Axial Advise! New to crawlers.

[NewbieRC361]

Hey everyone I'm new to the crawling aspect of RCs but I love the racing aspect of it. I'm 18 and I have been wanting a crawler for a while now I just looked back into it and I'm thinking of buying the Axial SCX10 Honcho RTR. Whether it is new or used I can cover it (anyone selling?;) )

I have realized the RC world is full of opportunities and customization and upgrades.

Now, I know everyone does the 4-Link suspesnion upgrade, so that will be first(maybe).

I have read reviews and have watched videos on how the stock shocks are not that dampening and they are stiff somewhat. What shocks do y'all run than? Parts number please.

Also I want it to be torquey so I have heard that 35t/40t motors and a 14 tooth pinion/12 tooth pinion is a great combination.

I'll also be running steelies with TSL's or Mud Slingers without foams, just personal preference.

Any other suggestions in upgrades? I am fully aware I can run this truck stock without upgrades but I would like to do these things before something breaks and I'm left waiting.

Also another main question, as most of the people say, I do not like the Honcho body a whole lot, but I would stick with it if I had to. Is it one of the HARD bodies or is it a flexy one? I was thinking of going Dingo body or Bronco body.

Any input I would like to thank in advance!

[nersik]

In general I would recommend running your car for a while and then decide where to start upgrades. Things will not break instantly.

I know everyone does the 4-Link suspesnion upgrade, so that will be first

New version of Honcho already has 4-link rear.

I have read reviews and have watched videos on how the stock shocks are not that dampening and they are stiff somewhat. What shocks do y'all run than?

Treat shocks with slime to prevent oil leak. Stock shocks can be adjusted with different pistols.

Also I want it to be torquey so I have heard that 35t/40t motors and a 14 tooth pinion/12 tooth pinion is a great combination.

I have 35T with stock gearing (20 tooth pinion). With 7.4V battery full throttle is a bit faster than man walking.

Is it one of the HARD bodies or is it a flexy one? I was thinking of going Dingo body or Bronco body.

They all are made of 0.040" lexan and flexible. So you less likely to break it.
Wheel bases are different. Check it before getting new body.

You can pick some ideas from earlier thread.

[BadRockNoCookie]

If you get the RTR version, my first upgrade would be to replace the stock plastic suspension and steering links with metal ones.
As for the shocks, I am using the stock axial shocks and have never had any problems with them leaking. I find that with the amount of fluid I have in them (about 85% full) that they create the perfect balance of vehicle stability and suspension flexibility. Try that and see if you are happy with it.

Other suggestions:
Move the battery tray to the front of the truck and the ESC and receiver box to the rear.

Add weight to the wheels (i like 3.5 ounces on the front wheels and 2.5 ounces on the back wheels).

Always check the wheelbase of a body before you buy one and make sure it matches or is really close to the wheelbase of your RC.

[NewbieRC361]

Ok thanks guys I really appreciate the input and suggestions. I will take them to heart and let y'all know what happens and will most likely do a "build" thread even though it's RTR but just show the customization.

Also nersik, on the newest version of the Honcho RTR are the 4 links for the suspension plastic or metal? I guess I should've added I want to upgrade to metal.

[micro racer]

The stock honcho 4 link is plastic. Axial makes a whole set for a 3 link front, 4 link rear, and steering links all in onep kit. The stock motor and gearing has a good amoint of torque, so I would wait.

[nersik]

Plastic. All info available at Axial Racing - High End Remote Control Products and Accessories

I would not rush with metal links upgrade. Start with steering links only. Plastic suspension links work good.
Go to metal links when you get new body. It may requaire custom length links to adjust wheel base. Before that it will be just a waste of time and money if you are not making links yourself.

[NewbieRC361]

Would you happen to have a part number? Maybe even a specific site you get your parts from?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

And yes the motor will most likely wait for a while.

[johnnyh66]

Steelies and TSL's do not play nice together.

Underground Crawlers makes an adapter that fits the TSL's nicely... and widens the wheel.

[NewbieRC361]

Damn I love the steelies because I ran those on my ole '94 F150 SCSB 4x4. What about the mud slingers?

[johnnyh66]

those work fine with the Steelies but they are not great tires... they are a hard rubber compound.

[johnnyh66]

If you buy RC4WD tires, look for the X2 rubber, it's much softer.

[NewbieRC361]

Hmm well that's definitely not what I'm looking for. I want a soft compound. Damn. I need to research more.

Also the Honcho body seems to look alot like a Toyota Tacoma. Mid 90's correct?

[johnnyh66]

yup, and it is a lexon body.

[NewbieRC361]

And ok I'll look for X2 rubber. And is RC4WD the best place/selection on accessories?

[NewbieRC361]

Thought so on the body. I saw an older F150 body on a crawler but I'm not sure if it was an SCX10. Looked sick, reminded me of my old truck but his was dark green mine was Performance Red.

[johnnyh66]

depends on what your looking for.

There are several great vendors here, in the vendor section.

[johnnyh66]

Originally Posted by NewbieRC361

Thought so on the body. I saw an older F150 body on a crawler but I'm not sure if it was an SCX10. Looked sick, reminded me of my old truck but his was dark green mine was Performance Red.

You can fit about any body on a SCX10.

[NewbieRC361]

I'll have to check it out when I get home. I'm really looking forward to this build!

[NewbieRC361]

Sweet! I'm trying to keep this truck looking as scale and realistic as possible. Hence all the metal upgrades (along with the performance).

Also based on performance, what do you all prefer more? The shorter wheelbase honcho or the regular/long wheelbase for crawling?

[johnnyh66]

They both have advantages/disadvantages.

I used to run longer wb's but recently have been getting shorter and shorter with good results.

If you buy some stainless steel threaded rod and Traxxas Revo/Jato rod ends, you can experiment with wb.

The Jato rod ends are .25 longer than the Revo's.