The Losi King Sling is one of the most distinctive trucks on the entire LMT platform — a licensed mega truck replica with real Monster Jam DNA, solid axle freestyle capability, and brushless 4S power wrapped in an aggressive 1941 Willys body. If you’re deciding whether this is the right LMT variant for you — or just trying to figure out how it stacks up against the Grave Digger and the competition — this review covers everything you need to know.
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The Real King Sling: Monster Jam Heritage
King Sling was born from the mind of Dennis Anderson — the living legend behind Grave Digger and a four-time Monster Jam World Finals champion. Rather than just another arena truck, King Sling was built as Anderson’s personal mega truck project: a 1,500+ horsepower 1941 Willys unveiled at SEMA in 2010, designed for mud bog events, high-flying jumps, and the kind of freestyle performance that goes beyond what even Grave Digger could do.
After a hiatus, Anderson revived King Sling around 2019 with updated paint schemes. His son Weston later set a jaw-dropping 225-foot world record jump behind the wheel, cementing the truck as a genuine icon in the mega truck world. Losi worked directly with the Anderson family — not through Monster Jam’s standard licensing — to recreate the body for the LMT platform. The result is a level of detail that shows everywhere: the rollcage, driver insert, safety seat, molded headers, and fuel cell are all there. This isn’t just a paint job slapped on a generic chassis.
Losi King Sling Specs Overview
The King Sling runs on the LMT Mega Truck platform (part number LOS04024T1). Here’s the full spec sheet:
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scale | 1/8 |
| Length | 21.25 in (540 mm) |
| Width | 13.25 in (337 mm) |
| Height | 11.5 in (292 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 15 in (381 mm) |
| Weight | ~9.6 lbs (4.35 kg) w/o battery |
| Motor | Spektrum Firma 3668 2800Kv Brushless |
| ESC | Spektrum Firma 130A Smart (2S–4S) |
| Servo | Spektrum stock analog (23T spline) |
| Transmission | Solid axle 4-link, 3 sealed metal-geared diffs + CUSH drive center |
| Tires | D&D Paddy tractor tread (~6.25 in tall) |
| Battery | 3S–4S LiPo, IC5 connector (sold separately) |
| Radio | Spektrum DX3 DSMR 3-channel transmitter |
| Price | ~$649.99 — Check availability on Amazon |
Heads up: Losi has officially discontinued the King Sling (LOS04024T1). Some retailers still carry remaining stock at the original price. If you want one new, don’t wait.
King Sling vs Other LMT Variants: Any Differences?
This is the question every LMT buyer asks, and the answer isn’t just “it’s a body swap.” The King Sling is the Mega Truck variant of the LMT platform, and it has real mechanical differences compared to the standard Monster Truck versions (Grave Digger, Son-uva Digger):
What’s different on the King Sling/Mega Truck:
- Longer wheelbase: 15 in vs. 13.25 in on the standard Monster Trucks — improves straight-line stability and wheelie behavior
- Lower Kv motor: The Firma 3668 at 2800Kv trades a little top speed for more low-end torque compared to the 3150Kv in the Monster Trucks
- 4S battery support: Monster Trucks are officially rated 2S–3S; the Mega Truck handles up to 4S
- D&D Paddy tractor tires: More aggressive looking than the standard BKT chevron monster truck tires, matching the real King Sling’s aesthetic
- Green powder-coated chassis plates: A subtle but authentic nod to the real truck
What’s the same across all LMT variants:
Everything structural: the twin vertical-plate 6061-T6 aluminum chassis, 4-link solid axle suspension front and rear, sealed metal-geared differentials, Spektrum Smart electronics ecosystem, and the core drivetrain geometry. Under the bodies, an LMT is an LMT.
One important note: the Grave Digger and Son-uva Digger are now available in the newer LMT 2.0 format (LOS04028), which adds eight shocks instead of four, redesigned axle housings, and Losi’s DRIVE Technology freestyle-assist system. The King Sling stays on the original platform and doesn’t get those 2.0 improvements — but it’s currently the only way to get a licensed mega truck body with 4S capability. For a full breakdown of the LMT platform itself, our Losi LMT Monster Truck: Review & Upgrades Guide covers every spec and upgrade in detail.
How Does It Drive? Real-World Performance
Specs on paper only tell half the story. Here’s what it actually feels like to run the King Sling.
Freestyle & Tricks
This is where the King Sling absolutely lives. The combination of a 2800Kv motor, solid axle weight transfer, and heavy D&D Paddy tires makes wheelies almost embarrassingly easy. I remember my first session on 3S, squeezing the trigger expecting to need some technique — and the front end just launched skyward and stayed there for what felt like half a football field. I had to remind myself to steer. On 4S, it’s borderline violent: the front comes up before your brain can process the throttle input.
Backflips off a modest dirt kicker are equally natural. The rotational physics of a solid axle mega truck doing a backflip just look different from a buggy or basher — heavier, more committed, more like the real thing. Donuts, stoppies, pirouettes — the King Sling handles all of it with style. The wide stance and long wheelbase make it surprisingly planted mid-trick, which means recoveries are more predictable than you’d expect from an 8-pound truck.
For anyone who’s wanted to replicate what they see at a mega truck event in the backyard, there’s nothing else in RC that gets this close.
Bashing & Durability
The LMT drivetrain is genuinely overbuilt for its price point. Three sealed metal-geared differentials, a CUSH drive dampener at the center, and aluminum chassis plates mean the internals take serious punishment without complaint. Plenty of owners report 50+ battery packs before any drivetrain issues.
That said, two weak points will bite you eventually. First: the stock servo. The plastic gear set strips under the torque demands of those big tires — expect failure anywhere between pack 10 and pack 30. This is the single most documented failure point across every LMT variant and is essentially budgeted for at purchase. Second: the plastic axle housings crack on hard front impacts, especially in cold weather. Rod ends stretch, king pin screws back out, and the stock body paint chips more easily than you’d like at this price. None of these are deal-breakers once you know they’re coming.
Crawling Capability
The 4-link solid axle setup gives the King Sling crawling credibility that no independent-suspension basher can match. It scrambles over rocks, wades through mud and creek beds, and navigates uneven terrain at low speed with impressive composure. It won’t replace a dedicated crawler — the suspension articulation and traction control aren’t in the same league as a dedicated rock rig — but for a light trail session between bashing runs, it handles itself with enough capability to be genuinely fun. Swap to aftermarket tires with more traction and it becomes even more capable.
Best King Sling / LMT Upgrades
A few targeted upgrades transform the King Sling from a great truck into a nearly bulletproof one. Here’s what to prioritize:
Servo Upgrade (Do This First)
Not optional. Replace the stock servo before your second battery pack and save yourself the frustration. The community consensus lands on the Savox SW-1212SG ($80–100) or ProTek RC 160T ($75–90) — both deliver 500+ oz-in of torque and handle 4S loads without breaking a sweat. The Savox is available on Amazon and is the most straightforward swap, using the stock servo mount without modification.
→ Browse high-torque HD servos on Amazon
Aluminum Steering & Links
The stock nylon steering links stretch under hard throttle and jumps. A Treal 7075-T6 aluminum linkage set (~$25–45) is a direct bolt-on that tightens up steering response noticeably and eliminates the sloppy on-center feel. Pair it with aluminum rod ends if you want to go all-in.
→ Browse LMT aluminum steering link upgrades on Amazon
Tires & Wheels
The D&D Paddy tires look incredible and work well in mud, but they’re limited on hardpack and grass. Pro-Line Demolishers (~$35–50/pair mounted) are the go-to aftermarket choice: M3 compound, aggressive tread, and a scale look that still suits the King Sling’s aesthetic. JConcepts Renegades and Fling Kings are also popular for more grip on mixed surfaces.
Bearings Kit
The LMT ships with full ball bearings from the factory, but they wear out under consistent bashing. A complete sealed bearing kit (~$20–30) keeps everything spinning smooth and is cheap insurance once you’ve put 30+ packs through the truck.
→ Browse Losi LMT bearing kits on Amazon
Motor & ESC (For More Power)
The stock Firma 3668 2800Kv / 130A combo handles 4S impressively — most drivers won’t need to touch it. If you do fry an ESC or want more headroom, the Hobbywing Max8 combo with a 4268 2200Kv motor (~$180 for the pair) is the proven replacement in the LMT community. Only consider this after you’ve addressed the servo and steering links first.
Battery Picks
The King Sling is most balanced on a 3S 5000mAh LiPo — good power, reasonable runtime (15–20 minutes), and less stress on drivetrain components. Four-cell (4S) unlocks genuinely violent performance but shortens runtime and stresses the drivetrain harder. Either way, make sure you have a quality charger — check our Best RC Car Battery Chargers guide if you’re still using the included charger or need an upgrade.
→ Browse 3S LiPo 5000mAh batteries on Amazon
Losi King Sling vs the Competition
The King Sling occupies a unique spot in the market. Here’s how it compares against the trucks buyers most often cross-shop:
| Losi King Sling LMT | Traxxas Maxx 4S | Arrma Kraton 6S | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$649 | ~$549–599 | ~$499–549 |
| Scale | 1/8 | 1/10 | 1/8 |
| Drive System | Solid axle 4-link | Independent suspension | Independent suspension |
| Max Battery | 4S | 4S | 6S |
| Top Speed | ~35–40 mph | 50+ mph | 65+ mph |
| Freestyle Capability | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Scale Realism | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Durability Stock | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Best For | Freestyle, scale fans, mega truck enthusiasts | All-around bashing, speed, beginners | Speed, big air, aggressive bashing |
The Traxxas Maxx is the more beginner-friendly choice — self-righting, TSM stability, and Traxxas’s legendary parts availability make it the safe all-rounder. But it drives nothing like a real monster truck. The Arrma Kraton 6S offers the most raw horsepower and big-air capability per dollar, but independent suspension means you’re getting a basher, not a monster truck.
Having driven all three back to back on the same patch of dirt, the King Sling is the slowest of the group — and the most fun by a wide margin. The solid axle dynamics during wheelies and backflips hit completely differently from any independent-suspension truck. It’s not faster. It’s just better at being a monster truck.
Beyond this lineup, Losi builds a seriously diverse range of models — from the Losi NASCAR RC Car to desert buggies and crawlers. But for pure monster truck fun, the King Sling is the brand’s crown jewel.
Who Should Buy the Losi King Sling?
Monster Jam and mega truck fans who grew up watching Dennis Anderson and want the most authentic solid-axle RC experience available will love every session with this truck. There’s no better way to put a 1941 Willys through a backflip.
Freestyle enthusiasts who prioritize tricks over top speed will find the LMT platform endlessly rewarding. Wheelies, backflips, donuts, and pirouettes are built into its DNA.
Scale collectors who appreciate the licensed body, powder-coated chassis, and detailed cockpit interior will be happy just looking at this thing — until they realize they have to drive it immediately.
The King Sling is not the right choice for speed runs, organized racing, or pure bash-and-go sessions where you want maximum speed and zero maintenance. And if you’re newer to RC and still figuring out what you want, the $650+ total investment (truck + batteries + the near-mandatory servo upgrade) is steep. Check our RC Cars for Beginners: The Complete Buying Guide first — there are better entry points before stepping up to the LMT.
FAQ
Q: Is the Losi King Sling the same as the Losi LMT?
Yes and no. The King Sling is built on the LMT chassis, but it’s the Mega Truck variant (LOS04024T1) rather than the standard Monster Truck version. Key differences include a longer 15-inch wheelbase, a lower Kv 2800Kv motor optimized for torque, 4S LiPo support, and D&D Paddy tractor tires. The core chassis, solid axle drivetrain, and Spektrum electronics are shared across the entire LMT family.
Q: What’s the best servo upgrade for the Losi King Sling?
The Savox SW-1212SG (~$85–100) is the community favorite — it’s a direct swap, delivers over 500 oz-in of torque, and handles 4S without issue. The ProTek RC 160T is an equally solid choice at a similar price. Budget another $15–25 for an aluminum servo saver while you’re at it; the stock plastic one is barely better than the stock servo itself.
Q: Can the Losi King Sling do backflips?
Yes, and it’s one of the easiest backflipping trucks in RC. Off a modest dirt kicker at 3S, the solid axle rotation and motor torque send it over clean with minimal technique required. On 4S, it’ll rotate off features that shouldn’t even be ramps. The combination of mass and torque makes the flip look exactly like the real thing.
Q: Which LMT body variant should I get?
If you want the most current platform with LMT 2.0 upgrades — eight shocks, DRIVE Technology freestyle assist, and improved axle housings — go with the Grave Digger LMT 2.0 or Son-uva Digger LMT 2.0. If you want 4S power, the mega truck body, and Dennis Anderson’s legacy specifically — the King Sling is the one, just act fast while stock lasts.
Q: Is the Losi King Sling good for beginners?
Not as a first RC car. The ~$650 price tag before batteries and the near-mandatory servo upgrade pushes the real investment past $800. The solid axle dynamics are more rewarding but also more demanding to control than independent-suspension trucks. If you’re new to the hobby, start with something more forgiving and work your way up to the LMT platform.
Final Verdict
The Losi King Sling delivers something no other RTR truck can replicate: a licensed mega truck experience with a solid axle, brushless 4S power, and a body that looks exactly like the real 1941 Willys that set a 225-foot jump record. Yes, the stock servo needs to go on day one. Yes, the parts aren’t cheap. But the freestyle capability, scale authenticity, and sheer fun factor of this platform are genuinely unmatched at any price.
With the King Sling officially discontinued, the window to grab one new is closing fast. If the mega truck world speaks to you at all, this is the one to own.
