“Race Clod”

[romulus22]

Here’s the start of my first ever Clodbuster build. Really no clue how to build a monster truck and I don’t always like to build off of proven platforms so I’m going back to my old school crawler roots and scratch building as much as I can. Here’s the beginning of what I’ll be starting with. I have watched some videos in the past week and I’ll be building it around the sport modified guidelines as that seems like a speed and capability I’d like this truck to be at. I’ll be swapping the motors out for some 17turns, locking out the rear axle (for now) and using the spec battery for that class. Many other supporting mods will come too. It’s really going to be just a basher but if something ever pops up near me I might consider tagging along and trying my hand out at competing.

[RC10th]

On a home made jig.... awesome stuff

[matt1ptkn]

You had me at Race Clod.

[romulus22]

You had me at Race Clod.

I haven’t done a whole lot here yet. I can’t find a 3mm tap anywhere local and who knows where all the ones I have bought have disappeared off to.

I’ve mocked up the rear lockout linkage and upper 4-link mount. I just need to tidy it up a little. And I’ve knocked out the basic shape of the axle brace/servo mount. It’s sitting on the rear axle but will be located on the front.

Purchased the motors, full bearing set, CVDs, rear lockout axles, and some lower links to try and get away from the brake line clamps I was going to use to mount the shocks.

Lastly I sprayed the body, just waiting on decals. And because I’m too impatient to make a special trip to the hobby store. I picked up the colors I needed from the hardware store when I was there. So this body will be the sitting on the shelf body. I’ll grab another and keep it simple to bash around with.

[jwscab]

dragging this post up for some inspiration and details you might want to see. this thing works awesome!
https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=39901&hilit=how+the+clod+should+have+been+built

[romulus22]

Thanks for sharing the link. The chassis design I will be going after is the low slung bottom links parallel with the ground and the upper links above the axles. Something like this just cut out of some scrap aluminum plate and lightened with speed holes.

[romulus22]

Pretty slow progress here. Got a few more parts in the mail today so I can start moving forward again.

The body is closer to completed, could use a few more details. And upgraded the axles with a full bearing set and CVDs in the front and solid axle in the rear. I could probably go without the rear lockout linkage now but it kinda completes the look I think. And a few pictures of the wheelbase and body ride height I’ll try to achieve when it’s a roller.

[RC10th]

Gonna look awsome, I can't wait for the action shots. Should be mega fun to drive !!!

[romulus22]

Starting to lay out my suspension. The lower links are some super cheap China deals I found. I thought they were going to be plastic judging by the price, because I never fully read descriptions. Turned out to be some pretty decent quality machined aluminum pieces. The “chassis” is just for mock-up, using some easy to work with thin stuff to do the majority of the work and I’ll make a better version with more adjustment holes and more meat on the top for better body mounting options. Never was a fan of mounting bodies by the sides. Especially a heavy monster truck.

[romulus22]

First mock-up finished. Now I have an idea how I need to reshape the chassis to fit the body, where I need to make more shock mounting holes. I was glad I went with the CVDs and hub wideners. The tires barely clear the lower links at full lock. I’m also using my anti roll bar spacers for the shocks. I’ll mock them up on the next mock up chassis.

[RC10th]

That's a good stance.... perfect height, low cg etc...

[juicedcoupe]

Are you going to run those motors at 0° timing? Or try to reverse time one of them?

At first, I assumed that you would have bought a matched set from Team Brood or someone similar.

[romulus22]

Are you going to run those motors at 0° timing? Or try to reverse time one of them?

At first, I assumed that you would have bought a matched set from Team Brood or someone similar.

Highly doubtful I’ll mess with the timing on the motors. It’s also highly doubtful I’ll even drive this truck that much. I have full intentions on driving it but I get bored unless there’s something or someone to challenge me. I’m just building it because I’ve always thought they were really cool. And who knows I might stir up some interest in a coworker or something. And for the motors. I’ve never heard of half of the companies out there. I just typed in 17t and jconcepts popped up at a reasonable price so I grabbed them.



I didn’t think about it before but I used some ball end pivot balls for shock spacers so I could steal the anti roll bar spacers back. I tried a couple different chassis mounting points and I like the rear(left) better. As for right now the chassis is way too flimsy to do any real testing or shock tuning. I’ll need to make my next piece from much thicker stuff and use real bracing. But it’s looking like a truck.

[juicedcoupe]

Team Brood is run by some old school rc brushed motor guys.

And they make matched motor sets for the Clods.

[matt1ptkn]

It looks lean and mean! Love it! You're giving me some great ideas; I may try to use your servo mount setup.