Crawler Innovations 3x Cloned TF2 test rig (2024)

When Szczerba went to compete at RC4WD's ECSC last month in PA, the number one tire & foam combo he was asked about was the RC4WD Baja Claw 4.19 Class 1 tire. Living in Texas, we do things big around here. Class 1 and SORCCA isn't something we think about in East Texas. Texans love freedom and lots of rules and regulations tend to get in the way of good ol' fun. That said, Crawler Innovations leads in foam technology for RC crawlers and I took the questions serious. To start with, I need a average C1 rig for testing.

I found this new to me but well used yota through a ETXRCC club member. A trade was agreed upon and the yota came back to the CI compound as pictured:

Now the 3xcloned reference is something you'll have to search out to fully understand. The "original" rig was built by Chino and 1badjeepbruiser built an amazing clone of it. This yota has a similar paint scheme but different color. I know I won't scale this out like this two gentlemen did, but it's those two builds many years ago that captivated me to the hobby early on as a yota fan. I don't know how to add links on my phone or I would.

More pics of 3xcloned:

..Uploaded from the lab @ the C.I. Compound...

As you can see the rig came as a slider with electronics less TX, RX, & Battery.

Included electrics were:
Holmes Hobbies 27T
Axial ae2 esc
Hitec 5955 servo

Upgrades / Mods
Bed has been bobbed
Custom paint
Dinky RC interior
Custom front bumper
Front light bar
Rear light bar above rear axle
Front CVDs
I think that's about it.

Few more pics:

..Uploaded from the lab @ the C.I. Compound...

3x cloned isn't running yet, but that hasn't stopped me from playing with tires & foams. Pictured below is the rc4wd Z-T0060 1.9 MT 4.19" Baja Claw Tire, axial AX08140 glue on 1.9 wheel, & a combo of different existing CI foams.

Baja Claw update
Beads have to be trimmed narrower to fit on glue on wheel.
Tire is vented.
Axial 1.9 glue wheel

Set up #1
DW 3.95" inner
Soft outer
Feels good, easy to mount, snug on wheel

Set up #2
LN 1.55" inner
Soft outer
Feels better, more room for outer, but inner is narrower, tight on wheel
Probably the better set up for light weight

Set up #3
LN 4.25" inner
Soft outer
I like the way this looks. It doesn't have a lot of give for the outer. easy to mount, snug on wheel. It makes the tire shorter and wider; more scale to 1:1

The goal of this testing is to determine whether a new inner and new smaller outer die need to be made to make this perfect, or do we already have a perfect combo waiting to be found. If small tires are here to stay, it's time to figure this out.

..Uploaded from the lab @ the C.I. Compound...

1beatjeep said:

Sweet.We will see whos running 1st ..

Click to expand...

Bet you mine is running first Richard. :-D

666 said:

Good that your checking out class 1, I have a set if the same tires on a rig I'm trying out. "thumbsup"

Click to expand...

Nice! What foams are you using? Build thread?

1beatjeep said:

Update ........... Update

Click to expand...

Here we go...

Crawler Hauler doing work:

..Uploaded from the lab @ the C.I. Compound...

Still not running, but I had to take care of a few cosmetics first. First up is a vinyl wrap:

G Made bead locks, rouge elements scale hubs, CI Lil Nova 4.25" / Soft outers, rc4wd 4.19" Baja Claw;

New seat cover, Roland Rock Shop scale sleeping mat, hat, sponsor stickers;

Wrap on driver side:

..Uploaded from the lab @ the C.I. Compound...

Scale cob webs:

More 3x cloned pics:

Stripped down, ready for new electrics:

Only the best of course; Holmes Hobbies waterproof BRXL; Castle BEC; Futaba RX;

Too much fun. :-D

..Uploaded from the lab @ the C.I. Compound...

Pic on back of tow rig!

Insanity!

In reference to the "3x cloned"...

I'm sure it's been cloned way more than that, but since many have no grasp of history or the desire to search and read, here is a classic build thread by 1badjeepbruiser. He was cloning a truck built by chino63 that I cannot find a build thread to.
Classic 1badjeepbruiser thread:
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/1-9-scale-rigs/61313-1badjeepbruisers-chino-clone.html

Running :-D

Simple and clean:

Holmes BRXL
CC BEC
hitec servo
Holmes 27t
9t pinion
4S lipo 16V
Light bar in front

I'm amazed at how well these g made bead locks hold a tire! Very strong, light weight and cheap. I forgot how fun a simple truck can be. This little rig is quite capable. Incoming video shortly.

..Uploaded from the lab @ the C.I. Compound...

Fun :-D

Two battery packs on these foams now. We received a nice rain shower this afternoon which made the rocks nice and slick for battery pack #2. I noticed a big loss in traction. Mostly because of the rain, but a few of the same lines that were drivable before when dry were no longer. It also seemed the foam set up was now too stiff for the wet conditions.

RTR weight as tested is
6 pounds
7 ounces

..Uploaded from the lab @ the C.I. Compound...

Just didnt have time to put mine together with work but almost.

Sweet rig Eddie

Scale points for cobwebs? I can do that :mrgreen:

Sweet rig. Love seeing you testing and trying new things.

Looking good eddie!
"thumbsup"

I just picked up another TF2...
dunno what ima do with it yet..

Love the leaf springs,so much fun to trail with. :mrgreen: