The $50 Clod Buster

[markbt73]

Upon further inspection, I found that some parts were missing from this beast: namely, the metal braces for the axle tubes. And while poking around at the steering linkages, I have found that most of the rusty screws are seized. I actually broke off one ball stud trying to unscrew it.

So, I ordered a new "pressed parts bag" (axle braces, suspension arm mounts, Super Clod chassis reinforcing plates), a set of bearings, and a box of cap-head screws and some other hardware from RPP Hobby last night. This order brings the total spent on this project to $111, still a bargain, but all I'm willing to put into it for now, money-wise. So for the steering, I'm going to try to sleeve the bellcranks with tubing to take some play out of them (springs are tightened down all the way and they're still floppy) and if that doesn't work I'll just fab up a servo mount for the front axle and lock the rear, and cut the ears off the front axle tubes to gain some throw.

Either way, it will get a Traxxas 2075 stolen from another car (it's overkill in there anyway) and an old Novak Rooster ESC, and that's about it. Just going to enjoy driving over stuff and bouncing around the back yard.

[vwjuice]

The rooster is a good esc for clods. For the bellcranks I've found the flat portion where the ball studs bolt on is the sloppiest part. If you could brace that somehow I think that would be more than plenty and still allow for the bellcranks to act as a servo saver.

$111 isn't bad at all for a clod project. That should be plenty fun.

I don't know if you saw it or not but there was another clod that popped up on craigslist last Friday. I got that one for $60 with an ESP chassis brace and a bowtie grille and Chevrolet tailgate.

[markbt73]

No, I didn't see that one. I promised my wife i'd quit looking on there for a while until I finished some of the projects I already have. Nice score. Post some photos of it when you get a chance.

More and more I'm leaning towards front-only steering. My mod-clod back in the 90s was that way, and I really liked how it drove. Plus it's a whole lot easier to align...

[vwjuice]

Yeah I'm going front steer only on anything that has mod motors. This will just be a little faster than stock but not much so this one will retain 4ws.

[slapshot1979]

crawford performance engineering make some great products and im sure you've heard of clodtalk? rc10talk brother site?

[markbt73]

Up & running...


and... passed inspection!

[GoMachV]

Love it!

[Lowgear]

Good god man is your lawn mower broke?

[EvolutionRevolution]

Good god man is your lawn mower broke?

Time to make a lawn mower attachment for the Clod, I guess.

[markbt73]

I mowed it after I was done playing. Priorities...

[Lowgear]

I think you should take EvolutionRevolution's suggestion.

[uniquenamehere]

Awesome, $50 is a sweet deal!

[Charlie don't surf]

Good god man is your lawn mower broke?

Time to make a lawn mower attachment for the Clod, I guess.

I was just about to say the same thing!

[slotcarrod]

Good god man is your lawn mower broke?

Time to make a lawn mower attachment for the Clod, I guess.

I was just about to say the same thing!

X3

Having the grass that long could be dangerous! You never know where that dog laid down a turd for you to step in ! Or dog poo flung off the mower blades! Or worse.... on the Clod tires!

[markbt73]

Clearly none of you live in Oregon... this time of year, it rains for a week straight, then the sun comes out and the grass grows about a foot, you have to wait a day or two for it to dry out enough so that it doesn't kill the mower, you hack it all down, then the next day it starts raining again... repeat from early April through July.

Then, the rain stops completely, and the grass grows no more. Here's what the yard looks like in late August, dry, dormant, and dusty:



And believe me, I'm on constant poop alert. Luckily they favor the areas closer to the house, not this back part where I usually run the cars.