Mini Mauler

Mondo · #1 11-07-2004, 12:40 AM

Another small-scale RTR monster truck enters the market.

Mini Mauler 2WD 1/20 scale monster truck.
Link to Website

I have one. It's really quite neat for the price.

alfred · #2 11-07-2004, 02:25 AM

hey Mondo can u please post some chassis pics, would love to see it man. Thanks

rcdriver · #3 11-07-2004, 05:29 AM

Looks cool. Wonder how it performs. Is that yours Mondo?

Mondo · #4 11-07-2004, 01:51 PM

Performance isn't too bad, it has a 180 sized motor, low C of G and short wheelbase, so it goes fairlly well.
It comes as a "true RTR" as they even threw batteries in the box.
The RX/ESC combo is good, had FWD/Brake/REV with a decent brake too. The 27MHz AM Xtals are interchangeable.
There are hope ups for it from the manufacturer as well as a full spares package.

Mondo · #5 11-07-2004, 01:57 PM

The chassis uses so many screws, it's unbelievable, but the quality is decent.
It uses friction shocks, although I am convinced that oil shocks for the Mini-Z Overland/Monster could easily be adapted to fit the Mauler.

Taking into consideration that these are cheaper than the Kyosho Mini-Z Monster in the UK, it's a great value for money truck.

Mondo · #6 11-07-2004, 02:04 PM

The steering mechanism uses a micro sized servo, as you can see, the servo is not hardwired into the RX/ESC combo.
It has a servo saver and uses tie rods for steering too.
Frotn suspension is double wishbone independant where the rear is more of a trailing link setup. Rear suspension is not independant, but that's no major setback on a value truck anyway.

Mondo · #7 11-07-2004, 02:18 PM

Well, I think it's great for a cheap n cheerful Monster truck.
The RX/ESC combo can be removed with minimum fuss and replaced with Micro class electronics for those who would want to go that route. The neat thing is, the servo that comes with the truck can still be used with an electronics upgrade.
The motor's gear meshing is done via a motor plate and not shims (like some small Monster trucks) so gearing and motor choices look prospective.

The TX isnt too bad as the picture show, being 27Mhz AM, most owners will have a better TX anyway

The manufcaturer makes the following hop ups:

4.8V NiMh pack
6.0V NiMh pack
High Speed motor (180 size)
7 piece Bearing set [6 of the bearings are the same size as those used on the front wheels of Mini-Z type cars]
Pinion set [Sadly the RTR kit does not come with additional pinions!]
Front wheel set (yellow)
Rear wheel set (yellow)[The front and rear wheels have different dish depths and fitting and can NOT be interchangesd]

Unfortunately not ball-diff for this little critter, but the planetary gear diff looks fairly decent.

As I said, full spares availability for these according to the manufacturer, so it looks like it could be a fairly long life product.

pedy · #8 11-20-2004, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mondo
The RX/ESC combo can be removed with minimum fuss and replaced with Micro class electronics for those who would want to go that route. The neat thing is, the servo that comes with the truck can still be used with an electronics upgrade.

actuly it cant

it has four wires insted of three like most servos.Iv'e got one and there a blast.funnest rc iv'e had.probly about the 10th.
look here

Mini-zMan · #9 01-18-2005, 12:36 AM

I was looking for another car to bash and I came across the mini mauler. I was wondering if this truck could compare to a stock mini-t speed wise? Also does it wheelie? I think this truck looks like it could be a lot of fun for the money.

pedy · #10 01-18-2005, 03:04 AM

willies for days my freind

if u put a six cell in there it will come close to the mini-ts

Mondo · #11 01-18-2005, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mini-zMan
I was looking for another car to bash and I came across the mini mauler. I was wondering if this truck could compare to a stock mini-t speed wise? Also does it wheelie? I think this truck looks like it could be a lot of fun for the money.

Mini-zMan

The Mini Mauler does look a little like a toy but this is one tough little sunnuvagun
I've never seen any Micro scale truck take the abuse that the Mini Mauler can, seriously.

Out of the box it's plenty fast enugh, but as pedy says, bang a 6 cell/7.2V pack into that critter and it will fly.
Oh, it can wheelie too, big time

pedy · #12 01-18-2005, 04:27 PM

i wish mine was up and running

the servo went out

540 MACRO · #13 02-18-2005, 05:12 AM

gosh,these things haul!!!! i drove one at the lhs. with a small 5 cell pack and it would run over 45mins!!! the pack was only 650mah!!! rides wheelies fo ever man. im gettin one of these. hey can a custom 6 cell gp 1100 fit in the batt box without mods??

Mondo · #14 02-18-2005, 09:51 AM

540 MACRO

LOL! That's everyone's response on the Mini-Mauler, they cannot believe just how quick these little critters are.
As I said, they look like toys, but OMF they fly and they are tough

In the leaflet there is an option for a 7.2V pack, so I am sure you can make a pack to fit the Mauler.

540 MACRO · #15 02-20-2005, 11:19 PM

hey mondo,do you know the runtime and the speed of the mini m if i put a decent six cell pack in there? the the one at the lhs run little over 45min and did about 12, has any body tried gearing it up because with a small 5 cell it didnt get hot and it would flip over from a stand still flooring of the throttle and to me it looks like there is enough power to gear it up alot,also will mrs4 pinions fit? i should be gettin one of these next week.