RTR Small Scale Rock Crawlers Under $160

Paul Onorato October 31, 2022 Stories

Axial SCX24 1967 Chevrolet C10

Kicking off our list of RTR small scale rock crawlers under $160 is the Axial SCX24 1967 Chevrolet C10. You have your choice of either a green or silver body with the ’67 C10 truck. The Lexan body is well-painted at the factory and has a nice realistic look to it that is further detailed with plastic grill and bumpers. The green version has chrome for the bumpers and grill while the silver body runs black colored ones. Likewise the Method MR307 Hole wheels are chrome for the green body and black for the silver body. Wrapped around the classic-looking wheels are BFGoodrich Krawler T/A KX tires which are scaled down versions of the comp winning full size ties.

Under the scale body of the 1967 Chevrolet C10 is the proven SCX24 chassis. 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. 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 coilover shocks with simulated reservoirs and durable plastic links for a solid performing rock crawler. Axial includes its AX-4 2.4GHz transmitter that sends signals to the AE-6 ESC/receiver combo which in turn controls the AS-1 servo and Dynamite 88-turn 030 brushed motor and is all powered by a Dynamite 350mAh 2S LiPo battery pack.

QUICK SPECS

Price: $134.99
Scale: 1/24
Length: 8.6 in. (218mm)
Width: 3.9 in. (99mm)
Height: 3.6 in. (91mm)
Weight: 8 oz. (226g)
Needed to complete: Nothing

FEATURES

Axial AS-1 servo with servo saver
Dynamite 7.4V 350mAh 30C LiPo battery
Dynamite 030-size, 88T Brushed Electric Motor
Realistic 1967 Chevrolet C10 Truck body
Two bright LEDs in front bumper for night driving
True, full-time 4-wheel drive
3-Link front and 4-link rear suspension for optimal handling
Worm drive gears for front and rear axles that add ground clearance
Realistic steel frame rails for added strength
Hinged body system for easy access to on-board components
Full ball bearing drivetrain
Licensed wheels modeled after 1:1 Method Wheels
Licensed tires modeled after 1:1 BF Goodrich Tires

RTR Small Scale Rock Crawlers Under $160

Axial SCX24 Deadbolt

The original Axial Deadbolt started out as a 1/10-scale rig and it looks just as good in 1/24-scale. This is actually the first of the Axial 1/24-scale trucks and is available in either bright red or olive green colored Lexan bodies. Like its larger predecessor, the SCX24 Deadbolt comes with a cool molded roll cage that has a 5-bucket light bar mounted at the front of it. With the open roll cage, Axial gave the Deadbolt a realistic driver figure and interior panel that has molded sections that mimic a steering wheel, dashboard, fuel cell and seats. To complement the scale body is a complete set of licensed KMC XD229 Machete Crawl wheels that are wrapped with Nitto Trail Grappler tires. For chassis information, check out the blurb under the 1967 Chevrolet C10 mentioned above since the Deadbolt runs the same SCX24 chassis.

QUICK SPECS

Price: $124.99
Scale: 1/24
Length: 7.9 in. (200mm)
Width: 3.9 in. (99mm)
Height: 4.73 in. (120mm)
Weight: 5.6 oz. (160g)
Needed to complete: Nothing

FEATURES

Includes 3 channel radio system, ESC and transmitter batteries
Includes motor and on-board LiPo battery
Realistic narrow-stance rock crawler body in olive green or red
Molded roll cage with realistic light bar
Realistic driver figure and many other scale details
Officially licensed KMC XD229 Machete Crawl wheels
Officially licensed Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires (S30 compound, large block tread)
Full-time 4WD
Splined and sleeved front and rear drive shafts allow for maximum suspension travel while keeping the power to the wheels
Steel front and rear axles, front stub axles and dogbones provide strength and durability
Rugged steel C-channel frame rails with bracing keep everything rigid and aligned
Front and rear axles consist of a two-piece, molded plastic solid axle design
3-Link front and 4-link rear suspension supply optimal handling
Coil-over shocks with simulated reservoir and durable plastic suspension links deliver proven Axial crawling performance
Front and rear differentials each house a worm gear setup to power the axles and create higher ground clearance. Worm gear drive also provides a low gear ratio to reduce torque twist
Two LEDs in the front bumper for night driving

Axial SCX24 2021 Ford Bronco

Out of the five Axial SCX24 trucks highlighted here, the SCX24 2021 Ford Bronco is the newest of the lot. It is offered in three colors including blue, gray and red and it is a standout from the rest because it comes with an ABS hard body instead of Lexan and is the first hard body crawler offered by Axial. Going with a hard body allows the realism to step up to another level. There is a molded plastic grill insert with clear lenses for the headlights and LEDs to light them up. Underneath is a bumper also equipped with LEDs and there are D-rings that move. Other plastic details comprise of side view mirrors with cowl, windshield wipers, door handles, roof rack with a bunch of scale accessories attached including a toolbox, rotopax and sand ramps that come off and can be used. At the rear is a full size spare tire and clear red tinted lenses for the brake lights. On the inside of the cab is a full Lexan interior complete with a driver figure donned with a cowboy had. You will notice that there are no unsightly body clips because the body is hinged at the rear and the front is held in place with strong Velcro.

Axial went with scale sized wheels and tires that perfectly go with the ’21 Bronco body they created. The tires are modeled after Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires that are mounted on black molded Factory Ford Wildtrak wheels. Most of the electronics are the same as the Deadbolt and Chevy C-10 except that the Bronco includes the updated Horizon Hobby 2-in-1 ESC/receiver and Horizon Hobby 4-channel 2.4GHz transmitter which gives you the ability to control the LEDs remotely.

QUICK SPECS

Price: $159.99
Scale: 1/24
Length: 8.75 in. (222mm)
Width: 3.875 in. (98mm)
Height: 4.625 in. (117mm)
Weight: 9.45 oz. (268g)
Needed to complete: Nothing

FEATURES

Factory-assembled and ready-to-run, with 4-channel radio, 030 brushed motor, servo, ESC/receiver unit and “AA” transmitter batteries included
Officially licensed Ford Bronco ABS hard body with molded door handles, mirrors, roof rails, and a tire mount with spare tire
Bonus second decal sheet for optional customization
Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires mounted on Factory Ford Wildtrak wheels
Working lights in front, with molded lenses on all four corners of the body
True full-time 4-wheel drive
Durable solid axle front and rear suspension and coilover shocks for optimal handling and crawling performance
Worm drive gears in front and rear differentials increase ground clearance
Sturdy steel C-channel frame rails with bracing for added strength and proper alignment
Durable steel axles provide strength and durability to match tough climbs and rough trails
2-Year limited warranty

Axial SCX24 Jeep JT Gladiator

Next up is the Axial SCX24 Jeep JT Gladiator which is a scaled down version of the full-size 2020 North America Truck of the Year. The nicely detailed Lexan body is available in either Beige or Blue with all the accent pieces in black. The body on this Jeep is longer and this makes the wheelbase stretch out 22mm more to make sure the truck has the correct proportions. Inside of the cab is an interior complete with cowboy hat wearing driver figure and molded details to mimic full-size parts. One of the very cool features is the bed rack that is equipped with Tuff Stuff Overland scale accessory pack that even includes removable ramps. Two LEDs are mounted in the front bumper and there is an extra LED light port on the ESC to add optional lights. To complement the sharp-looking JT body are officially licensed KMC XD229 Machete wheels wrapped with officially licensed Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires.

In the electronics department, Axial set up the SCX24 Jeep JT Gladiator with the Horizon 2.4GHz 4-channel transmitter, Horizon 2-in-1 ESC/receiver combo, Axial AS-1 steering servo, Dynamite 88-turn brushed motor, Dynamite 350mAh 2S LiPo battery pack and four AA batteries.
For chassis information, check out the blurb under the 1967 Chevrolet C10 mentioned above since the Jeep JT runs the same SCX24 chassis.

QUICK SPECS

Price: $149.99
Scale: 1/24
Length: 9.6 in. (244mm)
Width: 3.9 in. (99mm)
Height: 4.4 in. (112mm)
Weight: 9.45 oz. (268g)
Needed to complete: Nothing

FEATURES

Factory-assembled and ready-to-run, with 2-channel radio, 88T brushed motor, servo, ESC/receiver unit and AA transmitter batteries
Detailed Jeep Gladiator body and interior complete with scale driver and Tuff Stuff Overland scale accessory pack mounted to the bed rack
Two LED lights in front bumper plus an extra LED light port on the ESC for adding optional LED lights
Officially licensed Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires mounted on officially licensed KMC XD Machete wheels
True full-time 4-wheel drive
22mm longer wheelbase for best body fit and ability to muscle over big challenges
Durable 3-link front/4-link rear suspension and coilover shocks for optimal handling and crawling performance
Worm drive gears in front and rear differentials increase ground clearance
Sturdy steel C-channel frame rails with bracing for added strength and proper alignment
Durable steel axles provide strength and durability to match tough climbs and rough trails
Hook-and-loop body hinge for easy, tilt-open battery access
2-Year limited warranty

Axial SCX24 2019 Jeep Wrangler JLU CRC

The last but not least of the under $160 offerings from Axial is the SCX24 2019 Jeep Wrangler JLU CRC rock crawler. You have your pick of getting the Wrangler with either a white or yellow Lexan body. The officially licensed body comes with some Rubicon logos as well as some of Axial’s licensed partners like Currie, CRC, KMC and Nitto. The windows are clear so that you can peer inside and Axial took the extra step and painted the inside of the body a dark gray that adds to the finish level of this RTR truck. At the front of the chassis is a plastic bumper with LEDs already installed and the rear has a hinge point for when you need to raise the body to access the chassis. Then in order to conquer off-road terrain, Axial gave the 2019 Jeep Wrangler JLU CRC massive, officially licensed Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires that can tackle off- or on-road duties that are mounted on licensed KMC XD229 Machete crawl wheels. For chassis information, check out the blurb under the 1967 Chevrolet C10 mentioned above since the Jeep Wrangler JLU CRC runs the same SCX24 chassis.

QUICK SPECS

Price: $134.99
Scale: 1/24
Length: 7.9 in. (200mm)
Width: 3.85 in. (98mm)
Height: 4.75 in. (120mm)
Weight: 5.6 oz. (160g)
Needed to complete: Nothing

FEATURES

Includes radio transmitter and receiver and battery.
Comes with ESC, motor, and servo already installed.
Features a realistic new body design.
Licensed wheels are modeled after 1:1 KMC Machete Wheels.
Licensed tires are modeled after 1:1 Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires.
3-Link front and 4-link rear suspension provides optimal handling.
Two LED lights are included in the front bumper for night driving.
Worm drive gear on front and rear axles creates additional ground clearance, improving on high-pinion axles.
Realistic steel frame rails add strength.
True, full-time 4-wheel-drive.
Removing one clip allows the body to be tilted for battery access.

FMS Atlas 6×6

In this group of RTR small scale rock crawlers under $160, the FMS Atlas 6×6 is the only six-wheeled-drive vehicle and has quite the presence. It is available with either a blue or a red body that are painted with a matte finish and FMS gets extra credit points for keeping the windows clear. The cab mimics the looks of a Dodge Power Wagon right down to the giant front fenders with big light buckets affixed to them. Additionally, those lights and rear lights function with bright LEDs. The rear half has a molded plastic cage complete with a spare tire.

The FMS Atlas 6×6 has tough anodized aluminum chassis rails matched up with expert-tuned spring shocks. Six soft compound, big-block tires provide maximum traction and are driven by a specially designed high-torque gearbox fitted with a 55-turn brushed motor.

QUICK SPECS

Price: $159.99
Scale: 1/18
Length: 11.67 in. (296mm)
Width: 4.46 in. (113mm)
Height: 5.1 in. (130mm)
Needed to complete: 4 AAA batteries

FEATURES

True ladder frame truck chassis
6×6 All-wheel-drive system
High torque transmission
High-grip big block M/T tires
1.0 inch beadlock truck rims
True scale pinion & ring gear axles
Waterproof electronics
Matte painted Lexan body with clear windows
Front and rear LED lights
Aluminum anodized chassis rails
Functional spare tire and tool box
55T high torque motor
Long run time (up to 30 minutes)
Chassis mounted servo with panhard bar

FMS Toyota FJ Cruiser

Even though the FMS Toyota FJ Cruiser is relatively small, it is highly detailed and looks very realistic. FMS took the step and got this FJ officially licensed which gives you a very accurate looking trail truck. It has the classic yellow and white paint scheme, roof luggage rack, footrests, heavy-duty bumper, spare tire and even snorkel. Look through the clear windows and you will find more realism with a scale interior complete with center console, seats and rear view mirror. The scale details don’t stop there. The FMS FJ is decked out with functioning LED lights with front and rear headlights, triple fog lights mounted on the front bumper, reverse lights, and turn signals.

Under the body is a 4WD chassis that uses Nylon driveshafts to relay the power from the high-torque gearbox to the tires. An aluminum frame rail is used as the main platform where the multi-link suspension and panhard bar is attached. Factory installed on-board electronics include a 050 brushed motor, 2-in-1 receiver/ESC, chassis mounted servo and a 7.4V 2S LiPo battery pack.

QUICK SPECS

Price: $159.99
Scale: 1/18
Length: 10.9 in. (277mm)
Width: 4.7 in. (119mm)
Height: 5.2 in. (132mm)
Weight: 19.1 oz. (542g)
Needed to complete: 4 AAA batteries