JPCustoms Clod knuckles: need your input, especially racers!!!

[HawnMT]

A friend of mine here in Hawaii is the new owner of JPCustoms most famously known to Clod guys for it's oversized Clod/TXT knuckles that accommodated 8x22mm bearings for Clod/TXT ThunderTech CVDs. The new owner has only a little experience with solid axle Monster Trucks and he was asking if he should bring back these knuckles. I told him I wasn't sure if there would be a big market for them but that I would post a thread on RCMT to gauge the interest.

One suggestion I did make was to redesign it for a slightly smaller bearing OD. The 22mm bearing is huge and very heavy so I told him it would be better if he could go for a slightly smaller common sized bearing, I threw out a guess at 8x16mm. Something big enough that it won't warp and bind so easily as the 8x12mm bearings guys' with CVDs currenty use and also won't weigh so much.

Anyway I'd like to hear what you guy's have to say on the matter. I like to hear if you's be interested in buying them or have any suggestions to tweak the design. I know price is always a factor but I honestly can give one. I can say they used to cost around $45 a pair, give or take. Maybe nothing will come of this or maybe something will, it's really to early to tell but I'd like as much input as possible.

 

[cpe mt]

They're way heavy for racing, which was why you never found them on racers when they were available. Now that crawling with Clods has died down, the cost to retool likely outweighs the benefits.

 

[nosyajg]

i always liked the idea of the bigger bearing, but the steering arm thickness looked too narrow...it looked to be as thick as the hot racing knuckles, which bend if you look at them crooked... also, it needed to be run with "full size" tubes, so it wouldnt work for me in my truck which runs the smaller height axle tubes...

i think he'd have to change the design too much if he were to still try a bigger bearing to fit in the smaller tubes...if he can do it, i know i'd buy a set though...

 

[monsterjamman24]

I can't seem to find a real reason to run aluminium ones, I have only broke one knuckle and that was me being dumb, I can't see why they would be popular, buy 6 pairs of plastic ones which I doubt you can break easily, or 45 bucks a pair, its would be a very very hard selling point, racers as Brett pointed out dont want that much weight, bashers i dont feel there is enough of to bring back a part.

 

[Hippie]

I run that size 8x22 in all my trucks ill not run nothing else.it got old blowing out the 8x12 all time and in i cant see that big of a weight differance.the way they are now is there too soft they need to be made out of stronger stuff

 

[Mo']

Am I the only one who has never had an issue with the 8x12's? I have had the same set in my truck with cvd's for years now without a hiccup.



When it comes to the bigger bearing options, If I was looking to purchase a set and had a choice between 8x22 and 8x16 I would pick the 8x16 setup. If its good enough for 1/8 buggies and truggies its more than good enough for a clod without being pointlessly large. Plus its a far more common size in the hobby world.


What would be really nice to see would be someone making an aluminum clod knuckle that is durable, takes into account the proper steering geometry and achieves maximum throw. So many times I see aluminum knuckles come out that put a huge emphasis on being beefy but dont steer as well as a modified stocker and dont line up well with BTA steering setups. Someone needs to just come out with something that works with the stock tubes along with the BTA steering kits we have now that is also stronger than stock and gives the throw of a nicely modded stock knuckle. I would buy those for every truck.

 

[nosyajg]

Am I the only one who has never had an issue with the 8x12's? I have had the same set in my truck with cvd's for years now without a hiccup.

i think you're the anomaly mo...lol...i have about 20 spares in my parts box right now so i'm ready to replace it when they give out...

What would be really nice to see would be someone making an aluminum clod knuckle that is durable, takes into account the proper steering geometry and achieves maximum throw. So many times I see aluminum knuckles come out that put a huge emphasis on being beefy but dont steer as well as a modified stocker and dont line up well with BTA steering setups. Someone needs to just come out with something that works with the stock tubes along with the BTA steering kits we have now that is also stronger than stock and gives the throw of a nicely modded stock knuckle. I would buy those for every truck.

that would be great! but i'd also love it if there was an option for the smaller height tubes as well...the truck i really need it in only has the smaller height tubes...

 

[FlashGordon1]

Hay HawnMt. Just want to remind you. Don't forget to post this topic over at clod talk. We don't want Halgar to get mad!

 

[monsterjamman24]

I guess your not alone Mo', havent had to replace one yet knock on wood, im a year into this, oh god better get some ****.

 

[Mo']

I guess your not alone Mo', havent had to replace one yet knock on wood, im a year into this, oh god better get some ****.

Good to know! I have been running mine for at least 6 years now without a single failure.

 

[FlashGordon1]

I can't seem to find a real reason to run aluminium ones, I have only broke one knuckle and that was me being dumb, I can't see why they would be popular, buy 6 pairs of plastic ones which I doubt you can break easily, or 45 bucks a pair, its would be a very very hard selling point, racers as Brett pointed out dont want that much weight, bashers i dont feel there is enough of to bring back a part.

Now with me,I rather use aluminium knuckles then using stock ones. That is just my two cents on this topic! Now if any of you race hard core. Would you use stock knuckles or aluminium ones? And why?

 

[HawnMT]

Good input from everyone, thanks and keep them coming. Like I said maybe nothing will come of this but if something does all this information will be useful.

As far as the bearing issue it can come down to where and how frequently you run. Hippie them run outdoors in dirt. We run outdoors in a mix of grass and dirt(depending on where we run) and race nearly every other week. Thin bearings are so sensitive to particles that they can easily become a major problem without any notice. I realize most race clubs race indoors on carpet but I just wanted to give a possible reason for the discrepancies.

 

[Jerry Matoon]

Good to know! I have been running mine for at least 6 years now without a single failure.

Can't remember the last time I had to replace any of mine either Mo; And that includes the Berzerker I got from Jerry Garland with the original production CVDs.....

Some of my Clods also run outdoors in the dirt as well and those havent had any issues with the 8x12 bearings either....

Jerry