Quick answer

Start with a charged battery and a quick screw check, then set your throttle expo to soften the initial hit. Adjust shock preload and ride height for the terrain you'll crawl, and finish with a low-speed steering and throttle test on a incline. The Ascent-18 Scout II is ready to run out of the box, but these steps make it trail-ready.

Pre-run checks and battery prep

Before you hit the trail, confirm all screws and wheel nuts are snug. The Ascent-18 comes ready to run with a 2.4GHz radio, battery, and charger, so your first job is simply charging the pack and checking that the radio batteries are fresh. A common mistake is skipping the screw check; a loose wheel nut or suspension screw can end a crawl early. Checkpoint: spin each wheel by hand to feel for binding or wobble.

Throttle and steering setup for brushless control

Brushless power delivers instant torque, which can make the truck lurch. On your transmitter, set the throttle expo to a softer curve (negative expo) or reduce the throttle endpoint to about 70% for technical sections. For steering, set dual rate so the tires don't rub the body or links at full lock. A common mistake is leaving the throttle punch at default; that makes low-speed modulation harder. Checkpoint: with the truck on a stand, apply throttle gently and confirm the wheels start moving smoothly without cogging.

Suspension tuning for the terrain

The Ascent-18's suspension is adjustable via shock preload collars. For rocky, technical crawling, run softer preload so the tires conform to uneven surfaces. For trail running with roots and loose dirt, add preload to reduce chassis slap. You can also adjust ride height by moving the collars; lower ride height improves stability, higher ride height helps clear obstacles. A common mistake is over-tightening the collars and limiting suspension travel. Checkpoint: drop the truck from about 6 inches and watch that it settles without bouncing excessively.

Tire and wheel check for grip

Stock tires work well on rock and dirt, but check for proper seating on the rims. If a tire is not fully seated, it can slip under torque. Clean tires with a damp cloth before a run to remove dust that reduces grip. A common mistake is running tires at uneven pressure; the Ascent-18 uses foam inserts, so make sure they are centered. Checkpoint: press each tire with your thumb; it should feel firm but not rock-hard.

Trail test and final adjustments

Take the truck to a familiar spot and run a short course that includes a steep climb, a side hill, and a tight turn. Pay attention to whether the truck tips easily or spins tires. If it tips, lower ride height or soften preload. If it spins, reduce throttle expo further or add weight to the front. A common mistake is making multiple changes at once; change one setting at a time and retest. Checkpoint: after three runs, you should be able to climb a 45-degree dirt slope without flipping backward.

Setup steps for your Ascent-18 Scout II

  1. Charge and install the battery: Use the included charger to fully charge the battery. Install it in the chassis and secure the hold-down. Mistake: running a partially charged pack can cause inconsistent power and premature low-voltage cutoff. Checkpoint: battery should be snug and the connector fully seated.
  2. Set throttle expo and steering dual rate: On your transmitter, soften the throttle curve to about -30% expo and set steering dual rate so the front tires just clear the body at full lock. Mistake: leaving dual rate too high causes tire rub and can damage body panels. Checkpoint: with the truck on a stand, full steering should not bind.
  3. Adjust shock preload for terrain: Turn the preload collars to the middle position for a balanced start. For rock crawling, back them off one turn; for trail running, add one turn. Mistake: over-tightening collars limits suspension travel and reduces traction. Checkpoint: the truck should settle quickly after a small drop.
  4. Check tire seating and foam inserts: Ensure each tire bead is evenly seated on the rim and the foam insert is centered. Mistake: a misaligned insert causes vibration and poor grip. Checkpoint: press the tire; it should feel firm and even.
  5. Run a test course and fine-tune: Drive a short loop with a climb, side hill, and tight turn. Adjust one setting at a time: if it tips, lower ride height; if it spins, reduce throttle expo. Mistake: changing multiple settings at once makes it hard to identify what helped. Checkpoint: after tuning, you should climb a 45-degree slope without flipping.

Parts and vehicle facts

  • Redcat Ascent-18 International Scout II Brushless - 1/18 Scale Brushless Electric Rock Crawler: Redcat Ascent-18 International Scout II Brushless - 1/18 Scale Brushless Electric Rock Crawler includes 2.4Ghz radio, battery, charger, and is ready to run. You can start tuning immediately without buying extra electronics, but you'll need to charge the included battery before your first run.
  • RER22138: Redcat Racing RER22138 Side Plates are offered as a pair (1pr) and are listed as spare parts for select Redcat Racing vehicles. This part is categorized as a Part and is associated with the ASCENT FUSION and EVEREST ASCENT platforms. If you damage the side plates on your Ascent-18 during a hard crawl, these are the correct replacements for the ASCENT FUSION platform, ensuring a proper fit.