The Axial SCX30: Exploring The Latest Sub-Micro Rock Crawler

Paul Onorato December 31, 2025 Stories

THREE ICONIC RIGS

While every Axial SCX30 shares the same high-performance, forward-weight-biased chassis, the three available versions offer more than just a different look. Axial has worked closely with Ford, Jeep, and Chevrolet to ensure that each sub-micro rig captures the essence of its full-sized counterpart.

The Axial SCX30: Exploring The Latest Sub-Micro Rock Crawler

SCX30 Ford Bronco—#AXI-2048

The Ford Bronco version is often the first choice for fans of modern off-roading. It features a beautifully molded ABS hard body with a high level of scale detail, including a distinct front grille, front and rear LED lights and a scale tire carrier. Out of the box, the Bronco is equipped with officially licensed Mickey Thompson Baja Boss tires on ICON Nuevo wheels. This combination offers a great balance of scale looks and versatile performance, making it a fantastic “all-rounder” for varied indoor terrain.

SCX30 Jeep Wrangler JLU—#AXI-2261

For those who want the ultimate “overland” look, the Jeep Wrangler JLU is the standout. What sets this version apart is the incredible array of included scale accessories. It comes factory-fitted with a molded roof rack with 8-light light bar and a suite of trail gear, including recovery boards, a shovel, and a jack. To match its rugged aesthetic, it sits on officially licensed Yokomo Geolander X-MT tires mounted on officially licensed Black Rhino Atlas wheels and is fitted with functioning front and rear LED lights.

SCX30 Chevrolet K10—#AXI-2260

The latest addition to the lineup is the Chevrolet K10, bringing a vintage 1970s vibe to the Axial SCX30 platform. This model is a favorite for fans of classic “square-body” trucks, featuring a highly detailed bed with a molded roll bar. Interestingly, the K10 often feels slightly more nimble on the rocks due to its specific weight distribution and a slightly updated 65T motor that provides smooth, low-end torque. It rolls on classic chrome 5-slot mag wheels wrapped with officially licensed Interco Super Swamper tires, giving it a showroom-fresh look that is almost too pretty to get dirty—until you see how well it climbs. Like the other two trucks, Axial outfitted the K10 with front and rear LEDs as well.

ABOUT THE SCX30 CHASSIS

Chassis

The magic of the SCX30 platform lies in its “blank-sheet” chassis design. Rather than simply shrinking down the popular SCX24, Axial engineered a new composite frame specifically for the 1/30-scale footprint and made sure it was big on performance. The standout feature is the transverse motor mount, which positions the motor sideways. This layout shifts the weight further forward over the front wheels, providing the “bite” needed to pull the truck up vertical faces that would stall out other micro-crawlers. Other high-performance features include the angled skid plate to help you slide over harsh obstacles. Ramped axle housings and high-clearance links also help to avoid dragging and hangups, while forward weight bias improves climbing stability.

Suspension

Supporting this chassis is a sophisticated triangulated 4-link suspension system in both the front and rear. This setup is designed to minimize axle steer and provide the massive amount of articulation required to keep all four tires on the ground over uneven terrain. To manage the bumps, Axial utilizes coil-over shocks that are tuned to balance scale looks with technical performance. The suspension geometry allows the axles to twist and flex significantly, meaning you can navigate “macro” obstacles like coffee mugs or TV remotes without high-centering the chassis.

Drivetrain

The drivetrain is equally impressive, featuring a 3-gear transmission that sends power to the axles via a metal worm-gear drive system. This setup provides a massive amount of low-end torque and serves as a natural drag brake; when you let off the throttle on a steep kitchen-counter incline, the truck stays locked in place. To ensure smooth operation and longevity, Axial outfitted the entire drivetrain with sealed ball bearings, a premium touch rarely seen in vehicles of this size. Powering the drivetrain is a Axial 88T brushed motor which is used on the Ford and Jeep while the Chevy comes with a Axial 65T brushed motor.

Electronics

The “Ready-to-Run” experience is powered by a suite of Spektrum components custom-tuned for the SCX30’s unique gear ratios. At the heart of the system is a compact 2-in-1 ESC/Receiver that offers ultra-fine throttle modulation, allowing you to creep over technical obstacles with surgical precision. Steering is handled by a high-torque SX112 micro servo that provides the muscle needed to navigate tight rock crevices. To keep the adventure going, the truck includes a Spektrum 7.4V Smart LiPo battery and USB-C charger, offering up to 30 minutes of run time and automated cell health management. Everything is controlled via the ergonomic SLT2 transmitter, which includes a handy throttle-limiting switch for beginners and expert-level response for seasoned drivers.

THE ULITIMATE PERFORMANCE BOOST: PRO-LINE AFTERMARKET TIRES

In the world of micro-crawling, tires are the single most important upgrade you can make. While the stock rubber is capable, moving to a Pro-Line sticky compound can completely transform how your SCX30 handles steep inclines and slick surfaces. Pro-Line offers three distinct pre-mounted options, each designed to excel in different environments while providing a significant boost in “mechanical grip.”

Pro-Line BFG Krawler T/A KX mounted tires—#PRO1030610

The BFGoodrich Krawler T/A KX is a legendary name in full-scale rock crawling, and this 1/30-scale version captures every detail. These come pre-mounted on Black Icon Nuevo wheels and are designed to be a direct performance replacement for the stock tire size. Utilizing Pro-Line’s proprietary sticky compound, the Krawler features an aggressive tread pattern with large lugs that wrap around the sidewall. This is the ideal “all-around” tire for those who want to maintain the truck’s original scale look while gaining a massive advantage in traction on technical rock lines.

Pro-Line Mickey Thompson Baja Pro X mounted tires —#PRO1025110

If you are looking for a more aggressive, “chunky” aesthetic, the Mickey Thompson Baja Pro X is the answer. These tires come pre-mounted on retro-style 8-hole Chrome Beast wheels, giving your truck a classic off-road appearance. While they maintain a similar height to the stock tires, they are noticeably wider, providing a broader contact patch for better stability on off-camber sections. The tread is highly specialized, featuring “mud scoops” and “sidebiters” that help the truck claw its way out of tight crevices. This is the go-to tire for drivers who want their SCX30 to feel planted and stable on uneven indoor terrain.

Pro-Line Aztek mounted tires —#PRO1031910

For the driver who wants to push the SCX30 to its absolute limit, the Pro-Line Aztek is the high-performance choice. These are the largest tires in the lineup, featuring a significantly increased diameter and width compared to stock. Mounted on Black Clobber wheels, the Aztek uses a unique chevron-shaped tread and a honeycomb-reinforced carcass that prevents the sidewalls from folding over during heavy side-hilling. Because of their larger size, they provide much-needed ground clearance for clearing “oversized” obstacles, though they are most effective when paired with a slight suspension lift to prevent body rub.

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