Traxxas the way to go?

[CertifiedMike]

I upgrade suspension and tires first. Some of the best upgrades to any car are to tighten up ALL the steering and suspension slop. (maybe not so important on bashers)
Who cares how much power the motor has if you can't get any of that power to the ground?
What difference does it make it it does a million mph if you can't actually steer/drive/handle it???
There doesn't seem to be any shortage of powerful motor and esc combos out there, thats a question of money and how crazy you are!

 

[KnowAir]

And why doesn’t the Rustler Ultimate come with the Extreme HD Upgrade kit? Wouldn’t that make it more “ultimate”?

That's the business model. Traxxas isn't alone in the practice though. They make a killing by selling upgrades. Luckily Traxxas gets a lot of aftermarket support, so while they do typically offer their own branded upgrades, many other brands do too. Some equal for less, some better for less, but many options since they are undoubtedly the most popular ground rc company on the planet.
The Rusty 4x4 is a great model, fast, does most things well. I'm not sure how well suited it is for ramp jumping though, small tires equals minimal air control and ground clearance. Compared to the Maxx, which begs to hit ramps practically. But, you can indeed install larger tires to the Rusty, just be sure the chassis can still touch the ground before the shocks bottom out. Otherwise you'll be breaking and bending suspension parts.

Titanium parts? I foresee myself going broke in the very near future.

If I have my heart set on the Rustler 4x4 , is the Ultimate the way to go? Or is it overkill for just bashing around the yard and in parking lots? The standard Rustler 4x4 VXL has that “extreme HD upgrade kit” installed which is not included on the Ultimate. But the Ultimate has all those cool aluminum upgrades.

I'd be weary of the Ultimate, not saying it isn't good, but a lot of the aluminum parts Traxxas puts on them are just bling. Aluminum carriers and hubs are definitely worth it, steering rack too. What's the price difference between VXL and Ultimate? I'm not up to date with Traxxas offerings. My brother has a VXL Rusty 4x4, bought a few years back. He bought the Traxxas Big Bore aluminum shocks for it, have leaked since day one. Not a real upgrade IMO, would've been better off with a set of Losi shocks from a kit breaker for $40. Jenny's rc is a great place to score OE parts, I grabbed a set of aluminum Traxxas hubs/carriers from a Rusty Ultimate for $55 to put on my Hoss 4x4, well worth the cost.

 

[KnowAir]

Basically, RTRs torn apart for someone to assemble. That's the problem with Traxxas. They insist on making you use their gear. I'd love a Rustler 4x4, but I want to be in control of what electronics I put into my RCs.

I like my brother's Rusty 4x4 vxl. It gets right along. Last year we paired his Rusty against my SCT410.3 on our back yard track, was the last time he brought the Rusty over, LOL. Now I know that's apples to oranges, but got me thinking about making the SCT410 into an ST.. so I had an old beat up Kaiju body laying around, fitted it to the SCT, then grabbed a set of Rusty 4x4 Gravix tires/wheels. Gave the SCT a wider stance with the extra offset from the Gravix wheels, but on a clay tray, it was all over the place. So now I bought some cheap 17mm wheel adapters for $10 from Amazon, and threw some 1/8 buggy pin tires on it. The adapters are +10mm or so, pretty sweet. Though I had to do some customization due to the 17mm adapters being made for 5mm axles, Tekno uses 6mm..
The ST410 runs pretty freakin sweet! Max10 sct, 3670 2600kv on 3s with a 20t pinion, fire!

 

[CertifiedMike]

Lots of ppl have been building/talking about Tekno lately.
They look like a great truck to run!
I might try to pick one up and see for myself.

 

[KnowAir]

Lots of ppl have been building/talking about Tekno lately.
They look like a great truck to run!
I might try to pick one up and see for myself.

I have two, an MT410.3, which I stretched onto an ET48 chassis and the SCT410.3 which I have also "rearranged" to suit my wishes. They are indeed some finely made machines, a clear step above the Arrma and Traxxas models, but also reflected in the cost. Worth it I feel, but I'm an addict, so of course I'd say that, LOL.

 

[CertifiedMike]

I am a Kyosho guy... I've been wanting to pick up a Mad Van or Wagon because I like the brand and I'd like to suport them.
I like my Gorgon and Granite. Arrma makes some nice stuff but I feel like their focus is on their big stuff.
I almost didn't buy my Revo because I thought it was too big, Lol!
I like racing and I want to get back into it so I'm all over the place with what's next. Indoor carpet 1/10 scale is local.
I'd like to build a track here in my back yard some day but its... some day at best!

 

[KnowAir]

I am a Kyosho guy... I've been wanting to pick up a Mad Van or Wagon because I like the brand and I'd like to suport them.
I like my Gorgon and Granite. Arrma makes some nice stuff but I feel like their focus is on their big stuff.
I almost didn't buy my Revo because I thought it was too big, Lol!
I like racing and I want to get back into it so I'm all over the place with what's next. Indoor carpet 1/10 scale is local.
I'd like to build a track here in my back yard some day but its... some day at best!

Never owned a Kyosho, how's parts availability? I agree about Arrma too, the 1/10 stuff from them has traditionally been a step behind Traxxas from what I've experienced, but honestly I don't do much with 1/10. Too small for my liking, 1/8 is were it's at for me, bust costs are of course higher on everything as we go up in scale. I'd love to do some racing, but TBH, I'm not interested in traveling to do it. I don't think I can afford to race and bash , I'd have to focus on one or the other. Hobao makes some nice looking kits too, like to try one out some day, I'm waiting for them to update the truggy to the level of the latest buggy.
Oh, and with regards to the backyard track, mine has been almost 5 years in the making, with much work to be done still.. takes a lot of work to turn forest into track, especially with the manpower of one.. LOL.

 

[Beer_Goggles_RC]

Never owned a Kyosho, how's parts availability? I agree about Arrma too, the 1/10 stuff from them has traditionally been a step behind Traxxas from what I've experienced, but honestly I don't do much with 1/10. Too small for my liking, 1/8 is were it's at for me, bust costs are of course higher on everything as we go up in scale. I'd love to do some racing, but TBH, I'm not interested in traveling to do it. I don't think I can afford to race and bash , I'd have to focus on one or the other. Hobao makes some nice looking kits too, like to try one out some day, I'm waiting for them to update the truggy to the level of the latest buggy.

IME kyosho parts availability has been horrendous. But they’re still my favorite cars

 

[Lostinthewoods86]

I am a Kyosho guy... I've been wanting to pick up a Mad Van or Wagon because I like the brand and I'd like to suport them.
I like my Gorgon and Granite. Arrma makes some nice stuff but I feel like their focus is on their big stuff.
I almost didn't buy my Revo because I thought it was too big, Lol!
I like racing and I want to get back into it so I'm all over the place with what's next. Indoor carpet 1/10 scale is local.
I'd like to build a track here in my back yard some day but its... some day at best!

I want the mad wagon!

 

[KnowAir]

IME kyosho parts availability has been horrendous. But they’re still my favorite cars

What I've heard, which is why I asked. My brother had a Kyosho nitro 4wd buggy when we were kids, I don't think it ever had a full tank run through it.. wrap the cord around the pulley.. LOL. Had what's basically an airplane motor in it, chain drive.. things have sure changed since the eighties!

 

[9x19]

Titanium parts? I foresee myself going broke in the very near future.

If I have my heart set on the Rustler 4x4 , is the Ultimate the way to go? Or is it overkill for just bashing around the yard and in parking lots? The standard Rustler 4x4 VXL has that “extreme HD upgrade kit” installed which is not included on the Ultimate. But the Ultimate has all those cool aluminum upgrades.

I have both the Aluminum and the Extreme HD. I like the HD better, larger bearing supporting the axles and better drive-shafts too.

 

[Chubaka]

Titanium parts? I foresee myself going broke in the very near future.

You have come to the right place.

 

[KnowAir]

I have both the Aluminum and the Extreme HD. I like the HD better, larger bearing supporting the axles and better drive-shafts too.

Good info, only someone well versed would know those things. I "upgraded" the rear driveshafts on my Hoss with Tekno cvds, they're great, but the downsides are the stub axles are considerably shorter than stock, which can be a problem with thicker wheels, and the larger diameter stub axles means I'm now using thin walled bearings in the hubs. Which don't last as long as the stock sized bearings in my experience.

 

[CertifiedMike]

What I've heard, which is why I asked. My brother had a Kyosho nitro 4wd buggy when we were kids, I don't think it ever had a full tank run through it.. wrap the cord around the pulley.. LOL. Had what's basically an airplane motor in it, chain drive.. things have sure changed since the eighties!

They have! The chain drive was a noisy, unruley beast!
I owned them years ago (still do) when a hobby shop raced them. The guy was INTO Kyosho. When he bought new stuff, he ordered extras for sale. He knew what to stock etc.
I was very fortunate!!!
I have heard Kyosho parts avail is spotty. I retuned recently to R/C. I haven't purchased from them since I stopped racing years ago.
This is new territory for me.
I don't have a "local" hobby shop.
I keep spares on hand, order in bulk on line so thats not a new thing for me.
The Mad Wagon seems like a basher. I'd like to run it. I don'r "send" my cars off halfpipes so I'm not sure I'm going to have any problems like some reviewers claim, not as tough as Arrma.
I see the Mad Van as something I can dress up with lots of nice looking stuff.
Initially, I wasn't a fan of this but after some thought, I customize and hop up everything anyways.
The Mad Van Diffs are supposed to be weak.
I didn't see any titanium but I'll bet it wouldn't take much digging!

Fair warning to you... DO NOT buy metal A-arms or shock towers. Plastic flexes, metal folds and stays.
Metal shocks are great! C-hub and spindles... it belongs in some places too. Just don't go nuts.
The other thing with metal is that it will transfer the energy of an impact inward until something gives. Its way eadier and cheaper to replace an a-arm than to have to replace the whole chassis! Make the a-arm expendable.

 

[KnowAir]

They have! The chain drive was a noisy, unruley beast!
I owned them years ago (still do) when a hobby shop raced them. The guy was INTO Kyosho. When he bought new stuff, he ordered extras for sale. He knew what to stock etc.
I was very fortunate!!!
I have heard Kyosho parts avail is spotty. I retuned recently to R/C. I haven't purchased from them since I stopped racing years ago.
This is new territory for me.
I don't have a "local" hobby shop.
I keep spares on hand, order in bulk on line so thats not a new thing for me.
The Mad Wagon seems like a basher. I'd like to run it. I don'r "send" my cars off halfpipes so I'm not sure I'm going to have any problems like some reviewers claim, not as tough as Arrma.
I see the Mad Van as something I can dress up with lots of nice looking stuff.
Initially, I wasn't a fan of this but after some thought, I customize and hop up everything anyways.
The Mad Van Diffs are supposed to be weak.
I didn't see any titanium but I'll bet it wouldn't take much digging!

Fair warning to you... DO NOT buy metal A-arms or shock towers. Plastic flexes, metal folds and stays.
Metal shocks are great! C-hub and spindles... it belongs in some places too. Just don't go nuts.
The other thing with metal is that it will transfer the energy of an impact inward until something gives. Its way eadier and cheaper to replace an a-arm than to have to replace the whole chassis! Make the a-arm expendable.

I concur, never metal arms, at least not off road. LHS? Yeah, before the internet, but since? Nah, I can get it cheaper AND in my mailbox?! Sold.
Now, if there's a "good" LHS nearby, sure. The last time I set foot in a Hobby Town asking for Thunder Tiger parts 15 years ago, they looked puzzled, we can order them for you.. yeah, me too. How about some Losi parts? Same.. got a shop full of TRX though. Well, no thanks. That was it, never went back. They closed about 10 years ago, shocker.
So yeah, for the last 20 years, all mail/internet ordering for me too.
I buy bashers mostly, then flog them on my backyard track during summer, snowbank jumping during winter. The good stuff, such as the Tekno's don't see snow, but everything else does! Metal chassis, plastic chassis, 3, 4, 6 and 8s all get pounded in the snow! With nearly 5 months of winter in upstate NY, I'd go crazy without snowbank jumping, LOL!

 

[CertifiedMike]

My nitros saw a bit of snow on the warm days in spring.
My race stuff RARELY saw the driveway so winter running will be fun for me now that I have something that can handle!!! I have a Granite 3s and a stock Gorgon. I lovce the stock Gorgon
I have bent the chassis rails on the old Optima a few decades ago. Seen gold pan RC10's bent too.
Likely more common years back. Better materials and CAD with precision machining, cheaper now all produce a better, stronger product.
I like for my buggies to perform well on the ground more than in the sky!
I try to watch Kevin Talbot. He's great info for bashers! If he can't kill it...

 

[PainKiller]

I was looking at some radios (transmitters) and those things can get really expensive for the fancy ones. I was surprised. I saw some Futaba’s over $1k. They look so nice though.

Is it common practice to upgrade the radio on a RTR for bashing or is that just a racer thing?

 

[WickedFog]

I was looking at some radios (transmitters) and those things can get really expensive for the fancy ones. I was surprised. I saw some Futaba’s over $1k. They look so nice though.

Is it common practice to upgrade the radio on a RTR for bashing or is that just a racer thing?

At some point your home will end up looking like a foster home for transmitters. An aftermarket radio can control multiple RC's by buying additional receivers, and all your trim settings, exponents, etc can all be stored for each particular model in the memory. Some radios have 10 model memory, and some have a LOT more. How much you spend on a radio is up to you.

Brands like Futaba and Sanwa make really high end radios intended for hardcore racers, or just people with too much money Flysky also sells a budget friendly radio the racers love - the NB4, and now the NB4+ I believe.

Then you have the really budget radios, but the only one I would even consider is the Flysky brand. The GT3B or the GT5 are both great radios with multi-model memory and lots of fearures compared to your stock RTR radios. The GT5 can be had for less than $70 and the GT3B is less than $50 typically.

 

[PainKiller]

At some point your home will end up looking like a foster home for transmitters. An aftermarket radio can control multiple RC's by buying additional receivers, and all your trim settings, exponents, etc can all be stored for each particular model in the memory. Some radios have 10 model memory, and some have a LOT more. How much you spend on a radio is up to you.

Brands like Futaba and Sanwa make really high end radios intended for hardcore racers, or just people with too much money Flysky also sells a budget friendly radio the racers love - the NB4, and now the NB4+ I believe.

Then you have the really budget radios, but the only one I would even consider is the Flysky brand. The GT3B or the GT5 are both great radios with multi-model memory and lots of fearures compared to your stock RTR radios. The GT5 can be had for less than $70 and the GT3B is less than $50 typically.

Good to know. I’m trying not to get ahead of myself. But it’s fun to just look. My son and I spent an hour last night turning the spare bedroom into an RC room with a work table and plenty of shelving. Just gotta do something about that pesky bed. My wife was less than thrilled. I see a compromise coming.

 

[WickedFog]

Good to know. I’m trying not to get ahead of myself. But it’s fun to just look. My son and I spent an hour last night turning the spare bedroom into an RC room with a work table and plenty of shelving. Just gotta do something about that pesky bed. My wife was less than thrilled. I see a compromise coming.