How to Choose the Right 1/10 Scale RC Body

Choosing a body for your 1/10 scale RC car can be overwhelming. There are many choices available when it comes to style and specifications. Install a body that is different from your previous one, and this is one of the most prominent ways that you can modify your car, but doing this improperly can be detrimental to its performance and handling characteristics. To select a body that is just right for your car, you have to consider scale accuracy and the materials of construction that suit particular kinds of driving styles, as explained below.

Measure Your Wheelbase First

To find a compatible RC body, the one that stands out as the most essential is the wheelbase. The wheelbase is defined as the distance from the center of the front axle to that of the rear axle of your car. Measuring accurately ensures the wheel wells on the new body align perfectly with your wheels.

To get a precise measurement of the wheelbase, you need to have your 1/10 scale RC truck or car on a flat surface and then measure from the center of one tire to the other, ideally on a ruler or scale, always measured in millimeters, as most car manufacturers measure this way, and for more accuracy on this project, this is essential.

Get the Width Right for Your Chassis

Secondly, there is the width of the body, regarded as track width. Today, car bodies that don’t incorporate width measurements may end up appearing awkward, as they may lack enough width to cover the wheels entirely, and this may cause the tire angles to seem awkward or unrealistic. Such bodies may have adverse effects on your car because they will reduce its performance and appearance.

You can calculate the width of your car by measuring from the edge of one tire to the edge of the other tire on your car. If your car body is narrower than your car, it may not fully cover your car model because Short Course bodies have a width of around 290-300mm. Even when modeling cars of the same scale, this shows that accuracy is required. Width, height, and other clearances should not be ignored.

On-Road or Off-Road: What's Your Style

The type of body you need is largely determined by your vehicle's purpose and the terrain you drive on. Body styles fall into broad categories. Each category is designed with specific aerodynamic and durability needs.

Racing and On-Road Bodies

If you plan to race a Short Course truck, choose a body designed for performance. These designs often feature vents and specific aerodynamic shapes to reduce parachuting over jumps and improve handling in corners. This maximizes stability and control on the track. 1/10 scale RC Short Course bodies prioritize performance and airflow, not just ruggedness.

Off-Road and Scale Bodies

If you own a 1/10 RC truck or an RC rock crawler 1/10, you need a rugged, durable body. This body must handle rough terrains and impacts. These bodies typically feature higher clearance to navigate obstacles. The scale RC 1/10 crawler community often opts for bodies that copy real vehicles. They value detailing and realistic proportions. For instance, licensed models like the FCX10 Land Rover perfectly capture the essence of their full-sized counterparts.

Understand Body Materials and Durability

The material used to make the body controls its durability, weight, and the level of realistic detail it can achieve. Your choice should be guided by your intended use, whether for high-speed racing or slow RC rock crawler 1/10 trailing.

Polycarbonate (Lexan)

Polycarbonate, often called Lexan, is the most common material for RC car bodies. It is a lightweight, clear plastic. It is known for its excellent flexibility and high impact resistance. Polycarbonate bodies are the best choice for bashers and racers because they can take many hits without shattering. They flex and recover from impacts. Paint is usually applied to the inside of the clear body. This protects it from scuffs and minor crash damage on the outside.

Hard Plastic (ABS, PS)

Hard plastic bodies, usually made from ABS or PS plastic, are commonly used for scale RC 1/10 crawler and truck bodies. These materials are much stiffer than polycarbonate. They can be molded with better detail. This includes realistic features like door handles and grilles. But hard plastic is generally less impact-resistant. It is sturdier at low speeds, but it is more likely to crack or splinter upon a hard tumble than flexible Lexan. Hard plastic bodies are also heavier. This can hurt speed, but it is good for crawling weight distribution.

Clear vs Pre-Painted: Which Is for You

After you choose the material, your next decision is about the finish: buying a clear, unpainted body or one that comes ready-to-run. Both options offer different levels of convenience and customization.

A clear body gives you total creative freedom to customize the design, color scheme, and decals. Painting a polycarbonate body needs special, flexible paint. This paint is applied to the inside, and this protects the finish. This process takes time and precision, but it results in a unique, professional look.

Pre-painted bodies offer convenience. They are ready to be mounted right after you buy them. This saves much time and effort. It makes them a good choice for beginners or people who want to drive right away. But the design is fixed. If the body is hard plastic, the paint is on the outside. This paint can scratch easily when racing or crawling.

How Body Posture Affects Your Choice

A key detail is the location of the body mounting posts. Beginners often forget this. These are the points on your chassis where the body clips secure the shell to the frame. Post locations are not universal across all 1/10 scale RC models. This is true even for vehicles with the same wheelbase and width.

Some good bodies may have dimples or marks. These show where holes should be drilled for common chassis types. If the body does not specify compatibility, you must drill the post holes yourself to match your specific vehicle. Always pre-fit the body over the chassis and use a marker to copy the post positions onto the shell before drilling. This makes sure the body sits level and has enough clearance.

Consider Wheel Wells and Tire Clearance

When it comes to RC off-road cars, such as a 1/10 RC truck or crawler, tire clearance is a very significant aspect that determines their mobility and functionality. It is essential that you strictly verify the dimensions and shape of the wheel wells of a new body purchase if you need to avoid having your tires rub against or get stuck in the body, especially on bumpy surfaces.

This rubbing can slow down the car and damage the body. You may have to extend your wheel wells. You can use curved scissors and/or a body reamer for big wheels or for extreme suspension travel. Also, check around other parts. They can prevent your body from fitting into place, especially on truck and buggy bodies.

Make Your Final Selection with Confidence

To get just the right body for your scale of RC, you have to mix technical details and your own preference. First, look for a body that has matching wheelbase and track width parameters. By doing this, you can be assured of compatibility from a technical standpoint. Polycarbonate is preferred for bashing, racing, and other applications that require impact resistance and are considered light materials. Hard plastic is preferred when creating a scale RC model, especially when designing a 1/10 scale RC model car. Hard plastics will be more ideal if details and realism are of more value than strength and resistance.