It lives... 8)
So this kit is really fiddly. They have parts trees scattered all over the place, for who knows how many different models. When you need a part you have to figure out which tree it was on and which part is applicable. I have never really seen anything like it.
And low and behold, assembling the cage I find I'm missing the main center support for the radio box. I found other parts off that tree, it had the box lid, shifter servo housing, and a couple of other doodads, but no center support. I must have tossed it when discarding the tree by mistake. So I have to go buy AX31233 parts tree. Dayum. Oh well, a $12 mistake.
Otherwise it's mostly there. I'm going to have to do some disassembly to place that center support, and finish connecting the electrics.
Shocks are really nice, but SO many options, and you don't really find them 'till you get to the back of the manual. Double piston setup? Never saw that, oh well. They work really well and go together nicely. Why doesn't Axial have something like them for SCX10? Or maybe the do. [shrug] Again though, so many extra parts not used, plastic caps, spring separators, collars, pistons, a whole bunch of stuff replaced by the alloy shock bodies and caps. I guess this is part of the kit upgrade over RTR.
The Barndog body panels are really nice. I've done nothing with the interior panel yet. And would like to paint the fuel cell - maybe I'll take that back out when I tear it back down a bit.
The Locked-Up wheels are really nice, but frankly I think they're too narrow for this size tire, and their widener rings are back-ordered. A little disappointing. They're saying another month. I would say poor stock planning, but who knows. And I thought they were domestic, not importing, so it shouldn't take that long on their orders. Whatever, right? Rather expensive - one would think at those prices they would be a little more on the ball.
And I ordered caps for the axle covers that look like dana-60 axle ends with bolted axle end. That way I didn't need to buy a special tool and the cap would fit over the axle nut. Instead they sent me their new hoop-doop axle nuts built into the covers that require a special tool. So they're sending me the special tool to tighten them, and I'll have to cut my axles down so they don't protrude so much. The whole thing kinda leaves a bad taste. Thank dog the wheels are so nice. I went with the 8L design so I didn't have to buy hubs - besides a d-60 is a 8 lug pattern. Got the acorn nuts to go with it, zinc cap screws for the rings - they were $7 whereas the scale nuts were another $24. Had to draw the line somewhere. As it was the bill was $158 to get them.
Speaking of costs, I think I have about $800 in this thing already. Also kind of disappointing. Hopefully the performance and fun-factor will make it worth the investment. This is an expensive toy.
I got the Gearhead top rack sans light bar since I won't be running this one at night - I'm too old and can't see. LOL. I liked how it will protect the nice aluminum roof panel when it rolls over as surely it will. ;-)
I would like to add a couple of headlights or something, and move the spare tire up. I got a DSG spare mount re-locator but the mounting bolt stripped right out and I couldn't get it configured right so put the stock one back on. It is really flimsy - a few roll overs and that thing is bound to break or come loose. The spare hold-down bolt goes into a plastic top nut - geez, even a vaterra ascender has a nut built into the hold-down spinner. You just can't get this one very tight without it simply stripping out. Lots of cheap plastic in this kit.
It should be running soon. Have to button up a few loose ends. Looking forward to seeing how it runs.