Overview
The RC4WD BULLY 2 COMPETITION CRAWLER FRONT AXLE (Z-A0012) represents a revolutionary leap forward in scale crawler engineering, built on the proven and trusted Bully platform but with an entirely fresh, competition-focused design philosophy. This is not simply an upgrade; it is the result of years of dedicated research, testing, and development to create a crawler axle that arrives ready to perform at the highest levels without requiring extensive and expensive modifications. Whether you are competing in serious RC crawler competitions or building a high-performance trail truck, this front axle provides the foundation you need to succeed with confidence and reliability from day one.
Engineered entirely by RC4WD and manufactured in-house with precision CNC machining, the Bully 2 Competition Crawler Front Axle comes fully assembled with heavy-duty gears pre-installed, eliminating the need to source and fit additional components before you can start enjoying your RC car UK build. This is genuinely a game-changing product for UK RC enthusiasts and competitors who demand both strength and lightweight performance. The axle has been specifically designed with competition in mind, meaning every aspect of its construction prioritises the demands of serious crawlers that need to handle extreme terrain, challenging obstacles, and demanding course conditions that would stress lesser components to failure.
For anyone serious about building an ultimate scale RC crawler setup, the RC4WD Bully 2 Competition Crawler Front Axle is an investment in proven performance and reliability. You get a complete, ready-to-install front axle system that eliminates guesswork and provides the solid engineering foundation that every serious crawler build deserves.
Key Features
- Full CNC Machining — Every component of this axle is precision-machined using computer numerical control, ensuring exact tolerances and perfect consistency across every production unit. This manufacturing process guarantees that all internal components fit together with mathematical precision, eliminating play and ensuring smooth, reliable operation even under extreme competition conditions.
- 6061 Aluminium Casing with Black Anodised Finish — The axle housing is constructed from aerospace-grade 6061 aluminium alloy, which offers an exceptional balance of strength, rigidity and low weight. The smooth black anodised finish not only looks professional and attractive, but also provides corrosion resistance and protection against oxidation, ensuring your investment remains protected during years of use in challenging outdoor environments.
- RC4WD Heavy-Duty Gears Pre-Installed — Rather than arriving with standard gears that require upgrading, the Bully 2 Competition axle comes with RC4WD's own heavy-duty hardened steel gear set already fitted and ready to use. This saves you both time and money, and ensures you have proven, reliable gearing from the moment you open the box.
- Full Ball Bearings Throughout — Every rotating component within the axle assembly rides on high-quality ball bearings rather than cheaper bushings or partial bearing arrangements. This means dramatically reduced friction, smoother operation, improved efficiency, and significantly extended component lifespan even when the axle is subjected to intense competition use.
- Hardened Steel, Lightweight Gear Set — The included gears are manufactured from hardened steel that has been specifically engineered to be as lightweight as possible whilst maintaining full strength and durability. This reduces rotating mass and unsprung weight, improving both performance and handling whilst maintaining the strength needed for competition crawling.
- Standard 48 Pitch Gears — The axle uses industry-standard 48 pitch gears, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of aftermarket components and allowing you to customise and upgrade your crawler with options from multiple manufacturers as your needs evolve.
- Precision 40.75:1 Gear Ratio with 14T Pinion — The axle comes with a carefully calculated 40.75:1 gear ratio utilising a 14-tooth pinion, providing the torque multiplication necessary for serious crawling whilst maintaining smooth power delivery and acceptable motor speeds that prevent overheating during extended competition runs.
- Oversized Servo Mount Design — The servo mount is specifically designed to accommodate full-size oversize servos, giving you maximum flexibility in choosing steering servos with the torque and speed characteristics that suit your particular crawler build and driving style.
- 12mm Steel Wheel Hex Adapters — The axle features tough 12mm steel wheel hex connections, providing secure wheel mounting whilst offering compatibility with a vast selection of aftermarket wheels and tyres available for serious competition crawlers throughout the UK and worldwide RC car market.
Technical Performance
The RC4WD Bully 2 Competition Crawler Front Axle represents a sophisticated engineering solution to the demands of modern scale crawling competition. Every aspect of this front axle has been optimised for performance, longevity, and reliability under the most challenging conditions. The complete ball bearing arrangement throughout the axle ensures that all internal mechanisms rotate with minimal friction, resulting in smooth power delivery to the wheels, reduced parasitic losses, and improved overall efficiency. The hardened steel gear set provides the exceptional strength required for competition crawling, where shock loads, extreme angles, and high torque demands can quickly destroy inferior components. The 40.75:1 gear ratio with the included 14-tooth pinion has been carefully selected to provide the torque multiplication necessary for serious crawling whilst maintaining motor temperatures within safe operating ranges during extended competition sessions. The CNC-machined 6061 aluminium casing provides exceptional rigidity and strength whilst keeping overall weight to just 11.7 ounces (332 grams), a remarkable achievement that demonstrates RC4WD's commitment to competition-grade engineering. The black anodised finish provides durable corrosion resistance, essential for UK crawler enthusiasts who operate in wet, muddy, and challenging terrain. With a hex-to-hex width of 8.64 inches (219.5mm), this front axle provides the correct geometry for serious crawler platforms whilst maintaining proportions that suit scale crawling aesthetics and performance characteristics.
What's in the Box
- 1x RC4WD Bully 2 Competition Crawler Front Axle (fully assembled and CNC machined)
- 1x 14-tooth pinion gear
- 1x M3 x 3mm stainless steel socket screw (Z-S0124)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the RC4WD Bully 2 Competition Crawler Front Axle suitable for beginners? — Whilst this is a genuinely user-friendly axle that comes fully assembled and ready to install, it is primarily designed for serious competitors and experienced crawler builders who understand advanced suspension tuning and require competition-grade components. However, if you are building your first serious crawler and want to start with professional-quality components rather than budget alternatives, this axle provides excellent value and reliability. The extensive availability of compatible upgrade parts and the strong community support for Bully 2 platforms make it an excellent choice even for builders new to serious crawling.
- What makes this better than standard crawler axles? — The Bully 2 Competition axle differs from standard crawler axles in several critical ways. Firstly, it is manufactured entirely with CNC precision by RC4WD rather than being imported as a generic design. Secondly, it arrives with heavy-duty hardened steel gears already installed, eliminating the need for expensive upgrades. Thirdly, it features full ball bearing construction throughout, significantly reducing friction compared to standard bushing-based designs. Finally, the extensive research and development that went into this platform specifically for competition crawling means every aspect of the design has been optimised for performance, strength, and reliability under the extreme demands of modern competition terrain.
- What servo should I use with this axle? — The Bully 2 Competition axle features a servo mount specifically designed to accommodate full-size oversize servos, allowing you to choose from a wide range of high-torque steering servos available from brands like Spektrum, Savöx, and other leading manufacturers. For serious competition crawling, select a servo with sufficient torque to handle extreme steering angles and the strength to survive the shock loads that occur when negotiating challenging obstacles.
- Can I upgrade components on this axle? — Absolutely. The Bully 2 Competition platform is designed with extensive upgrade possibilities in mind. Replacement parts are available including XVD axles, alternative hex adapters, steering knuckles, link mounts, C-hubs, and various bearing sizes, allowing you to customise and refine your crawling setup as your experience and competition requirements evolve.
- What is the weight and why does it matter? — The front axle weighs just 11.7 ounces (332 grams), which is remarkably light for a competition-grade axle of this strength. Lower unsprung weight improves suspension compliance, tyre contact, and overall vehicle dynamics, allowing your crawler to maintain better wheel contact over obstacles and providing a more planted, controllable feel when navigating challenging terrain.
- Is this axle waterproof? — Whilst the axle itself is robust and durable, you should exercise appropriate care when operating in wet or muddy conditions. The black anodised aluminium casing provides corrosion resistance, but after wet-condition use, rinse the axle with fresh water and dry thoroughly to maintain optimal performance and longevity.
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 RC4WD BULLY 2 COMPETITION CRAWLER FRONT AXLE Z-A0012 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: RC4WD
- Model Number: Z-A0012
- Product Type: Crawler Front Axle
- Barcode: 639302577349
- Casing Material: 6061 Aluminium
- Finish: Smooth Black Anodised
- Manufacturing: CNC Machined, Engineered and Manufactured by RC4WD
- Bearing Type: Full Ball Bearings Throughout
- Gear Material: Hardened Steel
- Gear Type: Lightweight, Standard 48 Pitch
- Gear Ratio: 40.75:1 with 14-tooth Pinion
- Pinion Included: 14T
- Hex-to-Hex Width: 8.64 inches / 219.5 millimetres
- Wheel Hex Size: 12mm Steel
- Servo Mount Compatibility: Fits Oversize Servos
- Weight: 11.7 ounces / 332 grams
- Included Components: 1x Bully 2 Competition Crawler Front Axle, 1x 14T Pinion, 1x M3 x 3mm SSS (Z-S0124)
- Compatible Platform: Bully 2 Competition Crawler
- Gear Set Included: Yes, RC4WD Heavy-Duty Gears Pre-Installed
- Assembly Status: Fully Assembled, Ready to Install
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