(Nitro MT) Losi LST

[Ash_238]

When the editors sit down to decide the Truck of the Year, it’s either a five-minute slam dunk with all the eds bringing a unanimous decision to the table, or it’s four hours of arguing for our personal faves. This year, it was definitely a slam dunk. Don’t get us wrong, we weighed the pros and cons of all the other big releases since our last Truck of the Year issue, but that exercise only made us more certain that our pick was the right pick: the Team Losi LST.

WHY IT WON

INNOVATION

The Losi guys are known for performance innovation, and the LST isn’t just another monster truck. Its biggest visual standout are the truck’s four massive shocks. In an 8-shock world, the LST’s setup is totally unique and totally functional. The supersize shocks squash bumps like nothing else with the plushest action this side of a Barcolounger.

From the visible, we move to the hidden. One of the LST’s best and most innovative features is its high/low transmission. Monster-truck designers are faced with a big design dilemma: do you gear low to give the truck the torque it needs to climb obstacles and accelerate well, or do you gear high to win the “Who’s fastest” war? The LST satisfies both demands with the twist of a knob.

Taking home the hardware

"It's gratifying to put a high-tech product with high-quality components into a box and know that the consumers appreciate its performance and value. I’d like to thank our engineering and product development staff for showing the same dedication to engineering, testing and passion for RTR models such as the LST as they do for all of our racing products."

--Gil Losi Sr.

Above: Gil “Pops” Losi accepts the Truck of the Year award at the RCX show.

SPECS

The LST skimps on nothing. The tranny gears are all metal, and a reverse system and 2-speed are standard (and it’s a superior clutch-type shifter, not a pawl-type). The slipper clutch is a slick 3-pad unit, the differentials are sealed, the dual-disc brake is the most powerful in monster truckdom, and rubber-sealed bearings are standard. The engine is a .26 with shaft starting, and it’s fitted with a tubular header and tuned pipe. And then there’s the radio gear: it’s not just an FM system, it’s a frequency-sythesizing FM system—the standard-bearing JR Racing XS3. Along with the top-flight transmitter and receiver, the LST is equipped with dual Z590M steering servos (total torque—160 oz.-in.). This truck is loaded.

PERFORMANCE

Innovation is nothing if the truck doesn’t work. To say the least, the LST works. It can reach 40mph in “high,” but it can also pick through a rock bed with precision in “low.” There’s enough grunt to wheelie off the line and enough braking power to stand the LST on its nose. The suspension is super-supple and flattens out rough terrain like a steamroller, and the LST can hustle around a track surprisingly fast—even faster if you swap the tires and lower the ride height. It’s a do-all design that can be as bash-worthy or race-ready as you like.

TEAM LOSI LST features

1. Metal-gear, high-low gearbox with reverse

2. Clutch-type 2-speed transmission

3. Triple-pad slipper clutch

4. Dual metal-gear, high-torque steering servos

5. Dynamite Mach .26 shaft-start engine

6. Oversize aluminum-body shocks

7. JR XS3 synthesized radio system

8. Rebuildable universal-joint driveshafts

9. Sealed bevel-gear differentials

10. Tuned pipe

11. 171cc fuel tank

12. Claw MT tires

THE DRAKE SETUP

Wanna set your LST up like Adam Drake? Here’s how.

» FRONT

Shock oil: 30WT Losi

Pistons: stock

Shock position: outside on tower and arm

Swaybar: thin

Diff fluid: 50,000WT

» REAR

Shock oil: 30WT Losi

Pistons: stock

Shock position: outside on tower and arm

Swaybar: thin

Diff fluid: 50,000WT

Toe: 2 deg. of toe-in per side

Tires: Team Losi Zombie Maxx

Wheels: Stock LST

Déjà vu all over again

With six wins in all, no company has more “Truck of the Year” trophies than Team Losi. It’s only fitting since the brand basically invented the purpose-built electric racing truck back when Tamiya Blackfoots, King Cabs and RC10 conversions ruled. Or at least they ruled until Team Losi introduced the JRX-T. In fact, the JRX-T so invigorated truck racing that it led to the creation of “Truck of the Year”—until then, we had only a “Car of the Year” award. Here’s the list of winning Losis.

2002 Triple-XNT Sport RTR

1999 NXT

1997 Double-XT “CR”

1995 Double-XT

1993 LX-T

Source: team losi

Best regards

Ash_238

[dazzi220]

impressive, so I guess its an rtr with that radio gear

price?

[yoclick]

Radio gear isnt synthesised for the UK users because the 75mhz is illegal here. So we get dumped with the Team Losi version which is EXACTLY the same but it says "Losi Sport" on it or something and isnt synthesised.

[Ash_238]

The radio is include and its great!!

£500 from the uk or £300 from hk

[yoclick]

Its a good truck, no doubting that but only after a few more upgrades which you shouldnt expect after paying that much. However one class truck! The LST2 will have most of the upgraded bits you need though.

[Ash_238]

i didn't really see the point myself?

of the LST2!!

The original seems good as it is!!

[dazzi220]

surprising you never get good radio gear with rtr's its usually bog standard stuff

[Ash_238]

But the digital stuff from losi is great it even has 3 model memory to save having to use different controls for different models!!

[dazzi220]

But the digital stuff from losi is great it even has 3 model memory to save having to use different controls for different models!!

aslong as u have the right receivers

I have 10 model memory

[Ash_238]

aslong as u have the right receivers

I have 10 model memory

Lucky you!!

[Samari]

It's the best MT without a doubt, if I was to buy a new MT it would be the LST.

[dazzi220]

Lucky you!!

nah not really, I don't have the right reciever in my other cars LOL

[ashleytc4]

I love the LST and the LST2 but there is so many critics of it everyone thinks the savage is the best well i dont think like that i think them people are shalow minded i like all remote controlle cars from drifters to mt's