Tuning the Suspension on the Mini Rock Crawler Project

Today we tune the suspension on this mini rock crawler project. I bought a valve shim kit from poly performance to tune the dampening in these fox air shocks. We also test out the flex of the suspension and the 4 wheel drive setup. For this project I'm using the Fox 2.0 Air shocks. These are air only shocks and can be made hard or soft just by adding more nitrogen pressure. The fox air shocks are super easy to adjust and really light weight, perfect for these smaller projects but they can also work well in jeeps and other light rock crawlers. King air shocks are also a great option if your build is like mine, but I feel like the Fox airs have a better factory valving setup. The Fox air shocks should go together really well with the mini rock bouncer as that's really what they were designed for.
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#fabrication #rockcrawler

[@jamaicatvtv4215]

Such a cool little rock crawler! Great project and thank you for letting us in on it 👊

[@mlsargent51]

Matt of Matt's Offroad Recovery would be proud of your use of a claw hammer to do metal work! :)

[@davidkina5627]

Try putting a checkvalve on the tank vent line to eliminate fuel spill in the event of a rollover or highside.

[@Silverlyx]

Could the hose have made it worse? - the nipple has a much larger hole and the hose could get hit/snagged

[@MrDistress]

We use them on dirt late model fuel cell, fuel safe has them, with weld on option.

[@silencefiction60]

His laugh is the Best 😁👍

[@mtb_prodigy4856]

We need more channels with such original builds and stuff, you should collab with grind hard or someone, would be awesome

[@future-matze-35]

He already did al least once with the grave ninja if I recall correctly 🎉

[@DeMiAnD92]

You should ad some lights in the back of the crawler too, so you can light them up in the dark and get a ”almost” round light-view! And it will be very helpfull for you if you had to reverse of someting! 😃

[@laymanengineer7502]

YES! We go on night rides quite often and reverse lights help immensely! Not always on but on in reverse for sure. On a narrow trail, if you have to turn around, you're usually backing into bush or trees and with the front lights on, everything behind you is pitch black so you can't see anything behind you. Also, if you ride with other vehicles brake lights do help on single file trails at night.

[@tadyoshi3610]

Oh my god that toy is so awesome. Watch, Big companies will start selling mini rock crawl trucks. Like side by sides. All because of your awesome build. One thing I think you should do is put taller tires on that rig.

[@jamesarnold6059]

Guessing you've already tried, but I found fox's customer service super helpful when servicing their shocks.

[@Trevinator1990]

you should add a slightly softer rear sway bar to the rear, one that allows for full articulation while still controlling the body roll. you have basically a sports car heavy sway bar on the rear right now which is limiting the capabilities of it.

[@zoomert1204]

Super fast Matt just did a video explaining how these shocks work and how the shims effect how the shocks function. May be helpful to you or others in the future.

[@JayHaell]

Damn, just commented the same thing.

[@EJ-74]

Bet you never dreamed you would be able to park your builds on top of each other 😁

[@slotterhauze]

To increase the turning radius move the outer tie rods closer to the upper ball joint ,in effect shortening outer steering arm. Keep up the great work!!!! Love the show!!!!

[@Every_Journey_has_a_Story]

34:00 There you go... and in nine month you got a bunch of small rock-crawler runing around in the backyard... 🤪

[@TSRGarage]

Beautiful, perfect. Excellent, great engineering 👍 👏. I have an idea for the fuel cap ... chuck it in the lathe, light skim the center until the bare aluminum area is round.

[@johnramos8424]

Can’t wait to see you having a bigger shop

[@joebufford2972]

I can't wait for winrock. I live in the Smokies Foothills and lots of people around here go there. I've never been. Can't wait to see the video!

[@bryduhbikeguy]

"Dirt Bike Fab" did a pretty good video on rebuilding shocks about a month ago.What you did looked pretty good.Always nice to see you've uploaded.

[@johnharris4738]

Steel-It needs to sponsor this man! lol

[@Auguste88]

Have you thought about making two hand brakes? One for the front and one for the back. That would be easier to crawl and also give you dig capability.

[@doneblocker]

good idea, imagine one lever with 3 positions. front braked, nothing braked and rear braked. Is dangerous make two independent brakes, it should broke diffs when all wheels accidentally braked.

[@adamstone4905]

Love the way you seem so surprised in the capabilities of your creations! Dude you the man! Keep up the amazing work!

[@rayteasdale4653]

Living a dream building man size toys lol. Love it, keep up the awesome content. PS! Awesome Thumbnail

[@papatomsthoughts]

Loving it. That right front acts as a limited slip, like maybe gears are going all the way in.

[@codyswilley]

26:36 I felt your frustration lol. I love the way you build things. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. Great video and I've been a subscriber for years. Keep up the great content brotha

[@alttabby3633]

Man that kitten purrs!

[@CodyMaughan-ez5xq]

I hope you see this man! Where you have alot of bare netal products mix water n bakingsoda n use a cloth or a spunge and whipe down your frame n bare metal and i guarintee youll thanks me! Its simple and amazing one of my dads tricks! He done bodywork his hole life and alot of bodywork guys still dont know this n he learnt it from my moms father! I hope others can use this too!

[@DirtGearTv]

That things lookin sick. Can't wait to see it at windrock!

[@Rommi4x4]

Looking forward to see a 4-Steer project in future. Thumbs up so far! PS! just knuckles and link would do it, You don't need a box for the rear.

[@landrelarose745]

You watched Grind Hard Plumbing Co. Yes, so do I watch them.

[@SloppyJoe54]

Love your videos….more trophy truck please! 😀😀😀😀

[@alttabby3633]

Might consider putting a cover on that positive battery terminal being that it's inches from the frame.

[@sife3438]

You need hard rubber straps between gas tank, straps and what tank sits on. To get more turning radius. Make holes closer to center pivot point of wheels.

[@BraxxJuventa]

Great video Chris! 😁👍

[@arnicus208]

Running non ethanol fuel helps with its lifespan obviously. One thing I learned that definitely helps too is to make sure the fuel system is completely full when you park them for the season. Topping off the tank after running the engine until it’s up to operating temp then choking it to flood the system doesn’t allow room for water absorption. I don’t know if this checks out scientifically, but it’s all I’ve done for 30+ years of north Idaho winters and have never had an issue with numerous mowers and ATVs. Need to spool the front diff and put a dig on the rear end

[@mikemontgomery2132]

If you want your gas to last longer use sea foam . Look it up. Ive been using it in all my lawn mowers and my cars for years. It works.

[@snyders45331]

Loving the rock buggy you could try it out on the fire firewood pile in the background

[@legoMan104]

I think it’s about time you build a shop with some storage space 😎

[@skyfreakwi]

One more thing... Sealed containers explode vented ones do not. It may seem like it's breathing fire but it'll be fine, entertaining even. I flux core on steel tanks all the time. Dump it out light the filler hole a time or two and go! But make sure all your plastic bits are removed. (My neighbor used to fix dented tanks with a match in the filler...) Just make sure you have enough vent for pressure relief and you won't need water sucking your heat away and/or rusting your tank.

[@chrisjohnson9587]

I really enjoy watching you work I'd love to know what you did prior to utube. You are so knowledgeable I love it very interesting I could really learn a lot from you

[@BigEbikesports]

I live near Windrock and valve motorcycle suspension. When you drain the fluid, you need to account for about 20cc of fluid, meaning add that to the volume you measure when draining because there is about 20cc's of oil stuck to the inside of your shock tubes. Also clean the inside of your tubes with brake cleaner and all your metal parts before reassembly. On your shim stacks, you can soften the whole stack by going to a smaller diameter clamp shim which will be the bottom shim furthest away from your piston. Hopefully the shocks are sprung for the weight of the vehicle plus driver. If not and you are sitting too low in the stroke then a lot of the valving will not work correctly. If you need help then respond and I will be glad to assist, teach, whatever you need.

[@FangOfTruth]

Chris I like how you try to do new stuff.Also not afraid to tell us your lack of knowledge in it.With some simpler inexpensive shocks you can get by using thinner/thicker oils and maybe opening up orifices. Like Gregg at Red Beard’s Garage has done.

[@roddguy100]

I just watched this latest video. Awesome.e work as usual, but l think you better check the steering on the left side of the trophy truck. Looks like you buggered al least a tie rod climbing the left tire.

[@Self.reliant]

Hay buddy you have come along way in your builds. It's so awesome watching you grow and your mind start to understand how things should work. And I love how even if you build something wrong you still show it. I'm sure you are becoming a roll model for some young kids out there.

[@barthanes1]

It looks awesome and exceedingly comfortable with the driver position. And it has amazing capabilities. Too fun.

[@sixstrings24]

We started a truck, albeit carburetor, that had 8 year old gas in it. Ran, like crap, but we drove it about 200 feet into our garage.

[@EJ-74]

That thing is insane, Great job 👍🏻

[@DktheWelder]

So cool! It climbs well!

[@KoltFin]

2:12 They do know a little bit but not enough to help you valve your suspension. Everything matter, oil thickness,oil level, shim size, shim thickness, corresponding shims (because they also effect shim stiffness or flex). The air/springs really only have to control the weight. Thats why suspension companies charge thousands to do it. Because they have done the R&D to know what shims to install for the kind of terrain you plan on riding.

[@itsjustmoney9039]

1. You’re having to help it climb because the tires are too small. 2. The right front not pulling is likely due to the “pronged” “washer” inside the Polaris hub. It MUST be COMPLETELY flat. (Other than the 3 prongs) The fluid level is also important. Turn the fill hole to the 3 o’clock position and fill with ATF, spin it, and recheck.

[@bjpeckham9944]

Should have done a hand clutch like it had when it was a motorcycle

[@millyjr343]

I love your visions man when you build something. This project looks so mean like it could handle anything you throw at it. Very slick and very cool. You really have some real talent my friend. I plan to build one for sure now. Just restored a go kart and am now making a Crosskart. After that most likely a rock crawler now.

[@raynyhus2026]

Take a roll-over valve from a car fuel tank and install it. Plus, take the line to the air filter housing to burn off fumes. I'll be borrowing a bunch of your ideas for my build next year after my cancer treatments are over, and DR says my immune system is up to par for building stuff again.

[@leave_me_alone_im_trying_t9685]

I saw a metal protectant on another KZbin channel thats called Sharkhide. You can wipe it on bare metal and it will fill up the pores in the material and keep it from getting rusty. Its supposed to be an extremely durable coating. Your projects are really well built by the way 👍

[@janeblogs324]

27:07 takes off safety glasses when needing them the most.... Always squint when blowing, especially in a jar/bowl filled with dust/dirt powder

[@02f4irider]

Whenever i do a vent tube on a fuel cell i usually make 2 full loops about 12" in diameter, that way if you roll over it doesnt leak out.

[@emersonb5764]

With the projects you do, you should find no-ethanol gas for them. It doesn’t go bad after sitting for a few months like most pump gas that has ethanol in it. You can often find ethanol free gas near lakes, as boat people use it for their boats that sit for months at a time every year.

[@joakoc.6235]

Is awesome how well it performs, I hope the engine does not run out of lubrication at those extreme angles, and just wondering, why you didn't use a motorcycle gas vent valve? You can get it for nothing form a scrapshard bike and is just a spring valve that does not let pressure go out of the tank if it's not too high, but it does not allow vacuum to form inside the tank, and does not spill if you flip it or turn aggressively.

[@BikerBrad72]

SV650 oil starvation when leant back. Look it up. Blows em up like hotcakes

[@ipoopmuffins]

man i really liked this build. this is the sv650 engine right? a rekluse clutch would be super dope but i get that theyre expensive and you solved the issue in a great way.

[@jeeperzcreeperzz]

It definitely needs bigger tires for sure

[@caseybinion806]

Awesome that is cool glad it works

[@xpndblhero5170]

19:27 - Holy Drill Bit.... 😮 😂

[@jaymugridge1810]

I agree about the go cart parts . You need to be thinking more like rail parts . This is no go cart more a rail buggy.

[@IanFrancisco-CAPianoman]

A hand brake would also solve the hill start challenge. done it many times in my Nissan truck.

[@ChrisB...]

I sold my 99 Civic with 3 year old gas in the tank, started right up!

[@somethingelse2740]

Buy an economy sized jug of Sta-bil. Add the correct amount to every can of gas you fill up. This way all your small engines are protected, all the time. And the gas in the cans is protected. I have a lot of small engine equipment and some occasionally sit for years, haven't had any gas turn to varnish ever.

[@shanethompson7543]

Great Video

[@mattschamel6550]

What if you made a "stirrup" with a weight scale connected that you could hang on the frame and bounce your weight to see how much force is required to compress the suspension X amount of distance? You could make a scale that would sit on the floor to indicate how much it travels down when under a load. Then when you change shims you could get a pretty good idea of how much change you get from different shim configurations.

[@db1ktool105]

Damping makes you smoother, dampening makes you wet 😂 Awesome build!

[@Fabrice1970]

That would be nice to see you finishing all your projects to 100%, paint and body

[@faulknerfixesall]

hey if you want that tree removed i am sure your dad has a chainsaw or two haha. the suspension is spot on just what you want in the rough stuff

[@chetsands1609]

Love to see how you actually fabricate your whole gas throttle assembly. Mostly for duel carbs?

[@toddabbott781]

You really should have put the radiator in back and put the air filters on the side and lowered the frame a bit so you could actually see out front.

[@Michel.Joumier]

I m french good working job

[@alexwrobel8864]

You could make this rear steer very easy with 2 front Dana 30s from a jeep Cherokee and a power up power down hydro pump for a dump truck to operate the rear steer

[@gpracer270]

Awesome!

[@OdyKaz-wk3du]

Nice! But also too expensive for the kit. I would tried first thinner oil. I went on different side on my v strom, mixing the normal oil with a bit of thicker and works perfectly. Keep up the good job

[@talleneagle1974]

Easy cheap hand throttle is to use a bicycle hand brake and cable mount right on your shifter

[@travisschulz6342]

Brotha you gotta set the pressure on the shocks without any weight on them or you’ll get a false reading , and you can absolutely mess with the shim diameter just have to be careful because it stresses out the bottom Shim flexing around a smaller shim so much

[@EpiclyReckless]

34:34 such an awesome image

[@rabbyredpath3598]

Your content is amazing as always buddy, you could have just put a locking hand brake on the shift arm? That would have been so much easier I would imagine

[@BubbaB43]

Get NOCO battery, there by far the baddest battery I've ever owned. I was previously running several Antigravity Batteries and I must say these NOCO's that I'm running now are awesome. My Motorola G Stylus literally weighs more than my class 14 NOCO battery, it's nuts.

[@RandysRides]

I'm always curious on what music you're listening to . I liked the edit with the gas tank...ahhh, f (clip) lol

[@Crazyboymal]

Nice vid !!

[@timscrazycreations9150]

If you were to give this project a tilt in the suspension making the front lower than the back you could see in front better so it’s easier to drive

[@chrisbaker96]

You could also try adding a secondary clutch line into either your shifter or your brake or even behind the steering wheel so you won't have to reorient your feet on the pedals while on a hill Edit: you should definitely do rear steering! Would fix the large turn radius and just be plain awesome!

[@garypeterson9083]

The build is looking great! I particularly liked how you did the tank straps. You should use some thin rubber strips between the gas tank and the straps. This will prevent galvanic corrosion from the dissimilar metals. Have you picked a color scheme yet?

[@TrulyUnfortunate]

Thats exactly what I did with my Tacoma 4x4. It would only give about a 1/3 of the throttle but that was plenty for getting started up an incline and giving me time to go from the brake to the throttle. I used a mountain bike brake lever and a two seater brake cable and ran it through the firewall. Worked like a champ!!!

[@tuguybear930]

Electrolysis when you put iron/steel against aluminium. Put rubber strips in between.

[@ernestpfannen8920]

Good job😂 33:15

[@oilio5465]

It struggles without diff locks. If you welded the front diff you could engage only one hub for 3x4 and both hubs for 4x4.

[@mrshaneyt4356]

Can you now make those shims with your lathe or milling machine now you have that set for reference? I know nothing about them so just wondering 🤷🏻. Would be pretty handy as they are so expensive . Great work as usual 👍

[@custardcatcher5195]

maybe u could line-x or bulletliner your frames? its super tuff paint if u didnt know!

[@phillips321]

I wish you'd put bigger tyres on this!

[@JayHaell]

Superfastmatt did a video recently on shock design and tuning. Maybe you can get some useful information from that video? Maybe for future projects at least 😊

[@myurcek05]

If you shorten the tie-rod pick up location (move the location in closer to the pickup point) you will pick up more angle... On this vehicle since it's more low speed I would bet you can just drill a new hole on that tie-rod ear and get another 10-15 degrees of angle.

[@Rccrawlerhobbyplus]

Absolutely everything you do is great 👍 God bless

[@johnwhauserman]

That's a nice mud thumper you have.

[@uoislame]

something looked off with the 4 wheel drive when you tested it on the blocks. the front right didn't immediately engage like the left.

[@davidjessee7701]

Move the radiator to the back! What were you thinking?

[@frankdegroot93]

Just a question, why not put the clutch on the gear lever? Sound to me like that will solve all the issues aswell