RC Car Shock Tower: Upgrade or Not? Essential Guide

Considering an upgrade for your RC car’s shock tower? Many RC enthusiasts grapple with this decision, wondering if it’s a necessary performance boost or an avoidable expense. You might be frustrated with frequently breaking stock plastic parts, especially during intense bashing sessions, or perhaps you’re aiming for that extra edge in handling precision for competitive racing. The sheer variety of materials—plastic, aluminum, carbon fiber—and the conflicting opinions can make it challenging to determine the best path for your specific RC car and driving style.

Deciding whether to upgrade your RC car’s shock tower hinges on your driving style, typical terrain, and desired performance or durability enhancements. Upgrades often improve strength and handling but can introduce trade-offs like added weight or reduced flexibility, potentially shifting stress to other components.

This comprehensive guide will delve deep into the world of RC car shock towers. We’ll explore their crucial role, the pros and cons of upgrading, compare different materials, and help you identify if and when an upgrade is the right move for you. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how shock towers impact your RC experience and be equipped to make an informed decision, backed by insights from real-world tests and expert knowledge.

Key Facts:

• Upgrading shock towers can significantly alter an RC car’s handling characteristics, impact absorption, and overall durability, making it a common consideration for performance tuning.
• Metal shock towers, particularly aluminum, can add noticeable weight to an RC car. For instance, a full metal suspension and steering upgrade on a 1/16 scale truck resulted in an almost 6-ounce weight increase in one documented test by Derby City RC.
• While offering superior rigidity and strength, upgraded metal shock towers can transfer impact forces to other, potentially more expensive or harder-to-replace components like the chassis or suspension arms if a severe crash occurs.
• Many aftermarket shock towers feature multiple shock mounting positions. These allow for fine-tuning of the suspension geometry, such as adjusting ride height (e.g., by 5mm increments as seen with Treal upgrades for the Traxxas TRX4) and altering leverage ratios to suit different terrains or driving preferences, as explained by Razor RC.
• The choice between plastic, aluminum, and carbon fiber for shock towers involves a critical balance of factors including weight, flexibility, ultimate strength, impact resistance, and cost, each directly influencing how the car performs and withstands the stresses of operation.

What is an RC Car Shock Tower and Why is it Crucial for Performance?

RC car shock towers are vital suspension components that mount the shocks and help absorb impacts from jumps and rough terrain, significantly affecting handling and durability by distributing forces across the chassis. These load-bearing structures are typically found at both the front and rear of an RC car, directly influencing how the vehicle responds to the driving surface. Without robust and appropriately designed shock towers, the entire suspension system would be compromised, leading to poor performance, instability, and frequent damage.

They serve as the upper anchor points for the shock absorbers (dampers), which control the compression and rebound of the suspension. The angle and position at which the shocks are mounted to the tower, along with the tower’s rigidity, play a significant role in suspension kinematics. This includes how effectively the car maintains tire contact with the ground, handles body roll during cornering, and absorbs the energy from landings after a jump. A well-engineered shock tower ensures that these forces are managed efficiently, translating into better traction, stability, and control for the driver.

Understanding the Shock Tower’s Role in Your RC Car’s Suspension

Shock towers act as the upper mounting points for an RC car’s shock absorbers, playing a key role in how the vehicle absorbs impacts, maintains stability, and transfers forces during operation. Think of them as the critical link between the chassis and the shocks. When your RC car lands a jump or hits a bump, the force travels up through the wheels, into the suspension arms, and then to the shocks. The shock tower provides the robust platform against which the shocks compress, dissipating the energy.

The geometry of the shock tower, including the height and spacing of the shock mounting holes, allows for tuning options. By changing the mounting position of the shocks on the tower, you can alter the leverage ratio on the shock, the progressive nature of the suspension, and the car’s ride height. More upright shock positions generally offer a more direct and responsive feel, while laying the shocks down can make the suspension feel softer and more progressive. The rigidity of the shock tower itself is also paramount; any flex in the tower can lead to inconsistent suspension performance and reduced precision in handling.

(Placeholder for a diagram/illustration showing a shock tower, shock absorber, suspension arm, and chassis, highlighting the force distribution pathways)

Common Shock Tower Materials: Stock vs. Aftermarket Options

Stock RC shock towers are typically plastic, offering flexibility and impact absorption. Aftermarket upgrades often use aluminum or carbon fiber for increased rigidity and durability, catering to different performance needs.

• Stock Plastic Shock Towers: Most ready-to-run (RTR) RC cars come equipped with shock towers made from a durable, yet somewhat flexible, plastic or nylon composite.
  • Pros: Lightweight, inexpensive to replace, and their inherent flex can actually help absorb some impact energy, potentially saving other more critical components from damage in a crash.
  • Cons: Prone to breaking or bending under severe stress, especially from big jumps or hard collisions. They can also flex under load, leading to less precise suspension action.
• Aftermarket Aluminum Shock Towers: A very common upgrade, aluminum (or alloy) shock towers offer a significant increase in strength and rigidity.
  • Pros: Much more durable than plastic, resist bending and breaking, provide a more consistent and precise suspension feel due to reduced flex. Often available in anodized colors for aesthetic appeal.
  • Cons: Heavier than plastic, which can slightly affect performance and weight balance. Their rigidity means impact forces are more directly transferred to other parts (like the chassis or shock mounts themselves), potentially causing damage elsewhere. More expensive than plastic.
• Aftermarket Carbon Fiber Shock Towers: The premium choice for many racers and performance-oriented bashers.
  • Pros: Extremely strong and rigid, yet significantly lighter than aluminum. Offers the best performance in terms of precise suspension action and minimal flex.
  • Cons: The most expensive option. While very strong, carbon fiber can splinter or delaminate on very hard, direct impacts, though high-quality carbon fiber is remarkably resilient. Like aluminum, it transfers impact energy rather than absorbing it through flex.

The choice of material often depends on the user’s primary use case: bashing, racing, or general fun-running, as well as budget.

Should I Upgrade the Shock Tower for My RC Car? Key Factors to Consider

Deciding to upgrade your RC car’s shock tower depends on your driving style, the terrain you use, and your performance goals. Consider if you need more durability for bashing or rigidity for racing. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer; what’s an essential upgrade for one RC enthusiast might be an unnecessary expense for another. Carefully evaluating your specific needs and how you use your RC car will guide you to the right decision. This often involves balancing potential benefits against potential drawbacks and costs.

Key questions to ask yourself include:

• Are my current shock towers breaking frequently?
• Am I looking for more precise handling and suspension response?
• Do I participate in competitive racing where every performance edge matters?
• Is the aesthetic appeal of upgraded parts important to me?
• What is my budget for upgrades?

Answering these questions honestly will help you determine if investing in aftermarket shock towers is a worthwhile endeavor.

Assessing Your Driving Style: Basher vs. Racer Needs

Bashers might prioritize durable shock towers that can withstand impacts, while racers often seek lightweight, rigid towers for improved handling precision and speed. Your driving style is perhaps the most significant factor in deciding whether an upgrade is beneficial.

• Bashers: If you’re a basher, your RC car is likely subjected to big jumps, hard landings, tumbles, and collisions.
  • Stock Plastic Consideration: Stock plastic towers might break more often, acting as a sacrificial part that’s cheaper to replace than, say, a bent chassis. Some bashers prefer this.
  • Upgrade Argument (Durability): If you’re tired of frequent breakages, upgrading to aluminum or even heavy-duty reinforced plastic towers can significantly increase durability. Aluminum is a popular choice for bashers for its sheer strength. The primary goal here is to reduce downtime and keep the fun going.
  • Potential Downside: An overly rigid metal tower might transfer impact shock to other components.
• Racers: For competitive racers, precision, consistency, and lightweight performance are paramount.
  • Stock Plastic Limitation: The flex in stock plastic towers can lead to inconsistent handling and less precise suspension feedback, which is detrimental on a race track.
  • Upgrade Argument (Rigidity & Weight): Carbon fiber is often the go-to material for racers due to its exceptional rigidity and low weight. This minimizes suspension flex, allowing for more precise tuning and consistent handling lap after lap. High-quality aluminum can also be an option, but carbon fiber usually offers a better strength-to-weight ratio.
  • Aesthetics: While secondary, the professional look of carbon fiber parts is often appreciated in racing circles.

Impact of Terrain: How Driving Surfaces Influence Shock Tower Choice

Rough terrains with jumps benefit from shock towers that can absorb some impact (stock plastic or reinforced options with some give), while smoother tracks may favor rigid towers for precise handling. The surfaces you predominantly drive on will place different demands on your shock towers.

• Rough, Off-Road Terrain (Big Jumps, Rocks, Obstacles): This is typical bashing territory.
  • Durability is Key: Shock towers will take a beating. Stronger materials like aluminum are often favored to prevent outright breakage.
  • Some Flex Can Be Good: While too much flex is bad, a tower that can absorb a tiny bit of the shock or is designed to break before more critical parts might be preferred by some over an ultra-rigid setup that transfers all force.
  • Consideration: Ensure your shocks are well-tuned for this terrain, as the towers and shocks work in tandem.
• Smooth Tracks (Carpet, Clay, Prepared Dirt): This is racing territory or high-speed on-road running.
  • Rigidity for Precision: On smooth surfaces, especially in racing, any flex in the shock tower can translate to a loss of handling precision and responsiveness. This is where stiff carbon fiber or aluminum towers shine, providing a solid platform for the shocks to do their work consistently.
  • Lower Impact Forces (Generally): While crashes happen, the routine impacts are generally less severe than extreme bashing, making ultra-robustness less critical than rigidity.
• Mixed Terrain: If you run on a variety of surfaces, you’ll need to find a balance. A good quality aluminum tower might offer a good compromise between durability for rougher patches and rigidity for smoother sections.

Defining Your Performance and Durability Goals

If your goal is maximum durability against breakage, metal towers are an option. For improved handling precision, carbon fiber or aluminum offer rigidity. Aesthetics can also be a valid reason for an upgrade. Clearly defining what you hope to achieve with an upgrade will help you select the right type of shock tower.

• Increased Durability:
  • Problem: Frequent breaking of stock plastic shock towers.
  • Solution: Upgrading to aluminum or, in some cases, robust carbon fiber towers can drastically reduce breakages. This is a primary goal for many bashers.
  • Example: If your stock plastic front shock tower, like the one shown below which has cracked, consistently fails after jumps, an aluminum replacement is a common solution.
  
• Improved Handling Precision:
  • Problem: Vague or inconsistent steering response, excessive body roll, difficulty in fine-tuning suspension.
  • Solution: Upgrading to more rigid carbon fiber or aluminum towers minimizes flex, ensuring the shocks and suspension geometry work as intended. This leads to sharper turn-in, more predictable handling, and better feedback. This is critical for racers.
• Enhanced Aesthetics:
  • Problem: You want your RC car to look cooler and more customized.
  • Solution: Aftermarket shock towers, especially anodized aluminum in various colors or sleek carbon fiber weaves, can significantly improve the visual appeal of your vehicle. For many hobbyists, this is a perfectly valid reason for an upgrade.
• Tuning Options:
  • Problem: Limited shock mounting positions on stock towers, restricting suspension tuning.
  • Solution: Many aftermarket shock towers offer a wider array of mounting holes, allowing for finer adjustments to shock angle and position, which can significantly impact handling. Roadside RC’s video on Treal shock towers for the Traxxas TRX4 demonstrates how such upgrades provide more geometry options.

Understanding your primary motivation will guide your material choice and the specific features you look for in an upgraded shock tower.

What are the Advantages of Upgrading RC Car Shock Towers?

Upgrading RC car shock towers offers increased durability with materials like aluminum or carbon fiber, improved handling precision due to greater rigidity, enhanced tuning options, and often a more appealing aesthetic through various designs and finishes. While not always essential for every user, aftermarket shock towers can bring several tangible benefits that enhance the RC experience, particularly for those pushing their vehicles to the limits or seeking a higher level of performance and customization. These advantages directly address common shortcomings of stock components, especially under demanding conditions.

Here’s a breakdown of the key benefits:

• Increased Durability and Resistance to Wear: This is often the primary driver for upgrades, especially for bashers.
• Improved Rigidity for Enhanced Handling Precision: Critical for racers and anyone seeking more responsive control.
• More Suspension Tuning Options: Many aftermarket towers offer additional mounting holes for shocks.
• Enhanced Aesthetic Appeal and Customization: Adds a personal touch and a premium look.

Let’s explore some of these in more detail.

Increased Durability and Resistance to Wear

Aluminum and carbon fiber shock towers are significantly more durable than stock plastic, resisting breaks from hard impacts and offering longer lifespan under stress. This is a major advantage, particularly for RC enthusiasts who engage in aggressive bashing or drive on very rough terrain. Stock plastic towers, while designed to absorb some impact by flexing or even breaking (which can sometimes be a good thing to save other parts), can become a frequent point of failure.

• Aluminum/Alloy Shock Towers: These are known for their ability to withstand much harder impacts compared to plastic. They are less likely to snap or crack, meaning less downtime for repairs and more time driving. For example, if you’re consistently breaking front shock towers (like the cracked plastic one in the image shared earlier), an aluminum replacement can be a near-permanent fix for that specific part.
• Carbon Fiber Shock Towers: Offer an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. High-quality carbon fiber is incredibly strong and can endure significant stress. While it can splinter under extreme, focused impacts, it generally holds up exceptionally well and resists the kind of fatigue or stress cracking that plastic might exhibit.

Tip: When upgrading to more durable towers, ensure the rest of your suspension components (like shock shafts and mounting hardware) are also in good condition, as the shock towers will now transfer more force.

Improved Rigidity for Enhanced Handling Precision

Metal or carbon fiber shock towers provide less flex under stress, leading to improved handling precision, better response during high-speed runs, and more consistent cornering. When you steer your RC car or when it encounters bumps and undulations, the suspension is constantly working. If the shock towers flex, this movement isn’t efficiently translated into the shocks or controlled by the suspension geometry. This can result in a vague or “sloppy” feeling.

Upgraded, more rigid shock towers (typically aluminum or carbon fiber) minimize this unwanted flex.

• Consistent Shock Action: The shocks can operate more effectively as their mounting points are stable.
• Predictable Handling: The car responds more directly and predictably to steering inputs and terrain changes.
• Better for Tuning: A rigid platform makes it easier to discern the effects of suspension adjustments (e.g., shock oil, springs, mounting positions). As seen in Razor RC’s explanation of shock mounting positions, the stability of the tower is fundamental to how those adjustments translate to performance.

This benefit is particularly noticeable in racing applications or high-speed driving where precision is crucial for control and lap times.

Enhanced Aesthetic Appeal and Customization

Upgraded shock towers often feature anodized aluminum in various colors or sleek carbon fiber weaves, significantly enhancing the visual appeal and customization of an RC car. For many hobbyists, the look of their RC car is just as important as its performance. Aftermarket shock towers offer a fantastic way to personalize a vehicle.

• Anodized Aluminum: These parts come in a wide spectrum of vibrant colors – blue, red, gunmetal, gold, and more. This allows owners to color-coordinate parts or create a unique visual theme for their car.
• Carbon Fiber: The characteristic woven pattern of carbon fiber gives a high-tech, premium look that many enthusiasts find appealing. It signals performance and quality.
• Machined Details: Many aftermarket towers, especially aluminum ones, feature intricate CNC machined designs that add to their visual complexity and appeal compared to plain molded plastic parts.

While aesthetics don’t directly improve performance (other than a potential psychological boost!), they are a significant part of the RC hobby for many. The video by Ryan Harris, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_3zjVcJlss, touches upon how some “upgrades” are more about looks or options than pure performance, and for shock towers, aesthetics can certainly be a motivating factor.

Upgrading for looks is a perfectly valid reason, especially if the chosen part also offers some performance or durability benefits.

What are the Potential Disadvantages of Upgrading Shock Towers?

Potential disadvantages of upgrading RC shock towers include added weight from aluminum parts affecting balance and speed, reduced flexibility leading to force transfer elsewhere, and higher costs compared to stock replacements. While upgrades often bring desirable benefits, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential downsides. An “upgrade” isn’t universally better in all aspects; there are usually trade-offs involved. Understanding these can help you make a more balanced decision and avoid unintended negative consequences for your RC car’s performance or longevity.

The main potential drawbacks are:

• Added Weight: Particularly with aluminum components.
• Reduced Flexibility and Risk to Other Components: Rigid towers transfer impact forces.
• Cost: Aftermarket parts are generally more expensive than stock replacements.

Let’s examine each of these potential disadvantages.

Added Weight and Its Impact on Performance

Aluminum shock towers are heavier than plastic, which can negatively affect an RC car’s acceleration, top speed, and alter its balance, especially during jumps. Weight is a critical factor in RC car performance. While carbon fiber upgrades are often chosen for their lightweight strength, aluminum parts invariably add more mass compared to their stock plastic counterparts.

• Acceleration and Top Speed: Extra weight requires more power to accelerate and can slightly reduce the car’s ultimate top speed. This might be more noticeable in competitive racing classes with strict motor rules.
• Balance and Handling: The location of the added weight matters. Heavier shock towers, being relatively high on the chassis, can raise the center of gravity slightly, potentially affecting handling characteristics like body roll and stability during cornering. During jumps, the added weight, especially if unbalanced front-to-rear, can alter the car’s attitude in the air.
• Increased Wear on Other Parts: More weight means more stress on drivetrain components, tires, and even the motor and ESC.
• Fuel/Battery Efficiency: For nitro cars, this means slightly higher fuel consumption. For electric cars, it can mean marginally shorter run times.

In the Derby City RC video comparing metal and plastic parts, they noted a weight increase of just under 6 ounces for a full suite of metal upgrades on a 1/16 scale truck. While not solely from shock towers, it illustrates that metal upgrades do add up.

Key Takeaway: If you’re considering aluminum shock towers, be mindful of the added weight. For applications where every gram counts (like stock class racing), this could be a significant disadvantage. For bashers, the durability gain might outweigh the slight performance penalty from added weight.

Reduced Flexibility and Risk to Other Components

While rigidity improves handling, less flexible metal shock towers can transfer impact forces to other components like suspension arms or the chassis, potentially causing more expensive damage elsewhere. Stock plastic shock towers often have a degree of flex. In a crash, this flex can absorb some of the impact energy. Sometimes, the plastic tower itself will break, acting as a relatively cheap “fuse” that protects more valuable parts of the car.

When you install a very rigid aluminum or carbon fiber shock tower:

• Impact Force Redirection: The tower itself is much less likely to bend or break. However, the impact energy has to go somewhere. This force is now transferred more directly to the points where the tower mounts to the chassis, and through the shocks to the suspension arms and their mounting points.
• Potential for Other Breakages: Instead of a broken shock tower, you might end up with a bent chassis, a broken bulkhead, snapped suspension arms, or damaged shock mounting screws. These can be more costly and time-consuming to repair than a simple shock tower. The Derby City RC video discussion on metal parts causing breakage to “more expensive harder to replace items” highlights this exact concern.
• Stress on Mounting Hardware: The screws and hardware holding the rigid tower can also experience higher stress.

Tip: If you upgrade to very rigid shock towers, especially for aggressive bashing, be prepared for the possibility that crashes might cause damage to different parts of the car than you were used to with plastic towers. Some users strategically keep certain parts plastic to act as designed weak points.

Cost Considerations: Is the Upgrade Worth the Investment?

Aftermarket shock towers, especially carbon fiber or quality aluminum, can be significantly more expensive than replacing stock plastic parts, making cost a key factor for casual users. Upgrades come at a price, and shock towers are no exception.

• Stock Plastic Parts: These are generally very affordable. If a stock plastic tower breaks, replacing it is usually a minor expense.
• Aluminum Shock Towers: These are moderately priced. A set of front and rear aluminum towers can represent a noticeable investment, often many times the cost of a single plastic replacement.
• Carbon Fiber Shock Towers: These are typically the most expensive option, reflecting the material cost and manufacturing process. They are often seen as a premium upgrade for serious racers or enthusiasts.

When considering the cost, weigh it against the benefits you expect and your budget:

• For Bashers: If you’re breaking stock towers very frequently, the cost of multiple plastic replacements might eventually approach or exceed the cost of a more durable aluminum set. In this case, the upgrade could be cost-effective in the long run due to reduced replacement frequency.
• For Racers: The performance advantage gained from carbon fiber or high-quality aluminum might be deemed worth the higher cost if it translates to better results on the track.
• For Casual Users: If you rarely break parts and are happy with your car’s performance, the extra expense of aftermarket shock towers might not be justified.

Key Takeaway: Evaluate the cost-benefit ratio for your specific situation. An expensive upgrade isn’t always the best upgrade if a cheaper solution meets your needs.

When is Upgrading Your RC Shock Tower the Right Choice?

Upgrade your RC shock tower if stock ones consistently fail during bashing, if you’re a racer needing maximum handling precision with carbon fiber, or if enhancing your car’s aesthetics is a priority. The decision to upgrade isn’t always clear-cut and depends heavily on individual circumstances, vehicle type, and how it’s used. There are specific scenarios where an upgrade transitions from a “maybe” to a “probably a good idea.” Identifying these situations can save you from unnecessary spending or, conversely, help you unlock more performance and durability from your RC car.

Consider these common situations:

• Your stock parts are repeatedly failing.
• You’re seeking a competitive edge in racing.
• You desire a more premium look and feel for your vehicle.
• You want more suspension tuning capabilities.

Let’s delve into some specific user profiles and scenarios where an upgrade makes the most sense.

For Bashers: If Stock Towers Consistently Fail or Bend

Bashers should consider upgrading shock towers, possibly to aluminum, if their stock plastic towers frequently break or bend. However, reinforcing plastic towers with braces is also an option. If your bashing sessions are regularly cut short by a snapped or severely bent plastic shock tower, it’s a strong indicator that the stock part isn’t up to the task for your driving style. This is one of the most common reasons bashers look to upgrade.

• Symptom: You’re replacing shock towers after almost every other run, or they are visibly deformed.
• Solution: Upgrading to an aluminum shock tower is a popular choice for bashers due to its significantly increased strength and resistance to bending. This can lead to more uninterrupted runtime and less frustration. Some heavy-duty reinforced plastic aftermarket options might also offer an improvement over standard stock plastic.
• Caveat: Remember the point about transferring force. While an aluminum tower won’t break easily, ensure your landings are reasonably controlled to avoid damaging other components. Sometimes, a slightly more forgiving material or a design that allows some give might be preferable to an ultra-rigid setup for extreme bashing.
• Alternative: Before jumping to metal, consider if shock tower braces for your existing plastic towers are available. These can add significant support without the full weight penalty or rigidity of solid aluminum.

If durability is your primary concern and stock parts aren’t cutting it, an upgrade is often the logical next step.

For Competitive Racers: Seeking Optimal Handling and Lightweight Strength

For competitive RC racing, carbon fiber shock towers are ideal due to their lightweight yet strong properties, enhancing handling precision. Aluminum may also work but adds more weight. In the world of RC racing, every fraction of a second counts, and consistent, predictable handling is paramount. Stock plastic shock towers, with their inherent flex, can be a limiting factor.

• Need for Rigidity: Racers require a suspension system that responds precisely to inputs and track conditions. The rigidity of carbon fiber (or high-quality, well-designed aluminum) shock towers minimizes flex, ensuring that shock absorbers work optimally and suspension geometry remains consistent under load. This translates to sharper turn-in, better stability through corners, and more effective absorption of bumps on the track.
• Lightweight Advantage: Carbon fiber offers an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. Reducing overall vehicle weight, and particularly unsprung or high-mounted weight, improves acceleration, braking, and responsiveness. This makes carbon fiber the preferred material for many serious racers.
• Tuning Capabilities: Many aftermarket racing shock towers also offer a wider range_of shock mounting positions, allowing for finer adjustments to tune the car’s handling for specific track conditions – a feature highlighted by Roadside RC when discussing the Treal upgrades for the Traxxas TRX4.

For a competitive racer, the investment in high-quality, lightweight, and rigid shock towers is often considered essential for maximizing performance.

For Aesthetics: If You Value a Premium Look

If enhancing your RC car’s appearance with premium-looking anodized aluminum or sleek carbon fiber parts is important to you, upgrading shock towers makes sense purely for aesthetic reasons. The RC hobby isn’t just about performance; it’s also about personalization and pride in your vehicle. For many enthusiasts, the visual appeal of their RC car is a significant source of enjoyment.

• Customization: Aftermarket shock towers, especially those made from anodized aluminum, come in a dazzling array of colors (red, blue, gunmetal, etc.). This allows owners to color-match components, create a unique theme, or simply add some “bling” to their ride.
• Premium Finish: Carbon fiber, with its distinctive weave pattern, and precisely machined aluminum parts often give a more high-end, sophisticated look compared to standard molded plastic.
• Showcasing Your Build: If you enjoy displaying your RC car or sharing photos and videos of it, upgraded parts like shock towers can make it stand out.

While aesthetic upgrades don’t inherently improve how the car drives (unless they also offer performance benefits like rigidity), they contribute to the overall satisfaction and enjoyment of the hobby. If a cool-looking shock tower makes you happy and it’s within your budget, that’s a perfectly valid reason to upgrade.

Are There Alternative Solutions to a Full Shock Tower Upgrade?

Yes, alternatives to full shock tower upgrades include using reinforced plastic options, adding billet braces to stock towers for support, or adjusting suspension geometry like shock mounting positions. Before committing to potentially expensive aftermarket metal or carbon fiber shock towers, it’s worth exploring if less drastic or more cost-effective solutions can address your needs. Sometimes, a full replacement isn’t necessary to achieve desired improvements in durability or handling.

These alternatives can offer a middle ground, providing some of the benefits of an upgrade without all the potential downsides or costs.

• Reinforced Plastic Options: Stronger than stock, more flexible than metal.
• Shock Tower Braces: Add support to existing plastic towers.
• Suspension Geometry Adjustments: Optimize performance with existing parts.

Let’s look at these alternatives more closely.

Utilizing Reinforced Plastic Options

Reinforced plastic shock towers offer a middle ground, providing better durability than standard plastic while retaining some flexibility to absorb impacts, often at a lower cost than metal. Several manufacturers offer shock towers made from “heavy-duty” or “reinforced” plastic composites. These are designed to be tougher and more resilient than the stock plastic parts found on many RTR vehicles, but they still maintain some of the beneficial flex that can help absorb impacts and protect other components.

• Benefits:
  • Improved Durability: Noticeably stronger than basic stock plastic.
  • Retained Flexibility: Unlike aluminum or carbon fiber, they still offer some “give,” which can be advantageous in absorbing shocks from hard landings or collisions, potentially preventing damage to more critical or expensive parts.
  • Lighter Weight: Generally lighter than aluminum equivalents.
  • Cost-Effective: Often less expensive than metal or carbon fiber upgrades.
• Ideal For: Bashers who want more durability than stock but are wary of the rigidity and force-transfer characteristics of metal parts, or those on a tighter budget.

These can be a smart upgrade if you’re breaking stock plastic but don’t want to go all-in on metal.

Adding Shock Tower Braces for Increased Support

Adding braces (e.g., billet aluminum braces) to stock plastic shock towers can significantly increase their strength and support without sacrificing much flexibility or adding excessive weight. Shock tower braces are typically small, machined aluminum or strong plastic pieces that connect across vulnerable points of a stock shock tower or link the tower to another part of the chassis for added rigidity.

• How They Work: They effectively reinforce the existing plastic tower, reducing its ability to flex or twist under load, particularly at the shock mounting points.
• Benefits:
  • Increased Strength: Makes the stock tower much more resistant to breaking or bending.
  • Maintains Some Plastic Properties: You still get some of the impact-absorbing qualities of the underlying plastic tower.
  • Cost-Effective: Usually much cheaper than replacing the entire shock tower with a metal or carbon fiber unit.
  • Minimal Weight Gain: Braces are typically small and lightweight.
• Example: A common application is a brace that spans across the top of a plastic front or rear shock tower, preventing it from splaying outwards under impact.

This is an excellent and often overlooked option for bolstering stock components without a complete overhaul.

Experimenting with Shock Tower Position and Suspension Geometry

Adjusting the shock mounting positions on existing towers can alter suspension geometry, potentially improving handling or impact absorption without needing to buy new shock towers. Many stock and aftermarket shock towers offer multiple holes for mounting the top of the shock absorbers. Changing these positions can have a significant impact on how the suspension behaves. This is a “free” tuning option that should be explored before investing in new parts.

As Razor RC explains in their “Tech Talk” video, moving the shock’s upper mounting point in or out, or up or down on the tower, changes:

• Leverage Ratio: Affects how much the shock compresses for a given amount of wheel travel. Moving the shock top outwards (more laid down) generally makes the suspension feel softer and more progressive. Moving it inwards (more upright) makes it feel firmer and more linear.
• Damping Characteristics: The effective damping rate changes with the leverage.
• Roll Center (Indirectly): Changes in shock angle can influence body roll characteristics.
• Ride Height: Some adjustments can slightly alter the ride height.

Tip: Consult your RC car’s manual or online forums for your specific model to understand the intended effects of different shock mounting positions. Experiment methodically, changing one thing at a time, to feel the difference. Sometimes, simply optimizing your existing setup can yield significant improvements.

Aluminum vs. Plastic vs. Carbon Fiber Shock Towers: Which is Best for You?

Choosing between plastic, aluminum, or carbon fiber shock towers depends on your needs: plastic for flexibility and cost, aluminum for durability, and carbon fiber for lightweight strength and precision handling. There’s no single “best” material for all RC car shock towers; the optimal choice is highly dependent on your specific application, driving style, budget, and performance goals. Each material presents a unique set of advantages and disadvantages.

A clear understanding of these trade-offs will empower you to select the material that aligns best with your priorities.

Let’s break down each material further.

Plastic Shock Towers: Pros, Cons, and Ideal Use Cases

Plastic shock towers are lightweight, flexible, and inexpensive, ideal for beginners or bashers who want parts to absorb impact by breaking, protecting more expensive components. These are the standard on most ready-to-run (RTR) RC cars.

• Pros:
  • Lightweight: Contributes to better overall performance and handling.
  • Flexible: Can absorb some impact energy, potentially saving other, more critical parts from damage in a crash. They can act as a “sacrificial” part.
  • Inexpensive: Cheap and easy to replace if they do break.
  • Sufficient for Many: For casual driving or lighter-duty use, stock plastic towers are often perfectly adequate.
• Cons:
  • Less Durable: Prone to breaking or bending under severe stress, especially from big jumps or hard collisions.
  • Flex: The inherent flex can lead to less precise suspension action and a “sloppy” handling feel, especially noticeable in performance applications.
  • Limited Tuning: May offer fewer shock mounting positions compared to aftermarket options.
• Ideal Use Cases:
  • Beginners and casual RC users.
  • Budget-conscious individuals.
  • Bashers who prefer a cheaper part to break rather than risking damage to more expensive chassis components.
  • Light-duty off-road or on-road driving.

Aluminum/Alloy Shock Towers: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Suitability

Aluminum shock towers offer high durability and rigidity, good for bashers needing strength. However, they add weight and transfer impact forces more directly than plastic. Aluminum is one of the most common upgrade materials.

• Pros:
  • Very Durable: Significantly stronger than plastic and highly resistant to breaking or bending.
  • Increased Rigidity: Provides a much more solid platform for the shocks, leading to more precise and consistent suspension action and improved handling.
  • Aesthetic Appeal: Often available in various anodized colors and feature machined details, enhancing the car’s look.
  • Good for Bashing: Their robustness makes them a popular choice for aggressive bashers who frequently break plastic parts.
• Cons:
  • Heavier: Adds noticeable weight compared to plastic or carbon fiber, which can slightly affect acceleration, balance, and handling.
  • Less Impact Absorption: Their rigidity means they transfer impact forces to other components (chassis, suspension arms, screws) rather than absorbing it through flex. This can lead to damage elsewhere in a hard crash.
  • Can Bend: While strong, a very hard impact can still bend an aluminum tower, and bending it back perfectly can be difficult.
  • Costlier: More expensive than stock plastic replacements.
• Ideal Use Cases:
  • Aggressive bashers seeking maximum durability for shock towers.
  • Drivers wanting improved handling precision over stock plastic without the higher cost of carbon fiber.
  • Enthusiasts looking for a visual upgrade with colored anodized parts.

Carbon Fiber Shock Towers: The Premium Lightweight Option

Carbon fiber shock towers provide excellent strength-to-weight ratio and rigidity, ideal for competitive racers seeking maximum performance, but are the most expensive option. Carbon fiber represents the pinnacle of performance for shock tower materials.

• Pros:
  • Extremely Strong and Rigid: Offers exceptional stiffness, minimizing flex for the most precise suspension action.
  • Very Lightweight: Typically as light as, or even lighter than, plastic, while being significantly stronger than aluminum. This is crucial for racing performance.
  • Excellent Strength-to-Weight Ratio: The best of all common materials.
  • Premium Aesthetics: The distinctive carbon fiber weave has a high-tech, professional look.
  • Resistant to Bending: Unlike aluminum, carbon fiber doesn’t typically bend; it either withstands the force or, in extreme cases, can break or delaminate.
• Cons:
  • Most Expensive: The highest cost option for shock towers.
  • Can Splinter/Delaminate: While very tough, a sharp, direct impact can cause carbon fiber to splinter or layers to separate. It doesn’t “give” like plastic or bend like aluminum.
  • Transfers Impact: Like aluminum, its rigidity means impact forces are transferred elsewhere.
• Ideal Use Cases:
  • Competitive RC racing (on-road and off-road) where low weight and high rigidity are paramount.
  • High-performance applications where precision handling is critical.
  • Enthusiasts seeking the ultimate in performance upgrades and are willing to invest more.

FAQs About Upgrading RC Car Shock Towers

Are aluminum shock towers worth it for upgrading front and rear?

Yes, if durability is a primary concern and stock plastic towers are frequently breaking, upgrading both front and rear aluminum shock towers can be worth it for a consistent increase in strength across the vehicle. However, consider the added weight and potential for force transfer. Some users might upgrade only the end that breaks most often.

Do metal shock towers prevent other parts from breaking?

No, typically the opposite can be true. Highly rigid metal shock towers are less likely to break themselves but can transfer impact forces to other, potentially weaker or more expensive components like the chassis, bulkheads, or suspension arms, leading to breakage there. Stock plastic towers sometimes act as a “fuse” by breaking first.

Will upgrading my shock tower make my RC car faster?

Not directly in terms of top speed. However, more rigid shock towers (aluminum or carbon fiber) can improve handling precision and consistency, allowing you to carry more speed through corners or maintain better control on rough terrain, which can lead to faster lap times or a more capable vehicle. Any weight increase from aluminum could slightly hinder acceleration.

What’s the difference between a shock tower and a shock tower brace?

A shock tower is the primary structural component that the top of the shocks mount to. A shock tower brace is an additional, smaller part (often aluminum) that is added to an existing shock tower (usually plastic) to reinforce it and reduce flex, without replacing the entire tower.

How do I know if my shock tower is bent or needs replacement?

For plastic towers, look for visible cracks, stress marks (white areas), or obvious deformation. For metal towers, check if they are no longer straight or flat, if shock mounting holes are elongated, or if there are cracks. Any significant damage that could compromise suspension geometry or strength warrants replacement.

Is it hard to install an upgraded shock tower on my RC car?

Generally, no. It usually involves removing a few screws that hold the old tower and shocks, then reattaching the new tower with the same or new hardware. Basic RC tools are typically sufficient. However, ensure you note the shock mounting positions and any other attached components before disassembly.

Can I use a shock tower from a different RC car model?

It’s highly unlikely unless the parts are specifically listed as compatible. Shock towers are designed for specific chassis and suspension geometries. Mounting points, dimensions, and shock angles will almost certainly differ between models, even from the same manufacturer. Always use parts designed for your specific RC car model.

Are alloy shock towers a good upgrade for bashing specifically?

Often, yes. Alloy (aluminum) shock towers offer significantly increased durability compared to stock plastic, which is beneficial for the hard impacts common in bashing. They can prevent frequent breakage of the towers themselves. Just be mindful of the potential to transfer impact forces to other parts.

What does altering shock tower mounting positions do for handling?

Altering shock mounting positions on the tower changes the leverage on the shock and the angle of the shock. Moving the top of the shock inwards (more vertical) generally firms up the suspension and makes it more responsive. Moving it outwards (more laid down) typically softens the suspension and can make it more progressive, affecting roll characteristics and bump handling.

Are carbon fiber shock towers more durable than aluminum?

It’s complex. Carbon fiber has a higher tensile strength and is more rigid for its weight. It won’t bend like aluminum. However, under certain types of sharp, direct impacts, carbon fiber can splinter or delaminate, while aluminum might just bend (and potentially be bent back). For overall resistance to breaking in typical RC scenarios, high-quality carbon fiber is exceptionally durable, but aluminum is often seen as more “bash-proof” against catastrophic failure.

Summary: Making the Right Shock Tower Upgrade Decision

Upgrading your RC car’s shock tower depends on your specific needs. Bashers may stick with reinforced plastic or opt for durable aluminum if stock parts fail, while racers often benefit from lightweight carbon fiber for precision. Weigh durability, performance, cost, and potential drawbacks before upgrading. The journey to optimizing your RC car is personal, and shock tower upgrades are a significant consideration in that process.

To recap the key decision factors:

• Driving Style: Are you a basher enduring hard impacts, or a racer seeking precision? Bashers lean towards durability (aluminum, reinforced plastic), while racers prioritize rigidity and low weight (carbon fiber).
• Terrain: Rough, jump-filled terrains demand robust towers, while smoother tracks benefit from the consistency of rigid towers.
• Performance Goals: Are you aiming for unbreakable strength, razor-sharp handling, or aesthetic enhancement? Your goals will dictate material choice.
• Budget: Stock plastic is cheapest, aluminum is mid-range, and carbon fiber is premium. Factor in the cost versus the benefit.
• Current Issues: If your stock towers are constantly breaking, an upgrade is likely justified. If not, it might be an optional enhancement rather than a necessity.
• Trade-offs: Remember that stronger, more rigid towers can transfer impact forces elsewhere, and aluminum adds weight.

Ultimately, the “best” shock tower is the one that best suits your RC car, your driving habits, and your objectives for the hobby. Consider the insights from user experiences, such as those found on Reddit threads discussing aluminum versus plastic, or the detailed tests by channels like Derby City RC. Don’t be afraid to experiment with tuning your existing setup first, like adjusting shock mounting positions, as sometimes significant gains can be found without spending extra money.

What are your experiences with shock tower upgrades? Have you found a particular material or brand to be a game-changer for your RC adventures? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below – let’s learn from each other! And if you found this guide helpful, please consider sharing it with fellow RC enthusiasts.