New Site Format
     As you know
  StampedeProject has
  become way more than
  just Stampede, Traxxas,
  to now include other
  RC brands, accessories,
  and cars. I still don't sell
  anything, I just
  enthusiastically promote
  those RC products I think
  are great.
     Take a look through
  the above links.
  I simply had too much
  information for my
  old site format.
  More fun projects
  coming...
  - Tony

  StampedeProject.com

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MS WORD DOC HERE

The Mico Engineering Gecko Crawler Chassis
Zero to Super Crawler in 6 Hours
By Tony Arnold - StampedeProject.com

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In a previous issues we used parts from Mico Engineering (RCGuy.com) for both Super Class crawler and our previous 2.2 class Rock King builds. Mico also happens to make a gorgeous all billet aluminum chassis that is not only stunning it’s a nearly decade old classic Super Crawler chassis that is still ahead of it’s time.

KIT FEATURES  
Mico realized long ago that building a Super Class crawler was challenging due to the fabrication required.  The result were “Combo Kits”  featuring fully billet machined Gecko aluminum chassis with every little servo & motor mount, steering kit, pinion, and chassis piece needed to bolt up to an industry standard Clodbuster axle set. The kit has evolved to include a very refined standard chassis and also a Pro Comp 60/40 chassis.  The 60/40 Pro kit we used features a longer rear and shorter front arms to provide a front weight bias and improved crawling abilities.   

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When paired with Tamiya's new Clodbuster Axle only kit included in RCP Crawlers complete Stage 4 kit Clodbuster Axle kit, the Mico Gecko Chassis Kit becomes the easiest and fastest path to building a killer custom Super Class crawler.  Pull the partially assembled Gecko chassis from the box, bolt it to the RCP Stage 4 Clod Axles and all that is needed is shocks, tires, wheels, and electrics. Paint a body and go crawling.

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Kit Inclusions:  $285
* Full Gecko Crawler Chassis
* Servo & Motor Mounts & Pinions  
* Full Set Suspension Links
* Steering Kit  
* Battery Tray

Extras:  
* RCP Stage 4 Clod Axles $175  
* Bender Customs 12mm - 23mm wheel adapters $30
* Proline Moab XL 40 series tires & Cheyenne Beadlocks $130  
* Proline Crowd Pleaser body $25
* Traxxas Maxx shocks & Trinity 110 WT shock oil $30
* (2) Tekin FX-R ESCs & 55T Motors $125 each
* Hitec CRX Spectra 3-Channel Synthesized RX/TX $270
* Hitec 7955TG Servos  $120 each
* Enerland/A123 2S 7.2V 25C LiPo $60
* Punk RC Programmable Computer $80

Total $1290  
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ASSEMBLY  
Front start to finish this build was done in under six hours including painting the Pro-Line Crowd Pleaser body.  The chassis comes partially assembled and only required the attachment of the rear arm set for the chassis to be “bolt on” ready.  Prep the RCP Stage 4 Clod Axles with the Mico steering kit, adjustable motor mount, Tekin crawler motor, servo mounts and servos and you are just a couple steps away from crawling.  Traxxas Maxx shocks were set up with Associated 110Wt oil and stock springs.  I added 12 oz. of traction increasing strip weights to the Pro-Line Cheyenne Beadlocks, and attached XL Moab tires along with Bender Customs 12mm-23mm wheel adapters to upsize to 23MM hexes and finished assembly.   

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ELECTRICS
Based on the love I felt for my Hitec PCX 3-Channel synthesized RX/TX system and my PRC-PC (Punk RC Programmable Computer) in our last Super Class Crawler build, I used the same setup.  The PRC-PC imitates the function of a 4-channel system via use of the third channel as a trigger to change from two-wheel, to four-wheel, to crab walk steering modes, and even allows both front and rear dig for pivoting turns.  Dual Tekin ESC/Motor Crawler Combos and 333oz./in. Hitec 7955TG servo were used to spin and steer the wheels.  The Gecko has a integrated battery tray.  The tray was a little tight but I squeezed in an Enerland hard case 25C Lipo 7.2V pack to deliver system power.  

[IMG11.JPG]{CAPTION - The electric could have been mounted on the underside of the top chassis plate for security and lower CG ...but then you would miss how pretty all the electrics look.}

TESTING & CONCLUSION  
Flying through the build, I had not stopped to gaze at one of the most beautifully crafted and finished crawler chassis available.  The fit and finish is stunning…hmmm shiny aluminum.  I have to admit the build actually took five hours but I had to count the hour I spent staring at the chassis.   From Zero to Super Crawler is six hours is fast considering just a couple years ago, we would have spent months chasing down parts from everywhere.  The Gecko is not new, in fact the first version was available back 2000, but still delivers performance that regularly puts it in the podium seat.   The Pro Gecko kit came very close to matching the ability of my RCP Hustler crawler with near vertical assents and clawed its way between the most demanding Pro-Line Gatemarkers.  The Mico Gecko brings something different with a simply stunning show quality billet aluminum chassis and the ability to use a more typical body instead of a tube style chassis design. Wither you are building a hard-core competition level Super Crawler or a gorgeous 16”+ wheelbase Super Crawler shelf queen, the Mico Gecko chassis has always been one of the finest crawler chassis available. See you on the rocks…

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EQUIPMENT USED

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SOURCES: Mico Engineering – www.RCGuy.com, RCP Crawlers – www.RCPCrawlers.com, Tekin – www.TeamTekin.com, Hitec – www.HitecRCD.com, Pro-Line – www.Pro-LineRacing.com, Enerland – www.Enerland.com, Bender Customs – www.BenderCustoms.com, PunkRC - www.ClodModRacing.com