trying to plan a custom trail truck(need help)
 

I have never scratch built a rig before. I am looking at using scx10 or trail finder 2 chassis as a base.
I really don't know where to start as far as a motor and gearing though,,, I want a truck that has remote locking diffs, and gearing that will allow me to reach higher speeds when i want to bash, but still allow me to hit the trails and do some light crawling. I guess i want the best of both worlds. I don't care if the truck is heavy, i just want to maybe reach 20+ mph

i like the metal chassis and running gear that scale crawlers/trail trucks offer, i jsut know most of them are geared so low that you cant do much other than crawl. what would you do?

my budget is around $400

I think the only axles with remote locking diffs are from Kyosho, but those are pretty wide for an SCX-10, TheBennyB or RustedRC may be able to chime in and give you a better idea of what you might be looking for. Or are you looking for a Dig setup, where you can lock and unlock the rear diff?

I've scratch-built 2 SCX-10's, but both of mine have locked diffs front & rear.

You could check out the newer traxxas TRX4 or even the older Summit they have remote locking diffs. Will stretch your budget though. Also think of this, no matter what it is in life, a dual mode item is never as good as a dedicated item. Due to gearing it's hard to find a solid trail/rock crawler that will then get to speed for bashing. All in the gear reductions and motor turns for speed or torque. If your not completely set on remote locking diffs you could look at rock racers such as the Axial wraith or Yeti

Thanks Benny

Yep i agree with benny. trx-4 i got a friend that has one on 3s lipo it is awesome. the creeper has locking diffs but i wouldn't use it for going fast. if you really want to scratch build i would get some trx-4 axles, scx/ax10 tranny with two speed connected. then go from there.
having the two speed tranny will get you some speed but now where near a race truck and a 3s lipo battery will get the best wheel speed with that set up. (IMO)

Thanks Rusted