First I would like to say that I was a HUGE fan of the original Sendero. That being said I had some problems with this truck out of the box. Most of this just comes down to quality control. That being said here are the problems I had:
(From worst to not being a big deal)
-The front driveshaft tubes(do not know what else to call them) would tough each other and stop the front axle from having full
articulation. Was able to solve this by switching out one from the rear, which looks like it was installed in the wrong spot, and
just put it up front.
-The factory RTR shocks are still not good. They leak really bad. Had shock oil all over my rear axle and frame when I unboxed it.
The leaking just got worse after the first run it seems.
-Scratch on the frame (deep enough to take the paint off)
-Runs in the paint on the body
-1 button head screw in the top of the receiver box. When all the others are flat head
-The white decals that are shown on the truck on the box to make it a two tone color scheme need to be cut out. They are not
precut.
These problems I had on my truck I hope are just a one off because just like the original, this truck is a machine while crawling. I am just afraid of someone who may be new to the hobby to have these problems and know hoe to fix them and just give up on this amazing hobby.
I would also suggest ditch the rear bumper mount, it hangs to low, and buy the STRC rear chassis brace. Part number SPTSTC42001NBK
This get 5 stars for just the shocks.
Ive had the scx10ii and this is much better imo.
My Favorite Rc crawler is the Trx 4 kit.
I took the truck apart and found the factory did a good job on greasing the gears and diff.
I installed the 11% overdrive gears, it was a super easy cleaver design.
I also ordered a hobbywing 1080 and proline tires for the truck for max performance.
The truck has a metal servo horn Props to Element!
If your looking for a budget truck without changing anything get this. Otherwise a trx4 sport would be my only other suggestion.
Thanks!
With the Stealth transmission, beadlock wheels, decent steering servo with metal servo horn, and included LED lights I really like this rig. Runs nice and smooth, reversing motor polarity helps, tires seem very good, I did add the brass hex adaptors, the suspension is nice and plush, I did reinforce the rear of the cab. My only complaint is the shocks do leak a little. A very good run as is rig in my opinion.
Amazing truck, definitely worth picking up as a first truck or your 100th lol. Only downsides I see are the fenders stick too far out not allowing full articulation in the front and causing rubbing. I ran mine Box stock with the STRC Alu. Chassis braces and it did great! Highly recommended.
Only because 10/5 stars was not an option. I haven't seen a lot of these on the trails, and owning several SCX10's (II-III), a VS4-10 Pro, Bomber, etc.... I wanted something different. Out of the box this is the MOST FUN RC in my collection. I seriously love driving this truck. I did swap the esc and motor to a holmes brushed unit. The geometry is better then any of my other rigs, and that turning angle is SERIOUS without any chatter. This also includes the upgraded Delrin pillowballs out of the box. Even the stock servo is great (not a 300 powerhouse). I am very pleased with my purchase, and would recommend to anyone looking to add to their collection.
Fast to pack but freight took 3 weeks. Nonetheless, it was a pleasant experience. Will buy again from them.
Nice Truck works good . But when I got it the lights where brock and the screws where stiped the grill was no good . I wrote the company but no Satisfaction . So I wouldn't Recommend this company but the truck works good in the snow.
Boy. where to start?
Lets do people first! The gang at AMAIN HOBBIES are IMPECCABLE both before and after the sale. I talked Colin's ear off before buying this truck and Ryan P went above and beyond to take care of an issue I had. Hey, **** happens. No big deal. My point is AMAIN will be forever my GO TO shop and I do not say that lightly. They got the job done in time for me to enjoy my long, warm weekend. THANKS EVERYONE!
Don at TEAM ENDURO was equally impressive! As I mentioned, I had an issue with my truck and Don called me back in about 5 minutes, was very knowledgeable about the truck and had the replacement parts on the way and to my door in a few days. The "other" manufacturers need to sit up and take notice. I was treated like the truck was a real truck. Wow! Thanks DON & TEAM ENDURO!
Ok, now for the Sendero. I watched a LOT of reviews on YouTube about this truck. Some favorable and some not so favorable. For the unfavorable reviews would counter to the reviewer that they should get some experience in operating a crawler before you use one. The truck is a crawler. I don't care if it goes fast. It goes faster than I do on the trail.
Every truck has some type of issue with it including the Sendero. I also have a TRX4 Defender. It will crawl anywhere. It compares to driving a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado. It is stately where as the Sendero is just downright fun! The controls, motors and servo rival those of the TRX4. Responsiveness of the transmitter is great. The ESC turns the motor without issue from a slow crawl to WOT.
The body and general appearance is good. While not scale it rates right up there with all of my other trucks. They all break equally when you try and make them do unrealistic things. Taping the inside of the bodies with fiberglass tape goes a long way to keeping most of the pieces together. I enjoy the fact that the truck has headlights for those night runs. It could use some taillights. (hint)
I have found a few things that could use some improvement. First, the front tires will grab on the fender wells so fix the fenders before you go out. Secondly check the shocks they will leak. And finally install some body mounts in the back of the cab. I usually handle my trucks by the roll bar. Some body mounts will fix that. At least it isn't yet another Jeep.
If any of those issues bother you then this may not be the truck for you. We are a hobby that is a little rough on our equipment so both breaking them and fixing them come hand in hand.
We as hobbyists tend to take our vehicle out and beat the **** out of them. Yeah, I do too. Things will break. My flight instructor told me years ago that it is not IF it is WHEN so I offer the same to you. Get over it! LOL
I am turning my Sendero into a farm crawler. It is already equipped with duallies. The flatbed is in the works with real wood. I would recommend this truck to everyone. Now, call AMAIN, pick yourself up a Sendero and go have some fun! Tell them LOCO BURRO sent you. That's CRAZY *** in case you missed it. The mention won't get you or me anything special except their fantastic service.
Oh, and keep an eye out for the Russ T. Balls Nut Farm truck when you are out and show me what you did to yours.
*POOF*
This is a great RTR just as it comes!! I really enjoy building the kits and installing my own electronics and upgrades from the start but sometimes it's fun trying one stock. I have a couple crawlers and kits but I must say right out of the box this one is a beast!!! Excellent build quality. Small things like metal servo horn, metal links, bead lock wheels so you can save a little money changing tires. The factory tires did perform really good but I switched to Proline Flatirons. Love the look on this truck and they perform well too. The layout of everything is really good and works. Excellent turning radius. Quiet operation. Good trail speed. Factory overdrive is perfect for me. Good balance. Crawls over everything!!!
I'll toss in my opinion for the negatives too. Radio is kinda chunky. Don't like there is no on/off for the ESC. Body is a little flimsy. Tires scrub on the front. Most of these things are changed anyway.
Overall I highly recommend this truck. It'll perform right out of the box with little to no upgrades. I love my Traxxas and my Axials but this one is right at the top with them!!!!
My upgrades
Tires
Aluminum shock mounts and panhard
Hobbywing 1080
Maybe a 550 motor
Maybe some high clearance links
great trail/crawler truck, durable, good design, reliable parts.
Pros
awesome shocks- doesnt leak, operates smoothly, ppl run these shock on their other rigs cuz they are that good.
scaled tires, body, BTA steering
part placement & battery placement that allows you to keep forward weight bias for better crawler performance
adjustable bumpers ad body posts.
headlights- cool point!
extra accessories
OVERDRIVE- this is THA shit.
decal kit- love these little stickers that came with it.
3ch radio
cons
plastic link balls (easily upgradable but wish they came with metal ones)
radio feels cheap.
Add some wheel weights for even better overall performace.
Best RTR rig out of the box. Not the lightest but light enough. It tries to sit the front wheels even withourt added weight. More than decent plastic beadlock and tyres. Best shocks (better than TRX4) and excellent crawling and trail capabilities. I am in love with it.
Not perfect though (had to tighten every screw before hitting the trail, no “pre-cut” stickers, esc not programmable without a card out of stock for ages).
Great motor. IMO outperforms the TRX4.
The best RTR Crawler, exelent relation, cualiti, price and prestations !!!!
Pros:
Really happy with this truck. Climbs great. Has done all the same obstacles as my trx4 defender. Super quite. Great decals/stickers. Great approach and descent angles.
Cons:
Body still flimsy. Body pins are small and hard to put in and take off. Tires could be better. Tires rub body when turning while climbing. No instructions for extra parts like the exhaust.
I would definitely recommend this truck. For the price and what it can do i think it is the best RTR out there.
