9398 - Lego Technic 4x4 Crawler

[pluto7443]

It looks like Lego tried to make it a solid, structurally sound vehicle instead of focusing on performance as much. They designed it knowing people would take it outside if it can take that sort of punishment in Conchas' outdoor video. We'll have to "test" it to see when it breaks.

[efferman]

Conchas, thanks for the video.

did you noticed on your trials, that the rear axle often (near the ball joint) is stuck an a obstacle before the tires can hit it?

to solve the problem i have modified the rear axle of my C-Mod

101_9418 von efferman auf Flickr

can please someone check at his 9398 if he has the same problem?

Edited July 6, 2012 by efferman

[Conchas]

I didn't notice such problem!

I've inspected it underside for scratches and only have a few at the front and rear "pin connectors".

Out of curiosity, no parts broke apart during all turnovers - however it arrived home without a few parts in front of the frontal axle, that I never found again (even after returning to the park and looking in the grass).

After a double check I verified they are present in the last moments of the last video I shot. So likely they felt while puting the Crawler back into the the where I took it.

[davidmull]

I didn't notice such problem!

I've inspected it underside for scratches and only have a few at the front and rear "pin connectors".

Out of curiosity, no parts broke apart during all turnovers - however it arrived home without a few parts in front of the frontal axle, that I never found again (even after returning to the park and looking in the grass).

After a double check I verified they are present in the last moments of the last video I shot. So likely they felt while puting the Crawler back into the the where I took it.

I think it performs quiet well :) what do u think of it s performance conchas?

[z3_2drive]

Nice videos, I like the durability, also this just proves how much people need to replace that diff with regular gears, and the rear axle definitely needs more torque, as it stalled almost every time.

[z3_2drive]

Can't wait to get a hold of one of these After I'm done modding it, It will look and drive like a true crawler, and I'll be sure to post pics, but I have to wait till August

[GuiliuG]

Nice videos but way too long. As it's AWS, remove differential is a bad idea for turning radious ( as I already say :p )

[efferman]

a first testrun for the c model

crawling with the included parts is possible, but i think softer springs would work better

[SheepEater]

I'll be getting one of these when it's on sale. (That means that might have to wait until next year)

Hopefully it won't get an ultra-short run like the 8275 bulldozer.

[z3_2drive]

Nice videos but way too long. As it's AWS, remove differential is a bad idea for turning radious ( as I already say :p )

Again, we all have our preferences, but turning radius w/out diff can be made up for by backing up shortly in opposite direction

[z3_2drive]

I'm currently building the axle from the online instructions, and tried it with my gear combo, and the total amount of reduction is 1:12.873. I tested it with m motor and I'm sure its more than enough torque to get my future 9398 up the rocky obstacles

[davidmull]

I'm currently building the axle from the online instructions, and tried it with my gear combo, and the total amount of reduction is 1:12.873. I tested it with m motor and I'm sure its more than enough torque to get my future 9398 up the rocky obstacles

Whats ur gear combo? Will it leave the crawler very slow? U could just use 8 tooth gear combo in the hubs!

[z3_2drive]

Whats ur gear combo? Will it leave the crawler very slow? U could just use 8 tooth gear combo in the hubs!

I replaced the two 16t gears with a 12t and 20t, replaced the diff and 20t with a half 12t and 20t,but left the portal axles as they are in the instructions. I will update with results from using JUST 8t and 24t.

I replaced the two 16t gears with a 12t and 20t, replaced the diff and 20t with a half 12t and 20t,but left the portal axles as they are in the instructions. I will update with results from using JUST 8t and 24t.

I mean just replacing 12t and 20t in portal axles with 8t/24t but keeping all the other original 9398 gears. Excuse me if my info is misleading, as I don't own 9398 or new motors, this is just my opinion

[z3_2drive]

OK, I've done it with 9398's original gears, except now with 8t and 24t in the portal axles. the total ratio is 1:11.671 So, its faster but with less torque, and still has diff. I suggest to do this, but also replace 20t w/ diff with half 12t and 20t, to give it a ratio of 1:13.897 This is an ideal 'middle' between my two tests. There are so many combinations! hopefully these explanations aren't confusing. BTW i used Sariel's gear calculator to find the final ratios.

[z3_2drive]

Does anyone think you could use the servo motor directly on the axle like this:

[timslegos]

Nice video effe. Your model looks a lot more capable.

tim

[davidmull]

Nice video effe. Your model looks a lot more capable.

tim

Doesn't look as good as the original tho :) has anyone made the B model yet?

[efferman]

yes the a model looks very good, but it is simply to heavy. btw, now i know why tlg uses the new tan 4L axles: a normal crossaxle is moving out of the hole when it is under high load. it seems that they tested their prototypes under high load to prevent something like this.

overall, i must give lego my full respect, they give us with the 9398 set everything what we need, to build a good crawler.

@z3_2drive

maybe we can made with this method a multi axle setup without a complex steering system. simply one servo per axle. but to see if the servo has enough power with a direct linkage, instead a gearrack, needs a try

Edited July 7, 2012 by efferman

[allanp]

OK, I've done it with 9398's original gears, except now with 8t and 24t in the portal axles. the total ratio is 1:11.671 So, its faster but with less torque, and still has diff. I suggest to do this, but also replace 20t w/ diff with half 12t and 20t, to give it a ratio of 1:13.897 This is an ideal 'middle' between my two tests. There are so many combinations! hopefully these explanations aren't confusing. BTW i used Sariel's gear calculator to find the final ratios.

With an increased gear ratio you should find that it is slower with more torque.

[davidmull]

Can't wait to get this now :) should be in shops in Ireland in 3 weeks time.

[z3_2drive]

With an increased gear ratio you should find that it is slower with more torque.

At least you can trade more speed with being able to climb decent obstacles. And efferman, I agree that the model is too heavy, and I really look forward to the new axle types that can be made.

[Traktor]

I have a question for those of you who are German regarding to this crawler on ebay.de:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/LEGO-9398-TECHNIC-4-x-4-Offroader-NEU-OVP-/390437525342?pt=DE_AllesfürdKind_Spielzeug_Lego&hash=item5ae7e3d75e#ht_2398wt_983

Will it take about working 30 days before it ships, or have i miss understood, because I thought he had it in stock? And do you think him/her would send to Norway, even though it is not a part of the European Union?

I guess this is not the right place to ask, but I hope someone will answer anyway. I would really appreciate it!

[DLuders]

@ traktor: Recommend that you buy the 9398 set directly from the German Shop.Lego.com website -- it's IN STOCK now and there are no "markups" (profit by resellers). Plus, you can earn Lego VIP points.

If The Lego Group's German store will not ship to Norway, you could consider this eBay auction which says it will ship "Worldwide". Using this online German-to-Norwegian translator tool, you could copy/paste the text from that auction to better understand what is being written there.

In a German-to-English translation, that eBay auction says that there are 8 available now and 2 have been sold. "Location: German Neudorf, Germany. Shipping to: Worldwide."

Edited July 7, 2012 by DLuders

[Traktor]

I do not think the german Lego shop will send to Norway. And even if they would I would have to pay 25% plus about 20 $ in handling fee to the Norwegian customs. So then it is not really worth it. I goes i will just have to way until the autumn when it becomes available here. To bad, since it would probably been cheaper to buy it from ebay. It is most likely going to cost 210 euro/260 dollar in Norway.

Thanks for the link. But the delivery "notice" still does not make any sense. Will he really wait working 30 days after I have paid to send it, or does not he have it in stock?

Edited July 7, 2012 by Traktor

[DLuders]

@ Traktor: Did you see the second part of my (edited) post above? There is another eBay auction that could get you a 9398 set delivered to Norway NOW.

That auction's terms say that the seller's deal is "Expected to close within 31-32 days after receipt of payment." So, perhaps it's not in stock yet. However, the price is good. I don't know if the Norwegian Shop.Lego.com will be offering the 9398 set soon, or whether you will have to wait many more weeks/months.

At the bottom of that auction's webpage, the seller's e-mail ( rudolphsschatzkiste@freenet.de ) is listed. You could send him an e-mail (translated from Norwegian to German, using that online translation tool above). Ask him whether you could get the set soon. If you buy it soon, you'll be the first in line when he receives them!

Edited July 7, 2012 by DLuders