Hello All!

I just received my first kit r/c since a losi XXT back in the early 90s or so. I used to love r/c stadium trucks and did a lot of local racing in the MA/CT area as a teen.

Now I'm 40 and looking to get back into r/c, but at least for now, just some backyard/playground bashing...maybe see if the kiddos take any interest. 
The key for me was I wanted to BUILD something. So… I went to 2 shops to look.

#1 just had 99% of RTR stuff from Losi (no TLR kits)and other brands I’ve never heard of before that just seemed way to plastic/rigid needing lots of upgrades. not knocking it, it has a place, just not what I was looking for.

#2 had a lot of Axial kit stuff (again, a brand I was not familiar with but did a lot of reading up on prior to the shop visit). And I was just about sold, had my wallet in hand. But discussions about upgrades to steering rack to reduce slop, rear axle bearing tweaks/mods for strength and some other things just kinda red flagged me. In my mind, for the money, an axial (or any similar high end kit), it should not need a lot of upgrades/hacks or tweaks out of the box.

Then I started reading about the MT410 and Tekno in general (again, never heard of, new to me) and for the most part, the reviews seemed pretty consistent. At most, what I read talked about perhaps 3 “maybe” upgrades out of box :
Maybe I might want/need the steel spur
Maybe I might want/need the aluminum servo horn.
Maybe I might want/need the aluminum shock caps.

But that is a pretty short list and not any re-working or hacking. I can live with that if that is the worst of it for normal wear and tear and the occasional bad landing or hit.

I'm super excited to build the MT410 - just salivating over the manual...looks like an awesome build!

my initial questions:

1) I bought the Pro-line Apocalypse body and I understand that uses the "extended" body mounts from pro-line (pn 6272-00) . Those are no longer produced by proline (discontinued) but I found some on ebay. Are there other body mounts that are also known to work with the Apocalypse?
If not, maybe I just stock up on another spare set or two just in case.

2) Any known roll cages for the MT410 ? I saw the RC Network on youtube did a “DB48” retrofit/modification of a tekno kit and made a desert buggy with a roll cage. Pretty cool. But not sure if there is a roll cage option for the MT410. I can get a roll cage for the Apocalypse body (meant for Traxxis Summit) but not sure that is what I want.

2) Lastly – for electronics, I have not purchased yet, but was going to do the following, any would appreciate any comments/concerns:
Spektrum Dx2e (I don’t think I need a high end expensive radio or tons of knobs)

Savox SV-1270TG (for the 350oz/in torque requirement...I'm not familiar with the brand though...I know Futaba and Hitec)

Tekin RX8 GEN3 w/ Redline T8 GEN2 1/8 Truggy 2000kV (I think I read a review with similar setup)

15T mod1 pinion from tekno

And I have some batteries…

Reaction 7.4V 5000mAh 50C 2S LiPo, Hardcase: Deans (I would do 2 in series)

I use a single 2S in my XXT w/ an old novak SS5800 brushless (yes, I still have the old losi running!) so I’m trying to avoid separate/special Lipo packs if possible on the MT410 (unless someone tells me the Reaction 5000mah 50C in series will be a bummer). I’m not even considering 6S…I hear that is just insanely fast…too much.

Appreciate the feedback and any comments!

Regards,
Jason