Gmade R1 - #1

Yes, I bought a used #Gmade #R1 off of FB Marketplace. Yeah, it's 12 year old crawler tech and totally irrelevant by today's elitist rock buggy standards. But, if you haven't figured it out by now, I'm not about promoting the latest and greatest on this channel. I can't afford to. I buy what interests me. I buy what I can afford.
It arrived set up for 4WS. However, it also arrived with two burned up servos and the shocks were seized. After some heavy duty tinkering, and fresh coat of paint on the body panels, it's ready to go.
The next move is to get some metal beadlock wheels and narrower tires. I like it a lot so far. It will take a bit to figure out and get to know how it runs and responds. But I am not disappointed!
First run at the you-know-where.
---------- Gmade R1 -----------
Gmade R1 - mostly stock, in fact, it's ALL stock with factory add-ons.
Gmade 40A ESC
Gmade 540 27T Motor
DS Servo 20Kg Metal Gear - Front
Spektrum Plastic Gear Servo 20Kg - Rear
Gmade Center Skid Plate
Gmade Front and Rear Axle Skid Plate
Gmade Shock Tower Supports

[@Br0rB]

Nice truck. It looks pretty darn capable, and it looks really cool. Like a rougher around the edges Capra, kind of. And way older than the Capra, of course. I've been looking at the manual for the R1 the last few days, as I have been building a rig based around the Injora R1 clone cage off of Aliexpress. Those shocks on your R1 are pretty much the same kind of setup as the Desert Lizards I put on mine. I went full droop when I set up my shocks, where I turn them upside down, small spring first, longer spring around the shock shaft. Lets it sit really nice and low, but extend out when needed. Seeing how this is a two year old video, you have probably figured that out already though. ;) Next up is wanting to build something similar with the newer knock-off Capra cage from Injora, with some Capra axles under it. I used Capra F9 axles for my "R1" build as well, with plenty of brass up front, and some carbon fibre 2.2 wheels and some 2.2 Tusk LPs with my own 3D printed inserts. :)

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

Well, if you watched the video and heard me talk about it, you heard that I got this pretty much almost setup through FB. I like the series coil setup with the pistons in the middle. I like the way it floats without being all sagged out. I broke the front diff on this last year and driveshaft and haven't run it since!

[@RCRoads]

I really like how the R1 looks. I don't have a crawler yet but this one really catches my eye. It seems like a good car with some upgrades and such. If and when you decide to upgrade your motor and ESC what do you think you will go with? Thanks for sharing this awesome RC. 🏆🏆👍👍

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I was the same way about the R1. I lusted after one of these for months until I finally found one that was pretty well set up on Facebook Marketplace. Honestly, I don't think I'll 'upgrade' motors per se. I really like how this one runs in here. It's no brushless rig with amazing FOC but it runs far better than I expected it to for a variety of conditions. If it burns up, i'll just throw another 35T 540 in it. Maybe a 27 turn just for a bit more low end boost. I ran this thing a lot last summer. Check out the other videos. This one is small time compared to what I put this thing through.

[@RCRoads]

@@VermontScaleCustoms Thanks for all the insight into the R1. I will definitely check out some more of your vids on this rig. 👍

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching my videos! The second video (at Cascades) is pretty good. And it only keeps getting better from there. kzbin.info/aero/PLsrXK_Tw4s_vFzGFpI7Jz9VAVPbWyur5c

[@sol029]

I got one as well. Love the look of it. Installed the high clearance bars but couldn't find the 4 wheel steer kit.

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

I stole mine off of Marketplace for $200! It came fully setup but with bad servos. I dropped a couple of 25Kg in and never looked back. One thing about these is that they hit the streets in 2010. So, parts have all but been discontinued on them. You can still get stuff from GMade in SK but it takes forever to order factory direct. People do it but just beware of the wait. While some people keep these original, there are a TON of axle choices out there that push this thing well beyond what the factory ones can do. I've seen people re-link these with a variety of different options. The entire stock drivetrain was literally the first portal axle setup for RC, so it's a bit of history!

[@santosbmx2551]

I just recently purchased the GMade R1 RTR and am having some fun playing around with it. A question if you don't mind.... what motor and esc are you running? I want to change out the motor for something slower. Im a noob to this so please excuse me. I love your build and videos btw!

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

Congrats on your R1 purchase! Good to hear you're having fun with it. To answer your question, I'm running the stock 40A ESC and motor but I'm using a Dumbo RC 4 channel radio system. It has the ability to dial down the throttle output which really helps. Honestly, if you're looking to go a little bit slower, my suggestion would be to install a smaller pinion gear. Measure the output shaft size, and count how many teeth are on the current one, and order some with fewer teeth to see which one you like. As heavy as these are, I don't know if I would run a smaller motor in them. I think gearing down would give you the results you're looking for and probably for less money!

[@hectorcontreras7216]

It does look great! Tires suck however, if you pull out the foam and cut out notches all around, you’ll get better actuation and grip!

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

Went with 2.2" Que-T Aluminum beadlock and RC4WD Mickey Thompson Baja Pro X. In between those tires and stock, I ran some Injora Super Swampers for a short time. Both of which are considerably taller and more sipes for better side grip. If you watch the R1 playlist videos, you'll see this rig has morphed into a more capable rig than what it was in this video. The Basten's 4WS Module is key. But, yeah, love this thing. Sick rig and I'm glad I got my hands on one.

[@edwardlove4300]

Really cool buggy. I'm building an old WPL truck for wheeling and living in Japan it's a waiting game for parts. I bought a new brushless ESC that came with a program card. Bench testing today had sad results. The only part that was working was the ESC cooling fan. I tried 3 different motors, nothing I'm stumped I don't know what to do. Do you have any ideas?

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

My first thought was did you use 3 different brushless motors? Did you have that many motors sitting around? A Brushless ESC won't work with brushed since brushless is three phase versus DC being single phase. The brushless ESC is a small DC to AC inverter.

[@edwardlove4300]

Yeah I bought 3 brushless outrunner motors for future projects. I bought 2 brushless ESC's. Bench testing today and both are dead in the water. I tried a new receiver, nothing! I'm going to reprogram the ESC again and see if it helps. The other ESC is an aircraft type with reverse. I don't wanna keep shelling out money for things that don't work. At this point I'm lost.

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

There must be something else causing the problem. It would seem strange to me that so much would be DOA fresh out of the box. Maybe take a look at the program settings. I personally have no experience with program cards as I run just stock and learn the throttle rate for each truck on its own. I also have only one brushed rig and it's a dirt buggy with a radio/esc combo in it. Wiring phases incorrectly on brushless wouldn't cause it to not run, either. But that is how you can alter the rotation of a 3 phase motor - just switch one of the phases. But that stuff is color for color on the hookup from what I've seen. So, yeah, no idea. it's tough to diagnose electrical problems through chat. I've been into electronics since I was in high school in EL1 & 2 and I've always had the thought that troubleshooting all starts with a meter. Trace where the power is and find out where it's not getting juice. If you've got current at the motor but it's not turning or the ESC has full power but no output, etc. Start there.

[@andyvue2418]

that is insanly capable

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

You haven't seen anything yet! The new videos are going to reveal what the R1 can really do.

[@andyvue2418]

ok

[@bambangsupriyanto9412]

How much this RC now?

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

I think the RTR is like $349 and the kit is $299. I don't know. I bought mine used and have added quite a few parts and electronics.

[@bambangsupriyanto9412]

@@VermontScaleCustoms ok thanks

[@DustyFingersRC]

Glad you found a good deal on something you had your eye on. I missed out on something recently but all my fault for stalling. Nice hearing about this rig as I am not familiar with it but as you know, I am getting more interested in this side of RC. 👍🏼

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

I'm more happy that I decided to start branching out with different brands a while ago. It obviously opens up a lot of options for getting the most out of the hobby. Like I mentioned in the description, I buy used stuff and not the latest and greatest. If I wanted to grow this channel more I'd hop on the new release train and that gets expensive to maintain. So, I just happily run obscure stuff. The thing is super fun but it does need a better wheel and tire setup. Brushless, too, someday.

[@carmodelrestodiecastcollection]

💯💯👍👍👍👍👍

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

Thanks for watching!

[@BlackSeaRC]

I'm sure that will be a huge amount of fun! I just got my first Gmade buggy. I know it isn't a new model or the best you can get but I have liked the look of the GOM since I first saw it and decided to add it to my collection. Currently building it up and I'm very pleased with it so far.

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

I just had the R1 out again today and took it to a killer spot. Got to do some stuff with it that I've never been able to do with any crawler before. It's far more capable than what a lot of the video reviews said. The tires aren't actually the worst thing, either. My only complaint is that they're vented and take on water. I saw that GOM and thought that looked pretty cool. That's sort of like a Rock Bouncer, right? Like a Losi or Capra? Does it crawl or go fast or both?

[@BlackSeaRC]

@@VermontScaleCustoms I can bet that the R1 really performs well compared with more traditional truck-based crawlers. As for the GOM, it is similar to something like the Axial Capra or Ryft. It is described as a "rock buggy" and I have set mine up with a shift servo so I can use the high/low/dig functions. I got mine as a kit and although it is almost fully built, I was waiting for a motor to come in stock so I haven't actually installed all the electronics and got it running yet. I'm planning to make a series of videos to show everything as I progress with it. I reckon it should be a good climber and also with the high range, I will be able to get a little more speed than a dedicated crawler as well.

[@cypress9735]

My GOM is by far my favorite truck I own.

[@BlackSeaRC]

@@cypress9735 Gmade seems to have been very quiet recently. Was hoping they would release some new products...

[@ScaleCustomCrawlers-SCC]

seems pretty capable as a rock buggy, love it! As you mentioned, better tires would rock this thing!

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

While not the most capable rig among ALL the rigs out there, it is by far the most capable thing I own now. I did get some better tires for it and have been running it. I've got a newer video I'm working on right now of it. Hopefully I can get it finished and uploaded today.

[@RockmanRC]

Very nice Car 😍🎉👌🏼

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

Thank you! Love the R1.

[@RockmanRC]

@@VermontScaleCustoms I am currently building an Injora Rock Buggy with HW 1800Kv. Let's see what else is coming😊🎉

[@PSYCHO13GARAGE]

Nice find man! I have wanted one of those G Made R1's forever. They look so capable. Congrats !!!

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

That you, sir! Yeah, I'm pretty happy I got my hands on one. It can definitely be modded to the nines. But man, 2.2" stuff is OUTRAGEOUS! I am so used to buying for 1" and whatever. And holy sh*t the 2.2" stuff is NOT cheap! Keep an eye out on FB Marketplace like I mentioned. You'll find one in no time. There are couple more over there now even.

[@orrc16]

Amazing rig 👍😉 good job my Friend 👍😉

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

Thanks for watching! I love my micros but I still like my 1:10 stuff, too! Looking forward to modding this one up.

[@skateluca1]

I love this chassis, congrats Bro!, Location is awesome!

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

Picked this up a few months ago and it’s been awesome. Very capable rig.

[@sbrc8725]

These are cool nice find for 200 bucks 👍

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

It's a super fun rig. Just put a new set of 2.2" W & T on it last night. It changed everything about it all over again. Steering is so much better now with narrower tires. Taller too, so it got a little more axle clearance out of the deal.

[@rfoutdoors2543]

Amazing project bro.

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

Thank you, and thanks for watching!