Help with first 1/10 build

[islandlife]

New member here, been lurking and reading for a while though.
Gearing up to build my first 1/10 crawler, fairly new to the rc game in general as well.
Found a good deal on a capra kit, havent pulled the trigger yet. Looking for some advice on the build.
Trying to keep the cost reasonable, but dont want crap either.

My plan so far (remember, im new at this, so advice is very welcome):

-capra kit
-change to 2.2 wheels and either hyrax or tsl xl tires (lots of wet rock/roots/leaves where i am)
-gear down pinion and axles as much as possible (11t pinion, underdrive rear axle?)
-leaning towards brushless setup, but not sure on kv or brand.
-will a brushed setup be ok with the larger tires?
-thinking about running a rx/tx from trx-4 bronco, is this a terrible idea? Cost ~ 75 CAD. New from jennysrc
-really lost on servo choice for both steering and dig. I did find the sx107 servo horn piece in stock in canada, so should be able to run something other than sx107, but dont know what is best value.

Just using the crawler for fun on my property with my son, no competition, nothing serious, but i do like cool good stuff. Have lots of mechanical background, and love customizing things. Prefer quality over disposable cheap crap.

Terrain is mix of woods and sandstone, lots of dirt, gravel, roots and wet.

Please help!

 

[Damion10]

The Capra is a very capable rig and is very fun.

-Personally I wouldn't run 2.2 tires / wheels its plenty good with 1.9 and a 4.75" talll tire.

-11t pinion works great, im running a 11t pinion and a 2850kv Castle brushless system in mine, its just about perfect. But a nice brushed system ( Hobbywing 1080 esc and 5 slot motor ) would do as well. I just prefer brushless.

-I also have the Hot Racing overdrive gears in the front portals.

-Steering servo, get the best your budget will afford. I personally like a strong steering servo. The SX107 dig servo works fine PROVIDING you have the end points properly set / adjusted. But a better servo ( reefs etc... ) can be fitted with some creative engineering

-Overall im very happy with mine and it is a fun build with no major issues. Just take your time and read the instructions. also note the links and screws in the photos are NOT to scale so a set of callipers will be handy to have.

Where in Canada are ya at?

 

[islandlife]

The Capra is a very capable rig and is very fun.

-Personally I wouldn't run 2.2 tires / wheels its plenty good with 1.9 and a 4.75" talll tire.

-11t pinion works great, im running a 11t pinion and a 2850kv Castle brushless system in mine, its just about perfect. But a nice brushed system ( Hobbywing 1080 esc and 5 slot motor ) would do as well. I just prefer brushless.

-I also have the Hot Racing overdrive gears in the front portals.

-Steering servo, get the best your budget will afford. I personally like a strong steering servo. The SX107 dig servo works fine PROVIDING you have the end points properly set / adjusted. But a better servo ( reefs etc... ) can be fitted with some creative engineering

-Overall im very happy with mine and it is a fun build with no major issues. Just take your time and read the instructions. also note the links and screws in the photos are NOT to scale so a set of callipers will be handy to have.

Where in Canada are ya at?

Thanks for the input.

The 2.2’s are mostly just a look/personal taste thing for me, not so much a max performance deal. If a 2850kv motor and 11t is about perfect with a 4.75” tire, would a 2100-2300 kv be about right with a ~5.5” tire? What would be a comparable 5 slot brushed motor if i went that route?

As for steering servo, what are some good ones to look for? I dont have much experience with crawlers and servos, i have a buddy with a wraith that spent bigg $$ on a titanium servo of some sort and stil broke it, went back to the 35kg amazon special. How much should i be looking to spend for a balance of durability to $? Coming from my experience with bashing and mini crawling, i do like strong steering, but somewhat impartial to really quick steering.

 

[OnTheTrail]

I agree with Damion. No need for 2.2 tires/wheels for what you want to do with it. 11t pinion yes. As for the radio, personally I'd forgo the Traxxas set up for $70 and get the Flysky GT5 for about $60. Much better radio in my opinion. A lot easier to program your end points which you'll need to set up the dig servo. I'm using the $25 Amazon servo lots of folks on here use. I agree with the the underdrive also if you plan on some crawling. If just trailing, and just a slight amount of crawling, they I'd keep the front and rear axle ratios the same to take some wear and tear off the drive train.

Best of luck and enjoy the build. You will LOVE the Capra and the way it performs.

 

[islandlife]

I agree with Damion. No need for 2.2 tires/wheels for what you want to do with it. 11t pinion yes. As for the radio, personally I'd forgo the Traxxas set up for $70 and get the Flysky GT5 for about $60. Much better radio in my opinion. A lot easier to program your end points which you'll need to set up the dig servo. I'm using the $25 Amazon servo lots of folks on here use. I agree with the the underdrive also if you plan on some crawling. If just trailing, and just a slight amount of crawling, they I'd keep the front and rear axle ratios the same to take some wear and tear off the drive train.

Best of luck and enjoy the build. You will LOVE the Capra and the way it performs.

Oh that flysky gt5 looks like a good option! More like 90-100$ CAD, but i wont sweat over that.
Again, I understand there is no practical reason to go to 2.2, i just like the look of the other capra builds ive seen with them. I know if i build the rig to suite 1.9’s ill eventually throw 2.2’s on there anyways and wish i had set it up for that haha. Its just know it will happen…

 

[OnTheTrail]

I understand there is no practical reason to go to 2.2, i just like the look of the other capra builds ive seen with them.…

No problem. Just gear down as much as you can then. Might even want to do under drive sets in both axles as a way to overcome the substantial difference in the diameters. Increasing the motor power is one thing but the stresses on the drive train with larger diameter tires is another.

 

[islandlife]

No problem. Just gear down as much as you can then. Might even want to do under drive sets in both axles as a way to overcome the substantial difference in the diameters. Increasing the motor power is one thing but the stresses on the drive train with larger diameter tires is another.

The axle durability is one thing i havent really seen mentioned on the few capra/2.2 builds ive looked at. Is there reason to worry about that? That could be the one thing that might sway me back to 1.9’s. Is there many breakage problems with the capra axles and 1.9’s running 3s? Obviously depends on terrain and driving style too…

 

[OnTheTrail]

Is there reason to worry about that?

Not that I'm aware of. Just mentioned as physics is physics. The difference between 4.7 and 5.5 tires is about 21%. So 2.2s on 5.5 tires have 21% more leverage against the drive train. I haven't heard of any issues with guys running 2.2s so you'll probably be fine.

 

[DRED805]

A 3 gear transmission would calm down a 2.2 tire size jump. But if this is your first 1/10, just throw the 2.2's on there with the smallest pinion and biggest spur you can fit. See how you like it.

 

[islandlife]

A 3 gear transmission would calm down a 2.2 tire size jump. But if this is your first 1/10, just throw the 2.2's on there with the smallest pinion and biggest spur you can fit. See how you like it.

I didn’t realize swapping in a 3 gear trans was an option, looks interesting, but will save that for future consideration.
Ive been searching all evening, all i can find for reducing the gearing on the capra (with stock drivetrain) is smaller motor pinion. I swear i found underdrive gears for the diffs the other day, but cant find them now. Any other options for lower gears? Looks like only stock and over for portal gears. Can the spur gear be changed?

 

[DRED805]

Vanquish ar44 style underdrive gears fit in capra axles, but at $45 a set, I don't think it's worth doing front and rear. Can't go wrong with the rear, though.

 

[islandlife]

Ok, build plan so far looks like this:

-capra kit
-flysky fs-gt5 radio and flysky rx
-11t pinion
-2.2 metal beadlocks (liking the integy high mass wheels)
-pro-line tsl swampers non-xl (5.4” tall)
-vanquish or other underdrive gears in rear diff
-amazon full metal 35kg steering servo
-power hd tr-4 w/ 3d printed adapter for dig
-gens ace 3600mah 3s shorty lipo

Leaning towards hobbywing axe 540 system in either 1400kv or 2100kv,
Suggestions?

Probably going to buy the truck and radio today, and aquire the rest of the parts over a bit of time.

 

[Damion10]

The Hobbywing system is a nice system, be sure you get the R2 version though.

I have 2 of these systems and am very pleased with both ( mine are both 2800KV )

Other than that, your build sound great, if you have a 3d printer id also recommend the rear link riser and rear bulkhead, both can be found on thingiverse.

 

[islandlife]

The Hobbywing system is a nice system, be sure you get the R2 version though.

I have 2 of these systems and am very pleased with both ( mine are both 2800KV )

Other than that, your build sound great, if you have a 3d printer id also recommend the rear link riser and rear bulkhead, both can be found on thingiverse.

Any thoughts on 1400kv vs 2100kv for the gearing/tires i have listed?
I do have a 3d printer, so ill look into those parts you mentioned, thanks!

 

[Damion10]

I cant comment on the slower motors as i like alot of wheel speed, but the step down from the 2800 would be decent with 2.2 sized tires

 

[DRED805]

Since 2.2's are already gonna put strain on the drivetrain, I'd avoid getting heavy wheels. Especially with a brushless setup, where the temptation and ability to really get some wheel spin going is there.

 

[islandlife]

Since 2.2's are already gonna put strain on the drivetrain, I'd avoid getting heavy wheels. Especially with a brushless setup, where the temptation and ability to really get some wheel spin going is there.

Solid point. Do you think even ebay special alloy beadlock would be asking too much weight wise? Axial does make one style of plastic beadlock that i like the look of, but imo the metal wheels always look cooler. I could always 3d print the inner ring of the wheels, would be slightly lighter than aluminum i bet.

 

[DRED805]

Metal wheels are fine. The name "high mass" wheels led me to believe they're super thick or something, to be as heavy as possible. I'd stay away from anything like that unless it's a slow-only crawler.

 

[islandlife]

Integy’s high mass wheels have removable weights.

Ordered the axial ones that i like the look of instead, can always add brass parts to portals if i want more weight on the corners, but ill give it a try without first.

Ordered most everything on the list taday. Radio and battery are going to take a while to get to me, will give me time to get the panels and interior painted up. Might try making up some aluminum panels as well.

Went with:
-Hobbywing axe r2 combo in 2100kv
-amizon 35kg steering servo
-power hd tr-4 servo for dig
-flysky gt5 radio and 6ch reciever
-axial 8hole 2.2” beadlocks
-proline 2.2 tsl swampers (not xl) g8 compound
-11t rr hardened pinion
-gens ace 3600mah 3s lipo

Correct me if im wrong, but i should be able to run both servo’s at 7.4v through the esc, no need for bec?

Couldnt find vanquish underdrive gears for rear axle in stock in canada, so that’ll have to wait.

 

[Damion10]

Some of the amazon servos top out at 6.9v, not saying the one you ordered will just something to look for. That being said ive ran one on 7.4 with no ill effects.

Where in Canada are you at?