First Drive! Redcat Lightning Drift: Cheap AWD RC Drift Car

Interested in getting into RC drifting - but not willing to spend a bunch of $$$? This might just be the vehicle for you!
First - this is an AWD drift car. It is VERY different from a RWD drift car. You can tell more about the differences in this video: • RC Drift Intro | Cheap...
If you want to go down the AWD rc drift path - it might not get better than this one! Especially in how good it is for the $$$.
Want more info, see it on the Redcat site (www.redcatracing.com/?ref=faS...) or on Amazon (amzn.to/3HAkd8C).
Video timeline:
0:00 Intro
1:02 Overview
6:08 Test Drive
9:01 Final Thoughts
*Note: The provided links to the items recommended in this may be associate links. The great news about this: you pay the same price for the item, but I get a small kickback that helps me fund this channel!
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Music provided by T2NATE and the KZbin library.
Go check out T2NATE's other work: / @t2nate137

[@colouredsclub]

i dont have a local drift track, so i have no need to spend a lot of money on a rwd chassis. This has been perfect for me!!

[@RoadsideRC]

Awesome! Glad you have had fun with it

[@infure]

just got an rmx 2.0, amazing vehicle

[@RoadsideRC]

Great! Have you seen some of my videos on upgrades for those?

[@RcNickster709]

Yup a definite vehicle to go out and drift in the parking lot. Or driveway. Just have a bunch of fun with. Thanks for sharing Troy

[@RoadsideRC]

That is exactly the use!

[@a.ndy.nonymous]

I am really surprised by that lightning too! Good content man

[@RoadsideRC]

Thanks! I am thinking about what upgrades to do to it now!

[@tigweld4you]

Good info 👍 just starting to get into the drifting thing & picked up a redcat drift car but will have questions as I learn more + also subscribed keep up the awesome work 👍

[@RoadsideRC]

Feel free to ask questions as you have them!

[@doubledome2076]

Cool car and video‼️👍👍🦾🦾

[@josediaz9483]

Dude you got me looking at Redcat now. It's a fair run, definitely considering buying one. For the price it's pretty cool. Enjoy the review, awesome video bro.

[@RoadsideRC]

Glad to help!

[@kotetsujin3493]

Just buy hsp one from ebay 20 $ less its basically the same

[@cletuskasady5894]

Just got 1 about 2 weeks ago and I love it

[@teamjc_NY]

Great video!

[@RoadsideRC]

Thanks!

[@MarcoRCArena]

Looks good and looks FUN!

[@RoadsideRC]

Yes, very fun!

[@donniemarks94]

Nice video man! I was surprised to see that the chassis is identical to my volcano Epx pro haha

[@RoadsideRC]

Yes! It is used to make a bunch of cars.

[@keithd9705]

I've just bought the HSP version Nisssn gtr which is basically the same as this one, so with your advice on your other videos for set up and practice, this is really helpful!! Thankyou from the Uk

[@RoadsideRC]

Good luck!

[@beckerg04]

just picked up two of these complete with a blackout in a box (with various dept store rcs) for 10.00 at a garage sale... I'm loving these lightnings!

[@RoadsideRC]

They really are fun for the $$$!

[@BangForYourBuckRc]

I really like this and really excellent video and demo. How do you think this would do as a Rally car? And what mods would you focus on to do so?🤔😋

[@RoadsideRC]

Since they use this platform as a touring car and truck also, a Rally car would be easy. Swap the body and tires. Should be the only changes.

[@GreatLakesRC]

Pretty good drift car 👍 You make it look easy 🤣

[@RoadsideRC]

Thanks!

[@JulianFRosales]

Just ordering one for my son's Christmas 🎁

[@RoadsideRC]

Nice! I hope he likes it!

[@MikeS-cv8xs]

I didn't see the pro model on Thier website. Nice review thanks

[@RoadsideRC]

I think they might have discontinued the brushless version. Boo!

[@RcDungeon]

Between this and the thunder which one would you recommend? Great video BTW

[@RoadsideRC]

This one. It has a more durable driveline, and is easier to convert to a Rally or Monster Truck later if you want.

[@michaelholden8667]

Just purchased one weather has not been good in north Carolina I purchased a lipo with a jumper banana plug adapter with the t plug Under neat the battery box you can take out the tray 4 Phillips screws and then your lipo will fit right in can't wait too try mine out with the 7 4 lipo soon then check out some different tires and rims on it great video too bee running that type of battery I never use them I just always go with the lipo and in the future I plan too purchase a brushless 550 motor and esc combo been thanking about putting a brushless castle system in it in the future I think it would be awesome just wanted to let you no I enjoyed your video and look too more of them in the future awesome video and the car done great and not running a lipo great video keep the great work up thanks again

[@RoadsideRC]

Thanks! I have a brushless system sitting on the workbench just begging to be put into this car. Just depends on how I want to use it I think. Running all drift tires, it seems it has enough power for a smaller space. If I wanted to start big powerslides in a HUGE parking lot, I think it would need more wheelspeed. Hope you have fun with yours!

[@user-vc2rt6gr7w]

Awesome 👍👍👍👍

[@RoadsideRC]

Thanks!

[@politicle8842]

GREAT VIDEO! So nice to see an honest review of entry level vehicle. It drives me crazy when you look at a new hobby and everyone tries to get you to go for top of the line right off the bat! My first crawler was a cheap ecx barrage, after I saw that I liked it my next purchase was an SCX10II based full metal CNC rig! I also have a redcat everest 10. Their price point is spot on! That drift car looks like a blast! Set up an oval and race like the World of Outlaws on smooth concrete! The body looks MUCH better in your video, but it’s still ugly 😂. You did a good job being nice in the description. Keep up the great videos!

[@RoadsideRC]

Thanks for the kind words! I find I have some RC vehicles for "serious" times. Higher performance crawlers, drift cars, race buggy. Other vehicles are just "simple fun". This fits right into that fun bucket!

[@mattymoe2239]

Redcat has some sweet rigs for all types of RC, at an awesome low price point.

[@RoadsideRC]

Yes! Really helpful for the entry-level folks.

[@mattymoe2239]

@@RoadsideRCExactly, Dudes like me that need a hobby and exercise, but have little funding.

[@dirtdevilrcmotorsports]

The people who work at the factory must be loving life, this chassis is used by so many different brands, I have a HSP drifter and Himoto XB10 dessert Buggy that are identical. I know that Flying fish, Hobby works, Redcat and several others also use it. This has got to be the most mass produced budget RC platform around. its got to be the cheapest and easiest way of getting kids into the RC hobby.

[@RoadsideRC]

Yes! It really is quite a good platform in that way. Nothing fancy - but it just works.

[@sbrc8725]

Great review 🤙 Would it drift even better if you locked the differentials?

[@RoadsideRC]

That is something I will test.

[@sbrc8725]

@@RoadsideRC That would be awesome 👍

[@sbrc8725]

@@RoadsideRC I’ve heard that some people use memory foam ear plugs for a semi locked setup but I have no experience with that🤷‍♂️

[@brandonparr1411]

Hot glue, or paper work great too, you only wanna lock the rear diff if staying AWD.

[@TheLakemead1]

badhorsey diff lock grease

[@Blaines-smallengine-repair]

I put w copper head 10 system in mine lol thing was a beast very tight fit tho with the esc

[@RoadsideRC]

I bet it really was fast!

[@maximumrpm1868]

Vary nice

[@RoadsideRC]

Thanks!

[@WoodsUnknown]

Man i wish we didn't pay so much for rc's here in Canada. That lightning is 300 before taxes up here. Great video as always Troy.

[@RoadsideRC]

That really is rough. For $160, it is a great vehicle. For $300...I start to wonder.

[@WoodsUnknown]

@@RoadsideRC this is why i ask so many questions generally, like for instance i would love a new scx6 for 1400+tax isnt so bad i have 3s batteries that could be used in it, but jump to an xmaxx which i have always wanted one is also 1400 before tax and with batteries unless you use different from traxxas batteries is closer to 1900 out the door. Arrma 3s stuff isnt so bad granites are like 420 big rocks 540 senton 450 all before tax of couse. 15% tax here where i live also, and no hobby stores within 300km.

[@WoodsUnknown]

@@Underground-Electronic-Music buy the time it hits 1000 for you its 1400 for us, thats quite a difference and leaves a person wondering about other things instead.

[@WoodsUnknown]

@@Underground-Electronic-Music in New Brunswick it's 13.75 and 1.60 a litre for fuel.

[@ramos.nitrorc]

very helpful review...how is the durability??

[@RoadsideRC]

I have never broken anything on this - even took it to the skatepark!

[@ramos.nitrorc]

@@RoadsideRC awesome

[@RC4all]

Not bad at all 👍🏼

[@RoadsideRC]

I agree!

[@cowenolson9777]

Hi, im new to rc drifting and I have no clue how I would put a whole different body on this exact car, like do you know if any body will fit on it that says 1:10 or no

[@RoadsideRC]

Hi there! You are looking for 1:10 bodies that are 195-200mm wide. Those will fit.

[@KlunkersKustoms]

Great video, I wanna get some Drifters on our channel

[@RoadsideRC]

Do it!!!

[@Trotter13]

Those battery holders (at leas on older models) is held on with a flat head screw from the bottom. You can just unscrew them.

[@RoadsideRC]

Thanks! I'll check it out.

[@billyb5057]

looks very good on test mate *full viewed always 👍Au👍left a big like*

[@RoadsideRC]

Thank you 👍

[@y-tryusaki7916]

i bought that car 5 years ago and regreted it instantly it needs more power and then you wish you could have better control imo. went on to get a used SAKURA D3 with the one way bearing and never looked back even transformed the lightning into a volcano hybrid buggy since its AWD is better at that

[@RoadsideRC]

Yes -- you are following the right path for folks who really want to get into proper drifting. This will be used much more for general drift-bashing.

[@y-tryusaki7916]

@@RoadsideRC im up to 10 cars now 🤣 buggies and crawler stuff too that almost seems a long time ago now ahaha

[@RoadsideRC]

I understand that! I try to keep my car list to less 12-15. Otherwise, it is too expensive to keep them all running!

[@stevenslouber4947]

Like any RC, if you want more from it, get the LiPo battery, get better rims/tires, get the hop up parts. I see nothing as finished out of the box. Put effort into it and you can make it better! :)

[@wingate23]

Are the diffs locked or unlocked ???

[@RoadsideRC]

They are unlocked.

[@touchscreenhiro]

Would a 2s lipo be safe on this you think?

[@RoadsideRC]

100%! I use one on it all the time.

[@touchscreenhiro]

@@RoadsideRC you’re the best Troy thank you!

[@ramos.nitrorc]

runtime?? on that nimh??

[@RoadsideRC]

Never measured, but I would say 10min+

[@catman25]

how hard to remove 4wd and make it rwd ?

[@RoadsideRC]

Removing the axles and diff to make it physically RWD is rather easy. BUT - if you want it to drift, you have to completely redesign the front suspension...which is a lot of work. If you want a RWD drift car, you are 100x better off getting a proper chassis from the start.

[@areldcookie5581]

This is the same as the HSP Flying Fish

[@RoadsideRC]

I believe so, yes.

[@brandonparr1411]

Hsp, redcat and exceed AWD shaft drive drift chassis are all the same.

[@MrRj600rr]

Just to bash around the front yard. Not bad.

[@RoadsideRC]

Exactly!

[@rcvikingsnorway5912]

Looks identical ro the hsp xstr drift car.. Same color and everything.. If it wasnt for the box and the name i would have guessed it was a hsp xstr car.. I had one hsp like that and its all the same design 😂😂

[@RoadsideRC]

There is a lot of sharing of vehicles at this price point! :)

[@PatrickLuiplayground]

They copy the yokomo old drift tyre, I use that before yokomo

[@RoadsideRC]

Yes - I was surprised to still see this design.

[@PatrickLuiplayground]

Cheap and easy I guess lol

[@-deepa-singh529]

U JUST STARTED TO DRIVE IT BUT U NEVER SHOWED HOW TO CONNECT IT

[@RoadsideRC]

Which connection are you worried about? The transmitter and receiver should be bound from the factory. If you have an issue with that, it shows how to bind it in the manual.

[@MysterP]

Man the only thing stock on my lightning is the dog bones drive shaft and gear boxes. Aluminum upgrades everything 4930kv brushless 120amp esc dumborc 6ch tx/rx with gyro, looking for a one way diff. I have to use rubber tires to drift, plastic shatter, break, too easily. I think I'm 500 deep for upgrades 170 for car. Can't say I want any other car, this is an amazing, super customizable, super fast. Oh yea 5500 3s 60c battery.

[@MysterP]

For the battery if you cut the knobs on the bottom you can flip them around for a flat battery, my battery now is huge in contrast to stock or shorty pack I had before.

[@RoadsideRC]

That sounds like you have done a lot of work!