1:16 Truck/Crawler 4x4 RC Chassis

This 3D-printable model draws heavy inspiration from other 1:12 and 1:16 scale models. Every component was designed from the ground up specifically for 3D printing. Not much into RC's? Check out this flexible rolling chassis instead!

Features:

• 190mm wheelbase
• full time 4x4
• no printed gears
• multiple motor options
• highly customizable; easy to turn into 4 wheel steering for example
• compatibility with some WPL parts and some MN accessories
• no soldering required (depending on your motor selection)

Compatible RC Bodies

• 1:16 80's Dodge RAM
• 1:16 Toyota Tacoma

Required Hardware

• 47x M2.3x6mm coarse-thread washer-head screws. 4 extra screws needed if using the two pieces frame.
• 20x M2x4mm countersunk screws or ideally flat-head screws.
• 16x M2x16mm screws.
• 4x ~26mm long, 4mm OD, 0.4mm comp springs. (0.5mm is too stiff. 0.3mm is very soft). I buy these longer than needed and cut them to length.
• 4x M3x30mm shoulder screw, 4~8mm of thread recommended.

Required RC products

• WPL Metal Axle: both WPL front and WPL rear kits.
• Digital Servo: 17g or 21g servos in size, choose "JR" plug
• Motor + Electronic Speed Controller:
  • WPL 180 Brushed Motor + Brushed ESC (requires soldering a JST plug)
  • MN 260 Brushed Motor + Brushed ESC (requires soldering a JST plug)
  • WPL 370 Brushed Motor + Brushed ESC + 4x M3x6mm Socket Head Cap Screws (does not require soldering)
  • WPL 2-SPD Gearbox + Brushed ESC (requires soldering the JST plug)
• RC Receiver ** or** any other receiver compatible with your transmitter
• 2S Battery: JST plug
• WPL Tires + 3D printed wheels or MN/WPL wheels & tires.

Optional/Alternative Compatible RC products

Note: These products are not required, but are compatible with this model.

• WPL Metal Shocks: replaces 0.4mm compression springs and M3x30mm shoulder screw
• WPL Metal Beams
• WPL Metal Axles + Housing

Print Settings

General Print Settings for all the .stl files

• 0.15mm layer height
• 4 perimeters, 30% infill
• PLA or PETG (tested both but axle-truss_x2.stl may be too fragile in PLA)
• All files should be printed in the orientation they come with

Note:

• Make sure you have excellent bed adhesion and that your printer is tuned correctly.
• If you're having trouble with female driveshafts, try printing them one at a time.

What to Print?

Check if frame-left.stl and frame-right.stl fits your build plate, and print them. Optionally, orient them diagonally for best fitment. If they don't fit, print the following files instead:

• frame-a-front.stl
• frame-a-back.stl
• frame-b-front.stl
• frame-b-back.stl

Print the following files in the amounts indicated at the end of the file:

• axle-diff-cover-front_x2.stl
• axle-diff-cover-rear_x2.stl
• axle-front_x2.stl
• axle-front-steering-knuckle_x2.stl
• axle-front-steering-linkage.stl
• axle-rear_x2.stl
• axle-truss_x2.stl
• axle-truss-servo-mount.stl
• driveshaft-axle-end_x2.stl
• driveshaft-cross-shaft_x4.stl
• frame-brace_x2.stl
• servo-steering-linkage.stl
• suspension-end_x4.stl
• suspension-link_x4.stl
• suspension-tophat_x4.stl

If you bought a WPL 180 motor, print the following extra files:

• driveshaft-14mm-female.stl
• driveshaft-14mm-male.stl
• driveshaft-16mm-female.stl
• driveshaft-16mm-male.stl
• driveshaft-wpl180-end_x2.stl
• motor-bay-wpl180-cover.stl
• motor-bay-wpl180.stl

For a MN 260 motor, print the following extra files:

• driveshaft-10mm-female_x2.stl
• driveshaft-10mm-male_x2.stl
• driveshaft-mn260-end_x2.stl
• motor-bay-mn260-cover.stl
• motor-bay-mn260.stl

For a WPL 370 motor, print the following extra files:

• driveshaft-12mm-female.stl
• driveshaft-12mm-male.stl
• driveshaft-18mm-female.stl
• driveshaft-18mm-male.stl
• driveshaft-wpl370-end_x2.stl

For a WPL 2-spd gearbox, print the following extra files:

• driveshaft-22mm-female.stl
• driveshaft-22mm-male.stl
• driveshaft-16mm-female.stl
• driveshaft-16mm-male.stl
• driveshaft-mn260-end_x2.stl

Optionally print the following files if you don't have a body or just want to run/test the chassis:

• frame-front-base-elecbox.stl
• frame-front-base.stl
• frame-rear-base.stl

I've included extra driveshaft lengths, which could be needed for some modifications or other models

Assembly

This video covers assembling the chassis

Help and Support

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Design reference files

Should you want to build a body for this chassis, refer to asm_compressed.stl and asm_extended.stl for an assembled view. Feel free to customize and reuse mounts.step as your own.

History

May 30 2025: Published Extra tolerance parts
Jun 20 2025: Added design reference files: asm_compressed.stl, asm_extended.stl and mounts.step
Jul 13 2025: Added Metal Shock option. Reformatted text for better clarity
Jul 14 2025: Added more motor options
Jan 10 2026: Added frame split into two parts for smaller printers
Apr 19 2026: Updated the following parts to be stronger: axle-truss_x2.stl, axle-truss-link_x4.stl, axle-truss-servo-mount.stl, suspension-link_x4.stl, driveshaft-cross-shaft_x4.stl