A Comp Dilemma: Hard Body or Lexan?

[@randallbatson611]

Sweet playground you have

[@RCTNT]

Thanks, it's great for tuning!

[@fishnrc294]

I have a highly modified SCX 10 3 JLU & I’d have to say it’s a very capable crawler & it looks so good doing it it brings a smile to my face. I have many Crawlers & this is one of my favorites. Lost one of my mirrors the other day ☹️

[@RCTNT]

Great rigs eh. Sorry you lost a mirror, it's annoying when that happens!

[@YoShImUrA53]

What a cool comparison! If only these were a bit more even to make it a more exciting match, but they were both in completely different classes (of performance, not the rules you're adhering to with them). Thanks for the awesome contenton this one, really really loved it!!

[@RCTNT]

My pleasure!

[@michaeldorich4485]

It was interesting comparison. As you said at the endThe Galande II is a great trail truck. This video reminded of youth sports. One team shows up with newest uniforms and equipment. The other team has plain uniforms and very little equipment and beat the competition because they are just better.

[@RCTNT]

Oh I like that. Well put!

[@Andy_Yates]

Great comparison. It really shows how much performance you can lose with a scaled up rig. That Gelande II is a beaut and a couple scratches give it some trail cred / character. It's still going to look awesome on display and on the trail :) Now looking forward to seeing what you do with the JLU!

[@RCTNT]

Thanks Andy, same here!

[@BoylstonBobby]

Great video and nice comparison although the vehicles aren’t nearly equal on the setups. The Galande is already top heavy because of the hard body (which an awesome body) so maybe if you off-loaded some of the accessories on the roof like the spare tire and then put some better tires on it it would better. Fun to watch.

[@RCTNT]

You're right, but losing those accessories is to lose some of those points, which is the purpose of the video. As we've seen in previous videos in this series, better tires don't help a lot in this config, she's just too heavy and the shorter wheelbase hurts her too. Super pretty though.

[@sebas888888]

Some overdrive in the front might help with the steering and so less reverse maybe? I don't own a scx103 but I'd be surprised if there wasn't a solution available for such a popular platform Also I think there are plenty of 3d files available on thingyverse to help with the scale part and points. Also easy points would be a winch or DIY accessories. Have you seen last year's road to nationals from scale builders guild where he was showing easy ways to max out points. Josh from Harley designs also had his take on that but in his own way. Might be helpful to find ideas... Anyway good luck on the build and attending the comp, and the best of these events is always meeting people anyway. Peace, may the torque be with you

[@scalecrawlnl]

Thank you! A great practice track on the rocks, what an area to get some wheel time, brilliant natural surroundings. And a very cool comparison video idea and result. I have no experience with either but from your footage it is clear the JLU is real comp contender. And I applaud you taking the Gelände through its paces despite the breakages, that takes quite a bit nerve. Hope you get a JLU or TRX4 ready in time for the competition. And may I add, like 90 for one very entertaining and also cool RC-TNT pre comp presentation, top marks and thank you again, really fun series you are making 👍😊

[@RCTNT]

Thank you! I really appreciate that encouraging and thoughtful comment. Glad you enjoyed this one!

[@bcochener]

Great comparison run. That Gelande just takes more of a scale driver line and well thought out routes. Better suited for a non timed event like this. Can’t wait to see what you do to the JLU to scale it out. Cheers!😊

[@RCTNT]

It's a fun kind of problem to attack isn't it. I still love the gelande and I'll keep it pretty like this. Will just save it for scale trail drives and such :)

[@bcochener]

@@RCTNT I agree, the Gelande is perfect the way you have it. I’m about to start mine, got a pile of parts and a pile of excitement here…!

[@RCTNT]

It's gorgeous alright!

[@jeffparryncc1701]

Love your office today :)

[@RCTNT]

Thanks Jeff! I forgot my mics and left the camera on Tripod when I was holding it - those two things were all that really detracted from a really great few hours on the rocks. It's such an epic location! Cheers

[@jeffparryncc1701]

@@RCTNT :)

[@simonj5134]

Be interested to see how a BRX01 would have done? Or a 02?

[@RCTNT]

My 02 isn't finished and my 01 has overdrive. The 01 would have wiped the floor with the RC4WD, but I don't think it would have caught the JLU. That said, I'm really looking forward to finishing my 02. It will be tested against my Scale-1 rig when that happens and we'll see!

[@pocketfuloducks1062]

It’s looking like a pickup or cab and roll bar is the way to go to add scale details to a rig. They would be able to sit lower. Not that that’s a help this time ‘round.

[@RCTNT]

That is certainly the big brain move. Most folks run a pickup body, like the Bruiser, Mojave or Boom Racing LC75. Me, i tend to take the longer way round. More interesting, if not strictly effective! You're totally on the money though.

[@muskokamike127]

@@RCTNT I'm thinking with a pickup body and all that gear in the bed for scale points but it would lower your COG.

[@RCTNT]

I'm thinking that too. I have a couple of them here I'm considering trying. I reckon it'll be the way to go.

[@elduderinolebowski5411]

This is fascinating stuff. My own reactions while watching this surprised me. On the one hand, I was fully expecting the Gelande II to do a lot worse than it actually did, because, duh, it's not a purpose built mini with total performance in mind. But it did better than I anticipated. On the other hand, I was fully expecting it to do better than it actually did, because you know, more modern, newer parts, newer technology, just newer everything. Should just do better. And then it didn't. So disappointed twice, and both times compleally unexpected on my part. Though in all honesty it really should have been totally predictable, right? gotta admit, that Gelande II sure looks sharp out there on the rocks beating itself to death. Meanwhile, the dedicated mini did exactly what I expected, and performed flawlessly like it did in the first video where you showcased it, just well poised and surefooted, balanced and effective. Very nicely done. And also looking smashing while it's out there.

[@RCTNT]

Your comments about the Mini gave me a small fright: did I mix up one of the clips and post that instead of the JLU in this video by mistake?! I went and checked and thankfully, no, all is well. Whew! Yeah the gelande isn't made for this. It's an old design now, about a decade old I think, and it's performance with all that weight was predictable. I was being a bit cheeky putting it against the JLU, as clearly there's no comparison. But worth it for the educational insight! Thanks for watching it and for your thoughts :)

[@elduderinolebowski5411]

​@@RCTNT nope, no problems on your end, just me thinking about the mini while watching this one. After all, the mini is the champ, that's the standard to which the others must aspire. I didn't realize the Gelande was that old. I thought it was newer than that. Huh. Colour me impressed. I was so busy thinking about the mini in the other video and comparing it to the Gelande II that I just plumb forgot to mention the SCX10-III. Which, you know, performed exactly as expected.

[@RCTNT]

Gotcha. Yeah the JLU was predicable!

[@ChuckNights]

Can i unplug the Dig servo on the ecs and just not use that funtion? Have an scx10..

[@RCTNT]

You can unplug the servo from the receiver and not use it, though you'll want to pull the gearbox apart to set the dig in open/running position. Or, you could also just set the servo end points so it doesn't move even when you press the button for it on the radio. Limiting it electronically using the end point like that also leaves you the option to easily enable it again in future.

[@toypilot9811]

The most frustrating thing in comp crawling 😂 The class 1 rules start with a statement about how the class is intended for expedition vehicles like a camel trophy defender and then go on to eliminate vehicles like that from ever being competitive!

[@RCTNT]

It's a bit ironic - but they've gotta draw the line at some point and no overdrive, straight lower links, full body, bumper and tire coverage seems reasonable. I think the trick will be to find all the scale points possible on as low a cg body as possible on the best performing 'vanilla' chassis as possible. Therein lies the skill and hobby, I suppose!

[@toypilot9811]

@@RCTNT Agreed. Just a shame those no comp for more road legal type scale vehicles.

[@RCTNT]

I agree. But it would also be hard to make rules just for that. Not impossible though, and maybe some clubs do it! I guess you could have a minimum weight and it has to be based on one of these three or four limited performance chassis vehicles or something like that. Yeah ok it's doable :)

[@muskokamike127]

That Gallot was painful to watch. 😞 not only the number of reverses but the damage.....Reminds me of Dom's charger in Fast and Furious....looked great on film but the blower was fake so when you lifted the hood it had a 318 under and a hydraulic ram to get it to wheelie lol.....

[@RCTNT]

Strong case to be a shelf shelf queen, my goodness

[@muskokamike127]

@@RCTNT I have a couple of those simply because I liked building them not so much driving them. I bought 2 or 3 Tamiya TL-01's just because....

[@RCTNT]

Ah tamiya, never change

[@muskokamike127]

@@RCTNT LITERALLY I still see them using the plastic ball ends that came with my 1980 rough rider!

[@RCTNT]

Plastic diff gears from the parts tree in my TT02...

[@brianclayton3898]

What's up with all of the top heavy suv crawlers?

[@RCTNT]

Their center of gravity, for one thing!

[@randallbatson611]

The guys at the very top get all the scale points with all the performance mostly with homemade scale items like metal numbers but made from almost nothing and hard body's with lots of speed holes

[@RCTNT]

I just missed national #1 last year by 6 points, driving the SCX10.3 JLU here. The number one beat me on scale points, with a paper thin roof rack, just like what you're talking about. The benefit of my setup was raw capability, which I think I like more than those 4 points a hard body would have given me! 3rd place was 30 points behind me, and then the spread was closer from 4th down. It was a close thing! I'm looking forward to more of that this year. Can't wait!

[@davidburke5686]

How can both these be in the same class, I would have thought that the Gelande would be class 0

[@RCTNT]

There's no Class 0 in the ruleset used by the WRCCA-adherent clubs and both these fit the requirements for Scale-1. Clearly I'm making a point about scale points maybe not being as important as having a capable rig. The trick will be to max out those scale points now on the more capable platform and see how far we can get!

[@davidburke5686]

@@RCTNT fair enough, I don’t comp with my rigs seeing as they are all hard body scalers , tried it and like your Gelande lost a few bit’s along the way 😁

[@RCTNT]

Tends to happen, yeah! Some years back, I comped for a season with my fully kitted out RC4WD Beast II! Always came last but it was a spectacle alright! Broke a lot of bits doing it but I had a bunch of fun.

[@fishnrc294]

No matter how nice they are Crawlers are meant to get damages it can be painful but I don’t want a expensive Shelf Queen sitting like a paper weight I by them to use them. My Black TRX High Sierra has taken a beating in a short period of time those bodies are thin & don’t take abuse well. When the Silver body comes out I’m getting one but no guarantee it won’t get scratched up.

[@RCTNT]

Nice. I don't think I own a single shelf queen either. Never have!

[@fishnrc294]

@@RCTNT When is the Gen 9 arriving 😉 I’m still not sure about getting it & id love to hear your take on it. And of course see it out on the test rocks 🧐

[@RCTNT]

I've only just gotten hold of the Capra UTB18. TRX4m hasn't landed in Australia yet. Can't get hold of Carisma SCA-1E for the most part, nor the Axial AX24. So... August, maybe? No eta yet sorry!

[@chanozoc]

The hard body is super nice and would be a great trail truck but for comp? Naah..

[@RCTNT]

Heh yeah I think we've thoroughly established that now!

[@dkmgm2011]

What a difference. Lexan killed those courses.

[@RCTNT]

It did, eh? I was excited to share this one as the difference was so stark!

[@dkmgm2011]

@@RCTNT I felt genuine remorse for your RC4WD.

[@RCTNT]

Don't worry, it told me the whole way home how much it appreciated being allowed to drive on the big boy courses. Had a great time. Loved it :)

[@TouranCamperimT4]

🦋 nice, the Gelande could drive better, need more tine😉

[@RCTNT]

Yep! That's what makes it a great trail rig, where there's no time constraint. I've fixed it up now and will definitely get it out to the trails again soon, not a stopwatch in sight!

[@jeffparryncc1701]

1/10 SCX10 PRO SCALER 4WD KIT. I can't wait until you get one, because damn...

[@RCTNT]

Looks good, doesn't it. I don't know how long it'll be until I can get one - the TRX4m I preordered when they first announced it should be delivered next week sometime. The AX24 is probably a few months away - though the Capra UTB18 got here nearly a fortnight back. I guess we'll see how long this will take. Definitely looking forward to checking it out. Our comps are getting back into the swing of things here too so l'll have more context than ever for testing it!

[@jeffparryncc1701]

@@RCTNT oooh :)

[@RCTNT]

It's here and I've begun the build.

[@jeffparryncc1701]

@@RCTNT nice one :)

[@brianmassey7563]

seems like you're comparing class 0 to class 1. Great video though! NO SHELF QUEENS. RUN THEM ALL!!!!!!

[@RCTNT]

Heh I guess so, but there's no C0 in this ruleset and both vehicles qualify for Scale-1. You've identified the point of the video, really! Scale points and less capability, or low/no scale points but more capability. And this is the result. I have never owned a shelf queen and am not starting now, clearly!