Potential new Ground Pounder Owner

[Razdawg]

Hi new to the forums and was looking for a good beginner solid axle monster truck. I really like the look of the Ground Pounder and the price too. I have tried to read everything I could find but just wanted to see if the folks on this forum had any insight.
Do the v3 models address any of the early issues?
Is this truck a good entry into solid axle trucks?

 

[william g]

the gear stripping was addressed, though high power aftermarket motors would almost require the mod1 gear change.

If you like jumping the Hesse axle braces are a really smart addition, it supports the axle and replaces the plastic lower shock mounts.

Personaly, not a big fan of the radio, but moving the reciever and antenna outside of the chassis will help with distance/glitching and that only requires dbl face tape and tyraps.

 

[Razdawg]

Thanks William

I am not worried about the radio issues as I have a FS-Gt3b ready to install.
Are the axles really weak? I am not an extreme basher by any means.
I guess even with the $75 on the braces it is still less expensive than the Kyosho Mad Force VE.

 

[MiRatlhed]

I have raced mine for a few months now and really have not had many issues. I did upgrade to the metal drive shafts because of a yoke popping out. I broke one lower shock mount, well my boy did when he ran it into a swing set pole when it was cold out.

I just did a fix on a members GP and the radio glitch was completely fixed by putting a couple capacitors on the motor. Fixed it all. I went as far as replacing the antennae on the radio, installed different servos and then did the capacitors. Well the capacitors eliminated all of the glitches.

I really like those Hesse braces though and want to get some down the road. I mainly race and don't bash too much but I love mine. Can't wait to get some more race time with it and really start to dial it in.

 

[etzaras]

Read the "Ground Pounder vs Wheely King?" post in the General Discussion section. Might give you some more info. Also read HawnMT's review on the GP

 

[Razdawg]

Read both those threads and can say it doesn't paint a perfect picture but I haven't been scared away....yet.
I am not sure but I just like the look of this truck over the WHeely King for sure and I think that any info on the Mad Force VE is hard to come by.
I realize that ultimately it is a decision I have to make but still looking for more opinions on this truck.
Thank you.

 

[william g]

the mad force is a great truck, albeit not cheap $$ but rugged and VERY fast. Definitely not a beginners ride. However, it is a kyosho, and kyosho has become notorious for abruptly ending production and support on it's already not so easy to get parts for R/C's. If it was made by traxxas or a more popular Co. it would be a huge hit and I'd own one. But it's not so personaly I'd rather pass.

No R/C is perfect out of the box, kit or RTR, but if you have an idea of driving style and conditions you can better know what vehicle and hopups will suit best.

 

[Razdawg]

William, good insight into the Kyosho. I realize that is a much bigger company than Redcat and CPE but it seems that at least CPE supports the Ground Pounder and I like that they created the truck so they have a lot of incentive to stay behind it.
Anyway although I am looking for a beginner level solid axle truck I am not so much of a beginner. My first rc was a Traxxas "The Cat" followed by an rc10 gold tub. I have dabbled in the hobby over the years so I have some experience.
As far as driving style and conditions. I would say I am a moderate driver. I am not looking for insane speed but more for ground clearance and the ability to go through grass with no issues. My main driving area is my yard and street.
Thanks again.

 

[william g]

I love the look of the GP over the WK

Not a fan of the transmission/motor layout on the GP I believe not having them directly attatched like 90% of all other designs is a mistake. A motor plate on the trans would have been better IMHO.

Look at it this way...
Both come with electrics we all know are not the greatest. So we won't talk about that part.

Durability, the GP is the axle cases and spur gears. The fix will cost you about $90 bucks all said and done.

Wk it's hotracing/CKRC transmission gears ($30) and a set of RC4WD's straight rear inner axle shafts is a good idea ($25) Then $15 for axle servo mount and $35 for a servo $10 for a saver.

So they each need over 75 bucks worth of "aftermarket" to sturdy them up not including electrics.

Next is do you want to upgrade tires and wheels?
The WK's tire/wheel isn't bad but not the largest. GP has what I refere to as "sausage wheels". I'm not a fan of the low profile tire on a truck. So think about that part too.


Now lets slip in the electrics
Both trucks are light, so you can go with brushed or brushless. Advantage = brushless so the most you need on either is a 4600kv
Traxxas VXL is the bomb in either, runs ~ $150 bucks and at least it's motor should be considered.
Castle has the sidewinder and 4600 now available for $99 ad is Computer programmable to endless settings with the $25 castle link.
Hobbywing EZRun is aboiut $100 with the program card add $10 more

Decent radio is 2.4ghz and costing $50-150

 

[Manfjourde]

It sounds like we are in the same boat of wondering to get the GP. I have the WK and its a lot of fun although takes a bit to get it faster. Im not sure the stock speed of GP. My biggest reason to sell the WK and get GP is the size. I don't really want Clod or mad force size and the GP is right in the middle. Tell you what...I'll order mine if you order yours lol

 

[william g]

I have had a couple GP's :wnk

I currently own 3 WK's and absolutly love them, though none are stock. Closest to stock would be my Grave Digger.

Get a crawler conversion kit for your WK, a axle mount servo bracket and stronger servo. Then do a clod tire with 2.2 wheel mod. (wheely king forum has info) If that doesn't do it for you you can still use the clod wheels on a GP after selling the WK off.

 

[Manfjourde]

Good call, thanks Will! I do have some all thread and aluminum tubing to extend it. Maybe I will tonight and see if I like.

 

[JKRacing37]

I don't really want Clod or mad force size and the GP is right in the middle.

Actually if I remember correctly I saw a picture of a stock GP side by side with a mod clod and they are nearly identical in size.

 

[MiRatlhed]

Here is a shot of mine next to my Berzerker Pro Mod.

I like mine because of the size of it. Much bigger than a WK and even in stock trim you can race a GP better because it has better stability. But with that said a modded WK is pretty cool. I am making my GP into a certified Pro Lite dominator!! haha LOL! Well at least I am going to get my ducks in a row so John and I will have some serious WK on GP action......:willy

Then if you decide to strip the axles and trans out of it the chassis is a great donor for a Clod build.

 

[Manfjourde]

That is quite large, thanks for the pics! From reading this and the other thread I have decided it is totally subjective to the potential owner in terms if looks, performance, price, and functionality. So far most input seems so subjective and opinionated depending on those factors.

 

[CAPN PEGLEG]

My WK with the crawler conversion is the same length as the gp but does not have the width of the GP.Will G hit all the issues on the trucks,go with HPI bigger company.Here's the test,walk into you local hobby shop and ask for a WK part,8 out of 10 times they have it.Then ask for a redcat part,i will bet they say"what the hell is a redcat".Gp is cool and awesome looking,i had one.I think you will be much happier with the WK.Go to ebay ,type in wheely king 15 pages of parts,upgrades,etc.Type in redcat ground pounder 1 page and half the listings are dealers selling the kit.Bottom line is both will make you grin from ear to ear,but one will keep u grin'n and one will make you sad.Just my thoughts.

 

[snow walker]

I have a love hate relationship with my GP. I have spent alot of time and money on it. It's way fast now thanks the castle creations sv2. We jump it pretty hard and my 9yr old is all throttle. I have yet to break an axle housing. Mostly shock mounts and rod ends. I have a 2.4 radio and WK shocks,sway bars, metal drive shafts, mod 1 spur(soon to be metal)rear lock out,and clod tires.I also have lots of spare parts for it.(less down time). My 9yr old's old truck was a WK we had the same issues as the GP to an extent. The radio went out as well as the esc,motor,ect. The biggest problem we had was axle shafts. It ate them for lunch. But we did have lockers. At the same time his older brother had an AX10 with lockers and it held up great. The ax10 was a great truck but we wanted more speed. The chassis was just not set up for it. I think Will is right I would stick with the WK for now. I have well over 500$ into my GP.

 

[snow walker]

By the way that 500$ includes the money I wasted on two brushed motors and esc's. I will never waste my money on brushed motors again. That goes for AM,FM radios too. After you go to a 2.4 radio and brushless you will never go back!

 

[william g]

^ lockers are a no go in the wheely king, once I took mine out I've not broken a shaft and that's w/ clod tires. When I had lockers, just about every run. :bang Conclusion, lockers = break :laugh

 

[JKRacing37]

I am making my GP into a certified Pro Lite dominator!! haha LOL! Well at least I am going to get my ducks in a row so John and I will have some serious WK on GP action......:willy

Bring it on...I'm ready! I'll be running two chrome RCMT decals, scale fuzzy dice, and "Redneck on Board!" sign in the back window. How you going to hang with all that? :laugh

Thanks for posting that picture. I thought that was your pic I saw before but I couldn't remember.