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Project StockClod- *under construction*
Again, this page isn't really completed... the info here was just copied from a temporary page I put up sometime back... when time allows I will properly organize it and include more info. Do let me know if you'd like to know more though - as it would certainly motivate me to do it sooner if I knew someone was interested. <grin>

In Brief...
My clod has evolved a lot through the years. It started out stock as my very first MT and then after some simple hop-ups I upgraded to a ESP Clodzilla IV chassis. It saw more mods before finally converting to the Ripper-type configuration that it has today... But since I started out with a stock clod, I had a whole box full of stock clod parts that were unused.

I've toyed with the idea of getting a set of axles for all these parts for a while and finally bought a second hand set off RCMT.

The stock clod is a whole lot of fun, and extremely durable... but I wanted to add a few of my own custom touches to the truck instead of keeping it totally stock. After a few hours of measuring, designeing, sawing, filing and setup, she's alive again, better than ever!

So here she is, like Frankenstein, she's been put together with some stock parts, some custom parts and a lotta stuff I had in the closet...

The mods
The following mods were made:

  • I lengthened the wheelbase by 6cm (2.5") to increase stability.
  • I dropped the tub by about 2.5cm (1") to increase the space between the axles and chassis for more suspension movement.
  • In the drop tub, I created a battery compartment as low as possible to lower the centre of gravity. The stock battery compartment is still usable so I have the option to run dual batteries.
  • Took away the stock shocks and replaced it with 4 kyosho sport oil shocks I had lying around.
  • I've been running 2WS on all my trucks for a long time now... but I was using weak standard servos on this truck so I opted to maximize steering with 4WS and mounted the servos on the front bumpers with some mounts I made a long time back...
  • Topped off the truck with a bashed up Big Brute lid I have had for years.

Performance
It's late now so not much chance to run the truck outside... but some indoor pillow crawling was fun and this truck is certainly an improvement over stock. I get a little over 6.5" of articulation now which is cool considering I'm using the stock suspension parts.

Steering isn't really great, evern for 4WS... but that has everything to do with the weak servos I'm using - nothing compared to the high-torque ones I run in my other trucks.

This truck should prove to be a fun basher... and just cool to have around. Sometimes it's hard to find good challenges for high-performance trucks like the Ripper, which is why the stock clod has always been special to me... it would try so hard to conquer terrain, such that it makes success so sweet. :)

Do let me know if you like my little project!
Here's a pic of the truck with the Big Brute shell.
Another pic of the body. :)
Here you can see the front mounter steering servo... look closely and you'll see many colored parts... these aren't intentional - I just used as many leftover parts I could find.
A pic of the truck with the lowered tub/battery compartment. You also get a feel of the lengthened wheelbase.
Front mounted servo. The mount was made a long time back for the Zilla IV and was influenced by Matt Verrochi's articles.
Centre drop tub with battery compartment. I run 8.4volts 2000mah cells with a Super Rooster and Speedgem Sapphires.
6.5" of articulation from stock suspension parts. :)
Speedgem Sapphire (17x2 motors) with 8.4v 2000mah batts.
Here's the truck at full articulation... you can see the stock parts flexing here. Also can see how the lower extention plate maintains the mounting positions of the links.
Pic of the bottom... the battery strap keeps the battery from dropping out or sliding around.
Another artic shot.

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