RCCrawler Forums - Need help choosing next truck kit to get

Gelande stuff is usually posted in the 1.9 section, and there is some pretty good info there. I would definitely recommend searching those threads. I also recommend watching some youtube videos of D90s and D110s, as they will give you a pretty good visual of how those trucks handle and perform on different terrain. I have both a D90 and a TF2. I like them both a lot, though they're very different. The D110 will probably be my next build.

As far as out of the box mechanical upgrades, I would put new driveshafts (the stock nylon punishers don't seem to hold up well, but the steel punishers are very good) and shocks (I went with Proline Scalers on my D90 and RC4WD Emulsions on my TF2) on the list right away. If you get a TF2, you'll need to be sure to swap the shims on the front axle pinion (sounds trivial, but you'll strip gears if you don't). Apart from those things, the kits are very stout and durable. After that, it's all a question of how far you want to take each platform.

As far as pros and cons of each, I would say that the D90's biggest pros are the incredibly detailed interior and the 4-link suspension. The biggest con is that the gorgeous body and interior make the truck top-heavy, which will ultimately limit performance if you intend to comp. But if comping isn't your primary purpose, it's a blast, particularly as a trail rig.

As for the TF2, the lower center of gravity compared to the D90 gives it more performance potential, though the suspension takes some work to get there. The leaf suspension in stock configuration doesn't offer much flex, so it takes some work to get it to perform. You can get the leafs to perform pretty well with a few basic mods (adding t-boxes and shooters, performing the chino mod, putting in longer shocks front and rear), or you can swap to a 4-link setup. I chose to stick with the leafs and am very happy with where I ended up. It can go most places my SCX10 can go, though it takes more work to get there. The TF2 section has a lot of great info about how to get the most out of the suspension. I created a thread to show my progression:

http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/rc4wd...-envelope.html

A couple of other things that are worth noting about the TF2. On the plus side, the kit comes with a 2-speed transmission, which adds another dimension to the driving experience. I really like having it and make use of it very regularly. On the minus side, the transfer case bracket (which looks seriously cool) has a tendency to get hung up on rocks and roots. It's not much of an issue if you're just trailing, but you need to be aware of it if you plan to push the limits or comp it.

Ultimately, it comes down to a question of preference. They're both great kits with lots going for them, and they're both great fun to drive, especially on trail runs. If youre primary goal is to comp and get the best-performing rig between the two, I'd probably recommend the TF2 with a heavily upgraded suspension. If you want something a bit different (TF2s are very popular) and don't mind not winning the comps, a D90 or D110 is a great way to go. Or you can do what a lot of people have done - get both! "thumbsup"