Posted: 10/14/16
Words and photos by Richard Derry
The Axial Racing Yeti™ SCORE® Trophy Truck® kit includes many of the necessary upgrades that will bulletproof your Yeti™ for the desert but, if you want a bomb proof Yeti™ that will survive almost anything, Axial has you covered!
When first receiving the Yeti SCORE Trophy Truck kit box, the artwork is second to none, even the inside will wow even the expert builder.
The box contents are neatly packaged and clearly labeled.
The instructions start out with the front differential. The instructions include suggestions for optional performance upgrades. Using these heavy duty over/ underdrive differential gears will yield different speeds and off road handling results. Overdriving the differential will increase higher speeds, but decrease low end torque while the underdrive set will do the opposite and can be used in conjunction with each other as well. (AX30402, AX30401).
Next is the front suspension and body mount steps, the aluminum shock tower (AX31170) is an essential upgrade to improve shock performance over the plastic piece by minimizing any movement in the upper shock mounting area dramatically. Also an area that is often overlooked is the body mount (AX31169). By improving this area, it will help to decrease front body movement.
For the rear axle, the heavy duty over/underdrive differential gears are also available (AX30402, AX30401).
The AR60 axle includes a removable scale plastic differential cover in the kit, these are two of the optional aluminum covers (AX30829 & AX31429) which offer a better seal and protection.
There are also 2 different choices for aluminum link mounts, each ones have different performance advantages. The AX31433 gives you the option to mount the rear sway bar on top of the rear axle, while the AX30830 will allow you to dial in the rear link length and pinion angle.
When building the front independent suspension, using the aluminum front Toe block (AX30811) will keep the suspension arm hinge pin securely in place and also offers greater front end protection over the plastic part. Note that parts tree AX80100 is needed when ordering this piece.
Continuing on with the front suspension build is the front steering and camber links. The optional Yeti aluminum turnbuckle kit will decrease weight and increase front suspension strength.
When installing the servo, using the AX30836 aluminum clamping servo horn will help to increase the servo’s life by not allowing any flex or any servo/servo horn teeth breaking.
The Yeti has a sealed gearbox and transfer case that includes metal gears that can handle the abuse of a brushless motor and ESC combo on 3S easily, one part in this area that can use improvement is the motor mount (AX31156), it allows the pinion and spur to spin freely and efficiently by keep the motor solidly in place.
After installing the motor mount you have several Axial spur gear options that allow you to dial in your Yeti’s speed and torque characteristics. Using the 64T spur will increase run times and torque while using the 56T spur will decrease run times but increase speed. Opting for the steel spur gear will minimize any broken teeth, just make sure proper gear mesh is achieved.
When building up the rear suspension, using AXA1331 will help the rear links move more efficiently than the comparable plastic versions.
The Yeti Score kit includes aluminum lower link plates to help increase the trailing arm strength. Upper aluminum link plates (AX31244) are also available to minimize any flexing or link breakage that may occur while conquering Baja.
When attaching the rear links to the chassis tub, an often over looked part is the chassis link mount. Axial’s AX31165 aluminum link mounts will complement the aluminum upgraded suspension arms by not allowing any flex in the mounting area and allow it to move freely.
Also available are officially licensed Method 105 wheels in kit stock orange or optional green, white, and black to keep you visible and add some authentic racing flare.
With the shock build and installation, using the available hard anodized aluminum shock mounts (AX31166) will create a more sturdy mounting area as well as help with the suspension travel.
To increase the visual aspect and the durability of the shock, use the available licenced Aluminum King Racing Shock caps, collars, and spring retainer cups (AX31430 and AX31431).
The rear shock mounts and on the trailing arms allow for several different ways to tune your shocks, you can also mount a second set of shocks to help increase the dampening ability.
Here is the complete parts list featured in this blog:
AX90068 – Yeti™ SCORE® Trophy Truck® 1/10 Scale Electric 4WD – Kit
AX31302 – TT-380 SCORE® Trophy Truck® Body - .040" (Clear)
AX31047 – Brushless 3150KV Electric Motor
AX24260 – AE-3 Vanguard ESC
AX31371 – 2.2 3.0 Method 105 Wheels – 41mm (White)
AX30829 – AR60 OCP Machined Low-Profile Differential Cover (Hard Anodized)
AX31430 – King Shocks Aluminum Caps and Collars Set - 12mm (Blue)
AX31431 – Aluminum Shock Spring Retainer - 12mm (Blue)
AX31434 – AR60 Machined Steering Knuckles (Hard Anodized)
AX31244 – Upper Link Plate Set (Aluminum) (4pcs)
AX31249 – Yeti™ Turnbuckle Set (Aluminum)
AX31156 – Machined Adjustable Motor Mount (Hard Anodized)
AX31165 – Machined 4 Link Mounts (Hard Anodized)
AX31166 – Machined Shock Mount Plates (Hard Anodized)
AX31167 – Machined Sway Bar Clamp (Hard Anodized) (2pcs)
AX31169 – Machined Body Post Mount (Hard Anodized)
AX31170 – Machined Front Shock Tower (Hard Anodized)
AX30811 – EXO Machined Aluminum Front Toe Block F1 (Hard Anodized)
AX80100 – EXO Chassis Guard and Toe Block Insert Set (Front and Rear)
AX30830 – AR60 OCP Machined Link Mounts (Hard Anodized)
AX31433 – AR60 OCP Machined Link Mounts (Hard Anodized)
AX30836 – Aluminum Servo Horn 25T (Hard Anodized)
AX30401 – Heavy Duty Bevel Gear Set - 36T/14T
AX30402 – Axial Heavy Duty Bevel Gear Set - 43T/13T
AXA1331 – Flanged Ball 3x5.8x7mm (6pcs)
AX30843 – Pinion Gear 32P 17T - Steel (5mm Motor Shaft)
AX31163 – Steel Spur Gear 32P 56T
AX31068 – Slipper Pad
AX31296 – Aluminum Shock Body 12X59mm
AX31054 – Shock Shaft Set 3x71mm
AX31301 – Tree Shock Caps Parts Blue
