Axial SMT10 - Thunder Chicken

[87lc2]

Just finished this SMT10 Builder's Kit.  Paint scheme is based on the Thunder Chicken monster truck from the late 80s.  This truck was semi-local to me and always thought it was a fun name so decided to do a tribute to it.  The original truck was a full frame leaf sprung truck with a Chevy S-10 extended cab body, my version is what a more modern version of the Chicken would look like.

Truck is basically stock, only upgrades are RH Designs sway bars front & rear and a Castle 4600kv brushless system.  Wheels are RC4WD Ingitor beadlocks with Proline Decimator tires.  I really like how the wheel & tire combo came out, would look way to small on a Clod but I think a smaller diameter tire looks OK on the SMT10.  I also prefer to run smaller tires on the SMT10 due to the weak axles.  Planto just run this lightly, nothing crazy, and upgrade as I see necessary.  Have other upgraded rack trucks and didn't want to basically rebuild the truck in aluminum for a fun basher type truck.  

Overall I'm happy with how it came out.  Love the color & decals from MCI, I think it's a good represenation of what a modern race version of this truck would look like.

[Frog Jumper]

I’ve been eyeing one of these kits at my LHS...

[87lc2]

9 minutes ago, Frog Jumper said:

I’ve been eyeing one of these kits at my LHS...

I'd go for it if you have any interest.  It's a fun build and a very scale looking modern monster truck.  The kit is cheap, but it can add up to get her going depending on what you're going to do with it.  Just adding a brushless system and Clod size wheels tires puts you at another $200 right off the bat without any other upgrades.  Of course you can just go with 2.2 wheels/tires and brushed power and it won't be too bad.  It will also hold up just fine stock with that setup.  The one thing I would recommend regardless is adding a front sway bar.  I have no idea why Axial only includes a rear.  If you use the stock shocks (they're pretty long), you will avbsolutely want a front swaybar on the truck.  I think everyone should have at least one, just looks fantastic sitting on the shelf and the driving experience is pretty scale for a solid axle truck.  

 

 

[Mad Ax]

Awesome  I love the simple and effective way you style your trucks, I could definitely imagine seeing something like this at a 1:1 event.  Should be a neat car park rig  

My RH Designs shortie links and sway bars arrived last week for my first ever SMT10 build, I'm putting it off as long as I can bear but will probably start it before Christmas (I've had the kit since mid-March but couldn't get the body I wanted until a month ago).

[87lc2]

3 hours ago, Mad Ax said:

Awesome  I love the simple and effective way you style your trucks, I could definitely imagine seeing something like this at a 1:1 event.  Should be a neat car park rig  

My RH Designs shortie links and sway bars arrived last week for my first ever SMT10 build, I'm putting it off as long as I can bear but will probably start it before Christmas (I've had the kit since mid-March but couldn't get the body I wanted until a month ago).

Thanks, much appreciated.  I read in your projects thread that you had an SMT10 to build, excited to see what you come up with.  What body are you going with?  There are so many great bodies out there now (mostly thanks to JConcepts), I really like seeing what people are doing with these.  I have another builder's kit that I hope to get done before Christmas and that one will be getting the RH 12.5" wheelbase kit and sticking with 2.2 tires on that one.  

 

[Gazzalene]

I have been building the builders kit for some time. Being in the UK getting standard Axial parts can be hard let alone upgrade/aftermarket parts. So it took ages.

So its almost done and what happens? Losi bring out the LMT,wish I had waited,this thing will/has wiped the floor with the SMT10.

[87lc2]

1 hour ago, Gazzalene said:

I have been building the builders kit for some time. Being in the UK getting standard Axial parts can be hard let alone upgrade/aftermarket parts. So it took ages.

So its almost done and what happens? Losi bring out the LMT,wish I had waited,this thing will/has wiped the floor with the SMT10.

If you only care about performance then yes, the SMT doesn't hold a candle to the new LMT, no argument there.  However, I would not consider building an SMT as time wasted, it's still a good truck and very scale looking (has that over the LMT).  I'll probably get the LMT at some point, it does look the the pinnacle of solid axle monster truck performance at the moment.  Would cost an absolute fortune to get an SMT to perform and be as durable as that truck so I'll give you that.

[Saito2]

.....hand creeping closer to "add to cart" button on Tower Hobbies website....trying to resist....too many RCs....but so cool.....me want.....wife not happy.

[87lc2]

4 hours ago, Saito2 said:

.....hand creeping closer to "add to cart" button on Tower Hobbies website....trying to resist....too many RCs....but so cool.....me want.....wife not happy.

Just go for it Saito...you know you want it     

[Frog Jumper]

15 minutes ago, 87lc2 said:

Just go for it Saito...you know you want it     

If it makes you feel better, Saito, you can buy it and have it shipped to me...

Terry

 

[Saito2]

Aaaannnd.... I'm weak and submitted to peer pressure. SMT10 kit ordered. I never thought it would be Thunder Chicken that pushed me over the edge.

[87lc2]

2 hours ago, Saito2 said:

Aaaannnd.... I'm weak and submitted to peer pressure. SMT10 kit ordered. I never thought it would be Thunder Chicken that pushed me over the edge.

Glad I could help, tell the wife I apologize...Be sure to post some pics when it's all done, interested to see what you do with it.  The Thunder Chicken is hard to resist   How could it not make you happy with a name like that and a big angry chicken on the rear quarter.