Monster mash!
WHAT MAKES A MONSTER?
The monster-truck category encompasses a number of vehicle configurations; 1/8 and 1/10 scale; 2WD and 4WD; small-block and big-block; independent suspension and solid-axle are just a few of the ways you can subdivide the category. But when it comes to buying a truck, we doubt that many of you say “I only want to look at 2WD, 1/10-scale, small-block trucks” or narrow your search in similar ways. We figure you just want something that’s 1/10 scale and looks like a monster truck. So for this shootout, we simply included every truck that is 1/10 scale, nitro-powered and has monster-proportion, chevron-style tires. We excluded the Traxxas T-Maxx because we feel it competes much more directly with 1/10-scale trucks. Likewise, Kyosho’s Mad Force was out, but the smaller MegaForce is in. All the trucks are listed alphabetically by brand. Go to it!
Monster trucks! Could any category of RC be growing as quickly as nitro-powered, big-tire, off-road flatbeds? And “growing” is definitely the word; not only has the category grown in makes and models, but the size and price tags of the largest monsters have grown, as well. What’s a low-on-funds monster fan to do?. Fear not, ye of littlt dollars: there are plenty of easier-on-the-wallet, 1/10-scale offerings available to mollify your monster madness. This class has lots of variety: small-blocks, big-blocks, 2WD, 4WD-something for every taste and terrain. We pounded on the latest monster machines from CEN, DuraTrax, Kyosho, Megatech, OFNA and Traxxas to see how they’d stack up.
1/10-SCALE MONSTER SHOOTOUT
CEN FUN FACTOR MT2
The 4WD Fun Factor MT2 package is quite complete; very little needs to be done to get it running, and it’s well-equipped with features for off-road bashing. The plush suspension easily soaks up the rough stuff and keeps the large-diameter tires in touch with the ground; it’s a good thing it does because the NT-16 engine mated with a 2-speed tranny provides a ton of power and speed. CEN also designed the MT2 to have plenty of adjustability by incorporating a pivot-ball suspension.
MOST COMPLETE 2-SPEED TR
DURATRAX MAXIMUM MT PRO
DuraTrax offers four versions of its Maximum line of trucks; we chose the Maximum MT Pro because it has a price tag and features that are similar to those of the other trucks in this article. The MT Pro includes all the items you’ll need to
get running except for fuel. The 2WD chassis is well-equipped and comes with the Stress-Tech parts guarantee that ensures replacement of any Stress-Tech parts during the first six months of ownership-a nice deal when you consider how much these trucks are abused when off-roading.
1/10-SCALE MONSTER SHOOTOUT
REVERSING TRANSMISSION
4W0 ELECTRIC STARTER
KYOSHO MEGAFORCE
Kyosho was the first to combine a reversing transmission with a full-time, shaft-driven 4WD system and a high-ground– clearance chassis. That was way back in 1997, with the Baja Field Beetle. The MegaForce uses the same basic layout, albeit on a larger scale. Kyosho’s QRC (or “Quick Reverse Clutch”) system makes the MegaForce the only truck in this shootout that can back out of trouble, and it’s one of two trucks that has electric starting. Most strikingly, it’s the biggest of our test trucks, thanks primarily to its 6-inch chevron tires.
2-SPEED TRANSMISSION
MEGATECH TEMPEST GLADIATOR
The Megatech started out as a nitro touring sedan; it now tackles the roughest terrain, thanks to the big chevron-tread tires. It comes with a 2-channel Airtronics Blazer Sport radio installed, and it features throttle/steering trims, LED battery gauge and servo-reversing. The included finger-type adjustable 2-speed tranny gets the truck up to pretty hairy speeds. Camber and toe are easy to adjust, thanks to the included steel turnbuckles. Megatech further cuts down the box-to-dirt time by including a painted, trimmed and stickered body along with glued tires.
1/10-SCALE MONSTER SHOOTOUT
4WD BIG-BLOCK ENGINE
FASTEST
OFNA PIRATE 10 RT
OFNA’s Pirate 10 has been around for quite some time but has gone through some changes to improve its durability, handling and-most important-its speed. The Pirate 10 RT is the culmination of the truck’s evolution, and the result is very impressive: a powerful .21 Hyper pull-start engine shoehorned onto a cool, red-anodized aluminum-tub chassis and large– bore shocks to damp the suspension. Cast hubs are on each corner with a full bearing set to support the universal axles and the rest of the drive train. All of this comes in an impressive ready-to-run package; the Pirate 10 RT is one hot rig.
LEAST EXPENSIVE ELECTRONIC STARTER
TRAXXAS NITRO STAMPEDE
The Stampede has been around since we reviewed it in the February ’96 issue of RC Car Action. It definitely has been around longer than the other trucks in this shootout Traxxas has updated the original kit with blue anodizing, an elec
tric starter and a dual-tip muffler, just to list a few examples. A Traxxas Top Qualifier radio controls the Stampede. It features adjustable neutral positions, throttle/steering trims and servo-reversing. Front toe and camber can be adjusted quickly with the included turnbuckles.
Copyright Air Age Publishing May 2003
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