Editing Crankcase (G1)

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2}}
{{disambig3|Crankcase}}
:''Crankcase is a whiny [[Decepticon]] [[Triggercon]] skidplate from the dumb [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Crankcase slamevil.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|SLAM EVIL PUPPIES!]]
Nobody likes '''Crankcase''', and he hates everybody and everything. Once a geeky collection of circuits and servos, Crankcase began life as a menial janitor in the Fuel-Spill Section of the [[Ministry of Energy and Nutrition]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. The bullies of his youth put a huge chip on his shoulder, where he now carries a set of heavy guns. He'd rather use them on those too weak to retaliate, and then laugh in their faces while their [[energon]] runs out. This makes him momentarily happy; then he goes back to an endless series of griping complaints about every facet of his miserable existence. A complete jerk and slag-piece, he fits fairly well into the [[Decepticon]] military, but adds very little to it. The [[Autobot]]s certainly wouldn't want him. They already have [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]].

{{quote|Every time I take the '''tiniest''' step towards some '''loose approximation''' of happiness, '''fate''' comes along to '''shoot me in the face'''.|Crankcase|"[[Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Triggercons.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Dumb stubbies think they can just make up how my head looks!?]]
Crankcase was under the command of that vapor-brained [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] millions of years ago on Cybertron, but they couldn't even beat up a bunch of pipecleaner pacifists right. His crew completely lost the source of all knowledge and information, the [[Underbase]], thanks to interference from that chrome-brain, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|The Flames of Boltax!}} ''Things only got worse after that. Oh sure, we don't know anything that actually happened to Crankcase for over four million years, but they definitely must've gotten worse. In the present day, he had a useless job serving the equally useless Decepticon [[Triumvirate|Triumverate]]. What a bunch of bloated losers. Sure, a [[Straxus (G1)|clone]] of Megatron came along and managed to inspire Crankcase to turn on those louts, but he wound up having to do most of the work in actually blowing them away while their backs were turned. All Megatron had to do was deliver a speech and everyone suddenly loved him again. Though Crankcase said he would be glad to die as a warrior rather than endure the mockery of a life he had under the Triumviate, none of the [[Decepticon leader]]s could ever accomplish anything lasting, so who Crankcase was serving didn't matter.'' {{storylink|The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.}}

[[File:Crankcase battletrap quake the void.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6]]
''"Megatron" promised battles, but instead sent Crankcase off to find other warriors for the cause... Great, now he was a glorified recruiting agent. Soon, Megatron blew himself up and was replaced by another Megatron, but then the new one blew himself up too, and Crankcase was ordered by the [[Decepticon High Council]] to go to that miserable mudball Earth and retrieve one of the contestants for the 'Con leadership. Of course, as he suspected it'd happen, the guy didn't take it kindly to be retrieved, and instead beat Crankcase and his compatriots up, commandeered their ship, and had the bright idea to attack the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]].'' {{storylink|Rage!}} ''You didn't have to be a pessimist to know how that one would work out: grossly outnumbered, the Decepticons were quickly overpowered. Still, battered and damaged, they retrieved [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] and convinced him to retreat and fight another day. Wouldn't you know, the Decepticon Council of Elders thought this was stellar performance, and nominated him as the new Con leader. Just goes to show, you have to be a loony to be in charge.'' {{storylink|Assault on the Ark!}} Then his [[Triggercon]] "friends" abandoned him to go running off with some [[Mayhem Attack Squad]]. Slag-suckers—like joining a group with an even stupider name than the [[Wrecker]]s is going to be some sort of edge in combat. Odds were their commander would end up going mad with power and beat the circuits out of them, anyway. {{storylink|Matrix Quest}}

Later, some pathetic [[Primus|"God"]] possessed an even more pathetic [[Xaaron|Autobot]] and gathered Crankcase with a bunch of other Transformers to battle [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} Right—a swarm of mecha-ants attacking a guy the size of a planet. That was really going to work. Anyway, Optimus Prime made a really long and self-important speech, picked up [[Matrix of Leadership|some nick-knack]] he found lying around and managed to blow the evil planet-bot to smithereens. someone was probably expecting Crankcase to clean up the mess afterwards. Not a chance. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}}

Some schmuck named [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] took over the Decepticons after that, and began plotting to betray the Autobots, who had since entered a predictably doomed alliance with the Decepticons. Crankcase went along with his little band of conspirators, and the bunch of them managed to swindle the Autobots out of a bunch of their spaceship. With the Autobots stranded on their decaying world, the Decepticons were free to pick a new world to plunder. {{storylink|Exodus!}} The [[Klozian|weak little inhabitants]] of [[Klo]] put up no fight whatsoever, which was really pathetic. {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}} Then the Autobots showed up and got massacred, which was even more pathetic. THEN the Autobots all started coming back to life thanks to the [[Last Autobot]] showing up and using his mystical mumbo-jumbo on their corpses. The revived Autobots were soon back to doing annoying things like caving in Crankcase's entire skull. He knew it would come to this, he just knew it. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}
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=====Trigger-Happy!=====
At some point, a [[Decepticon Civil War]] broke out between Megatron, [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]] and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] on [[Earth]]. Crankcase and [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] found themselves on Megatron's side and had stolen Scorponok's battle plans, but the Autobots also wanted to get their hands on the plans and prepared to ambush them. Fortunately, Crankcase and Ruckus were warned of the ambush thanks to [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]] panicking and giving away his position by firing, giving the Decepticons plenty of time to escape. {{storylink|Trigger-Happy!}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[File:Galvatron rodimus triggercons aspects of evil.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3|Downgrading to short black and white strips? WHAT WERE THEY THINKING!?]]
On Cybertron in [[2009]], Crankcase and the Triggercons joined [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in slaughtering an Autobot resistance cell. The group then confronted [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]], with Galvatron successfully goading his nemesis into a frenzied fight, hoping to corrupt the Matrix in the process. Crankcase tried to intervene, only for Galvatron to order him and Ruckus back; their interference being counter to his plans. Rodimus was talked out his mania however, and he and his remaining allies managed to escape. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}
{{-}}

=====Another Time & Place=====
So once Bludgeon realized he was a lousy leader, his brilliant solution was to revive a leader that was even worse: Megatron. Crankcase (having his head un-smooshed by some idiot) got dragged along to [[Hydrus Four]], where Bludgeon had the lame idea of using [[Nucleon (substance)|nucleon]] to revitalize their old commander. "Great, another leader who talks with his fists," thought Crankcase. Crankcase was so sure everything would go wrong, he wasn't even impressed when the Decepticons captured the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] with the [[Holocaust Trigger]] and didn't even have to raise a weapon. Big whoop. Oh sure, Crankcase took his turn torturing their captives like all the other Decepticons, but he just knew the Dinobots would get free and ruin everything, he just knew it. So it was no surprise to Crankcase when he came across the [[Micromaster]] named [[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]] about to free [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. The Dinobot commander charged Crankcase and hit him with enough force to embed the Triggercon in the far wall and then took his [[Concussion weapon|concussion blaster]]. {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
Crankcase and the Triggercons were engaged by the Triggerbots and Sparkabots while attacking one of Earth's many cities. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 11|Transformers in Action: He Who Laughs Last ...}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:CrankcaseG2-7shooting.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|left|My toy's head is way lamer than this.]]
[[File:NewDawn-droppinsomekindaacid.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
Some idiot un-smooshed Crankcase's head, so he remained an active member of Bludgeon's army. That was stupid. It was only a matter of time before he would get injured again, like from the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]]'s [[acid rain]], so what was the point of repairing him? No one ever listens to Crankcase, though, so he went ahead and died when the Cybertronians caved in his chassis. {{storylink|New Dawn}}

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====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
Crankcase's complaining must've pissed off [[Jetstorm (G2)|someone important]], because he was assigned waste disposal duty on Bludgeon's team. Great—like he didn't have enough to grumble about already. What's worse, he was commanded to dispose of [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]], who Bludgeon had branded a traitor. The only thing worse than hauling garbage is hauling garbage that might suddenly wake up and eat you. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:Neo-decepticons counterpoint.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Crankcase signed up to [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s "Neo-Decepticon" insurgency at [[Fort Scyk]]. Like that would ever end well. {{storylink|Counterpoint}}

Crankcase was still hanging out at Fort Scyk when the resurrected [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]] returned to Cybertron with a [[Gene Key]] capable of turning Autobots into Decepticons. After the former Headmaster killed [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] for questioning him, Crankcase and the others had little choice but to follow him. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Three}} Scorponok assigned Crankcase to guard the [[Civil Defense Hub]] alongside [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]], [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]], and the Gene Key-tainted [[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]], but they were surprised by [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]'s resistance group and Crankcase was shot down by [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]], though the Autobot was only shooting to disable and not to kill. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Five}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{First|[[Stormbringer issue 2|''Stormbringer'' #2]]}}
[[File:Stormbringer3 NebulousDecepticons2.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Nebulos: it's... so... YOWZAH!]]
Crankcase was [[Reproduction#2005 IDW continuity|constructed cold]]. {{storylink|Remain in Light 4 of 5: Arm the Lonely|Arm the Lonely}} During the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], he joined the [[Decepticon]]s; on the planet [[Frayus]], he was posted at [[Camp Conclave]] and received his Decepticon insignia during a ceremony presided over by [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 3): Journey's End|Journey's End}}

During the later stages of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], he was a part of [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]]'s [[Infiltration protocol|infiltration unit]] stationed on the planet [[Nebulos]]. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 2|Stormbringer #2}} When the reanimated superweapon [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] invaded and began laying waste to the planet ahead of schedule, the Decepticons made a token effort to try and stop him; in the ensuing battle, Crankcase was swiftly crushed underfoot by the monster. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 3|Stormbringer #3}}

Despite being left for dead, Crankcase managed to survive his run-in with Thunderwing, and successfully escaped Nebulos and rejoined the primary Decepticon command structure. {{storylink|Kill All 'Cons}} At some point (possibly in the fight against Thunderwing), he sustained a severe head wound, which caused periodic bouts of "facial paralysis". {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement (issue)|Rules of Disengagement}} Either way, Crankcase was left traumatized by the experience, and grappled with feelings of isolation and purposeless for some time afterward. {{storylink|Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!}}

[[File:MTMTE8 CrankBAH!.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right|''And heaven knows I'm miserable now...'']]
Circa 2008, Crankcase was assigned to pilot the prisoner escort vessel ''[[Weak Anthropic Principle]],'' and was put in charge of transporting [[Misfire (G1)|Flyhigh]] to a Decepticon penitentiary. While in transit, his ship was hijacked by [[Krok (G1)|Krok]] and [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]], who sprang Flyhigh—now calling himself "[[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]]"—as part of a last request from [[Thundersaur|a friend of theirs]]. Crankcase was locked in the ship's brig for an indeterminate time, {{storylink|Kill All 'Cons}} but was eventually released; with nowhere else to go, he became a member of their ragtag crew, who took to calling themselves the "[[Scavenger (group)|Scavengers]]," and became the ''de facto'' pilot of the ''Weak Anthropic Principle''.

After the end of the war in [[2012]], [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] was restored to life, and issued a call for all Cybertronians to come home... but the Scavengers, assuming that the Autobots had won the war, set course for the planet [[Clemency]] to salvage what [[energon]] and spare parts they could find off an old battlefield. Shortly after discovering the defective suicide bomber [[Fulcrum]] and welcoming him aboard, the Scavengers discovered a crashed P-6 [[Worldsweeper]] filled with mysterious experiments. While there, they were contacted by the [[Decepticon Justice Division]], looking to torture and kill one of them for crimes against the Decepticons. Confused since there were only six of them and the Division mentioned seven, they discovered a stasis-locked [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]] inside a [[stasis tube]]. {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement (issue)|Rules of Disengagement}}

[[File:Crankcase krok whos afraid of the djd.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
The Scavengers decided to stay behind and battle the DJD by putting Grimlock out in the open and releasing him from his pod when the D.J.D. got close. At the last moment, the DJD revealed they were actually after [[Fulcrum]] but before the Decepticon could explain, the D.J.D. arrived. Krok released Grimlock anyways and the fight began. Crankcase was quickly smothered by [[Helex (G1)|Helex]] despite [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]]'s assistance and was tossed aside. Crankcase complained how hopeless their situation was until he saw an artillery of [[Cybernought]]s within the Worldsweeper. Commandeering one which he christened the ''Mighty Mega Puncher'', he quickly took out [[Tesarus (G1)|Tesarus]], [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]], and Helex, but Kaon managed to electrocute the Cybernought and electrify Crankcase inside. Tarn quickly transformed and blasted the Cybernought, destroying it.

Crankcase recovered when the fighting was over and the DJD had left for [[Overlord (G1)|another target]], whereupon they dragged out of Fulcrum that the reason the DJD had been after him was for committing an act of cowardice during the war. Crankcase recovered an unconscious Krok, whose face had been destroyed by [[Vos (G1)|Vos]]; the group agreed to fix Krok, set off for Cybertron, and use Grimlock, who was revealed to be almost brain-dead, as a bargaining chip when they got there. Before they left, they scavenged parts from their ex-comrade [[Flywheels]], who had been killed during the fight. {{storylink|Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|Who's Afraid of the DJD?}}

[[File:Scavengers IRL.jpg|thumb|300px|"...It's obvious what happened!  We're no longer mint-in-package!  Noooooo!!"]]
Later, during an attempt to rescue Misfire from the [[Galactic Council]] on the planet [[Constancy]], Crankcase succumbed to the effects of [[Solomus|Tyrest]]'s [[universal killswitch]] along with Krok and Spinister. {{storylink|Remain in Light 4 of 5: Arm the Lonely|Arm the Lonely}}

Eventually learning that [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] had seized control of Cybertron and Megatron had defected to the Autobots, the Scavengers gave up on returning home and aimlessly bummed around the galaxy for a few years. In between all sorts of madcap adventures—saving the entire universe on one occasion, and turning into [[toy]]s on another—they spent their time vandalizing [[Autopedia]] and playing "[[Cybertronian games#Shoot Shoot Bang Bang|Shoot Shoot Bang Bang]]", a game Crankcase had invented and attempted to [[copyright]] even though he didn't understand how [[trademark]]s worked. {{storylink|Some Of My Best Friends Are Autobots}} Over the next few years, Crankcase joined [[The Big Conversation]], a Decepticon social networking site, and struck up a relationship with the user "[[CONS4EVA]]"—unbeknownst to Crankcase, "CONS4EVA" was really a [[Dire Wraith]], a pacifistic sort who didn't fit in with his ruthless comrades. {{storylink|Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!}}

While en route to the planet [[Tebris VII]], Crankcase got embroiled in a game of Shoot Shoot Bang Bang when he was supposed to be piloting the ship, and as a result the ''Weak Anthropic Principle'' made a crash-landing. Unaware of why Krok had brought them there, Crankcase and Fulcrum spent the next few hours watching [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]] the "Self-Hating Decepticon;" his successful stand-up routine infuriated Krok, who pointed out that while other Decepticons had moved on, ''they'd'' spent the last few years doing nothing.

[[File:SomeOfMyBestFriendsAreAutobots-ToBusiness.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
The subsequent round of squabbling was cut short when Krok's contact, a fellow [[monoformer]] named [[Demus]], contacted the group and invited them to meet at his scrapyard to discuss a deal.  {{storylink|Some Of My Best Friends Are Autobots}} Secretly acting on behalf of the [[Adaptus|Grand Architect]], {{storylink|Animals}} Demus revealed that he wanted to buy Grimlock, offering them half a billion [[Shanix]] ''each'' in exchange for Grimlock. The Decepticons put it to a vote, and Crankcase—wanting to buy his own spaceship—voted in favor of selling the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]. The Scavengers never got the chance to solidify the deal, as Demus was caught and executed by [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Fortress Maximus]] for violating the [[Tyrest Accord]]. {{storylink|Some Of My Best Friends Are Autobots}}

Briefly managing to stun the Duly Appointed Enforcer with his cannons, Crankcase and the other Scavengers escaped from Fortress Maximus... but discovered that the innocent-looking "[[Roboid]]" dolls that Demus sold were, in fact, "[[Domestication|domesticated]]" Transformers who had been trapped in their [[beast mode]]s and lobotomized. 

[[File:Animals-StaringContest.jpg|thumb|300px]]
Knowing that Maximus would be listening in on their conversation, Crankcase distracted him by name-dropping Grimlock; realizing that Maximus would attempt to re-arrest the brain-damaged Autobot, the Scavengers, unable to [[Transformation|transform]] thanks to Demus's [[mode lock]] chips, unboxed six [[Equinoid]]s and rode to the rescue. The Scavengers caught up with Fortress Maximus as he tussled with his quarry, and after a brief standoff Crankcase was able to use his facial paralysis to his advantage, bluffing Maximus into believing that he had rigged a bomb to kill the Roboids. 

The Scavengers escaped Tebris VII in the ''Weak Anthropic Principle'' with a new purpose: to find and help all the other Decepticons out there who had been damaged by the war... after just one more game of "Shoot Shoot Bang Bang". {{storylink|Animals}}

Some time later aboard the ''Weak Anthropic Principle'', the Scavengers watched a video that was being broadcast to the galaxy at large of ''[[Lost Light]]'' crewmembers apparently counting down the time to their deaths and making funerary requests, which Crankcase said was a "bit dark". {{storylink|The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|How Bright Their Frail Deeds}}

[[File:MTMTERevolution-youvegotme.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Unable to perceive the shape of you, I find you all around me..."]]
A few months later, Crankcase, under the pseudonym "Grumpybox," made arrangements to meet with "CONS4EVA" in person, and arranged for a rendezvous on [[Earth]]. Unaware that Earth was undergoing a crisis of its own, the Scavengers landed their ship in [[New Mexico]] while Fulcrum and Krok helped him get ready for his date. While Spinister and Misfire tried to contain another one of Grimlock's periodic rampages, Crankcase left the ship to meet with his date... only to discover that "CONS4EVA" accidentally took the shape of Thunderwing. After a brief misunderstanding, "CONS4EVA" revealed his true form as a Dire Wraith and told Crankcase that he was on a spiritual quest of his own, seeking his help to perform a religious ceremony known as the "[[Crossover]]" in the hopes of starting a new life. With the help of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] washout [[MP3]], the misfits completed the ceremony of "[[Brand (deity)|Brand]] Loyalty" but only succeeded in opening a tiny portal that none of them could fit through. 

Despite the setback, Crankcase offered his friend a chance to join the Scavengers on their adventures; though "CONS4EVA" declined, MP3 was intrigued by the idea, but the Scavengers—citing Fulcrum's disgust for [[human]]s—left before MP3 could board their ship. {{storylink|Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!}}

[[File:TheTiesThatBind-ScavengersVsTreecons.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Scavengers' visit to Middle-Earth went poorly.]]
After dropping his friend off at a nearby starhub, the Decepticons continued to travel the galaxy, which eventually led them to the ruins of Camp Conclave in pursuit of a rumored cache of ultra-rare [[ununtrium]]. They emerged from the ruins of the bunker empty-handed, but discovered that the planet had become a battleground between the [[Galactic Council]], the [[Black Block Consortia]], and [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]]'s Decepticon contingent. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 3): Journey's End|Journey's End}} Unable to teleport back to their ship, they were rescued by Krok's old friend [[Agonizer]], who opened a portal that led them to his antique shop [[Troja Major]]. 

There, he requested their help (along with the ex-DJD medic [[Nickel]]) in retrieving the ancient artifact known as the [[Epistemus|Magnificence]], and teleported them to its last known location on the planet [[Confluence]]. The group discovered another Worldsweeper-class vessel containing more strange experiments, including a compliment of fully-developed "[[Treecon]]s," and while Grimlock was able to dispatch the wooden robots without much trouble the group was ambushed and taken prisoner by [[Scorponok (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Scorponok]], current holder of the Magnificence. Scorponok imprisoned the group and then worked Grimlock into a rage, leaving his prisoners to be dismembered by their ally. {{storylink|The Ties That Bind (issue)|The Ties That Bind}} 

[[File:KillAllCons-panic.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
Thanks to some quick thinking by Spinister and Nickel, the group were able to pacify Grimlock long enough for them to repair the brain damage he had suffered; restored to his full faculties once more, the Scavengers hatched a plan to make it ''seem'' as though Grimlock had torn them apart; after Grimlock requested an audience with Scorponok, the other Scavengers pulled themselves together, overpowered their guards, and ambushed Scorponok on the bridge of the ship. Scorponok revealed that he had tapped the power of the Magnificence to create an organic creature that he called the "[[Firstborn]]," powered by the extracted [[Spark]]s of Decepticons. 

Offered a choice between serving as Scorponok's commanders in his crusade against the Autobots or having their Sparks extracted, the Scavengers turned down his offer, leading them to suffer as he began the process. Using the Magnificence, Nickel managed to paralyze Scorponok long enough for the group to escape with the Magnificence and the Firstborn. Hoping to find a way to return the Firstborn's spark to a robotic body, the group opted to teleport to [[Garrus-9]], but after learning that the [[transmat]] system would be fatal to the infant, Grimlock simply took the Firstborn into his chest and pushed the others into the portal. 

The group successfully arrived at the facility... but discovered that they had accidentally teleported right into Grimlock's old cell, still locked from the outside, and that the Magnificence had gone dormant, leaving them with no apparent means of escape. {{storylink|Kill All 'Cons}} They might have ended up killing each other in the cramped quarters if not for the sudden arrival of the Autobot [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]]. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (2): The God War|The God War}}

[[File:ADanceBeforeDying CrankcaseUsedByMagnus.jpg|thumb|upright=0.95|right|"Hey, no activating my [[gimmick]] without my consent!!"]]
Curiously, Nautica believed they were all dead and inhabiting the [[Transformer afterlife|Afterspark]]. After realizing they were each seeing different environments, the illusion collapsed and they discovered their real location was [[Mederi]], the medical hub and euthanasia clinic. After some startling revelations that were relevant to other people, Crankcase and the Scavengers joined forces with Nautica's friends, [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] and the former crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]''. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}}

The rest of the ''Lost Light'' crew had been transformed into [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeaters]] by the Scavengers' old friend Scorponok, and were set upon them on behalf of a mysterious figure called the [[Adaptus|Grand Architect]]. Grimlock caught up with them, having picked up a ship and some more allies on the way, and arrived in time to start tearing through the Sparkeaters. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] rather awkwardly grabbed Crankcase and forced his Triggercon weapons to fire in order to get Grimlock's attention. The crew were diseased, not evil, and so a plan was enacted to cure them and deal with the real threats. Crankcase acted as pilot for a strike team to infiltrate the ''Lost Light'' and shut down the Architect's allies. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 1): A Dance Before Dying|A Dance Before Dying}} They managed to reclaim the ''Lost Light'' and drive off Scorponok while their other friends planetside cured the Sparkeaters. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre|Lūstrāre}}

Everyone reassembled aboard the ''Lost Light'' as a rift in space opened over the planet. Crankcase got to pilot the larger ship too, and marveled at how well it handled. Still, even at full blast, they were unable to escape the pull of the rift and were sucked into it. On the other side was the [[Benzene Cluster]], complete with five facsimile Cybertrons forged by the Grand Architect. Their arrival led to an audience with the Architect, but before he arrived for the meeting a portal opened into the [[Functionist Universe]]. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 3): Farsickness|Farsickness}} This led to the return of [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] from that parallel universe, along with the insane [[Functionist Council]] and their transforming Cybertron christened after [[Primus]] himself. Despite the dire circumstances, Crankcase and the Scavengers were impressed to be in Megatron's presence, and he in turn was delighted to see real Decepticons again after his years in the alternate timeline. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King|The Return of the King}}

[[File:ASparkAmongEmbers CrankcaseFirstAid.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|left]]
After the ''Lost Light'' had set down, Crankcase was present as everyone tried to work out a plan to defeat the Functionist Primus.  When the planet-sized avatar drew closer to them, Crankcase began the start-up procedure for the ''Lost Light'' to take off again, with the ship escaping the destruction "Primus" caused at the last minute.  Megatron ordered them to about-face, and Crankcase complied with a soldierly "As you command, Megatron", turning the ship around to confront their gargantuan foe.  {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}}  After "Primus" was forced back into planet mode, a plan was hatched to overload Functionist Cybertron's [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spots]] by opening a [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] at each one.  Crankcase was assigned to protect [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] at the [[Pious Pools]]' hot spot as the Functionists unleashed their soldiers to stop them.  Ultimately, the Matrices were opened, the Functionists were defeated, and the day was saved.  {{storylink|Crucible (Part 6): A Spark Among Embers|A Spark Among Embers}}

[[File:LL25 ScavengersOut.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|right|Crankcase only gets his happy ending if everyone else returns to the less-fun universe.  The cosmic balance is hereby maintained.]]
Crankcase went along on the ''Lost Light''{{'}}s final "lap of honor" before the ship was to be decommissioned.  He got some advice from [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] about recognizing the loved ones in your life before it was too late.  The crew voted on a risky stunt for their trip back to Cybertron, choosing to attempt a [[quantum generator|quantum duplication]] that would allow one version of the ship and crew to explore a whole other universe.  After returning to Cybertron, Crankcase attended a farewell party in [[Swerve's]] and was distracted by Fortress Maximus' leg-guns while the Enforcer of the Tyrest Accord attempted to apologize for trying to kill the Scavengers on [[Tebris VII]].  The Scavengers left the party together, heading to [[Troja Major]] and Crankcase, taking Tailgate's advice, called CONS4EVA and asked him to meet them there.

In another universe, a quantum duplication of the ''Lost Light'' arrived, with Crankcase reporting the engines having overloaded in the process.  This version of the ''Lost Light'' and its crew now had a whole new set of adventures to look forward to, although it meant that this Crankcase was separated from his dear CONS4EVA... possibly forever.  Typical.  {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}
{{-}}

===''TransTech''===
In the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]] city of [[Axiom Nexus]], [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]], [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], and Crankcase assaulted what they thought was an [[energon]] refinery, but it turned out to be a waste fuel storage depot. Eyuw. {{storylink|Around Cybertron issue 1|Around Cybertron #1}}

===Velocitron Speedia 500===
Crankcase was one of many spectators for the [[Speedia 500]] race on [[Velocitron]]. {{Storylink|Velocitron Speedia 500 Part 2}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
[[File:G1-toy Crankcase.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|You're a mean one, Mr. Grincheux]]
*'''Crankcase''' (Triggercon, [[1988]])
{{toydesigner|[[Takashi Kunihiro]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:Crankcase transforms into a four-wheel-drive off-road vehicle of indeterminate model. Similar to the other Triggercons, he has flip-out weaponry, which in his case are two double-barreled laser cannons which deploy from his [[robot mode]] backpack/shoulders using a gear mechanism. In [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], they flip out from his camper and through his windshield. The windshield HE JUST HAD WASHED, thank you very much. Some people...

:None of the Triggercons (or Triggerbots) were released in [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''Transformers'' lines. Figures that he gets forgotten as usual...

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1988/Decepticon/Crankcase/crankcase.htm More information on Crankcase's stupid toy at TFU.info.]''
::*''[http://www.botchthecrab.com/archive/instructions/decepticon/1988/instr_crankcase.jpg Pointless instructions for Crankcase at Botchthecrab.com]''
{{--}}

===''Legacy''===
[[File:TF-Legacy-Deluxe-Crankcase.jpeg|right|thumb|upright=1.66|He won't need to worry about facial paralysis, considering toys don't move.]]
*'''Crankcase''' (Deluxe Class, [[2022]])
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''TL-17'''
**''Accessories'': [[Energon]] blaster, front grill blaster
{{toydesigner|[[Mark Maher]] (Hasbro), [[Shu Umezu]] (TakaraTomy)}}<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/ChU9-v6OHgL/ Design notes] on ''Legacy'' Crankcase from [[Hasbro]] designer [[Mark Maher]] on Instagram</ref>

:Part of the third wave of ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' Deluxe Class figures, Crankcase is a heavy retool of [[Skids (G1)#Legacy|Skids]]. He transforms into an off-road vehicle in 14 steps, and comes with an Energon blaster that he can use in both modes. His front grill is also removable and can be used as a blaster as well. The plastic tolerance issues that plagued the original Skids version of the figure have also been resolved, allowing Crankcase to hold together as designed in vehicle mode.

:And yes, Crankcase's distinctive shoulder guns are present, though not in the official promotional images, but on the render on the back of the box. However, they have been ''heavily'' downsized to little more than barely visible nubs. The stock art for Crankcase's vehicle mode also has his grill blaster attached upside down and his insignia on backwards, though these are pictured correctly on the back of the box illustration.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers Trading Card Game===
[[File:W5Crankcase.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Crankcase, Data Collector''' (2020)
**'''Wave 5: Titan Masters Attack''' 
**''Rarity: '''''CT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T16/T46'''
**''Stars: ''7

:Crankcase, Data Collector is one of forty-six double-sided character cards released as part of Wave 5 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], Titan Masters Attack.

:The card features original artwork for both modes, with line-art by [[Dan Khanna]].

:This card's set was originally set for an April 2020 release, however due to the global COVID-19 pandemic the release was pushed back to May 29, 2020.
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:Movie Crankcase toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|What a waste of plastic.]]
*A [[Movie (franchise)|live-action movie series]] [[homage]] character, [[Crankcase (Movie)|Crankcase]], was released as a [[Walmart]] [[exclusive]] as a late part of the [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|live-action movie toyline]]. The [[redeco]] of [[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]] [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] was originally intended to be ''this'' Crankcase, and part of the [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'' toyline]]. Notably, his head can smoosh as part of his transformation.
*Crankcase's prototype in [http://www.botchthecrab.com/gallery/catalog_1988_b.jpg the 1987 and 1988 toy catalogs] has his head flipping down into the chest instead of just sliding into it like on the final.
*The head of ''Beast Wars II'' [[Autolauncher]] (or rather, the [[APC Auto Roller|unreleased G2 figure]] from which Autolauncher was made) bears an uncanny resemblance to Crankcase's original character model, albeit with two eyes instead of shades, not to mention the Autolauncher [[mold]] also having cannons that fold down over the shoulders.

===Foreign names===
* ''Japanese:'' '''Crankcase''' (クランクケース ''Kurankukēsu'')
*''French:'' '''4 x 4''' (France), '''Grincheux''' (Canada, "Grouch")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Legacy Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Pilots]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]
[[Category:TransTech Decepticons]]