New to Scale RC - Trophy Truck / Desert Racer question

[Khofman]

I want to try the scale scene now that our local track closed and all my Short Course & e-buggies are collecting dust. After looking around I've been bitten by the solid rear axle Trophy Truck / Desert racers bug.

I ABSOLUTELY loved bashing my SC8 (still have SC8.2e) but always wished it had more realistic scale appeal. I really love the look of AXIAL Yeti Score trophy truck but concerned about finding parts / body. I noticed Axial sunset the Yeti platform in general but is there anticipation/hope of them releasing a 2.0 version? or alternate rock racer platform that can be converted to TT?

I know Traxxas makes a great scale truck in the UDR but just always appreciated the allure of Axial. Not opposed to converting or building out something more custom (Build process always super fun for me). Not really feeling the Super Baja Rey since it's so complicated to take body off / maintain.

Any guidance greatly appreciated!!!

Thank you

kevin

 

[Sniper4370]

I was going to suggest the regular Baja Rey. All preference I guess. Depends on what you want to do with it. I have one and while it is a great truck, I just don't drive it.

 

[rkj__]

I believe the Traxxas UDR is unmatched for scale driving appeal. The suspension is very impressive.


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[Khofman]

Yea the more I research this, the more it seems like a UDR roller is probably my best bet. Part the reason I don’t drive my SC8 anymore is I’m scared to break something that I can’t easily replace. As much as I want to finally get an Axial parts for the Score are getting scarce esp bodies


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[Khofman]

I was going to suggest the regular Baja Rey. All preference I guess. Depends on what you want to do with it. I have one and while it is a great truck, I just don't drive it.

As a recovering AE fanboy it’s hard to truly consider TLR even though Axial is owed by Horizon it’s not that hard of a pill to swallow. Same with the UDR honestly but there’s limited options for scale Trophy trucks


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[LSXGMC]

The UDR is one of the coolest trucks available and offers such an incredibly scale driving experience. Buy one.

 

[mewalsh100]

The Baja Rey is a proven performer and an absolute hoot to drive (particularly on 3S). Parts and aftermarket are also readily available. It needs some tweaks out of the box to run 3S without blowing things up. Aluminum front bulkhead and aftermarket rear axle for larger pinion bearing are musts. Other than that, it’s pretty bullet proof.

 

[colbynobo]

I'm also a fan of the trophy trucks and over the years I've owned the following: Baja Rey, Yeti Trophy Truck and Traxxas UDR.

It's essential to own a power screwdriver when owning the Baja Rey and the UDR. I loved how easy it was to work on the Yeti SCORE.

I'm not thrilled by the way the Baja Rey and the UDR trying to heavily guide you towards using their proprietary battery connectors. Sure, you can modify the chassis yourself or find some nice 3D printed part to adopt to your preferred connector, but it's something you have to consider. Ultimately for my UDR I drank the Flavor Aid and purchased Traxxas ID batteries.

Even running my Baja Rey on 2S I kept blowing out the center differential. Just before I sold it I purchased a locker, installed it and sold it before determining whether that was a permanent fix. The Yeti SCORE constantly had me chasing steering issues. I was familiar with the steering because I had previously owned a Yeti and had dumped a fair amount of money into beefing up its steering. I just didn't want to invest the same money into the SCORE steering so threw in the towel and sold it.

I still have the UDR. I love how scale it looks blasting across rough terrain. It's just a cool truck to own and I like the parts availability. I don't own one, but maybe you could consider the Arrma Mojave. It's not scale in the sense that it has independent rear suspension, but it may tick off enough boxes that you'd be willing to accept it nonetheless.

 

[MAC FAB]

You are at somewhat of a crossroad situation. UDR checks all the boxes, but a non-Axial rig. Seeing NYC, you will need some real estate to drive the larger 1/7 scale rig. Got that much area? You don't care for the Rey, which is your best production option. That leaves plan C, scratch build. This allows you to stay Slash sized. Slash 4x front bulkhead and suspension in a 2wd truck, Metal Concepts arms, links and rear axle..... When done, you'll be into it at least $1000 if you bought the right parts. You'll have to build or buy the cage. Justin (Cyconxc on Youtube and elsewhere) has the Slash sized rigs down to a science, that will help with homework should you go that route. Kinda makes the Baja Rey sound more and more attractive, especially if you aren't a fabber. Good luck on your final selection/direction you take

 

[Khofman]

I'm also a fan of the trophy trucks and over the years I've owned the following: Baja Rey, Yeti Trophy Truck and Traxxas UDR.

It's essential to own a power screwdriver when owning the Baja Rey and the UDR. I loved how easy it was to work on the Yeti SCORE.

I'm not thrilled by the way the Baja Rey and the UDR trying to heavily guide you towards using their proprietary battery connectors. Sure, you can modify the chassis yourself or find some nice 3D printed part to adopt to your preferred connector, but it's something you have to consider. Ultimately for my UDR I drank the Flavor Aid and purchased Traxxas ID batteries.

Even running my Baja Rey on 2S I kept blowing out the center differential. Just before I sold it I purchased a locker, installed it and sold it before determining whether that was a permanent fix. The Yeti SCORE constantly had me chasing steering issues. I was familiar with the steering because I had previously owned a Yeti and had dumped a fair amount of money into beefing up its steering. I just didn't want to invest the same money into the SCORE steering so threw in the towel and sold it.

I still have the UDR. I love how scale it looks blasting across rough terrain. It's just a cool truck to own and I like the parts availability. I don't own one, but maybe you could consider the Arrma Mojave. It's not scale in the sense that it has independent rear suspension, but it may tick off enough boxes that you'd be willing to accept it nonetheless.

I actually own two SC8's that are pretty dialed in. I was interested in trying a different trucks because I'm slowly running out of spare parts & certain things are becoming hard to replace ie: Bodies, Body Mounts, Roll Cage, etc. I was actually thinking about converting one to a DB8 to switch things up. At least all it's parts are readily available.

I feel like the Mojave will be too close and lose some of the fun from a new rig. Really appreciate the suggestion

 

[Khofman]

You are at somewhat of a crossroad situation. UDR checks all the boxes, but a non-Axial rig. Seeing NYC, you will need some real estate to drive the larger 1/7 scale rig. Got that much area? You don't care for the Rey, which is your best production option. That leaves plan C, scratch build. This allows you to stay Slash sized. Slash 4x front bulkhead and suspension in a 2wd truck, Metal Concepts arms, links and rear axle..... When done, you'll be into it at least $1000 if you bought the right parts. You'll have to build or buy the cage. Justin (Cyconxc on Youtube and elsewhere) has the Slash sized rigs down to a science, that will help with homework should you go that route. Kinda makes the Baja Rey sound more and more attractive, especially if you aren't a fabber. Good luck on your final selection/direction you take

Can't tell you how much I appreciate all the feedback & judgement free zone here. After obsessively searching for good condition Yeti Score or even Yeti to convert but I fear I'll end up with another truck i'm hesitant to run because hard to source spare parts.

I am going to do some more research on the UDR & Baja Rey. As a true associated fan boy also looking into an Element Enduro given the new IFS kit.

Thanks all, I'll be sure keep this thread updated with what direction I end up going.

 

[rkj__]

I am going to do some more research on the UDR & Baja Rey. As a true associated fan boy also looking into an Element Enduro given the new IFS kit.

A UDR and Element Enduro are obviously extremely different. I worry about the Stability of the Enduro at speed (assuming you build a fast one), due to its narrow width, locked front diff, and high stance.

That said, which one you enjoy more, could be highly dependant on what terrain you have easy access to.

The UDR is a big truck, and definitely needs a bit of space to run. Given that it is not a hardcore basher either, I believe you need a pretty specific type of terrain to enjoy it. Open enough to get speeds up a bit, but rough and uneven enough to make it interesting.



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[Khofman]

I have a varying amount of terrain since there’s a lot of parks around my area. The UDR is definitely bigger than I’d prefer but I am considering it since love how detailed/scale it looks & drives. I think all the marketing & new part’s coming for the Enduro is what made me mention that.

Truth is I’m kind of tired of ebuggies & short course and trying to find something new that’s fun to build/modify & drive. Scale trucks / rock racers always looked cool to me and seems like a new exciting side of RC I haven’t tried. The Yeti platform checked all the boxes plus always digged the ethos behind Axial as a brand. Not sure if the Horizon acquisition negates the latter part but the more I research the more it seems I should consider other options.




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[Khofman]

So just wanted to update all the people that were so nice to offer suggestions. I finally found an Axial Yeti Score kit and bought it.

Hopefully it was the right move but found myself constantly comparing everything to the Axial Yeti RR or TT. Parts seem to be readily available and excited to finally built my first kit in over 5 years!

Thanks to all that helped & hope everyone is staying safe out there


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