MST CFX-W RC Crawler Review - A new portal axle entry!

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[@walterowen8410]

I own a CFX-W JP1 & a TRX4 Sport. After a few upgrades, weight, shocks, tires, foams, wheels and HW 1080, my JP1 is equal in performance to my Sport which has way more $ sunk into it. The JP1 is a great performing platform. I am glad I bought one and I am considering purchasing another one.

[@BMJAUDI]

Good to know that! Thx

[@RevolutionX]

The chassis was announced in 2016 and has been out in the states since 2017 (Amain was even one of the shops carrying it!). One of the earliest entries with portal axles pre-TRX4. Unfortunately they haven't really put much effort into improving it since then, but it was considered a decent performer against the competition before the TRX4 came out. So I wouldn't exactly consider it a new entry unless you're talking about it being an RTR with a body as a package. MST isn't well known in the crawler world, but they are very well known for their drift car chassis as that is their strength.

[@tomlucasrccrawlers9108]

You beat me to the comment. Hahaha I was going to say the same thing...CFX-W is not exactly new. My oldest son(mid 20's)and I have had our CFX-W's 3 years this next November. Obviously(like you said) it was the kit version without the body and predated the TRX4 by a few months. I like mine....it's been a good rig and it's close to stock. I move the motor/tranny closer to the front utilizing existing holes. Used the shortest(that RC4WD makes) Punisher Shaft to go from the tranny to transfer-case. I sold the stock wheels/tires and installed "aged" Wagon Wheels and the small 4.4(around there, hight-wise)with Boom Racing 2-stage foams and threw a nice Chevy-grilled Clodbuster body on it. I cut the hood exactly in the shape of the motor and dropped the body down as far as it would go for the best low center-of-gravity. The motor sticks through the hood. Looks pretty cool. Added brass portal covers and brass lower shock-cups. I run full droop-suspension in the rear and stock upfront. Mamba X, 3300kv Puller Pro Stubby, and a 23kg Power HD servo, custom carbon fiber electronic's tray/sliders on each side....batteries on one side , electronic's on the other...again for the lowest center-of-gravity. It's definitely a surprisingly good performer. I just got my redesign/stronger cvd/shafts from their shop in China. It took some time to break the stock ones....so I can't complain.

[@montesamapping]

Really interesting and professional as usual !

[@ShenRC]

The body looks nice on it.

[@RCReviewChannel]

Shocks are too lightly damped.. That's why it twists so much and tips over. We will try changing the shock oil to see if it improves.

[@EHolm]

The body looks really light, how much does it weigh in grams? I'm looking for a lightweight body for my Trx-4

[@wgmainline9812]

Another great review!! I was looking at one but I think for the money I'll get another TRX4 or SCX10III kit. Thank you and keep up the good work!!!

[@caljader3388]

Thanks for the vid! I was curious about that model. But since I saw your bell dragger vids I have LCG on my mind,,,lol ! 🤓👍✌️

[@OswaldBeef]

I always make a U shaped bracket out of spring steel banding strap material to protect front axle mount servo horns. Just the width of the servo itself. Bolt that onto the front of the servo using it's own servo bolt pattern and basically you have a bumper to protect servo horn. Doesnt interfere with the horns throw and makes sure nothing ever does. Even just smashing it straight into rocks....no problems with the spring steel.

[@tinokung7554]

What I like about the CFX-W is the construction. By this I don't mean the weight distribution but how the individual parts have been designed. This vehicle can be modified very well. Here is an example. Shock hoops are all 4 identical. Links are in front and behind equally long. C-Rails are mirror-inverted in front and in the back with equal hole distances. The front and rear axles are the same. I find this simplicity ingenious, this is not to be found in any other kit. I built a 6x6 CFX-W with standard MST parts. And just by the way, MST was the first portal kit, earlier than the TRX4 and Gen8. But the performance doesn't come close to a TRX4 or GEN8, that's true. But the wheelbase also makes a big difference. 300mm is simply too short. I think if the WB is extended, the performance is better.

[@tomlucasrccrawlers9108]

That's very close to what I was going to say. Hahaha. My oldest son(mid 20's)and I have had our CFX-W's 3 years this next November. Obviously it was the kit version without the body and predated the TRX4 by a few months. I like mine....it's been a good rig with just a few mods. I move the motor/tranny closer to the front utilizing existing holes. Used the shortest(that RC4WD makes) Punisher Shaft to go from the tranny to transfer-case. I sold the stock wheels/tires and installed "aged" Wagon Wheels and the small 4.4(around there, hight-wise)with Boom Racing 2-stage foams and threw a nice Chevy-grilled Clodbuster body on it. I cut the hood exactly in the shape of the motor and dropped the body down as far as it would go for the best low center-of-gravity. The motor sticks through the hood. Looks pretty cool. Added brass portal covers and brass lower shock-cups. I run full droop-suspension in the rear and stock upfront. Mamba X, 3300kv Puller Pro Stubby, and a 23kg Power HD servo, custom carbon fiber electronic's tray/sliders on each side....batteries on one side , electronic's on the other...again for the lowest center-of-gravity. It's definitely a surprisingly good performer. I just got my redesign/stronger cvd/shafts from their shop in China. It took some time to break the stock ones....so I can't complain.

[@tinokung7554]

@@tomlucasrccrawlers9108 I know your rig, I've been subscribing to your canal for a while :D. Very nice one. I love the Toyzuki 6x6 :D.I have my CFX-W pretty original. As I mentioned before, I built a 6x6. But I didn't want a 6x6 with the standard SCX10 axles and since the MST chassis is easy to modify, I chose this one. The only thing I noticed is that the plastic quality is not on Traxxas level. I didn't break anything, but the chassis has a lot of flex. I also bought the kit version and I liked the planetary gear very much. For weight reasons perhaps not optimal, but technically very beautiful. I also have to admit that I need this vehicle more for trailing. An extremely low centre of gravity is not necessary for me.

[@tomlucasrccrawlers9108]

@@tinokung7554 Well , thank you very much for watching my vids. King Midas 6x6 has been a fun rig to build and play with. I've been trying to get everything together to put portals in it...but here lately I've discovered that the Deadloc RC Portals I currently have in my CFX-W(I pulled the original one till I got the upgraded cvd's)kinda lied about the axle shafts/cvd's....he told me they were hardened steel but I found out on accident they are stainless. Having them in the CFX-W is fine....it's not a powerful truck and those Deadloc RC appear to be stronger than stock. I was going to put the Deadloc portals in King Midas 6x6(it's a powerful truck) and have the guy build me a Pass-through axle....I'm not so sure now....I need STRONG axles in that one. Love to know how you build a 6x6 out of CFX-W axles?????? Do you have a link to the build?

[@tinokung7554]

@@tomlucasrccrawlers9108 Unfortunately I don't have any photos on the net at the moment. But I will make a video in the near future. There are rebuild parts for a through axle. But the parts were also too weak for me. At the moment I have a second transfer case and go above the second axle on the third axle. That has of course disadvantages, I am aware of that. But it also has advantages. 1. The axle is standard, I have no problems with defective parts. 2. i noticed that the articulation between second and third axle is better. There is no cardan shaft in between. And the ground clearance between the axles is better. I also used a kind of pendulum steering rod. If you have your email, I will send you some photos.

[@tomlucasrccrawlers9108]

@@tinokung7554 Thank you for the info. Appreciate it.

[@mangoboyz4209]

Nice review, not yet their as you said...thanks for sharing

[@RCReviewChannel]

right on. Honest, insightful reviews is what we aim for.

[@tomandrews5392]

Looks are deceiving the body is nice I like that as for the rest.....great video keep it up...

[@Slatanicmushroom]

Thank you for the honest review! I’m looking for a car for my son, but maybe have to check the Element RC Enduro too I guess?

[@graymatter45]

I almost bought one of those. But then Traxxas came out with the TRX4. I went with the Traxxas because they are like an old friend. I actually owned a Traxxas Sledgehammer. That was a really long time ago. I think that was their first truck.

[@TSI1995Talon]

I love this rig performances awesome after a few tweaks...really hope there is another version coming here is what i think needs improvement after torturing mine... a lower motor placement, hi clearance trans. mount, a bit more shock adjustability

[@davidspinney7344]

I think I'd rather buy a rtr barrage truthfully. Not that I need to go that route. Thanks for another awesome review you are a top favorite of mine. I had higher Hope's for this but dont really know why lol.

[@bjrnfrank4776]

I just bought this truck and I love it👍 Yes, The shocks Are a bit flimsy. But still drives really well. I do Not have Any torque twist at All. But my Axial SCX10.2 has a little. MST supposedly have upgraded The axles and shafts i little while ago. Mine says upgraded on The box. Only drawback with MST is that there is No compability with other brands for parts. But parts Are still fair priced. Stock wheels Are better than most stock. But not as good as Traxxas Canyon 1.9 rtr wheels.

[@RCReviewChannel]

CG is high due to motor but that can be countered by weighted wheels. Body is one of the best.

[@bjrnfrank4776]

@@RCReviewChannel I use a 5000mah battery, så it gives me plenty og counter weight

[@QuadDamageFPV]

I appreciate your honesty with this review. I had hoped this would have been the first MST crawler that was sorth getting - with the 313mm wb - so glad I didn't hit the buy button. Cheers!

[@RCReviewChannel]

That is our goal. We want to guide you the user to a decision you won't regret and one that will give many happy hours of crawling and modding.

[@QuadDamageFPV]

@@RCReviewChannel I had always been under the Impression that the MST range were of high quality, but never saw any models in the flesh. They certainly do a great job of photography and marketing, but now I will look elsewhere for my next crawler. Thanks again and happy trails 👍

[@greggk1061]

I'm definitely first. Thanks for the honest scoop. The so-called other review channels are not covering this vehicle since it's not given to them for free to rave about. I'm interested but want to make sure it's right for me. And that it's good.

[@johnbasterson7938]

Other channels did look at this truck. Like 3 years ago when it came out!

[@1970scout800]

Looks pretty interesting..

[@RCReviewChannel]

Definitely a looker.

[@aaronyu2556]

good day sir planning to get a new crawler which one is better?mst cfw, redcat gen8 scout 2 or element trailrunner?

[@dangavin]

Well I just ordered another trx 4 lol, more portals😂😂. Sport kit this time

[@lucaserickson3835]

Wonder if the jeep body would fit a trx4 sport chassis easily

[@twissted1277]

I just want the body!

[@ans05]

I was very interested in this......now I'm not sure. Thanks for the review!

[@RCReviewChannel]

Same here. We don't know if we want to keep it. The body is cool but it will take a lot of work to make the chassis decent.

[@tomlucasrccrawlers9108]

@@RCReviewChannel it doesn't take much work. The CFX-W is not exactly new. My son(mid 20's)and I have had our CFX-W's 3 years this next November. Obviously it's a kit version with no body and predated the TRX4 by a few months. I like mine , it's been a good rig with only a few mods. I move the motor/tranny closer to the front utilizing existing holes. Used the shortest-made Punisher Shaft to go from the tranny to transfer-case. Installed Wagon Wheels and the small 1.9 Mudslingers XL's with Boom Racing 2-stage foams. I cut a hole in the hood a Chevy-grilled Clodbuster that's exactly the shape of the motor and top-half of the tranny and drop on there as low as it would go. Looks pretty cool. Added brass portal covers and brass lower shock-cups. I run full droop-suspension in the rear and stock upfront. Mamba X, 3300kv Puller Pro Stubby, and a 23kg Power HD servo, custom carbon fiber electronic's tray/sliders on each side....batteries on one side , electronic's on the other side(sliders are the lowest point in the chassis). It's definitely a surprisingly good performer. I just got my redesign/stronger cvd/shafts from their shop in China. It took some time to break the stock ones....so I can't complain. If the tires were just a hair shorter....it'd be an awesome class-1(tho , I'm NOT a fan of sorcca in the least...it's a government-ish organization controlling the hobby).

[@brandonp1371]

It’s an easy build better than most kits about the same as scx10 ll with a little twist of the trx4 sport.

[@trevorpenfold8947]

Hi mate can you do a quick walk talk through the red Trx4 sport. Ie no bumpers bead locks etc any or little mods done

[@RCReviewChannel]

will do. coming this week.

[@craigseary2368]

i own one, great rig imo as long as you know how to drive it

[@RCReviewChannel]

It's pretty darn good. But same driver, with an Element RC or TRX4 Sport, driver will do much better.

[@craigseary2368]

@@RCReviewChannel I have an element as well and stick them both thru same courses regularly. They drive different sure but i stand by my original comment

[@acereport8939]

Not sure about this model but previous MST kits were designed for (and even came with) Tamiya bodies! Great for people who like the realism of Tamiya shells but don’t want their old fashioned and outdated chassis underneath.

[@RCReviewChannel]

Interesting. thanks for that.

[@tarui]

RC Review I bought a mst cfx because I had a body that would fit a cc-01 chassis but I hatred the steering of it. It fits perfectly.

[@ka4172]

When release the Toyota j45c body?

[@chrisischannel]

The g made r1 was the first portal axle Rc i think

[@Carrazeda]

Hi. Good reviews. Can you something make a review of one of the RC4WD leaf springs trucks? I have a trx4 and a old tamiya cr-01 and I recently bought a RC4WD Marlin crawler edition and I love it. It won t perform like a linked truck, but it is very capable. Hope you sometime have a review of one. Keep up the good work 👍

[@RCReviewChannel]

We're trying. They're just so expensive and we buy them ourselves. We're a bit concerned since we're all about design and performance. And it seems RC4WD is more traditional and for scale looks. They just don't perform and articulate from what we've seen.

[@Carrazeda]

They do not articulate as a linked one, but you also have the option to remove the leaf springs and put the links on it. With some modifications it can perform really close to a linked one truck.

[@tomlucasrccrawlers9108]

@@RCReviewChannel With just a few simple cheap mods , my 8 year old Trailfinder achieves 4.5 inches of trail-worthy flex. I did this many years ago....it's still on video. No Shooter-shackles or Z-box's.

[@EugeneRCDrezgalovo48rus]

Super 🇷🇺 cool car👍👍👍👍💥🔥

[@voodoostroker]

Hopefully theyll sell the body seperate.

[@RCReviewChannel]

Exactly!!!!

[@byknmikerc7153]

That things chassis twists like Gmade Komodo

[@xxxxxx-rm2pn]

Man thanks for this, kinda wanted one but now i will save for something else

[@RCReviewChannel]

Yeah, we don't want anyone to waste their hard-earned dollar on something not right for them.

[@twissted1277]

I almosst pulled th trigger on this. I payed for it and ended getting my money back. I'm glad I was refunded.

[@brandonp1371]

I love this truck I built the first kit and I’ve broke less than my scx10 ll or my gen 8#AMAZINGKIT

[@chrislane597]

sweet body looks way better with the wider traxxas tire also. price just to high compared to others out there. thanks for the reiew

[@RCReviewChannel]

We'll put the body on our TRX4

[@samjohnson517]

@@RCReviewChannelgreat video I was really curious about that, did you try putting it on the trx4? The body's available separate but it looks like the body pin holes are pre drilled just wondering how it would fit.

[@dezfan]

Great body, portal axles are cool. but over priced and behind the curve on design and layout. Add the rock hard tires and it’s not going to be competitive. If it where drastically reduced in price ($249.00ish) it would be attractive for those not strictly focused on performance.

[@RCReviewChannel]

Much agreement here.

[@tomlucasrccrawlers9108]

I bought the kits version almost 3 years ago. Sold the tires and wheels and a few well thought-out mods...it's a solid performer.

[@johnanthony4856]

those tires are good at sand and mud but $340 is too expensive

[@RCReviewChannel]

Exactly. Would be worthy at $250

[@MrMoth55]

The drivelines are very fragile, the same goes for the CVD axles as well as wheels HEX is in plastic and gets twisted out of shape, the shock absorbers are in plastic and useless. Do not buy an RTR but buy the kit version instead. Yes even the Ball links in the RTR version are made of plastic and need to be replaced very quickly. But on the other hand, is this changed and the car lowered to below 60 mm, then driving and Crawling is perfect.

[@billderas3420]

Hopefully MST will learn something designwise from your review. Far too many weaknesses that are important. More like a 3.75 out of 10...LOL

[@RCReviewChannel]

It should have been launched two years ago. Now, it needs to be $100 less.

[@skirmich]

MST Portals are those the ones with the silly -3° camber and no reduction? If so they are by far the worst example of portal axles in date, Mainly because they are very old… Older than the TRX4.

[@RCReviewChannel]

WHAT? No reduction??? That's why the torque twist is so bad.

[@skirmich]

@@RCReviewChannel Indeed its a 1:1 design... You can see the portal inside here: www.rccrawler.com/forum/max-speed-technology-cfx/577084-mst-cfx-w-arrival-3.html

[@tomlucasrccrawlers9108]

I don't remember if there is a gear reduction...I built my CFX-W almost 3 years ago....but I will tell you it's built more to a true portal than the others out there , because it has the two counter-rotation gears in each portal to spin the everything in the right direction and full bearing support. They really are decent axles except for the weaker 1st-gen cvd's. Hopefully the rtr has the stronger cvd's. Regardless....it took over two years to break mine and I run Holmes-Hobbies Revolver OutRunner and later a 3300kv Puller...both on 4s.

[@EHolm]

When you're reading on the box there, you should be able to say the name right 😂 it's not called CFW-X 😂

[@tomlucasrccrawlers9108]

Hahaha

[@SnarkyRC]

LOL

[@jediradekcrif9568]

New but can't compete? --- I'm disappointed in the Element RC...looked really nice but no portals... Think I'm still gonna get a trx4 (still the best after 2 years...🤦🏽) kinda embarrassing for other manufacturers...

[@TVsGringoStarr]

If you love dumping tons of money on brass parts in order to compensate for an unnecessarily high COG, then portals are for you.

[@jediradekcrif9568]

@@TVsGringoStarr uhm okay... I'd rather see other companies stepping up their game to compete 🤷🏽... This channel has stated several times including in this video the trx4 is king. I don't mind buying a little brass... How many folks stay completely stock anyway? Most mod their rigs and some go crazy... #teto

[@skirmich]

Sorry but portals are not the end-of-all things.. You will see in crawler competitions that solid axle rigs still claim the top 3 positions... Portals add unnecessary HCG, weight and complexity to the build.. They are fine for fooling around and trailing heck you can even win local competitions with them but for extreme rock crawling competition? Solid Axle still rules, It will destroy portals in up-hills and side-hilling. Also this channel is just one mans opinion.

[@jediradekcrif9568]

Yep I don't have a crawler yet...watching videos to figure out what I want...talked to folks that are doing it too. I want portals...is that alright? Lmao smh

[@tarui]

The high cost of trx-4 and all the upgrades is what's putting me off.

[@braddahdussifyoumuss596]

Portals portals portals portals portals portals portals portals

[@Phaedrah-Seraphine]

Sorry, but I've rarely heard so much nonsense ... This vehicle has absolutely no Torque Twist and the price-performance ratio is very good. In addition, the vehicle has been driven in this video absolutely bad. This is really much better with this model. I can not confirm your opinion about this vehicle.

[@Lybra19JTD]

MST is great onroad RC producer ( drift, touring ), but offroad, no. Why, because they think if it is designed for onroad, it will do offroad. So all shafts are weak point. not overdesigned like competition