rc1973

Hello,

I'm just getting back into RC. I want to get a brushless, one-battery 4x4 for bashing only, no racing. I was pretty much set on a short course truck (Slash 4x4 VXL or Losi Ten SCTE RTR) when I got some suggestions that I might be better off with a monster truck - in particular, a Stampede 4x4 VXL.

The most important things to me are durability and ease to work on.

What do you think my best option is?

Thank you!

collector1231

My Feedback: (1)

A Stampede sounds like a nice choice. If something does break a lot (probably won't), you can replace the breaking part with something RPM.

rc1973

OK, thank you. Will a novice (read - "bad") driver like me be constantly flipping a MT? I don't plan to run it on pavement much, mostly off road.

collector1231

My Feedback: (1)

Yeah, but thats just part of learning to drive.

rc1973

Is it easier to drive a short course truck? Again, strictly bashing.

collector1231

My Feedback: (1)

Yeah, but a MT will teach you how to drive better. It won't be flipping every second, but it will flip more than a SC truck.

josh h

MT gets my vote for bashing. A friend of mine has a slash and it just bounces around when running on any terain other than flat or hard packed dirt surfaces. The slash gets hung up on stuff all the time, including tall grass. I bought my stampede and it handles way better in the rough stuff and seems more fun to drive. If we went to a track, I'm sure the slash would leave it in its dust. As for durability, I've yet to break anything other than a popped off shock cap. So buy the $20 aluminum caps if you go with either traxxas truck. I bought the brushed version because I like the tires better and with the extra $130 i saved, I can put a mamba system in it whenever I want to upgrade. So consider that If you buy the pede or slash.

rc1973

OK, I'm thinking I should go with the Pede. I'll usually either be running in short grass or rough dirt. The closest BMX track is a long ways off.

Does it need that wheelie bar for running off road? Kind of an eye sore.

josh h

No, you'll learn to control the throttle to keep it from flipping backwards. It's mainly there to just hold long wheelies on the street.

RustyUs

For bashing and brushless right out of the box... Traxxas Stampede 4x4 gets a vote from me.

But let me throw in a twist... Maybe an ECX Ruckus 4x4? If you get tired of the Monster Truck thing, you could slap on some ECX Torment wheels and tires and have yourself a Short Course truck (body and bumpers extra). Or even put the ECX Circuit (Stadium Truck) wheels/tires on; you could do a Stadium Truck thing. All their chassis' and arms are the same on all three of those platforms. The only drawback is the ECX 4x4s come with brushed motors. Also, there is a big price difference between ECX and Traxxas 4x4s.

twissted

It's kinda Spendy! But the best way to go is the Axial Yeti 1/10 scale Buggy. Here is why. it has a lot of roll cage to take impact. The chassis is perfect to do a SC Truck body, that will stand out on any track. It's brushless, It has 2.2 tires that are very scale. In the right hands it is a go any where RC. The fun factor is off the charts! The only thing better cost even more and that is the Traxxas summit with the Axial Yeti body on it.
And the Youtube videos is a good place to see what is great and what is not. That is the very best help you can do for your self.
Trust me if you can get a platform (chassis) that works well with different bodies on it... your in the right spot!

josh h

i seen one of them at the hobby shop a couple of weeks ago. Looks cool, but I don't see it being a good basher with a straight axle in the rear. Too much stuff to break back there imo. Plus it's still pretty low.

rc1973

OK, thanks for all the replies. Lots to think about!

I've watched some Youtube videos and MT's seem to handle the rough stuff a lot better.

However, I talked to my LHS and they said that a SC truck tends to be a lot more durable for bashing. They didn't really say why. Any thoughts on that?

josh h

The pede is real reliable. All it is just a short chassis slash with much taller/wider tires on it. So it's just as durable but more fun. If you want, I'll make a video of my pede purposely wrecking to show you the durability...

rc1973

Oh man, no, don't do that! I don't want you to wreck it on purpose.

josh h

I just want you to see the reliability of the pede. Got no problem showing you.

rc1973

OK! That'd be great.

josh h

Ok. I'll upload it on YouTube tomorrow. I'd rather tear up my truck than see you spend $400+ on something you end up not liking

phmaximus

My vote for bashing would be the slash 4x4 but with stampede wheels.... Jang made a very convincing video comparing the stampede 4x4 and the slash 4x4. My understanding was the slash has more potential. Sure the stampede is more capable out of the box, but if u fit the pede wheels to a slash u end up with a vehicle that's more capable than the pede because of the longer wheelbase. Allso it reduced some of the issues around the pede ie. Wheelies, under steer and stability

phmaximus

Forgot to mention, generally the reson SCT's are considered durable is because the body protects the wheels/suspension and the nurf bars protect the rest

twissted

Ok! Lets put them side by side. now let bash them The yeti is brushless and it take the lead. Oh hear comes a rock pile! How the tire are in front of the bumper of the Yeti and it clears the rocks with no issues but every truck bodied rc gets hung up and struggles to clear the rocks! Oh hear comes a curb. The yeti again with the brushless power and the 2 speed tranny that you wwas added because it was designed to do so just bumps the curb and over it goes. But where are the SC tucks? Oh there still in the rock pile. So much for going through the was out that has water running down it. Looks like alot of fun for a rc that has water proof electronics. The short coming of the Yeti because of the brushless power is the ring and pinion that you can get the hardened gears through ebay or asiatees.com You guys come up with a better basher that you can as add a truck body to that can do what the Yeti can do.
By the way I don't have a Yeti. I have two SC trucks and One is a Losi 5ive and the other is a 1/5 Brushless SC truck I designed my self. I do make some rc that are better than the yeti but they cost alot and are custom made.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34AtcLq3iH4

twissted

[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f0f0f0"]FEATURES[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Chassis: Plastic tub type with bolt-on 4 link mount for rear
suspension,
Drive: Four wheel, WB8 HD rear driveshaft
Motor: Brushless, 3150kV, 4-pole
ESC: Castle Creations Vanguard, waterproof, 3S LiPo compatible, can
be programmed manually via the the Castle Link Programming Card
(not included, order CSEM6300) or the Castle Link software
interface (not included)
Radio: Axial 2-channel AX-3 2.4GHz w/reverse & trim settings, with
TSX45 151 oz-in metal gear, dual ball bearing steering servo
lightweight 3-channel receiver
Shocks: Aluminum body, oil filled
Steering: Updated dual shear rack
Transmission: Single speed with brushless motor gearing (2nd gear
fixed), adjustable motor mount, 2-speed optional gear set available
Slipper Clutch: Dual design uses a pad on each side of spur gear for
added surface area for more precise tuning and holding power
Front Suspension: Independent design allows better control direction
of travel ant high speeds when one side is adjusting to road
obstructions
Rear Suspension: AR60 rear solid axle, multiple tuning options, sway
bar, EXO suspension arms, anti squat adjustments built into four
link mounts at chassis, lower links designed to hold optional dual
shocks
Front Bumper: New KOH style with light mounts, and compression mount
Wheels: Officially licensed Walker Evans 3-piece beadlock design,
black in color, adjustable breather holes, compatible with most
2.2" tires, width: 1.7" (44.6mm), diameter 2.6" (65.5mm)
Tires: BF Goodrich Crawler T/A KX, width: 1.8" (47mm), inner
diameter: 2.2" (56mm), outer diameter: 5.1" (130mm)
Body: Molded lexan, one-piece with separate roof, scale accessories
spare tire mount, scale interior with driver and passenger helmet
rear cage captures upper shock mounting points and includes
integrated scale fuel cell
Battery Tray: Fully adjustable and easily accessible

[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f0f0f0"]INCLUDES[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
RTR Yeti Rock Racer with 2.4GHz Radio, ESC, Brushless Motor, Body,
Body Accessories, 32P 64P Spur Gear, 32P 16T Pinion Gear,
Instruction Manual

[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f0f0f0"]REQUIREMENTS[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Battery: 2S or 3S LiPo pack with Dean's connector
Battery Charger: To match selected LiPo Battery
LiPo Charging Sack, Track and Maintenance Eequipment

[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f0f0f0"]SPECIFICATIONS[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Vehicle,
Length: 19.5" (495mm)
Width: 12.3" (312mm)
Height: 7.7" (195mm)
Wheelbase: 14.25" (360mm)
Ground Clearance: 2" (50mm)
Weight: 6.51lbs (2.9kg)
Body,
Length: 17.2" (437mm)
Width: 7.3" (185mm)

twissted

Don't make me show you video. That would really put your truck to shame!

RustyUs

Thanks for showing the Axial Yeti. I'm not used to seeing rock racers in my head yet I guess. I'm still a couple of years behind in my brain. I think of only rock crawlers from Axial. I didn't realize that it was the same price as the Stampede... actually the Yeti is cheaper ....without a battery though.

*Note to self* Don't forget to add Axial (rock racers) into the equation of bashers.

rc1973

I'll mostly be running in short/medium grass and construction site type terrain. Does that lean more towards a MT?