skt07
Active Member
COVID-19 has resulted in me picking up some new hobbies, including RC's. I played with remote control cars as a kid and loved them, but this Big Rock is on a whole different level! My kid asked for a remote control car a month ago, so I picked up a Latrax Desert Prerunner. It was way more fun than I thought it was going to be and so much faster than what I had as a kid. I instantly knew I had to get an RC for myself. A bigger, faster one!
I managed to grab the last Big Rock available locally (I'm in Ontario, Canada) and ordered a charger and some 3s lipos from Amazon and I was all set to go. Or so I thought. Here are some tips for other new Big Rock owners that I've gleaned both from experience and this great forum.
1. Stuck wheels - Before I ran the Big Rock for the first time, I took a few obvious pieces off, like the wheels. 2 out of 4 wheels were really stuck on the pins. After removing the nuts, they would not budge. Instead of trying to force them off, I used a hair dryer aimed at the center o off the wheel for a couple minutes. They slid right off. I realized after the wheels were off that the hole in the wheel was slightly too small. I used a drill bit by hand to ream out the hole just enough so the wheels slide on and off easily.
2. Tools - the plastic tool and allen keys that come in the box will not cut it. I've already rounded off the plastic wheel nut remover, so my wheels are stuck on until a cross tool arrives. Better they are stuck on than off I guess. And as I discovered replacing the servo, the allen keys are not fun to use. I've already placed an order for some hex drivers and a cross tool.
3. Servo - the stock servo seems weak. The wheels were not coming back to center on grass. So I replaced it with the 25kg DS3225MG. It's much better and swapping the servo was pretty easy, even with the allen keys. Only issue was the servo saver was very stuck on the stock servo, maybe due to glue. Once again, I hit it with a hair dryer and the servo saver popped right off. Also had to turn the steering rate way down so the arm doesn't bump into the casing.
4. Transmitter - it's been said many times, but it's worth repeating, the STX2 transmitter is not good. Even in my limited experience with RC's, I could tell it is terrible. I've placed an order for a Flysky GT5 and eagerly await its arrival. I do like the 50/75/100 switch for when my kid uses it. I'll have to figure out how to replicate easily switching to the equivalent of the "50" setting with the Flysky.
5. Rollovers - I do notice that the Big Rock is pretty easy to flip over when taking turns fast. Not great and happens more than I'd like. I've ordered the Typhon A-arms and turnbuckles to widen the stance. If that doesn't do the trick, the Hot Racing 17mm hubs and some Badlands MX28's are in my future.
6. Body clips - I like the rubber leads that keep the clips attached to the body, but man are the clips hard to get on and off. Realized a little too late that the trick is to use some pliers to widen the opening of the clips. Too late, as I've already torn the rubber on a few of the clips.
7. Other upgrades - I have a motor fan on the way. Not sure it's needed, but it can't hurt for a few bucks (ordered an orange aluminum one from Yeah Racing). Also ordered a set of rubber sealed bearings from Acer Racing for when I do a full tear down and rebuild.
8. Granite vs. Big Rock - I was debating between the Granite and the Big Rock. After about 6 packs, I think I can say that I made the right choice for me. The long wheel base seems very stable at full speed, and when I punch it off the line, or even mid-throttle depending on the surface, I still get a big wheelie. I don't think I would like it if it were any easier to wheelie. I've done some jumping in the backyard off a jerry-rigged ramp (plywood propped up by a chair), and have managed to do backflips with the Big Rock. I imagine the Granite would flip more easily and be better for tricks, but that's not my biggest priority.
9. Still learning - Don't know much yet about adjusting suspension, shocks and differentials. I'm not sure what the different weights of shock oil do or what I need to do to maintain the differentials or what fluid to put in. Also trying to figure out the effects of changing the pinion and spur gears and if it's something that would benefit my situation. Don't fully understand gear mesh and how to do it right or what happens if it is done wrong. So not touching those things for the time being.
Sorry for the long post, but hopefully some of it is helpful to new Big Rock owners.
I managed to grab the last Big Rock available locally (I'm in Ontario, Canada) and ordered a charger and some 3s lipos from Amazon and I was all set to go. Or so I thought. Here are some tips for other new Big Rock owners that I've gleaned both from experience and this great forum.
1. Stuck wheels - Before I ran the Big Rock for the first time, I took a few obvious pieces off, like the wheels. 2 out of 4 wheels were really stuck on the pins. After removing the nuts, they would not budge. Instead of trying to force them off, I used a hair dryer aimed at the center o off the wheel for a couple minutes. They slid right off. I realized after the wheels were off that the hole in the wheel was slightly too small. I used a drill bit by hand to ream out the hole just enough so the wheels slide on and off easily.
2. Tools - the plastic tool and allen keys that come in the box will not cut it. I've already rounded off the plastic wheel nut remover, so my wheels are stuck on until a cross tool arrives. Better they are stuck on than off I guess. And as I discovered replacing the servo, the allen keys are not fun to use. I've already placed an order for some hex drivers and a cross tool.
3. Servo - the stock servo seems weak. The wheels were not coming back to center on grass. So I replaced it with the 25kg DS3225MG. It's much better and swapping the servo was pretty easy, even with the allen keys. Only issue was the servo saver was very stuck on the stock servo, maybe due to glue. Once again, I hit it with a hair dryer and the servo saver popped right off. Also had to turn the steering rate way down so the arm doesn't bump into the casing.
4. Transmitter - it's been said many times, but it's worth repeating, the STX2 transmitter is not good. Even in my limited experience with RC's, I could tell it is terrible. I've placed an order for a Flysky GT5 and eagerly await its arrival. I do like the 50/75/100 switch for when my kid uses it. I'll have to figure out how to replicate easily switching to the equivalent of the "50" setting with the Flysky.
5. Rollovers - I do notice that the Big Rock is pretty easy to flip over when taking turns fast. Not great and happens more than I'd like. I've ordered the Typhon A-arms and turnbuckles to widen the stance. If that doesn't do the trick, the Hot Racing 17mm hubs and some Badlands MX28's are in my future.
6. Body clips - I like the rubber leads that keep the clips attached to the body, but man are the clips hard to get on and off. Realized a little too late that the trick is to use some pliers to widen the opening of the clips. Too late, as I've already torn the rubber on a few of the clips.
7. Other upgrades - I have a motor fan on the way. Not sure it's needed, but it can't hurt for a few bucks (ordered an orange aluminum one from Yeah Racing). Also ordered a set of rubber sealed bearings from Acer Racing for when I do a full tear down and rebuild.
8. Granite vs. Big Rock - I was debating between the Granite and the Big Rock. After about 6 packs, I think I can say that I made the right choice for me. The long wheel base seems very stable at full speed, and when I punch it off the line, or even mid-throttle depending on the surface, I still get a big wheelie. I don't think I would like it if it were any easier to wheelie. I've done some jumping in the backyard off a jerry-rigged ramp (plywood propped up by a chair), and have managed to do backflips with the Big Rock. I imagine the Granite would flip more easily and be better for tricks, but that's not my biggest priority.
9. Still learning - Don't know much yet about adjusting suspension, shocks and differentials. I'm not sure what the different weights of shock oil do or what I need to do to maintain the differentials or what fluid to put in. Also trying to figure out the effects of changing the pinion and spur gears and if it's something that would benefit my situation. Don't fully understand gear mesh and how to do it right or what happens if it is done wrong. So not touching those things for the time being.
Sorry for the long post, but hopefully some of it is helpful to new Big Rock owners.
