First ROCK CRAWLING TEST!!! With the Mini Rock Crawler project

First ROCK CRAWLING TEST!!! With the Mini Rock Crawler project - Part 16

Рет қаралды 193,557

2 жыл бұрын

Today we finally get to test drive this mini rock crawler build. We test out the flex of the suspension and the 4 wheel drive setup. For this project I'm using the Fox 2.0 Air shocks. These are air only shocks and can be made hard or soft just by adding more nitrogen pressure. The fox air shocks are super easy to adjust and really light weight, perfect for these smaller projects but they can also work well in jeeps and other light rock crawlers. King air shocks are also a great option if your build is like mine, but I feel like the Fox airs have a better factory valving setup. The Fox air shocks should go together really well with the mini rock bouncer as that's really what they were designed for.
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@JokerFromHell 2 жыл бұрын

Im actualy surprised AND impressed. I think either lowering the air in the tires OR some tires with more bite would help the bouncing while crawling abit but besides that, well done sir!

@petermakeithappen8336 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah he definitely has to much air in his tires and his suspension isn't made for what he's doing

@Lfrperformance 2 жыл бұрын

@@petermakeithappen8336 what would you suggest it’s made for?

@lqrpig 2 жыл бұрын

Most definitely air down the tires. Fantastic job.

@alwayssomething3259 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed need to take some air out of the tires and air up them dang shocks!!! If you are worried about it not riding in a compressed state then add a winch from the frame to the axle so you can draw it down like the big guys do.

@Beardest_Fishing 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, WAYYYYY too much air in the tires.

@timsmallsreed1349 2 жыл бұрын

You might have to add springs to the suspension so it pushes the vehicle back upright. I know those are air shocks, but it appears that you have the pressure so low that there is no force to push the chassis back up. I know those aren't the shortest air shocks fox makes. Maybe shorter ones aired up properly would be the solution to that issue. The shocks you have when properly aired up make that a monster truck.

@Lucas12v 2 жыл бұрын

Definitely needs more preload. He could move the upper mounts if he doesn't want to increase ride hight. Assuming that doesn't limit downtravel too much.

@spaceghost1812 2 жыл бұрын

Yes coil overs will help immensely

@spaceghost1812 2 жыл бұрын

And less tire pressure

@southernoffroad2016 Жыл бұрын

All the air in these shocks does is set the ride height. 1/3 of the shaft showing is roughly where you want to be at ride height. The dampening is done in the valving and the amout of oil in the shock. Those shocks are make for MUCH heaver rigs. Toyota truggys are about the lightest thing you will see on them. The pressure of the nitrogen in the shocks will 100% not help with ride quality .

@brandonyoung758 Жыл бұрын

You need enough air in the shocks for the to function properly. There so low and the shocks are straight down to axel makes them stiff. Relocate you shocks so there angled and can stretch out more. Run limiter straps and bump stops and a lighter sway bar. Thicker for fast thinker for more flex and smoothness

@bradmarks9496 2 жыл бұрын

Looks great, but I think id put more air in the shocks and less air in the tires. They look rock hard

@rickshaw3005 2 жыл бұрын

Small onboard air compressor to maintain air pressure in shocks and the ability to raise and lower tire pressure would be nice add-on.

@StephanPluemer Жыл бұрын

agree....

@Allamericanhotrods 2 жыл бұрын

I have watched your channel from the beginning and have been impressed with all your builds. This one has moved you to the top of all You Tube builders I have watched. I always look forward to seeing your channel on Sunday morning here in Oregon

@Ratkill9000 2 жыл бұрын

Hey! Finally a real test of this thing! Glad to see it finally going under it's own power and doing decently well. Might be time to add roll cage padding to help with the head knocking a bit wont stop it, but wont be as hard on the helmet or brain pan.

@liamfoley4452 2 жыл бұрын

To improve things as far as handling and capability I’d recommend a taller tire with softer tread, less tire pressure, and more shock pressure especially in the rear. The rest of it looks absolutely great

@ronniewilliz153 2 жыл бұрын

I bet it didn't feel good only having a few inches of travel in the rear maybe move the rear shocks to a higher mounting point on the top mount. This test was awesome tho. Trial an error is how you learn the best. Nice job.

@actschp1 2 жыл бұрын

One thing you might want to consider it oiling. Motorcycle engines aren't engineered to draw oil at extreme angles. When a bike corners, centripetal force keeps the oil in the bottom of an the oil pan and keeps the oil pickup submerged. Since you won't be pulling hard corners anytime soon, driving at an extreme angle has a real chance of sloshing oil away from the pick up tube and causing oil starvation. Just a thought. Happy rock crawling!

@Handle_gravel Жыл бұрын

An example would be what happened to Superfastmatt's s600 with a motorcycle engine swap, Just search "I Blew The Motor In My Motorcycle Powered Car".

@johnanderson1818 2 жыл бұрын

He said it all! NICE! Just like always man! No never let me down! Been here for years now and I'm not going anywhere! Your my favorite! No holds barred! 💯

@aserta 2 жыл бұрын

Observations. You need some kind of return to the sway bar, something that gets you back to neutral even when the system is unlocked. Your shocks, pump them up hard for when you make it to the trail, then loosen them back down when you're at the trail you want to, little by little. A small electric motorcycle hand pump should be part of your gear for this. The rear suspension defo needs more juice than the front one, even if it doesn't seem like it.

@aeroflopper 2 жыл бұрын

Springs?

@acurarl9929 2 жыл бұрын

No reason to even have a sway bar. It makes no sense. You don’t need a sway bar on a daily driver car nvr mind a wheeling rig. Needs tons more pressure in the shocks but absolutely not a single need for a sway bar. Not even a give or take conversation. It’s strictly has zero purpose. The only reason it has a sway bar is because for some reason he won’t put the correct amount of air in the shocks. A vehicle needs to be able to upright itself on flat ground when you lean it over. Like in vid he leaned it over by standing g on it. When he stepped off it stayed leaned all the way over. Hello. The shocks don’t have enough air pressure in them to even support its own weight. Witch means one tho g and one thing only. More air pressure in the shocks. Not a sway bar. Baffled because the dude is extremely talented and extremely good fabricator and to see that test and to come up with the thought it needed a sway bar vrs the fact that it just needs more air in shocks is just baffling. This isn’t theoretically this is pure fact. The thing can’t hold its own weight up.

@andersson.l.e 2 жыл бұрын

Well it was a first test run.

@jimmace6148 2 жыл бұрын

@@acurarl9929 LOL You have no idea what you are talking about

@alexking4082 2 жыл бұрын

@@acurarl9929 Pretty much every single car has sway bars, and lots of hardcore off-road rigs also have sway bars. They do have a purpose, otherwise they wouldn't exist. Yes, Chris is using it as a sort of band aid and the suspension needs a little reworking, but stop shitting on someone when you have no actual knowledge of what you're talking about.

@dicksandballsnshit3856 2 жыл бұрын

I like the bit where Doug said "Nice"

@jeeplvr2000 Жыл бұрын

Nice.

@Skiridr22 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Doug welcome to the channel 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

@douglasleach5881 2 жыл бұрын

I promise I will stop saying nice and come up with a vast vocabulary ✌️

@untilprt283 2 жыл бұрын

I think we can all agree Doug is r spirit animal

@MrPlumber27 3 ай бұрын

Dude your mini rock crawler you built is legit !! So freaking impressive my guy ! Your cage is killer also !

@bobkelly2447 2 жыл бұрын

well done ! and it didn't brake !!!! you must have built it right ! NOW you can be proud of it !

@blazeallday6334 2 жыл бұрын

Yes finally what we all have been waiting to see good job man love it 💯🤟😎

@dirttdude 2 жыл бұрын

All the articulation is working exceptionally well and it has plenty of wheel travel, Needs less compression damping in the rear shocks and the tires are hard as rocks

@ratherBweldingChris 2 жыл бұрын

Yep, we forgot to air down the tires for this test😂

@dirttdude 2 жыл бұрын

@@ratherBweldingChris Sorry, i knew you knew that.

@ronnie2031 2 жыл бұрын

@@ratherBweldingChris congrats men!!! amazing job

@toyota4x4legend 2 жыл бұрын

13:33 the best part is the honesty in this segment.

@stevo43068 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome to see it crawling. Cool to see both of those machines in action.

@martinvandermerwe5408 2 жыл бұрын

Great job yes test rides are good to work out bugs Think you need like a raceing seat with more padding and so you can tighten your body harness more effectively

@Robalo-2660 2 жыл бұрын

Great first test Chris , you both worked well with each other . Tuning the crawler takes time . I'm glad your drive axles performed well . They always seem to be a weak point on most crawlers when they add the beans .

@Stick_talk216 2 жыл бұрын

If say it works perfectly . The best machine you have built yet imo

@johnmccanntruth 2 жыл бұрын

I was pretty impressed with it myself. Looked like it performed well. It does look like it’s hard to see though…

@drakethesnake1000 2 жыл бұрын

Great job on both Machines… ✨😎👍✨

@j-beatsimaginationstudio1987 2 жыл бұрын

Freaking awesome brother! Be safe :)

@chrisjohnson9587 Жыл бұрын

I absolutely love that thing BEAST MODE

@kleytonroots 2 жыл бұрын

Hi, buddy! The first like is mine! 😁🤙🏾

@spyder7758 2 жыл бұрын

Rock On! 🤘 and I agree with whoever said you should record an into so your name is associated since you put in a lot of effort and do great work

@bobkelly2447 2 жыл бұрын

that would look alot more professional to,.... not that anyone who is a loyal follower would care... but you might catch a bunch more subscribers by making a short intro for your posts ! that's a good idea !

@sethspiker Жыл бұрын

Just have to get the kinks worked out! Very impressive build! 4 way steering would be a game changer.

@patrickholder9697 2 жыл бұрын

I wish you could make these special order for people because I would definitely buy one in a heartbeat and I love watching your video they’re simply amazing thank you hope you have fun because it looks so fun

@patrickholder9697 2 жыл бұрын

Also may need straps on each corner

@TheAmericanUhate 2 жыл бұрын

Some beadlocks and really low tire pressure would soften up the ride and 10x traction vs aired up. Might not be a good thing with those axles, but that's an easy fix too lol. Some old Jeep XJ axles for $100 and Lincoln lockers would hold any tire size you want and be more than enough for that little beast lol

@johnnytwotimes7831 2 жыл бұрын

I shall drink everytime I hear "nice" 😁

@bradwilsey9426 2 жыл бұрын

Too cool! I’d dial in that suspension.

@nickyduhr8355 2 жыл бұрын

Badass rig!! Only thing I can say is mabe air the tires down a little more if possible. Great job though!

@Skiridr22 2 жыл бұрын

For what it’s worth I think it’s a great build she’s more than capable on the trails 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

@zackweeder115 2 жыл бұрын

Nothing broke on the rock crawler! congrats! and the camera man did well getting good angles also, which I'm sure made your time on the trails easier not having to stop so much to set up the camera

@CLCIII 2 жыл бұрын

Surprisingly caple! NICE!

@BenHur872 2 жыл бұрын

It's a shame you weren't that pleased with it. It looks so cool! Wish we had forests like that in the UK that anybody could access.

@Toolness1 Жыл бұрын

Man, I am absolutely amazed that you built that. You've come so far since I first started watching you, where I was already impressed by what you could do....but this thing is just gnarly.

@beanyboom18 2 жыл бұрын

That little crawler sure turned out great! It looks so much fun to ride.. and those Trails, so nice and pretty.

@jackreacher1963 Жыл бұрын

Well ,the welding held up. Looks like fun.

@adamr9215 2 жыл бұрын

When the buggy won’t straighten back out after flexing, that is caused by either too low pressure in the shocks, or way too much rebound damping. Or both. Take some rebound out and add 100psi.

@RickyD1968 2 жыл бұрын

Looks like a lot of fun !!!

@rickburnout666 2 жыл бұрын

Great bit of kit, a few upgrades and it'll be top notch, all builders/manufacturers have to do developments along the way, good to see it done in a shed/workshop

@MarkCarr331 Жыл бұрын

Building this crawler would be alot of fun. I wish I had all the machining skills and equipment you have. Great work! Love the content!

@draggonhedd 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah like eveyrone else said, lower those tire pressures, and you're golden. This thing is beast!

@ShaunKjar 2 жыл бұрын

You could try and move the rear upper shock mounts up, then get some more air in those rear shocks. I’d say the front shocks look okay but you could feel if they needed more. If there is any way to move your fan behind you with the fan pushing or pulling the air out the back it could help a lot with visibility and temperature. It sure looks like a fun ride!

@mikesimon9529 2 жыл бұрын

Now that was cool it's time to see it out in the trail 😁👍💪✌️🇺🇸

@SuperBigdanno 2 жыл бұрын

Run about 6 psi in those tires, those are your first part of the suspension and as a bonus you get more traction.

@Wheelieking619 2 жыл бұрын

Your dad Doug said it’s all about the throttle at some point but my big opinion hit me at that moment and I’d have to advise it’s all about airing down those tires Mr. Welding.

@FarmerFpv 2 жыл бұрын

That thing is wicked. Nice job, bro!

@josealmeida8731 2 жыл бұрын

Don't get me wrong but I like to see that kid making things and ride them, God bless you

@bryduhbikeguy 2 жыл бұрын

5 words.>That is Awesome.Well done!!

@toyota4x4legend 2 жыл бұрын

14:03 Sway bar is fighting the springs too on the rear. The arms need to converge nearer axle center line. This is why you see a ever slight bow in the lower axle link at its meeting point.

@play4dayzproductions347 2 жыл бұрын

You should have aired them bad boys way up! Love the build man! Keep up the Great Work!

@Enz3d 2 жыл бұрын

dropping tyre pressures will make this a whole new machine!

@megoingfast 2 жыл бұрын

Champ, dude. So champ.

@walt669 Жыл бұрын

I really enjoy brown mountain. I love riding my dirt bike over there. great video.

@brentheltsley7187 2 жыл бұрын

Yep, some said it already, dropping the tire psi is an easy mod for better crawling and softer ride. With new tires, you could run super low psi, think 2 or 3 lbs. Gotta get new tires broken in and folding quick. It’s something you’ll have to test for. Nice job Chris, we’ll on its way to being great.

@ridehard2423 2 жыл бұрын

So good so cool great job agree on tire pressure And shock placement You don't give yourself enough credit You do a great job Keep it up

@thomaspryor8202 2 жыл бұрын

Well Done!

@jeroenjager 2 жыл бұрын

Very nice first driving vid!

@jenoelardita450r3 2 жыл бұрын

Great build...

@MrPlumber27 3 ай бұрын

You should add some skid plates on the sides too ! But damn that thing is sweet !

@BeardedForHerPleasure 2 жыл бұрын

Hell the front looked like it was working pretty good toward the end there, as others have commented the tire pressure looks pretty high, could just be too stiff a tire but that will remove a decent bit of harshness there. The rear looked like it could use some more pressure, and that would give you some better visibility having the rear slightly taller than the front with you in it. The body roll is excessive without the sway bar as you noticed and likely adding to the ride quality, could always use a smaller link arm from sway bar to top link and increase the leverage to get the rear working more if it bothered you. Excellent build either way!

@ThomasDC0 Жыл бұрын

It's not the behavior of a crawler but this thing is definitely a rock bouncer as you had imagined at the start of the project. Well done!

@quakxy_dukx 2 жыл бұрын

The rock bean is looking good

@ciobanuvalentinmail 2 жыл бұрын

Super nice, i wish you all the best, and have fun

@gerinchambers4787 2 жыл бұрын

Love it Chris... too bad it beats the crap out of you. It's definitely capable for sure though

@harrypatt7708 2 жыл бұрын

Replace the air shocks for some coil overs and add some bead locker style atm rims? That will help astronomically with the performance and grip off road!

@jordanbrandtner2745 2 жыл бұрын

This thing is badass good job I have a couple suggestions though. lower tire pressure add pressure to shocks and wrap the cage bars closest to body parts with pool noodles or some sort of foam

@rustyshacklfort9508 2 жыл бұрын

Aside from the tires being rock hard I wonder about the valving in the shocks . It’s almost like there isn’t enough spring pressure (air pressure in this case) to overcome the rebound valving . So maybe a shock with less rebound or more air pressure or a combination of the two . And maybe a small fan for the driver . But hey great first run dude ! Looking good .

@thewildbunch5477 Жыл бұрын

I love this, I am working on a smaller version for my boys

@TheJessemull 2 жыл бұрын

Airing down the tires would definitely provide more traction and a softer ride. Looks like a fun ride !

@BenSmith-rf9hb 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@jessieschmidt447 2 жыл бұрын

Put limit straps on the socks and add more pressure in them also lower gear more throttle you will have better control! But it's pretty cool

@bobkelly2447 2 жыл бұрын

You know.... I have been following you sense your very first video your Home built lathe got me hooked because you had so little to work with but you did the best you could under the circumstances. not even God could ask for more.... and you continue even with all the tools now that you have you still do your best and my hat is off to you for that ,,,you haven't gone down the road of throw money at it to fix it .... it's more of how can i fix it ...and that is Rare on You-tube and I thank you for that. I'm still waiting for you to build a home made Milling machine... but sense you have one now there is little point.... or is there? your Mechanical ability has no rivals my friend keep it up and some day you will be rich but that won't happen over night ... but if Elon sends you a letter you best answer it ! they need guys like you at Space X..... thank you for the entertainment over the years and all the great ideas....keep them coming !

@ryantodd82 2 жыл бұрын

Love the build! Adding coil overs would make it a way better experience overall. You’ve got plenty of dampening but minimal rebound which makes it uncomfortable & unstable.

@ExocagedRC Жыл бұрын

This is neat, years ago when I was doing real trucks I wanted to build a very similar vehicle to what you have done with the exception I was going to use Toyota or D35 axles front and rear, the idea was small and light so they held up to 35" tires and be reliable. I was going to use a FWD car engine and trans as well with the diff welded up. I never actually built it. It was just a dream.

@M-oneeleven-M111 2 жыл бұрын

Other than the obvious thing about being able to see, to me that was a pretty successful first test. The 4 wheel drive system works great shocks need more air or springs and tyres need less air. But to be honest I was impressed well done man 👍

@keithparady2594 2 жыл бұрын

I need one damn man that’s wicked awesome

@EJ-74 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome build 🔥 I'd bring a portable air compressor so you can set the air pressure as needed. The tires looked a bit stiff. You would get much more grip with less air pressure. Cool first test. The mini rock crawler ROCKS 🔥👍✌️

@idriwzrd 2 жыл бұрын

Looks like the rock bouncer is working well. One thing that might help with suspension tuning would be reducing rebound damping and increasing compression damping.

@TrackMania753 2 жыл бұрын

Of all your projects, I’d have to say this one fits you best, Chris. 👍

@akihirozheng9273 2 жыл бұрын

Ahhhh those flex...👌👌👌

@geosciencenerd Жыл бұрын

Cameraman Doug likes it. Thinks it's nice.

@JohnTechG 2 жыл бұрын

love your content bro always exciting to watch your next build or experience with your machnies! great work!

@salty6pence672 2 жыл бұрын

I dub thee THE CLOWN SHOE Looks so fun ✌️🖖

@ratherBweldingChris 2 жыл бұрын

Haha

@edwardweisenburg16 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome 👍😎

@jesseperkins8884 2 жыл бұрын

Only thing I see that you need to do is let some air out of your tires

@scrappy7571 2 жыл бұрын

YEAP!

@ÁREAJ27 2 жыл бұрын

Incrível amigo!!! Abraço a todos!

@spencerward3563 2 жыл бұрын

Just a thought... when you have the rock crawler at more severe angles there is potential for oil starvation like when wheelie-ing a motorcycle. You'd have to be going harder on the engine and be at angles for longer amounts of time, but if you were to try and push the suspension to the limit you might push the engine past its limit. Loved getting to see the crawler in action!

@jptazzairbrushingjprice7250 2 жыл бұрын

Very nice I want either one of them....

@mickeyhulk6790 2 жыл бұрын

The rock crawler is looking good even with it still being a work in progress

@walkerfablab 2 жыл бұрын

Don’t add more Nitrogen to get it to not bottom out. You want your links close to level to the ground as possible. Makes going over obstacles easier. Get the next size lower for the shock. And have more shaft showing and actually usable. Need to go somewhere where it has whoops and ruts and do a small shock tube session. And find what exact PSI works best for your application and needs. Increase 2-3psi increments each time as you video how the suspension reacts. You want 1” of shock shaft not being used so you don’t bottom out the expensive shocks. Definitely lower tire pressure. To just when they start to feel soft when you push it with your foot/kick Much love brother. Keep kicking butt👊🏻🤘🏼 Just wanted to pass on knowledge

@bonafide9085 2 жыл бұрын

Nice!

@garymcbrien2853 2 жыл бұрын

Is this all we are going to hear now .. niceeee

@GodschildinNC 2 жыл бұрын

Nice test! Great build! I am going to also say that you need to air the tires way down. Airing down will give you more comfort and traction. Looks like you need to do a spring over; it does not look like enough rebound. 👍