MN82 - BRUSHLESS UPGRADE!! MEGA TRUCK - 1.9 Rock Crushers!!

[WRXronald]

Well, if the thread doesn't give it away -- here's a couple quickies!!! I flipped the KillerBody Landcruiser LC70 1/10 scale body with the crane that was on my TRX4 when it was 1/10 scale on Ebay -- got $120!!! not bad. But I was missing the LC70's..........

I tend to do this to myself, not sure why, guess i'm just a bored person with a MEGA TRUCK axe to grind lol.

I buy these super scale micro rigs (Pinecone 2520, C24, MN82, FCX18, etc) -- don't really need to change a thing for them to be completely cool like nothing ever was available back in the day. These are all wet dream rigs pretty much for me if only they were available 25yrs ago!!

This time its the MN82... I mean for $41..... how can an enthusiast say no?

But then the tinkering starts, for some reason it just SUCKS when it comes to actual crawling out of the box. And here we are a sawed in half chassis and a half cab later....

+ approx 2inches chassis stretch, and + approx 2 inch track width ----->> using a custom made STEEL member, metal gears, small 1.9's (95mm) Rock Crusher-ish tires -- MN metal portal axles, MN metal 3 gear transmission, steel drive shafts, 70mm alloy shocks and 4-linked front and rear. Need to step down to something in the range of 55t 370 to get it crawling better... I think it currently has a 12 or 20T and its just too fast for my taste.

Overall though -- super happy how its working out. Some kinks still to work thru, but its gonna be a MEGA HIT for my collection I think!

Vids in reverse order -- the latest one test driving the finished setup is posted first right here w/minor kinks finally worked out.... and then the older ones if you really want to dig in as it came along are thereafter. Still haven't even glued the tires lol -- stayed on the rim for initial testing too! Running $4.50 Ali wheels/tires non-beadlock -- -thats $4.50 for the set, kinda not bad for that price eh?!

BENCH TEST - Body mounted, steering issue fixed...

ROCK TEST - 10 mins hitting some terrain I just couldn't resist, its essentially complete in this vid

MOCK UP / BUILD OUT - along the way as I was figuring it all out.........

 

[WRXronald]

Lol wasted no time!

Hand-slapped-together a custom wood flatbed -- and installed! Quick short below with debut... sticking with the raw flatbed wood look to keep it "work" purposed, also going to weather the cab a bit too here soon. The bed has 3 coats of clear flat high temp engine enamel (its what was handy at the moment and right for the job)

I've since added some lines spaced evenly (somewhat) to make it look more scale like individual 2x6 or 2x8 planks - and little alloy bumper out back to protect the wood, etc - - will have a vid on the rocks soon. Want to get a slower higher wind motor in there soon -- this one is def overheating and not to task even though a 370. I may have to go brushless Outrunner not even too sure!

I'm loving the wood flatbed look ALOT lately. Its just cool. Even better with a little crane or wrecker arm!

Also to counter the weight added out back I added 3oz of lead weights inside each front tire -- they fall to the bottom as the tire rolls so ultimate in low placement weight addition. The trucks CoG is just forward of the door handle --- pretty darn good despite a hard wood flatbed hauler on the back!

Pinecone SG2502 LandRover Defender fits on the flatty quite nicely might try a vid hauling once i've got a stronger lower geared motor.

Also got tires glued up -- really liking the plastic wheels with giving ability to keep the weight up front only! Crawls decent still!

 

[WRXronald]

Wood Flatbed side hillin! Took a couple nasty little tumbles --- kept on hittin no issues!! Kinda surprised it held up so far to be honest, didn't have high expectations. Need to get a lower gear motor though...

 

[WRXronald]

Update: Got the super slow 370 motor installed in the 3-gear metal MN transmission. NOPE. It sucks.

370 motor is just 100% too undersized to push tires like these -- 1.9's at this size o 95mm diameter. Can't do it, just struggles badly despite its extremely slow.

My next plan is to fit up an A2212 Bruhsless Outrunner and a FPV Drone ESC that I'm going to use AM32 programming to make it run bi=directional. I got 1000kv so that should be in the 55t range of speeds and have A LOT more torque --- the FPV Esc can go to 6s, and probably the motor could take 4s.

It should fit there is a vid on the Tube of someone else fitting it up to a plastic version MN 3 gear transmission. I'll have to do some trickery on the metal gear case but I do think its possible. Otherwise this truck is a waste because i'm not even sure a 380 would push it along. It wants 550 but couldn't deal with all that size and weight.

Live & learn!! Should have it back up and running mid-August.

 

[ferp420]

ive got a few of those gold 2212 drone motors 1 in a 12th scale 2200kv it to runs 1.9s 3.5ish range tires and a hard body
the 2200kv is perfict in my opinion just a hair over walking speed and im powering it with a surpass hobbies 35a esc and its buttery smooth and almost silent ive used the same combo on 3 differnt rigs now and i like it

 

[WRXronald]

ive got a few of those gold 2212 drone motors 1 in a 12th scale 2200kv it to runs 1.9s 3.5ish range tires and a hard body
the 2200kv is perfict in my opinion just a hair over walking speed and im powering it with a surpass hobbies 35a esc and its buttery smooth and almost silent ive used the same combo on 3 differnt rigs now and i like it

NICE!! Glad to know i'm cooking with gas for this setup --- I'm tired of fighting weak motors!

So is it good and slow for crawling with the higher KV ranges? I went 1000kv thinking i'll need really slow for rock crawling performance and low-end torque. Maybe I don't have to gear the KV that low though. What transmissions or drive ratios do you have those Kv ratings in do you know?

The 3-gear metal MN doesn't feel all that slow to me (also partly why I went with 1000kv), I should sit down and count its ratio one of these days, def a good bit faster than the 5-gear metal WPL trans from driving behavior I think.

In the meantime --- take a look -- I put a set of 1.55 skinny's on it with 90mm soft scale tires -- looks awesome I think, but not sure I also love the big Rock Crusher look.

Feel free to weigh in!

 

[ferp420]

im running redcat everest 16 3 gear transmissions indont have any idea what there ratios are 1 is stock gearing crawls awsome and has some wheel speed the other one my d12 build theres no spur and pinnion gears the motor shaft goes directly to the transmission and it still has plenty of torque for slow crawling and still dosent cog

link to the d12 build thread

i just couldent help my self wpl d-12 build

www.rccrawler.com

 

[WRXronald]

Ok well still on the 1.55 skinny's for now -- guess I'm sorta in the wrong forum anymore LOL. But no worries I promise as soon as I have out a few good drives on the 1.55's i'm going back to the 1.9 Rock Crusher's 95mm's. The 1.55's are 90mm -- pretty close. But again, much skinnier.

I FINALLY got this rig fixed, up and running, and BRUSHLESS SINEWAY POWERED!!!!!! Its AWESOME so far I think.

I had ton of issues with pinions, motor fitment/mount in transmission, binding, overheating, clearances the motor can on the chassis, etc.....

Ones all bugs sorted -- it crawling interestingly well!! REALLY Slow and nicely powered for torque. Can go to 4s but I think it would shred axles fast on that power level.

This is CHEAP Brushless power -- a 1000kv Outrunner brushless with AM32 ESC -- no need to empty your wallet on furitek/fusion/blah blah whatever branded junk they sell you with a fancy label and some chamfering and anodize on the motor can to charge you +200% more than it should cost to go brushless AM32. If you can solder, and download FPV Drone firmware and operate it on your laptop -- or if you already do -- then these crawler setups are for you!!!

I'm sure these are mentioned here plenty -- but just in case you want specifics on where I got the power system - - 14 pole outrunners have ALL the torque -- as they don't have to pass the motor can very far to get to the next step -- 14 magnets around the circle instead of 2 or 4 in a 2 or 4 pole motor means each magnet doesn't have to push the can around as far to get to the next magnet pick up. voila - MAD TORQUE!!!

I've been running BRUSHLES OUTRUNNERS in rock crawlers since 2005 (YouTube has REMOVED various of my old videos those b_stards) anyways -- I used Kontronik JAZZ 40-6-18 ESC's to push them (not Sinewave of course) but these were the best car/heli/plane esc's you could buy WAY back in the day and they could push almost any brushless motor and were extremely resistant to failure (I have 2 and they still work today after tons of abuse and water exposure), sorry for the side rant!

Cheap but Good - ESC -- AM32 ESC 2-6S 32-bit Speed Controller 25A/45A Support PWM Signal for RC Crawler | eBay

Cheap but Good (the wires are not good, cut the bullet connectors at your own risk!) - BRUSHLESS OUTRUNNER -- A2212 1000Kv Brushless Outrunner Motor For Airplane Aircraft Quadcopter | eBay

 

[WRXronald]

Threw a lead brick on the flatbed today and hit out to some terrain with the MN82 Brushless Mega Truck.... lol just kidding, it was the PineCone SG2402 LandRover I threw on the back. mistaked it for a lead brick hahah!

Full diecast body and bigger tires on it --- its not lightweight at all to be hauled by the MN82!!! Seemed to go ok, a bit tippy leftt/right but I can fix that with some additional widening.....

Hauling thru some thick uncut grass in the yard --- and also thru the big beans of course!!

Quick grass haul test...

Longer form vid thru rocky terrain!!

Everything seemed to hold up quite well -- ready to go for even bigger tires muhahaha!!!

 

[WRXronald]

Finally, it crawls on the 1.9 ROCK CRUSHER Tires are in!!! And it rips solid -- no issues with breakdown, torque, binding, etc. Plenty of POWA to crawl slow and keep the big diameters turning..... Now it just looks like a smaller scale of my giant 1/5 and 1/6th MEGA CRAWLERS!!! Love it!

No other tire in the world need apply, LOVE LOVE LOVE the ROCK CRUSHERS!!!

Some tougher terrain... I impressed myself for sure lol!! MN82 gettin' it! Not perfect, need to get the upgraded servo in, but pretty decent overall!

 

[ferp420]

hay atleast you dont have to worry about your rig flying off of a 20+ft cliff lol

 

[WRXronald]

hay atleast you dont have to worry about your rig flying off of a 20+ft cliff lol

uh yeah no thanks you! I guess when I long for insanely awesome bedrock terrain around me I don't think thru the trade offs.... near the Chagrin River Park the other day the cliffs are frightening just the thought of some of that coming down in your direction, and its all loose terrain slowly crumbling.

 

[Steelfish]

nice truck buddy, loved all the mods on your MN82
this is mine

S

Thread 'MN 82 RC Landcruiser 79 with mahi-mahi custom paint job'

Jun 17, 2024

Just a custom paint job of a Mahi-mahi (dorado fish) on this MN model RC trailtruck MN82 1:12
I wanted to build the truck with a "Let's Go Fishing theme" so, I painted the truck mahi-mahi and made some fishing poles, a bait bucket, added some shotguns I had from the OG axial wraith tree parts.

Current mods are some upgrades from aliexpress as 21G metal servo, 370 motor, metal tranny gears and 1.0 tires, it also has the metal shocks I have on hand from my losi Mini-T, switched the stock trashy ESC/Rx electronics for a Hobbywing 1060 ESC and FlySky Radio...

• Steelfish
• Replies: 4
• Forum: General Scale Talk

• 

I have done some basics mods as better servo, 370 motor, metal gears on the tranny and hobbywind 1080 ESC
I want to try brusless set up and I already have a hobbywind 25a, do you think that ESC can work with the motor you're using?
the A1222 Quadter motor , is positive, how that motor can be installed on the stock tranny ? by the pictures I have no idea

 

[WRXronald]

Doubtful --- this motor wants a SINEWAVE ESC -- for a quadcopter aircraft --- you can log on with your laptop and USB into the ESC and set a bunch of features that make the ESC work awesome for rock crawling -- instead of working for fpv quadcopter control.

I doubt you have that control with the HW 25a ? So if not, you might have trouble with down-low torque control and slow speed spinning? Without sinewave control which is a feature unique to quadcopter ESC's that run AM32 programming firmware ---- you won't have the slow speed control and will potentially burn the motor out fast.

I could be wrong -- if that ESC made for small Outrunner motors?

 

[Steelfish]

nop, the HW 25a ESC is made for Cars not outrunners motors

but, I just saw there is a outrunner motor/ESC made specifically for the MN cars.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807782192855.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.25.5865EPtfEPtfJa&algo_pvid=89b6b8e8-d32e-48ae-8822-a02da5546320&algo_exp_id=89b6b8e8-d32e-48ae-8822-a02da5546320-12&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2179.79%2127.13%21%21%21576.52%21196.02%21%40210313e917338758029701516e9144%2112000043067912788%21sea%21US%212118825680%21X&curPageLogUid=U2SjYGf86Bz8&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A

 

[itstoobright]

Well that's certainly something you don't see every day!

 

[WRXronald]

NEEBRC getting on the brushless bandwagon LOL! I don't recall receiving a royalty agreement for the setup instructions

I'm wondering though how they expect ANY of the drivetrain to hold up to a brushless setup... I mean I get I'm running much larger tires and overall AUW than stock MN, but pretty sure that Outrunner setup gonna shred thru stock diffs / ring / pinion like nothin'

I'm shredding (having trouble getting the ring gear set-screw to hold the axle shaft) thru metal axles myself on my setup. I'm about ready to fuse it all together with JB Weld once and for all, but then if I strip a set of gears there's not much replacing it, I guess I could heat up REAL good to realese the JB Weld.

The issue i'm getting is the set screw of course wants a good Loc-tite'ing but then you grease the whole situation and well, loc-tite doesn't love grease. So the front went on me and I took it apart entirely, cleaned all parts with alcohol, then the loc-tite set screw, 48hrs to set and dry fully, THEN grease (not as liberally as i'd like but trying to keep it away from the set screw area and just on the gear teeth themselves) of course it all throws about under load in there somewhat anyways, and then re-assemble and now the front has held up!! But then of course hard hitting the rear went again, and when I fixed it the first time I did not fully disassemble and alcohol so I can only assume the set-screw gave way again due to not fully setting the loc-tite with exposure to grease in there. So what i'm getting at here is PITA!!!!!

I've been so busy working on big trucks (and installing an ATV Kojem plow on a 23hp Lawnmower muhahaha) that I haven't had time to tear this rig down and repair the rear, the right way, finally. I'll get to it.

Honestly I might sell off my small rig builds, so bored with small stuff, not interesting to me much anymore, despite its winter!!! I just want to go haul big skhit in the snow with big rigs lol!!! Want to take a heavy duty snow shovel and make a giant wedge plow for the Clod Beastie 1/6th!!!

Off topic, sorry. Anyways I got the idea to do AM32 brushless outrunner on the MN rig in a small version only after it worked so good on the large scale 1/6th CLOD setup with the big block 4250 outrunners!!

 

[ferp420]

have you looked at capra utb18 axles or even old school losi mini clone axles the utb18 has portals the lmc clone axles are standard axles

redcat still sells the metal mrc axle housings although they look like poop but hay and they still metal lockers and c hubs and knuckles

 

[WRXronald]

Yeah, i mean na I just haven't even looked at other axle sets for the smaller rigs..... I was on Ali one day and got tempted by the "all metal" MN82 portal axles for $20 for a set --- seemed like such a crazy good deal. And frankly, it is, these are pretty solid little axle sets.

I just needed to have loc-tite'd the set-screw on the pinion gears before marine greasing the shkiz out of everything. I kinda missed there was a set screw in there in the first place until it gave way and I thought the axle broke outright.

I'm sure it will hold and if not -- there's always adding a 2nd set-screw from the other side for double-holding. I just don't feel like taking the time I guess for the small rigs right now.

Getting an all new set of axles -- just as much a PITA, all custom fitment and what not on my rigs bizarre dimensions!