Help me choose a truck or kit

[Manderthal]

I've got a few RTR crawlers that I've been tinkering with and upgrading hardware, bearings, wheels/tires, servos and motors. I've been considering building a kit next. I've tinkered before. I'm generally comfortable with mechanical things, though I'm not entirely knowledgeable on RC electrics. I've been satisfied with what the RTR's come with.
My crawlers are cool and all but I don't have any real challenging obstacles in the yard. I'm disabled so something fast I can run in the street and off curbs and over the ever present road patches and manhole covers from my folding chair on the sidewalk. A short course truck might just check all the boxes. Fast but sturdy.
But which one?
Ideally I'd like to get something name brand to build (or even RTR) that is very robust both in build and aftermarket support that I can tinker on and upgrade. I plan to live with this one and build it better over time as necessary. I'd like to paint my own body so if it comes with one I'll probably replace it.
My wife and son are asking me for a Christmas list. There are so many options and this is a RC category that I really haven't experienced before.
Please advise.

 

[jimdavis577]

Well a few questions come to mind right off the bat ...... you say your good with tinkering , can you solder ? are you good at small attention to details ? Do you LIKE to tinker and build and fix things more than / or at least as much as driving a car?

These items help to determine if a RTR or a kit build would be better for you ...... now some pros and cons of this dilemma..... With a RTR you are essentially buying parts twice ( upgrade parts you want) with an RTR you get pretty mediocre controllers and electronics with most. As a kit you can get usally a fairly new model if not the newest model of a specific lineup / brand that is out. Which means parts availability will be available for a good while. You will be able to build it with exactly what you want (electronics wise) , and by building it you will understand exactly how it works and what is where and how / when to adjust something better. And most of all by building you get the pride ( or disgrace hahahaha) of saying you built it from a kit

 

[Manderthal]

Good questions. To be honest I don't actually drive any of them that much. I mostly tinker and upgrade, watch YouTube and order parts. My entire career was in engineering, machine shop fields, though I've largely left all that behind in retirement. Some things are a little fuzzy now. I have soldered in the past. I own a soldering iron but if I can't find it I'll have to buy another. In RC, I've replaced motors but not ESCs. Whatever transmitter the rig comes with has been fine with me. Again, I'm not really taxing these things over distance because I usually don't venture far from the front steps or my truck. Due to my balance, cane use I'm generally working one handed so they've never seen any trail use and I'm not exactly climbing rocks.
I get it about building bragging rights though, LOL

 

[nino]

I think you're ready for a kit. With a good manual it's like building Legos (but with tools). If it's just for driving around the yard, the electronics don't have to be anything special either. Have a budget in mind?

 

[RustyUs]

As far as 4wd SCT kits go... there's not a lot of choices. For a more robust platform, and in kit form, Tekno RC SCT410 2.0 gets my vote.

https://fiercercsolutions.com/tekno-rc-tkr9500-sct410-2.0-1-10th-4x4-short-course-truck-kit.html

 

[majin]

i LOVE my tekno sct!!!! so much fun but its hella fast lol, i spend a lotta time flipping it over, but i drive like a madman with a 5 star bounty.
are you prepared to make the walk of shame a lot more often lol,
that being said. i havent built a kit but id totally build a tekno, they have the best reputation consistently

 

[WickedFog]

I've got a few RTR crawlers that I've been tinkering with and upgrading hardware, bearings, wheels/tires, servos and motors. I've been considering building a kit next. I've tinkered before. I'm generally comfortable with mechanical things, though I'm not entirely knowledgeable on RC electrics. I've been satisfied with what the RTR's come with.
My crawlers are cool and all but I don't have any real challenging obstacles in the yard. I'm disabled so something fast I can run in the street and off curbs and over the ever present road patches and manhole covers from my folding chair on the sidewalk. A short course truck might just check all the boxes. Fast but sturdy.
But which one?
Ideally I'd like to get something name brand to build (or even RTR) that is very robust both in build and aftermarket support that I can tinker on and upgrade. I plan to live with this one and build it better over time as necessary. I'd like to paint my own body so if it comes with one I'll probably replace it.
My wife and son are asking me for a Christmas list. There are so many options and this is a RC category that I really haven't experienced before.
Please advise.

It sounds like we are fishing from the same boat. I walk, and not well, with a cane. RC is pretty much done with me as far as running them. I can't walk out to flip one over if they end up on their roof, so there is that. But at least my kid runs them and I sometimes get to drive them. He flips them back ober for me too

So an SCT might be even more ideal for you even beyond the terrain they can handle. Because they are a lot less prone to flipping than say a monster truck.

I've never owned a Tekno, but I really want their SCT. Everyone brags how durable they are. And you see them at the top of the field at a lot of races. I have not seen anyone complain about them, so I highly foubt you would be at all disappointed with one of Tekno's kits.

Another thing to consider...
I got an old Losi XXX-SCT from a member here. Parts are still available for it here and there, but it really doesn't need anything unless I break something. But when I do get a chance to start tearing into it, I am going to completely strip it down and rebuild it as close to new as I can. It will be a fun project one of these days.

I'm just sayin' - don't rule out older RC's. If you like the whole tinkering and upgrading, and the inevitable searching for parts, there's a lot of fun to be had out there. You just hotta make sure what you are buying is rebuildable, and parts are available before pulling the trigger. A good deal on an RCT that doesn't need much can be found if you look around.

The classifieds section here sometimes has some killer deals on stuff. This one looks to be very well taken care of for example.

I

Sold / Found Thread 'Associated Pro4 sc10 4x4 ARTR'

Nov 2, 2024

Up for sale is my Pro4 sct, will be listing it on ebay, but thought id put it up here first.

I'm in canada, so shipping might be a bit higher than normal, but i will split the shipping cost with the buyer.
Asking $350 plus half of shipping

Truck is in good shape overall, has recently been gone through and checked over. Any parts that are showing wear i have new replacements for, which are included.

The good:
-Fresh, never ran, proline body
-hobbywing sensored max10 system, 80a esc 4100kv 3652 motor
-powerHD titanium gear servo
-rpm front arms
-aluminum shocks from losi tenacity sct...

• islandlife
• Replies: 24
• Forum: Classifieds

• 
• 
• 

 

[9x19]

Good questions. To be honest I don't actually drive any of them that much. I mostly tinker and upgrade, watch YouTube and order parts. My entire career was in engineering, machine shop fields, though I've largely left all that behind in retirement. Some things are a little fuzzy now. I have soldered in the past. I own a soldering iron but if I can't find it I'll have to buy another. In RC, I've replaced motors but not ESCs. Whatever transmitter the rig comes with has been fine with me. Again, I'm not really taxing these things over distance because I usually don't venture far from the front steps or my truck. Due to my balance, cane use I'm generally working one handed so they've never seen any trail use and I'm not exactly climbing rocks.
I get it about building bragging rights tho

Tekno is a great kit option, and either the SCT 410 2.0 or the MT 410 2.0 would be great for you. Wheelbase (chassis plate) length is about the only difference in the two. The MT shares the same wheelbase as most crawlers (~12.3"), so any favorite body you already have could work on it.

 

[CertifiedMike]

If you enjoy tinkering, I vote for older restoration projects too.
I've been busy building my older restos.
In fact, I don't think I've run an R/C in a couple weeks now. Just shopping and building and customizing... enjoying the build. Some of the challenge IS sourcing the parts.
I am building a car for carpet racing if I ever get to a track.

 

[Manderthal]

Seems like the Tekno SCT410 2.0 kit is the most popular, new kit, recommendation. Since this is a Christmas list request, I imagine it could be shared amongst multiple family members. I could purchase the electronics etc, over time while I'm slowly building the kit. If successfully acquired, this project may just last me through the entire winter, which is a good thing.

 

[9x19]

For a stocking stuffer upgrade, ask Santa for the aluminum shock caps. Those plastic caps are one of the small misses Tekno made with those two kits.

 

[RustyUs]

Parts Support and Older RCs
I'm a part of a few FB groups that involve older short course, and stadium trucks. It amazes me how many people don't do any research before picking up a used RC. They get the RC in their hands and after a few days a part is worn out, or a breakage occurs. After a couple of minutes on the www, they come to realize the part they need is so very hard to come by.

A person can get a good grasp on whether or not a certain used RC is right for them. Do a bit of homework on any discontinued RC to see what the parts support looks like. Download the manual and start to see how long it takes to track down tranny and driveline parts.

 

[RustyUs]

2wd or 4wd

Maybe you wanted a 2wd SCT? I don't think I seen any mentioning of that. Even though not my cup of tea, a good safe mainstream bet would be to look at the Slash unassembled "kit".... ahem, an unassembled ready to run platform . If just "bashing", and running environment is not "clean" I'd probably recommend sticking with something that comes with a covered spur/pinion gear.

I don't think there is any terrible SCT choices out there as long as you stay within popular online hobby shops. How you choose, and when you choose to upgrade an RC is up to you.

 

[RetroThutmose]

I'm going to suggest something a tiny bit different, rival MT8 or MT10. 8 if you want something a little bigger. One of the toughest monster trucks RTR, same platform as the associated pro4, three diffs, pretty easy to work on and upgrade. Reason I suggest this over an SCT is that it will cover more varieties of surfaces better. Grass won't bog it down as much as an sct does. But if you live in AZ or something grass might not be a concern. I see tower hobbies has an insane deal on the MT8 right now, not sure if this is legit? $150 off normal price
https://www.towerhobbies.com/produc...W-XFpyqWH6HbRbW5wanTseOcDdjQwP_AaAr3ZEALw_wcB

 

[WickedFog]

I'm going to suggest something a tiny bit different, rival MT8 or MT10. 8 if you want something a little bigger. One of the toughest monster trucks RTR, same platform as the associated pro4, three diffs, pretty easy to work on and upgrade. Reason I suggest this over an SCT is that it will cover more varieties of surfaces better. Grass won't bog it down as much as an sct does. But if you live in AZ or something grass might not be a concern. I see tower hobbies has an insane deal on the MT8 right now, not sure if this is legit? $150 off normal price
https://www.towerhobbies.com/produc...W-XFpyqWH6HbRbW5wanTseOcDdjQwP_AaAr3ZEALw_wcB

I am pretty sure the OP is set on a kit. If the Rivals were available in kits, that might be an option.

 

[RetroThutmose]

I am pretty sure the OP is set on a kit. If the Rivals were available in kits, that might be an option.

I was thinking a monster truck might be better suited to him since he mentioned having a mobility issue. Tekno also makes a MT kit, so that might be a good compromise if he decides a MT is better for his situation.

 

[Manderthal]

Thanks guys. I put the Tekno SCT kit on the Christmas list, among other things.
And now we wait. In the meantime I'll do more research in case i do get it. If not I'll probably just buy it myself next year. Should be fun.