Clodbuster:learning how to modify?
 

What's Up. I am interested in getting the clodbuster. I am new to the R/C hobby as a whole and want to start with a monster truck. I have read alot of threads and noticed that modifying them is very popular and intrigues me. The clodbuster seems quite bulky and needs to be simplified and lighter. It seems to me that everyone just wants the axles and everything else is modified. Do I buy a vintage(ebay) or new super clod? Can you buy conversion kits? Do I need to know how to weld? What are different kinds of mods(suspension,chassis,etc.) and why? Am I getting in over my Head?

The Clodbuster is a great truck for modifying. The best parts, as you have noticed, are the axle assemblies. The plastic tub chassis and the stock suspension leave a lot to be desired. This truck has been around for about 20 years. There are a lot of aftermarket parts for them. Before, it was to create a better handling Monster truck. Now it seems they are being used for the Super class of rock crawling.

Over the years, I have had 6 Clods. They are a blast. I would start with a Super Clodbuster and modify as your budget sees fit. One thing I highly recommend is to buy the bearing kit before you assemble it. You can easily pick up just the axle assemblies and then go to the aftermarket for the chassis and suspension too. That is all up to you. There are a number of sites that are dedicated to the Clod that have a ton of information on them. Take a look at Clodparts.com. That is an excellent source of learning what a Clod can become.

i have a CLOD... you have to get a diff frmae for sure ...

Just buy the super clod. As MickeyD mentioned, install ball bearings from the start. Add a hi-torque servo and a good esc. also 4 - 4" shocks won't hurt. Run it stock first and see if you want your clod to run faster, or try crawling later. Lots of option parts (most especially chassis) for the Clod. I have mine slightly modded with stock chassis. I like it stock, very monster truck-ish :D.

If your on a tight budget buy a Clod for the cheapest possible price and put a four link set up on the stock chassis. Add link mounts for the shocks and an axle mounted servo and your set. If you are handy with tools it's not hard to make your own chassis...Especially with clod axles!

One thing you can count on...The Clod is a fun truck if it's stock or modified and is capable of doing anything if the owner is willing to put some time and thought into it.

I am sure this will make more sense to me, when the clod kit is right in front of me, but I will ask anyway. Doesn't the kit include bearings? Are the bearings for the axles or tranny. Which bearing kit is recommended, their are a few?

no they don't come with bearing's... i got the cheap duratrax bearing's.... and i would get 2 diff's it would be a little cheaper for you...

Stupid question, as I will be asking alot of them. Does diff's mean differentials? Please elaborate. Why 2? cheaper?

The clod doesn't have a tranny. It uses the 2 axles (front and rear), perfectly identical. The kit doesn't include bearings. If you have an ebay account, these will do:

http://cgi.ebay.com/24-ZZ-TAMIYA-CLO...sid=p1638.m118

Cheapest around. Bought from this seller before.

How to start?
 

I'm a rookie too. I don't have the Clod yet, but I'm planning to buy one. I want to modify it. Do I have to buy the Clod first and than throw half of it away and replace with the mods, or can I buy the entire thing piece by piece? I would really like a 4 link suspension system. What do you recommend for me? By the way, my budget is a little tight (500$).

WOW. this thread is alive, lol.

Anyways...Just buy the axles. You will save more at the end if your intentions is getting a seperate chassis and links. Lots of clod axles on ebay with Ball Bearings installed. Or, if you like building, they are already sold seperately:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXVBT8&P=7

What are your plans? Crawling? Racing?

Hey Guys, the clod is an amazing truck. The possibilities for modifications are seemingly endless. Here are a few pictures of what my clods have become...

The Clod is a blast...

It can be difficult to make it handle at high speeds, though :lol:

I've just recently gotten into clods also. I found a used truck as a roller already with a aftermarket chassis (ESP Clodzilla 3). It also came with a complete extra pair of axles and almost all the parts needed to build a stock clod. So just a couple hundred bucks into it and I have a great start at 2 awesome trucks. I would highly recommend a clod but be ready for some tinkering and maintenance. They are alot like a real truck.

I absolutely love my clod! almost 100% done. Any development on your project CLod?