Phoenix vs/ other VP trucks?

[terrible]

I'm really liking my Phoenix so far. I have about 6-10 hours of run time on it with zero issues. I'm thinking about picking up another VP truck to add to the stable and maybe replace one of my other trucks with it. My other rigs are 2 different element enduro trucks. One with a generic jeep hard body and the other with a modified stock grey body and flat bed.

Both of those trucks have a lot of mods and run time on them. I really like them both but the performance of the phoenix can't be denied.

With that being said, is the phoenix better than the other VP trucks? I see that none of the other VP trucks come with the shift-able dig and OD feature. Can it be added to the stock trans and what is it going to cost me? Would I be better off building another phoenix and swapping the body?

With the price of the phoenix being almost half the other VP's would I still be money ahead to wait for more phoenix to come in stock? Thanks for any advice/input!

 

[JMo]

The aluminium axles are basically what you're paying for with the higher-end/priced kits... and depending on the model, you do have a choice of straight as well as portal axles of course.

However, if you're mainly interested in building a runner, I'd personally go for another Phoenix kit, and as you say, buy the Pro/Ultra Scout style body and mount that using the traditional body-posts on the shock towers - all those parts are available as spares from Vanquish. You can even buy the moulded Pro/Ultra bumpers to complete the look.

The aficionados will tell you there are various upgrades included in the Pro kit transmission (the Ultra as I recall uses exactly the same transmission as you get in the regular VFD transmission kit) - machined gears, metal stand-offs and motor plates - but again, all of these components are available as spare parts should you ever feel the need to upgrade - while it's going to be far more expensive to add a [separate] DIG to the previous VFD transmission than to use the Twin version transmission which already has it built in.

Don't get me wrong, I've love a VS4-10 with the pukka machined Currie axles, (and the optional aluminium shock towers and all the other parts Vanquish offer!) - but you could probably buy two more Phoenix kits for the price of one Ultra and the additional aluminium upgrades...

And if the moulded Phoenix parts ever do get damaged beyond being serviceable (which I very much doubt), you could always ultimately spring for their aluminium axles in future?

...something to consider?

 

[Lashlee]

I have a Phoenix with some of the upgrades that JMo mentioned (aluminum motor plate, standoffs, and the bearing plates) as well as an Ultra with the same upgrades along with the VFD dig. I haven't ran my Phoenix yet (stupid work...) but when I do I plan on running my two back to back to see if there is a difference. I know my Ultra is a very capable kit truck (along with my TGH Sherpa and GSpeed V3) so I don't feel the machined axles are really necessary (but they are purdy!). My biggest complaint of the both are the shocks. I've tried to rebuild the Ultra shocks about 6 times before I gave up on them, and I had trouble with the collars on the Phoenix shocks. In general, you won't go wrong with another Vanquish product.

 

[Panther6834]

If you love the portal axles, but would prefer something heavier (ie. machined aluminum), then get the VS4-10 Ultra, followed by the transmission & shock tower upgrades previously mentioned. If you want a straight axle, get the VS4-10 Pro (no need for transmission upgrades, as the kit already includes them). Either of these two options can have the dig added.

If you're looking for something truly performance-oriented (ie. comp level, especially for C2), and don't mind spending even more money, you might consider something like a Gspeed V3/VFD hybrid. For that, you'd need to purchase a Gspeed V3 chassis kit, the VFD skid, VFD trans, the aforementioned VFD aluminum & machined upgrade parts...and, either a set of the VFD Portal axles (which Vanquish sells completely built), or the parts to build a set of D44 axles. Line I said, this route will cost more $$...but, you also end up with a comp level vehicle.

Regarding the shocks...I admit, they are a serious PitA. Some are replacing them with Enduro shocks. I'll be replacing my Phoenix shocks with Traxxas GTS shocks (tho, I do have another use for the Phoenix shocks).


~ More peace, love, and kindness would make the world a much better place

 

[Topher Builds]

I kind of feel like the ultra is outdated. With the Phoenix portals and the 10.3 portals out I’d say the ultra portals are the 3rd best option vanquish offers.

IMO the best VS410 platform isn’t one that you can get out of a full kit. I’d take the the Phoenix chassis, transmission, and shocks but then slap some D44’s under if you’re into straight axles, or some VP housed 10.3 portal axles if you’re into portals. Add some hop ups to the VFD twin transmission if you’d like and it would be a pretty serious machine.

 

[Panther6834]

I kind of feel like the ultra is outdated. With the Phoenix portals and the 10.3 portals out I’d say the ultra portals are the 3rd best option vanquish offers.

IMO the best VS410 platform isn’t one that you can get out of a full kit. I’d take the the Phoenix chassis, transmission, and shocks but then slap some D44’s under if you’re into straight axles, or some VP housed 10.3 portal axles if you’re into portals. Add some hop ups to the VFD twin transmission if you’d like and it would be a pretty serious machine.

Your "suggestion" sorta-kinda matches how I'll be building my Phoenix. Don't want to give away all the spoilers...but, I won't be running portals, or plastic axles.


~ More peace, love, and kindness would make the world a much better place