Which First Crawler?

[zohsix]

Hello,

After some research here and at my local hobby shop, I have decided I like the idea of a scale, hard body crawler in kit form. I like the kits that use metal components instead of plastic and would have plenty of upgrades available.

The local hobby shop carries mostly Axial and Traxxas. I have not been able to lay my hands on kits such as RC4WD or Tamiya, which seems to fit my requirements better.

From a quality of components and engineering perspective, which kits should I be looking at?

New Guy Dan

[mass-hole]

Discussion: Did you chose the right truck for your first crawler?
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sha...2&share_type=t

[fyrstormer]

Go for broke and get a TRX-4. You might not think you need a 2-speed gearbox with remote-locking diffs, but I guarantee you will find uses for them. If the TRX-4 had come out before I bought my first scalers, I probably wouldn't own any of the other ones now.

...ah hell, yes I would, but only because I want lots of variety. In terms of pure capability the TRX-4 is top-notch. I'd say a TRX-4 for pure scale looks, an Axial Wraith RTR for semi-scale driving in harder terrain, and a Summit for "who cares about scale, I just want to drive anywhere without planning ahead" fun.

Also, don't write-off plastic parts so fast. Yes, metal parts are cool, but they're a LOT heavier, and physics doesn't scale linearly. Just because all-metal trucks drive well at human scales, that doesn't mean they drive well at action-figure scales. Plastic parts are plenty stiff for such small trucks and they make it a lot easier to achieve a low center-of-gravity.

Reference videos (the ones that sold me on these particular trucks):
TRX-4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj6KBFL2NKs
Axial Wraith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGjHc23G838
Summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMtwrLZ8Cd0

[Stray]

Personally,

I think you should get TRX4 sport Kit.

You can upgrade from there.

[GCi in ATX]

Thanks for the video recommendations, I had a similair question as the OP. In the Summit video he mentions that solid axle rigs are superior to IFS for crawling in most circumstances. Can anyone expound on why that is? I was looking at the Axial Bomber already, so it's got me doubly curious now.

[mass-hole]

I have the TRX4 sport kit and it is a very nice kit with great part fitment and instruction.

Either that or get the trx4 chassis kit and buy a hard body for it.

[zohsix]

WOW! Seems like I need to spend more time looking at the TRX-4.

Thanks Fyrstormer, well though out answer and well stated. I can see your point on plastic parts.

Dan

[MrAMath]

Another +1 for the TRX-4 kit. I prefer the chassis kit but to each his own. I don't know about the Sport kit but the chassis kit came with all electronics save batteries. The assembly guide is top notch and full color. Their packaging is also well thought out. No more parts? Must be done with that section.

Compare this to Axial kits that don't have any electronics and sometimes you have leftover parts on many trees and extra screws. And recently with my UMG build, having several addendum steps and crazy extra parts on parts trees, carrying screws from one assembly to the next. It gets a little frustrating.

Side note: I'd love for there to be some place for the curious to go for info on some of the left over parts. Like the 2-3 piece servo savers on the Axial tree. What vehicle were they for? Which truck actually had mounting points for the horns?

[fyrstormer]

I like the extra parts left over from building a kit. I can almost always find a use for them on another vehicle eventually.