by Tony Arnold - StampedeProject.com
RC Car - August 2008
Tamiya CR-01 Crawler
By Tony Arnold – StampedeProject.com
We have done more than a few crawler articles and “how to” builds. Previously the Axial AX10 Scorpion was the only performance/competition crawler kit. With the introduction of Tamiya’s CR-01, rock crawling enthusiasts now have a second crawler focused factory kit, but this time hitting the “scale crawler” market. Scale crawlers like the CR-01 mimic the performance and driving feel of real life crawling rigs and can deliver some of the most fun and challenging rock crawling available. Most importantly they look like the real deal and feature some stunning detail.
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TEST EQUIPMENT
Radio: HPI RX/TX unit
ESC: Tekin FX-R
Servos: Hitec 845MG
Motor: 540 Type (Included)
Battery: Orion 7.2V NiMh
Body: Toyota Land Cruiser (Included)
Tires: Crawler Tires (Included)
Wheels: Beadlocks (Included)
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Kit Features
Overview
I was especially impressed by was the old school marketing look and in-box packaging when I opened the kit. In-box “Got Rock?” presentation actually made me want to pull out a screwdriver and start assembly. The Tamiya CR-01 is of typical high Tamiya quality with a flood of details. Instructions and documentation are fairly clear but careful reading and having a metric ruler handy to decipher the vast screw selections are required.
Suspension
Tamiya has always been big on cantilevered suspensions and the CR-01 carries through that design DNA. The good news is the complex design works very well, and looks realistic. The advantages of the design are almost limitless tuning options and springs that can be easily accessed for tuning.
Drivetrain
The now discontinued base TLT drivetrain was a proven design that is still popular for crawler builds. At first glance you may even think the old molds were just re-used, however the drivetrain has been completely updated. Tamiya claims much higher durability on the CR-01 due to extra design attention to strength and rigidity. The axle/diff casing is now cross-braced for extra strength; the C-hubs and bearing carriers are now Scorpion/Wheelie King style parts but are clockable between 12-25 degrees for better driveshaft alignment – typically this is an aftermarket upgrade. The center crawler focused planetary gearbox/transmission has also been updated for more reliability, low CG, and higher gear ratios for crawling. As with other Tamiya kits, inserting a grub screw on the front and rear diffs convert the CR-01 from all around basher to a locked differential crawler without the need for dis-assembly - cool.
Steering
Tamiya carried over a standard and durable TLT style tie rod style steering linkage with the steering servo mounted above the differential. This configuration has become the standard crawler steering configuration for years and still proves reliable and durable. Behind the bumper and front braces, the hidden servo almost disappears for a more realistic look.
Chassis
The chassis is a very rigid realistic channeled aluminum ladder construction. Tamiya has also paid close design attention assure a low CG for improved crawling with a lay-down servo steering mount and battery mounted as low as possible. Tamiya prolifically perforated the chassis parts for nearly unlimited creativity and tuning options. I will venture a guess that the CR-01 chassis alone will become a hot part purchase for the custom crawler guys. Where the Wheelie King and Scorpion feature three-link suspensions, the CR-01 features a preferred full four-link setup, which should provide more tweaking capabilities for chassis tuning. Another notable design detail is the overall low frontward CG positioning of electrics and batteries. CG is a little higher than a stock Scorpion kit, but about the same as a stock Wheelie King.
RTR Gear
Although not a RTR, the CR-01 comes equipped with a high-turn slow go 540 type motor, a ready-to-paint body, full beadlock wheels, and tall crawler tires. The motor is a standard stock motor and performed very well with adequate slow go power for crawling and fun during general bashing. The body alone is worth buying separately – the Land Cruiser is a classic off-roader that I am stunned has not been a prolifically copied crawler body. Tamiya copied some amazing details and with the window trim and other decals make even imperfect paint jobs look great. The bolt on grill, mirrors, and LED headlight/taillight parts made this one of the most detailed bodies I have ever handled. The beadlocks are nicely detailed from a scale perspective, were easily assembled, and performed perfectly. The tires are quite possibly some of the stickiest stock tires in existence and look very realistic although they are a little shorter than class leading Pro-Line and Losi crawler tires. The kit requires an ESC, servo, battery, RX/TX unit so I installed a crawler preferred Tekin FX-R ESC, Hitec 985MG for plenty of turning power, Orion NiMh stick pack, and spare RX/TX system.
Performance Testing
As a general bashing vehicle with the diffs spinning away, the truck provided some great 4X4 fun. With diffs locked, the CR-01 transformed itself into an outstanding scale crawler. The CR-01’s purpose built intent is clear once you hit the rocks – the CR-01 was designed as a crawler. Although I found the cantilevered/dampener/torsion bar suspension initially a little goofy, it performed extremely well. The CR-01 didn’t match the performance of my competition level rigs but that is not the intent, the CR-01 should tip realistically when unrealistic obstacles are attempted. The CR-01 performed much better than I anticipated and will guarantee attention on the rocks.
What We Liked
Tamiya really did some serious crawler thinking and didn’t just plop out a kit. The CR-01 is absolutely one of the most unique original RC designs I have laid hands on with details so deep that you can’t help but to just stare at the chassis. The easily lockable difs make the CR-01 a true dual purpose RC and the details, quality, and unique design justify the price. The CG is realistic, the beadlocks lock in the soft sticky tires, the chassis is very cool and allows for plenty of custom mounting/tuning options. The body I am totally in love with, and the packaging begs you to start assembly. Tamiya has added a of ton of incredibly realistic details which will make the CR-01 a base a favorite for kit for extra scale accessories such as winches, beverage coolers, and miniature shovels. Tamiya high quality comes through in everything from the packaging to each part. The kit is far from the “keep it simple” philosophy and features superfluous engineering however the result is amazing detail passed through.
What We Would Change
Tamiya kits deliver big on fit, finish, and quality however, the $360 street priced CR-01 definitely falls into the expensive category. The kit includes a standard motor, but at this price range complete RTR electrics are expected. The drivetrain and suspension can be frustrating to assemble if you are not paying complete attention to the assembly pics. This isn’t some one night assembly kit, details requires lots of stuff screwing to stuff that screws to more stuff – plan on a week of nights for assembly. All the screws were included but just not in the bags they were supposed to be in. A couple minor instructional errors including a transmission spacer listed as a bearing.
Conclusion
If you want one of the finest quality and highly detailed crawlers yet hit the market, the CR-01 definitely fits the bill and looks stunningly realistic hitting the rocks. If you enjoy more complex highly detailed builds then the CR-01 is your kit. It’s unlikely a scale chassis will ever outperform a competition chassis due to the inherent higher CG of the scale chassis. The CR-01’s overall chassis design and included amenities all work in unison to deliver a realistic crawler that can tackle typical trail obstacles and even some more challenging higher inclined lines. From box to rocks the kit was a blast to build and drive. With a few custom tweaks it could crawl loads better and I can’t wait until I have a moment to start tweaking, but that will be another article. See you on the rocks…
SPECS
Vehicle: Rock Crawler
Type: 1/10th Scale 4X4
Street Price: $360
Class Rivals: Axial Scorpion, HPI Wheelie King, PTI Goliath, Various Crawler Creations
DIMENSIONS
Chassis: Channeled Aluminum Ladder
Suspension: Captured Springs
Dampening: Cantilevered Shocks
Sway Bars: Yes
Drivetrain: Shaft Drive
Pinon/Spur:
Differentials: Lockable Front/Rear
Bearings: Full Bearings
PERFORMANCE DATA
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Highs – Super detailed kit that is a blast on the rocks. Locked diff capability makes for a capable scale crawler.
Lows – It isn’t cheap or quick to assemble.
Final Call – Top quality kit at a top quality price.
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SOURCES
Tamiya – www.TamiyaUSA.com , HiTec - www.hitecrcd.com, Tekin – www.TeamTekin.com, Orion - www.TeamOrion.com, www.StampedeProject.com
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