Rc crawler kits

[slickrock4evr]

I have the Element Enduro ecto, it's not out of the box stock. I really like what associated has done with this truck. Portals. 12% overdrive, and 36% underdrive in the rear portals. Steering, articulation, and control, all feel really good. But now i want a kit to build, the H10, I found a capra unlimited still in the box, I just came a across cross rc. They have exactly what I have in mind, want a the 79' toyota, with a flat bed. The reviews I've watched, present it very well. It might be a bit top heavy. I'm sure a set of axial portals or injora will work. My ultimate goal is to build a kit that will be a competition build for class 3. I would do the Element comp fox. But I have heard a few that were disappointed with the build. Ie. Shocks missing washers, confusing instructions. Ect. And at this time they don't currently have a body I want to run. Any and all opinions, suggestions please.

 

[Col_Sanders]

If you really want to be competitive, the best thing to do is a scratch build. Many chassis manufacturers now put together kits with transmissions and links, etc so it is much easier than it used to be, BUT it is still a good bit of work and some trial and error. If you are new the hobby or do not have the time/patience to go through all that, the competition oriented kits (VRD Carbon, SCX10 Pro, etc) are pretty good. They will allow you to get good at driving and you can mod as you go. I've never owned an Element but Comp Fox looks like it should be decent too.

At any rate, don't focus on what kit comes with what body. Bodies are easy swaps and they are cheap compared to the rest of the truck. No sense in spending hundreds of dollars on a kit because it comes with a body you like, then swapping axles, chassis, links, tires and wheels, shocks, transmission. Buy/build a good kit then put whatever body you want on it. The RC4WD Mojave body is that generation Toyota. It is very commonly used and there are a lot of folks making mounts to get that body on whatever chassis you want.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

Welcome to the site! I don't have any competition experience. Just make sure you actually have a competition class in your area or you will be building for nothing. 2.2's aren't that popular around here anymore for sure.

Element portals aren't great because they are a very old school design where the rear axle is basically the front and they use links to lock out the steering. This isn't a rock-solid thing.

 

[OutLore]

I have the Element Enduro ecto, it's not out of the box stock. I really like what associated has done with this truck. Portals. 12% overdrive, and 36% underdrive in the rear portals. Steering, articulation, and control, all feel really good. But now i want a kit to build, the H10, I found a capra unlimited still in the box, I just came a across cross rc. They have exactly what I have in mind, want a the 79' toyota, with a flat bed. The reviews I've watched, present it very well. It might be a bit top heavy. I'm sure a set of axial portals or injora will work. My ultimate goal is to build a kit that will be a competition build for class 3. I would do the Element comp fox. But I have heard a few that were disappointed with the build. Ie. Shocks missing washers, confusing instructions. Ect. And at this time they don't currently have a body I want to run. Any and all opinions, suggestions please.

I've got a couple of CrossRC rigs, and I like them... but I would say they're more trail/scale trucks than competition. As JTR reccommended a comp builders kit or scratch build would be best, depending on what the comp scene in your area looks like.

 

[slickrock4evr]

If you really want to be competitive, the best thing to do is a scratch build. Many chassis manufacturers now put together kits with transmissions and links, etc so it is much easier than it used to be, BUT it is still a good bit of work and some trial and error. If you are new the hobby or do not have the time/patience to go through all that, the competition oriented kits (VRD Carbon, SCX10 Pro, etc) are pretty good. They will allow you to get good at driving and you can mod as you go. I've never owned an Element but Comp Fox looks like it should be decent too.

At any rate, don't focus on what kit comes with what body. Bodies are easy swaps and they are cheap compared to the rest of the truck. No sense in spending hundreds of dollars on a kit because it comes with a body you like, then swapping axles, chassis, links, tires and wheels, shocks, transmission. Buy/build a good kit then put whatever body you want on it. The RC4WD Mojave body is that generation Toyota. It is very commonly used and there are a lot of folks making mounts to get that body on whatever chassis you want.

Thank you! I've been digging on the web, and you tubing for days trying to figure out what people are doing for competition cars. I was figuring that most were starting with a rock pirates comp kit, or as you mentioned scx10, etc and going from there. I like the idea of starting with carbon frame rails and building piece by piece. I have some work to do! Thanks again.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

Thank you! I've been digging on the web, and you tubing for days trying to figure out what people are doing for competition cars. I was figuring that most were starting with a rock pirates comp kit, or as you mentioned scx10, etc and going from there. I like the idea of starting with carbon frame rails and building piece by piece. I have some work to do! Thanks again.

Please make a build thread as you start gathering parts! I've always wanted to build a comp rig from scratch, but a Vanquish VRD Carbon kit is as far as I've gotten.

 

[Col_Sanders]

Thank you! I've been digging on the web, and you tubing for days trying to figure out what people are doing for competition cars. I was figuring that most were starting with a rock pirates comp kit, or as you mentioned scx10, etc and going from there. I like the idea of starting with carbon frame rails and building piece by piece. I have some work to do! Thanks again.

Many of the chassis makers out there also offer links for various axles and wheelbases. Some also offer transmissions. It is much easier if you go that route. I run Vanquish F10 portals in my comp rigs. The only breakage I have had is an axle shaft and that was just because my winch line got wrapped around my tire and something had to give.

Some guys in our club use the no name portals off Amazon and their results are mixed. Some hold up pretty well while others are quite fragile. Same for the transmissions.

 

[ferp420]

ive had really good luck making my own chassis and skids they work atleast as good as the store bought carbon fiber chassis i have