Looking to purchase a Nitro truck

[CG1]

ok, I am not well versed in RC. I have a few old card that I am trying to get running and I joined this forum and posted int he Engine forum here: https://www.rcnitrotalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=75211
I posted more general questions in that thread that I probably should have taken to a new thread here -- but like I said, I am new here.

I am interested in buying a new nitro truck and looking to spend around $300 and just not sure where to buy or what to buy. I found a 1/6 nitro truck on ebay for $300 and sort of leaning there but would like opinions.

I am interested in no smaller than 1/8, nitro, preferably pull start (I have a terra crusher electric start and the the starter is now broke and apparently proprietaty -- so I also would like opinions on a replacement engine for this truck)

Anyway, opinions welcomed !

 

[slowngreen]

First things firts, stick with a name brand! Dont go with ebay knock off's. Seriously, you will be flushing your money down the drain. You want traxxas, HPI, Hot Bodies, Losi and so on.

Look at Amain, tower, even ebay but just for name brand stuff.

http://www.amainhobbies.com/index.php/cPath/1_44_50
http://www.amainhobbies.com/index.php/cPath/1_44_1157
http://www.amainhobbies.com/index.php/cPath/1_44_1256

 

[basketcase45]

First things firts, stick with a name brand! Dont go with ebay knock off's. Seriously, you will be flushing your money down the drain. You want traxxas, HPI, Hot Bodies, Losi and so on.

Look at Amain, tower, even ebay but just for name brand stuff.

http://www.amainhobbies.com/index.php/cPath/1_44_50
http://www.amainhobbies.com/index.php/cPath/1_44_1157
http://www.amainhobbies.com/index.php/cPath/1_44_1256

+1 DO NOT waste your money on that 1/6 E-bay truck.

The Exceed is a much better deal, although they have their own issues.

SERIOUSLY- Get a name brand like this: http://www.losi.com/ , http://www.teamassociated.com/ , http://www.hpiracing.com/home/ , or at least make sure the truck you are getting has parts available easily. Stuff breaks! These companies are well known for their customer service and parts network and availability.

 

[silverbird02]

Yah if your interested in the big stuff spend thte extra bucks on a baja 5B-T.They are 2-3 times the price but there is a reason for it.Or check out ebay or craigslist for a deal on a nice used one i seen them in the 600-900 $ range used depending on condition.But definately stay with name brand stuff spend a lil more now for name brand or spend alot more later on a name brand after the POS you just bought wont work and you can't get parts to fix it,I been there.

 

[CG1]

OK, I understand what you are saying about parts being available and will begin searching the name brands this evening. I won’t be able to get $900 past my wife for my son’s 11th b-day….I can try, but I won’t get far – if the money isn’t there it isn’t there. Even $600 is a big nut to crack these days, with that in mind I will be searching for used vehicles. I came to this forum for advice so I will follow it – I’ll be on craigslist tonight !

In my other thread you asked about the car electronics and the like – after the water bath I had it professionally overhauled. But I would still like to break it down and clean it – so thank you for the pointers on how to do that ! If glow lugs do not go bad I think I should be in decent shape after fixing the pull start mechanism.

Ok – so the Terra Crusher, what can I do with that one? Is there a pull start engine that I can replace the stock electric start engine with? It’s been a while, but I recall thinking that I should replace the glow plug (are there different sizes?). Since my starter is broken and they are discontinued I thought the easiest thing would be to replace the engine – any thoughts on this one ?

 

[moe7404]

iam new to r/c 6 mo. what slowngreen said is good advice. that is find a local hobby shop that stock LOTS of parts for the brand you choose. i bought a traxxas t-maxx, now iam not saying its the best brand, my shop has TONS of traxxas parts. some say traxxas are week and break a lot. i broke mine a lot, but i think that was cause my skill level was a 1 and the trucks skill level was 10. one thing i did to break in the engine was to readjust the throttle so it only opens half way, how ever some people say to not do that.

 

[bishiman]

I have several Redcat Racing nitros. 1 1/10 ans 2 1/8. I love them. I have yet to break anything on any of them. Right now I have to get parts online which are available on several sites but a local hobby shop has started selling Redcat Racing products so a local supply of parts will be available to me. You can pick up a 1/8 Redcat for around $300-$350 from Redcat Racing or I got all 3 of mine brand new on Ebay for a total of $400. Good Luck.

 

[slowngreen]

Also, you might try looking in the For Sale section here, alot of good members selling nice rigs all the time here.

 

[silverbird02]

Ok – so the Terra Crusher, what can I do with that one? Is there a pull start engine that I can replace the stock electric start engine with? It’s been a while, but I recall thinking that I should replace the glow plug (are there different sizes?). Since my starter is broken and they are discontinued I thought the easiest thing would be to replace the engine – any thoughts on this one ?

Well as far as the Crusher goes I dont remember what they are like but most small blocks and big blocks come with a pull start and some come with a roto-start option like the HPI savage engines.But first figure out what size engine you got and how it mounts to the truck and exhaust or bring it in to a LHS and they can help you figure out which way to go.

 

[basketcase45]

OK, I understand what you are saying about parts being available and will begin searching the name brands this evening.

Ok – so the Terra Crusher, what can I do with that one? Is there a pull start engine that I can replace the stock electric start engine with? It’s been a while, but I recall thinking that I should replace the glow plug (are there different sizes?). Since my starter is broken and they are discontinued I thought the easiest thing would be to replace the engine – any thoughts on this one ?

What is wrong w/ the stock engine? Getting the sleeve pinched only costs $25 at OSRocket. I have had several done there and have had no problems. Makes a old , tired engine run like new: http://www.osrocketracing.com/pistonsleeve.php
As for the electric start, what is wrong with it? Sometimes you can take off the electric start and put a pull start on an engine, although I don't know about this specific application. Try searching E-bay like this: http://toys.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_n...Control_Parts_Accessories&_odkw=&_osacat=2562
It is bound to turn up what you need sooner or later.
What size engine is it? Send us some more pics

 

[CG1]

What is wrong w/ the stock engine? Getting the sleeve pinched only costs $25 at OSRocket. I have had several done there and have had no problems. Makes a old , tired engine run like new: http://www.osrocketracing.com/pistonsleeve.php
As for the electric start, what is wrong with it? Sometimes you can take off the electric start and put a pull start on an engine, although I don't know about this specific application. Try searching E-bay like this: http://toys.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_n...Control_Parts_Accessories&_odkw=&_osacat=2562
It is bound to turn up what you need sooner or later.
What size engine is it? Send us some more pics

That's for the advice everyone, I did start searching for name brands last night - was in sticker shock for sure ! But my Bose surround sound showed up and was sidetracked hooking it up

I am back to the RC tonight - I will post pic's of the Crusher. I didn't know that I could remove the electric start and swap it for a pull !! that's great news !

There is nothing wrong with the engine on the crusher - needs a new plug and a means of starting it, since I can;t get the Tamiya starter anylonger I assumed the engine was trashed. But if I can remove the electric start for a pull -- I am there ! I'll post tonight on the specifics and get back to you on engine size so you can advise me on what to order for it.

Actually, its all on the tamiya web site: http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=43502

for the Engine it say's "Engine: FS-18" not sure what that means.