Hey guys I know their are purpose built one's out there but I want a project. I'm wanting a to get a tamiya kit to convert but not sure which one would be the best budget builder. Wanting to stay under $250 for the kit before electronics and accessories. What are your recommendations? Thanks in advance

I can do that. I suggest a M01 and some bigger shocks (depends on size of the stock ones which I don't know) and some Vaterra Kalahari tires/wheels to start.

What other if any mods would be needed on a M01?

Maybe get some scrap Lexan and make wheel wells on the body?

Any other recommendations? I'm wanting at least a 1/10 scale and the M0 series look to be smaller.

Oh, sure.

Kit; http://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-No-541-...FJNKH75VMYX5F3

Shocks I suggest (x2); https://www.asiatees.com/display?Him...id=61814&pid=1

Tires (x2); http://www.amain.com/rc-cars/vaterra...r41001/p251672

You may or may not need longer camber links for it, but if you do, just make sure to come back here and tell me what size they are.

Thanks collector, that is one of the 3 kits I have been looking into. Are they fairly capable offroad?

Dunno if I'd recommend the TT01e as they don't have that much room for the arms to move as mine has maybe a half inch of movement, and its pretty tight due to the shock towers location.
The steering is pretty damn loose on top of it there is a lot of play in the stock steering. Even after upgrading my steering to all aluminum there is still quite a bit of play due to how its laid out.

You might be able to dremel the skid plates to allow the arms to drop down more though that I can't say as it seems the plates stop them.

As for offroad capable in its stock form without any kind of mods... hell no it has less then an inch clearance
Also gearing might be a pain as I think there are only 3 diff pinions you can use

That's the mod I've seen doing to make them rally capable. Cut the skids back and get 3/4 of an inch suspension travel or so. I was thinking the Df03, XV01, or Tt platforms.

Wow these guys guys about have me sold on a XV-01. The thread is amazing http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/rally...d-xv-01-a.html