Overview
The FTX DR8 Main Differential Steel Gear & Output Pinion (13/43) is an essential replacement component designed specifically for the FTX DR8 1/8 Desert Racer. This premium drivetrain spare part is engineered to deliver reliable performance and durability in high-performance off-road RC racing applications. Whether you're a competitive racer pushing your RC car UK to its limits or an enthusiast who demands the best from their equipment, this main differential steel gear set offers the performance upgrade and replacement capability your DR8 needs to stay competitive.
FTX has established itself as a trusted manufacturer of quality RC models and spare parts for the UK RC market, and this differential component exemplifies their commitment to precision engineering and reliability. The 13/43 gear ratio configuration is specifically optimised for the DR8's performance characteristics, providing the balance between acceleration and top speed that makes the DR8 such a formidable 1/8 scale desert racer. If you own an FTX DR8 Ready to Run RC car or are building a competition setup, having genuine OEM replacement parts like this differential gear set ensures your vehicle maintains factory-spec performance and reliability.
This main differential steel gear & output pinion assembly is manufactured to exacting standards and uses premium steel construction throughout. It represents the kind of quality component that separates reliable, long-lasting RC cars from those that suffer from premature wear and damage. Whether you're replacing a damaged differential, upgrading to more durable components, or simply maintaining your DR8 as part of regular maintenance, this FTX-genuine spare part is an investment in your RC car's longevity and performance.
Key Features
- Steel Construction — The main differential gear and output pinion are manufactured from premium steel rather than plastic or composite materials, providing superior durability, wear resistance and longevity even under the demanding conditions of competitive desert racing and high-performance driving.
- 13/43 Gear Ratio — This specific gear ratio has been engineered and selected by FTX for the DR8 platform to deliver the optimal balance between acceleration response and top-speed capability, ensuring your RC desert racer performs exactly as designed by the manufacturer.
- Main Differential Assembly — This complete differential gear set includes both the main differential gear and the output pinion as a matched pair, ensuring perfect compatibility and eliminating the guesswork when replacing worn or damaged differential components.
- OEM Genuine Component — As an official FTX spare part manufactured to original equipment manufacturer specifications, this component guarantees perfect fit and compatibility with FTX DR8 models, with no risk of compatibility issues or poor fitment.
- Drivetrain Performance Critical — The differential is one of the most critical components in any RC vehicle's drivetrain system, directly affecting power distribution, handling characteristics and overall performance, making this a component worth replacing with genuine parts.
- Competition Grade Reliability — FTX spare parts are used by RC enthusiasts and competitors across the UK and beyond, demonstrating their reliability and performance credentials in demanding racing and bashing applications.
Technical Performance
The FTX DR8 Main Differential Steel Gear & Output Pinion represents precision engineering at its finest. The 13/43 gear ratio is specifically calculated to work in harmony with the DR8's brushless motor and 6S LiPo battery system, providing the ideal torque multiplication and speed reduction for 1/8 scale desert racing. Steel gears offer significantly superior durability compared to standard plastic gears, handling the extreme stresses of high-speed running, rapid acceleration, hard cornering and aggressive terrain without wear, stripping or failure. The main differential is responsible for distributing power from the motor to both rear wheels whilst allowing them to rotate at different speeds during cornering — a critical function that directly impacts handling, traction and overall performance. By using premium steel construction throughout this assembly, FTX ensures that the differential can reliably handle the power output of a modern brushless drivetrain without premature wear or degradation. This component is essential for anyone who wants their FTX DR8 1/8 desert racer to perform at peak efficiency and maintain reliable performance through countless running sessions.
What's in the Box
- FTX DR8 Main Differential Steel Gear Assembly
- Output Pinion (13 tooth)
- Main Differential Gear (43 tooth)
Compatibility
- FTX5495R — FTX DR8 1/8 Desert Racer 6S RTR in Red
- FTX5495B — FTX DR8 1/8 Desert Racer 6S RTR in Blue
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this genuine FTX replacement part compatible with my DR8? — Yes, this is an official FTX OEM component designed specifically for FTX DR8 desert racers. It is guaranteed to fit perfectly with both the red and blue versions of the FTX DR8 1/8 6S Ready to Run model. Always use genuine OEM parts for critical drivetrain components like differentials to ensure perfect compatibility and performance.
- What does the 13/43 gear ratio mean? — The 13 represents the number of teeth on the output pinion (the gear attached to the motor), whilst the 43 represents the number of teeth on the main differential gear. This ratio of 3.31:1 provides the ideal balance between acceleration and top speed for the DR8's performance profile. Different gear ratios allow you to tune your RC car UK's performance — lower ratios for more speed, higher ratios for more acceleration.
- Why should I replace my differential gears? — Over time and with heavy use, differential gears can wear, develop flat spots on the teeth, or crack if subjected to extreme stress. Worn gears will cause power loss, poor handling, and increased friction. If you notice any grinding sounds from the rear axle, excessive play in the differential, or reduced acceleration, it's time to replace your differential gears. This is also an excellent opportunity to upgrade to steel gears if your DR8 originally came with plastic differentials.
- Can I use plastic gears instead of steel? — Whilst plastic gears are lighter and initially less expensive, steel gears offer superior durability, wear resistance and reliability, especially for high-performance brushless RC cars. If you're running a brushless motor and LiPo battery, steel gears are the recommended choice to handle the increased power without damage or premature wear.
- How difficult is it to replace the differential gears on my DR8? — Replacing the main differential assembly is a moderate-difficulty task that requires basic RC mechanical knowledge and standard metric tools. If you're comfortable working on RC cars, you should be able to complete this upgrade in 30-45 minutes. If you're not experienced with RC maintenance, we recommend having an experienced RC technician perform the installation.
- What is the best way to maintain my differential gears? — Keep your differential clean and free from dirt and sand after each running session. Apply a light coating of RC-grade differential oil or grease to the gears to reduce friction and wear. Never run your RC car in extreme mud or water conditions unless your differential is specifically designed to be waterproof — water and dirt damage gears rapidly.
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 DR8 MAIN DIFFERENTIAL STEEL GEAR & OUTPUT PINION (13/43) 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
- Part Number: FTX9545
- EAN: 5056135726600
- Component Type: Main Differential Steel Gear & Output Pinion Assembly
- Spare Part Category: Drivetrain Spares
- Gear Ratio: 13/43
- Output Pinion Teeth: 13
- Main Differential Gear Teeth: 43
- Material: Steel
- Compatible Models: FTX DR8 1/8 Desert Racer 6S RTR (Red and Blue versions)
- Compatible Model Code FTX5495R: FTX DR8 1/8 Desert Racer 6S Ready-To-Run Red
- Compatible Model Code FTX5495B: FTX DR8 1/8 Desert Racer 6S Ready-To-Run Blue
- Contents: Main differential steel gear assembly with output pinion
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.
