By Brandon Wilcox

*Click pictures to open large image in new window

What is the pimp cane? The pimp cane is a competition level rock crawling chassis for the popular clod buster truck. I was very excited to test this chassis, when I first saw the pimp cane, I knew that a shockless, linkless setup would be the way to go. I was very excited to see the FedEx box outside of my condo; I ripped it open and took everything out of the box. When I opened up the box there was the backbone, the axle stay mounts and everything I needed to put this thing together. At first I thought I was missing parts, so I called JB and told him what I have received. He assured me everything was there and explained to me how a torsion chassis works. I was amazed. I couldn't wait to get the truck together.



Assembly was too easy. The pimp cane is definitely the easiest kit I ever put together. It literally took me under 5 minutes to hook up the chassis to my clod axles. JB told me I wouldn't need directions and he sure was right. Even a noob like me can put this thing together in a synch. Once assembled this chassis is bullet proof. The chassis itself is made out of strong yet lightweight aluminum. The way it attaches to the clod axles is so strong and sturdy. I don't think it'll ever come lose. For my pimp cane truck I decided to go with top of the line electronics and components, after all this will be my competition truck.



Here is everything I used:

Chassis - Pimp cane 18 inch wheelbase
Body - Custom painted superman lid
Axles - Clod axles
Motors - Integy lathe 65 turn
Speed control - Tekin Rebel 2
Radio / receiver - Spektrum DX2
Servo - Hitec HS-645MG x 2
RCguy diff lockers
RCguy steering kit
RCguy 8 tooth pinions
RCguy adjustable motor mounts
Rims - White clod buster rims
Wheels - Pro-Line Giant Trac
Y-harness for true 4 wheel steering




Once the truck was completely assembled it was about 9 at night, so it was dark and I couldn't test it outside. I decided to test it on my stairs and my couches. I couldn't believe how awesome it performed. It went up both my basement stairs and my living room stairs. I figured it would go up my living room stairs, as my roc max was able to do this. But I couldn't believe it went up my basement stairs, they are a lot steeper and have a lip in them. I went into my living room and it climbed up my 14 inch couch easy, I had another couch that was about 16' inches, went right up no problem, and then it went up my recliner which not only was completely vertical for my pimp cane, but came out toward the top of it. This truck rocks, it went over everything in my house.



The next day I was able to go outside and test my pimp cane setup. I went up to my local dam where I tested the roc max. Not only did the pimp cane go up everything my roc max and gecko2 pro went, it went up everything in the area. I couldn't find a climb the pimp cane wouldn't go up at my local dam. There was a huge boulder where I usually test my trucks that most of my trucks can't go up. I took the pimp cane right up the steep side and within 2 - 3 tries I was able to go up no problem.



Currently I have my battery mounted all the way in the front on top of the chassis; this is how the roc max kit has its battery so I just decided to do the same thing. Im surprised my pimp cane can still stand at a 90 degree stop and not tip back over. I think once I mount up my saddle packs on the axles themselves that I will be able to climb steeper and more difficult terrain.



The articulation in this truck is perfect for me. Unlike some trucks which can twist 70 - 90 degrees and twist them selves over, this torsion design limits articulation and only allows for about 6 inches of travel beneath 1 wheel. The cool thing is as I drive the truck a little more I should get a little more travel. That's one of the greatest things I love about this chassis, is that it has no shocks, and only articulates. After driving 2 or 3 battery packs through the trucks, the truck becomes very predictable as your driving it, its like nothing I've driven, its kind of hard to explain, but as you drive the truck more and more its like you have more control and the truck is being controlled by your hands instead of gravity. Just for kicks I flipped the truck on its side to see if it would tip over and it stayed level, and this is with the battery mounted on top of the chassis. I can't wait to continue to make this truck better by mounting my battery lower and fine tuning the electronics. Here is my final evaluation of the truck:

Here is an overall rating for the truck:

Design 10/10
Instructions didn't need any
Assembly 10/10
Performance on steep rock climbs 10/10
Performance on small sharp rock 10/10
Stair Climbing 10/10

Advantages:
1. Price
2. Awesome performance
3. A true torsion design, no need for shocks or links
4. Bulletproof design
5. Simple installation
6. Competition winning design

Overall rating perfect 10 "A Must Have"

Where to buy the Pimp Cane? http://www.jpcustomrcs.com/home.html make sure you tell him that CT Rock Crawlers sent you!