Learn me: Getting started in 1/10 scale RC crawlers

I have become interested in 1/10 scale RC crawlers but have no idea where to start. I've never had a hobby grade RC car before.

First, I'm looking at electric. Probably LiPo but I'm not ruling out a good NiMH kit.

Secondly, I want a builders kit and not an RTR truck. I want to build it myself over the course of weeks to months. I hope to keep the cost down (haha!) and this will allow me to pick and choose each component. I have a cheap New Bright RC truck that I want to steal the body off of.

Thirdly, I want a kit from an established company with lots of aftermarket support. I have found kits from no name or Chinese companies that are pretty inexpensive. I'd rather pay a bit more for an established brand.

So far, I have found the Axial SCX-10ii Raw Builders Kit ($199), the Team Associated Element Enduro Builders Kit ($239) and the HPI Racing Venture Scale Builders Kit ($199). I like the Traxxas TRX-4 Sport kit but it's too rich for my blood ($369). I received a $100 Amazon gift card for Christmas that I'd like to use towards a kit.

I'm kinda overwhelmed with all of the options. Each company has strengths and weakness.

Can you point a noob in the right direction?

No way to help you but these things seem to be taking off right now, in a big way. 
 

I think the Axial kit would be a good choice.  You will still need wheels/tires and a body.  Those will add up pretty quick.

HobbyKing has some very inexpensive radio systems that will fit the bill for most beginners.  Really hard to beat a $30 radio system.

Depending on how much you use it, a brushed motor and esc will probably be fine.  A Nimh battery will not last years like the old Nicads.  I have literally 20 year old nicads that will pretty much come back after a few cycles but the NIMh cells that are half that age just wont.  I dont like LIPO for casual use, they are too fragile and the risk of nasty fires really keep me away.

I have an Axial SCX10 ver 1  and the Ver II, a cheap chinese copy for a display chassis. Also a Tamiya CC01 chassis Pajero hard body

yay! i just sold mine. i would go with the ssd rc kit if you are going for scale. on sale right now to. if not go with the axial kit like cfv said. great aftermarket support and pretty scale too. 

https://www.hobbytown.com/ssd-rc-trail-king-pro-scale-crawler-chassis-builders-kit-ssd00300/p947552

https://www.hobbytown.com/axial-scx10-ii-raw-builders-kit-axi90104/p859171

for radio systems i would go with hobby wing. https://www.hobbytown.com/hobbywing-quicrun-waterproof-1080-brushed-crawling-esc-23s-hwa30112750/p564169 best selling esc on hobbytown. 

for a motor i would get a https://www.hobbytown.com/traxxas-titan-550-size-motor-12t-tra3785/p17628. i have driven through puddles where you could only see the roof and it just kept on trucking. 

for batteries and chargers i have ecopower. comparatively affordable and good quality. https://www.hobbytown.com/ecopower/b794 

https://www.hobbytown.com/ecopower-electron-44-ac-lihv-lipo-life-battery-charger-24s-4a-50w-ecp-1006/p699115

for servos go with savox, also cheap and good quality like ecopower. i have a mini e revo and i got this one. https://www.hobbytown.com/savox-sw0250mg-waterproof-digital-metal-gear-micro-servo-traxxas-1-16-sav-sw-0250mg/p301255. also buried in water and it is still going strong. 

radio systems?

https://www.hobbytown.com/tactic-ttx300-3channel-2.4ghz-slt-radio-system-w-tr325-receiver-tacj0300/p609714

note: you don't have to buy from hobbytown/amain but their cs/shipping is really good.

If you are wanting a super capable crawler and don't care about a "scaler", I'd recommend the Losi Night Crawler 2.0. I bought the original Night Crawler years ago when it came out and got super involved with the RC rockcrawler scene. Went to the East Coast Championships 2 or 3 times and the World Championships in Vegas once. Ran the Night Crawler in the Sportsman class and had an XR-10 for the 2.2 class. Sold off all the upgrades but still have most of the stock Night Crawler sitting in a box to hopefully one day get it put back together.

it's gonna be pricey, just warning you. i would buy something preassembled first and make sure you like it and than build one. 

https://www.hobbytown.com/account/wishlist/show/1944494

In reply to Dieselboss15 :

Thanks for all of the great info! I was able to find an Axial SCX10ii kit on Amazon so I could use my $100 gift card.

Amain is pretty awesome. I have been watching their Youtube videos. There is also a Hobby Town close to my house.

This will be a slow build. Its going to be a fun, hobby type build. No brushless motors or 6s LiPos. I just want something fun and semi capable that is pretty scale but not obsessively so.

I know 2 channel radios are pretty inexpensive but I kinda want at least a 3 channel maybe 4. I want to run lights and maybe lockers or a 2 speed transmission.

There are so many aftermarket SCX10ii parts. I think I'll be upgrading the shocks first.

This rabbit hole seems DEEP lol

In reply to stanger_mussle (Forum Supporter) :

I used to think it was expensive going fast in rc, then I saw how much it costs to go 4mph max

stanger_mussle (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to Dieselboss15 :

Thanks for all of the great info! I was able to find an Axial SCX10ii kit on Amazon so I could use my $100 gift card.

Amain is pretty awesome. I have been watching their Youtube videos. There is also a Hobby Town close to my house.

This will be a slow build. Its going to be a fun, hobby type build. No brushless motors or 6s LiPos. I just want something fun and semi capable that is pretty scale but not obsessively so.

I know 2 channel radios are pretty inexpensive but I kinda want at least a 3 channel maybe 4. I want to run lights and maybe lockers or a 2 speed transmission.

There are so many aftermarket SCX10ii parts. I think I'll be upgrading the shocks first.

This rabbit hole seems DEEP lol

lockers do not work well with me. i got so sick of them in my trx4 i just took em out and got locking spools(for the rear). much simpler and cheaper

Try a scx24 and see how you feel. Rtr for $100 you get to taste the hobby, super capable, versatile and portable. Rc is a deep hole, this way you get to get going and you'll always have a use for it. 

Would it kill you to buy a chassis used and use the Amazon bucks for batteries, tires, etc..?

There is a R/C store within walking distance of my house.  For a few months last year, they had a crawler course built in one of the adjacent stores.  I want one of these sooooo much, but I really don't have time for anymore hobbies.  Hell... I'm probably going to take my old R/C stuff from the mid-80's over to him to sell.  Mostly just to get it out of my basement.  When I'm ready to get back into it I'll buy a crawler or two. They do look like a ton of fun.

In reply to Ian F (Forum Supporter) :

What 80s R/C are we talking here? I might be interested. 

Appleseed said:

In reply to Ian F (Forum Supporter) :

What 80s R/C are we talking here? I might be interested. 

Tamiya Brat and a 4x4 pseudo "monster truck" the brand/model escapes (not a Clod Buster, but similar and pre-dated the Clod Buster by a few years).  Both were ridden hard and put away a long time ago.  

Ian F (Forum Supporter) said:

Tamiya Brat