A stock Axial SCX10 is a great starting point, but even the SCX10 III ships with plastic shocks and a non-waterproof ESC that hold the rig back on anything more serious than a smooth trail. The good news is that four or five targeted purchases fix the biggest limiters without a complete rebuild. Start with tires and the ESC, then shocks, then the servo. That order keeps the first few sessions exciting and every dollar working hard. This guide walks through the parts worth buying first, the ones to skip until later, and the install order that makes the build feel logical rather than random. Nearly everything here links to a specific product to remove any guesswork at checkout.
The highest-impact first upgrades for an Axial SCX10 are a set of Pro-Line Hyrax 1.9 G8 tires, the Hobbywing QuicRun WP 1080 brushed ESC for waterproofing and drag brake, RCAWD aluminum oil-filled shocks , and an ANNIMOS DS3225 servo. Do those four in that order and the rig becomes genuinely capable on rocky terrain before spending a dollar on motor or electronics.
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Start with tires: the cheapest performance gain
The single highest return-on-investment upgrade for any RTR crawler is a tire swap. Stock SCX10 tires are adequate for smooth gravel but lose traction quickly on wet rock and packed dirt. A set of Pro-Line Hyrax 1.9 G8 changes that immediately. The G8 compound is soft enough to grip a granite face without squirming on hardpack, and the deep sipes let each lug deform independently over small ledge edges.
If you mostly run loose dirt and mud, the JConcepts Fling King 1.9 Crawler Tires Green Compound (pair) is the other common first pick. The wide lug spacing throws mud out of the contact patch rather than packing it in, and the green super-soft compound adds grip on wet surfaces. Budget-conscious builders who want soft compound performance at a lower price should look at the INJORA King Trekker 1.9 Crawler Tires S5 Compound (pair) , which costs noticeably less than either Pro-Line or JConcepts and still performs well on most trail terrain.
Whatever tire you choose, run the foam inserts that ship with it or add Pro-Line Closed Cell Foam Inserts 1.9 (pair) separately. Closed-cell foam prevents the sidewall collapsing under lateral load on off-camber sections. It is a cheap addition that changes how the tire feels on side hills.
Pro-Line Hyrax 1.9 G8 Rock Crawling Tires (pair)
The default benchmark for 1.9 inch rock crawling. Open tread with deep sipes and G8 compound that grips rock faces without the squirm of pure competition rubber.
JConcepts Fling King 1.9 Crawler Tires Green Compound (pair)
The mega-lug mud specialist in JConcepts green super-soft compound. Designed to throw loose material and dig into soft terrain where smaller treads pack with mud.
INJORA King Trekker 1.9 Crawler Tires S5 Compound (pair)
INJORA's S5 super-soft compound in an all-terrain tread with multi-curve siping for grip on loose dirt and slippery rock faces. A strong value import option.
Pro-Line Closed Cell Foam Inserts 1.9 (pair)
Firm closed-cell inserts that add sidewall support and prevent the tire from folding under side loads on steep off-camber sections. Sized for standard 1.9 inch crawler tires.
ESC upgrade: waterproofing and drag brake before a motor swap
Before touching the motor, upgrade the ESC. Most stock SCX10 RTR units ship with a non-waterproof brushed ESC with limited drag brake adjustment. The Hobbywing QuicRun WP 1080 Waterproof Brushed Crawler ESC is the community-standard replacement. It adds a fully sealed waterproof housing for creek crossings and mud, ten levels of drag brake adjustment via program card, and multiple crawl modes that smooth out low-speed throttle delivery.
Drag brake is the feature that matters most. Without it, releasing the throttle on a steep downhill means the rig rolls free, which is both unpredictable and hard on tires. With drag brake set appropriately for the terrain, the rig holds position when you go to neutral, exactly like a full-size four-wheel-drive truck does in low range.
The WP 1080 is a brushed-motor ESC, so it pairs with the stock motor. That is intentional: fix the waterproofing and the drag brake first, then decide later whether you want to go brushless. Many SCX10 owners run this setup for months before upgrading the motor.
Hobbywing QuicRun WP 1080 Waterproof Brushed Crawler ESC
The most recommended waterproof brushed ESC upgrade for stock-motor crawlers. 80A continuous, adjustable drag brake, multiple crawl modes, and a plug-in program card interface.
Shocks: aluminum oil-filled units over plastic
Once tires and ESC are sorted, shocks are the next meaningful step. Stock SCX10 plastic shocks bounce and limit how many tires stay on the ground at once on uneven terrain. Swapping to the RCAWD Aluminum SCX10 Oil-Filled Shocks Front and Rear (set of 4) set of four eliminates bounce and adds threaded preload adjustment at each corner so you can tune ride height independently.
These are CNC-machined aluminum units with correct travel dimensions for the SCX10 I, II, and III. The main practical step at install is bleeding air bubbles: fill the shock body with 30-weight silicone oil, push the shaft in and out a few times with the end cap loose, then seal. A shock with an air bubble in it does not dampen consistently.
If you are buying only one end at a time, the AIMROCK 110mm Aluminum Crawler Shocks Internal Spring (pair) are sold as a pair and fit both SCX10 and TRX-4 mounting dimensions, so they work for targeted replacement of a single axle.
RCAWD Aluminum SCX10 Oil-Filled Shocks Front and Rear (set of 4)
Full alloy oil-filled shocks that replace the stock plastic units on SCX10 I, II, and III. CNC-machined aluminum bodies with threaded preload adjustment and correct travel dimensions.
AIMROCK 110mm Aluminum Crawler Shocks Internal Spring (pair)
Adjustable 110mm aluminum shocks with internal spring and oil filling, compatible with both TRX-4 and SCX10. Red anodized finish with threaded end caps.
Servo: steering hold and metal gears
The stock steering servo on most RTR SCX10 builds is the weak point once you start putting real load on the front axle from rocky terrain. Plastic gear servos strip under the steering loads of a full-lock push against a rock face. At minimum, you want metal gears and enough torque to hold full lock without buzzing or drifting.
The ANNIMOS DS3225 PRO 35KG Waterproof Digital Servo is the budget pick that delivers: stainless steel gears, 35 kg-cm of torque at 7.4V, and IP66 water resistance for typical trail use. Over 1,500 positive reviews make it the most-tested budget servo in the 1/10 crawler class. For serious trail or early competition builds, the Savox SW-1210SG Waterproof Steel Gear Servo adds 444 oz-in of torque, IP67 waterproofing, and no buzz on steep hold angles that drain cheaper servo batteries.
ANNIMOS DS3225 PRO 35KG Waterproof Digital Servo
IP66 waterproof servo with stainless steel gears delivering 35 kg-cm at 7.4V. Over 1,500 positive reviews and consistently rated a top budget servo for 1/10 crawlers.
Savox SW-1210SG Waterproof Steel Gear Servo
High-torque steel gear waterproof servo trusted by competition crawlers. 444 oz-in of torque, IP67 waterproof rating, and no buzzing on steep off-camber sections.
Suspension links: the upgrade after shocks
Once shocks are fitted, the next limiting factor on off-camber terrain is plastic link flex. Under lateral load on steep side hills, plastic links bend slightly, which changes caster and pinion angle mid-obstacle and causes the rig to wander. Aluminum links hold geometry under load.
The INJORA 4-Link Suspension Kit for SCX10 II and III covers both front and rear in one kit with aluminum links and steel pivot balls. This is not a first purchase but a logical second step once you have shocks fitted and are consistently finding the limits of the rig on difficult terrain.
INJORA 4-Link Suspension Kit for SCX10 II and III
Complete front and rear 4-link kit in aluminum with steel pivot balls and molded rod ends. Replaces plastic links to lock in suspension geometry under load.
Brushless motor: last, not first
The brushless motor is the most talked-about upgrade but is not the first purchase that makes a difference. A crawler with good tires, a proper waterproof ESC, oil shocks, and a metal gear servo will outperform a rig with a brushless motor on stock plastic shocks and a buzzing servo every session.
When you are ready, the Hobbywing QuicRun Fusion 2-in-1 Brushless System 1800KV is the single-box upgrade that combines a sensored 1800KV motor and a crawler-spec ESC in a waterproof housing. The sensored system eliminates start-up cogging at crawling speeds that sensorless brushless systems suffer from. It costs more than separate motor and ESC combinations but saves installation complexity significantly.
Budget brushless builders who want to pair their own ESC can start with the GLOBACT 3542 1450KV Brushless Crawler Motor and add the AM32 80A Brushless ESC for 1/10 Crawler (USB Programmable) for a programmable drag brake setup at a much lower combined cost.
Hobbywing QuicRun Fusion 2-in-1 Brushless System 1800KV
The most-recommended brushless upgrade for 1/10 crawlers. Sensored 1800KV motor integrated with crawler-spec ESC in a single waterproof unit with adjustable drag brake and smooth low-speed control.
GLOBACT 3542 1450KV Brushless Crawler Motor
Low-KV sensorless brushless motor designed for 1/10 crawlers. 3542 can size fits standard SCX10 and TRX-4 motor bays with low-cogging design for smoother low-speed delivery.
AM32 80A Brushless ESC for 1/10 Crawler (USB Programmable)
Open-source AM32 firmware ESC with 80A continuous rating, USB programming via linker, and crawler-appropriate features including drag brake and low-speed throttle shaping.
Pro-Line Hyrax 1.9 G8 Rock Crawling Tires (pair)
The default benchmark for 1.9 inch rock crawling. Open tread with deep sipes and G8 compound that grips rock faces without the squirm of pure competition rubber.
Hobbywing QuicRun WP 1080 Waterproof Brushed Crawler ESC
The most recommended waterproof brushed ESC upgrade for stock-motor crawlers. 80A continuous, adjustable drag brake, multiple crawl modes, and a plug-in program card interface.
RCAWD Aluminum SCX10 Oil-Filled Shocks Front and Rear (set of 4)
Full alloy oil-filled shocks that replace the stock plastic units on SCX10 I, II, and III. CNC-machined aluminum bodies with threaded preload adjustment and correct travel dimensions.
ANNIMOS DS3225 PRO 35KG Waterproof Digital Servo
IP66 waterproof servo with stainless steel gears delivering 35 kg-cm at 7.4V. Over 1,500 positive reviews and consistently rated a top budget servo for 1/10 crawlers.
Hobbywing QuicRun Fusion 2-in-1 Brushless System 1800KV
The most-recommended brushless upgrade for 1/10 crawlers. Sensored 1800KV motor integrated with crawler-spec ESC in a single waterproof unit with adjustable drag brake and smooth low-speed control.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the first upgrade I should make to a stock Axial SCX10?+
Tires first. A set of Pro-Line Hyrax 1.9 G8 or JConcepts Fling King green compound transforms how the rig hooks up on rock and dirt immediately and costs less than almost any other upgrade. Second is the ESC: swapping to the Hobbywing QuicRun WP 1080 adds waterproofing and adjustable drag brake without touching the motor. Do those two before spending money on anything else.
Do I need to go brushless for the SCX10 to perform well on the trail?+
No. A stock brushed SCX10 with good tires, a waterproof ESC with proper drag brake, aluminum oil-filled shocks, and a metal gear servo will outperform a brushless rig on poor plastic shocks with a stock servo. Brushless adds smoothness and torque at very low RPM, but it is the last upgrade that pays off, not the first.
What silicone oil weight should I use in SCX10 shocks?+
Most SCX10 trail builds start with 30-weight silicone oil for balanced damping on mixed terrain. Lighter oil (20 weight) increases droop and rock wrap but can feel mushy on smoother sections. Heavier oil (50 to 60 weight) firms the stroke and helps on steep descents but reduces articulation. Change one shock at a time to feel the difference before committing to a full refill.
How much steering servo torque does the SCX10 need?+
At minimum 200 oz-in (around 14 kg-cm) for a 1.9 inch tire build, but 300 to 500 oz-in is meaningfully better for holding full lock against a rock face. Soft compound tires on rocks create significant steering load. Metal gear trains are mandatory since plastic gears shear when the wheels bind against an obstacle.
What is the difference between the SCX10 II and SCX10 III for upgrades?+
The SCX10 III uses a different chassis with updated mounting points compared to the SCX10 II, so some upgrades, especially servo trays, link sets, and body mounting hardware, are generation-specific. Always confirm the product listing specifies your generation. Shocks, tires, and motor upgrades are generally less sensitive to generation differences.