We all know how good axial is with its chassis and build quality in the premium RC segment. The brand new Axial SCX10 III Jeep Wrangler Rubicon JLU 1/10th Kit is no exception will be an understatement. This kit truck just exceeds all expectations in any regards possible irrespective of your preferences. Doesn’t matter if you’re a pro RC builder or just an enthusiast this thing has something for everyone. The amount of customization options included in the box are just overwhelming. If you want to build yourself an ultimate RC crawler this is not a bad place to start.
Body and Interior
Axial’s new clear Jeep Wrangler Rubicon body is a great addition. The detailing and finishing of the pre-cut body with the holes pre made for mounts. I find this a good addition because cutting-in your own mounting holes is a hassle and take a big chunk of your time. The 1/10 scale Licensed Jeep Wrangler body is true to its real life counterpart. The addition of folding side mirrors exactly like the original SUV gives a more authentic feel to the package.
The interior is very detail oriented as well with molded dashboard and seats. There is a driver as well who has a lot of customizable hats you can put on him. These little things make the experience a little bit better.
As I said earlier there is something for everyone. If you want to put a custom body, there are different body mounts available inside the box for that too.
Chassis & Suspension
The new SCX10 III chassis is not just an upgrade over the second generation, it is a new design from the ground up. It’s a new 4-piece chassis with 2 rails interlocking at each side. You can adjust the wheel base, by moving the rear rail in and out instead of moving the axles to different holes on the rails. The motor can sit in the front and to give it an authentic look there is a V8 engine shroud just like a Jeep Wrangler.
The cross-sectional front and rear links give this crawler a stiff chassis with very little flex. It is good have some flex as it makes driving a bit more forgiving. There is space for 2 batteries one larger pack in front of the rear axle and one for a shorty pack on the side. Considering the amounts of options, you can put in this vehicle it is a good addition as you can use a primary batter pack to drive it and a shorty battery for accessories like winch and lights.
The A45 Portal provide higher ground clearance and reduce the torque on other drivetrain components for improved performance. The new 6-Bolt locker and hypoid gears from the Capra are used front and rear, providing the same durability the Capra drivetrain is known for.
The AR45P axle set provides a 45-degree angle for better turning and the hardened steel construction gives it great durability.
The SCX10™ III Jeep® JL Wrangler kit body’s inner fenders and floor sides hide internal components that would usually be visible from the side of the chassis. The sealed receiver box can be removed to give you more space for the electronics of your choice.
The oil-filled aluminum adjustable shocks have hard anodized, threaded bodies, a single coilover spring, plus an emulsion-style cap with screw for easier rebuilds. The shocks are tuneable for achieving the best dampening rate. Their increased bore size also creates more fluid volume for better performance.
The steering servo is mounted on the chassis which is similar to the real Jeep but has bump steering issues which are controlled using the smart suspension geometry.
The suspension geometry is similar to SCX10 II but it has slight improvements. The front suspension has been optimized to reduce bump steer, while the rear 4-link reduces torque twist. It also has proper amount of anti-squat and roll while driving on steep off-cambers. The 6mm stainless steel links with high grade plastic rod ends provide durability.
The fender wells house the suspension and has great upgradability potential. The front and rear bumpers are adjustable and the body tugs are hidden behind them giving it a clean look.
Transmission & Drivetrain
The SCX10 III uses a no compromises all metal gears construction transmission. Multiple transmission options are available by using a 3-channel transmitter and a micro servo you have control on demand. The SCX10™ III kit transmission can be configured in one of two ways.
Set it up for 2-speed using the high and low gears or set it up for front dig to have a tighter turning radius with the rear axle gets locked. If you want to use both 2-speed and the Dig function you can pair it up with a 4 channel receiver and a second micro servo on the rear axle.
WB8 HD WILDBOAR™ driveshaft have an updated design and a larger diameter cross pin (2x11mm) along with an M4 Screw Shaft (2mm hex drive) for added strength. A center splined slider floats between each end and features added material which reduces flex and fatigue.
Wheels & Tires
The officially licensed KMC XD Machete wheels are molded in satin chrome and include stunning scale details. Because they’re 3-piece beadlock wheels, tires can be mounted, removed and replaced easily without gluing. This gives the wheel a more secure housing stopping it from falling out when you ride your rig too hard.
The R35 compound Nitto Trail Grappler tires included with the SCX10 III Jeep JL Wrangler kit are taller and wider. They provide a better ground clearance if you want to go for steep climbs and the grip is also increased as track is wider. The more rubber allows you to grip on to surfaces with ease.
Tech Specs
Length: 19.125″ (485mm)
Width: 9.25″ (234mm)
Height: 9.5″ (241mm)
Wheelbase: 12.3” (312mm)
Ground Clearance: 3″ (76.2mm)
Weight: 6.5 lb (2.9kg)
Tires: 4.74”x1.7”
Items to Complete
As it is kit car a lot of things are needed to be bought depending upon the setup you would like to run. A motor, ESC, steering servo, receiver kit, transmitter, battery, charger, AAA-batteries and paint. But the customizability you get because of the build is immense. I would advise you to go with a 2-battery, 3-servo and 4-channel transmitter to get the full value out of this rig.
Conclusion
The Axial SCX10 III Jeep Wrangler Rubicon JLU 1/10th Kit is close to RC crawler perfection. It has high quality construction all around and great upgradability and versatility potential. From the option to paint your own body to driving dynamics every is controlled by you. The detailing of the internal components both functional and cosmetic is brilliantly done, from the 1:1 scale engine and transmission casing to hidden body mounts. The whole truck feels seamless and gives a feeling that compromises were made.