Rock crawling has become one of the most popular segments of RC. If you haven’t heard of this craze, you need to check it out. These trucks are unstoppable, thanks to their powerful 4WD drivetrains and specialized suspension systems that allow them to traverse obstacles that you wouldn’t even attempt to climb with an ordinary RC vehicle. What adds to the cool factor is the variety of crawler styles you have to choose from; scale rigs look ultra-realistic, semi-scale vehicles run 2.2-inch tires that give you realistic looks and performance, and no-holds-barred competition trucks are more about function and less about appearance. We got our hands on two of the latest crawler kits and put them through their paces. Paul Onorato built the RCGUY V-2.2 Cantilever Chassis truck that has scale looks with capable performance, and Jason Sams assembled an RCP Crawlers Hustler Super class truck designed specifically for competition.

The low-mounted Delrin battery box, which also acts as a center skidplate and mounting spot for the speed control and receiver, keeps the center of gravity close to the ground for added stability when crawling. What you get with the V-2.2 Cantilever Chassis > V-2.2 aluminum Cantilever Chassis > Delrin C-hub braces > Delrin battery box/center gearbox > Adjustable aluminum upper 4-link mount > Adjustable 2-inch body posts > Traxxas rod ends > Alloy hardware and nylon locknuts > 2-wheel steering kit w/rear lockout > 8-tooth pinions Chassis RCGUY • V-2.2 Cantilever Chassis—$350 Drivetrain Thunder Tech Racing • Differential locker kit—DEL-CB10; $45 TheCrawlersStore • Tamiya Clod Buster gearboxes (complete unassembled)—TAM-101; $140/pair Suspension & steering Hot Bodies • T-Maxx shocks (threaded, blue)— 25011-8; $78 Electronics Airtronics • MX-3 FM radio system—90511; $105 Hitec • HS-5955TG servo (digital titanium multipurpose)—35955S; $115 Novak • Super Duty XR speed control— 1865; $133 Team Integy • Matrix Pro lathe motor (55T single)—SCM5501; $20 each Venom Racing • LiPo battery (20C, 7.4V, 2100mAh, 2S)—VEN-1572; $56 W.S. Deans • Ultra Plugs—1300; $3/pair • Silicone wire (12 gauge, red/black)—1400; $6 Body, Wheels & Tires Pro-Line • Baja body—3237-00; $29 • Masher 2000 tires—1074-00; $13/pair Traxxas • Rustler rear wheels (chrome)— 3672; $6/pair Zegers R/C Graffixx • Paint job—$100

Cantilever Chassis
When given the choice, I would rather have a scale-looking vehicle than a purpose-built, one-off vehicle. In this case, I had to cho0se between an unusual-looking super crawler and a smaller 2.2-based truck. The latter got my nod because of its more realistic off-road truck looks. The V-2.2 Cantilever Chassis is built to be crawler-competition legal, so its wheelbase and width measurements are within the allowed limits, and it uses only front wheel steering. This is a nice option if you plan to compete, but this truck is better suited to tackling homemade courses for fun. The drivetrain features Tamiya Clod Buster gearboxes—a popular choice in the crawling community because they are built tough and have integrated axle, gears and motor units that keep weight low on the chassis and parts counts to a minimum. Like most crawlers on the market, the V-2.2 comes as a kit and requires that you get the Clod axles, shocks, wheels, tires and all of the electronics. Once my truck was assembled, I could not wait to try it out.

Chassis
The V-2.2 crawler’s chassis is beautifully machined out of very rigid 4.7mm billet aluminum, and that eliminates the need for an upper bracing deck that adds weight and raises the truck’s center of gravity (CG). Channels machined in the chassis further reduce overall weight (every ounce counts). A Delrin battery box serves as a center skidplate and a speed control and receiver mounting tray, and it connects the two sides of the chassis. Two aluminum standoffs installed between the cantilevers are the only other bracing. The Delrin box is compact and is designed to perfectly house the Venom LiPo 2100mAh pack. Access to all the electronics is very good, and mounting them low helped to keep my truck planted on steep grades. If you plan to use a pack of a different size, RCGUY offers alternative boxes by special order.

Drivetrain
Differentials are useless on rock crawlers because you want all four tires fed with constant power. I used Thunder Tech’s differential locker kit to eliminate diff action. You can remove these lockers without damaging the stock gears if you want use the Clod axles for something else. Torque is essential to a rock crawler, and the V-2.2 comes with 8-tooth pinions that lower the gearing and, therefore, increase torque. To get the proper gear mesh between the tiny pinions and spur gears, RCGUY includes adjustable motor mounts and clear dust covers. To this setup, I added Team Integy 55-turn Matrix Pro lathe motors that have gobs of torque and give this truck heaps of stump-pulling power. I was able to send the V-2.2 up extremely steep inclines, and it would effortlessly make it to the top. It is just unreal to see it in action.

Steering
Clod Buster gearboxes are limited in the amount of steering they allow. Luckily, they are easy to modify. On the top and bottom of each steering knuckle are small plastic nubs that limit movement, and a raised ring molded on the inner side of the knuckle also reduces movement. I used a Dremel with a cutoff wheel and cut them off. For the muscle behind the steering, I selected a Hitec a HS-5955TG digital titanium multipurpose servo that has an astounding 333 oz.-in. of torque. No matter how the truck was oriented on the rocks, the Hitec servo had no problem turning the tires.

Electronics
I have always had success with Novak’s speed controls, and the Super Duty XR speed control is perfect for a dual-motor truck. It provides smooth throttle control, has reverse to get you out of tight spots and is very reliable. Since the V-2.2 runs on just one battery pack, I had to put a jumper on the power wires; Novak’s clear instructions show you how. The Venom 20C, 7.4V, 2100mAh 2S LiPo pack is more compact than an ordinary 6-cell NiMH pack and has plenty of power and capacity for long run times.

Suspension
One of the features that make this crawler different from other 2.2-based trucks is its unique cantilever suspension that has a connecting rod mounted between the axle and cantilever, and the shocks are mounted on the center of the chassis. The cantilevers pivot on bearings and are sized to fit 4-inch shocks. I had four Hot Bodies threaded T-Maxx shocks left over from one of my project trucks, and they fit perfectly on the V-2.2 chassis. At first, I thought this suspension setup would be too stiff for crawling, but not long into the first battery pack, I found that it worked very well. When only one side of the truck is in contact with an obstacle, the cantilever suspension keeps all tires on the ground so you get the benefit of 4WD.

Body, Wheels & Tires
Having the correct tires makes the difference between excellent and terrible performance. I chose Pro-Line’s Masher 2000 tires wrapped around a set of scale-looking Traxxas Rustler chrome wheels. The soft-compound rubber and chevron-style tread gave my crawler tons of traction on every surface. The tread continues onto the sidewalls slightly and provide an extra bite of traction when the tire is against an obstacle. To top off my ride, I picked a Pro-Line Baja body; with its oversize wheel wells and detailed molded rear engine, it screams off-roader. The look was completed by the crew at Zegers R/C Graffixx who laid down a classic off-road paint scheme with Parma Faskolor paints.

The tig-welded, steel tube chassis creates an incredibly tough structure that can easily withstand the blow from the inevitable rollover, and its narrow width allows it to slip through tight spots in the rocks. What you get with the Hustler Chassis > Tig-welded Hustler “Super” chassis > Clear Lexan body panels > 8 suspension links > Internal shock springs > Lower shock mounts > Upper link mounts > Complete steering kit Chassis RCP Crawlers • Hustler; $330 Drivetrain RC4WD • TracGear III differential lockers— X-0001; $35 each • Flat steel axle stays—X0048; $19 Tamiya • 2 Clod Buster axles—11006; $130/pair Thunder Tech Racing • CV Axles—MIP-CB01; $45/pair • Adjustable motor mount— ALU-CB30; $30 Suspension & steering RC4WD • Aluminum steering knuckles— X0016; $40/pair Thunder Tech Racing • Aggressor behind the axle steering kit—DEL-CB20; $45 Traxxas • Big Bore aluminum shocks—4962; $65 Electronics A123 Racing • 2 Hypersonic 2300 batteries & charger kit—AS400148-000— HS-SK-3S1P-2; $280 Airtronics • M8 transmitter—discontinued Castle Creations • Mamba Max speed controller— MMB-MAX; $135 Hitec • HSR-5995TG high-torque servo—35995S; $120 • HS-5955TG titanium digital multi - purpose servo—35955S; $115 Hyperion • Z3013 outrunner brushless motor w/machined 1¼8-in. shaft—Z3013; $78 each Spektrum • DSM 3CH Module surface system—SPM1002; $160 Wheels & Tires Axial Racing • 8-Hole bead-lock wheels—AX8042; $40/pair • Holey Roller bead-lock rings—AX8019; $18/pair Pro-Line • Moab XL 40 Series tires—1119-00; $24/pair

Team Carnage Crew builds the Super Class Hustler chassis exclusively for RCP Crawlers, and it has hit the rock-crawling trails blazing. The tubular chassis’ realistic design is a fresh alternative to shaft-type super crawlers. And rock crawlers everywhere are raving about this rig and its capabilities. The steel-tube chassis is tig-welded, so it’s one tough customer that can take a tumble from a ledge or rock pile without wincing. Since the Hustler is a kit, you’ll have to build it and buy running gear. I didn’t hold back when I ordered the gear for my Hustler, and I was able to buy everything I needed directly from RCP Crawlers. I installed nothing but top-shelf equipment such as Castle Creations Mamba Max brushless speedos paired with Hyperion outrunner motors for raw power and tire-barking torque. A123 Racing’s 9.9V battery provides the juice while Hitec’s titanium-gear servos handle the front and rear steering.

Chassis
Team Carnage Crew’s Hustler chassis looks just like their full-size Unlimited class crawlers. It’s made of tig-welded steel tubing and built “diesel tough.” It stood up to everything I put it through. Don’t worry about scratches or dings; they’re just battle scars on a happy crawler. The thick Lexan body panels can easily be swapped for new panels to change the Hustler’s look. Although the chassis is made of steel, it’s surprisingly light, and extra tubing isn’t required. At its widest point, the Hustler cage is only about 31¼2 inches wide, and that allowed me to sneak it through tight, tricky terrain.

Drivetrain
Tamiya’s proven Clod Buster axles are the choice for most crawlers. They’re super-strong, reliable and smooth. I ran Clod axles in the front and rear with RC4WD TracGear III differential lockers. I also used RC4WD’s axle stays and aluminum knuckles for one burly setup. Thunder Tech’s versatile motor mounts secure the Hyperion brushless motors and are highly adjustable, so you can easily experiment with gearing changes. I ran 9-tooth pinions in each axle, and they seemed to be a perfect match for the torquey motors.

Steering
Up front, a Thunder Tech Racing Aggressor Steering kit positions the linkages behind the axle for protection. With this setup, the beefy axle provides a barrier between obstacles and the vulnerable steering linkage. Supersize rock crawlers require tough servos with a ton of grunt, so I bolted in a Hitec HSR-5995TG coreless digital servo for the front steering. This baby cranks out of 333 oz.-in. of torque, which was enough to steer my Hustler out of any kind of trouble. A HS-5955TG coreless digital servo handles the rear steering, which doesn’t require as much power. My Airtronics M8 was called into duty because it allows me to easily control the rear steer with the third-channel knob just to the left of the steering wheel.

Motors & electronics
The Hustler is one badass machine, and it demands an impressive power system. Taking the advice of top crawler Brian Jones of RCP Crawlers, I decided to go the brushless route. I ran dual Castle Creations Mamba Max speed controllers and Hyperion HP-Z3013-14 brushless motors. These 14-turn outrunner motors put out 1,085kV, and when paired with the Mamba speedos, they have more than enough gear-busting, axle-twisting power than any super-crawler will ever need. For juice, I used an A123 Racing Hypersonic 2300 9.9V lithium-ion battery. The result was an insane amount of power, long run times and loads of fun.

Suspension
The Hustler’s 4-link suspension setup is a popular choice for crawlers. The links for a 17-inch wheelbase are included in the kit. Four triangulated links support each axle. This prevents the axles from moving from side to side but still allows excellent articulation. Each corner of the Hustler is supported by a single shock. I chose aluminum Big Bore shocks with titanium-nitride shafts from Traxxas, and I ran them with the internal springs included with the Hustler. The springs are mounted inside the shock on top of the piston. They compress the shock, but they’re conveniently concealed in the shock bodies. This setup allows the suspension to sag or droop, and that lowers the center of gravity.

Wheels & tires
Pro-Line’s 40 Series XL Moab tires are by far the most popular choice for Super class crawlers. They provide a ton of grip on every type of crawling surface, and they last a long time. I bolted the Moab tires to a set of custom-narrowed black Axial 8-Hole bead-lock rims. Axial’s Holey Roller bead-lock rings complete the wheels to give them that realistic look.