5 Performance-Packed RTR’s All Under $170

Paul Onorato February 29, 2024 Stories

Axial SCX24 Jeep JT Gladiator

The first of the 5 performance-packed RTR’s all under $170 is the Axial SCX24 Jeep JT Gladiator. There is a choice of three color options for the great looking Jeep body including green, black or silver and it rides on licensed KMC Machete wheels wrapped with Nitto Trail Grappler tires. Boosting the realism are two LEDs mounted in the front bumper for night time adventures. The Lexan body is well-painted at the factory and has a nice realistic look to it that is further detailed with an interior complete with a scale driver and Tuff Stuff Overland scale accessories are mounted to the bed rack.

Under the scale body is the proven SCX24 chassis that is right at home for either indoor or outdoor trailing. It has steel chassis frame rails like you would see in a full-size truck along with steel used for the front and rear axles and steel dogbones which will give serious strength to this crawler and offer great performance. Full time 4WD and a 3-link front/4-link rear suspension let you tackle tough obstacles. The drivetrain spins nothing but metal ball bearings while the differential has metal worm gears that are spun by splined driveshafts. At each corner are plush, oil-filled shocks for a suspension that smoothly absorbs bumps and remains stable over the roughest terrain. This completely RTR truck comes equipped with high-quality Spektrum electronics including a 2.4GHz transmitter, 350mAh LiPo battery pack and a handy USB charger. A Dynamite 180-size brushed motor provides the power to the truck. Even the four AA batteries are included so you won’t have to get anything else to start having fun with the JT.

QUICK SPECS

Price: $134.99
Item: AX100005V2T3
Scale: 1/24
Length: 9.86 in. (250mm)
Width: 4.82 in. (1222mm)
Height: 4.2 in. (107mm)
Wheelbase: 6.1 in. (155mm)
Weight: 9.5 oz. (269.6g)
Needed to complete: Nothing

FEATURES

Detailed Jeep JT Gladiator polycarbonate body
Oil-filled shocks
Durable metal chassis
Spektrum SLT2 2.4GHz radio system
Spektrum 350mAh LiPo battery and 0.5A USB charger
Licensed KMC Machete Wheels
Licensed Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires
Two LED lights in the front bumper
180-size brushed motor
Strong, realistic steel frame rails
True, full-time 4-wheel drive
Worm drive gear on front and rear axles
3-Link front and 4-link rear suspension
Fully equipped and ready-to-run

5 Performance-Packed RTR’s All Under $170

Arrma Gorgon

Off-road monster trucks are so much fun to drive since they are capable of tackling all kinds of terrain and be able to stand up to the abuse. Arrma developed the chassis for the Gorgon to be an exceptional all around basher. The simple spine design is extremely tough, won’t collect dirt and rocks inside of it and is quite lightweight. Oil-filled shocks are attached to the chassis along with fully independent suspension. Inside of the 2WD drivetrain spins beefy gears that can easily handle a brushless motor upgrade for when the time comes. In stock form, Arrma dropped in their Mega 550 brushed motor that sends power to the massive rubber dBoots Chevron tires supported by tough nylon wheels.

In the electronics department, you will find all high-quality Spektrum gear including the SLT2 2-channer radio system which comes with a new driver training mode that you can select. A Spektrum 2-in-1 25A speed control and receiver as well as the high-torque Spektrum S660 steering servo are waterproof so that the action can keep going even when the conditions get wet and sloppy. All you need to get the Gorgon tearing up the dirt is a either a 7-cell NiMH or 2S LiPo battery and a battery charger.

QUICK SPECS

Price: $139.99
Item: ARA3230T1
Scale: 1/10
Length: 16.57 in. (421mm)
Width: 13.15 in. (334mm)
Height: 9.65 in. (245mm)
Wheelbase: 11.61 in. (295mm)
Weight: 5.95 lb. (2.7kg)
Needed to complete: 7-cell NiMH or 2S LiPo battery w/ IC3/EC3 connector and battery charger

FEATURES

Arrma amplified bashing at its most affordable price
Factory-built and ready-to-run — just add a battery and charger
Fast and tough, with attention-grabbing style
Durable, brushless ready drive line
High-quality, LiPo-compatible Spektrum electronics
Full ball bearings — no plastic or metal bushings
Hidden body mounting to preserve the awesome looks
Bottom-loading battery tray for easy battery changes
Spektrum S660 waterproof digital steering servo
Spektrum waterproof SLT 2-in-1 ESC/receiver unit
Spektrum SLT2 2-channel 2.4GHz transmitter
2-Year limited warranty

Arrma Granite Voltage

Here is the Arrma Granite Voltage monster truck which has a more low-slung look when compared to the Gorgon mentioned above. This design will allow the Granite to perform well on uneven surfaces thanks to its low center of gravity. Arrma positioned the 540 brushed motor mid-chassis, ahead of the 2WD drivetrain, to keep it protected from impact damage and dirt. Double wishbone suspension is employed and offers stability while oil-filled shocks keep the Granite controlled when sending it full throttle over off-road terrain. Massive dBoots Copperhead monster truck tires were spec’d and come mounted on stylish black molded, multi-spoke wheels.

Open the box and you will find that you will not need to get anything else to get the Arrma Granite Voltage charged up and bashing in your backyard. Included with this 2WD monster truck is an 1800mAh 7.2V 6-cell NiMH battery back and a charger to juice it up. An Arrma ATX101 2.4GHz transmitter sends signals to the Arrma Mega SRS 3-in-1 unit which houses the speed control and receiver. Lastly is an Arrma ADS-5 SRS servo to handle steering duties and boasts 70 oz-in of torque.

QUICK SPECS

Price: $149.99
Item: ARA102727T1
Scale: 1/10
Length: 16.46 in. (418mm)
Width: 13.39 in. (340mm)
Height: 7.4 in. (188mm)
Wheelbase: 11.22 in. (mm)
Weight: 4.25 lb (1.93kg)
Needed to complete: Nothing

FEATURES

Arrma ATX101 2.4GHz radio
ADS-5 SRS Servo [70 oz-in (5kg-cm); 0.12s @ 6V]
MEGA SRS 3-in-1 Unit with ESC and receiver (EC3 connectors, IC3 compatible)
MEGA 20T 540 brushed motor
2S LiPo compatible
Double wishbone front and rear suspension
Top load oil-filled shocks
Tough metal dogbone driveshafts
All-metal internal diff gears
Smooth-running ball bearings throughout for smooth wheel axle performance
Adjustable body mounts
Adjustable ride height
Durable, multi-terrain dBoots COPPERHEAD Monster Truck tires
Foam tire inserts for awesome handling
Tough multi-spoke monster truck wheels
Ultra-tough, scale-looking monster truck body and decals
Waterproof
2-year limited warranty

Losi Mini JRX2

For those of us who have been in this hobby for a while, you will definitely appreciate the legendary Losi Mini JRX2. It pays homage to the incredible 1/10-scale JRX2 that dominated on the racetrack back in the late 80’s. The new 1/16-scale version combines nostalgia along with a touch of present day technology. It is available in three original trim schemes and delivers with its old-school handling to rekindle old memories and will definitely create new ones.

As you check out the chassis, you will discover a 5-link rear suspension setup that is supported with aluminum shocks that will provide optimum grip on loose conditions. The chassis in made from fiberglass and a full set of ball bearings are found throughout. Era-specific ribbed front tires with a four row step pin rear tires are mounted on 5-spoke plastic wheels to complete the look. The electronics include the reliable Spektrum SLT 2.4GHz transmitter that is paired with the Spektrum 2-in-1 25-amp speed control with receiver. Losi also includes the four AA batteries for the transmitter as well as a Dynamite 650mAh LiPo battery with a .5A USB charger.

QUICK SPECS

Price: $169.99
Item: LOS01020T1
Scale: 1/16
Length: 10.0 in. (254mm)
Width: 7.2 in. (183mm)
Height: 4.25 in. (108mm)
Wheelbase: 7.13 in. (181mm)
Weight: 18.6 oz. (526g)
Needed to complete: Nothing

FEATURES

Scaled-down JRX2
Rear motor configuration
5 link rear suspension
Completely RTR
650mAh LiPo Battery and .5A USB Charger
SLT 2.4 GHz Transmitter
2-in-1 ESC/RX
Rib fronts and 4 row step pin rear tires
Fiberglass Chassis
Full ball bearings
Aluminum shocks
Retro Trim Schemes
Race-inspired motor

Losi V100 1972 Chevy C10

The classic styling of old-school square body pick-ups are hard to resist, especially when they are reproduced as well as this 1/10-scale Losi V100 1972 Chevy C10 RTR on-road truck. Losi took the extra steps and acquired the rights to offer this officially licensed body. The polycarbonate body is very well molded and detailed to give it its classic and very recognizable silhouette. Up front the truck comes standard with a molded chrome plated grill and bumper. To push the realism envelope, Losi dropped in functioning LED lights into the front light buckets as well as amber running lights into the front bumper.

Underneath the great-looking iconic Chevy body sits the proven V1000 chassis. This shaft-driven 4WD platform offers worry-free running thanks to its design and durable construction. Full-time 4WD gives this truck excellent traction with a balanced setup for neutral handling that translates into a fun truck to drive. A Dynamite 15-turn brushed motor provides ample power for the C10 while the rest of the electronics are waterproof so puddles won’t stop the action.

QUICK SPECS

Price: $149.99
Item: LOS03034T1
Scale: 1/10
Length: 14.85 in. (371mm)
Width: 7.76 in. (194mm)
Height: 4.4 in. (112mm)
Wheelbase: 10.08 in. (256mm)
Weight: 3.86 lb (1.76kg)
Needed to complete: 7-cell NiMH or 2S LiPo battery w/ IC3/EC3 connector and battery charger