Looking for a vehicle to BEAT ON!
 

Here's the deal, I want to get a vehicle that will be dedicated to beating on. I have my buggy and truggy, and I love them, but I am kind of a wimp about really bashing them. Until I move somewhere that has a track nearby I have resigned myself to just driving them around in the park. It's fun, but I need something that I can drive with no reservations.

Here's some traits the vehicle should have:

1. Easy to work on
2. Cheap parts
3. Good amount of aftermarket parts
4. Hopefully easy to find used as a cheap roller

So far the Slash 2WD or Stampede seem like good candidates, but I want to see what other suggestions you guys might have. Thanks in advance for any help!

Revo or E-Revo hands down, but I recommend a nitro Revo 3.3 converted to brushless, because the nitro chassis is much stronger than the E-Revo.

+1 on the converted e-revo, awesome truck. The Muggy converted is also a good option.

What's the budget?

I just sold my E-Revo. It was tough, but I thought it was a PITA to work on.

I don't have a set budget really, but I'd like to keep it on the cheaper side because I don't want to put big bucks into something I plan to beat the crap out of. Most of my builds take awhile because I buy what I need piece by piece as I get the money, but the nice thing is I'm not stuck with "OK I have $300 in hand what can I make work for this much?" I want to be able to use my current 2S lipos (either as 2S or 4S) and I already have radio gear. I want to use an MMP, so that will be $125, and that leaves a servo, roller, and motor I need to pick out.

i vote for lst xxl, i have seen my buddy beat the hell of his and it just takes it.

I have no doubt that the LST would make a good basher, but I'm leaning towards something a little smaller and lighter, something 1/10.

I was looking at the Kyosho DRT, their 1/10 4WD SCT, especially now that I could get the electric motor mount from the DBX VE, but no one carries parts. Better off getting the Hyper 10SC or Jammin SCRT10 if I wanted to get a 4x4 SC.

But I'm not sure if I want the added complexity and parts that come with 4WD. A 2WD Slash or Stampede might get the job done and be cheap and easy to maintain.

What about the Jammin CRT .5? I found a place selling the Pro version for $99 which seems like a pretty good deal. Mike's mount and lipo tray, 2S lipo, MMP, and one of the new Ballistic 550 motors might make for a nice combo.

Seems like the lighter, smaller scale vehicles would handle crashes without as much breakage.

What about one of those HSP/AMAX - genuine Chinese 1/8 buggies? If you're going to hurt something, hurt something that deserves to be hurt

Parts cost nothing for when it needs CPR...

My vote goes to a slash 4x4. I have two, 1 of which has had the absolute hell beat out of it. It has a blitz body, it is bigger, tougher, and covers over the wheels better, which I think helps a lot. I don't think you will be happy with 2wd as a basher, esp if you are used to 4wd. Parts are easy to come by, pretty easy to work on, light for the size, good layout. I have a crt.5 too, and honestly its easier to break than the 4x4. They are pretty heavy little suckers for their size, and the wheels are way out there putting alot of leverage on arms and such. Its a neat, fun little rig, but not what I would consider a "basher"

How easy or hard is it getting into the Slash 4x4 bulkheads/diffs? That's what I didn't like about working on my E-Revo.

My buddies and I all have bone stock 2wd Slashes that we bash with and they are the most fun I've had with rc's in years. They never break and even if they do the parts are dirt cheap, I just picked up 3 or 4 rollers and spares on rctech for like $80 a pop and now we each have a truck and lots of spares not that anything really ever breaks. So far I broke a nerf bar and my brother broke a rear hub (which I think was a fluke, maybe a weak part from factory). I was jumping mine off of a loading dock ramp the other day that had about an 8 foot ramp on it, we'd hit the ramp and fly about 15' and slam into the ground and didn't break a thing on either truck. My vote is 2wd slash, cheap, easy to work on, light and fun as hell

i vote slash,they may not jump as good as a MT or a CRT but they are just soooo damn fun! they are cheap,parts are everywhere and they take any beating you give to them.and from what it sounds like,one of those new ballistic 550's would rip in one on a mmp and 2s,4 x 4 or 2wd.--josh

Check into the 1/16 Mini E-Revo VXL. Yuo already have a very good upgrade in the ESC and you can pick up a used car with RPM arms and all the need accesories, lipos, and upgrades it needs easily of r$300. My Mini E-Revo is on etough little sucker, it has withstanded so many 50 m.p.h. cartwheeels I've stopped counting.

one of the strongest trucks i've ever driven was a 100% FLM rustler with custom slash bumpers. it was wicked light and could withstand incredible abuse. i loved that friggin' truck. that's my vote for the ultimate 2WD.

4WD go FLM maxx.

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

If you're looking for a stampede, PM me. I have one with a VXL, full RPM, and more.

-JB

Go with the Slash, if you want more ground clearance get some imex 2.8 wheels and tires and throw a mt body on it.

Follow this thread for some motivation!

http://monster.traxxas.com/showthrea...ghlight=street

muggy or LST xxl

Here's a guy selling a Stampede VXL roller for 75 shipped:

http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=250192

Slash with aluminum shock caps

rustlers can take a little more of a beating than stampedes. they also handle much better. out of all the rc's i've ever had, my rustler has seen almost as much runtime as ALL the others combined. the traxxas 2wd 1/10 trucks are the ideal if you are looking for low maintainance and reliability. they aren't quite as tough as a slash, but handle much better, especially when jumping. i was launching my rustler 20-30 feet in the air and doing double backflips and only stopped when i bent the shocks like pretzels and put a nice dent in the motor that was caused by the plastic motor mount flexing on impact.

I just remembered the JConcepts J82, a 2wd 1/8 buggy conversion kit for the T4. Its big, looks awesome, its just over normal 1/10 weight, and with a light 1/8 setup its going to fly. Like novak HV motor, or speedpassions new slotless 2500kv motor with the MMPro on 3-4s.

The b4/t4 is known to be reliable, so it just might fit the description(hope thats proper english;-)

http://www.jconcepts.net/store/index...roducts_id=286

Thomas G

B4/t4 is kinda fragile IMO for true bashing. Rpm parts will help, but a rustler/pede/slash would be a better starting point. I've had all of these and my vote is a pede or rustler. A slash with bigger tires on offset rims isn't bad in the handling department, IMO a pede is better. The pede does suffer from more understeer than a slash as it likes to wheely, still fun to drive though and get my vote for a trail basher. Rustler with pede size tires would be my second choice. I think I need to build one of these now, I have some parts and a esc/motor around to put to use.

Thanks for all the input guys. I think it is definitely going to be a Slash 2wd or Stampede with a few choice upgrades to make it a tank.

For now this beater vehicle will be going on the back burner. I realized I have never actually converted a nitro vehicle myself yet (truggy was factory electric and buggy was already converted when I bought it). I don't feel like I'm a true RC Monster until I do, so I decided to do that first. Picked up a brand new CRT .5 kit and so the beater will have to wait.

what are you talking about? the crt .5 can be a great basher. all you have to do is convert it and then add some nice 1/10 tires. gladiators should work nicely.