Being responsible for R&D at the XRAY off-road division, I was actively involved in the XT8 project. I can assure you that not even the smallest detail was overlooked.

With the huge amount of effort, time, and energy our R&D team put into this project, you can be sure that the XT8 is nothing less than the highest-competition, premium truggy capable of winning any race.  You will be amazed by the superior handling and reliability of the new XT8.

Martin Bayer
XRAY XT8 Designer

At one of the world’s most competitive off-road races – the ROAR National Championship, it was XRAY’s Ty Tessmann who brought the ROAR National Champion title to the XT8 platform. Tested and successfully run in the highest competition races so now you can enjoy the same winning platform.

Some information shown below may include details from previous kits,
and it may vary slightly from current kit specifications

The XT8 chassis features positions to mount weights for additional balance adjustments. All the central positions are placed in an absolute chassis center for optimal weight balance.

Both front and rear suspension feature reinforced design to maintain rigidity in extreme conditions and higher temperatures. These stiff suspension arms improve the XT8’s stability and predictability in high speed corners. Bump steer is adjusted by inserting shims between the steering plate and steering linkage.

The servo saver features a conical spring that is longer and stronger and ensures more precise steering and improved reliability.

The servo saver posts feature a keyed design to prevent the posts from spinning on the chassis for easier assembly and to prevent the posts from twisting loose during a run.

To ensure servo saver reliability (especially in dusty conditions), the servo saver is moulded from graphite material which is more resistant and efficient in dusty conditions. The dual-arm steering system is simple yet effective, featuring an integrated easily adjustable servo saver, and a Swiss 7075 T6 aluminum steering plate.

Ackermann is easily adjusted by changing steering link mounting positions on the steering plate. Bump steer is adjusted by inserting shims between the steering plate and steering linkage.

The top deck features additional clearance to prevent binding even if it is overtightened so the steering will always move freely. Fits both XT8 and XT8E.

The XT8 includes the Hard composite radio box that is more rigid in higher temperatures to improve the precision of servo movement. Radio box is now installed to chassis with 7 screws to increase stability. This version of the radio box also has more room for the receiver battery pack.

The 1-piece electronics assembly is very compact and can be quickly & easily removed for servicing and cleaning. It requires removing only a few screws from the bottom of the chassis to remove the entire electronics assembly from the truck.

The large, molded radio box features a clean design and layout that places the components’ weight in key areas for proper balance. The batteries are placed along the front centerline of the chassis, with the lightweight receiver placed on its side at the rear of the box with internal channels for the necessary wiring.

The XT8 front C-hub suspension is using zero kingpin steering blocks with interchangeable steering plates and CVD drive shafts.

The super-lightweight composite zero kingpin steering blocks feature exchangeable steering plates to easily adjust the Ackermann.

The steering blocks feature an inset aluminum bushing that is molded into the steering block itself, ensuring a lightweight, precise and durable steering block assembly. This enables the kingpin screws to be firmly held in the aluminum threaded bushing while the end of the screw is self-locked in composite to prevent the screws from loosening during racing.

The molded-in aluminum bushings allow the steering blocks to turn freely ensuring precise steering reaction. The super-tiny steering blocks are molded from a lightweight yet very strong and durable composite material.

The unique C-hub suspension on the XT8 features Integrated Adjustable Caster™ which enables adjustment of the single C-block through the entire caster angle range; no optional caster blocks needed!

The C-block features an inclined kingpin design for increased steering and stability.

The C-hub suspension includes now steel caster bushings and ball mounts instead of composite versions, giving increased strength & reliability.

The rear uprights feature larger outside 8x16x5mm ball-bearings for increased reliability and life-span. To expand the set-up choices there are three roll-center adjustment positions.

The smart design allows the same upright to be used on both left & right sides. The rear uprights feature integrated geometry adjustments for camber, upper and lower roll center and wheelbase.

Two shims allow positioning the hub forward/backwards along the outer suspension pin to adjust wheelbase.

The side guards incorporates a larger bottom radius to make the truggy more stable on rough tracks, while increasing longitudinal flex.

The side guards are moulded from special composite mixture for increased flex which helps to generate more traction.

The tough composite side guards protect the truggy, muffler, and fuel tank from side impacts. The side guards perfectly fit the chassis and seal against dirt.

The dual-arm steering system is reliable and has improved steering characteristics.

Molded graphite servo saver makes the steering more resilient & efficient in dusty conditions. The alu steering plate gives more aggressive steering characteristics, the composite upper top deck ads flex to help steering, and the steering pivot balls feature backstops for increased reliability.

Ackermann can be adjusted quickly & easily by changing steering link mounting positions on the steering plate.

Bump steer is easily adjusted by inserting shims between the graphite steering plate and steering linkage.

Front & rear chassis braces have a significant influence on chassis stiffness and flex, and as such have great impact on handling under different grip conditions.

The front chassis brace adds more front flex for improved steering characteristics.

The rear double composite braces have a direct mounting to the rear bulkhead instead to the rear shock tower. This bulkhead mounting eliminates transfer of vibrations and energy from the suspension via shock towers, helping to improve landings and generating more off-power traction.

The rear medium brace is mounted with a graphite chassis extension for flex adjustment in 3 different settings. The rear brace is moulded from a medium-stiff composite mixture for better flex & rigidity, and allows the mounting of optional graphite inserts to reinforce the chassis brace to make it even stiffer (suitable for high-traction conditions).

The XT8 features CVD drive shafts both front & rear.

All drive shafts are manufactured from world-renowned HUDY Spring Steel™, resulting in some of the world‘s thinnest yet most durable drive shafts used in off-road cars. All drive shafts and outdrives are hardened with a proprietary hardening process to provide unsurpassed lifespan & reliability.

The central larger & stronger outdrives feature protective rubber boots, thick 3mm pins, and protective locking rings.

The XT8 is a conventional shaft-driven 4WD truggy featuring:

• Front & rear gear differential with adjustable oil viscosity, and each featuring 43T crown gear and 10T pinion gear

• Central differential with adjustable oil viscosity, featuring a 50T spur gear with standard 13T clutchbell on the engine.

• Front, central, and rear drive shafts

Differential main gears are manufactured from HUDY Gear Steel on a precision manual gear machine. This material was specially formulated and developed for use in gears. All gears are hardened to provide the longest possible lifespan.

A wide range of different gears — spur gear, clutchbell, and crown gear — are available for perfect set-up and adjustment for particular racing conditions.

The high-volume gear differentials were designed for increased reliability & performance. Differentials feature high-volume cases, and larger internal gears with more teeth for improved differential movement. The larger volume of the differential and the shape of the gear teeth reduce oil overheating. To increase reliability, diff pins have stronger design. The differentials give increased traction and reliability, especially in long runs.

Internal diff gears increase differential reliability and reduce diff oil overheating. The 20T and 10T gears have a larger size and a greater number of teeth to ensure more precise fitment and engagement. Pressed-steel differential bevel and satellite gears are heat-treated and machined for superior precision and smooth operation.

Diff outdrives accommodate the stronger diff pins. The front longer diff outdrive adapters ensure that the drive shafts will not fall out, even in extreme crashes at full steering lock.

To reduce rotating weight, the super-lightweight diff outdrives are machined from HUDY Spring Steel™ which allows unnecessary material to be removed to further reduce weight without affecting durability. The inner portions of the outdrives are additionally hand-ground for maximum precision and fitment into the diff case.

All outdrives are hardened using HUDY’s own special hardening process for extended lifespan and reliability.

Access to the center differential is super easy by releasing the upper deck with only four screws. The lower center diff housing is sized to accommodate optional spur gears and the stands are lowered to keep the weight as low as possible and to allow smaller central diff gears to be used. The center diff housing stands hold the effective, race-proven brake system.

XT8 shock springs offer a mix of progressive & linear characteristics. XT8 springs are slightly progressive, but under more compression change characteristics to become more linear. This gives excellent feeling and feedback in all different track conditions.

These XRAY shock springs, like all other XRAY springs, are manually measured, selected and matched into pairs to guarantee precisely equal length and damping characteristics.

Two types of springs are optionally offered:

• Linear: Spring rate is constant during the entire spring compression. Springs with different spring rates are available as optional tuning parts.

• Progressive: Spring rate is not linear, but rather the spring rate get progressively heavier the more the spring is compressed. As the truggy initially enters the corner, the spring works like a softer spring to provide maximum traction. As the chassis begins to roll in the middle of the corner, the spring rate progressively increases until it works like a stiffer spring which allows the truggy to maintain maximum cornering speed.

Ultra-precise shock pistons with 6-, 8- and 10-hole options. The big-bore pistons are molded from tough, race-proven Delrin® material to provide smooth action and durability. The precision molding production process ensures perfect piston roundness, ensuring that the pistons move super-smoothly inside the shock bodies for identical, perfect action in all four shocks.

Ultra-lightweight 17mm wheel hex drive hubs with +5mm offset are CNC-machined from Swiss 7075 T6 black-coated aluminum.

The alu hex hubs are specially machined to reduce rotating weight while guaranteeing wobble-free wheel mounting.

The hard alu clutch shoes allow for smoother engagement. The Swiss 7075 T6 clutch shoes are small, lightweight, and designed for engagement during the entire travel of the shoe. The shoes are less sensitive to wear and give improved lifespan.

The high-torque clutch provides smooth, continuous power transfer from the engine at high RPM. The clutch fully engages higher in the RPM range, resulting in more controllable power during acceleration, while still maintaining good handling and performance on jumps.

The Swiss 7075 T6 aluminum flywheel has a smaller diameter but heavier weight. The smaller diameter allows the flywheel to be more protected after landing large jumps, so there is a reduced chance of accidental engine stoppages.

The extra-tough flywheel nut is machined from Hudy Spring Steel™.

The clutch is equipped with soft clutch springs; optional medium and hard springs are also available. 

The optional 4-shoe clutch features smaller, lighter internal parts, and the design allows for more balanced clutch bell engagement compared to a traditional 3-shoe design.

The 4-shoe design allows the use of multiple combinations of different shoe hardness and spring tensions for clutch engagement tuning, and even allows for mixed combinations of shoes and springs which gives ultra-fine engagement choices. There are 4 different hardness of shoes and 3 different hardness of springs available. Changing the clutch configuration is very easy thanks to the special assembly screws that hold the shoe and spring.

SOFT clutch setting generates the highest amount of traction and engages earliest;

MEDIUM clutch setting allows more clutch slippage and engages later;

HARD clutch setting engages latest and provides more revs to engine.

The engine mounts extend up to the front engine bearing to provide higher reinforcement of the chassis in the longitudinal direction, and in jumps will minimize the bending of the chassis between the clutchbell and spur gear.

The CNC-machined aluminum engine mounts are made from superior-grade, lightweight alloy and help dissipate engine heat. The engine mounts are easily adjustable to obtain proper gear mesh.

The super short fuel tank allows placement (and weight) towards the front of the truggy.

Despite its short length, the fuel tank has an extra-large 150cc fuel capacity. The tank is molded from a special composite mixture which ensures very high reliability and rigidity. The molded-in splashguard protects the brakes from fuel spillage.

An integrated floating stone filter ensures that the fuel pickup will always be in the correct orientation, even if your truggy isn't. This fuel pickup system will allow fuel to continue to flow to your engine, even if the truggy is inverted and waiting to be righted.

Rubber mounting grommets absorb vibration, and composite holders secure thick 5.5mm silicone fuel tubing.

To guarantee maximum reliability, all turnbuckles are manufactured from special HUDY Spring Steel™ material for turnbuckles with a tougher core. These turnbuckles are used for front & rear upright linkages, steering system, and servo saver.

A full set of 24 high-speed ball-bearings are used throughout the XB8 drivetrain.

All-new grease lubricated bearings are included for the pinion gears and diffs to increase reliability and lifespan, especially in dusty conditions. The remaining bearings are degreased and oiled with AeroShell® Fluid 12 to reduce drag and maximize driveline efficiency.

The smooth-flowing and efficient air filter is made from two parts. Air filter oil is included as standard. The universal rubber elbow allows fitment to most standard 1/8 buggy engines.

Spring steel anti-roll bars – carried over from the XB8 platform – are used to stabilize the truggy. The 2.6mm front anti-roll bar improves the corner speed.

The front & rear anti-roll bars are easily mounted to the diff cases and can be fine-tuned using the adjustable linkages.

Optional anti-roll bar wires of different thickness are available for fine-tuning your set-up.

To help prevent rear bulkhead breakage during crash impacts, the rear wing mount features a wing holder brace that transfers crash impact energy from the wing and shock tower to the chassis instead of directly to the bulkhead.

The major performance & handling feature of the XT8 is the weight balance that relocates weight to the front. This improves rotation of the truggy, increases cornering speed, improves handling in jumps, and offers more forgiving handling.

The improved weight balance was achieved by completely redesigning the chassis with more weight in the front, and using super-short fuel tank.

Attention was also focused on side-to-side balance to achieve the desired handling both on the track and in the air.

HUDY Exclusive Silicone Oils are manufactured in Europe and each batch is laboratory tested and calibrated to ensure the highest possible consistency and quality from batch to batch. Based on the industry-standard cSt rating, the new line of oils will be easy to identify, adjust, and feel.

When following any set-up sheets by XRAY or XRAY team drivers, you can be sure that the oils you will get for your truggy are exactly same as those used by the factory racing team, thus ensuring very exacting set-ups and handling.

HUDY Chem Series.

The XT8 includes premium HUDY Graphite Grease - a high-performance, advanced-technology semi-fluid lubricant which incorporates both extreme pressure additives and finely-dispersed graphite for load carrying.

HUDY Graphite Grease is intended primarily for the lubrication of rotating parts and loaded gears. In addition to providing outstanding load carrying, it is formulated to have excellent adhesion and resistance from "flinging off" under extreme conditions. HUDY Graphite Grease reduces wear and increases parts life.

Click here for more information of the full HUDY Grease range

The XT8 features fully-adjustable front and rear suspension geometry: caster, camber, toe, anti-dive, anti-squat, ride height, droop, track-width, Ackermann and roll centers. For easy and fast adjustment we recommend using set-up tools and accessories from HUDY, the world leader of RC tools.

The extensive and impressive range of adjustment possibilities includes: 

• Caster
• Camber
• Toe
• Kick-up
• Anti-squat
• Ride height
• Downstops
• Track-width
• Lower roll center
• Upper roll center
• Roll center positions
• Bump steer
• Wheelbase
• Ackermann
• Adjustable shocks
• Adjustable front and rear diff
• Adjustable XRAY Multi-Flex™

The XT8 is one of the most adjustable off-road kits in the world. Whether you are a hardcore racing fanatic or a club-level sportsman, you can very easily adjust the XT8 to suit your racing style, race track type, and all track conditions. To fully understand the set-up possibilities we suggest the legendary HUDY Set-up book, loaded with over 50 pages of high-quality pictures and easy-to-read RC car set-up explanations. Whether you are a novice driver or an experienced racer, you can easily learn many set-up tips & tricks and improve your set-up skills, ultimately translating into improved racing performance with your XT8. The HUDY set-up book is available for download exclusively at www.hudy.net

Download Set-up Book

XRAY Instruction Manuals have become the industry standard, and are simply the best manuals you will ever get with an RC model car. Whether you are a first-time builder or an experienced racer, all instructions are straight-forward and easy to understand. The Instruction Manual contains large 3D illustrations that show all assembly details in the easiest and clearest manner.

Owning an XRAY model racing car is an experience unto itself. Not only will you own the most premium luxury model racing car in the world, but you will also become a member of the prestigious family of XRAY owners with direct support and service from the XRAY factory. XRAY brings you the most up-to-date RC Web site on the Internet, with daily racing news, and the latest product developments. If you have any questions, problems or comments, you can ask the XRAY Support Team or any XRAY Factory Team Driver on the XRAY Support Forum. You can even upload your own set-up sheets or download from the thousands of different set-up sheets available from around the world at the exclusive XRAY Virtual Set-up Sheet Database. And that is only the start of the VIP treatment you get by joining Team XRAY.