Readers Rides – July 2023

Kenworth Logger
Michael Zwicke « Palatine, IL
Michael tells us that his goal was to build a “go anywhere” logging truck and it looks like he succeeded. This rig is a 6×6 armed with a two-speed transmission, locking transfer case and locking axles. The chassis is from an RC4WD Overland with the front axle moved 1 inch forward. The logging frame and trailer were built from steel and aluminum channel with a generous helping of parts from Cross RC and Lesu. Michael proudly informs us that the truck is 1/14-scale and it hauls around 30 logs with any problem. It’s a great-looking logger; fantastic job, Michael!

BUILD HIGHLIGHTS
– Chassis: RC4WD Overland
– Body: Custom Kenworth C500 made from a Tamiya Bullhead modified with styrene channel and sheets
– Motor: RC4WD
– Speed Control: RC4WD
– Battery: Goldbatt 5200mAh 3S LiPo
– Wheels & Tires: Custom-painted beadlocks from eBay with added scale hardware and RC4WD 1.9 military tires
– Suspension: RC4WD shocks, Lesu leaf spring suspension front and rear
– Axles: RC4WD/JDM locking axles
– Paint: Krylon primer and spray paint
– Decals: Boom Racing custom graphics
– Lighting: RC4WD lighting controller, homemade wiring harnesses
– Radio System: Spektrum DX6e
– Sound: RC4WD sound unit
– Other Options: RC4WD winch, Lesu fuel tanks, Cross RC logging trailer parts, Garden Trucking accessories

Custom EazyRc Glacier Chevy K10
Alec Grossman « Winston-Salem, NC
Alec starts off by telling us: “I thought this EazyRc Glacier Chevy K10 truck looked great stock… it was just a little lacking out of the box. The stance wasn’t wide or tall enough, and it had a tendency to hang up on rocks or roll over when side-hilling. The steering angle was also lacking, too.” The first thing he changed was adding an all-metal servo and WPL RC RES-V3 Tx/Rx-ESC combo that he already had. He says that the electronic upgrades slightly improved the steering angle and the speed. Next he decided to add the portal axles, two-speed transmission and motor from the FMS FCX24 to improve the stance and power delivery. “Now this is my favorite truck,” Alec adds. “It goes everywhere and I don’t have to pick it up to carry it from one obstacle to another on the trail!” It’s a great-looking build and we’re absolutely loving it! Great job, Alec!

BUILD HIGHLIGHTS
– Chassis: EazyRc Glacier
– Body: EazyRc Glacier
– Motor: FMS FCX24 2-speed transmission and motor
– Speed Control: WPL RC RES-V3
– Battery: WPL RC 7.4V 500mAh
– Wheels & Tires: Injora 1.0 deep-dish wheels and Injora 1.0 all-terrain tires
– Shocks: EazyRc
– Axles: FMS FCX24 portal axles
– Paint: Tamiya X-2 Gloss White
– Decals: RC Plate Shop license plate and stickers, RC-CrawlerIt emblems
– Lighting: EazyRc
– Radio System: WPL RC RES-V3
– Other Options: 3D-printed camper top, Steve Austin figure by Zica Toys, RBR/C 9g all-metal servo

Custom RC10 ReRe
Chad Pigott « Redmond, WA
Chad bought the ReRe (re-released) RC10 back when it came out and gave it to his son to assemble it only about a year ago. The father-and-son duo decided to build it using some vintage parts along with some reproduction parts. Chad fills us in: “We also added custom roll bars similar to the box art RC10. We used Tamiya Super Champ decals and Tamiya Hot Shot window netting. The tires are from the ReRe Kyosho Scorpion and the driver is from the ReRe Kyosho Optima.” We love the RC10 and you guys sure did it justice. Fantastic job to the both of you, thanks for sharing your stunner of a build.

BUILD HIGHLIGHTS
– Chassis: Team Associated RC10
– Body: Team Associated RC10
– Motor: Generic 540
– Speed Control: Vintage Futaba FP-MC6B ESC
– Battery: 6-cell NiCd
– Wheels & Tires: Vintage RC10 chrome front and vintage Pro-Line chrome rear wheels, tires from the Kyosho Scorpion ReRe kit
– Shocks: Team Associated RC10
– Axles: Team Associated RC10
– Decals: Tamiya Super Champ
– Radio System: Futaba
– Other Options: Tamiya Hot Shot window netting, Kyosho Optima driver figure

Ramp Truck
Stephan LaBelle « Blaine, WA
This truck may look modest, but it’s got a lot going on. We’ll let its owner, Stephan, tell its story. “This started out as am Arrma Kraton EXB roller,” he informs us. “After watching too many Duperbash videos and spending too much time at the dirt park, I decided a more dedicated build might be in order. The big motor isn’t what you think it’s for; the truck isn’t particularly fast. The big motor gives some extra kick for aerial stunts. The truck is a blast to drive and it’s an excellent jumper. On the ground it’s really heavy, well-planted, and accelerates like a rocket. It really is a blast to drive. Changes for the future—I’ve decided it’s too cold where I live for the RPM A-arms, so I’m going back to EXBs. After breaking my bell crank leaping the ‘chasm of death’ I’ve decided to reinstall the stock servo saver preload. The upper skid plate is to save money on wings. The skid plate has worn down really fast, so a wing is going back on. That’s the truck—I hope you like it.” We sure do, Stephan, great job and thanks for sharing!

BUILD HIGHLIGHTS
– Chassis: Arrma Kraton
– Body: JConcepts Finisher
– Motor: Hobbywing EZRUN 4958sl 1/6 scale
– Speed Control: Castle Monster X 8s stripped of all wires and plugs except the receiver wire, Team Brood fan wired directly to the receiver
– Battery: 2X HRB 6000mAh 3S LiPo
– Wheels & Tires: Arrma Backflip 6S wheels/tires
– Shocks: Arrma/M2C plus piston kit, 1000cts oil, black/heavy spring set
– Axles: M2C Kraton/Notorious
– Paint: Duratrax light blue
– Radio System: Flysky Noble NB4

Pro-Line FORD F-100
Israel Guajardo « Richardson, TX
Those of us who paint their own RC bodies know that “chrome” paint is a relative term. Chrome is hard to replicate from the rattle can and there are plenty of duds out there. That’s what Israel tells us, and we agree. “I was not sure how the project was going to end,” he says. “To be honest, I was skeptical of the ‘chrome’ billing on the can because I have only had mediocre experiences from other chrome paints in the past.” This is why Israel was pleasantly surprised when the Traxxas ProGraphics chrome paint he tried adhered so easily to his Pro-Line F-100 body. Spaying very light coats, he was able to achieve a very reflective chrome look with the Traxxas paint. Israel adds: “The chrome body looks good on the Arrma Senton 4×4. I adjusted the suspension for height and that was it. I upgraded the chassis with the Hobbywing Max10 SCT ESC and 4100kV motor, which runs awesome on 3S batteries. I also upgraded the motor mount with Arrma’s metal version and swapped the rear diff with metal gears.” Great job on making this truck your own, Israel! The chrome paint is especially eye-catching.

BUILD HIGHLIGHTS
– Chassis: Arrma Senton 4×4 Mega
– Body: Pro-Line 1956 Ford F-100 Pro-Touring Street Truck
– Motor: Hobbywing EZRUN MAX10 SCT Combo (2-3S)
– Speed Control: Hobbywing EZRUN MAX10 SCT Combo (2-3S)
– Wheels & Tires: Generic
– Shocks: Arrma
– Axles: Arrma
– Paint: Traxxas ProGraphix chrome and chrome backer
– Decals: Pro-Line and custom-made
– Radio System: Flysky FS-GT5 6CH AFHDS RC transmitter with FS-BS6
– Other Options: Arrma aluminum adjustable motor mount, 4×4 Mega 550 Arrma 3S/4S BLX and Mega metal main differential gear (37T), Arrma 3S/4S BLX and Mega metal input gear (13T), Arrma 3S/4S BLX and Mega differential case set