RC Kickup Explained
What Is Kickup?
Kickup refers to the angle of the front suspension arms relative to the chassis when viewed from the side.
More specifically:
• It is the upward angle of the front arms or hinge pin line
• It is usually measured in degrees (e.g., 20°, 25°, 30°)
• It tilts the front suspension so the arms point slightly upward toward the front of the car
Think of Kickup as the front suspension “leaning back”.
• More Kickup = steeper upward angle
• Less Kickup = flatter front suspension
Kickup is commonly adjusted using:
• Front bulkhead inserts
• Hinge pin braces
• Different chassis or suspension mounts
How Does Kickup Affect Your Car?
Kickup has a strong influence on handling, stability and bump absorption, especially on off-road cars.
1. Bump Handling and Rough Track Stability
• More Kickup improves the car’s ability to absorb bumps
• The front wheels roll over obstacles more smoothly
• Reduces the chance of “catching” on rough surfaces
Result: More forgiving and stable on rough tracks
2. Steering Response
• Less Kickup increases initial steering response
• The front tires engage the surface more aggressively
Result: Sharper turn-in and more aggressive steering feel
3. High-Speed Stability
• More Kickup adds stability at speed
• Helps prevent the car from feeling nervous or twitchy
Result: Easier to drive fast, especially in bumpy sections
4. Weight Transfer Under Braking
• Less Kickup allows more forward weight transfer under braking
• More Kickup reduces how aggressively weight shifts forward
Result:
Less Kickup = more front bite under braking
More Kickup = smoother, less reactive braking
How Do You Change the Kickup?
Changing Kickup depends on your chassis design, but most modern RC cars allow adjustment through hardware.
Common Methods:
1. Bulkhead Inserts
• Swap inserts with different Kickup angles
• Most precise and common method
2. Hinge Pin Braces / Mounts
• Different mounts change the angle of the front hinge pins
3. Chassis Geometry Options
• Some chassis offer multiple Kickup settings built into mounting positions
Tips When Adjusting Kickup:
Make changes in small increments (2–5°)
Always re-check:
• Ride height
• Front camber
• Toe settings
When Should You Change Kickup
Knowing when to adjust Kickup is key to using it effectively.
Increase Kickup When:
• Track is rough or bumpy
• Car feels too aggressive or twitchy
• You want more forgiveness and stability
• Front end feels like it’s catching or digging in
Decrease Kickup When:
• Track is smooth and high grip
• You need more aggressive steering
• Car feels lazy on turn-in
• You want more front-end bite entering corners
What to Check After Changing Kickup
Kickup doesn’t work in isolation. Changing it affects other parts of your setup.
1. Ride Height
• Kickup changes the front suspension angle
• Always re-check and adjust Ride Height after changes
2. Camber
• Suspension geometry shifts slightly with Kickup changes
• Reconfirm your Camber settings
3. Caster
• Kickup and Caster both affect stability and steering feel
• More Kickup often pairs well with moderate Caster
4. Toe Angle
• Steering response changes with Kickup adjustments
• You may need to fine-tune front Toe
5. Shock Setup (Oil and Springs)
• More Kickup can mask poor shock setup on rough tracks
• Re-evaluate damping if handling changes significantly
6. Weight Distribution
• Kickup influences how weight transfers forward
• You may need to adjust battery position or ballast
FAQ
Q: What is a good starting Kickup setting?
A: Most off-road buggies start around 25°–30° Kickup. Check your kit’s baseline setup sheet.
Q: Is Kickup more important on off-road cars?
A: Yes. Kickup plays a much bigger role in off-road conditions, especially on rough or jump-heavy tracks.
Q: Does Kickup affect jumping?
A: Yes. More Kickup can make landings smoother and more stable, especially on rough down-ramps.
Q: Can too much Kickup hurt performance?
A: Absolutely. Too much Kickup can reduce steering response, make the car feel lazy and limit front-end grip on smooth tracks.
Q: How is Kickup different from Caster?
A: They work together but control different aspects of handling.
Kickup = angle of the front suspension arms (side view)
Caster = angle of the steering pivot axis (kingpin)
Q: Should beginners adjust Kickup?
A: Yes, but keep it simple. Start with the kit defaults first, then adjust only when track conditions demand it.
Back to the RC Suspension Tuning Guide.
