Need help deciding on a Crawler

[trailjunkie]

I’ve been looking for a while and can’t decide on all the great choices out there. The Top three I like so far are the Axial SCX10iii Gladiator VS Enduro trail runner. VS RC 4WD RC4WD MARLIN CRAWLER TRAIL FINDER 2 https://store.rc4wd.com/RC4WD-Marli...2-RTR-wMojave-II-Crawler-Body-Set_p_5725.html

I’m partial to the Toyota bodies. Is there one that fits the SCX10iii gladiator?

Budget would be up to around $600 for something RTR
I have a decent charger and don’t mind spending some $$ on the battery but that should be in the overall $600 range.
I will not be competing with it but I’d like some performance out of it. Would also like to have aftermarket upgrades available. Would also like it to be somewhat waterproof. I don’t think I will be submerging it but will be out in wet terrain with it.

Right now I’m leaning toward the Axial SCX10iii Gladiator. I like all the features and the scale looks. I like th body but would like to switch it out to a Toyota if one is available.

My RC skills are pretty decent. I have several rigs. 3 SCX24, Axial Grave digger, 3 proline ambush 24th scale, and a Lodi Super Rock Rey (beast), and a couple others.

I hope I posted this in the right spot. If not feel free to move or delete.

Thank you all in advance for any input.

 

[jeeptec]

There are so many good crawlers out there. I’m very fond of the tried and true Axial scx10-2 platform. I have an Scx10-3 Gladiator. Not happy. I have an Element Trailwalker that I’ve changed the tires and wheels from 1.55 to 1.9 Hyrax and high clearance links. Very happy with that crawler.


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[Greatscott]

The Element is a very good rig, I have the kit version and very happy with it.

The Axial rig isn't bad, but it is out of scale with most rigs out there today. I have heard good and bad things about, a lot of your success or failure will depend on how you set it up.

Most RC4WD rigs like the Marlin are complete and total crap. They look nice, and make wonderfully detailed shelf queens, but until you spend about $500-800 replacing the axles and doing a bunch of mods that a $400 rig should have already came with, it will continuously break, and have lousy performance.

 

[durok]

There are companies that make adaptors to fit the Toyota hardbody style cab to nearly every chassis, including the SCX10 III.

They mount to the rocker panel area instead of using vertical body posts and body clips.

However, one thing to remember - the Gladiator has a much longer wheelbase than practically anything out there (13.9 in).

The Toyota hardbody (styrene instead of clear polycarbonate aka Lexan) models come in various wheelbases but none are near that long.

The Marlin is 11.3in. and the LWB (Long Wheelbase) is 12.36in.

You could do something entertaining like just using the Toyota cab (either the 2door or the quadcab) and then fabricating a custom longbed... "thumbsup"

 

[Phildirt]

Element Enduro kit or SSD Trail King kit. Thank me later.

 

[jeeptec]

Element Enduro kit or SSD Trail King kit. Thank me later.

I checked out the SD trail king online. What cool rig. Hum?


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[Phildirt]

I checked out the SD trail king online. What cool rig. Hum?


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If I was building a scale/trail rig my search would stop there. 1080, Holmes motor of whatever flavor, decent servo, pick an RC4wd body out, call it a day.



If I was building a trail rig/mild crawler with a lexan body and scale was not the #1 priority I would go with the Enduro kit and any 12.3 body that looks sort of real, most likely a truggy with rear cage


If I was building a pure crawler I'd have to do some research as that has never been a goal of mine, but I'm thinking it would involve some sort of flat rail lcg chassis and a fenderless cab chassis like a power wagon. Not a huge fan of buggies.

 

[rkj__]

The Axial rig isn't bad, but it is out of scale with most rigs out there today.

What is the scale of "most rigs?"


I've found very little consistency amongst "1/10 scale" vehicles.

 

[Phildirt]

I was wondering what that comment meant. They did a much better job keeping it scale than others have done by making the body fit the chassis instead of just making the body smaller to compensate for the length/keep it 12.3 compatible. Maybe he just meant it is longer, but in the real world they are silly long. I parked next to one the other day in my Tahoe and was freaking out haha. Truck has to fit in my garage or its a no-go.

 

[MAGNUMB]

"There are so many good crawlers out there. I’m very fond of the tried and true Axial scx10-2 platform. I have an Scx10-3 Gladiator. Not happy. I have an Element Trailwalker that I’ve changed the tires and wheels from 1.55 to 1.9 Hyrax and high clearance links. Very happy with that crawler"

I agree...the Scx10-3 is not that great for some reason. I'd take the Scx10-2 for sure sure over the 3. The Elements whole chassis and axle design is just too cheesy and looks rushed. Plus have a hard time fitting truck bodies to that frame as the rakes are too steep....but that transmission is incredible.

For me i'd grab the Scx10-2 and throw a Element transmission in it using the Bowhouse or Associated skid plate. Super easy swap...then you also get to underdrive the rear axle if you want.

For a more scale truck it's hard to beat the Boom Racing BRX10 for money and can order with a Toyota LC10 body! Loads better than the RC4WD and one of the smoothest drivetrains out. Don't let the price scare you off....you get a lot for it.

 

[Derka]

The Elements chassis design is just too cheesy and looks rushed. Plus have a hard time fitting truck bodies to that frame as the rakes are too steep....but that transmission is incredible.

What do you mean by the frame rake?

 

[MAGNUMB]

What do you mean by the frame rake?

Just mean the angle of the chassis rails. For me it does not allow me to use some of bodies i like without raising them too high. I think that's why the Trailwalker and sendero truck bodies look a little off scale wise....they had to design it around that chassis.

 

[Derka]

Just mean the angle of the chassis rails. For me it does not allow me to use some of bodies i like without raising them too high. I think that's why the Trailwalker and sendero truck bodies look a little off scale wise....they had to design it around that chassis.

Ah right ok. I like my bodyshells low slung. I hate seeing high bodies. I've got a Element Gatekeeper which is the same chassis and a TRX4.

I quite like the TRX4, it's a tank and well built. The Element and SCX10 II are quite similar but the Element RC does have built in overdrive. I don't think any are a bad choice.

 

[sherbs]

I would go with the SCX10-II to start with. You can build off of it as you like and upgrades are everywhere and at a lot of price ranges.

 

[trailjunkie]

Thank you all for the input. Makes me look at this a bit different. Sounds like the SCXii might be the way to go. Costs less than the SCXiii and gives me a few extra $$ for upgrades. I think wheels / tires and body would be top of the list for me. Then other performance upgrades after that.

https://www.horizonhobby.com/produc...ee-4wd-rock-crawler-brushed-rtr/AXID9047.html

 

[ScaleLifeNewbie]

Thank you all for the input. Makes me look at this a bit different. Sounds like the SCXii might be the way to go. Costs less than the SCXiii and gives me a few extra $$ for upgrades. I think wheels / tires and body would be top of the list for me. Then other performance upgrades after that.

https://www.horizonhobby.com/produc...ee-4wd-rock-crawler-brushed-rtr/AXID9047.html

I would get a 10ii raw builders kit. I say this because

I recently bought all this for around $650ish:
SCX10 ii kit
BFG Krawlers
SSD 8 Hole Beadlocks
HW1080 ESC
HH Trailmaster Sport 27t
Ecopower servo
Spektrum DX3
Traxxas GTS shocks

I know that is a little over your budget, but you are getting a very capable rig. Plus, you can easily change the shocks for example and get cheaper ones or use the shocks it comes with. Not buying the Traxxas shocks saves just under $100. Also, your price would probably drop $30-$40 just in shipping alone because shipping to me is expensive.

 

[rkj__]

If considering a 10ii with upgrade plans, definitely consider the Trail King as others have mentioned.

 

[ScaleLifeNewbie]

If considering a 10ii with upgrade plans, definitely consider the Trail King as others have mentioned.

What makes the SSD Trail King worth the extra ~$150? Is it that much more capable?

 

[Phildirt]

What makes the SSD Trail King worth the extra ~$150? Is it that much more capable?

Add up the cost of these parts:


Aluminum C Hubs
Aluminum knuckles
Aluminum panhard mount
Aluminum bumper mounts
titanium links

Edit: this is why I told you to wait for the TK lol. You can turn your 10ii into sort of one though with enough coin.


Then consider it has hardened steel axles, lockers, drive shafts, axle gears


Then think about the 50 degree steering


Not to mention the scale engine cover and fuel cell receiver box


Then ask yourself "how in the heck is it only $150 more than Axial's version"

 

[ScaleLifeNewbie]

Add up the cost of these parts:


Aluminum C Hubs
Aluminum knuckles
Aluminum panhard mount
Aluminum bumper mounts
titanium links

Edit: this is why I told you to wait for the TK lol. You can turn your 10ii into sort of one though with enough coin.


Then consider it has hardened steel axles, lockers, drive shafts, axle gears


Then think about the 50 degree steering


Not to mention the scale engine cover and fuel cell receiver box


Then ask yourself "how in the heck is it only $150 more than Axial's version"

Oh, i wasn't aware It had Aluminum Chubs.

In the 10ii kit, it has all metal tranny gears(except spur), hardened steel axles, and axle gears. It does have plastic driveshafts though.


Scale engine cover/tranny/fuel cell is cool, but just like the 10.3 your not going to see it with the body on.

50 degree steering angle is great, but is it really worth the extra money?

I'm not arguing with you, but rather stating my reasoning. Maybe my view will change if I get a Trail King.