Overview
The FTX Tracer Aluminium Front Shock Tower (FTX9801) is a premium upgrade component designed for the FTX Tracer 1/16 scale RC monster truck and truggy platform. This high-quality aluminium replacement part is engineered to enhance the durability and performance of your RC car, making it an essential upgrade for enthusiasts who demand reliability and precision engineering. Whether you're a seasoned RC basher or new to the world of RC hobby vehicles, this chassis component represents a significant improvement over standard plastic alternatives, offering greater strength and longevity for intensive off-road use.
Available in the UK through RC Model Shop, the FTX Tracer Aluminium Front Shock Tower is compatible with a comprehensive range of FTX Tracer variants and BlackZon Slyder models, making it a versatile upgrade option for multiple 1/16th scale 4WD platforms. The part integrates seamlessly with existing Tracer setups, whether you're running a brushed or brushless configuration. This component is particularly valued by RC enthusiasts who regularly bash their vehicles in challenging terrain and require components that can withstand repeated impacts and aggressive driving styles.
For RC hobbyists in the UK looking to enhance their Tracer's structural integrity and suspension performance, investing in aluminium upgrade parts like the FTX9801 is a proven way to extend vehicle lifespan whilst maintaining excellent handling characteristics. This front shock tower plays a critical role in the suspension geometry and chassis stiffness, directly affecting how your ready to run RC vehicle responds to terrain changes and impacts during high-speed runs.
Key Features
- Aluminium Construction — Manufactured from high-grade aluminium alloy, this front shock tower provides superior strength and rigidity compared to standard plastic components, ensuring the suspension mounting points remain perfectly aligned even during aggressive driving and impacts typical of RC hobby use.
- Direct Replacement Design — This component is engineered as a direct fit for the FTX Tracer platform, requiring no modifications to your existing chassis or suspension setup, making installation straightforward for RC enthusiasts of all experience levels.
- Enhanced Durability — Aluminium's inherent properties provide greater resistance to cracking and stress fractures, meaning this shock tower will outlast plastic alternatives and maintain structural integrity through countless bash sessions and competitive racing scenarios.
- Improved Suspension Performance — By maintaining precise chassis geometry and reducing flex in the suspension mounting structure, this aluminium tower helps optimise shock absorber function and overall handling characteristics of your 1/16 scale RC vehicle.
- Broad Compatibility — Compatible with the entire FTX Tracer range including brushed and brushless models, as well as BlackZon Slyder 1/16th 4WD variants, providing flexibility whether you own a monster truck or truggy configuration.
- Professional-Grade Component — This is a genuine FTX OEM part manufactured to strict quality standards, ensuring perfect fitment and reliable performance as part of your RC car upgrade programme.
Technical Performance
The FTX Tracer Aluminium Front Shock Tower represents a significant engineering improvement over the standard plastic component supplied with many RTR (ready to run) Tracer models. Aluminium's superior material properties deliver approximately 3-4 times greater rigidity than reinforced plastic, which translates directly to better suspension geometry maintenance under load and during high-G cornering. The component is precision-engineered to exact OEM specifications, ensuring that mounting points for the shock absorbers, suspension arms, and steering linkages remain perfectly aligned throughout extended running sessions. This dimensional accuracy is critical because even minor deflection in the shock tower can introduce handling inconsistencies and cause premature wear on suspension bushings and shock absorber seals. The aluminium alloy used in this component is specifically selected for its combination of lightweight properties and exceptional strength, ensuring your RC car doesn't experience weight penalty whilst gaining substantial structural benefits. For users who regularly upgrade their Tracer with additional performance components such as brushless motors, metal differentials, and metal driveshafts, installing the aluminium front shock tower creates a properly balanced upgrade platform that can fully utilise the increased power and torque available from modern brushless powertrains.
What's in the Box
- FTX Tracer Aluminium Front Shock Tower
What You Need to Complete
- Compatible FTX Tracer 1/16 RTR model or BlackZon Slyder 1/16 4WD vehicle
- Standard RC car tools for suspension component installation
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the FTX Tracer Aluminium Front Shock Tower suitable for beginners? — Yes, this is an ideal first upgrade for new RC hobbyists because installation is straightforward (it's a direct replacement part) and the durability improvement immediately reduces the likelihood of suspension damage during learning curves. Even if you're new to RC car upgrades, installing this component requires only basic tools and minimal mechanical knowledge.
- What FTX Tracer models is this front shock tower compatible with? — The FTX9801 is compatible with all FTX Tracer 1/16 RTR models in both brushed and brushless configurations, as well as the entire BlackZon Slyder range including the Slyder MT (monster truck) and Slyder ST (stadium truck) variants in all available colours.
- Will this aluminium shock tower improve my Tracer's performance? — Yes, by maintaining precise suspension geometry and reducing chassis flex, this component directly improves handling consistency, shock absorber effectiveness, and overall vehicle responsiveness. You'll notice improved cornering stability and more predictable suspension behaviour, particularly when running at high speeds or on rough terrain.
- Can I install this myself or do I need professional help? — Installation is simple enough for home RC hobbyists. The component is a direct replacement that requires removing the original plastic shock tower and installing the aluminium version in its place using existing fasteners. Most users complete this upgrade in under 30 minutes with basic RC car tools.
- Is this part recommended for competitive RC racing? — Absolutely. Many competitive RC racers use aluminium upgrade components like this front shock tower specifically because the improved chassis rigidity provides more consistent handling characteristics, which is essential for competitive performance. The dimensional accuracy of OEM aluminium parts ensures your vehicle performs reliably across multiple race runs.
- How much weight does the aluminium shock tower add to my Tracer? — The weight difference between plastic and aluminium components is negligible on a 1/16 scale RC car, and the rigidity benefits far outweigh any marginal weight increase. Most users consider the durability advantage worth any minimal weight penalty.
Why Buy from RC Model Shop?
RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the FTX Tracer Aluminium Front Shock Tower FTX9801 today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.
- Brand: FTX
- Model Number: FTX9801
- Part Name: Aluminium Front Shock Tower
- Part Type: Chassis component / Suspension upgrade
- Material: Aluminium alloy
- Scale: 1/16
- Compatibility: FTX Tracer 1/16 4WD RTR (brushed and brushless), BlackZon Slyder MT 1/16th 4WD Monster Truck (all colours), BlackZon Slyder ST 1/16th 4WD Stadium Truck (all colours)
- Compatible Models: FTX5576O, FTX5576R, FTX5576B, FTX5596B, FTX5596R, FTX5596Y, FTX5577G, FTX5577R, FTX5577O, BlackZon 540096-540117
- Function: Shock tower mounting point for front suspension
- Installation: Direct replacement component
- EAN Code: 5056135765197
- Package Contents: One aluminium front shock tower
We want to make sure your delivery goes smoothly, so here are some important details about our service:
- For orders above £120, we offer delivery to most mainland UK addresses. For orders under £120, we can still deliver to Northern Ireland and the outlying isles, as long as the item can be sent by Royal Mail, weighs less than 30kg, and fits within 61cm × 46cm × 46cm. Some highland and remote areas may carry an extra delivery charge as couriers often apply surcharges in these locations. If you live in one of these areas, feel free to contact us before ordering so we can confirm the delivery options and costs for you.
- Most of our products include delivery in the price. If your order is under £90, a small delivery fee will apply but do not worry this will always be clearly shown at checkout before you complete your purchase.
- Depending on what you choose at checkout, your order will usually be delivered either the next working day or within 2 working days. For next day delivery please place your order before 2:00pm. Orders are dispatched Monday to Friday only. Some items may take a little longer and if that is the case we will always show the expected delivery time on the product page.
- If your order includes items with different dispatch times we will normally wait and send everything together once all items are in stock. If one of the items is going to take a while we will give you the choice either wait for everything to arrive or let us send the available items now and deliver the rest later. It is up to you.
- We use trusted delivery partners to make sure your order gets to you safely and on time. We use DPD for next working day deliveries and Royal Mail for the 2 day option.
- As soon as your order is on its way we will send you a tracking number by email. If you provide your mobile number at checkout we will also send delivery updates straight to your phone so you can keep an eye on progress.
- If a product is marked as "Dispatched within 3 working days" delivery usually takes around 3 to 5 working days from when your order is placed.
- For customers in Inverness and other parts of the Scottish Highlands deliveries can take up to 2 working days even if you select next day delivery as couriers do not currently offer a guaranteed next day service to those areas.
