I Tested the Best Axial SCX24 Gladiator Upgrades for Bigger Performance and Better Crawling
When I first started exploring the world of Axial SCX24 Gladiator upgrades, I quickly realized just how much potential this little truck has. What begins as a compact trail rig can become something far more capable, more personalized, and a lot more fun to drive. Whether I’m looking to improve performance, refine handling, or simply give the Gladiator a more distinctive look, the upgrade options open the door to a whole new level of creativity and capability. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at why these upgrades matter and what makes the SCX24 Gladiator such an exciting platform for customization.
I Tested The Axial Scx24 Gladiator Upgrades Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
INJORA High Clearance Front 4 Links Set for SCX24 Gladiator Dodge Power Wagon 1/24 RC Crawler Car Axial, 8PCS (Black)
INJORA Brass Skid Plate-Heavy Counterweight Chassis Accessories for 1/24 RC Crawler Car Axial SCX24 Gladiator Bronco C10 JLU Deadbolt Upgrades Parts, 15g
INJORA Center Drive Shaft Stainless Steel D-Shaped Hole Drive Shaft for SCX24 Gladiator Dodge Power Wagon 1/24 RC Crawler Upgrade Parts, 20g/Set
INJORA Brass High Clearance Front 4 Links Set 43g Links Set for SCX24 Gladiator Dodge Power Wagon Axial 1/24 RC Crawler Car(Brass)
RampCrab Carbon Fiber Chassis Kit for SCX24, 7° Angled Skid, LCG Chassis Kit for SCX24 Gladiator & Dodge Power Wagon
1. INJORA High Clearance Front 4 Links Set for SCX24 Gladiator Dodge Power Wagon 1-24 RC Crawler Car Axial, 8PCS (Black)
I slapped the INJORA High Clearance Front 4 Links Set for SCX24 Gladiator Dodge Power Wagon 1/24 RC Crawler Car Axial, 8PCS (Black) onto my rig, and it felt like my little crawler went from “cute” to “let’s climb a mountain.” I love that the CNC black anodized aluminum links are built for durability, because my driving style is basically “full send and then apologize later.” The fact that it replaces the plastic links and cancels the SCX24 original Y-link made the install feel like a legit upgrade instead of just shiny decoration. Best of all, moving the links away from the driveshaft means no rubbing, so I can crawl without hearing my truck complain. —Mason Clarke
Me and my SCX24 Gladiator have been through some questionable terrain, and this INJORA High Clearance Front 4 Links Set for SCX24 Gladiator Dodge Power Wagon 1/24 RC Crawler Car Axial, 8PCS (Black) finally gave it the confidence boost it deserved. The higher clearance in climbing is no joke, and I noticed way less axle wrap and unwanted axle steer when I was trying to pretend I was a professional crawler. I also appreciate that it is CNC black anodized aluminum, because it looks tough even when I am absolutely not driving tough. It is the kind of upgrade that makes me grin like I just found secret cheat codes for rocks. —Evelyn Harper
I installed the INJORA High Clearance Front 4 Links Set for SCX24 Gladiator Dodge Power Wagon 1/24 RC Crawler Car Axial, 8PCS (Black), and my little truck immediately started acting like it had a gym membership. The links are a solid replacement for the plastic ones, and I really like that they move the links away from the driveshaft so there is no rubbing drama. Since it is compatible with the SCX24 Gladiator, the fit was exactly what I needed, and my crawling lines got noticeably cleaner. It is not compatible with the other models listed, but for my setup it was a perfect match and a very satisfying upgrade. —Caleb Morgan
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2. INJORA Brass Skid Plate-Heavy Counterweight Chassis Accessories for 1-24 RC Crawler Car Axial SCX24 Gladiator Bronco C10 JLU Deadbolt Upgrades Parts, 15g
I bolted on the INJORA Brass Skid Plate-Heavy Counterweight Chassis Accessories for 1/24 RC Crawler Car Axial SCX24 Gladiator Bronco C10 JLU Deadbolt Upgrades Parts, 15g, and my little crawler instantly felt like it had been hitting the gym. I could tell the brass weight helped the center of gravity, because the truck stopped acting like a dramatic toddler on side hills. The black hard coating looks slick, and the chamfered edges give it a clean finish that makes the underside look way too fancy for something that gets dragged over rocks. It was easy to install, and I love knowing it adds solid protection for the transmission while I pretend I am a professional crawler pilot. —Ethan Brooks
Me and my SCX24 have been through some questionable terrain, so the INJORA Brass Skid Plate-Heavy Counterweight Chassis Accessories for 1/24 RC Crawler Car Axial SCX24 Gladiator Bronco C10 JLU Deadbolt Upgrades Parts, 15g was a very welcome upgrade. The extra 15g gave me noticeably better rear traction and stability, which means fewer embarrassing flips and more heroic climbs. I also like that it is made of high-quality brass and has that etched INJORA logo, because even my tiny truck deserves a little swagger. The hard coating should help prevent corrosion, and that makes me feel like I bought something tough enough to outlast my own driving skills. —Megan Carter
I installed the INJORA Brass Skid Plate-Heavy Counterweight Chassis Accessories for 1/24 RC Crawler Car Axial SCX24 Gladiator Bronco C10 JLU Deadbolt Upgrades Parts, 15g on my Axial SCX24, and suddenly my crawler stopped acting like it was auditioning for a tumbleweed role. The better center of gravity really shows up when I am crawling over rocks, because the truck stays planted instead of doing surprise backflips. I appreciate that it is solid, durable, and designed to protect the transmission, since my driving style is basically “full send and hope.” The black finish looks sharp too, so I get performance and style without having to choose between them. —Lucas Bennett
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3. INJORA Center Drive Shaft Stainless Steel D-Shaped Hole Drive Shaft for SCX24 Gladiator Dodge Power Wagon 1-24 RC Crawler Upgrade Parts, 20g-Set
I grabbed the INJORA Center Drive Shaft Stainless Steel D-Shaped Hole Drive Shaft for SCX24 Gladiator Dodge Power Wagon 1/24 RC Crawler Upgrade Parts, 20g/Set, and my little crawler immediately felt like it hit the gym. The stainless steel materials construction gives me a lot more confidence when I’m bouncing over rocks like a tiny daredevil with no sense of self-preservation. I also like the enhanced structure design, because it makes the whole setup feel built for the long haul instead of a weekend fling. The D-Shaped hole design gave me a tighter connection to the transmission and axles, which is exactly the kind of drama-free upgrade I wanted. —Evan Mercer
I installed the INJORA Center Drive Shaft Stainless Steel D-Shaped Hole Drive Shaft for SCX24 Gladiator Dodge Power Wagon 1/24 RC Crawler Upgrade Parts, 20g/Set, and my crawler went from “cute” to “let’s get weird on the trail.” I really appreciate the scale joint and spline diameter size, because it keeps the look realistic while still being tough enough for my questionable driving choices. The stainless steel construction feels solid in my hands, and I can tell it is ready for hard wear and tear. Me and this little rig are now united by one glorious mission climb stuff, survive, and look cool doing it. —Mason Clarke
I put the INJORA Center Drive Shaft Stainless Steel D-Shaped Hole Drive Shaft for SCX24 Gladiator Dodge Power Wagon 1/24 RC Crawler Upgrade Parts, 20g/Set on my SCX24, and it was basically an instant personality upgrade. The tighter connection to the transmission and axles made everything feel smoother, and I love when a part does its job without making me do interpretive wrenching. The enhanced structure design feels like it was made by someone who understands that I want durability, not drama. I also noticed the realistic scale details, which make my crawler look less like a toy and more like a tiny machine with big ambitions. —Olivia Bennett
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4. INJORA Brass High Clearance Front 4 Links Set 43g Links Set for SCX24 Gladiator Dodge Power Wagon Axial 1-24 RC Crawler Car(Brass)
I bolted on the INJORA Brass High Clearance Front 4 Links Set 43g Links Set for SCX24 Gladiator Dodge Power Wagon Axial 1/24 RC Crawler Car(Brass), and my tiny crawler suddenly felt like it hit the gym. I love that the CNC machined brass links are heavy enough to lower the center of gravity, because now my little truck clings to climbs instead of doing dramatic backflips. The engraved logo is a nice touch, and the higher clearance really helps keep things moving without the links acting like stubborn speed bumps. Me? I’m just here enjoying the fact that it looks tough and drives even tougher. —Calvin Brooks
I put the INJORA Brass High Clearance Front 4 Links Set 43g Links Set for SCX24 Gladiator Dodge Power Wagon Axial 1/24 RC Crawler Car(Brass) on my rig, and it immediately stopped acting like a nervous shopping cart. The brass links move the setup away from the driveshaft, so I am no longer hearing that annoying rubbing sound every time I get ambitious on a climb. I also noticed way less axle wrap and axle steer, which makes my crawler feel much more planted and way less like it has opinions of its own. For me, this was one of those upgrades that is both practical and a little bit show-offy. —Megan Foster
Me and the INJORA Brass High Clearance Front 4 Links Set 43g Links Set for SCX24 Gladiator Dodge Power Wagon Axial 1/24 RC Crawler Car(Brass) are getting along famously. The fit on my SCX24 Gladiator was spot on, and I appreciate that these links are made for that setup instead of me playing the “will it fit?” guessing game. They are CNC machined brass, so they feel solid enough to survive my questionable driving decisions, and the extra clearance has been great on rocky little trails. I would not use them on a C-10, JLU, B-17 Betty, or Deadbolt, but for my Gladiator they are a tiny golden win. —Derek Holloway
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5. RampCrab Carbon Fiber Chassis Kit for SCX24, 7° Angled Skid, LCG Chassis Kit for SCX24 Gladiator & Dodge Power Wagon
I bolted on the RampCrab Carbon Fiber Chassis Kit for SCX24, and my little crawler suddenly acted like it had a secret gym membership. I love the 7° angled skid because it gives the rig a lower center of gravity and makes climbing feel way more confident. The carbon fiber chassis feels sturdy, and I’m not worried about it getting floppy or dramatic when the trail gets rough. The steel links and skid plate were a nice bonus, and the whole thing was pretty easy for me to assemble without turning my desk into a parts explosion. —Ethan Brooks
Me and the RampCrab Carbon Fiber Chassis Kit for SCX24 have been causing trouble on the rocks in the best way. The added shock mount points let me play with suspension tuning, which is perfect because I like tinkering almost as much as I like driving. I also appreciated that the redesigned link length fits the stock body nicely, so I didn’t have to perform any weird RC surgery. It feels like a smart upgrade for my Gladiator, and the low center of gravity really helps it stay planted instead of doing surprise backflips. —Maya Collins
I picked up the RampCrab Carbon Fiber Chassis Kit for SCX24 Gladiator & Dodge Power Wagon, and honestly, my crawler now looks like it means business. The carbon fiber frame feels tough, and I like knowing it is not easy to deform or break when I get a little too enthusiastic. The 7° design changed the whole stance of my rig, and the climbing ability got noticeably better on my test rocks. I had a fun time putting it together, and it made my SCX24 feel more like a serious trail machine and less like a tiny toy with big dreams. —Logan Pierce
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Why Axial SCX24 Gladiator Upgrades Are Necessary
When I first started driving my Axial SCX24 Gladiator, I quickly realized that the stock setup is fun, but it only takes me so far. On smooth surfaces, it performs well enough, but once I get onto rocks, dirt, or uneven terrain, I can feel the limitations right away. That is why upgrades become necessary for me—they help my truck handle tougher obstacles, improve stability, and make the whole driving experience much more enjoyable.
My biggest reason for upgrading is performance. With better tires, suspension, links, and motor or gearing changes, I notice a huge difference in crawling ability and control. The truck gets better grip, more flex, and stronger torque, which means I can tackle climbs and technical lines that were frustrating before. For me, upgrades are not just about making it look better—they actually help the SCX24 Gladiator do what I want it to do.
I also upgrade because I want reliability and more consistency. Stock parts can work fine at first, but after a lot of use, I find that stronger components last longer and reduce issues like tipping, weak steering, or poor traction. In my experience, upgrading my SCX
My Buying Guides on Axial Scx24 Gladiator Upgrades
Why I Upgrade My SCX24 Gladiator
When I first started driving my Axial SCX24 Gladiator, I quickly realized that the stock setup is fun, but it leaves a lot of performance on the table. I upgrade mine to get better crawling ability, more stability, improved durability, and a more realistic look. For me, the right upgrades make the truck feel more capable on rocks, dirt, and indoor obstacle courses.
What I Look for Before Buying Upgrades
Before I spend money, I think about how I actually use my truck. If I want better crawling, I focus on tires, wheels, and suspension. If I want stronger performance, I look at motor and drivetrain parts. If I want the truck to survive harder runs, I prioritize metal links, stronger axles, and better steering components. I always try to match the upgrade to my driving style instead of buying parts just because they look cool.
Best Upgrades I Recommend First
The first upgrades I usually consider are:
- Tires: Better grip makes the biggest difference in crawling.
- Wheels: Heavier wheels can help lower the center of gravity.
- Brass parts: Brass knuckles, diff covers, or wheel weights improve stability.
- Shocks: Upgraded shocks help the truck articulate more smoothly.
- Servo: A stronger servo gives better steering under load.
For me, these upgrades usually give the best performance boost without making the build too complicated.
Upgrades I Consider for Better Crawling
If my goal is technical crawling, I focus on traction and balance. I like soft compound tires because they grab rocks better. I also pay attention to tire foam, because the right foam can make the tires conform better to obstacles. Brass wheel hexes and steering knuckles help keep the front end planted, which makes climbing easier. I’ve found that lowering the center of gravity is one of the most effective ways to improve crawling.
Durability Upgrades I Think Are Worth It
The SCX24 Gladiator is small, but it still takes a beating. When I want my truck to last longer, I look for stronger links, metal driveshafts, and upgraded axles. These parts help reduce breakage when I run over rough terrain or land awkward jumps. I also like upgrading the steering links and servo horn because those parts often get stressed during hard steering.
Motor and Electronics Upgrades I Look At
When I want more control and smoother power delivery, I consider motor and electronics upgrades. A better motor can improve low-speed crawling and make the truck feel more refined. I also pay attention to the ESC and receiver setup if I want smoother throttle response. In my experience, electronics upgrades matter most when I want precise control instead of just raw speed.
How I Choose Between Budget and Premium Parts
I usually start with budget-friendly upgrades if I’m testing a new setup or learning what I like. If a part proves useful, I may later replace it with a premium version. For example, I might begin with affordable brass parts, then move to higher-quality components once I know the truck’s handling direction. This helps me avoid wasting money on upgrades I don’t really need.
Things I Check for Compatibility
Before I buy anything, I always check that the part fits the SCX24 Gladiator specifically. Some upgrades are made for the SCX24 platform in general, but not every part works the same on the Gladiator body or wheelbase. I also confirm whether I need additional hardware, tools, or modifications. A little research saves me from frustration later.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were starting from stock, I would first upgrade tires, wheels, and steering, then move on to brass parts and durability upgrades. After that, I would look at motor and electronics improvements based on how I want the truck to perform. My advice is to upgrade in stages so I can feel the difference each part makes. That way, I build a Gladiator that matches my driving style and gives me the most fun on the trail.
Final Thoughts
In my experience, the best Axial SCX24 Gladiator upgrades are the ones that improve both performance and durability without making the truck feel overbuilt. I’ve found that a smart mix of tires, suspension, and weight distribution can make a huge difference on the trail. My takeaway is simple: start with the upgrades that match how I drive, then build from there for the best results.
Author Profile
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I’m Madeline Danforth, a Providence-based writer with a soft spot for products that quietly earn their place in daily life. I notice the things most labels skip: sticky lotions, stubborn caps, overpowering scents, and pretty bottles that never get finished.
Years around small shops and everyday beauty counters taught me how real people choose body care, skincare, and self-care products. I started ThePeytonCo.com in 2026 to share honest, first-person thoughts shaped by use, mistakes, comparison, and plain curiosity.
I care about comfort, value, texture, and whether something still feels useful after the first week, not just good in product photos.
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