Crawler Canyon Quick(re)view: MEUS portal axles + brass

[@thindigital]

Your British English is spot on mate. I still can't do an American accent and I've been here seven years!

[@chriscord6524]

Dude congratulations, again. You have changed the KZbin community, again. From Holmes to the rocks of Utah they are reacting your style and it’s good for everyone. Good stuff my man.

[@jayleeson8517]

I love the way you have tuned all your suspension set ups, love that glorious slow sink as the rig settles

[@blakesanfilippo3591]

best rc crawler channel for sure your doing the dirty work and love it. thanks for teaching me so much and giving me the itch to build again. I've built 4 crawlers in the last 3 months and working on another. going with the all Amazon build.

[@derrickhays3627]

I completely understand sometimes it becomes a mission! great to see you had success me not always so much but the fun is in trying. As always thanks.

[@thindigital]

Classic episode, I enjoy it everytime!

[@FaithSaraG]

I love it when you do something out of sheer bloody mindedness.

[@nicholasstephey8475]

Another day of content. Thank you sir.

[@jackhando5465]

Two of my absolute favorite rigs

[@westdesertwheeler]

The whole not gonna give up thing. Been there multiple times. Turns into a cyclone of F-it decisions lol

[@Team_ReVolt]

It's really nice to see Ratchet again 🤩

[@RiceCrisp320]

Meus sells the axles individually now on direct from their website!!!

[@makertime6296]

Nice truck! Building my own LCG rig since you saved me from the Ascent...lol. Have you worked these axles hard at all? Two guys in Amazon reviews had axle shafts twist and snap rather quickly. Thinking of going with these or TRX4.

[@amie704]

I bought one set from Amazon and another set from Meus direct. the fronts where very crunchy even after I lubed them. I think the rears are ok. I am gonna use the portals with meus brass to make budget F10's. :-/

[@tristanploughman5586]

Hey! Love the channel and always learn lots. Regarding these axles, I recently purchased a set and can’t seem to get the shimming right on the front. 80% of each wheel rotation is buttery smooth but the last 20% of every rotation there’s resistance (no grinding, just friction). I’m wondering if I have a defective set of diff gears and if so what you’d recommend to replace them with? Will F10 diff gears fit? Is there an affordable replacement you’d suggest? I don’t need OD as my transmission has 30% built in. Maybe 5% UD even 🤣

[@CrawlerCanyon]

You may indeed have a poorly finished ring or pinion gear, or both. It definitely happens. Any gear for the AR44 "lineup" of axles will fit the MEUS nylon-- so AR44, AR45, F9, F10, etc. My cheap go-to gears are from AMK on Amazon, but I'm usually looking for OD and UD gears (whenever I put in a box with 30%, like a 2Low or a Creeper T, I always put either an 8/27 in the rear or an 8/33 in the front to bring the net UD down to ~20%.) I've used pretty much everything and anything in 8/30. Vanquish are indeed probably the best, with the price tag to match.

[@tristanploughman5586]

@@CrawlerCanyon Thanks so much! I really appreciate the input. The 8/33 in the front sounds perfect, I’d prefer 20-25% total OD.

[@KILLZ_7]

Can you please do a video discussing how much brass is to much and how important higher clearance links are appreciate everything you do

[@themountain59]

I would say a pound...give or take🙄😝

[@andrewhead4365]

Curious if Vanquish/Currie internals fit in these. I have a set of these on the way but was curious if the Currie portal OD gears fit

[@WreckitRalphie]

I ordered the rear brass covers. Should be here tomorrow

[@JPWirt]

Gonna have to get a set of those, even if I only use the rear.

[@Cranklotus]

What links would work best for a scx10.2 chassis and these Meus axles? I have a chassis I want to get rolling. Wheelbase would like to be around 12.3 or standard.

[@CrawlerCanyon]

amzn.to/3y6I7tt Don't use the rod ends though. They will tear on you in fairly short order. Tough to beat a link set for 13 bucks, though. I've used them... a lot.

[@Cranklotus]

@@CrawlerCanyon thanks! What ends do you suggest or use stock?

[@Bradon881]

One question on weight. For a lcg com rig, is it lighter the better, how heavy is recommended? Also the ratio of sprung and unsprung

[@CrawlerCanyon]

I don't strive for that "everything must be as light as possible" in builds, as I've found that there is definitely a point of diminishing returns in both directions. Anything under 5.5lbs RTR I consider light, and really anything under 5lbs is light. Getting the unsprung weight to at or above 50% is what I aim for, as I have found absolutely no drawbacks to increasing the percentage of unsprung-- and in reality, haven't found the point at which "axle weight becomes too much." Rotating mass can definitely start to fight you, but a 2 pound axle just seems to work. Just remember, removing sprung weight and increasing unsprung weight are the same thing, but removing tends to be free.

[@Bradon881]

@@CrawlerCanyon thank for the reply. Love your content. Keep on the amazing content 😀

[@Farmerwes]

I can’t find the info on the keys page or Amazon… these do have gear reduction like other portals correct?

[@CrawlerCanyon]

They're basically Vanquish clones. So the same as an F10 portal on standard gears.

[@Farmerwes]

@@CrawlerCanyonthanks!

[@jaymeparker27]

Nice! Would these axles be a direct replacement on the Phoenix?

[@kyleklinesmith2789]

We need to see a running video of the axles and test out the strength. I seen lots of people on amazon reviews braking axles

[@CrawlerCanyon]

ICFTW series #19 (Ratchet) and #29 (LoLo) are both on MEUS axles. I've never had a single issue with either of them. I've had the $15 bag of spare parts in the drawer for over 6 months.

[@kyleklinesmith2789]

@@CrawlerCanyon awesome cuz I’m mostly likely buying a set I can’t see my self paying upwards of 300 for f10 axles

[@fejwe]

Oh man I got guilted into picking up the Vanquish brass knuckles at the World’s Saddest RC shop, dude was saying he’d be going out of business in days. It took a fair bit of effort and brass black to get them to look decent. Those Meus ones look so much better. I’m somewhat gratified to know I don’t have the skill, patience or stubbornness to use Meus ones on my Vanquish, but I’m getting a set of those axles just to sit in the box for whatever build.

[@CrawlerCanyon]

A buddy of mine feels the exact same way about bare brass. He just doesn't like it.

[@fejwe]

If I wasn’t trying for a scale-ish look on the rig I might have left it as is but it’s a heavy patina job so the brass stuck out like a sore thumb.

[@SivartCustomRCs]

Got some Meus axles on the way for a TRX4 LCG build. Will the Axial high pinyon over/underdrive gears work for them?

[@CrawlerCanyon]

Yep. Regular AR44 gears.

[@StubbsRC]

What about running the meus shafts in the portal box? No go?

[@CrawlerCanyon]

Well, I naturally had not thought of that, so I will compare the lengths shortly.

[@mikebennett4686]

Hi Crawler Canyon! Just found your channel a week ago, already sub'd! Can you tell us, do the vanquish Internals fit these Meus portals? like the shafts and gears? i must have missed that part if you already explained it.. thanks for the great content!!✌🏻

[@CrawlerCanyon]

Front universals no, but rear shafts yes, gears yes, stub axles yes. The MEUS are centered pumpkin, so the Vanquish universals aren't going in there. I have built an F10 portal rear with all MEUS internals, and it works just fine.

[@mikebennett4686]

@@CrawlerCanyon Thats great! thanks for the response. I just ordered a set , on the canadian amazon they offer them fully dressed with the brass upgrades..little more pricey up here but.. couldnt say no... also grabbed the rebuild kit just incase

[@keldonator]

I imagine you could also use a big drill bit in a press to remove some material where the hex goes for clearance. It would weigh less of course but I imagine still decent.

[@brianmassey7563]

i got some of these coming, and i'll try that.

[@vinnyilaria2064]

Can you run ar44 ring and pinion gears in them to be able to have over or under drive

[@CrawlerCanyon]

Yes. I have OD/UD in several of mine.

[@vinnyilaria2064]

Perfect thank you been looking at them or the knock off rock jocks but wasn't sure about the gears wonder if u could swap out the portal gears with the over drive ones if one wanted to

[@ScimPeep]

great video und detailed describtion... thanks... Was looking for exactly this. I'd love to see a compact good portal with switchable diff for tight corners.... But then the Diffhousings all gets so clumsy and bulky and edgy... whereas now (jan/24) the prices have gone up significantly fro mwhat you got them for.

[@CrawlerCanyon]

Everything is the same price when I look for them-- axles are still $80 for the pair, front weights $24, diff covers $22.

[@andrewhead4365]

I see you changed the hardware on the portal covers. I had to do the same because mine were damn near stripped out of the box. Other than that they seem to be great for $80. We will see once I get a chance to run them

[@CrawlerCanyon]

If I can avoid using fasteners with 1.5mm hex, I absolutely will.

[@andrewhead4365]

@@CrawlerCanyon agreed, not sure why that’s even a thing

[@jasonkearns3041]

Why hasn't the affordable aftermarket made brass yet? I keep looking

[@Emudtx]

Do these parts fit the strieght axles ? Minus the portals

[@CrawlerCanyon]

Like... F10 straights? I don't think there's any parts commonalities between the straights and the portals other than the ring and pinion. It's all different parts.

[@Dozern90]

The cost of these axels reflect the quality control. I had high hopes for these as they where recommended but i have several issues. 1.5mm button heads will strip and many where pre stripped. I had to replace them with different hardware. The front axle has slightly Bendt shaft and i have some binding because of that. The rear axel is the worst, something is cause serious binding and the axle is making a grinding noise. Took them all apart and re-lubed but still bad. The servo on axle mount comes with two small "risers" to mount servo. Threads on both where stripped or faulty. I can not use them. The nylon seems night tough and the brass fits nicely.

[@CrawlerCanyon]

I am also no great fan of 1.5mm button heads and replace them all immediately. I have been fortunate so far with no bent or misshapen parts, no stripped screws, and really no problems to speak of. But I absolutely agree that when you're getting a set of what are essentially AR44/F10 hybrids for 80 bucks, quality control may be suspect. I'm lucky to have gone 4/4 with my MEUS axles.

[@Dozern90]

@@CrawlerCanyon Sorry for the late necro but do you know if regular AR44 Gear sets fit the Meus axels?

[@CrawlerCanyon]

@@Dozern90 yessir, the MEUS axles use any AR44 ring and pinion.

[@Dozern90]

@@CrawlerCanyon cheers

[@Bradon881]

What do you think of the mullet build? Do u have one?

[@CrawlerCanyon]

I have three. They only real downside to a mullet build is how much you generally end up spending on gears. All--Element is certainly the most economical. Performance-wise, I haven't found a drawback.

[@Bradon881]

Do u have any video of them. Would love to watch u talked about it 😊

[@CrawlerCanyon]

@@Bradon881 ICFTW 24: kzbin.info/aero/PLZRl9WrWIiCeanf3taLfx1X47mNhWsYKd ICFTW 40: kzbin.info/aero/PLZRl9WrWIiCczkfJkbXxXLIkiUswfVnLl ICFTW 46: kzbin.info/aero/PLZRl9WrWIiCd2Mf2sFgVXJmLgnFOT-Jep

[@dezfan]

You cost (save?) me to much money! 🤣 Keep it up!😎

[@CrawlerCanyon]

My grandmother had a saying every time she would buy something on sale/discount: "Look how much money I saved by buying this." I have tried to live by this philosophy. 🤣

[@Gibsonlife573]

I have heard that they are a little bit narrower them Capra axle

[@CrawlerCanyon]

Same width as an F10, AR44, etc.

[@TheHammer]

Do they not make an offset front axle?

[@CrawlerCanyon]

To my knowledge, they only make 2 sets of 1/10 axles-- these, and clones of the HD44s, which I hope to try in the new year.

[@TheHammer]

@CrawlerCanyon thanks! I'm looking to get some vanquish f10's with the offset so I can do a behind the axle servo. A lower cost option would be great.

[@nicholasstephey8475]

⁠@@TheHammervanquish bta will not bolt up to these

[@TheHammer]

@nicholasstephey8475 correct.

[@CrawlerCanyon]

@@nicholasstephey8475 Yeah, you're not getting the Vanquish BTA on here. Because the MEUS are kind of an F10/AR44 mash-up, so centered pumpkin.

[@slappomatthew]

what chassis is that?

[@CrawlerCanyon]

A one-off I made for this build. Same with the gearbox and skid.

[@JC-Nor-Cal]

I'm sold...

[@EricsRC]

What are your favorite aftermarket trx-4 portal axles?

[@CrawlerCanyon]

All of my TRX-4 axles are on stock Traxxas housings. They just work. If you put some GRC G2 hubs on there, you're pretty much set.

[@JPWirt]

GRC also sells complete axles with their knuckles already installed. I don't know if there are any other added benefits beside the metal housings & their high clearance knuckles.

[@EricsRC]

@JPWirt awesome thank you!

[@keldonator]

Howa the steering angle compared to a f10?

[@CrawlerCanyon]

Same, or maybe a bit better for the MEUS, as I think there's a little more caster in the C-hubs. There's plenty of throw.

[@zachh6058]

I wish I would’ve seen this before I bought the covers lol, I saw on fb that they fit f10s went “fuck yeah” and tried to switch them. Then ran into the figment issues with the hex and found this video lol. Oh well, guess I’ll have to buy a set of meus axles for a new rig lol

[@CrawlerCanyon]

I sometimes just think, completely out of nowhere, "a complete set of MEUS nylon axles cost less than a pair of Vanquish F10 portal weights."

[@nicholasstephey8475]

It’s 7:00

[@dbassing2897]

Are these reversed geared??

[@CrawlerCanyon]

I'm gonna guess you've read that Amazon review-- and I don't know what that guy is talking about. Reverse geared (to me) means one spins the opposite direction relative to the other, so you need a "reverse rotation" gearbox, with outputs that counter-rotate. These both spin the same direction. One of my sets is just hooked up to a 2Low.

[@jaymeparker27]

Had a chance to run them yet?

[@CrawlerCanyon]

Umm... yeah? A lot?

[@jaymeparker27]

My bad. My initial thought was that this is new install . I found the "this or that video of you running ratchet with them and the 2.2 hyrax vs CT. I appreciate all of your content!

[@CrawlerCanyon]

you can also check out the 9-ball battle, LoLo vs. Eskee, as LoLo is also fitted with a set.

[@jaymeparker27]

Sweet, thank you

[@jaymeparker27]

I ordered a set is the reason for my interest. Going to attempt 4 link ,soa, and portal swap my ecto.

[@thindigital]

Easy off strips anodizing if you want to save those hexes...

[@brianmorrison2846]

#1

[@RiceCrisp320]

I'm disappointed that they don't fit f10's...

[@CrawlerCanyon]

Well, they do... but they don't. Like, they physically fit... but they absolutely don't fit.

[@BrandonM83]

Ratchet 😁😁😁😁