RocHobby Ridge Racer U4 – RC Driver

If you happen to’re seeking to conquer tough terrain in true off-road fashion, the brand new RocHobby Ridge Racer U4 is perhaps your subsequent beast of a radio management machine. Provided by FMS and modeled after a Ford Bronco Ultra4 rig, this 1/7-scale RC crawler/desert racer hybrid is constructed for critical efficiency. It comes brushless-ready, runs on 6S LiPo energy, and arrives geared up with rugged particulars, scale options, and trail-taming {hardware} all through.

PRODUCT FEATURED
ROCHobby Ridge Racer U4
By: FMS Mannequin
Package Kind: Prepared To Run 1/7 Electrical 4×4 Truck
Half Quantity: ROC10701RSBU
Worth: $549.99
Purchase: https://bit.ly/49Ja356
Requires: Two 2S or Two 3S LiPo Batteries, charger and 4 AA’s
Go to FMS: https://bit.ly/3UWpY8t
Instructed Gear:
Battery Choices- https://alnk.to/7BgpHBY
Hitec RDX2 800 Charger- https://alnk.to/biukiJ9

On this assessment, we’ll break down all the large options of the Ridge Racer U4 so you may determine if this large-scale 4WD rig belongs in your RC storage. We’ll cowl the Physique, Chassis, Steering, Suspension, Drivetrain, and Electronics. Whether or not you’re into scale realism, high-speed desert bashing, or simply need one thing that turns heads, learn on.

Physique: Scale Element Meets Performance
The Ridge Racer U4 instantly catches your eye with its Ford Bronco-inspired physique, styled like an Ultra4 4400 race truck. It incorporates a one-piece Lexan shell secured to an inside roll cage for structural rigidity. A tilt-up mechanism provides you entry to the battery with out eradicating the physique utterly, though full elimination requires disconnecting the sway bar and limiting straps within the rear.

Scale fans will recognize touches just like the working LED mild bars, detailed Lexan inside, and a molded driver helmet. A full-size spare tire mounts to the rear, reinforcing the Ultra4 look. The rear cage locks into the physique for a comfortable match, serving to remove awkward flexing within the physique panels.

Chassis: Constructed for Abuse
Underneath the physique, the Ridge Racer’s format follows the everyday desert racer platform, just like fashions just like the Losi Baja Rey or Traxxas UDR. Nonetheless, Rock Passion steps it up with a 3mm thick aluminum chassis plate, aluminum bracing entrance and rear, and a beneficiant battery tray that accommodates stacked 3S packs for 6S working.

Every part is countersunk and bolstered, together with aluminum high plates and heavy-duty brace plates. There’s even a metallic middle differential housing. One draw back: the manufacturing facility {hardware} could be overtightened — one screw needed to be drilled out throughout disassembly. That mentioned, the platform general is clear, accessible, and seemingly simple to wrench on.

Steering: Robust, however Look ahead to Flex
Steering duties are dealt with by a 30kg high-torque servo mounted up entrance utilizing easy vertical posts. It connects to a twin bellcrank steering system with a built-in servo saver and adjustable tie rods.

Whereas the servo is large, it’s mounted with solely two 2mm screws, which allowed for a little bit of flex till tightened. The system provides a large steering angle due to CV-style entrance driveshafts, and you’ll convert to a standard-size servo with the included {hardware} if desired.

Suspension, Wheels & Tires: Path-Tuned Articulation
The Ridge Racer U4 sports activities an unbiased entrance suspension and a strong rear axle with trailing arms, mimicking real-world Ultra4 setups. Every nook incorporates a dual-shock association — a major oil-filled shock with threaded our bodies and adjustable collars, and a secondary slave shock for added damping.

The arms have good sweep and clearance, and the sway bars entrance and rear assist with stability. The rear suspension consists of huge metallic higher hyperlinks, composite trailing arms, and dealing limiting straps. The one concern is the small tab securing the rear axle pivot, which can be a possible weak level below excessive stress.

The wheels trip on 17mm hexes and put on aggressive desert-style tires with a tough compound and agency inserts. Whereas the compound is sturdy, it’d lack chunk on some surfaces — extra on that within the efficiency assessment. Nonetheless, they appear the half and may do nicely in sand or hardpack.

Drivetrain: Heavy-Responsibility Energy Supply
This 4WD monster makes use of entrance, middle, and rear gear differentials — all with metallic gears. The middle diff is very noteworthy, housed in machined aluminum to deal with the warmth of 6S energy. A metallic spur gear, sealed bearings, and spiral-cut gears all level to a sturdy, thought-out design.

Up entrance, CV axles present steering vary, whereas dogbones carry energy to the rear. The rear axle meeting is a multi-piece unit with beefy 3mm and a pair of.5mm screws. A number of experiences of middle diff oil leakage recommend models might need been assembled way back and needs to be checked earlier than heavy use — a minor upkeep concern, not a deal breaker.

Electronics: Muscle The place It Counts
The Ridge Racer is loaded with Hobbywing energy: a Max8 150A ESC paired with a 4274 1600kV brushless motor. It makes use of EC5 connectors and helps twin battery leads — no jumper included, so that you’ll want two 3S packs for 6S motion except you modify the wiring.

The ESC has a cooling fan and fundamental programmability. The motor lacks a fan however is secured to a machined aluminum mount built-in with the middle diff. A 6-channel receiver sits sealed in a water-proof field, and the radio system — whereas purposeful — incorporates a fundamental plastic wheel and toggle trim settings hidden below a flip-up cowl.

Efficiency Report: Large Energy, Large Enjoyable within the Sand
After ready out a number of snowstorms and chilly snaps, I lastly bought the Rock Passion Ridge Racer U4 into the wild—and it didn’t disappoint. Testing it on a frigid 30-degree day with mushy, unfastened sand made for an awesome sturdiness verify and a critical problem for any RC rig. The Ridge Racer dealt with it with stunning confidence.

Proper off the bat, this 6S-powered beast felt immensely highly effective. The tires dug into the sand, throwing huge rooster tails and demanding some throttle management throughout tight turns because of the automobile’s weight and weight switch traits. It’s undoubtedly a rig that rewards finesse, however when pointed straight, it launches with authority and catches air with ease.

Watching the trailing arm suspension with twin shocks per nook cycle by means of tough terrain was extremely satisfying. It soaks up bumps and landings like a real desert racer. Nonetheless, below onerous throttle, I seen the middle differential was a bit mild on oil, leading to extreme energy switch to the entrance wheels. Heavier middle diff fluid would possible enhance the driving really feel considerably.

As for velocity, it’s bought strong top-end efficiency. It feels quick, balanced, and planted, although including a tooth or two to the pinion may assist squeeze extra from it on open terrain.

Regardless of a number of tumbles and aggressive runs, the Ridge Racer got here away largely unscathed. The onerous tires didn’t balloon, however nonetheless offered sufficient grip to carry their line, even within the difficult sand. Some minor rollovers occurred, however the inside cage and rugged physique stored every little thing intact—no main breakages or surprises.

Conclusion: A Severe Desert Rig Price Contemplating
The Rock Passion Ridge Racer U4 was completely definitely worth the wait. It delivers a real desert truck expertise—full with satisfying suspension motion, glorious energy, and an aggressive scale look. From LED lighting and a full-size spare tire to the purposeful trailing arm suspension and 6S brushless punch, this truck checks a variety of bins.

Is it higher than the Traxxas UDR or Losi Baja Rey? That relies upon. The UDR retails round $750 and the Baja Rey nearer to $550, however solely helps 3S energy. In distinction, the Ridge Racer runs 6S and is available in at simply round $550, making it a superb worth within the large-scale off-road phase.

There are a number of caveats: the middle differential oil wants upgrading, the battery tray doesn’t accommodate normal twin 3S 5000mAh packs, and aftermarket assist is at the moment restricted in comparison with the big-name rivals. Nonetheless, FMS is actively supporting the platform—even providing elements reductions if replacements aren’t out there, a serious plus for patrons involved about long-term serviceability.

In brief, in case you’re after an reasonably priced, high-performance, scale-looking desert truck that stands out from the group, the Ridge Racer U4 deserves a critical look. It’s quick, enjoyable, and rugged—precisely what you need in a 1/7-scale Ultra4 rig.

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