I'm shopping for my first crawler. I've been offered an "Axial ax10 scorpion". I know they can out about 18 years ago so I'm wondering if it is still worth using or better to get more modern equipment. The guy wants $100 for it ready to go except battery.
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Is an Axial ax10 scorpion still worth messing with
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9x19
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Personally I would go for something new.
If you want a crawler Associated has their Bushido+ available in their AE Club for $199 ready to run. You do have to pay $19.95 to join the AE Club but that is good for a year, and $220 for the Bushido+ is a very good deal.
https://60years.associatedelectrics.com/enduro-bushido-trail-truck-rtr-blue/
If you want a crawler Associated has their Bushido+ available in their AE Club for $199 ready to run. You do have to pay $19.95 to join the AE Club but that is good for a year, and $220 for the Bushido+ is a very good deal.
https://60years.associatedelectrics.com/enduro-bushido-trail-truck-rtr-blue/
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While the AX10 might be a cool vintage rig, it's not something your going to wan't to run regularly. No parts support means no fun if you break something.
There are quite a few reasonably priced new crawlers available that are really good performers. Take your time, and see what appeals to you before jumping in. If you have questions, the guys here are pretty knowledgeable.
I'm not really into crawlers, but a lot of the people I associate with, and, for 1/10TH scale, around here, the Redcat vehicles have a decent following, and, a couple of them, the Everest 10 and Everest Gen 7 are a decent price. Or, as @9x19 said earlier , there is the Associated Bushido+. It entirely depends on your budget and preference. Axial is very good at crawlers, and even Traxxas makes a few decent ones, but they are pricey. Another option, again depending on preference and budget is the Cen Racing Ford F-450 and Sicario. Primal RC, FMS (although some aren't so thrilled with them), and several others make 1/10TH scale crawlers and trail trucks. Find a local FB RC group, and hang out with them a few times, and you will learn more about them than you want to know. At least, that's how I learned about them at first. I even got to run a few, and eventually settled on the CEN Sicario (well, that and reviews and YouTube videos), as my work around the house project truck.
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Parts support is the ultimate question for a vintage RC when you decide to run or restore and put on a shelf.
If you are just starting out, I think its safe to assume you'll break a thing or 3 before you're a good driver.
This truck might be better to keep on a shelf or run on occasion rather than as a first time, 'learners truck' that gets used regularly if parts are rare.
If you are just starting out, I think its safe to assume you'll break a thing or 3 before you're a good driver.
This truck might be better to keep on a shelf or run on occasion rather than as a first time, 'learners truck' that gets used regularly if parts are rare.
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I wouldn't do it. Basic reason is parts support. As much as I like Team Associated, the way they discontinued rigs is annoying at best. I've got a short course truck that is basically a "Shelf Chassis " . I work on it once in a while. Support is huge, it will break at some point or if you just want to upgrade.
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Oh man I love this thread!
The AX10 is the real OG. Crawling wouldn't be as popular as it is today without it. You should absolutely pick that up for 100 bucks and send it!
The pros:
You'll notice how simple it is compared to the majority of modern crawlers. Makes it easier to learn. Easier to work on. It's a transmission bolted between two U-shaped twin vertical plates with some axles 3-linked to the skid. If you wanted to modify it and change things up once you become more comfortable with it, it's the perfect platform for crawler creativity and building what you want.
You can get the manual for the truck right here and see the exploded views with part numbers.
The majority of the important parts are still in use today, albeit with different part numbers. I'll explain more on that later.
What will break, if it hasn't already been upgraded?
AX30392: The stock diff bevel gears are pot metal. I would go out on a limb and assume, if the truck has been driven as a crawler (it looks like it has) at least the front gears have already been replaced with hardened options. It's worth asking the current owner if they know what gears are in the axles. But, it is not a deal breaker, because you can still get these replacement gears. These same pot-metal gears were used in the RR10 Bombers, SMT10, Wraith, and Yetis. Lots of aftermarket (and probably still some pot metal) still readily available.
AX30421: These break on today's rigs...not so much on the AX10. This part is still readily available at places like Amainhobbies, here.
The skid plate is the only "unique" part on this truck that would be hard to find a direct replacement for. But a custom skid plate is one of the easier crawler mods you can do, especially on a chassis like the AX10's. It also won't break unless you throw the truck off a 10-story cliff...so you don't really need to worry about it.
Driveshafts: You can tell the rear shaft has already broken and been replaced with the green aluminum one. Driveshafts are super universal and easy to replace. Even if you can only find a replacement that is too long, you can easily cut them to length.
The cons:
1. You'll notice it's not realistically scale like 99% of the modern options. The AX10 was considered a "comp crawler" back in the day before everything went scale and performance was exchanged for looks. That thing will crawl straight up a wall! If you ultimately want something that looks like a real truck, the AX10 may not be the best platform.
2. None of your crawler buddies will appreciate it when you hit lines with your 20-year-old "hunk of junk" that their modern rigs can't even perceive.
The AX10 is the real OG. Crawling wouldn't be as popular as it is today without it. You should absolutely pick that up for 100 bucks and send it!
The pros:
You'll notice how simple it is compared to the majority of modern crawlers. Makes it easier to learn. Easier to work on. It's a transmission bolted between two U-shaped twin vertical plates with some axles 3-linked to the skid. If you wanted to modify it and change things up once you become more comfortable with it, it's the perfect platform for crawler creativity and building what you want.
You can get the manual for the truck right here and see the exploded views with part numbers.
The majority of the important parts are still in use today, albeit with different part numbers. I'll explain more on that later.
What will break, if it hasn't already been upgraded?
AX30392: The stock diff bevel gears are pot metal. I would go out on a limb and assume, if the truck has been driven as a crawler (it looks like it has) at least the front gears have already been replaced with hardened options. It's worth asking the current owner if they know what gears are in the axles. But, it is not a deal breaker, because you can still get these replacement gears. These same pot-metal gears were used in the RR10 Bombers, SMT10, Wraith, and Yetis. Lots of aftermarket (and probably still some pot metal) still readily available.
AX30421: These break on today's rigs...not so much on the AX10. This part is still readily available at places like Amainhobbies, here.
The skid plate is the only "unique" part on this truck that would be hard to find a direct replacement for. But a custom skid plate is one of the easier crawler mods you can do, especially on a chassis like the AX10's. It also won't break unless you throw the truck off a 10-story cliff...so you don't really need to worry about it.
Driveshafts: You can tell the rear shaft has already broken and been replaced with the green aluminum one. Driveshafts are super universal and easy to replace. Even if you can only find a replacement that is too long, you can easily cut them to length.
The cons:
1. You'll notice it's not realistically scale like 99% of the modern options. The AX10 was considered a "comp crawler" back in the day before everything went scale and performance was exchanged for looks. That thing will crawl straight up a wall! If you ultimately want something that looks like a real truck, the AX10 may not be the best platform.
2. None of your crawler buddies will appreciate it when you hit lines with your 20-year-old "hunk of junk" that their modern rigs can't even perceive.
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Late to the party, but I always found the horizontal body mounts absolutely infuriating.
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Nothing like backing up in a tight wedge line and having your pins catapult out never to be seen again
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I would pass if you are going to run it. It's not as capable nor as detailed as the modern rigs and finding parts will be and adventure.
You might spend a bit more for something newer, but it will be good for much longer.
10th scale options
Redcat Ascent, Axial SCX10 III Base Camp and Traxxas TRX4 are very capable out of the box. Tamyia has some good looking trucks, but I don't know how durable the are?
If you want something smaller the Redcat Ascent 18 is a steal and great for indoors.
You might spend a bit more for something newer, but it will be good for much longer.
10th scale options
Redcat Ascent, Axial SCX10 III Base Camp and Traxxas TRX4 are very capable out of the box. Tamyia has some good looking trucks, but I don't know how durable the are?
If you want something smaller the Redcat Ascent 18 is a steal and great for indoors.
