Best SCX10 III? The Only Kit So Far: JLU Review!

Axial SCX10 III JLU Kit Review: the build is finished (AXI03007). It's a 1:10 scale remote controlled Jeep. With a shorter wheelbase than the Gladiator and basic electronics we've installed, how does it stack up against its bigger brother?

We take a detailed look at the vehicle, the heritage of the storied SCX10 line, and then we put it to the test on the rocks. Don't miss this one if you're interested in the current SCX10 III line-up!

Let's test!

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Electronics we installed:
ESC: HobbyWing WP-1060
Motor: Holmes Hobbies 15-turn 5-pole 540 brushed
Servo: jx Servo 46kg Coreless Waterproof Metal Gear
Shift Servos: EMAX
Receiver: FlySky FS-A6
Transmitter: FlySky GT5 6-channel

Where to get them:

(The above are affiliate links which help support our channel. They cost you nothing to use, so you have our thanks for clicking through, if you're so inclined!)

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Chapters:
0:00 Axial SCX10 III JLU
0:15 SCX10 Heritage
0:55 JLU Body
4:01 Transmission
4:54 Electronics
5:42 Chassis Layout
6:27 Axles & Links
6:43 Shafts & Diffs
7:12 Suspension
7:39 Tires
7:51 Battery & Tray
8:53 Make XT30 XT60 adapters
10:06 JLU Radio Config
11:21 JLU & Gladiator Differences
12:14 Shims and Diffs
12:34 6-Problem Test (1-2)
15:11 Uni vs CVD Joints
16:10 6-Problem Test (3-6)
22:17 More on Shims & Diffs
22:55 JLU Test Debrief
24:55 Thoughts on the Kit

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[SnarkyRC]

My SCX10 III kit is still in the box. I won it back in 2021 from the Proline sweepstakes. When I finally build it, I'm going to skip the 2 speed and dig because I'm using a Holmes brushless motor. I recommend installing the panhard brace from Bowhouse.
-Matt

[danweiss]

I’m glad you left the blooper in. Gave me a good chuckle at the end. I almost broke my finger today having it in the wrong spot turning on my truck. Guess what nothing was going to stop that servo 🤬

[RcNickster]

Oh you dont want to forget the Scx10 II 69 Blazer. LOVE axial. I got: 1 ax10 - 5 scx10's - 2 Sxc10 II's, axial RR10 Bomber. The axial Can am 1/14 side x side. Thanks to the Rcelf I also have the Scx6. Which is UNBELIEVABLE ... They are fantastric kits and the combination of scale look and capability is hard to beat. Thanks for sharing.. :P

[Andy_Yates]

Very tempting kit! Do I sense a head to head of the JLU and your TRX4 Sport coming? 🙌 That problem 3 is deceptive on camera. The rock doesn't look that big, but it stands the rig right up and into a precarious position. I know it has to be extra work but I really appreciate the longer commentary and format. We're learning about kits and we're seeing a competent drive do his thing 👍. As always, really enjoyed this one and looking forward to the next!

[YoShImUrA]

Ah! A surprise RC TNT video, must immediately watch!!
If only Axial had given us the Gladiator as a kit, I'm positive I'd have one!
Great tip for the battery strap!
This SCX10.3 leaves me a bit with an irregular impression overall.
Some details are great, and others, I feel even an SCX10.2 could give it a run for its money with much simpler solutions.
The gearbox is a real strange design decision. I wish they had given a bit more thought into making actual spacing between both gears.
I'm not a fan of portals either, but I could live with them if mine came like that. I just prefer conventional ones for a series of reasons, CoG being at the top.
With all that articulation, which is very good for a bone stock rig (great coilovers seem to be a consistent trait from Axial), getting your wheels tangled up in the wheelarches (like Element's own Enduro RTRs) or having to shim the axle pinion shafts... I guess it's tough to compromise between geometry and scale looks.
Let's not go too far into the chassis-side panhard bracket breakage issues.
I really want to like this platform. Not a Jeep guy either, and looks great, and on paper it has a lot of potential, but leaves me somehow cold the more I look at the end result. Again, I could forgive it all if the Gladiator came as a kit, making it unique size a great reason to go for it.
As an attempt to not sound so negative about it, I wonder if you could fit your small battery right in between the motor and the radiator to help with that top heavy feel.

PS: Hope you remove the brass on the Gladiator, and maybe even swap wheel sets between them (using the same set of tires, ideally the stock ones from the newer, unweughted JLU) to have the most fair attempt at comparing them, if you haven't recorded it all already...

[WestyCoastHermit]

What's my next purchase? The plot thickens. Great review and now I have to add this to the pile of maybes.

[fishnrc]

You’ll have to excuse me this is like the 3/4th time I’ve watched this. I have the RTR & I researched it before I got it & I learned that the RTR is identical to the build kit which is rare. Minus the electronics that is. I just got mine & I’m already upgrading it I used wheel spacers with metal bead locks to widen the stance for stability during side hilling etc. It runs pretty good but I’m just waiting on my esc & I already have a Holmes Hobby Stubby Pro brushless motor & Reefs servo & Reefs micro for the dig. I think it’s the Mamba micro Castle esc I’m waiting for it’s out of stock.

[crawling]

Great video I love my SCX 10 11 builder guide.with Holmes 21 turn.

[crawling]

Wish I could hang out with you brother your cool 🙏

[roblowrie]

That's such a great looking truck in white. It really suits the shape of the body.

The only crawler kit I've ever built, is a TRX4 Sport, and I went with the same budget ethos (HH Crawlmaster Pro 13t 550 motor, Hobbywing 1080 ESC, Dumbo receiver, and a 30kg DSServo). That suffers with the same top heavy issue!! I've also just acquired a Carisma Sca1e Coyote, as a roller, which I'm trying an ISDT ESC70, which having Bluetooth adjustment through an app, for on the fly changes, and only costing £20, was an absolute bargain!!!)

The Axial seems to perform really well out of the box. It must be great having the permanent obstacles so you can have a direct comparison (weather allowing) for all the trucks you run over it, but the kangaroo poo is a new one on me!! 😆

More chance of finding dog, or even worse, fox poo here in the UK, the fox poo really stinks, and you definitely don't want your car running through it!!! 💩

I look forward to the head to head with the Gladiator. 👍🏻

[thepaddychannel]

Thanks for the review, still can’t decide – I like the kit JLU but I think the Gladiator [size] is cool, I wonder if they will ever bring out a Gladiator Kit? That would solve my dilemma. Keep up the great work.

[Albertotron]

Now that you mentioned the diff noise. I think my UMG10 also clicks when going into reverse.

[JK-RC-FOCUS]

😎😎thank you so much for the information buddy, nice the dog 😍😍 great job cool video 👍👍👌

[danweiss]

The drive train looks real close to my element trailwalker. Except heavier duty. I have been absolutely loving the trailwalker but I’ve been stressed testing all the parts and they’re pretty weak. But I love the truck.
But you got yourself a nice looking rig. I’m always trying to extract information from you. Hopefully someday I’m going to meet somebody 3000 miles closer. Wish me luck lol especially with your RC education
I will have to keep my eyes open for a set of used portal axles

[thepatriotrcchannel]

Did your transmission or portals make any clicking noises ? All the modles I've seen seem to do it. Keep up the great work. Been subscribed for a while now.

[mattmays]

Love this body and you really cannot go wrong with axial. This truck definitely needs flat black rims though :)

[ConditionZero]

The Gladiator fixed the problems the JLU is known for, & the Gladiator is a far better vertical & side hiller than the 12.3 JLU I'm shocked you think the JLU is better.. of course if your on 3 or 4 small rocks the longer chassis is gonna bottom out but out in the woods in the mountains the Gladiator out performs the JLU in my opinion hands down... watch, RC Review Frances shows all the ways the Gladiator fixed issues the JLU had.... 👍🏼

[ka]

The Gladiator sells better because the chassis work better. My crawler bro build the kit Wrangler and first run out with my RTR Sport and his SCX 3 was a disapointing experience because the SCX 3 was so bad on the obstacles (top heavy) and roll many more times down the trail than my RTR Sport the gearbox squerk and end of the day a portalgear breakes in "six" parts ha ha! enough is enough and he sell the Truck and bought a Sport Kit.