Update 2026-01-19 : Added Non-Steer Portal Box (+ Dummy Servo if needed. But you can also use a real one for the added weight)

Update 2025-09-17 : Added the steering link

The PeakFinder

3D Printable RC Technical Rock Crawler

Hey guys !

Just wanted to share my project! I've been working on this design for a few years now and it's finally ready. (well... almost, still need to complete the instructions/tutorials but I'm on it)

It's a fully printable Rock Crawler that is meant to be budget-friendly and impact resistant ! (Meaning this one is not intended to be a Showroom queen / Technical Demo / Proof-of-Concept...) You can actually drive it hard on demanding terrain.

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I know there's already a few options out there for 3D-printed crawler but they're almost all scale oriented and look like they're gonna shatter in a million pieces if they fall roof-first on a rock from 2 feet high. (PLA and PETG body panels are too brittle to take impacts.)

There's nothing wrong with scale-look of course, but I'm more of a performance-oriented guy so I challenged myself to design a tough rig that can outclimb pretty much anything on the RTR market. That required being able to drive it to its limit without being afraid of breaking it in case of a fall.

So this one is meant to be an extra-slow technical crawler for extremely jagged terrain. (But not meant for speed at all. Not a basher)

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Everything you see in the pictures is 3D-printed and my own design except the obvious necessary parts.

• The body is made of TPU (flexible so it can take rock impacts)
• Gearbox is 100% PETG except for basic screws (No special hardware whatsoever)
• Axles housing are PLA+
• Rod-ends are PLA+
• Rod-ends Balls are TPU
• Tire inserts are TPU
• Wheels (and even the wheel nuts) are PLA+
• Even the drive-shafts (including U-joints) are PLA+/PETG

And you don't even need a fancy 3D-printer. I printed it all on a stock Ender3-Pro.

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Tutorial / Instructions :

(Work-in-progress. More coming soon ! )

How to print the body panels :

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRlJYamIo_g
• https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r7pq9DU6swNCZPUmq7JTS46LND2Cy-kVOEyX1lXv_b8/edit?usp=sharing

Gearbox Assembly :

Axle Assembly :

How to make you own brass/steel links (easy way) :

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What you need :

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NFZ6GJxveTKmpNrJvMiMYFG7Yp4sjz68j6MDSO_XsYE/

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Specs :

• Weight : 2625g (5.78 lbs) including a 1350mah battery (That's the biggest battery that can fit)
  Also included in the number above are these parts :
  • Brass portal hubs (Front)
  • Brass portal covers (Front)
  • Brass diff cover (Front)
  • Brass tie-rods (F & R)
  • Brass lower links (Front)
  • Stainless Steel lower links (Rear)

So it could be built much lighter without brass.

• Wheelbase : 354mm (13.93 ") (for 2.2 tires, that's what you see in the picture)

  • There is also a shorter version at 335mm (13.19 ") (Meant for 1.9 tires)

• Width : 280mm (11")

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Enjoy ! :)