BUDGET BUILD - Redcat Ascent - The Ultimate Underdog

In this video I kick off the Redcat Racing Everest Ascent build! I gave myself $200 to see how much I could improve the truck. The results were surprising but we aren't done yet! The parts list is below.
Tires: amzn.to/4bkuDcu
Wheels: amzn.to/3UbSchu
Inserts: amzn.to/3HwOfMM
ESC: amzn.to/3Uf5PMK
Portal covers: trealhobby.com/products/treal...
Servo: alnk.to/gzUGRov
Cape Crawlers Merch: capecrawlers-shop.fourthwall....
Affiliate links:
Tower Hobbies:
Horizon Hobbies:alnk.to/aLFxP5n
Amain Hobbies:
FairRC: shrsl.com/3w3co
Discount codes
5% off RCAWD: rcawd.com/?ref=E5EBF8Fu - discount code CapeCrawlers
$10 off any order $100 of accessories: www.fmshobby.com/capecrawlers - discount code Capecrawlers
5% off any Injora products: www.injora.com - code Capecrawlers05
10% off any Little Guy Racing Parts products:
littleguyracingparts.com/ - code CAPE10
10% off any Flubberstufferz products: flubberstufferz.myshopify.com/ - code Flub10CC
10% off any Cow RC products: cowrc.com/ - code CAPECRAWLERS
Email me with suggestions or collaboration inquiries: [e-mail]
Follow us on Instagram @capecrawlers!
Timestamps
Phase 1 mods: 0:35
Outdoor rock crawling runs: 3:25
Phase 2 mods: 11:45
Rock crawler course runs: 14:12
Final thoughts: 18:13

[@CapeCrawlers]

Timestamps Phase 1 mods: 0:35 Outdoor rock crawling runs: 3:25 Phase 2 mods: 11:45 Rock crawler course runs: 14:12 Final thoughts: 18:13

[@cwthemachinist]

That's a really great truck. For brushed motor, you can't beat the 1080. When I was a kid, there was an RC center just outside of Bridgewater, Mass. It originally was a roller skating rink. I can't remember the name. The place was absolutely awesome, though. It had a huge carpet oval that was 200' X 90' with 45-degree banked corners. In the center of the oval was a dirt track. It had a hobby shop there and snack bar. The pit area was on the left just passed the hobby shop as you walked in. This place was so great! My father used to take me there as a kid. I was about 11. This was 35 years ago. One of my best RC memories!

[@shanesafford6808]

I think I remember the roller rink, but not when it was a hobby spot. Grew up in Brockton and Bridgewater was the last place I live in MA before I left in 2014.

[@cwthemachinist]

@shanesafford6808 cool! I can never remember the actual name of the place, maybe Fun Spot..?. I remember the sign under the name said, "One Acre of Fun." It was a really awesome place. You had to put waffle grip tires on your car if you wanted to run the oval track. There used to be guys there with pan cars. They'd have like 6 turn hand wound motors with no limit esc's and custom soldered up packs from Sanyo cell batteries. They would do like 60 mph, back then! I'm there with my Futaba FX-10 drooling over their stuff, haha!

[@jonhowland4985]

I can’t wait to see how you tackle the shock issue. I’ve only seen a few different tricks to get more articulation and droop.

[@ja_co_bus650]

Not sure if your 1080 setup for braking on descent. Check your free wheeling optoin on program card. It makes your trigger a speed controller, so if your giving throttle down hill the esc will brake if your car starts going faster than trigger input. Also try a cheap 27T HH trailmaster sport, lots stronger magnets than stock for way more bottom end torque.

[@ptyatas4380]

I removed the inner springs and put losi mini b springs, pink soft up front and orange medium in back and ran 32.5w oil on mine and it helped alot. Also hteck makes a rear link riser that helps too

[@dantripp7170]

I run idst70 in mine and it performs great. I would like you to do a review on this esc. It’s really a great upgrade on a budget.

[@boiledtea479]

Wow. That looks like a good first 10th scale crawler. I want one rn... anyway im in the prozess of printing a body for my scx24 so thats cool Also do a qna for 100k

[@MitchellBolognaniRC]

I've been impressed with the Ascent from day one. To know how awesome it is with so little is even better

[@jrfishes]

The Injora pin tires and the silicone inserts are a great match for sure. I'm running them in an Element Ecto and they've done great indoors. I did run them outside once at RC Madness on a somewhat wet day and they did end up getting caked with mud/dirt and the performance just went right away. Great video!

[@bugman72]

@CapeCrawlers, you mentioned that you had a hard time finding brass for the Gen 9 axles. FYI, the outer portal covers of the Gen 9/Ascent axles are identical to the Gen 8. You can use both the outer portal covers and the center diff cover from a Gen 8 on a Gen 9/Ascent axle. The only thing that is different on the Gen 9 is the inner portal section. They revised the Gen 9 axle slightly due to the axle shafts they used.

[@mikespanner3096]

Really cool video!!! Really Awesome to see you driving at RC Excitement!! That’s my local track. Love this place!! Been going there for 10 years. Great people super friendly / knowledgeable and helpful. 👍🤘

[@fcukeround]

Looks matter not lol. The c hubs might be an issue in some situations. But it's Killin it yo!

[@grizzlyworksrc]

I pulled the internal springs out of the stock shocks and have been really happy with the results. It would be nice to have a preload adjuster on there, but for now I can just use some preload inserts and try different wt oils.

[@The_RC_Family]

I just dropped a video of these and the swamp claws on cut blue and uncut green silicone inserts Adam, OMGoodness! Those guys worried about sidewall roll need to get them! Mate, those lines it was pulling! I woulda loved to see the same lines being run with the second set up but I had the same issues here BLOODY WEATHER! Have a goodum mate! Dwight The RC Family

[@RickyD1968]

WOW what an awesome rock crawler for the money !!!!

[@aaronbryant9908]

Nice happy to see this. One of my favourite crawlers I’ve had

[@Fortes_RC_Adv]

Great video😊

[@edwardlove4300]

Thanks for sharing. Redcat? I don't know anything about these little trucks. Looks like a ton of fun though 😸

[@claytonjessup6163]

I am looking at getting this same Redcat! I would recommend getting the Rock Pirate shock towers for the Ascent I think they would help the suspension setup!

[@KrisEst94]

rock pirates seems awesome for this to mod with their parts! def getting the bed and shock tower mounts!

[@REAR_VIEW_MEDIA]

So hyped for the vid

[@Fly2kill1]

I still have a few months worth of budget tied up in my race cars but once they are good I’m going to build a VRD. It’s got to be a 4s mega rig.

[@Hobz79]

I drive a lot at RC excitement. Will have to try those tires, hard to get grip on those smooth rocks!

[@anyassumptionbanter]

tires show off how big a diff it can do. would be interesting to have the same setup on other rigs in same price point like element enduro SE.

[@Robbbbooo]

My build is almost identical (with the difference being the SE 1800). The Comp Pins and Green inserts have a really nice amount of contact patch. I really like this combo. For the shocks I swapped out the springs for Losi Mini-t Soft (front) and Medium (rear). Removed the rear internal droop spring and used 30WT in all 4 shocks. I kept the front internal springs in to try and keep the front end down on climbs without having to use rubber bands. Still experimenting with that. Way smoother and more compliant now. I am assuming you also installed the 20% overdrive gears?

[@CapeCrawlers]

I’ve heard and seen several folks running a similar suspension setup. I’ll have to try it. Yes to the gears

[@Robbbbooo]

@@CapeCrawlers if you want to try the springs you just need the front set. They are the shorter length that fit both front and rear on the Ascent.

[@kennethrobinson9008]

A little wide. Performance is on point. Nice upgrade comparison.

[@jakobscarbrough8038]

Nice

[@BrandViolation]

I like the value with everything but the shell. Are other bodies compatible with this chassis? I’m a newb with crawlers and really like hard bodies despite the weight!

[@VS666]

my buddy just picked up a used one with a bunch of good upgrades for 300, what a beast

[@themountain59]

...and that doesent make him think??🙄😁

[@JT-wf8cc]

I recently found your channel because I want to build a custom mini crawler, but I was wondering what the best starting point is. What car is best for modifying? Or should I buy all the parts seperetly and build the car up that way? Your vids are great btw 💪

[@CapeCrawlers]

Thanks! I personally like to start with a rtr and build it out. The transformation is fun to me. The scx24 deadbolt is a great platform, as is the trx4m. Both have huge aftermarket support

[@simonkubacki9823]

At 500$ you can get a Vanquish Stance RTR and out drive that Redcat all day long. The secret sauce of the Redcat is it being inexpensive and decent. I feel that throwing a lot of money into it looses its value proposition.

[@isiahanderson3001]

Can I put tires and rims without changing the axles and put the upgrades u got

[@CapeCrawlers]

Yes you can

[@jbsir1]

Is that the samsung tablet you used?

[@CapeCrawlers]

iPad

[@thatoneguy2756]

​@@CapeCrawlersyou are so close to a great setup. Get rid of the offset wheels, remove internal shock springs, mini t outer springs and 25wt fluid...so many people dawg this truck, I think they are hilarious fun.

[@rippfpv]

What gen are all the parts?

[@grizzlyworksrc]

Gen 9/Ascent. Most Gen 8 parts will not fit. You can technically do a Gen 8 Diff cover, but it needs a little shaving to clear the steering link.

[@rippfpv]

Thanks a lot now I have everything I need to make another poor decision lol

[@KTMKID450]

Is it just me that thinks 1/2 in. needs to be trimmed off the body under the door to even begin to look good.......

[@discgolferlee]

I agree 200% it makes the body look hideous as well as potential to hang up on things

[@pbruteforce1]

Where is crawling heaven?

[@CapeCrawlers]

Yarmouth, MA

[@RabbiJesus]

If you throw money at any truck it will get gud.

[@TooBaked]

you need $0 added for this truck to become better than most RTR crawlers at double the price. you have no clue what you are talking about

[@RabbiJesus]

@@TooBaked well first, that’s an opinion and secondly I typed that. I didn’t lean into your house and whisper it to you. So, based off your reaction to my post, you have no credibility.

[@TooBaked]

@@RabbiJesus you said a whole lot of nothin

[@MadShepard]

if you add $200 to the price of this vehicle the best mod you can do is skip it and buy a trx4

[@KrisEst94]

or buy the fusion ascent

[@cesarerides]

it LOOKS like actual dog crap, you should get into scale builds

[@Fly2kill1]

Scale is boring

[@CapeCrawlers]

I did this on the heals of the Killerbody LC70. I flexed the scale muscles enough on that project 😆

[@ja_co_bus650]

Fkt enjoy what you got, its a joy to watch it flex and climb.