brianw
RCC Addict
I’m torn. Is one better than the other?
I want to build a fun/trail truck. Not into comps much at all.
Thanks.
I want to build a fun/trail truck. Not into comps much at all.
Thanks.
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VS410 portal kit vs Fordyce?
- Thread starter brianw
- Start date
(Portal axles, Yota Body, plus you build, paint and choose your own electronics) vs (straight axles, Willys body throw a charged battery and use what they give you! grey or blue instant fun)
I don't comp ... I play in my yard course and some hiking with my boys and enjoy thinker, mod, and upgrade. I do appreciate something that looks good, scale, and realistic but works and performs adequately. I have both a built VP-pro and a RTR both bring smiles to my face but i know which one has the goods and can take it the RTR is an optic and is similarly spec as the Fordyce with the electronics package pretty solid for trailing I have ran more than 50 packs through the electronics on the optic and not ever fixed anything than a loosened servo link screw. The VFD transmission in the Kit will spec'd and ready for more functions.
I don't comp ... I play in my yard course and some hiking with my boys and enjoy thinker, mod, and upgrade. I do appreciate something that looks good, scale, and realistic but works and performs adequately. I have both a built VP-pro and a RTR both bring smiles to my face but i know which one has the goods and can take it the RTR is an optic and is similarly spec as the Fordyce with the electronics package pretty solid for trailing I have ran more than 50 packs through the electronics on the optic and not ever fixed anything than a loosened servo link screw. The VFD transmission in the Kit will spec'd and ready for more functions.
Better is a subjective thing based on what you're looking for. They are more similar than they are different and I've always considered the Fordyce to be a Phoenix Lite.
If you want an RTR that has good performance out of the box, the Fordyce will have an edge over the Phoenix Portal Kit due to weight savings on the drivetrain and body and lower cg with straight axles compared to portals.
However the Phoenix Portal kit is what I would take every single time for a couple of reasons:
1. Drivetrain should be stronger, particularly the drive spools and pinions being machined vs the Fordyce's sintered ones.
2. The VFD twin that comes in Phoenix has customizable overdrive on the fly and dig built in. When hooked up to servos, there's a lot of fun to be had on the trail playing around with these options.
3. I have a preference on electronics vs the stock RTRs.
4. Building is half the fun for me.
5. I like the FJ inspired Phoenix body over the Jeep inspired Fordyce body.
6. I like portals for the added clearance.
I don't think you can go wrong with either truck and it comes down to preference. It's a good problem to have.
If you want an RTR that has good performance out of the box, the Fordyce will have an edge over the Phoenix Portal Kit due to weight savings on the drivetrain and body and lower cg with straight axles compared to portals.
However the Phoenix Portal kit is what I would take every single time for a couple of reasons:
1. Drivetrain should be stronger, particularly the drive spools and pinions being machined vs the Fordyce's sintered ones.
2. The VFD twin that comes in Phoenix has customizable overdrive on the fly and dig built in. When hooked up to servos, there's a lot of fun to be had on the trail playing around with these options.
3. I have a preference on electronics vs the stock RTRs.
4. Building is half the fun for me.
5. I like the FJ inspired Phoenix body over the Jeep inspired Fordyce body.
6. I like portals for the added clearance.
I don't think you can go wrong with either truck and it comes down to preference. It's a good problem to have.
I wish they still offered the phoenix kit with straight axles
It was offered at some point IIRC it has now been discontinued
The phoenix kit has portals and the vfd twin transmission. That transmission gives you the option to have selectable overdrive and dig. The ring and pinion inside the axles are hardened machined steel.
Fordyce had straight axles. The ring and pinion are cast so they are not as durable, but they will do ok as long as you don't go big on motor/esc later on. That transmission does not have dig or selectable overdrive. The included electronics are not very good but they will do the job for a bit.
Don't overlook the builders kits. Most of us end up replacing rtr or kit bodies pretty quick and also the wheels and tires. I don't like paying for stuff I'm not going to use so those are the way i like to go if given the opportunity.
Fordyce had straight axles. The ring and pinion are cast so they are not as durable, but they will do ok as long as you don't go big on motor/esc later on. That transmission does not have dig or selectable overdrive. The included electronics are not very good but they will do the job for a bit.
Don't overlook the builders kits. Most of us end up replacing rtr or kit bodies pretty quick and also the wheels and tires. I don't like paying for stuff I'm not going to use so those are the way i like to go if given the opportunity.
Yes that’s why I wish they still offered it.
lol…
Just my opinion, but I don’t care for the twin particularly with the stock sintered gears.
I also don’t care for the Phoenix body.
I would choose the fordyce and plan on upgrading the diff gears as needed.
In reality what I did was build a fordyce with vrd carbon portals and transmission
I also don’t care for the Phoenix body.
I would choose the fordyce and plan on upgrading the diff gears as needed.
In reality what I did was build a fordyce with vrd carbon portals and transmission
brianw
RCC Addict
I think that’s my problem. I’m not a fan of the Fordyce body…
You can’t go wrong no matter what you decide.
If you like the Phoenix body and are interested in building a kit, go Phoenix Kit. It’s a fun build and the f10 portals are great axles. If you decide you want straight axles or standard VFD instead you would have no problem selling or trading the portals or the twin.
The nice thing is vp has done a good job keeping the vs410 offerings pretty interchangeable
89Industries
Quarry Creeper
Personally, I think it comes down to painting.
For me the building is not difficult and likely I'd end up taking apart and reassembling an rtr mostly just to check stuff out and add grease, shim diffs, etc. Or when making upgrades if you're the tinkerer type.
But painting is tricky especially if you live somewhere cold right now and don't have a place inside to paint inside. Or if you're new to painting and it's intimidating. So then you built this truck that you want to drive but don't have a body while waiting for a barely warm enough day and the courage to paint AND happen to not have other things to do while it's warm (like work).
What about the rtr Phoenix? Kind of a mix between the two trucks. Vfd twin, straight axle plus the fj-ish body already painted. Can buy matching rear fenders if desired.
I have a Phoenix straight axle I built from kit. I like it quite a bit but definitely costs more to get it driving than the rtr phoenix. Unless you use essentially the rtr electronics or have stuff already.
For me the building is not difficult and likely I'd end up taking apart and reassembling an rtr mostly just to check stuff out and add grease, shim diffs, etc. Or when making upgrades if you're the tinkerer type.
But painting is tricky especially if you live somewhere cold right now and don't have a place inside to paint inside. Or if you're new to painting and it's intimidating. So then you built this truck that you want to drive but don't have a body while waiting for a barely warm enough day and the courage to paint AND happen to not have other things to do while it's warm (like work).
What about the rtr Phoenix? Kind of a mix between the two trucks. Vfd twin, straight axle plus the fj-ish body already painted. Can buy matching rear fenders if desired.
I have a Phoenix straight axle I built from kit. I like it quite a bit but definitely costs more to get it driving than the rtr phoenix. Unless you use essentially the rtr electronics or have stuff already.
I'm sure there are folks on the opposite side who don't like the Phoenix body that would be willing to trade.
The good news is that the bodies are direct swaps with no modifications required. The only exception would be if you had a Phoenix with a dig servo, the servo would get in the way of the Fordyce cab.
Portals are probably better for most rocky trails, but I prefer straight axles. I think the Forcyde looks better and I like that it is simpler. I don't need the overly-complicated VFD Twin transmission in the Phoenix. I have the super-reliable Traxxas TRX-4 for that.
It's all going to be user preference.
It's all going to be user preference.
