Preferred Truck

[NitroMED]

Hello,
I've been searching here and there for weeks as well reading through these very helpful forumns, but I'm still undecided as to which Monster Truck I should pursue as a first time Nitro user. I've narrowed my quest down to (3). T-Maxx 3.3, Revo 3.3 or Team Associated MGT 8.0. I understand the 1st 2 are slightly smaller @ 1/10th while the MGT is 1/8th. Immediately, the 1/8th scale is of interest, but factoring the obvious, speed, durability, parts availability, overall TCO and reliability which truck would you recommend. Also, can't seem to find any reference to the approximate speed of the MGT 8.0? Anyone know what this is?

Thanks for reading my post and look forward to your recs..
MED

 

[olds97_lss]

Never had a MGT, but looking at the 8.0 when it first came out made me want one. Built kind of like the t-maxx, but not as fragile.

If it were me, I'd drop t-maxx off the list and add savage.

Then if your looking for big air and hard core bashing, the revo would fall off the list IMO.

If your looking for ease of use as an RTR, the revo is probably top rung in that respect and is a relatively durable rig for a first timer.

Since I never owned a MGT and only read about them, they seem to be pretty tough and appear to be easier to work on than a savage.

 

[NitroMED]

Good points

Hey Olds...
Thanks for the thoughts. I am so on the fence. The Savage XL was another one I was considering. I like the MGT 8.0, but I've heard so many mixed things. The T-Maxx is certainly everywhere and the more research I seem to come across the REVO seems to score all around high marks balancing durability, speed, etc. Any other thoughts are certainly welcome. Thanks

 

[olds97_lss]

Well, I can only tell you what I've had and the experiences I've had with each.

Trucks I've had that are relevant are:
T-maxx 2.5
T-maxx big block conversion
Revo 2.5
Revo 2.5 with OS18TM
Revo 3.3 chassis w/big block
Savage 21 chassis w/weak 21 engine
savage "21" chassis 1" extended with various engines, currently LRP28S3
Aftershock RTR (AS for short), now also with LRP28S3

None of the above were without their weaknesses.

Out of the box upgrades almost a requirement:

T-maxx:
RPM towers
RPM arms
alloy bulks (requires new hinge pins as well for new bulks)
Alloy chassis rails (broke a few sets of mine until the upgrade)
new steering system (saver built in bell-crank vs servo mounted saver)
RPM arms
better diffs (probably not true anymore since it runs revo diffs)
Roll bar

Revo:
RPM arms
RPM axle carriers (brittle and side specific, easier to upgrade and forget)
HD servo saver spring (minor, but a good upgrade)

Savage:
Diffs - not necessary on X and later models
new steering system (like the maxx) - may not be an issue on X and later models


And the one I have and like that your not interested in would be the:
Losi AS/RAM/LST*:
AS/Ram - needs LST* two speed assembly and rear gear cover
AS/Ram - needs LST2+ brake pads, stock steel on steel sucks!
ALL - RPM arms (LST2+ requires extra RPM bushings)
ALL - Dynamite engine brace
ALL - HD center skid (protects spurs from rocks hitting them and bending the trans shaft)


Wish I had some info for you on the MGT... Just never had one in my fleet.


Out of all of those:
Upgraded AS/LST* is the most durable, best handling and "powerhouse" of the group since it runs big block.
Savage is the best BB basher that is the most durable with minimal upgrades required
Revo is a good blend of both handling and durability, but runs small block and feels like it. Light, quick, responsive but a tad on the "jittery" side after driving one of the other two above rigs.


Ok... I'm done. Hope I've helped and not just made things more difficult for you!

 

[NitroMED]

Holy Cr@p

Unbelievable summary and I was like, DAMN, I can't believe how many trucks you own. (I still can't believe it). You're an unbelievable resource and this commnunity should be grateful you can share your experiences. In all honestly, I never really heard of LOSI. I checked the site a bit and was blown away. I'm freaggin giddy over the LST XXL. It has the 454 big block and speeds just around 50 mph for a heavier truck are totally within realm. Caught this youtube video...not sure if you've seen it, but curious to get your thoughts. Price point is a bit more than I wanted to start off with, but it really seems you're getting a k-ass truck.

Welcome your thoughts/opinions if you get a moment.
Thanks again.

 

[olds97_lss]

Yep, it's a good truck. Has it's weak points and IMHO, lengthening it the way they did just makes one of them more likely to happen.

There are 3 things that do kind of suck about the Losi MT platform. At least in my opinion...
1) Chassis rails are prone to cracking between the front and center.
2) Arms are prone to breakage due to the large tires causing so much leverage on impact with objects or the ground (off angle landings)
3) Steering system stinks. Your stuck with servo mounted savers.

1 - can be remedied with a homemade skid plate that ties the front to the center. Like mine.
2 - can be remedied with RPM arms and upper lunsford turnbuckles. Pricey, but IMHO, necessary for any basher.
3 - can be helped with MGT servo saver mod. I can tell you about it if you end up with the rig. Still leaves you stuck with servo mounted savers.

Like I said though, don't know much about the MGT except for what it looks like. Tough. Probably handles like a big t-maxx (similar suspension geometry, arms, shocks...). Which means, it handles pretty bad. Ok for a basher though.

The Losi XXL comes with a decent 2.4ghz radio, solid engine (clone of LRP28 [from what I've read] which is what I run in mine), exhaust well suited for the engine out of the box, diffs are solid, drive train in general is pretty solid and lengthened a bit in the front over the original, which should make it more stable. Considering how stable the old one was... this one has to smooth as silk over the rough stuff and nice clean sailing in the big air.

You could go with the aftershock and upgrade as you see fit over time. Lower initial sticker shock, but you get a shorter rig than the XXL and LST1 spec parts for the most part with a weak two speed.

Aftershock $399.99: http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=LOSB0012LE
XXL $669.99: http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=LOSB0016

That extra $269 gets you a nice radio, engine and solid 2-speed. Along with a handful of other things many would call upgrades.

In the end, it's what you want to do with the rig that should guide you one way or the other. Race? Bash? Mix? Race, go with the revo or XXL (not sure there's a class for the XXL though). Bash, go with the savage. Mix, revo or XXL.

Again, I'd guess that the MGT would be more competition for the savage than the others, just due to how it's built. Can't imagine many people race them, so it's a bashers market for it just like the savage.

 

[RC Addict]

I am with Bryan on this one, the XXL is way too fragile. Since you like the XXL maybe you need to look into the Aftershock. I love my LST and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone. As Byran said it is the toughest out-of-the-box Monster there is. Period. It has a great mill and great electronics. I personally have not had an issue with the chassis rails, the arms, nor the servos (mine has JR's). The only mod I have done to my LST was to add sway bars.

You want a near race-ready rig that can bash too go Losi!

 

[NitroMED]

...ready to jump..

Hey Guys (Olds/Addi),

I really appreciate the feedback. It irks me that I can't seem to settle on a truck and go with it. Olds...the comments about the XXL durability really bothers me and Addi certainly confirms it. Overall guys, I don't plan on beating the $h!t out of it. Racing/speed is very important and others have told me to go with on-road nitro. As much as I like them, I see it as a second ride. I really want to be able to rough up the grass, some climbing and dirt trails. Speed is absolutely huge. I think the '....near approaching 50 mph w/ the 454' was a major win for me with the LST XXL, but, I don't want something where I have to be concerned every time I push the throttle on compromising terrain. When I re-read your posts, it seems like the savage X series and the Revo are the right choices for me. Savage XL if I'm interested in more of a beating and the Revo if I'm looking for more of a mix.

So, guys, IYHO, if I get the Savage XL am I MAKING A REALLY smart choice?
If so, some other questions:

1. I can't seem to get a speed rating on this truck anywhere. Do you guys know what it's rated at? 40+mph? 45+mph?

2. Any (although from what I read, probably not) mods you recommend I do out-of-the box?

3. Depending on the answer to question 1, are there any simple mods I can do to sqeeze a few more mph out of this beast? As I mentioned earlier, speed is a big selling point for me. I wish I could get on-road nitro speeds in one of these MT's. Then again, I've seen some 1/5th MT's that hit 60 MPH, but way more than I want to spend right now.

Thanks for being patient guys...looking forward to your thoughts.



...and guys, I keep reading through the threads and the glossary, but what's the primary difference between a servo saver and the servo's that come with the other trucks? Olds, you mention the servo saver w/ the XXL stinks and even with the MGT 8.0 mod, you're still limited to this platform. Is that it? If your truck is configured for a server saver then you're limited to this platform only which has fewer upgrades. Sorry, I'm inept on this one...

 

[RC Addict]

I can't speak directly to the Savage line as I have never owned one, but big blocks are big blocks. I will say this: My LST has the original .26 in it and, for a 13 pound truck, it screams. Considering the sheer mass of the thing I am happy with it at an estimated 40 MPH.

Again, if you are really looking for sheer speed in a semi-good basher look at the Revo. The 3.3 is silly fast. Traxxas parts can be found almost anywhere too.

I do not know anyone with an XL, but my neighbor has a 4.6 which will keep up with my LST. It isn't near as durable IMO, but that is subjective.

In closing, get what YOU really like. You are going to break parts either way. I am a Losi fan-boy and will admit it. I have a TMaxx and rarely play with it. Yes, it is a 3.3, but I love the LST that much.

I was just looking at the XL specs. A 5.9??? If the 4.6 will do 40-45 MPH I imagine the 5.9 will do just as well. Remember that, just like the LST vs. XXL, the longer chassis is heavier and thus you have more mass moving down the track (or road or grass) and more mass = more mass to break.

 

[olds97_lss]

Savage servo saver is built into the bell cranks:

Tower carries a HD spring for that as well now, I just got it not too long ago, but haven't driven the savage since the install:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0095P?FVSEARCH=102522++&search=Go&sourceid=Mozilla-search

Felt much more solid than the old black spring that was in there.

LST servo savers are servo mounted:

Really though, the only thing that would concern me about the losi LST* is the breakage of chassis rails in this spot:

If you have a reciprcating saw and access to some aluminum, then you can easily beef up the LST by making a plate for it to sandwich the chassis rails together between aluminum:

I put a wear bar made out of steel on mine as it was really wearing at the first bend when it made contact with the ground off jumps and when hitting the face of jumps at the skate park. Took away a few mm's of ground clearance, but not having to make a skid again makes it worth it:

The LST platform is a great platform for everything else. With properly shimmed diffs and HD cups, you will basically forget what a diff is, because you won't be seeing them any time soon. Axles wear very little and last very long. Neither of these things can be said for the savage line. Unfortunately.

It's a tough call and I wish I could point you in a direction. Really though, I couldn't make up my mind either... I recently picked up a slayer roller, which is really a 2.5 revo chassis with short arms and smaller wheels. So, I have all three again! Revo, "LST" (aftershock), Savage. I like all three. My aftershock is as close as I'll get to a "shelf queen" and I really don't drive it much. I only break it out on special occasions when I know I really need to throw down with friends.

 

[Goatcrapp]

of your list - the mgt will take the most abuse.

the two traxxas's will be quicker, and better balanced at speed, but don't hold up to moderate to heavy bashing without significant upgrades... i'm not saying they are bad - they just can't take the same amount of abuse as the mgt, without upgrading some key components (many of them mentioned in that excellent list above)

on the flipside - the mgt can't handle a turn like either of those two without upgrades. if you're used to driving a nitro car quick and being able to turn - rolling the MGT every time you nose dive brake into a corner will frustrate the hell out of you until you add sway bars, and better suspension.

the 8.0 motor is very, very torquey... but the stock gearing makes the truck not so quick... annoying actually, because it will pick the wheels up at pretty much any speed... so its hard to race without stiffening things up a bit... if you gear up enough - these things will be stupid fast for a MT... and because of the torque, not lose a whole much on the low end

Expanding on other people's ideas - the losi - well.. i know people who have them, but don't know any of them that actually bash them.. i'm not sure if its because they are expensive, or delicate... but its simply the way it is - no one i know who has one will actually bash it... they use them on grass baseball fields and thats it... going back and forth and back again. I wish i could comment on their toughness - but i won't vouch for anything unless i've seen it for myself. (youtube videos can't be trusted IMO because if its a fanboy - they'll only post the rosy side of owning the vehicle - and conveniently ignore the crap side)

the savages will hold up very well to bashing, and are another good choice...

a savageXL is about as close to an MGT as you can get without them being made by the same company... they both have their common-break parts, and both excel in areas that the other one is weak in, but the overall feel of both of these vehicles is similar, and are both well stacked against eachother.

blasphemy, i know... the savage fanboys will hate on the mgt.. and the mgt fanboys will hate on the savages... whatever - i've used both quite a bit.. my own PERSONAL choice was the mgt 8.0, but i wouldn't hesitate to own another savage and use it in the same manner.

if your goal isnt bashing then the traxxas cars will work nicely for you and have a ton of aftermarket parts.

 

[mjneid]

of your list - the mgt will take the most abuse.

the two traxxas's will be quicker, and better balanced at speed, but don't hold up to moderate to heavy bashing without significant upgrades... i'm not saying they are bad - they just can't take the same amount of abuse as the mgt, without upgrading some key components (many of them mentioned in that excellent list above)

on the flipside - the mgt can't handle a turn like either of those two without upgrades. if you're used to driving a nitro car quick and being able to turn - rolling the MGT every time you nose dive brake into a corner will frustrate the hell out of you until you add sway bars, and better suspension.

Expanding on other people's ideas - the losi - well.. i know people who have them, but don't know any of them that actually bash them.. i'm not sure if its because they are expensive, or delicate... but its simply the way it is - no one i know who has one will actually bash it... they use them on grass baseball fields and thats it... going back and forth and back again. I wish i could comment on their toughness - but i won't vouch for anything unless i've seen it for myself. (youtube videos can't be trusted IMO because if its a fanboy - they'll only post the rosy side of owning the vehicle - and conveniently ignore the crap side)

the savages will hold up very well to bashing, and are another good choice...

a savageXL is about as close to an MGT as you can get without them being made by the same company... they both have their common-break parts, and both excel in areas that the other one is weak in, but the overall feel of both of these vehicles is similar, and are both well stacked against eachother.

blasphemy, i know... the savage fanboys will hate on the mgt.. and the mgt fanboys will hate on the savages... whatever - i've used both quite a bit.. my own PERSONAL choice was the mgt 8.0, but i wouldn't hesitate to own another savage and use it in the same manner.

if your goal isnt bashing then the traxxas cars will work nicely for you and have a ton of aftermarket parts.

I own a MGT 4.6... BEEFY ASS TRUCK... the only two parts i've broke on it due to bashing is 1) control arm after a hit a boulder , well a massively large rock.... 2) a different control arm because a buddy knocked into me and i fell on my truck and smashed a CA.

I'd highly recommend getting the 8.0 version. The 4.6 has plastic gears in the transmission, and will strip them in a heart beat... i'm currently battle-ing that now. The 8.0 also bigger axles from the transmission to the diff. and from the diff. out the wheels. and they do take a ton of abuse and shrug it off. - I took it BMX and gave her heck and she laughed at me and asked for more.

As far as the truck being nimble. It's a PITA when you first get it because as quoted it big and beefy alot of mass rolling around. after you get the hang of the truck you can beat on it w/o flipping it very often. (Basically lay off the throttle when turning and you are good to go, and never slam on the brakes mid turn).

if you do end up getting the 4.6 start looking for deals on the 8.0 transmission, they are direct bolt in and contain all metal gears inside the transmission.



as far as parts availability my LHS owner has an MGT so they always have parts for them... and they have EVERYTHING..... my next closest store carries nothing they are riding on HPIs skirt tail and the furthest of the three is really hit and miss..... common wear items are GTG but odds and ends are off.

 

[yammaha]

go with the mgt they are durable and the eaisest to work on.