Tekno does make nitro 1:8 as well...

In any case I am in the camp that would suggest a trip to his closest hobby shop just to see what brands they readily support.

Beyond that my only other advice would be know what he is getting into tire wise. Truggy tires are not cheap and can wear down fast. They really do not make many options of all purpose basher tires for truggy either, some monster truck tires on 17mm hex could work though, but if they are bigger then he would need a gearing change. Just needs to be part of the personal equation.