaped part of the knuckle to clear the ladder bar. Got enough extra steering that I went from having my EPA set to about 40 to about 90. steering to one side is not quite as far(amm or two), it fouls the linkage on the front of the gear box.

Hope they hold up, but worried I took to much off. time will tell. I will pick up a stock set when I can as spare.

 

[MadAtComputer]

About 26 degrees F outside but got out and ran it for about 30 min. It drives so much better! turning radius is alright. On the large side but I can live with it. It goes were I want, no bump steer and way less wobbly. what a blast. Only came in because I was so cold lol Now I need to get some crush cars. When it's warmer and I can paint.

I may still get a retro King Krunch decal set. Undecided.