Mini Revo,or a Ten t

I was going to suggest the Ten-T, or possibly the 4wd slash. I haven't read much on what Brian thinks of his so far. I think a Stampede would be lots of fun - but you would have to commit to a 2-wd truck.

Stampede hands down for being tough, easy to work on, and cheap to replace parts. It's a fun little truck even being 2WD. The reason is that it's so light and will go just about anywhere. My next pick would be a slash 4wd with 2.2 masher 2k's and some light wheels. Why traxxas products, because everyone carries replacement parts. The rustler/stampede/slash/bandit are by far the best supported rc trucks I have seen across the country. I have never needed a part for one and the LHS not have it.

Yeah, I think Stampede might be it. The CRT .5 is tempting but the 4WD and 3 diff setup, while nice to have, is a bit more than I need. Just more stuff to break and wear out. If I want to drive a vehicle for excellent handling I'll drive my buggy, but I want something that I can kick around. It'll probably be tumbling as much as it's on the wheels so handling is not as important.

So here's a possibility: Stampede, MMP, 2S lipo (maybe 3S eventually?), need a good motor (suggestions?), and probably just use a low to mid level Hitec servo. Only upgrades I'd get are probably Mike's trans gears, FLM diff, and some type of better shocks.

How does that sound?

I would stand by the Slash 2x4 as the most durable truck made. I don't own one, but my wife does. She isn't so good with rc, but she loves to beat the crud out of anything at the other end of the remote. She did manage to break it now and then, the funniest was when she broke the chassis, something I thought could not be done. 20-30 foot drop of the side of a cliff, tumbled for what seemed like days. Can't go wrong with one of these and a waterproof brushless set up.

I also had the mini. Once built up they take one hell of a beating. A had a cartwheel going for what seemed like two blocks at one time and not a thing on it broke.

By far my fave was the 1/10 E-Revo, that thing took it all. 30 foot jumps, nose dives, skate parks, you name it. Never had a problem with the chassis.

The Slash 4x4 takes some to get it fun, can't really use 3s with the stock set-up. At least I couldn't with out heat problems. But it is pretty durable, besides the stub axles. For some unknown reason they thought to put a plastic bushing in a high friction area, which quickly needs replacement.

Then again my latest favorite basher is a converted duratrax raze buggy. Takes all the crap I throw at it and hasn't broke yet. Seized a bearing in the motor at the dunes once, but that was about it.

I personally don't like the 2WD Slash. The diff is a poor design all around, and even the upgraded sealable version is a band-aid IMO. If you want a pre-owned Slash, PM me. Basically, you get what is pictured here, minus radio and motor/ESC (although I could include the ESC too if you want), and you get any extra parts I have for it.

True on the diff. Always leaked. A FLM diff is a must.

Personally, if this is just a beater I wouldn't spend the money on the MMPro or any decent motor for it. The stock Velineon on 3s will work great for your purposes and is waterproof to boot. The only thing I would upgrade is the diff and shocks. But I really wouldn't mess with it until I had issues.

I would even go the 4x4 slash platinum over the CRT.5.

Well I have it narrowed down to pretty much the Slash or Stampede, which is basically where I started. I know a lot of people are recommending the Slash 4x4 but I don't think I really want 4WD. For what I want to do 2WD is enough and 4WD is just more parts to break and wear out.

I guess the MMP might be a bit much, but I do really like Castle stuff, and I feel like the MMP leaves a lot more options than the VXL if I ever want to move it to another vehicle. But it will be a bit before I need to decide, roller has to come first. The motor probably will be the VXL motor though.

Start with a VXL system. CRP on the traxxas forum has been selling them off the 4x4 for a great price for a while now. Then you can upgrade the ESC later and still have a good motor in the truck. However on of these is a must. I am looking for a liable replacement for the tranny case here soon as well, the plastic holds up decent but somehow my wife still manages to get sand in there. I will be going aluminum soon.

Correct me if I'm wrong - the Stampede will have a bit better ground clearance, and thus a little worse handling than the Slash. Both will have tremendous aftermarket support. If your just bashing I'd think the stampede, but if your are playing on a track, the Slash might be the better long term.

Oh the heck with it, I'm gonna let you just buy both!!

It would be bashing only. Hopefully I'll be moving somewhere close to a track when I find a job, but if that's the case I'll be driving my buggy and truggy on the track. This vehicle is just for bashing around in parks, fields, and woods. I like the idea of the Stampede higher ground clearance, but I also have been kind of itching to get an SC. I just want to be able to pack up a backpack full of charged lipos, a few tools, and some cheap spare parts and go spend an afternoon hiking in the woods looking for epic bash spots.

stampede and slash are almost the same - same height / battery config - slash is slightly longer and the bumpers and large body help with resiliance...

I'd slash it...

4x4 slash is the toughest of the bunch and handles great (especially the PE)

If you are leaning towards a slash or stampede, My idea is for a slash w/stampede tires and a revo based body (2.5 bodies fit nicely)

The main reason, bellcranks. The slash has them and the stampede doesn't