Venture...
Into Scale Truck Building

The Venture is the ultimate adventure-ready scale RC trail truck, and now it's available in a build-it-yourself version, ready for you to completely customize into your ultimate off-road vehicle. Developed from the ground up to be the most advanced and driver-friendly scaler truck available, the Venture is the perfect trail companion for anyone from weekend ramblers to globe-trotting adventure heroes! Whether you're driving up a mountain, crossing rocky streams or just taking it on a trail drive, the Venture can handle it all.

To make the Venture the best in class scale truck, the chassis features a formed steel chassis that encloses a realistic front-motor position with an all metal-gear transmission and full-time 4WD drivetrain with a central transfer case, plus a scale suspension featuring dual stage, oil-filled, coil-over shocks and sturdy off-road axles with full-time locked differentials.

The build-it-yourself Venture SBK includes official HPI options such as rebuildable front universal driveshafts, aluminum lower links for confidence over rough terrain, 4-link rear for increased articulation and traction, plus hidden axle weights for increased stability with a lowered center of gravity (CG). As you assemble the kit from the fully detailed assembly instructions, you can modify the truck if you wish, or add extra options and accessories as you go. 

The Venture Scale Builder Kit is supplied in kit form only, ready for your own choice of motor, servo, speed controller, wheels, tires, body, and bumpers, so YOU can instantly have the most customized truck possible. Are you looking for the pre-built and Ready To Run (RTR) version of the Venture? Check out the #118146 Matte Black, #116558 Gunmetal, or #117165 Sandstorm RTR Venture trucks! 

VENTURE Versions

gunmetal&sandstorm&black&Sbk& versions also available

There are a variety of different colors to choose from for your Venture FJ Cruiser pre-built RTR (Ready-To-Run) crawler truck, or custom build your own truck from the ground up with the Venture SBK Scale Builders Kit!

Scale Chassis Design and Layout

The Venture rock crawler features a formed steel C-channel chassis with sturdy plastic cross braces as the foundation for a realistic scale truck chassis. To make sure the truck has a front weight bias that improves its climbing ability, the motor and transmission are mounted right up front - just like in a real truck! For additional weight up front, the steering servo is also mounted to the chassis next to the motor. 

Includes HPI Option Parts

The Venture scale crawler truck is packed with features already (you can read all about them below), and the SBK version includes a selection of hand-picked options that will make it even more capable not just on the trail, but also through the most difficult terrain. If you already have a Venture, all of these options are also available separately to enhance and strengthen your truck.

Play Venture video

Balanced Weight Distribution

The chassis layout of the Venture, with the forward-mounted motor and transmission, plus the chassis-mounted servo (CMS), puts most of the weight at the front end, giving the Venture ultra-realistic driving performance and an advantage over most other scale trucks when hitting the trail.

All-Metal Transmission

The Venture is the first scale truck to feature strong metal gears throughout its transmission. With a main gear set taken from the ultra-fast and ultra-strong Savage XS Flux, the Venture drivetrain can handle LiPo power up to 3S, as well as brushless motor power with zero upgrades.

Perfect Off-Road Trail Gearing

With the transmission drive ratio of 1.53:1, the overall drivetrain ratio is 7.6:1 for a good all-around gearing and a final drive ratio of 30.4:1 out of the box. This will get you up or down most trails and get you started climbing difficult inclines. With pinion gears of 15-28 teeth, you can get final drive ratios of 30.4:1 to 16.2:1. You can easily alter the ratio with an optional 56-tooth spur and pinion gears from 19-32 teeth for final drive ratios of 22.4:1 to 13.3:1. 

Center Transfer Case

In addition to the motor and transmission at the front, the Venture features a centrally mounted transfer case with a gear ratio of 1.5:1. Whilst putting the maximum amount of weight to the front of the chassis, the central location of the transfer case allows the drivetrain to sit low and down the centerline of the chassis so the driveshafts are perpendicular to the axles for maximum power transfer to the tires.

Low Angle Driveshafts

The low angle and central position of the driveshafts allows for maximum power transfer, so as much power as possible reaches the tires. The driveshafts are equal length front and rear and feature composite slider-style shafts with metal universal joints at each end, where they meet the transfer case and axle. At the axles, 13-tooth pinions and 43-tooth ring gears (axle ratio of 3.31:1) sit inside the "pumpkin" or center of the axles. Each differential is equipped with metal diff lockers for pure 4WD traction at all times.  

Adjustable Slipper Clutch

An externally adjustable slipper lets you tackle slick rocks and loose surfaces without having to make big changes to the setup of the Venture. Correct adjustment gives you the perfect amount of power and grip by reducing wheelspin - and the easy to reach adjustment nut lets you make quick adjustments on the workbench or out on the trail.

Play Venture video

Advanced Truck Steering

The steering system for scale RC trucks is very important - and that's why the Venture was designed with the latest advancements in steering and suspension for strength as well as realism. This makes the Venture the most versatile scaler truck on the trail! With a Chassis-Mounted Servo (CMS) and Behind The Axle (BTA) steering, plus a functional Panhard bar, you get perfect scale looks with realistic and ideal performance, no matter what terrain you're hitting. Aluminum mounts for the Panhard bar and aluminum steering plates add the strength and durability to give you total confidence on the trail.

Panhard Bar

A Panhard bar on aluminum mounts provides extra scale looks, because it's featured on most off-road trucks and vehicles. The purpose of the Panhard bar is to maintain zero bump steer as the axle rises over bumps and falls into holes and ruts. This helps the Venture go exactly where you want it with precise steering control!

CMS (Chassis-Mounted Servo)

The realistic steering for the Venture chassis begins with a Chassis-Mounted Servo. With any standard-size servo firmly mounted at the front of the chassis, the weight of the servo aids the front weight bias of the Venture. The solid metal steering link also looks like it came out of a real truck, and connects to the tough steering knuckle. The Venture SBK will fit any standard size steering servo - choose your best one for your needs! 

Zero Ackermann Steering

For a super-tight turning radius, the Venture features zero Ackermann steering angle. This basically means you have equal steering angles for the front tires when they are steered all the way to the left or right - the maximum amount of steering for the best performance when tackling rugged off-road terrain. 

BTA (Behind The Axle) steering

The Venture features Behind The Axle (BTA) steering linkage out of the box, so you don't have to do any complicated modifications to get maximum performance on the trail. A thick steel rod connects the two metal-reinforced steering knuckles together behind the front axle. With all of the steering linkage kept out of the way of potential obstacles such as rocks and roots, the truck has a much better approach angle than with standard RC crawler kit steering designs.

Trail-Ready Suspension

Good suspension is at the heart of every off-road vehicle, and this principle is evident everywhere you look on the Venture chassis. From the aluminum mounts on the axles to the dual-stage shock absorbers, the Venture is packed with advanced features unseen on other scale crawlers - without purchasing optional parts! The Venture can perform on any trail, thanks to adjustable oil-filled shock absorbers and standard-sized 12mm hex hubs to fit a huge range of scale wheels and tires.

Rugged Aluminum Parts

Enhancing the look and style of the Venture chassis are aluminum suspension parts that are a fantastic throwback to truck kits from RC's retro golden age. From the axle covers which have the HPI hex logo on them, to the thick shock and rod link mounts, the real metal parts add a great look to the Venture that other scale trucks can't match! Both Panhard bar mounts are also aluminum, as well as all four hex hubs for the wheels. Each hex hub is also held in place on the axles by steel setscrews for additional security. 

Multi-Link Suspension

The Venture SBK features a sturdy and reliable 3-link suspension front and a highly articulated 4-link suspension at the rear. 6mm aluminum rod links form the lower suspension links front and rear. The upper links consist of a single aluminum single link for the front, and 2 aluminum upper links at the rear. 

Dual Stage Coil-Over Shocks

For ultimate trail tuning, the alloy shock absorbers feature dual-stage shock springs. This means the short spring softens the gentle bumps and dips you encounter while driving, and the longer firm spring catches the harder hits, such as when the Venture is descending a steep embankment. HPI designers have found the perfect combination of springs and oils for all-around driving, but you can fine-tune the ride of your truck with different shock oils and springs to make the Venture perform at its best on the trail.

Adjustable Wheelbase

The Venture chassis lets you change the wheelbase from 290mm to 315mm (11.4 to 12.2 inches) by modifying the length of the linkage, which can change the look and driving of the truck. If you fit a different body to customize your Venture, adjusting the wheelbase lets the tires fit in the wheel openings, which helps the truck look perfectly scale. 

Features

• Full-time 4WD 1/10 scale off-road truck kit - you build yourself!
• Formed steel C-channel chassis rails 
• Front and rear bumper mounts to fit bumpers of your choice
• Adjustable rock rail side sliders help the truck get over tough obstacles
• Front-mount motor and transmission position for ultimate scale realism
• Front weight bias improves climbing traction and provides more realistic driving
• All-metal gear drivetrain for extreme durability
• Central transfer case with slider driveshafts to front and rear differentials
• Transfer case prevents motor stall for the best climbing action
• Transfer case also straightens & lowers center driveshafts for more efficient power transfer
• Axles feature small diff case or "pumpkin" size for best possible ground clearance
• Aluminum differential pumpkin covers
• Locked differentials for superb off-road climbing traction
• 12mm aluminum hex hubs to fit any available crawler wheels
• Shock towers have multiple mounting positions to allow for wheelbase options
• BTA (Behind The Axle) steering linkage for improved approach and departure angles
• Panhard bar for scale looks and optimized geometry with zero bump steer
• Zero Ackermann high steer knuckle design for improved obstacle clearance and tighter turning radius
• 3-link front triangulated suspension
• 4-link rear triangulated suspension
• Oil-filled aluminum coil-over shock absorbers (63-90mm stroke)
• Adjustable threaded shock bodies for quick ride height changes
• Dual-stage shock springs
• Aluminum lower link/shock mounts
• Aluminum Panhard mounts
• CMS (Chassis Mounted Servo) realistic steering setup
• Adjustable body mounting to fit any style of off-road body (truck or SUV)
• Fully braced rear body mounts
• Full set of ball bearings
• Protective case for receiver
• Antenna mount

Specification

DIMENSIONS 
with #117365 FJ Cruiser body and #116852 & #116853 bumper Type 1 sets

• Length: 527mm (20.7")
• Width: 227mm (9")
• Height: 238mm (9.4") with roof rack, 217mm (8.5") without (will vary depending on tire choice and suspension settings)
• Wheelbase: 311mm (12.3")
• Front overhang: 101mm (3.9")
• Rear overhang: 135mm (5.3")

WEIGHT

• Running weight: 2.4kg (5.3lbs) (approximate - will vary depending on your choice of electronics)

CAPABILITY 
with #116852 & #116853 bumper Type 1 sets - will vary depending on your choice of bumpers

• Break-over angle: 44.5 degrees
• Approach angle: 55 deg
• Departure angle: 45.5 deg
• Max climb angle: 49 deg
• Max tilt angle: 28 deg
• Axle articulation: 30 deg
• Ground clearance 68mm capable: (2.7")
• Ground clearance at standard ride height 60mm: (2.4")
• Axle ground clearance 32mm: (1.3") 

GEARING

• Drivetrain ratio: 7.6:1
• Transmission gearing: 1.53:1
• Axle gearing: 3.31:1
• Transfer case gearing: 1.5:1

Comprehensive Instruction Manual

All HPI Racing build-it-yourself kits include a completely detailed multi-language step by step build guide. Exploded diagrams and extensive information about your Venture ensures that you have the know-how when it comes to maintaining and upgrading your kit. You can also download a digital version of the manual to your personal electronic device and keep it with you for easy reference on the go.

Download the Free Venture posters Here!

Brighten up your RC workspace with a FREE poster featuring the Venture! Just click here to download it, then print it out or use it as your tablet or computer wallpaper!

Customize Your Venture

The best part about scale RC is making your Venture SBK reflect your own personality! Customize your Venture with a huge range of 3rd party options such as the lights, winches and other parts shown in the picture above. The #117365 clear FJ Cruiser body is also available separately, so you can go all-out to customize your Venture - that's what scale RC is all about! Any other 1/10th scale scaler-style body will fit as well, thanks to the adjustable wheelbase and body posts, and the large braces for the rear body posts work great for tall SUV style bodies.

#117255 VENTURE Scale Builder Kit

What you need to complete this kit:

• Your choice of scale body - 12.3" (313mm) wheelbase fits perfectly, other wheelbases will require changing the links to suit
• Front and rear bumpers to match your choice of body
• Scale crawler tires and wheels (we suggest 1.9" wheels for the best fit)
• Brushed or brushless motor (we suggest a high turn brushed motor or equivalent brushless motor)
• Electronic speed control to suit your choice of motor
• High torque standard size steering servo
• Radio system with receiver
• Battery for truck (with suitable plug for your speed controller)
• Batteries for radio transmitter