Axial SCX10 III Full Review - Strengths, weaknesses and unbiased review 

A couple more downsides: - many servos that are not Spektrum do not fit. The servo tray has to be cut or dremeled. - engine cover is neat but it's not really visible without an opening hood. Can limit the cooling of the motor - 2-speed and dig unit don't have to be used but those heavy gears and mechanisms cannot be removed so that weight is still there (unlike trx4) List of servos here where tray has to be trimmed: HOLMES SHV500V3 Reefs 444 Reefs 555 TEKIN T-440 Tekin T-330 Powerhobby 729 MBL Savox 1270 Savox 1210 Power HD KG20 Power HD KG 35 REDCAT HEXFLY ANNIMOS 20KG MKS X5 HBL 550 SAVOX 1272SG ANNIMOS 20KG JX 46KG ZOSKAY 35KG SAVOX SB-2290SG BLK SAVOX SB-2230SG 3-BROTHERS G11 3-Brothers G12 ECOPOWER WP110T ECOPOWER WP120T REEFS RAW 500 HC JX Ecoboost Reedy 2706

As always thanks for actually putting a few weeks into using this new axial platform before posting a review (making your reviews actually helpful )

Wow i just found this channel and im blown away by the honest review! Thanks for showing everything! Im definitely subscribing. Great content

My go-to Crawling Channel! Thanks for the content

When you see scratches on the engine cover you know the testing was thorough! Awesome video. Getti g caught up on your last few vids today.

What a hidden gem of a channel ,anything rc is awesome. i really enjoy your review's their very helpful and informative keep em coming.

You are always so honest and positive in your vids. Great content! Keep it up!

I have never been into crawlers. I have always been into fast bashers. When I saw your first video, I decided to get a used Redcat Gen 8. Now I ordered a TRX4 kit, it's my first ever new RC. I'm starting to realize how much fun rc crawling can be. I now own 3 and going on. Thanks 🤪.

Ty for the honest review I’m off this list for scx10 3 just gonna save my money for now I havnt even finished building my scx10 2 builders kit

Great review I get a lot of my RC knowledge from your channel

Thanks for the video! I’m looking forward too the 10 mods video! 🙂

Great and honest review. Thank you.

Great review my friend. Always appreciate your honesty and real reviews.👍👍😎😎✌✌

Nicely done as always. ✌️

Great review. I cracked the skid plate on mine, which allowed the front axel to move forward and the drive shaft came apart. Haven't added the smalls servos, yet waiting to see if I want to.

I like your reviews, great job!! Keep it up 👍

The real gentleman review sir thanks 😆

As honest as they come👊👊 Great review on the SCX10.3. Keep them coming👍👍

Fantastic honest review, great stuff glad i didnt get caught up in the hype, i'll stick with the scx2 and trx 4 for now, but i would like a bomber...

Nice and honest review, greetings from the United Arab Emirates. love watching your reviews

New to your channel and just subscribed. I was actually looking at the SCX10 III. It's great to see you show both pro and cons of the truck. Glad I saw this video before buying 1. The only thing I didn't like on this truck (which is an easy fix) was the 4 door jeep wrangler body. As I just think they're ugly but that that's just my personal opinion. I might just stick and buy an SCX10 II. Thanx for the good review 👍

Nicely explained...

I got an rtr and I wouldn’t change a thing, it’s perfect for me. I live in Indiana and there’s not very many rocks here where I live. The shark fins don’t bother me it just takes a little time to put the body on. I’m not in a hurry I have nothing but time and 9 rc crawlers this scx10.3 is my all time favorite. I used to think my gen 8 was the best of the best but the scx10.3 is better in a few areas I think. I like top heavy rigs tho

Awesome review.

Great video. Keep it up.

I always love your honesty in your videos and how you go about giving real opinions that virtually everyone would agree with. Love the way you handle yourself also. Great video again and stay safe and healthy my friend. 👍😁✌️

Wonderful car and good review!

Wow. You are being really nice to it. Much respect as it's always easier to bash something. That said, Axial dropped the bomb on this one...specially when they already have successful models in which to compare to during development.

These videos are the reason I went with the trx4 bronco yesterday. Thanks again, I was having so much fun smashing in high gear on 3s while messing with the different diff lock set ups seeing how it handled different on each one. scx10III has a 2 speed you can't use though lmao......and a buggy dig system........sounds ready let's release it with crap electronics........let's say 500$ yah that sounds good start pumping them out.

good review. I think ima start with an smt10 and give the scx10 iii a bit to mature, so to speak. y'all have a badass day 🤘🏻

That's good information. !!! ^^

Thanks for the informative review! Could you review the 1/6 RocHobby Jeep please? You could get one at Aliexpress now. Really keen to know how it performs.

The only RC channel (apart from Exocage) that I watch. Rest just hype the latest thing. Such a pity that Axial,Traxxas and Redcat don't give a S*it about the European market, you get models at prices we can only dream of,that is if you can even get them,without importing from Murica. You don't know how good you have it for RC.......

i love your integrity

Nice review on the jeep, Do u have a review on the RedCat Wendigo?

Super good 👍soulful video, like from the heart my friend

Your reviews are some of the best online . So detailed and always fair . The problem is you make me want to go out and spend far to much money on crawlers . My Mrs thinks you're a bad influence 😂

Man cant wait to see how she stacks up 👍👍🤔

Nice review. I was considering an SCX10-3 but listening to you stating the SCX10-2 crawls better I’ll pass. The shocks on my scx10- 2 had junk leaking shock. I sold my scx10-2 right now I have a TrailWalker which I’ve changed the body to a Jeep Comanche and upgraded from the 1.55 to hyrax 1.9 it out crawls my scx10-2 stock. Thanks again

how did you paint the "removable" top part of the jeep matte black like that? On the inside or outside and which paint? I just picked up one of these one the Horizon sale and I'm trying to make it look just like my daily driver

I been hearing issues people are having with the transmission clicking. Did you experience this at all? I want to get one but i am debating whether or not i should wait for them to fix the bugs.

Very nice channel

Have you tried to fit the umg10 body on it? Or could you try and give your thoughts about doing scx10 iii/UMG10 body build? Thanks!

got a question for you about the vanquish wheels setup wich slw hubs are you using to run them on the portals

During the built I felt they didn't put a good CAD designer to work. Some things are just puzzling how they where designed. No room for the steering servo wire (why?), transmission with an exhaust leak sound (clicking badly), holes in parts that don't align, servo mount that has to be cut out, RX box too tiny to fit a Flysky, pain to get the body on and off and more ... This is a RTR that was sold as a builders kit. But, the Jeep body and interior is great. This is a fun scale trail crawler nevertheless. The TRX Sport kit went together a lot easier with a better chassis design and manual. Great wrap up. Thanks

Quick question: Just wondering if the Proline Impulse wheels will fit these portals? BTW, I love you channel, its full of very helpful information.

Hey, sorry I am very late to this video but what did you use for your wheels? I am getting a SCX 10 III and I would like to also paint my wheels

If you were looking to buy a crawler would you buy it again or move on to another ? Looking to buy my first crawler. Thank you for the info !

HELP!.....Hey sorry wrong video I know but I'm not getting a response I have a gen 8 and because of your video talking about the Traxxas remote and receiver being better for turning I purchased new Traxxas remote and receiver and soon as I hook it up to the Gen 8 my steering is tighter yes but the servo hums gets hot and Twitches erratically left to right as if there's an interference should I have not bought the two channel remote and got just a single Channel help please?

Do you recommand this model over a Trx4?

Great review. At first I was pumped up about V8 engine and scale looking trans. But honestly SSD Trail King blows it out of the water. Makes SCX10.3 seem weak. Plus, SSD’s motor is much much lower. Too bad Trail King doesn’t have portal axles. They did a great job with body. It’s proportional to real Jeep, not stretched in a weird way to fit the wheelbase & width. If I liked Jeeps, I would buy just to cruise it around and baby the body. Not even worry about performance.

How does this compare to the vanquish VSD4-10 ultra?

I got the scx10 3 kit and I'm sure it was one of the first runs I have opened two bag and am missing gears and so on I'm trying to get a new one sent to me or a refund but it seems they are playing games with me have any ideas what I can do

Great reviews as always. Which wheels are on there?

I hope next review is about boomracing brx01. . . 😀😀😀

My friend broke in his SCX lll the tiny portal drive gear (in five parts) the bigger one loose some teeth ! i would wait for a raw builders kit with central one speed gearbox but i dont like the one piece axels cases!There is a video on you tube where the guy fix the clicking noise because its which pin would fit in which gear.

What is the best crawler right out of the box? Perhaps, as you do these reviews, add a top 10 of where it fits in the list. Good review.

How big of a deal is it that the diffs don't unlock if I were going to use this as a trail rig rather than a crawler?

There is a big clicking issue that is present on a few SCX10.3's Kisuns RC has a fix and it's good but not working for others like Exocaged. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QI2cV1DY0TI.html

When do you think there going to put out the SCX10 III 6x6? Great review as normal

How can I get you to do a very specific build for me. I’ll pay Ofcourse. I’m very new to the hobby and not sure if what I want is possible. Need some expert advice

What’s your prediction for what Traxxas will do? Do you think they are going to be releasing something new or revamped and what do you think it will be?

👍thanks.

I'm going with the losi night crawler se.. for 299$ rtr it's hard to be on the trail and climbing...

Please test the AXI232033 input gears and compare to the stock from the kit

Thanks for being honest about the performance, I reviewed one in a shootout with a bone stock 2017 crc Jeep scx10ii, the 10iii could NOT completely all crawling obstacles ..... axial fanboys can not accept that the 10iii is not better then the 10ii at crawling.

That umg10 body for sale?

Hey man have you done a review or seen the crawler with all carbon fiber etc normally sold on banggood or AliExpress in USA it's known as Extra speed I think. It looks nice was wondering what you think of it. Cheers

Great review (well except for "I get a commission")... Really informative and worthwhile.

The Vitavon brass portal covers I ordered are here. Came after 15 days, shipped from New York. Others that ordered and shipped from China are stalled allegedly www.ebay.com/itm/283828444005

"Finagle" IS a word!! lol 😆 THANK YOU Francis!! That was nothing short of fair and objective. 👌👏👏👏👏👏 Axial did do its homework with this... But it's not quite there. You got to the point and showed WHY. WHY DO THE SHOCKS STILL LEAK!!!??? 😲😲😠😠 Axial? Your Shocks have LEAKED since the first AX-10 back in 2008!!! (ONLY EXCEPTION has been the 105mm ICON Shocks in the Wrath Spawn). BTW, the Axial Shocks CAN be made leak resistant, by using Team Associated O-Rings instead. 😎😉 OR swapping to REDCAT Gen 7 Pro/Gen 8 Shocks. The most leak proof Shocks PERIOD. That's my 48¢ on the Shock issues... Can't wait to see what you come up with for other improvements!! Stay SAFE Bro! 😷 Carmine ✈🚂🚙

Another fantastic review! I personally am not interested in this version. I'm going to wait to see if axial releases a simpler version.

Could you look into the rgt pioneer next. It might shock you

"Finangle" that is a word lol

I have to disagree with you on shock oil.. What holds your vehicle up is the springs.. If it is tipping over then increase your spring rate or adjust your preloads.. Heavy shock oil slows down the the movement of the springs.. Light oil allows the springs to react quicker.. If you drive across a lawn or smaller rocks with heavy oil your whole vehicle will bounce like a kid on a pogo stick.. light oil allows the springs to work faster with less resistance and the vehicle is more stable while only the tires and wheels move up and down.. Same holds true with crawling.. if your suspension doesn't react fast enough then you have to stop and wait for it - this kills your forward momentum and harder to get restarted.. If you are traveling at a high rate of speed on flatter surfaces and going around corners then you want your suspension to be more linear (heavier oil), to slow down the quick transfer of weight... Stiff tires, heavy springs, heavy oil, unloads weight (less traction), soft tires, soft springs, light oil, loads weight (better traction).. Too often I see people crawling and a tire gets in the air and they have to stop and wait for it to come back down, with light oil this won't happen as the tire will drop down faster (to get traction), or lower the center of gravity by having the tire now closer to the ground, this will also allow you to keep your momentum.. With light oil you may not be able to do 360's as easily - because of the quick transfer of weight and added traction (not sliding and causing it to roll over) but crawling isn't about doing 360's or making high speed cornering.. Traversing across a hill light oil will allow your uphill tires to act as a counter balance quicker (save you from rolling over, when you reach the critical apex), regardless of your oil weight the downhill side will be fully compressed anyway..

So for comps, would that be class 3 with dig in it.

🤔 maybe i should wait on this and build the element next... whats your opinion Fran

Watch Josh at Harley Designs video, he explains the likely cause of the clicking issue. Great videos Francis, watch them from London UK.

They say the other half of the motor cover is available now!

I'll be sticking to my 10.2 Blazer...and 10.1 G6 Rubicon for back up. My 10.3 will be enjoying sitting up on my RC shelf. EDIT: 100% agree on the 10.3s crawling ability...mediocre at best, even on sticky Hyrax or Pit Bull tires.

Jeep life 👍

Sounds like a ass load of issues. I’ll stick to my trx4 sports until axial addresses all the new kit woes.

In term of performance, I think Axial shouldnt use the nameplate of SCX 10 iii, its hard to convince customer that the new model crawls worse than the previous model and cost more

@RCReview I know why they cut out the other 1/3 of the engine lol I did the same to my Wraith 1.9 because of the "Larger Standard" servos.. I guess the engineering team instead of raising the motor print to clear the servo or even lowering the servo?(could be a geometry issue lowering it) they just cut it out?? lol but they shouldn't had.. Tough.. maybe they thought about it and thought many will probably have to cut the engine cover like me haha p.s also the cover(hood/bonnet) can't open anyways like the Wraith 1.9 so it's pretty much not even scale at the level.

Noisy drivetrain - clicking sound - it's mentioned in the Axial video here - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7-ph0ymM3C0.html They mention it's from the direction of 2 gears in the transmission. They say to stay tuned for upcoming build videos explaining the proper assembly method. i'm guessing capra shares the transmission with scx10iii ? my RTR Capra is not making a clicking sound, but the drive train is noticeably louder than my buddies trx4. Especially loose sound when coasting downhill, not on brake, but not going fast under power, just coasting. Gears are probably under very little load and allowed to vibrate more while coasting, maybe that's why coasting is louder in my truck? Great review video thanks again. Subbed with bell!

Our first 5 mods/fixes are here. We've added a few more and field tested now. Incredible difference!!! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5RcaH4MZkYM.html 10 best mods coming soon.

Another great review, so essentially the TRX4 is still the “king”!

Redcat Gen 8 AXE is the best crawler for the money. Change my mind.

8:49 My car's 2nd gear is 75% taller.... 3.643 1st and 2.08 2nd. Lol, that's not a high range/low range gearing, that's a manual civic 1st gear, which is really low mind you, and 2nd gear.

Deja vu!!!!???

I want the truth!

What’s a DIG?

its good to have 2 crawling speeds ,best 2 speed gearbox so far

4:32, 7:41 you’ll thank me later

Performance Climbing OOB. You’re test did it. Two speed? If you’re still needing a brushed motor Fine, but in today’s brushless world, a non issue, locked out. Dig? Yep and it works, OOB.So real truth is this is not a trail truck, but a good scale looking crawler. Puts my modified SCX10II to shame. As I run PullerPro 2700’s on both, Home run, and yes I do carry a strap to get those Gen 8 Axes out of trouble. Clicking is poor , sloppy assembly.... mine whispers.... no sugar

Overrated and overpriced. IMO.