New JConcepts Reactor Retro Monster Truck Kits

Press Release From JConcepts:
www.jconcepts.net

The REACTOR, a true competition-inspired 1:10th JConcepts retro monster truck kit, offers enthusiasts a versatile platform to create iconic pieces from the past or present. Designed with engineering materials and detailed design elements, the REACTOR is built for competition, straight-line car crushing, U-turn courses, Chicago-style racing, and figure 8 track configurations.

Years of passion supporting retro monster trucks prompted the team from Groveland, Florida, to design an all-out turn-key chassis kit. The “WOLF” kit includes everything you would expect from a team kit and has already been Worked Over Left Faster for the end-consumer.

Bolt on a set of your favorite JConcepts tires and wheels, top it off with body and electrical components of your choice, and you’ll have a retro monster truck easier than ever – JConcepts style.

Why –

We occasionally get asked why a Retro Monster truck. This is a full-circle project for us, enabling Jason Ruona to go back to the roots of entering the hobby and introduce a vehicle platform with tremendous versatility. This vehicle and genre of the hobby combine materials and design elements from the off-road racing world together with the desire to build, decorate, and personalize a vehicle to appear like the real thing. The REACTOR can drive in a variety of terrain, making it fun, not just limited to a certain course or condition. Whenever you want to play, the REACTOR is ready.

Strengths –

The strength of the REACTOR is the ability to have an RC vehicle on standby, ready to crush, jump, skip, and bounce over terrain with ease. If you are in the mood to drive, not race, you can simply challenge yourself to control the beast, drive, and attempt slow-speed maneuvers using natural terrain as your palette. Create a quick course in a field, construction site, or in your backyard; the monster truck from JConcepts is ready. If organized competition is your thing, reach out to many of the RC Clubs available to search for side-by-side racing.

Speed –

Many RC cars are promoted by their overall speed, bashing ability, or reckless intent; the REACTOR is almost the opposite. The new truck from JConcepts can handle additional power, including brushless systems and high-power motors, but when it comes to monster trucks, more is not always better. Built to be in control, the recommended brushed power system, 27T brushed motors, brings the feeling back to the driver. This offers a lower cost entry point for electronics, allowing the driver to learn control and not just react to bashing until inevitable destruction of the vehicle.

What do I need –

The kit arrives as a sliding chassis build. This means it requires assembly but does not include body, tires, wheels, or electronics. We have provided a list of starter items we recommend using with this vehicle. We have a total of 11 different tread pattern tires and multiple compounds, and a multitude of different body shells available in 10.75” or 13.00” wheelbase options. Please see our top recommended items below which coordinate specifically to Stage 2 RC Monster Truck racing.

3377W                 Tribute - 2.6 x 3.6" Monster Truck wheel w/ adaptors (white) - 2pc.

3377B                   Tribute - 2.6 x 3.6" Monster Truck wheel w/ adaptors (black) - 2pc.

3377Y                   Tribute - 2.6 x 3.6" Monster Truck wheel w/ adaptors (yellow) - 2pc.

3377S                   Tribute - 2.6 x 3.6" Monster Truck wheel w/ adaptors (silver) - 2pc.

3169-01               Firestorm - Monster Truck tire - blue compound (Fits - #3377 2.6 x 3.6" MT wheel)

3169-05               Firestorm - Monster Truck tire - gold compound (Fits - #3377 2.6 x 3.6" MT wheel)

3183-01               Golden Years - Monster Truck tire - blue compound (Fits - #3377 2.6 x 3.6" MT wheel)

3183-05               Golden Years - Monster Truck tire - gold compound (Fits - #3377 2.6 x 3.6" MT wheel)

3195-01               Firestorm Full Cleat Monster Truck tire - blue compound (Fits - #3377 2.6 x 3.6" MT wheel)

5267                      JConcepts - 13awg wire 1m black, 1m red

9004                     JConcepts - Silent Speed, 27T, brushed fixed end bell competition motor

Reactor monster truck story:

JConcepts’ Jason Ruona finds himself in a full-circle moment with the release of the Reactor monster truck kit. Like many children of the 1980s, monster trucks were a huge passion for the founder of the RC company from Groveland, Florida. These larger-than-life vehicles created an unforgettable memory and fueled a lifelong passion for RC racing and product design.

From witnessing the King of the Monster Trucks in person to receiving the magical gift of a 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel steering monster in RC form, Jason has always been a hobbyist turned racer. After countless hours of backyard bashing and testing throughout the late 80s and early 90s, he naturally honed his craft and perfected the ultimate setup. Jason’s passion for performance was further ignited when he discovered 1:10th off-road racing in 1990.

Practice, training, testing, and tuning propelled Ruona to becoming a traveling RC pro racer in the 1990s. After experiencing successful RC racing ventures, it was time for a new chapter. Introduced to CAD design in the late 1990s, it became evident that a new path was unfolding. The J in Concepts was beginning to reveal a newfound talent for technical design, setting the stage for an exciting new direction.

JConcepts, founded in 2003, started with an Illuzion race body shell and the BJ4 competition 1:10th off-road 4wd buggy kit. In 2005, they achieved their first IFMAR World Championship victory with the cleverly designed BJ4 Worlds Edition vehicle in Collegno, Italy. In 2007, JConcepts introduced a new product line featuring racing tires, wheels, and accessories that revolutionized the RC racing industry. Ace drivers like Ryan Maifield further propelled the team’s success on the racetrack.

In 2015, JConcepts expanded its product range by introducing RC monster truck products. They debuted these new products at the International Monster Truck Hall of Fame, captivating the passionate RC monster truck community with innovative body shells, performance tire, and wheel options. JConcepts’ dedicated employees and personnel played a pivotal role in reviving the RC monster truck community, leading the way with groundbreaking concepts, innovations, and fundamental upgrades for the enthusiast.

In 2019, the team took another step in the RC monster truck game by designing and debuting a chassis conversion kit for the famed Clod Buster. In the hands of Jason Ruona and the talented JConcepts team, the Regulator conversion kit and behind-the-axle servo kit was a hit on the track and in the pits. Racers rushed to upgrade their trucks on the way to record-setting performances and victories. With an assortment of courses, surfaces, and obstacles to consider, the Regulator became the gold standard for Retro monster truck design and fabrication.

2022 began with the planning and execution of a new prototype retro monster truck for the JConcepts team. The Regulator 2 took several months to design, was very costly to prototype, and hand-building and fitting the first article was no easy task. The Reg2 incorporated a new gearbox design, Regulator 1 chassis layout, and electronics tray, with incorporated leaf springs to meet traditional monster truck “stage 2” standards. The Reg2 was tested at the 2022 Solid Axle Showdown by JConcepts drivers and showed promise in several aspects of its drivetrain and intricate steering system. The wheels of innovation were turning for the JConcepts team, but a re-design was on its way.

During 2023, the team started from scratch by combining learned data from previous-generation vehicle testing. The result, the REACTOR is named for its innovative gearbox stay and pivot assembly. The “reactive” nature of the gearbox pivot opens the door for a host of suspension packages, including leaf springs and coil-over shock assemblies. The motor-on-axle assembly (RE-MOA) was used to place the motor as low as possible. Also, the perpendicular motor positioning allows the vehicle to accelerate straight with no chassis torque or twist. In traditional “shafty” trucks, chassis torque is usually seen when a left front tire pulls up under hard acceleration.

In addition, the REACTOR gearbox assembly can alter the rotation of the gearbox simply by adding and moving idler gear components. In RC monster truck racing, the rear motor can now run in standard rotation and in the same direction as the front. This is especially helpful with brushless motors and for those wanting to alter timing adjustments the same as the front. The gearbox has a dual-pad slipper clutch which can be adjusted differently front and rear, providing just the correct amount of boost off the starting line.

The gearbox has a mix of metal, aluminum, and injection-molded gears to drive the power to the ground. The pitch of the gears runs quietly and smoothly, and the gearbox rolls over as smoothly as a 1:10th off-road buggy. The Reactor motor plate accepts brushed and brushless motors and allows adjustable movement for quick and easy gearing changes. The injection-molded gear cover fits over the plate and seals out the slipper, spur gear, and pinion gear from dirt and debris.

The Reactor monster truck features a bellcrank steering assembly which allows the power of the servo and steering geometry to turn and hold jumbo monster truck tires. A bellcrank steering system allows the truck to have optional and adjustable Ackerman while the smooth and predictable steering response allows the truck to steer in tight courses with precision. Heavy-duty steering blocks, aluminum caster blocks with pivoting and innovative caster adjustments offer a huge upgrade over anything previously offered. The Regulator is engineered to the highest expectations.

For the Retro monster truck enthusiast, it was important to incorporate a leaf spring suspension. A double shackled and pivoting rod-end system allows the assembly to follow the natural movement of the “reactive” nature of the gearbox stay. The combination of custom leaf springs, aluminum shackles, and injection molded rod-end system holds the gearbox in place without unnecessary slop or alignment issues. The nature of the system works well with single or double shocks mounted on each corner.

A sway bar system is designed to mount to the chassis structure and provide several benefits to a traditional assembly. The sway bar itself is captured by a unique 3-piece system, and the sway bar wire diameter is controlled by a holding set screw. JConcepts Certified Optional sway bar thickness will be offered, and the unique and clever system makes it easy to change at a moment’s notice. Note, it’s not always necessary to run a sway bar in retro competition, but, lucky for you, the JConcepts designers thought well into the future with this one. 

What would a truck be without shocks? The REACTOR is designed to have a total of 8 oil-filled shocks, built like a modern RC off-road racing vehicle. The bottom-load shocks incorporate dual O-rings, injection-molded spacers, and an aluminum seal cap. The all-aluminum shock body accepts any fluid but arrives in the kit with 30wt oil. Tunable shock pistons are included and secured to the polished shock shafts using M2 nylon nuts for a pro-level build quality. The shock caps are injection-molded, featuring a bleeding hole to build complete emulsion-style shock assemblies. Shock bottom eyelets are beefy, feature hard anodized pivot balls that snap into place and pivot freely for the best suspension movement. 

During development, it was critical to design around 3 different wheelbase configurations to match existing body shells on the market and driver preferences. The 10.75” carbon fiber chassis (kit part #9008) is the traditional tried-and-true length, which accepts a large assortment of bodies on the market and turns extremely well with just front-wheel steering. The handling and predictability of this wheelbase make it the standard setup track to track and really excels in those moments when a 180-degree corner pops up on the circuit.

For many, the 13.00” wheelbase (kit part #9009) just looks “right,” and with many different body shells already on the market, this setup makes it easy for the “scale builder” in all of us. The benefits of the longer wheelbase are long jump predictability and straight-line tracking ability. The long truck will always jump flatter, give the driver a little more time to react to abrupt take-offs and landings, while the fore-and-aft bouncing pattern happens at a slower pace than a shorter truck. The 13” wheelbase is available either as a complete kit (#9009) or as optional parts to convert a standard-length variation.

Not to be left out, the designers at JConcepts also designed in a short wheelbase configuration for those wanting to “cartoon out” their build or for those wanting to replicate mid-sized monster trucks from the 1980s. The 9.75” wheelbase short chassis and cradle rails are offered as JConcepts Certified Optional parts for those wanting to build out a shorty for competition or exhibition. Double down on the optional appearance and use JConcepts #4037 Golden 73’s tire and #3439 Tribute 73’s to get that jumbo cartoon look.

Body fit and finishing is never easy in the world of RC. While striving for that “stage 2” look, the JConcepts designers incorporated an extremely versatile roll-cage into the Reactor vehicle. With so many lengths to consider, body types, styles, cab, panel, and SUV configurations, the roll-cage needed to be adjustable in several ways. The team landed on 3 different height roll-cage parts to accommodate different cab heights and windshield angles. The entire cage, once assembled, will slide fore and aft, allowing users to place it where it’s needed on a case-by-case basis.

The connecting tubes, part of the entire structure, can be trimmed to the length of the chassis layout and configuration, making it all very user-friendly. Multiple body mounts are included and feature a large selection of adjustable heights and even feature the ability to adjust in half increments. At JConcepts, we want it to look right, work correctly, and perform at the highest level. Even extra-tall rear body posts are included for those builders wanting to adapt to panel truck or SUV body shells.

Battery positioning and packaging is critical in any vehicle. The Reactor places the battery at the lowest point in the chassis cradle, providing a relatively low center of gravity for a Retro RC monster truck. Designed to function with 2S “shorty” LiPo battery packs, the retro monster includes custom-molded rubber straps to secure the battery on both sides of the cradle, providing quick and secure battery changes. The electrical rests on injection-molded radio trays front and rear, providing plenty of footing for an assortment of differently styled and sized components.