Hybrid Beetle Rockcrawler.
This is my first real hybrid. This has a custom tube chassis with a Super Champ gearbox. It runs out to Bruiser axles modified with Hilux hubs, front and rear. I hope to make the wheels on my lathe soon and then progress will continue. I am going to try to make a hydraulic steering system. The chassis was made to specifically fit the Monster Beetle top.
Just finished the wheels, they are made out of black delrin. It took a solid week to make them. If the entire project works out I will one day make wheels out of aluminum. Also mounted antenna.
Mounted electronics and sputtered around the basement a little, no steering yet. Gearing seems to low and may have to make mods to gearbox to obtain desired ratio. Not looking for speed want more torque. It has Futaba reciever with a MC330 esc.
Have decided to abandon Hydraulic steering due to some engineering obstacles, bummer. I am now trying to develop a mechanical steering system that will get the job done to vehicles high standards.
Yeah that mechanical steering setup Sucks! Bumpsteer under articulation was ridiculous. Now I am Building a pull pull cable setup, have posted updated photos of test setup, it seems to show promise, this my be the winning system. Under full articulation wheels are uneffected with relation to steering. Have a high torque servo on order and will make minor mods but essentially what you see is what it will be.
The cable setup works very well, I will keep it. I am in the process now of making ali wheels to replace the black delrin ones, mainly just for looks. Repainted the body and love it, went with purple and white and used SS decals for a vintage touch. Soon it will have a WW winch and Nitrous bottle installed.
This has switched to 'Runner' because it is basically done, I will always tinker with it but it is complete and driveable. I am very pleased with how the body turned out. I plan on moving the battery down a little to lower COG. To christen her I am planning a crawling video ;-)
Some Hybrid parts are...
Blitzer Beetle Body
Super Champ gearbox
Hilux Axles
Wild Willy Nitrous and Winch
Sand Scorcher exaust
Bruiser driveshafts & rear axle insides
I just added a 3.8-1 planetary reduction unit inline with the motor to give me more realistic crawling. It makes the truck much more fun to crawl with as I can now slowly climb while having excellent control of my path. After I hacked at the gearbox to mount in the tube frame and hacking more to install the reduction unit there is not much left to the original SC gearbox. I must say they work well as they are very stout and have no diff or slipper cluch to deal with. :-)
Update.. After driving the beetle for some time I decided a new chassis is needed. The new chassis is 11oz lighter, has nerf bars, removable body posts, higher ground clearance with integrated skid plate, and it is made with 3/16 rod as opposed to the old one having 1/4 rod.
Mike :-)
The Real 'Monster Beetle'
Nitrous for a shot of power when needed.
7 cell AA pack mounts under blue strap
New chassis has much more clearance center chassis
Comments
Manuspain
Nice job here. I want to see next step, and the beast in action. The next one can be a tubular sand scorcher?
california
WOW-what a great idea. and a funny thing too. i love tehse bugs and this one is unique. GREAT JOB my friend
Shodog
wow that thing is cool. I can't wait to see the outcome
Scorchio
Fantastic creation Cul-Tech!!! & wheels look great, can't wait for finished pics
Maxxed Ross
That is one cool car! Just like a real one.....looks like lots of hard work went into that.
PurpleBugsy
Thats cracking for a scratch build young man !! Good work !!
Volksrod
This thing is going to look ACE when its done, youve done a great job so far mate, keep up the good work.
Rothmans Racing Team
That looks very cool! Nice work! Can't wait for the action/event photos.!
R D Trucking INC
will be great when finished, keep up the work
Totaly awesome! The shocks looks abit weird from the front, other than that, it looks soooo nice...
mud4fun
Great car, love the cage, very realistic looking actually because I've seen vehicles just like this in Iceland doing trials and without the bodyshell it looks like a modified trials vehicle from the AWDC (All Wheel Drive Clu
here in UK, I'd be tempted to use ali panels rather than a bodyshell, put some seats and harnesses in too 
killerBEEtle
Ahhhh I love to see project Beetles..I looks awesome..can't wait to see it completed..I too am building a project Beetle but no pic's yet..take your time...nice job.
Manuspain
Can t want to see the beast in action. Rockcrawling must be spectacular. Fantastic job on this car.
GAZA
all i can say is WOW!
mjohnston39
Wow!! love the cable steering setup. Excellent work!!!
Mervyn
Very nice piece of engineering. I'm wondering??? Are you in the fabricating business? If your not,maybe you should give it some thought.
netsmithUK
This is looking great! you've just got to post some pictures of it in action.
amigamad
I like the use of the superchamp gearbox, be nice to see it moving .Keep up the exellant work .
Very very nice job!!!This is a piece of art...
Cheers
Orcasaveplanet
Rothmans Racing Team
This thing is F*%'&$G GORGEOUS! The body with the accents in the last two pics are the icing on the cake!
Dude this thing is banging.... you have brought 4x4 to the next level
TWINSET
When did the body change??
Looks mad fella
Black Boy
Wow this thing is wicked, you've got some serious skills. Excellent.
cardesigner
The cable steering is brilliant! Great way to get rid of the bumpsteer.
Rothmans Racing Team
Wow Mike, that really looks fantastic! I'm not usually a fan of purple, but this just seems to work. All the chassis work is cool too! Where did you get those really cool aluminum spotlights and mirrors?
Keep up the good work!
cant_get_right2005
very cool Mike.......lot of hard work it appears went into it
backtomyroots.
Now that is awesome, I would pay big bucks for it if it was a 'kit'. Great Job !
mr_pushrod
Wow, how did I miss this one? Awesome bit of work that looks fantastic!
richytanimal
This is fantastic!
scollins
Really superb job, this is what creativity is all about folks!
cant_get_right2005
hey thats really a great job..looks cool
Shodog
That beast is turing out Sick, Sick I tell ya'. I like the purple and white paint scheme
RETRO R/C
Now this is pure 'RETRO - ART'.....sensational work!
DJTheo
Crazy combination, well implemented, respect!
bugged
As the first picture caption says * The real monster beetle* Not a truer word spoken ! Truely an inspiration to us all at tc ! Keep up the excellent work cul-tech...And if tamiya dont make one these in kit form ! Would you ??? Shane
dinodog
I've come over all faint! You could ride this monkey to work! What a stonking look! I'm blown away oh great one!
Absolutely awesome, keep up the good work.
Mike00top
Wicked m8ty. a most superb combination of parts, a real pleasing sight !
NIB MAN
OUTSTANDING BEETLE! Beautiful job! you're gonna make me do a 4x4 Beetle now...oh boy! another project! Sweet!
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