Help me build my first SCX10 (Wrangler G6 Recon)

[GodSpeed999]

Quick background:

I was rebuilding an original Team Associated RC10 my brother and I had in the 80's and I brought my kids along for one of the many trips to the local hobby shop to get (more) parts. There, my then 3yr old son (now 4), saw the SCX10 Jeep Wrangler G6 Recon and hasn't stopped talking about it since....every day....months later. So I'm going to build it for him for Christmas. Poor little guy is obsessed with it and he's a good kid.

So, I have a few questions to start and hopefully the knowledge here can help me along the way.

I'm thinking of going with the HiTech HS-5646WP servo, Castle Sidewinder 3 ESC and Holmes Hobbies TorqueMaster Expert 540 35T motor (although I'm going to have to figure something out on the shipping of the Holmes because it's CRAZY to get it to Canada ~27USD). I already have Turnigy Nano-Tech 2S, 6000mAh, 65-130C LiPo's from the RC10.

Any comments or suggestions on that stuff are welcome.

But as far as building the kit goes, I was also thinking of upgrading the following from the get-go based upon some reading I've done and pictures I've seen here.

AX30835 Aluminum Servo Horn
AX30496 Aluminun Steering Knuckles
AX30495 Aluminum C Hub Carriers
AX30464 Aluminum Universal Joints
AX30494 Aluminum Rear Axle Lockout
AX30421 Straight Axle

I'm uncertain about the need for the rear axle lockout (and required straight axle) though. Seems like a good idea to me -- replace plastic stuff with aluminum and make it locked. Good idea? Axial's site says the 30421 is required with the 30494 rear axle lockout hubs. Is it...for the G6 kit?

I've also been told the shock mounting hoops are a weak point, but I don't see an aluminum upgrade option from Axial. Any suggestions?

Same with upper links. The lowers and steering are aluminum in the kit but the uppers appear to still be plastic. Who makes a good set of uppers?

Here's a few shots of the RC10 just because pictures are more fun to look at:

As found in parents' basement after 25+ years --

Almost finished (because they're never really finished, are they....) --

 

[Doug Brock]

All a 4yr old needs is a RTR. Unless dad is going to use it too. Lol The RTR's are decent out of the box. Just my .02$ worth.

 

[GodSpeed999]

All a 4yr old needs is a RTR. Unless dad is going to use it too. Lol The RTR's are decent out of the box. Just my .02$ worth.

I've heard they're quite good. But I don't mind the build, a little extra money spent and the quality improvements out of sourcing specific electronics and getting more aluminum bits out of the box.

Yes I'll use it too. How could I resist? :mrgreen:

PS. Hamilton? Whoa, what are the odds of my first response coming from a local guy?

 

[TacoCrawler]

Don't be a cheapskate... LOL

get yer kid his own RTR

then build your own kit
so's you can piss yer money away on yer own black hole ;-)

No 4 year old kid should have to argue with their daddy
just so they can play with their own toy. ha ha

besides... having two rigs running together is simply more fun "thumbsup"

 

[Sailingeric]

I would agree, get the RTR, my JK was RTR and all I did was upgrade the links and it has ran flawlessly. As things break then upgrade, you guys can have the fun of repairing it together.

 

[GodSpeed999]

Hey, if I told my wife it was for me I'd never be allowed. I'd already be sleeping in my truck if she knew how much I spent on rebuilding the RC10.

So it's for my kids. ;-) ;-) Got it?

Does the G6 kit need the 30421 axle to run the rear lockers?

And what's a good aluminum shock hoop option other than Vanquish? (maybe a step down in price but still good)

I also have questions about wheel weights but we'll get to that....

 

[TacoCrawler]

And what's a good aluminum shock hoop option other than Vanquish? (maybe a step down in price but still good)

I'll guess google and rccrawler searches are not your forte

Hot Racing... custom ?

 

[im gunna crawl]

I run the vanquish shock hoops and if you want good parts get them.

 

[new2rocks]

I have a G6 kit, or should I say that our 5-year old has one since he rarely lets me drive it. Good thing I have a few others to choose from so that I can run with him. It took about 2 or 3 trail runs for him to really gain his confidence, and now he'll go for 3 hour runs without blinking. Good times, for sure!

I'm totally with you on the kit, and most of what you're doing looks good. I don't think you need the straight axles (the kit comes with). You should definitely add titanium links to your list (VP or Blue Monkey are both good), as well as RRP tranny gears. The stock lockers will also go pretty quickly, so an upgrade will help there (I'm running Hot Racing, which have done fine so far). Other upgrades worth considering are 32p spur and pinion (I run the RRP 56t slipper with a 10 or 11t pinion), weights for the front wheels to help with crawling, and better wheels/tires/foams (I've run Rock Beast 1.9s, TSL 1.9 XLs, and Flat Iron 2.2s and like all of them).

I'd recommend heavily limiting the top speed using end point adjustment on the radio at first. I started him at about 15-20% at first and gradually increased as he got more confident and skilled. He now runs 3s with no limits, and he's gotten very good. He can just about get through anything on the trails that i can get through. I also tell my wife that it's more for him than for me. She knows better but doesn't hold it against me.