I wasn't sure if this should be in "short course truck" or "crawler" board, the Rampage technically neither, despite being sold as a "crawler".
The Rampage is almost in line with earlier attempts at "trophy trucks", like the Thundertech Pro2. The Rampage Pro has a live rear axle, rear trailing arms, and a box "cage" setup of sorts which holds the rear fenders and spare wheel.
As someone used to more "entry level" stuff, I was surprised at how well the Rampage Pro comes equipped. It comes with hex hardware, sway bars, slipper clutch, an aluminum motor mount, aluminum shocks with TiN coated rods, 2 spare wheels/tires, aluminum skid plates, and a sealed diff. Compared to the RTR model, the kit is a much better buy.
It's not like most SCTs which are generally built on a buggy chassis, the Rampage uses a MOA setup (like an older Tamiya or Nikko) and live axles, so the motor is mounted more mid-ship. That combined with the hard kit tires means that you need to go easy on the gas (or use a gyro).
While these are durable (mine took a nice 4 jump on grass without damage), they are not "bashers", go overboard on power and you'll strip the plastic gears in the gearbox. The hard tires actually make it easier to drive as anything grippy just leads to traction rolling.
The biggest drawback of the Rampage is the lack of aftermarket for it. I like it as it is, I would only beef up the gearbox. But those who like to funnel money into their RCs might be dissapointed.
For someone used to dogbones/universals/double kardashians/etc, I welcome the simplicity of solid axles. They just work, they're robust, they don't fall out and get lost. The MOA setup makes working on the diff/transmission a breeze. Handling suffers, but this wasn't intended for the track (although a spec Rampage class would be fun to watch).
For reasons beyond me Kyosho markets the Rampage as a "crawler". While you can install crawler wheels/tires on it and possibly make it into a decent "trail truck", it is not a crawler. It barely does tall grass as it is.
If you're patient, they've been on sale on Amain for as low as $180 and this is before coupons, Kyosho is one of the few RC companies that plays nice with discounts. Thats a pretty good price for what you're getting.
The Rampage is almost in line with earlier attempts at "trophy trucks", like the Thundertech Pro2. The Rampage Pro has a live rear axle, rear trailing arms, and a box "cage" setup of sorts which holds the rear fenders and spare wheel.
As someone used to more "entry level" stuff, I was surprised at how well the Rampage Pro comes equipped. It comes with hex hardware, sway bars, slipper clutch, an aluminum motor mount, aluminum shocks with TiN coated rods, 2 spare wheels/tires, aluminum skid plates, and a sealed diff. Compared to the RTR model, the kit is a much better buy.
It's not like most SCTs which are generally built on a buggy chassis, the Rampage uses a MOA setup (like an older Tamiya or Nikko) and live axles, so the motor is mounted more mid-ship. That combined with the hard kit tires means that you need to go easy on the gas (or use a gyro).
While these are durable (mine took a nice 4 jump on grass without damage), they are not "bashers", go overboard on power and you'll strip the plastic gears in the gearbox. The hard tires actually make it easier to drive as anything grippy just leads to traction rolling.
The biggest drawback of the Rampage is the lack of aftermarket for it. I like it as it is, I would only beef up the gearbox. But those who like to funnel money into their RCs might be dissapointed.
For someone used to dogbones/universals/double kardashians/etc, I welcome the simplicity of solid axles. They just work, they're robust, they don't fall out and get lost. The MOA setup makes working on the diff/transmission a breeze. Handling suffers, but this wasn't intended for the track (although a spec Rampage class would be fun to watch).
For reasons beyond me Kyosho markets the Rampage as a "crawler". While you can install crawler wheels/tires on it and possibly make it into a decent "trail truck", it is not a crawler. It barely does tall grass as it is.
If you're patient, they've been on sale on Amain for as low as $180 and this is before coupons, Kyosho is one of the few RC companies that plays nice with discounts. Thats a pretty good price for what you're getting.