4WD RCs? Availability? Pics? (newbie)

[cshontz]

Okay, I'm sorta a newbie. I had a few RCs but my last one needed to be repaired and I never got around to it, and next thing you know, over 10 years has passed. :)

My primary hobby (...moreso my life) is recreational off-pavement driving. However one day not long ago, my fiance's brother brought his RC car over to our house and he let me drive it. Needless to say, it created a little spark in me. It could never replace four-wheeling, but its something I feel that I would LOVE to do on the side again.

Being a 4WD enthusiast, I immediately tried to crawl up a curb with his RC, but it was RWD, and was improperly geared for such a feat.

My question is, is there an affordable (bang-per-buck), boxed, upgradable, 4WD electric RC, that is geared for low-range crawling? Not fast, just gobs of torque? Something that is suited for one who wants to simply "dabble" with RC cars? (small/moderate investment)

I'm sure this exists, but I don't know to what extent. It may be very custom, and uncommon seeing that most of the orientation of RC cars seems to be racing. Hopefully, I'm assuming incorrectly! Myself, and some friends of mine would love to have something like this.

Anyone have any pictures of something that is like what I am describing?

- Chris
http://www.ok4wd.com/images-tj/profile1.jpg

[gubbs3]

For your needs go for an electric truck. They can be geared any way you please. From pavement speed runs to steep hills, its all there, you only need to change a $3 gear.

[nitroracer911]

The T-Maxx is TOUGH AS NAILS!

I run mine EVERY DAY without holding back and have NEVER had anything break. But like the other guys said... Anything Nitro will be a little difficult for a beginner. Therefore, electric would be my suggestion. The E-Maxx has very good reviews.

My $.02

[XXXER]

You can honestly take any curb with virtually any car, it is all about how you approach it, and by looking at your jeep, i can see you know what i am talking about(It looks SWEET BTW)

Best way i have found to do this, I have done this all the way from a 4WD HPI Nitro MT to my own Personal XXX buggy,(With a Rustler and a Stampede in between) you need to get a rolling start, moderate speed, lets call it a "brisk walk" in that respect, you want to go at less than a 45 degree angle towards the curb, when you get close enough so as your front tire as soon as it hits the curb, turn away from the curb, which will get your fronts up the curb, then turn towards, and FLOOR it! Scratches the chassis a little bit, but hey, you can do it no probs.

For you, a 4WD Shaft Driven Truck sounds good, and the E/T-Maxx are great, but cost big bucks. I would suggest an HPI RS4 MT, but that is Belt Driven, and may not hold up as well as some others as to what it sounds like you will be doing... you can still check them out at www.hpiracing.com (http://www.hpiracing.com)

I like those trucks, they are pretty cool, still cost money though, ( 125 for kit, plus ESC, motor, and others)
Pics of the HPI MT:
http://www.hpiracing.com/graphics/bodies/7154.jpg http://www.hpiracing.com/graphics/bodies/7170.jpg

[ 06-15-2001: Message edited by: XXXER ]

[Matt Stepanian]

You mentioned "best bang for the buck". The HPI trucks are fast, supple, and on the lower end of the price range of 4WD trucks, but they come with no electrics. Another good one is the USA-1 by Kyosho. They can still be bought new and they are tough as nails, and huge. The Tamiya Wild Dagger is about $130-$140, but reviews say it needs suspension tuning to be a good runner. Any other opinions?

[Obi112]

What kind of car did you have (the one that needed to be fixed)? Do you still have it?

[TJx2]

Hey Cshontz... great Jeep! The color looks vaugly familiar! :)

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1527587&a=13219111&p=50100181&Sequence=0

I have an MRC Ironman to fart around with... only 2wd, but it was inexpensive, and it's pretty tough. Hopefully buying a competition buggy in the next few days....

[ammoace]

If you havb't already check out the Monster Truck and electric forums and see what others have said about the E-Maxx and Clod Buster. There is a third choice called the USA-1. The E-Maxx and the Clod would be my choices. But as far as curbs are concerned I have a stadium truck, 2wd, and climb curbs at will even with street tires on it. But it can't handle thick or tall grass.
Jerry

[Rc1oGtMaN]

Down south, we don't have killer curds that go straight up, they are all slanted like driveways. Guess I'm missing out on the fun. :( Seriously look into the E-Maxx, and Clod. The HPI cars that XXXer mentioned are good, but they aren't MT's, really. They are more of 4wd stadium trucks.

[E-MAXX]

Have to agree with Jerry! I have an E-Maxx and that is off-roading! Just install 2 diff spools one in the front and rear and you will have one of the toughest off-roaders out there.
Hope this helps
Philip S

[The Real Maxxter]

Chris, I also own an E-Maxx and can tell you that it is awesome for exactly what you want to do. I also enjoy driving slowly and technically rather than flying around. As a matter of fact, I think I've used second gear on my E-Maxx only twice that I can remember. I also got a set of 16 tooth pinion gears that makes for excellent low end grunt. In addition to the smaller pinions, I installed a rear diff spool. I tried the front, but the truck simply won't turn LOL. The nice thing is, I don't have to go anywhere to run my truck. I just head out the back yard and find some nice terrain that is created by the large ridge in my backyard. Tons of trails from neighborhood kids that ride their bikes and quads up and around the hills make for some fun driving.

For driving slowly and tackling tough terrain, the E-Maxx is king, it has the most travel and center ground clearance of any R/C around. A lot of people will try to tell you that the center ground clearance of your R/C doesn't matter, but I would argue with them until I'm blue in the face. I use every inch all the time when I'm driving over roots and terraced hills. Get yourself an E-Maxx and have some fun.

[RC Crazy]

An HPI RS4 MT is a good choice because it can be geared for torque and has 4-wheel drive and though it is belt drivin, i havent had a problem with the belts yet for about a year of owning it. Out Of The Box its geared for power and speed and i never changed it at all and it goes through the woods fine. You would need to buy off road tires unless you get the beetle version. It is a good truck. :p

[malici]

If your main funtion is going to be climing then you want to look at either the Clod Buster or the E/Maxx. The Clod Buster has a set ratio of 30:1 and you could change the E/Maxxes to as low as 50:1. Either of these would be exseptional climers, but the Clod Buster would have a larger footprint because its tires are 6.5" tall and 4" wide.

Malici

[bryceanator]

all of you guys forgot about the jug 2 now thats a real monster more expensive than the clod but worth the extra cash

[The Real Maxxter]

The Clod and Jug are great trucks, but are aimed more at people looking for a truck with good scale appearance. The suspensions of both trucks are severely limited out-of-the-box. Granted, you can buy some awesome conversions, but that will cost you a couple of hundred bucks.

[ 06-16-2001: Message edited by: The Real Maxxter ]