I was given one of the first LSTs in the UK for Christmas back in 2004, and have both raced them & bashed them ever since. My LSTs have been fitted with OS .30, STS .28 and even an Axial .36 engine.
I`m privileged to get to test RC trucks, and think I`m well qualified to still believe that the LST is one of the best trucks out there. Only the Savage XL even comes close ( well, actually beats the LST now).
Way back in 2004 Team Losi raised the monster truck performance bar with the release of the Losi Super Truck, the LST.
Initially gaining a reputation for self-destructing engines due to some fool designing a shim of the crank - the ‘evil-washer’ ( which was removed from serial 11000 onwards) the LST went on to become one of the best trucks on the market. Innovations built into the LST were its large ( for that time) 3-port .26 engine, a roto-start and it was one of the first trucks to have a reverse gear. The two-speed transmission also had an annoying hi/low ratio selector, which changed the gear ratios. This was gimmicky and of no use.
As the competition upped their game to keep pace with the LST, Losi further improved the truck, with the the introduction of the LST2 in 2006. This featured a faster 7-port Mach 427 engine, 20 mm hexes and 420 series dish wheels. There were also some detail changes, like using different side rails, pinion gear assembly, two-speed unit, wishbones and a larger 220cc fuel tank.
In 2007 Losi released the Aftershock. This is a budget version of the LST1 ( as it was now called), although using several LST2 bits. It used LST2 two-speed unit, pinion assembly and side rails - but LST1 suspension with composite shocks. The engine was a pull-start Mach .26SS.
2007 also saw the release of the 1:18 scale electric version of the truck, the Mini-LST. Fitted with a brushless motor this little truck proved to be a real pocket rocket.
This was also true of the LST based Muggy. Fitted with a central differential and the 7-port Mach 427, this truggy is a real winner.
Continuing the LST line, Losi released the VW Beatle inspired ‘Baja’ and the Dodge licensed ‘Raminator’ in 2007. A scale replica of the Halls Brothers monster truck of the same name, the Raminator is equipped with 2.4 GHz Spektrum radio gear as standard.
With such a great basis on which to build, we can only speculate what any LST3 might have. With its closest rival, the HPI Savage now sporting a 5.9cc engine and 3-speed transmission, the LST family is starting to show its age. If I could dream of what the LST3 would have, it would be an 8 cc engine, 3-speed transmission and Spektrum.
Only time will tell..........
