roktoy
Dirt Addict
When it came time to building a 1/10th scale 4WD, the realistic looking Tamiya Bruiser axles were the standard for many years. Problem was that these axles were never built to be very beefy and over time they have become rarer and more expensive. Other plastic axles (Tamiya TLT, Wheely King, Axial Scorpion, etc.) have been used to build 1.9 and 2.2 tire size vehicles but lack the true scale look with metal parts that the Bruiser axles have.
Then along comes RC4WD with their T-Rex 60 series front and rear complete axle assemblies. There are no plastic parts in these axles. The housings are constructed of machined aluminum and anodized in a deep black color. What’s also unique about these assemblies is that the differential has a true removable cover just like the full-size Dana 60 axles they emulate.
Our front and rear axle housings arrived carefully packed in foam packing and with the included Tracgear locked differential and pinion assembly already put together. Full ball bearings are included for all the stainless axle shafts and for the knuckle pivot points. Knuckles are matching black aluminum pieces.
In a short while, we had both axles assembled, applied a little grease to the ring gear, and assembled the diff covers with 2mm socket head cap screws. All hardware is included and the screws are stainless. One thing we liked was that our kit also included some extra screws, washers, and c-clips….those easy to drop and loose parts.
The axle housing assembly comes as two halves that are secured together with screws. Steel 12mm wheel hexes are included as well as nyloc wheel nuts. Once assembled, we measured the track width from outside hex to outside hex to be right about 7.5 inches. RC4WD lists the axles as weighing 216 grams (front) and 186 grams (rear). They felt good in hand and look good to boot.
The knuckle assemblies move easily on the included bearings and look to be well designed. Arms are drilled to accept 3mm screws to mount steering links. At the time we got our axles there was a small issue with the CV axle joints, but RC4WD was working to resolve the problem and offer part replacements.
Here you can see the detail in the diff cover. It’s a sharp looking piece, though we might like a black cover option for our trail truck. On the flip side is a realistic pumpkin section and the steel pinion shaft rides on full ball bearings and has a 5mm output shaft with drilled cross-pin hole.
RC4WD offers several optional kits to mount the axles. They have link mounts and leaf spring mounts with combined mount points for shock ends. A small notch machined on the top of each axle tube mates with the mounts to keep the mounts from rotating on the tubes. A stamp-formed upper link mount and servo mount are also available for those looking for those components.
Overall, we’re impressed with the design of the T-Rex 60s. These axles aren’t cheap and will run you about 3 bills a set. However, if you’re serious about building a realistic scale 4WD, we definitely think you should consider these a possibility.
Then along comes RC4WD with their T-Rex 60 series front and rear complete axle assemblies. There are no plastic parts in these axles. The housings are constructed of machined aluminum and anodized in a deep black color. What’s also unique about these assemblies is that the differential has a true removable cover just like the full-size Dana 60 axles they emulate.
Our front and rear axle housings arrived carefully packed in foam packing and with the included Tracgear locked differential and pinion assembly already put together. Full ball bearings are included for all the stainless axle shafts and for the knuckle pivot points. Knuckles are matching black aluminum pieces.
In a short while, we had both axles assembled, applied a little grease to the ring gear, and assembled the diff covers with 2mm socket head cap screws. All hardware is included and the screws are stainless. One thing we liked was that our kit also included some extra screws, washers, and c-clips….those easy to drop and loose parts.
The axle housing assembly comes as two halves that are secured together with screws. Steel 12mm wheel hexes are included as well as nyloc wheel nuts. Once assembled, we measured the track width from outside hex to outside hex to be right about 7.5 inches. RC4WD lists the axles as weighing 216 grams (front) and 186 grams (rear). They felt good in hand and look good to boot.
The knuckle assemblies move easily on the included bearings and look to be well designed. Arms are drilled to accept 3mm screws to mount steering links. At the time we got our axles there was a small issue with the CV axle joints, but RC4WD was working to resolve the problem and offer part replacements.
Here you can see the detail in the diff cover. It’s a sharp looking piece, though we might like a black cover option for our trail truck. On the flip side is a realistic pumpkin section and the steel pinion shaft rides on full ball bearings and has a 5mm output shaft with drilled cross-pin hole.
RC4WD offers several optional kits to mount the axles. They have link mounts and leaf spring mounts with combined mount points for shock ends. A small notch machined on the top of each axle tube mates with the mounts to keep the mounts from rotating on the tubes. A stamp-formed upper link mount and servo mount are also available for those looking for those components.
Overall, we’re impressed with the design of the T-Rex 60s. These axles aren’t cheap and will run you about 3 bills a set. However, if you’re serious about building a realistic scale 4WD, we definitely think you should consider these a possibility.
