The perfect Nitro Monster Truck?

[PCC]

I was thinking it over in my head recently and I came to the conclusion that I don't like any of the current crop of nitro monster trucks. I have a T-Maxx at the moment. My brother and some of our friends have Monster Pirates. I've driven the Terra Crusher. They all have their ups and downs. The problem is that they all have their share of problems. The question is what nitro monster truck out there has the least problems or the easiest to overcome problems?

The T-Maxx is nice but the drivetrain is fragile. If you install anything more powerful than the stock TRX15 you start to have problems with the drivetrain wearing out fast or just plain breaking. The forward/reverse mechanism leaves a bit to be desired. Modifying the drivetrain to take the abuse from a decent engine will add up to a lot of money. I like the sealed two-speed and the suspension travel as well as the aftermarket support for it.

The Monster Pirate has its share of drivetrain problems. My brother has broken dogbones and one of the front CVA's keeps popping out. Also, the shock towers are weak as well as the body mounts. There's been talk of the diffs failing as well. The lack of suspension travel and no two-speed turns me off, as well. I do like the ruggedness of the rest of the truck as well as the 'omigod it's fast' speed.

The Terra Crusher looks like it's a winner but I could not get used to the FRAT transmission and the suspension is lacking in adjustments. I wonder how strong the drivetrain is under the punishment of a .21 engine.

There's always the option of converting a TXT1 to nitro (something that I felt they should have done with the Terra Crusher to begin with). I wonder how much engine the drivetrain can handle?

I don't really want to convert a buggy into a monster truck (I have an Ultra GT that I can convert) but this may be my best option.

So, who has found the (near) perfect nitro Monster Truck? I'm looking for 4WD, good suspension travel, sealed two-speed or capable of taking the abuse of a modified .21 engine, good aftermarket support, and good parts availability.

[Skribble]

the least problems or the easiest to overcome problems? Mad Force, definately. It's simple design, there is practically nothing to break. So far, suspension mounts(Some guy dropped it like 5 feet down:rolleyes:Only guy that's broken them), Dog bones popping out(Putting fuel tubing in the drivecups, so the dog bone sits evenly on boths sides works), and the shelf where the engine sits on(Some people tweak the shelf by landing upside on the engine shelf, but this is rare). So far, those are the only problems. Kyosho MP7.5 gears, so you know the transmission can hold up to .21 power. The 3-speed gets it to warp speed(43MPH, RCCA clocked it), and able to pull wheelies with the pull of a trigger(Wheelie bar included, looks cheesy, but hey, it works). :)

Edit: Upgrades is kinda scarce(For now), and don't know about parts support(Don't own one:(). People are rarely breaking these things so I doubt you will have to get parts any time soon. MP7.5 gears, Knuckles, and universals work on the MF.

Pictures:
http://www.kyosho.co.jp/models/car-gp/madforce/top.gif
http://www.kyosho.co.jp/models/car-gp/madforce/cut3.gif http://www.kyosho.co.jp/models/car-gp/madforce/cut1.gif

[Skribble]

Here's the movie, bottom right corner(Where the Mad Foce logo is) and takes a while to load. http://www.kyosho.co.jp/models/car-gp/madforce/mad_force-j.html or d/l it http://www.kyosho.co.jp/models/car-gp/madforce/MAD.mov

[vsnakebytev]

The MAD FORCE is awesome I want one soo bad. Also check out the titan, it can certainly hold up to a suped up .21, it has a .25:D I will be getting 1 for christmas... and a MF for my B-Day

[Poindexter]

I think you may have answered your own question: If you want the "looks" and styling of the TXT-1, get the Mad Force. If, however, you are looking for high-performance and handling, the T-Maxx is still unbeatable. Upgrading the drive train is as simple as a new diff gears ($40), a Spur gear ($12), and a clutchbell ($20). CVDs are optional, and really are only necessary if you convert to a .21. Even that's debatable: at my local track, The TRX .15 is plenty fast, and when mildly ported, absolutely rocks. The aftermarket support is incredible, spare stock parts are everywhere, and the platform is versatile enough to be converted into any type of truck you want it to be. And if you race, well, take a look at the roster...

Still, I , too, really like the Mad Force, and may add it as a "Park/Playground" basher to my lineup....:D

[PCC]

Originally posted by Poindexter
Upgrading the drive train is as simple as a new diff gears ($40), a Spur gear ($12), and a clutchbell ($20). CVDs are optional, and really are only necessary if you convert to a .21.

$40 diff gears (that $40 for one diff or two?), a $12 spur gear and a clutchbell? Name names!

I've always heard that the transmission cannot handle too much more power than a warm .15 and that the sliders will twist, too. I've also heard that the plastic sliders are what helps protect the drivetrain because they give where steel CVD's don't.

[Poindexter]

Originally posted by PCC


$40 diff gears (that $40 for one diff or two?), a $12 spur gear and a clutchbell? Name names!

I've always heard that the transmission cannot handle too much more power than a warm .15 and that the sliders will twist, too. I've also heard that the plastic sliders are what helps protect the drivetrain because they give where steel CVD's don't.

These are RRP (Robinson Racing) Products that I picked up either on eBay, or at my LHS. I currently run an RB .12 in Maxx, and I have no trouble staying with the pull-start .21 equipped Maxxes at my local track (SVM/KZ near Los Angeles, CA), besides the fact that my Maxx handles better with less and weight and a lower CG. THe stock plastic axles can twist after repeated use, but they are incredibly inexpensive and easy to replace--and they go a long way before they twist. I currently run steel CVDs (and an RRP Slipper Clutch), but only because I bought my truck that way. Many of my colleagues (and some that are beating me at the track) run the stock axles. Will they twist under heavy .21 use? Sure, but as noted before, the Maxx is fun enough with a hot small block (did anybody say wheelies?), and is tough to beat in the handling department...