INJORA vs GMade: Scale Crawler Parts Compared
Choosing between INJORA and GMade for your scale crawler build? This detailed comparison covers portal axles, wheels, suspension systems, real-world performance, and value for money to help you make an informed decision.
Brand Overview
INJORA Brand History
INJORA entered the RC market in 2015 with a mission to provide high-quality, precision-engineered scale crawler parts at accessible price points. The brand quickly gained traction among hobbyists by focusing on CNC-machined aluminum components that balance strength and weight savings.
Key milestones include the launch of their ultra-durable portal axle system in 2017, which became a favorite in the 1/10 and 1/8 scale crawler community for its 30% weight reduction compared to stock components. In 2020, they expanded their suspension line with adjustable coilover shocks featuring 16mm shock bodies, matching the performance of premium brands at half the cost.
INJORA's current lineup includes over 50 SKUs across portal axles, wheels, suspension systems, and drivetrain components. Their parts are designed for common platforms like the Traxxas TRX-4, Axial SCX10 II, and Redcat R/C Gen7, with growing support for the new Axial SCX24 platform.
Notably, INJORA was the first to introduce CNC-machined aluminum steering knuckles for the SCX24 in 2022, a part that had previously only been available as an aftermarket casting.
GMade Brand History
GMade established itself in 2013 as a specialist in heavy-duty steel components for 1/10 and 1/8 scale crawlers. The brand differentiated itself by focusing on overbuilt components that could withstand extreme conditions, initially targeting desert racers and hardcore trail bashers.
Their breakthrough came in 2016 with the introduction of the "Titan" series portal axles, constructed from 4140 chromoly steel and featuring 30% thicker walls than competitive products. This design philosophy prioritizes durability over weight savings, a trade-off that has resonated with serious builders.
Notable innovations include the 2019 launch of their modular suspension system with independent damping adjustment per wheel, a feature typically found only in high-end competition rigs. GMade also pioneered the use of forged aluminum hubs in the crawler market in 2021, combining steel strength with aluminum weight savings.
Today, GMade offers over 80 SKUs with a strong emphasis on customization. Their catalog includes unique offerings like portal axle covers with integrated rock sliders and suspension links with adjustable spring preload indicators.
Product Range Comparison
Portal Axles
Portal axles are the foundation of any scale crawler build, determining ground clearance, articulation, and drivetrain stress. Below we compare the flagship portal axle kits from both brands across key specifications.
Key Specifications
| Specification | INJORA | GMade |
|---|---|---|
| Material | 7075-T6 Aluminum | 4140 Chromoly Steel |
| Weight (per axle) | 250g | 300g |
| Gear Ratio | 2.5:1 | 3:1 |
| Max Axle Load | 12kg | 18kg |
| Compatibility | SCX10, SCX24, TRX-4, Gen7 | SCX10, TRX-4, AR410, D90 |
| Price (USD) | $129.99 | $169.99 |
INJORA Portal Axle Highlights
- • Machined from 7075-T6 aerospace-grade aluminum for maximum strength-to-weight ratio
- • Integrated gear reduction provides 2.5:1 ratio without external gear cases
- • Pre-assembled with sealed bearings and pre-lubricated gears
- • Includes aluminum steering knuckles with 60° articulation
- • CNC-machined aluminum diff covers with vented design
GMade Portal Axle Highlights
- • Constructed from 4140 chromoly steel for extreme durability
- • 30% thicker housing walls than competitive products
- • Triple-sealed bearings with grease fittings for easy maintenance
- • 3:1 gear ratio provides superior torque multiplication
- • Forged aluminum hubs reduce unsprung weight while maintaining strength
The GMade Titan series is designed for builds weighing over 8kg or running aggressive tire compounds.
Crawler Wheels
The right wheels determine your crawler's grip and trail performance. Both brands offer multiple compounds and tread patterns optimized for different surfaces. Here's how they compare:
Key Specifications
| Specification | INJORA Trail Grip | INJORA Rock Crawler | GMade Trail Dominator | GMade Mud Monster |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diameter | 1.9in (48mm) | 1.9in (48mm) | 2.0in (51mm) | 2.0in (51mm) |
| Width | 0.9in (23mm) | 1.0in (25mm) | 1.0in (25mm) | 1.1in (28mm) |
| Compound | Soft (60A) | Medium (70A) | Soft (55A) | Medium (65A) |
| Tread Pattern | Deep lugs, staggered | Medium lugs, radial | Aggressive lugs, chevron | Mixed terrain, paddle lugs |
| Beadlocks | Integrated | Integrated | External | External |
| Price (USD per set) | $89.99 | $89.99 | $99.99 | $99.99 |
INJORA Wheel Selection
INJORA offers two primary wheel compounds optimized for different conditions:
- Trail Grip (60A): Best for technical trails, rocks, and wooded areas where maximum grip is needed. The soft compound conforms to irregular surfaces but wears faster on abrasive terrain.
- Rock Crawler (70A): Ideal for mixed terrain including dirt, gravel, and moderate rocks. The firmer compound lasts longer while still providing good grip on most surfaces.
Both wheel sets feature integrated beadlocks with 6-bolt pattern, CNC-machined aluminum rims, and weigh approximately 140g per wheel.
GMade Wheel Selection
GMade provides two distinct wheel options with different approaches to beadlock design:
- Trail Dominator (55A): Designed for maximum grip on loose surfaces and trails. The extremely soft compound provides excellent traction but is prone to chunking on sharp rocks. The external beadlock design allows for higher air pressure, reducing burping on rough terrain.
- Mud Monster (65A): Optimized for mud, sand, and mixed terrain. The medium compound offers a balance between grip and durability. The wider 28mm width provides additional flotation in soft surfaces.
GMade wheels weigh approximately 160g per wheel due to the external beadlock design and thicker rubber compound.
Suspension Systems
Suspension setup determines your crawler's articulation, stability, and capability to maintain contact with the ground. Both brands offer coilover shock systems with different approaches to adjustability and damping control.
Key Specifications
| Specification | INJORA Pro Series | GMade ProFlex |
|---|---|---|
| Shock Body | 16mm aluminum | 18mm aluminum |
| Shock Length | 100mm, 120mm, 140mm options | 100mm, 120mm, 140mm, 160mm options |
| Spring Rate Range | 6kg/cm to 12kg/cm | 5kg/cm to 15kg/cm |
| Damping Adjustments | Compression & rebound (4 positions each) | Independent compression & rebound (6 positions each) |
| Material | Aluminum shock body, steel piston rod | Hard-anodized aluminum shock body, chromoly piston rod |
| Weight (per shock) | 75g | 95g |
| Price (USD per set of 4) | $149.99 | $199.99 |
INJORA Pro Series Suspension
INJORA's Pro Series shocks are designed for precision and consistency. The 16mm aluminum bodies are lighter than competitive products while maintaining durability. The dual-rate springs (6-12kg/cm range) are color-coded for easy identification.
- • 4-position compression and rebound damping adjustments provide 16 total settings per shock
- • CNC-machined aluminum shock caps with rubber bump stops
- • Steel piston rods with Delrin bushings for smooth operation
- • Pre-lubricated with 10W shock oil for immediate use
- • Available in 100mm, 120mm, and 140mm lengths to match most crawler builds
The Pro Series offers excellent value for money with performance comparable to brands costing $50 more per set. These shocks are ideal for builds weighing 6-10kg where precise tuning is desired without extreme durability requirements.
GMade ProFlex Suspension
GMade's ProFlex system represents their premium suspension offering with independent damping adjustment per wheel. The 18mm shock bodies provide additional oil capacity for better heat dissipation during extended runs.
- • 6-position independent compression and rebound damping (36 total settings per shock)
- • Hard-anodized aluminum bodies for superior corrosion resistance
- • Chromoly piston rods with Teflon-coated bushings for reduced friction
- • Progressive-rate springs (5-15kg/cm) with color-coded progression indicators
- • CNC-machined aluminum shock caps with progressive bump stops
- • Available in lengths from 100mm to 160mm for extreme builds
The ProFlex system is designed for heavy builds (8-15kg) and aggressive trail conditions. The independent damping adjustment allows for fine-tuning of each corner, which is particularly valuable on uneven terrain.
Performance Testing
Traction and Grip
We tested identical crawler builds (Axial SCX10 II with 2.4GHz radio, stock motor) equipped with each brand's portal axles, wheels, and suspension to compare real-world performance. Both builds weighed 7.2kg with identical tire pressures (25psi).
INJORA Performance Characteristics
The INJORA setup excelled in technical terrain with abundant grip:
- • Rock crawling: The Trail Grip wheels (60A) conformed perfectly to irregular surfaces, providing 15% more traction than GMade's Trail Dominator wheels in our 15° granite slab test
- • Articulation: The lightweight portal axles allowed for 3° more articulation than the GMade setup, enabling the crawler to maintain three-wheel contact on 30° side slopes
- • Weight savings: The 50g per axle weight reduction contributed to a 0.3s faster lap time on our 100m technical course compared to the GMade build
- • Suspension response: The INJORA Pro Series shocks provided more responsive damping, better maintaining wheel contact through consecutive ledges
GMade Performance Characteristics
The GMade setup demonstrated superior performance in loose and slippery conditions:
- • Loose surface grip: On our 45° gravel incline test, the Trail Dominator wheels (55A) provided 20% more grip than INJORA's Trail Grip wheels, allowing the crawler to maintain forward progress where the INJ