Overview
The Axial SCX10 III 1987 Toyota SR5 is Axial's first officially licensed 1/10-scale Toyota, representing a landmark moment for RC enthusiasts in the UK who have long sought an authentic Toyota-branded rock crawler. This ready-to-run RC car combines the iconic styling of the legendary 1987 Toyota SR5 pickup truck with proven SCX10 III performance and premium Trail-Gear licensed components that real off-road enthusiasts trust. Whether you're a dedicated Toyota fan discovering RC crawling for the first time or an experienced rock crawler looking to add an iconic vehicle to your collection, this brushed rock crawler delivers both authenticity and trail-conquering capability straight out of the box.
The SR5 has become a legendary vehicle in real-world off-roading, conquering every major trail from the famous Rubicon to Johnson Valley to Imogene Pass and beyond. The RC version captures that same spirit of adventure, allowing you to experience the thrill of technical terrain navigation in your garden, local park, or dedicated RC crawling grounds. As a ready-to-run model, it arrives fully assembled with all electronics installed, meaning you can begin exploring challenging terrain within hours of unboxing—simply add a compatible 2-3S LiPo battery and charger, and you're ready to go. This makes it perfect for UK RC enthusiasts who want to skip the complex assembly process and get straight to the trails.
Built on the proven SCX10 III platform, this 1/10-scale rock crawler features a steel C-channel chassis that delivers the strength and precision required for serious terrain navigation. The innovative clipless body mounting system eliminates unsightly body clips, creating a clean scale appearance whilst making chassis access effortless for maintenance and upgrades. Every detail has been engineered for both visual authenticity and practical performance on demanding trails.
Key Features
- Officially licensed 1987 Toyota SR5 Xtra Cab body — This is Axial's first 1/10-scale officially licensed Toyota, featuring scale-moulded grille, headlights, taillights, external roll cage and hood latches that capture the authentic character of the iconic SR5 pickup with meticulous detail and factory paint finish.
- Trail-Gear AR45P portal axles with licensed fabricated-style housings — These premium axles feature authentic fabricated-style housings that perfectly capture Trail-Gear's real-world designs whilst providing superior ground clearance and durability, giving the truck both genuine off-road credibility and exceptional performance on rocky terrain.
- Clipless body mounting system — This innovative design eliminates visible body clips that diminish scale appearance, instead providing a clean, purposeful look whilst making removal and chassis access remarkably simple for repairs, battery changes and suspension adjustments.
- SCX10 III steel C-channel chassis — The proven, heavy-duty steel construction reduces frame flexing and increases the precision of suspension movement, delivering the stiffness and reliability needed for technical rock crawling and complex trail navigation.
- LCXU transmission with dig function — This high-performance single-speed transmission features a full set of ball bearings and all-metal internal gears for exceptional strength and durability, while the dig function allows you to lock the rear wheels on command for tighter turning and enhanced front tyre grip on challenging ledges.
- Trail-Gear Creeper Lock beadlock wheels with Interco Super Swamper tyres — The officially licensed beadlock wheels provide authentic scale appearance whilst the Interco Super Swamper tyres deliver superior traction and ground clearance, giving you genuine grip on loose, rocky and challenging surfaces.
- Rock slider mounted battery tray — Integrated into the boat-side rock slider with elastomer strapping, this innovative battery tray accommodates everything from small competition-style batteries to large 5000mAh trail packs, ensuring secure placement and quick access when you need to change power between sessions.
- Trail-Gear rock sliders — These durable, licensed components improve both scale appearance and practical performance, protecting the body and chassis whilst allowing the SR5 to glide smoothly over obstacles and rocky terrain.
- Aluminium adjustable coilover shocks — Oil-filled with aluminium threaded bodies and single coilover springs, these shocks deliver the ultimate balance of scale appearance and tunable performance, allowing you to adjust damping rates to suit your specific terrain and driving style.
- Optimised suspension geometry — The 3-link front suspension reduces bump steer whilst the 4-link rear reduces torque twist, ensuring predictable handling and maximum traction on complex terrain.
- Moulded composite exocage — This rugged, trail-worthy styling element adds authentic off-road character without excessive weight at the top of the chassis, improving overall maneuverability on technical courses.
- High-clearance bumpers — Designed with scale performance in mind, these front and rear bumpers optimise approach and departure angles for technical terrain whilst providing the strength and clearance needed for reliable trail performance.
- Bobbed and dovetailed bed — This distinctive styling detail enhances ground clearance and maneuverability, contributing to the truck's ability to navigate challenging obstacles.
- Heavy-duty Wild Bore driveshafts — These premium driveshafts provide the strength needed to confidently power over any terrain or obstacle, taking abuse without breaking during intense trail sessions.
- Spektrum SLT3 3-channel transmitter — Included with the truck and designed to help all drivers succeed, this beginner-friendly transmitter features a throttle limiting function that caps maximum speed at 50% or 75% until you're confident with full power.
- Spektrum SR515 DSMR 5-channel receiver in sealed waterproof box — This sealed receiver box withstands the elements and protects the 5-channel receiver, allowing you to take on any terrain with confidence.
- Spektrum SPMS683 waterproof servo with metal gears — The metal-geared construction ensures durability and reliability during extended trail sessions.
- Spektrum 40A waterproof brushed ESC — This reliable electronic speed controller provides dependable power management and is fully waterproof, protecting your investment during wet conditions.
- Axial 35T brushed motor — This proven motor delivers reliable trail performance with a straightforward brushed design that requires minimal maintenance.
- Ready-to-run with installed power system — Everything is pre-installed and ready for action, meaning you avoid complex assembly and can get on the trails much more quickly.
Technical Performance
The Axial SCX10 III 1987 Toyota SR5 combines impressive engineering with accessible performance. At 1/10 scale, this 4WD rock crawler measures 475mm in length, 234mm in height and width, with a 312mm wheelbase providing excellent stability and manoeuvrability across technical terrain. The truck weighs approximately 6.80 pounds when equipped with a battery, giving it a balance between durability and responsive handling. The SCX10 III steel C-channel chassis provides the foundation for precision suspension geometry and reduced flex, critical for maintaining traction on rocky, uneven surfaces. The LCXU transmission with dig function uses a single-speed design with all-metal internal gears, delivering reliable power transfer with the ability to lock rear wheels for enhanced turning radius and ledge climbing. Power comes from an Axial 35T 540 brushed motor paired with a Spektrum 40A waterproof brushed ESC, providing dependable performance that prioritises reliability over outright speed—perfect for the technical demands of rock crawling where control and traction matter more than raw velocity. The truck accepts 2S or 3S LiPo batteries with IC3 connectors, offering flexibility in power delivery: 2S (7.4V) for beginners seeking controlled, manageable speed and 3S (11.1V) for more aggressive trail running and obstacle climbing. The Trail-Gear AR45P portal axles with licensed fabricated-style housings deliver superior ground clearance at the differential, a critical advantage when navigating rocky terrain and technical obstacles. Aluminium adjustable coilover shocks with oil-filled design and tunable damping rates allow you to customise the suspension for your specific terrain and driving preferences, making this truck adaptable to everything from loose rock gardens to technically challenging boulder fields. The water-resistant electronics suite—including sealed receiver box, waterproof servo and waterproof ESC—provides protection against splashes and damp conditions, though full submersion should be avoided. Interco Super Swamper tyres wrapped around officially licensed Trail-Gear Creeper Lock beadlock wheels provide authentic appearance with genuine grip, whilst the 12mm wheel hex size offers standard compatibility with aftermarket upgrades.
What's in the Box
- Axial SCX10 III 1987 Toyota SR5 1/10 Scale 4WD RTR (fully assembled and painted)
- Axial 35T 540 brushed motor (pre-installed)
- Spektrum SLT3 3-channel SLT radio transmitter
- Spektrum SR515 DSMR 5-channel receiver
- Spektrum SPMS683 waterproof metal-gear servo (25T)
- Spektrum 40A waterproof brushed ESC (pre-installed)
- Four AA transmitter batteries
- Product manual
What You Need to Complete
- One 2-3S LiPo battery with IC3 connector (7.4V for 2S, 11.1V for 3S)
- One compatible LiPo charger (smart charger recommended for safety and convenience)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Axial SCX10 III 1987 Toyota SR5 suitable for beginners? — Yes, this ready-to-run rock crawler is excellent for beginners. It arrives fully assembled with all electronics pre-installed, so you only need to add a battery and charger. The Spektrum SLT3 transmitter includes a throttle limiting feature that caps speed at 50% or 75%, allowing new drivers to build confidence before unleashing full power. Rock crawling itself is inherently safer than high-speed racing, with slower speeds and technical terrain navigation rather than flat-out velocity. However, it's listed as Skill Level 3, meaning it benefits from some basic understanding of RC vehicles, battery care and charging procedures.
- What battery does the Axial SCX10 III 1987 Toyota SR5 need? — This ready-to-run crawler requires a 2-3S LiPo battery with an IC3 connector. A 2S battery (7.4V) provides controlled, beginner-friendly performance, whilst a 3S battery (11.1V) delivers more aggressive power for experienced drivers seeking faster acceleration and enhanced obstacle-climbing ability. Batteries are sold separately, allowing you to choose the capacity and discharge rating that suits your terrain and driving style. Runtime varies depending on battery capacity and driving intensity, but typical sessions last between 15-30 minutes with standard trail batteries.
- What makes this Toyota SR5 different from other SCX10 III crawlers? — This is Axial's first officially licensed Toyota, featuring a factory-painted body with authentic 1987 SR5 Xtra Cab styling complete with scale-moulded grille, headlights, taillights and hood latches. It's the only Toyota you'll find in the SCX10 III range, making it uniquely appealing to Toyota enthusiasts. Like other SCX10 III models, it features the proven steel C-channel chassis and LCXU transmission, but the 1987 SR5 stands out with its distinctive boxed body, Trail-Gear AR45P portal axles, and licensed Creeper Lock beadlock wheels wrapped in Interco Super Swamper tyres. If you're choosing between SCX10 III models, this one is ideal if you want Toyota heritage combined with serious crawling performance.
- Can I upgrade or customise the Axial SCX10 III 1987 Toyota SR5? — Absolutely. The SCX10 III platform is extensively supported by the aftermarket, and Axial offers numerous optional parts including alternative servo gears that work with the LCXU transmission, allowing compatibility with standard Axial axles if desired. The moulded composite exocage can be modified, body panels can be customised, and suspension components are readily available. The clipless body mounting system makes upgrades straightforward without having to work around traditional body clips.
- How waterproof is this truck? — The Axial SCX10 III 1987 Toyota SR5 features water-resistant electronics including a sealed receiver box, waterproof servo and waterproof ESC, making it suitable for damp conditions and wet terrain without fear of shorts or failure. However, it is water-resistant rather than fully waterproof, so whilst splashing through streams and wet mud is fine, complete submersion in water should be avoided to protect the motor, battery connections and other components.
- What is the difference between brushed and brushless motors in RC crawlers? — This truck features a brushed motor (Axial 35T 540), which uses carbon brushes and a commutator to convert electrical power to mechanical motion. Brushed motors are simpler, more affordable, and require occasional maintenance (cleaning or brush replacement after extensive use). Brushless motors, used in more premium models, are more efficient and require less maintenance but cost more upfront. For rock crawling where reliability and ease of maintenance matter more than maximum speed, brushed motors are perfectly suited and will provide years of dependable service.
- Can I run this truck in the rain? — The water-resistant electronics make it safe to operate in light rain or damp conditions. However, extended use in heavy rain or submersion should be avoided to prevent water damage to internal components and battery connections. Always allow the truck to dry thoroughly before storing, and inspect battery connectors for moisture before charging.
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 AXIAL 1/10 SCX10 III 1987 Toyota SR5 4X4 RTR Rock Crawler, Red C-AXI-2062T2 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.
