Choosing the Right Robskii Fabrication Chassis for Your Axial SCX24: 132mm, 145mm, and 155mm Options Explained - Example pictures at bottom of page -
When it comes to upgrading your 1/24 scale Axial SCX24 rock crawler, selecting the right chassis is essential to unlocking your vehicle’s full potential. At Robskii Fabrication, we offer three specially designed 1-piece aluminum chassis options for your SCX24 builds: 132mm, 145mm, and 155mm. Each chassis is built to enhance your crawling experience, whether you're aiming for more agility, stability, or ultimate outdoor performance. Understanding the differences between these chassis sizes will help you choose the best one for your needs.
1. 132mm Chassis – Stock Wheelbase for Axial SCX24
The 132mm chassis is the standard, stock wheelbase for the Axial SCX24 series, including popular models like the Deadbolt, C10, and JLU. The stock chassis is made from stamped steel, which is relatively heavy and can affect your crawler’s handling and agility. In contrast, our Robskii Fabrication 132mm aluminum chassis offers a lightweight alternative that lowers the center of gravity, improving your vehicle’s performance, especially in tight, technical environments.
Best For:
- Maintaining Stock Setup: If you’re looking to keep your SCX24 vehicle close to its original setup but want to upgrade to a high-performance aluminum chassis, the 132mm option is ideal. This chassis allows you to retain the stock wheelbase for a familiar experience, but with enhanced durability and performance.
- Indoor Crawling & Agility: The 132mm wheelbase gives your vehicle excellent maneuverability, making it great for indoor crawling or navigating tight, technical courses. The Robskii Fabrication chassis provides superior rigidity and strength, giving you more control over obstacles while maintaining agility.
Additional Pros:
- Lighter Than Stock Chassis: While the stock stamped steel chassis is heavier, the Robskii Fabrication aluminum chassis reduces weight, helping to lower the center of gravity and improve overall handling.
- Great for Crawling in Small Spaces: The 132mm chassis is perfect for crawling in your house or on small, hand-made obstacles. Its compact size allows for tight turns and agile movement, making it ideal for indoor environments.
- Great Starting Point: If you’re just getting started in the world of rock crawling, this chassis serves as an excellent starting point. It provides a solid foundation for learning the basics of crawling.
- Upgradeable: If you later decide you want to increase the wheelbase for added stability or outdoor use, you can easily lengthen your vehicle with the purchase of longer links, making this chassis a versatile option for future upgrades.
- Entry-Level Competition Friendly: The 132mm setup is a great way to get started with crawling competitions, especially those held in smaller indoor environments.
Cons:
- Not Ideal for Vertical Climbing: While the 132mm chassis excels in agility and tight courses, it’s not as great for vertical climbs and steep inclines compared to the longer chassis options. If you plan on tackling more extreme outdoor terrain or steep rock faces, a longer chassis may be better suited for the job.
2. 145mm Chassis – Extended Front "C-Bolt" Chassis
The 145mm chassis, also known as the "C-Bolt" chassis, is an extended front version of the SCX24’s stock wheelbase. Our Robskii Fabrication 145mm aluminum chassis is built to improve your crawler’s handling and stability while maintaining a balance of performance and flexibility.
Best For:
- Indoor Competitions: If you’re looking to participate in indoor competitions or want a setup that offers more stability on technical courses, the 145mm chassis is perfect. The extended front improves weight distribution, providing better control on obstacles while offering more stability than the 132mm option.
- Versatility & Customization: The 145mm chassis is versatile, supporting both factory and aftermarket body options. Whether you're sticking with stock bodies or building a custom crawler, this chassis allows for more flexibility in your build. It's a great option for those who want an upgrade in both performance and aesthetic options.
- Improved Handling: For those seeking a chassis that offers better performance than stock without sacrificing too much agility, the 145mm is an ideal choice. It’s perfect for tackling more complex courses while still maintaining a level of maneuverability.
Pros:
- Lighter than stock stamped steel chassis, improving overall performance
- Better stability and handling for indoor courses
- Compatible with various body styles, both factory and aftermarket
- Increased durability compared to stock plastic chassis
- Great for Intermediate Competitions: The 145mm chassis strikes a perfect balance between agility and climbing ability, making it a great choice for intermediate-level competitions where a mix of tight maneuvering and vertical climbs are required.
Cons:
- Slightly less agile than the 132mm chassis, especially in confined spaces
- Not the best for extreme outdoor rock crawling scenarios
3. 155mm Chassis – The Gladiator & Power Wagon Setup
The 155mm chassis is the longest of the three options, matching the wheelbase of the Axial Gladiator and Power Wagon models. This setup is designed for maximum performance in outdoor rock crawling and competitions. Our Robskii Fabrication 155mm 1-piece aluminum chassis is built to provide the stability and durability needed to tackle tough outdoor terrains and technical obstacles.
Best For:
- Outdoor Competitions: The 155mm chassis is the perfect choice for outdoor rock crawling, offering superior stability and traction over rough, uneven terrain. The longer wheelbase helps maintain balance on steep inclines and rocky obstacles, making it ideal for outdoor competitions or challenging environments.
- "Line Slayer" Performance: If you're aiming to tackle the toughest lines and extreme rock crawling, the 155mm chassis provides the performance needed to dominate outdoor courses. It’s designed for those who want to push their crawler to the limit and need a chassis that can handle more challenging terrain.
- Experienced Drivers: With its increased length, the 155mm chassis offers improved stability but requires more skill to handle in tighter spaces. It’s the best choice for experienced drivers looking for top-tier performance on outdoor courses.
Pros:
- Lighter than stock chassis, improving stability and handling over rough terrain
- Superior stability and traction for outdoor rock crawling
- Ideal for challenging "line slayer" setups and extreme terrain
- Best Vertical Climbing Ability: With its long wheelbase, the 155mm chassis offers the best vertical climbing ability of all the options, making it perfect for tackling steep inclines and technical obstacles.
- Great for drivers looking to compete in outdoor environments
Cons:
- Less agile than the 132mm and 145mm chassis, especially in tight, indoor spaces
- Not ideal for indoor competitions or confined obstacle courses
Why Upgrade to a Robskii Fabrication 1-Piece Aluminum Chassis?
No matter which chassis size you choose, upgrading to a Robskii Fabrication 1-piece aluminum chassis offers significant improvements over the stock stamped steel version. Our aluminum chassis options provide:
- Lighter Weight & Better Center of Gravity: Unlike the stock stamped steel chassis, our aluminum chassis is significantly lighter, which helps lower the center of gravity and improves overall vehicle handling, stability, and performance.
- Increased Durability: Aluminum is stronger and more rigid than steel, giving your crawler better resistance to damage and wear.
- Improved Performance: With better rigidity and weight distribution, our aluminum chassis options enhance your crawler’s handling, stability, and overall performance.
- Better Customization: Each of our chassis options is compatible with a range of body styles, allowing you to create the perfect crawler for your needs—whether you're staying stock or customizing with aftermarket bodies.
- 10-Degree Angled Skid Mount for Better Breakover Performance: The Robskii Fabrication chassis features a 10-degree angled skid mount, designed to improve your crawler's breakover performance. This allows for better clearance and smoother transitions over obstacles, especially when navigating tricky or steep climbs.
Which Chassis Size is Right for You?
Choosing between the 132mm, 145mm, and 155mm Robskii Fabrication chassis options comes down to your specific needs and where you plan to crawl. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
- Choose the 132mm chassis if you want to keep your SCX24 setup close to stock, prioritize agility, and mainly crawl indoors or in tight spaces.
- Choose the 145mm chassis (C-Bolt) if you need more stability for indoor competitions, want a versatile setup that fits a variety of bodies, or seek a balance between agility and stability.
- Choose the 155mm chassis if you’re aiming for maximum performance outdoors, tackling difficult lines, and pushing your SCX24 to its limits in competitive or extreme rock crawling environments.
Each of our Robskii Fabrication chassis options is designed to enhance your SCX24’s capabilities, providing you with the best performance, durability, and customization options in a 1-piece aluminum chassis. Upgrade today to experience the difference!
See you on the trail!
