My Brushless Clodzilla II Build

[BackToThePast]

Well, my build is going to pale in comparison to many in this section, but I'm going to participate all the same! LOL!

Here's what I've been working on. As you can see it's a Clodzilla II kit from ESP. Here's a list of what's inside:

TTR ball diff (front)
CPE locker (rear)
Steel pinions
CPE inner and outer axle stiffeners
Rockzilla streering kits, with heavy duty rods
CPE metal gear servos, with HD servo savers
CPE 2" wheel widening kit
Emaxx shocks
Sidewinder 4600's
2s 20C 5000 MAH Venom battery
Ebay skid plates

I think that's everything...

Here's the Rokzilla steering kit. I had to modify the shock mounts that came with the Zilla II kit to use them. I did get a bracket from ESP to move the shocks, but it also lowered the truck a good 3/4 of an inch as well. I left those brackets inplace though. I figure it'll give me a little adjustability if I ever want it. Not to mention that they're nice and thick. They're bolted through the same holes as the inner and outer axle stiffeners. That should REALLY make everything nice and solid.

Here's the shock mount, converted from dual to sinlgle (so it would fit):

Just a mock up. I already sold this body on Ebay. I'm most likely going to run a Proline Blazer body

Now I just need to get a body, wiring, charger, and tires and I'll be good to go. I'm going to get a set of Mudslingers for it I think. I'm also waiting for a vintage CCP chrome elctronics tray that I got on Ebay so I can mount my ESCs and receiver. It's coming from Spain, so we'll see how long THAT takes... I have the factory black one, but I think the chrome will go a lot better.

 

[FullMetalGrv]

Very cool build. I'm hoping to get my clod brushless soon

 

[Budhatrain]

looking fun... I don't think I have seen a dual bl zilla yet. Your battery choice might need to change... the lowest I would go is 30C discharge...most go with 40C...just a suggestion.

 

[segajeep]

There is something about a Z2 chassis. I hated mine with the way I had it set up. Lame shocks and lame motors and lame steering. And easy to tweak in a good wipe out. My at-the-time charger was dying so my batteries weren't charging properly. I hadn't figured this out until I rebuilt the truck to it's Sassy configuration. But I have always wanted to try it again.The Z2 just sits now but It's about 4th on the list for a build. I was contemplating a TXT or a Wheely King drive train in it.

 

[CANUCK CLOD]

I love your brushless Z2 build!

I just converted my stock clod to a zilla 2 with a TTR steering/skid plate set up, rear steer lock out, RC4WD wheel wideners, CPE inner axel stiffners, 8 HR air shocks and quick change axel tube mod.

I am running TXT-1 wheels on Clod tires (indoor)and TXT-1 rims on Pro-Line Giant Trac tires (outdoor). What tires are you planning on using?

I am only running 2 Titan 550 motors and an EVX-2 from an e-revo in it and it is pretty quick for a Z2 Clod.

Currently running 2 lipo 2S packs, will yours be running 1 or 2 2S lipo in your set up? Your pics only show 1 battery but not sure if that will be enough juice for a dual CC4600 BL set-up.

I wanted to go brushless in mine but couldn't get my hands on some TTR axels to beef it up to handle the power.

Let us know how hard that thing will be to control. :tmb Great work man!

 

[BackToThePast]

Ok guys,

First, thanks again for all the help. I was in the LHS tonight exchanging that Venom battery... I called Castle back today and they said to run both motors I should get a 2s 30c 5000 mah. So that settles that. LOL!

I also asked about the shocks while I was at the LHS. He recomended I get the red springs, and change the oil. He said that they come with 30 in them. Now I just have to figure out what oil to put in 20? 15? 10?

I also picked up a Proline F-650 body and some Y-harnesses and such. I was going to go with there Blazer body, but this one just looks so tuff to me. That, and I don't have to change the body mounts... I did have to make the rear mounts a little taller. I found that an old motor bushing was just the right spacer! (put it in after the pics) When I got home I cut the body out and installed a little Ebay light kit. After I took the pictures below, I added an on off switch to the lights so I don't have to plug and unplug the 9V battery all the time.

I also ordered an F parts tree from a Chrome Super Clod. This way I will have black bumpers and rod ends. I figure this will open up my body color choices a lot more!

 

[segajeep]

Did you call up ESP and order those servo mounts? Their website does not let one order them separately.

 

[BackToThePast]

Did you call up ESP and order those servo mounts? Their website does not let one order them separately.

Yeah. They're for the no longer in production Rokzilla. That's why they aren't listed on the site. I didn't know about them until I asked. I know the owner is away until afther the holidays though.

 

[segajeep]

Thew Rockzilla went under already? That's a shame. You could flip the ESP lift plates up and run a Savage shock down to the aluminum axle mounts, not unlike the aforementioned Rockzilla.

 

[BackToThePast]

Thew Rockzilla went under already? That's a shame. You could flip the ESP lift plates up and run a Savage shock down to the aluminum axle mounts, not unlike the aforementioned Rockzilla.

I actually took the Rokzilla shock mounts off yesterday. When used with the outer axle stiffeners, they were causing the suspension rods to hit the motors a little.

 

[Supreme Reign]

This is going to be one nice Z2:tmb

 

[Bubbabaxter]

That truck is awesome. I like the nice mix of retro chassis and modern electronics. A few words of advice though: Upgrade the rod ends on your steering links to dubro rod ends or something similar, it'll save you frustration later. Also, Don't Wreck! Or you will become pretty proficient at disassembling and re-straightening the frame rails.

 

[BackToThePast]

That truck is awesome. I like the nice mix of retro chassis and modern electronics. A few words of advice though: Upgrade the rod ends on your steering links to dubro rod ends or something similar, it'll save you frustration later. Also, Don't Wreck! Or you will become pretty proficient at disassembling and re-straightening the frame rails.

Thank you. I am a little woried about twisting this thing. We'll see what happens I guess...

 

[BackToThePast]

Hey Look! My fiance is an enabler!

I had some Mudslingers under the tree this morning! Man I love this woman... :mrgreen:

I also have a couple of obligatory "look at my two trucks driving on each other" pics.

 

[speedy g]

looks sweet with the slingers under there:tmb. what color are you going with for the body?

 

[BackToThePast]

looks sweet with the slingers under there:tmb. what color are you going with for the body?

I think I'm going to keep it pretty simple actually. I'm leaning towards white with black tool box and grill. I can appreciate the more colorful paint jobs, but it's just not my style.

 

[SFC K]

Nice set of tires on there! With brushless set-up, you should have no problem kicking up some dirt. :tmb

 

[truckus]

That zilla 2 looks killer! Zilla 2's have that big monster look thats cool. Do you know if your 4 links are the ESP long wheelbase links? In the past I bought the frame separately from the steering and 4 links and I remember I had a choice of the long or regular links...which one does the complete kit give you?

 

[BackToThePast]

That zilla 2 looks killer! Zilla 2's have that big monster look thats cool. Do you know if your 4 links are the ESP long wheelbase links? In the past I bought the frame separately from the steering and 4 links and I remember I had a choice of the long or regular links...which one does the complete kit give you?

Thank you. It came with the long wheel base 4 links. I'm just waiting on the rest of the parts now so I can finish this thing up!

 

[BackToThePast]

Well I drove it today. It IS fast. It IS fun. It IS broken...

I wired it all up tonight and took it for a spin. I'm still waiting for some parts, but I had enough to run it. It's tough to keep straight. The rear steering doesnt't want to come back to center as soon as the front. I wonder if it has anything to do with the locked rear?

I was having a blast until the garage ran out in front of me... Bent a shock mount, broke the threaded rod on one rod end, bent the battery mount where the rod ends mount for the four links, broke a steering rod end, and scratched my body that I haven't even painted yet

I actually had enough spare parts (and a hammer) to get it all straight and put back together though, so all is well. The next time I run it, it'll be on some nice SOFT grass, and in a WIIIIIDE open space though!

This is the fastest one I've ever owned. I'm going to have a lot of fun with this truck I think

I'll put up some more pics once I get it all painted and finished up.