More cool box art from the Axial crew, you get the feeling of off-road action before the truck even hits the ground.The Axial Racing SCX10 is going to be one of those vehicle names when, years down the road, you can tell someone outside of the hobby that you had one and they will know someone that has one or has a story about one. The new Axial SCX10 Deadbolt may just be the specific SCX10 vehicle that will stick out in the minds of those people with its cool trail truck styling and the shocking green paint job that may just melt your brain if you stare at it too long.
The SCX10 Deadbolt has everything you need for fun off-road adventure. The proven chassis and drivetrain have been used on a number of Axial offerings and that’s because it works…and we mean it really works. The truck is also outfitted with a user-friendly and, more importantly, waterproof electronics package that will allow you to go anywhere in any weather conditions. Then there is the body, a unique shell with Bronco cues, a dove-tail cage on top, a figure in the driver’s seat, a lightbar and plenty of other features. Sending the truck over the top are the Poison Spyder Rock Brawler Bumper, Walker Evans Racing Wheels and terrain-gripping Maxxis Trepador Tires.
FACTS Manufacturer: Axial Racing Product: SCX10 Deadbolt Class: 1/10-scale 4WD off-road truck Power system: Electric Kit type: RTR What’s in the box: Assembled truck with painted body, motor and electronics installed, 2-channel radio, bag of parts and manuals Needed to complete: 7.2V NiMh or 7.4V LiPo Who it’s for: Any RC enthusiast Part Number: AX90044 Price: $299.99
More cool box art from the Axial crew. You get the feeling of off-road action before the truck even hits the ground.
Axial rocks when it comes to the details. On the side of the box, it gives you all of the important performance and design info built into the truck.
More details on what’s included in the truck. You’ll also notice the manufacturer’s logos of all of the licensed full-scale replica parts on the truck.
We opened up the SCX10 Deadbolt box and emptied its contents. Here’s what you get: a built and painted truck with radio gear installed, a pile of additional parts, paperwork and extra driver heads. For customizing, of course.
In the box you will get a detailed instruction manual, option parts sheet and mini-catalog.
Axial includes a large bag of additional parts. In here are some links, ball ends, pivot balls, servo saver, light caps, driver’s heads, gate marker tools and other miscellaneous parts that you may or may not use when customizing the truck. We suggest keeping everything.
Axial’s 2.4GHz 2-channel radio system gets big points for their chrome graphics in the style category. The radio has a good feel and features all the basic trim functions you’ll need.
The green on this truck is so bright, it over-powered our camera. The truck has some great style and the included Maxxis Treapador tires on Walker Evans rims do the job of hooking up off-road.
The truck has rock rails on the sides and a dovetailed cage fitted to the top. The driver is ready to do work.
The Poison Spyder Rock Basher Bumper. The bumper can be fitted with D-rings that are included in the parts bag. Builders can also install LED lights into the bumper. This is one of our favorite bumpers for the SCX10.
Here you get a better look at the dovetailed cage and the Bronco-like gate on the body. But one thing leaving us scratching our heads is the missing rear bumper. If you were planning on towing, it will be an issue if you don’t pick up an optional bumper.
From the bottom, you get a good look at the trail-proven axles and WB-8 driveshafts. Axial also set up with rig with their 4-link suspension. This set-up works great.
A light bar is fitted to the cage with lenses under the screens. LEDs to fill the light housings are optional. On one hand it would be nice if the LED’s came with it, but it does leave us the option to install lights of our choice.
The 27T Axial brushed motor is a proven brute, offering plenty of torque and power. It even works well in wet conditions, something most trail trucks face.
The rigid metal chassis rails, radio box and battery plate position all have purposes to allow this truck to work in rough terrain.
A Tactic TSX-45 metal gear servo pumps out 151oz.-in. of torque in the steering department. This is a great servo to find in an RTR.
Axial’s new AE-5 electronics speed control features a large heatsink for cooling and a rubber boot on the switch. The ESC has a jumper on it to change from NiMh to LiPo and a second jumper to change drag brake setting. Super simple to make basic changes rather than going through programming sequences.
The aluminum battery plate with velcro straps makes it easy to tie down your power pack of choice. The scaler shocks are standard SCX10 units and work great!
WRAP UP
When the SCX10 Deadbolt was announced, there were mixed reactions. Comments bounced back and forth between “that is a cool looking scaler I need” and “oh, it’s just another parts bin truck.” Well yes, it is another parts bin truck that happens to be a cool scaler that people want. We think Axial made the right move in taking the popular Deadbolt body, fitting it to their popular off-road frame and fitting it with some of their cool licensed accessories, adding in a great new ESC and rolling it out on the awesome Maxxis Trepador tires. This is a truck that enthusiasts will want and Axial made it easy to get without having to gather all the individual parts yourself. We’re excited to take this rig outdoors and see it in action on the trail.
Do you know where someone can get replacement driver heads little plastic helmets for these