From the first glance, the Baja buggy looks just like the sand rails and desert racers you can see racing across the Sonora in Baja California, or blasting around the sands dunes of the American Southwest. Nothing else in the RC world comes close! From the bumper and front suspension, to the cockpit and rollcage, all the way to the wing and rear bumper, in the looks department, the HPI Baja is second to none.

HPI has always been known for its extremely rugged cars and trucks, starting with our earliest touring cars and carrying on with monster trucks and large-scale machines. The Baja 5B 2.0 uses the same suspension components as the Baja SS and 5T, so you know you’ve got a quality buggy in your hands. While the ones that came after the original Baja use cheap plastics and questionable methods to make their kits, the original is still going strong with original designs and compounds to keep you going, no matter what you put your Baja through!

Still a unique item among the large-scale racing crowd, the Baja 5B 2.0 continues to use the unique Baja monocoque aluminum chassis. The chassis formed from strong 6061 aircraft aluminum for light weight and strength, then bent into shape with computer precision to make it into an extra-rigid and super-strong platform for the engine, suspension and all other components of the Baja.

For confidence-inspiring traction and control on any type of surface, the Baja 5B 2.0 uses the amazing long-travel suspension used for all the kits in the Baja series. Extra-long oil-filled shock absorbers and durable suspension arms connect via a specially tuned suspension geometry to give not only a fantastic look and style to the Baja buggy, but amazing versatility, tuning potential and great handling!

The totally unique Viscous Torque Diff in the Baja series delivers power smoothly to the rear wheels. It’s set up out of the box perfect for most purposes already, but the diff can be tuned with different diff greases to suit any driving style or track. Hardened metal is used throughout the diff for reliable performance in all conditions.

Metal construction for extra durability with high horsepower engines like the Fuelie 26S. Features rubber boots at both ends to keep dirt and rocks out of the joints.

To bring something the size and speed of the Baja buggy to a safe and controlled stop, the brakes need to be extra-strong, reliable and foolproof. This is why we use two steel plates for brake discs, both of which are drilled for lightness. To keep the discs cool under pressure, a fan-shaped spacer is used blast rotating air through the vent holes drilled in each disc.

In addition to everything else that makes the Baja 5B 2.0 handle great, its long wheelbase is ideal for racing on large tracks designed for 1/5th scale vehicles, or just playing in big fields. The Baja 5B 2.0 is more stable over jumps and rough ground than other large-scale cars, a tribute to its great suspension design and longer wheelbase.

The electronics included in every Baja RTR buggy and truck have to be suitable to the task of handling a car nearly a meter long that can go over 35 MPH – that includes a handy built-in electronic failsafe to prevent a runaway Baja! To control the Baja 5B 2.0, we’re sticking with the reliable HPI TF-10 radio set, which uses FM frequencies instead of the more common and cheaper AM radio system. Tough water-resistant servos control both the steering and throttle, and a special large-scale SFL-10 servo is used for the steering. A powerful sub-C type 6-volt receiver pack powers the servos for confidence and longevity. You’ll find that many Baja bashers don’t find a need to upgrade the radio system, as it’s already perfect for the task!

Nitro racers have known for a long time that having a working failsafe system is important for those ‘just in case’ moments – some unforeseen event that could make their car go out of control. With a buggy as big as the Baja (over 800mm long and 9.5kg in weight!), this is even more important! The Baja 5B 2.0 uses the same reliable electronic failsafe as all other Baja RTR kits. The adjustable failsafe setting ensures that should your Baja 5B 2.0 lose radio signal, instead of flying out of control it will come to a safe and controlled stop! There’s nothing like peace of mind!

To allow the Baja buggies to go anywhere, we fit tires that are ideally suited for off-road conditions. Spiked rear tires and dash-style front tires provide the perfect amount of traction and control on nearly all dirt, gravel and grass surfaces. The Dirt Buster S Compound rear tires use a versatile square pin design that sheds mud and gets you the grip you need for massive top speed runs, while the Dirt Buster rib tires provide the direction and steering necessary for pinpoint accuracy on the track.

We know that most off-roaders love to blast through dirt, mud, water and more, so we protect the electronics of the Baja as much as possible with a sealed radio box. In addition to being under the bodyshell to protect from splashes, the radio box uses rubber plugs to provide access to the receiver battery and radio crystal, so you don’t need to unscrew anything to get to these often-accessed items. If you do need to remove it, it’s a simple matter of a few clips to take it out – no tools necessary!

The fuel tank from the Baja 5B and 5T is unchanged – why update something that is already perfect? The 700cc fuel tank takes pre-mixed 2-stroke fuel for run times of 45 minutes or more (if you’re going slow, but who does that?), and the handy ‘clunk’ inside allows you to get upside down and not worry about the engine cutting out. So when you’re mixing it up in traffic on the race track you won’t have to worry about getting flipped upside down!

For most Baja buggy owners, the rear wing is something that is never touched until the car needs to be picked up or flipped over. Racers, though, are a different matter: racers like to tune things and play around with settings to get a little extra edge. So for the racers, we made the rear wing of the Baja adjustable so you can get a bit of extra downforce on small tracks, or lower the wing a bit for more speed on big tracks. Will you feel the difference? Only you’ll be able to tell!

With tough nylon plastic skid plates front and rear, the chassis of the Baja 5B 2.0 is protected from the inevitable hard landings, crashes and more that you’re sure to encounter while you’re running your Baja buggy. The skid plates are easily replaced, and are a much cheaper alternative than replacing the aluminum chassis or motor plate, so you won’t be afraid to pull off those crazy jumps with your Baja!

Finally, full set of high-quality ball bearings are used throughout the drivetrain for increased efficiency and long runtimes. Throughout the transmission and drivetrain, plus the front wheel hubs, ball bearings help keep maintenance to a minimum so you can just get out and run your Baja!