Stock Truck Purchasing Delimma
 

I like racing my BL Jato on Wednesday Nights' electric-only races, but due to being "slightly" modified, I am forced to run in Mod truck class. Mind you, I don't expect to win, but I'm up against some pretty decent drivers and my driving skill, well... lets not go there. Let's just say I keep the marshals busy either flipping my truck over or literally diving out of the way from being hit (seriously, one guy thought I was doing it on purpose until I explained that I simply cannot drive :)).

Anywayyy, I've been looking at a couple stock truck options, which will allow me to run in novice or stock truck class with others of similar driving skill. So far, I have it narrowed down to two vehicles, but can't decide between the two: Team Losi XXX-T RTR or the Team Associated T4 RTR.

The XXX-T has the advantage (to me) of being BL out of the box. But, I noticed it used C clips in some areas. Cost $329.

The T4 has a brushed motor (ewww), but uses captured pins instead of C clips. The people at the LHS seem to prefer the T4, but not sure if they're simply fanboys. Cost $229.

Cost and included powerplant aside, they look very similar. Durability and ease of maintenance are my primary concerns - my Jato takes a severe beating but simply does not break. Both trucks are very similar construction-wise, so I assume they will handle about the same.

I am leaning towards the Losi simply because I like BL (duh). But I thought I'd get some more input first. Thoughts?

Are you required to run it as stock, or just with a 27T equivalent motor? Personally, I'm a huge fan of the T4...I've got 2 of them. The Team or RTR version of the T4 is much more durable than the FT T4 due to the plastic parts instead of the carbon parts. I broke an A-Arm on my FT T4 last weekend on my second lap on the track when I caught my front tire on the corrugated piping. My Team T4 running a much faster motor was taking everything I could dish at it. This included several end over end landings from about 5ft in the air. As a matter of fact, I'm so happy with my T4's after having them on a track recently that I'm thinking about cancelling my BO for a VXL Rusty and buying another Team T4 to bash with. And if you're looking for a pretty good deal on a semi-roller...check here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=019

Thanks for the info!

Yeah, I guess it's considered stock if it comes with the motor out-of-the-box, whatever motor that might be. And with BL, I don't have to worry about those pesky brushes. :) I kinda like the RTR simply because I don't have to worry about getting the right parts to stay in the stock class.

I just remembered: I did break something during on the Jato in the last race: the RPM bumper. Yup, an RPM bumper - the stuff that is supposed to virtually indestructable. That should give you an idea what my poor Jato is subjected to. :)

OK, so that's one vote for the T4.

In hindsight, I shouldv'e made this into a poll thread...

You should dig a bit more into the rules of the class. Most stock truck classes are for 27T motors or equivalent. It usually doesn't matter how hopped up the vehicle is in other areas. The motor and batteries are usually the only limiting factors for classification.

Hmm, maybe I will. The Wed night race is really informal. The classes seem to be more for grouping the drivers with like-skill than anything.

If glassdoctor were here, he could shed more light on this since he runs the races...

I would definetly check out the rules a little more. the losi comes with a 4300 (10.5turn) novak which is more like a 19turn then a stock. For a stock equivalent novak makes a 13.5 turn.

I have both of these motors and run them during our indoor season on a 80ft track. Neither is very powerful but on a small track they can be enough to have a fun time and not really worry about breaking parts.

Personally, I think a Rusty would be an option. I know it would be my choice, simply because parts are cheap, there durable as hell, there are so many parts to choose from, and there are MANY mods you can do to them to make them handle better. Most say the Rusty handles like poop when it comes to racing against T4's and such, and I don't really doubt it, but I would go with the Jato suspension mods you can do, as well as a RCM-RC chassis. That should make it handle loads better, and it will be tuff as nails. As far as class rules, I'm not sure if the XL-5 is gonna meet the rules (doubt it) as well as the VXL, but some clubs have the if it came that way, you can race it in the novice class type thing..

OK, I'll have to put in a vote for the T4 too. The captured pins are definitely an advantage, but what I really like about the T4 is the tranny. It's tough and will take whatever abuse you throw at it, provided that the regular maintenance is done.

If you happen to run across a really good deal on a factory team version, you can always just boil the arms. It will soften them up a bit and make them less brittle; otherwise, I'd go with the team version.

I own the T4, and have practiced on my track before it closed and I must say it's design and price FAR surpass the Losi. I can disassemble the entire truck and reassemble it within an hour and I'm slow. It is neutral and can be tuned to one extreme or another and anywhere in between. I love the simplicity, and I love the fact that ALL you need out of the box for the rtr is tires. Get the t4 and check this forum out www.rc10t4.com You won't be dissapointed. oh yea, the stealth tranny ist he best on the market.

I just remembered that Thunder Tiger just bought out Associated. I don't know what impact, if any, that will have on the quality of the T4, but it might be a consideration.

So, I have 0 votes for the Losi, 1 for Rustler, and 3 votes for the T4.

Thanks for the input guys.

AFAIK, nothing on the T4 has changed in the ownership of TT. I imagine that things are cooking along very well at Associated in terms of quality vehicles...just look at the new TC5 and RC8.

I go T4 as well, i have a team and its quite durable. Except when the posts at the pits step out and try to hit it (missed the first two but three was too close to miss;) )

BrianG:

Hi,

Having owned both I would go with the T4 I did. I went with the FTT4 as I really like building my own kits I only changed the chassis to a plastic for more bite. I have a 13.5 brushless in mine and I run it in the stock class (27t) with no problems.

hope this helps

Thanks

Yep, I have had great experience with my brushless rc18mt, and if I was to pick a stadium truck, it would definitely be the t4 for racing, and then the rustler for bashing... it is just tough as nails.