Just getting back into RC. I know I have some old nicd batteries at my folks house along with my XXT. I want to dust it off next time I visit and breathe some life back into it but not sure if the batteries will still take a charge after sitting for so many years. Do they have a shelf life? Should I just buy some new ones anyway?

Got a charger with display ?
Charge them up and see how much mAh they hold and go from there ?
But then you better off with new nimh I remembered all mines were dead LOL but then i abused them for drag racing back then.

No charger with display yet, just the old style with mechanical timer. And it's with my XXT. I guess I need to invest in some new stuff before I dig it out!

If they were in good condition and you stored them with no charge in them, they may have survived. We haven't had NiCads in r/c for quite awhile now.

If you are going to get back into it and buy a new charger and batteries consider going LiPo... 1/3 more run time per Mah, easy to charge.. no discharging.. run them over and over again all day long.. Just be careful not to run them all the way down, that will destroy them. New ESC for brushless motors have a LiPo cut off so you don't damage them.

The truck you have is still competitive and most of the parts on the newest version the XXX-T CR are compatible. Brushless motors and ESCs have come a long way in the past few years and also offer some nice alternatives. You can get a Novak Havoc with a motor for around $150. The same price as an older top of the line brushed speed control without a motor! Brushless motors are zero maintenance and run longer than brushed equivalents.

Welcome back and have fun!

Jerome