RC Car Body Size Guide

Need the right body for your chassis? This chart matches your wheelbase and width to the correct shell in seconds. No guessing, no returns - just find your chassis type below and you're done.

Why This RC Car Size Chart Works

This chart saves you time by matching your chassis measurements to 8+ body families in one reference. Measure once, then instantly see which shells fit your TT-02, M-chassis, touring car, buggy, crawler, or GT8 platform.

Here's what makes it useful:

• Match your measurements to the right size in under a minute
• Filter by actual dimensions (190/200/210-239/260/300/330/360 mm) instead of vague "scale" labels
• Compare standards like TT-02 vs GT8 at a glance, including GT8's two wheelbase options
• Jump straight to compatible shells with direct links to each size category
• Avoid trimming disasters with mounting and offset tips included below (we learned these the hard way)

Once you know your size, choosing a body becomes straightforward.

RC Body Size Chart: Match Your Chassis

Find your chassis below, then grab a compatible shell in one click. Your wheelbase and width are the only numbers that matter.

Chassis Family	Wheelbase (mm)	Body Width (mm)	Where to Find It
1/10 Touring (TT-02, T4, BD7)	255-260	190	190mm touring shells
1/10 Touring Wide	255-260	200	200mm wide bodies
Vintage Touring / Custom	300	190-200	300mm classic shells
M-Chassis Mini (M-05, M-07)	210/225/239	Varies	M-chassis selection
GT8 Standard	330	310-315	GT8 330mm shells
GT8 Long	360	310-315	GT8 360mm shells
1/10 Buggy 2WD	~290	2WD buggy-specific	2WD buggy shells
Short Course Truck	~305	SCT-specific	Short course bodies
Monster Truck	Varies	MT-specific	Monster truck shells
Crawler	Varies	Crawler-specific	Crawler bodies

After you pick your shell, check out our tire and wheel sizing guide to complete your setup.

How to Choose the Right RC Body for Your Chassis

Your chassis has three measurements you need to know: wheelbase, width, and track. Get these right, and your shell will fit perfectly the first time.

Wheelbase is the distance between your front and rear axles, measured center to center. Body width is the widest point of the shell at the wheel arches. Track is the wheel-to-wheel distance across your chassis.

When you're shopping for a new shell, grab a ruler and measure your wheelbase. Then compare that number to the body specs before ordering. The mounting holes on the shell must line up with your chassis posts - if they don't, you'll be drilling new holes (not fun).

The critical details are car type, wheelbase, and width. Sometimes the manufacturer will list compatible chassis directly in the product description. If not, check the measurements in millimeters. Here's what trips people up: scale is just a rough guide. Two "1/10" shells with different wheelbases won't interchange, even though they're both labeled the same scale.

Before you buy, verify the actual specs if it's a 260mm wheelbase shell or a 300mm option. Match your chassis. A few millimeters off can mean hours of frustration trying to make it work.

Off-Road RC Bodies: Buggy, Truck, and Crawler Selection

Off-road shells fall into two main camps: buggies and trucks. Within those categories, you'll find classic buggy styles, truggies, short course trucks, monster trucks, crawlers, and more.

The challenge? Off-road fitment varies more than on-road. Product descriptions should state chassis compatibility directly - don't guess based on scale alone.

Here's how to match off-road shells to your chassis:

• 1/10 2WD Buggy - Look for product info that confirms your chassis model. These typically use 285-295mm wheelbases, but always check your manual.
• 1/10 4WD Buggy - Same deal - product compatibility listings are your friend. Wheelbase and mounting vary between brands.
• 1/10 Truck - Measure wheelbase and width. Stadium trucks use different dimensions than monster trucks, even at the same "scale."
• 1/10 Truggy - Measure wheelbase and width carefully. Truggies are wider than standard buggies. Browse our 1/10 buggy and truggy bodies.
• 1/8 Buggy - Product specs must list your chassis. 1/8 platforms vary significantly between brands.
• 1/8 Truggy - Measure wheelbase and width. These are large shells - make sure you have clearance. Check our 1/8 buggy and truggy shells.
• Monster Trucks - Wheelbase and width measurements are essential. "Monster truck" covers a huge range of sizes. View monster truck shells.
• Short Course Trucks - Measure your wheelbase. SCT bodies look similar but use different mounting positions. See our short course bodies.
• Crawlers - Select by wheelbase and width based on your specific chassis. Scale gives you a hint, but measurements confirm fit. Explore crawler bodies.

In this example above you see how significant the difference in size is between a 1/10 buggy and 1/8 buggy shell. This demonstrates exactly why checking actual wheelbase and width measurements is critical, not just relying on scale numbers.

Here we have a Team Corally Triton monster truck shell next to a 1/10 short course truck body. Both are labeled 1/10 scale, but they're very different in size. This is a clear example of why wheelbase and width matter more than scale when selecting shells.

Pro tip: When the product listing says "fits Associated B6," believe it. When it just says "1/10 buggy," measure first.

On-Road RC Car Bodies: Touring, GT8, and Racing Standards

On-road shells follow tighter rules because many are built around racing class regulations. You'll see shells marketed for 1/12 scale bodies, 1/10, 1/8, and 1/5 scale - but within those categories, several shell types exist with specific dimensions.

In the image above you see the difference between a 1/8 scale GT body and a normal 1/10 scale touring car body. The GT8 body is significantly wider and longer - not something you'd want to order by mistake.

The reason measurements matter so much? Racing bodies must meet class standards for fairness and competition. That's actually good news for you - it means measurements are standardized, so fitment is more predictable.

1/10 Touring Car Bodies: 260mm Wheelbase (190mm vs 200mm Width)

A 260mm wheelbase shell (actually 255-260mm) fits 1/10 touring chassis in either 190mm or 200mm width.

If we look closer at popular 1/10 "touring car" bodies, even within that category there are many variations. In the image here you see three different types: a 1/10 TC racing body, a more realistic Tamiya body, and a 1/10 FWD class body. All of these fit the same wheelbase (255-260mm) and are about the same width (190-195mm), but they serve different purposes.

The 190mm shell is standard for 1/10 electric touring cars - think Tamiya TT-01, TT-02, and similar platforms. The 200mm width works for some drift cars, nitro touring setups, and wide-body builds.

Popular brands like Bittydesign, Protoform, and Tamiya offer both race-spec clear Lexan shells and realistic street-style options. You'll find licensed replicas of cars like the Subaru Impreza, Nissan Skyline, and Chevy Silverado drift bodies.

Here's a closer look at the Bittydesign Hyper touring car racing body next to the Tamiya Subaru touring car body. As you can see, the Tamiya body is more realistic in proportions and details, and is significantly higher compared to the racing body. The Tamiya body is also made of thicker material, and the rear wing is injection molded plastic instead of polycarbonate.

Racing shells feature low-profile designs with aerodynamic rear wings for maximum performance. Tamiya bodies lean toward scale realism with injection-molded plastic wings and thicker polycarbonate construction for durability.

If you're racing in official series, many require EFRA-homologated shells - we stock those in our EFRA-legal bodies category.

Ready to mount your touring shell? Check our guide on How to Cut and Mount a Touring Car Body for the full walkthrough.

GT8 Wheelbase Note: 330mm vs 360mm Shells

Above you see a 1/8 GT8 Corvette shell. 1/8th scale on-road bodies come in a few different types - the main ones being prototype bodies of the extreme 1/8 On-Road racing class, and 1/8 GT bodies.

GT8 width is always 310-315 mm, but two wheelbases exist - and they're NOT interchangeable.

Here's the breakdown:

• 330mm wheelbase - Standard GT8 platforms like X10 and Xray use this length
• 360mm wheelbase - Long-wheelbase GT8 platforms need the extended version

Before you order a GT8 shell, confirm your chassis wheelbase in the manual. A 330mm shell won't stretch to fit a 360mm chassis (trust us, we've seen people try).

Browse 1/8 on-road bodies for GT8 shells in both wheelbases.

For 1/8 on-road prototype bodies, you're looking at 270mm width with approximately 295mm wheelbase - different standards entirely.

How to Install a New RC Car Body (Quick Checklist)

Installing a new shell takes five steps: mark holes, ream carefully, test fit, trim arches, and mount securely.

Here's the process we use every time:

1. Position the shell on your chassis with body posts touching the inside surface
2. Mark post locations from inside using a marker - be precise here
3. Ream holes gradually with a 6mm body reamer, starting small and expanding slowly
4. Test fit the shell on posts and check wheel arch clearance at ride height
5. Trim wheel arches to the wheel centerline, leaving 3-5 mm clearance for suspension travel
6. Secure with body clips and adjust post height if the shell sits too high or low

Pro tip: Always ream smaller than you think. You can make holes bigger, but you can't make them smaller once you've gone too far.

Find body reamers and cutting tools here.

To match your servo next, see our RC Servo Sizes Guide: How to Choose the Best Servo for Your Car.

How to Trim an RC Car Body for a Perfect Fit

Score your cuts from outside, test frequently, and open arches to the wheel centerline - no further.

Grab a hobby knife and score the cut lines on the outside of the shell. Apply pressure from inside to snap the excess away cleanly. The reason this works better than sawing through is that you get a clean edge without rough cuts.

Cut slowly in small sections, testing after each pass. Open wheel arches until tires sit at the centerline of the opening. If arches are too tight, tires will rub during suspension compression - ask us how we know. Leave 3-5 mm clearance above the tire at ride height.

Once your arches look good, check suspension travel by compressing the suspension fully. The tire shouldn't hit the shell at full compression. If it does, trim a bit more.

Browse body cutting tools here.

RC Body Shell Materials: Polycarbonate vs Hard Plastic

Most shells are made from 0.5mm-1.5mm thick polycarbonate (Lexan) - and that's a good thing.

Polycarbonate is a transparent plastic that flexes on impact and returns to shape. GE trademarked the product name "Lexan," which is why people use that term generically. Lexan shells between 0.5-1.0 mm thick work with standard 6mm body posts and absorb crashes surprisingly well - perfect for racing and bashing.

Some shells use PVC or hard plastic (ABS) instead. These cost less but crack under stress. The upside? Hard shells can include molded details like mirrors, grilles, and lights that look fantastic on display builds.

Choose polycarbonate for durability and performance. Choose hard plastic for scale detail and shelf queens.

Clear Lexan shells let you paint custom colors - red, blue, chrome finishes, whatever you want. Learn techniques in our guides on painting RC car bodies with liquid mask or painting without masks. Browse paints and supplies to get started. Pre-painted shells save time but limit where you can trim since the paint is on the inside. Be aware of this difference when you look for shells for your car.

In our experience, Lexan is worth the slight price difference if you actually drive your car.

RC Car Bodies FAQs

Can I use a 200 mm body on a 190 mm chassis?

Yes, add offset wheels or hex extensions with 3-6 mm spacers to push your wheels outward and fill the extra width. The 200mm shell will then sit properly on your 190mm chassis. Standard body posts work fine once wheel offset matches the wider body width. This modification works for drift cars and wide-body touring builds without requiring chassis changes.

Can RC car bodies be reused?

Yes, fill old mounting holes with epoxy or tape, then ream new holes in correct positions for your new chassis. This works when wheelbase and width measurements match between your old and new platforms. Sand any damaged areas smooth before repainting. Reusing shells saves money when switching between similar chassis like TT-01 to TT-02 or different 1/10 touring platforms with matching dimensions.

How do I know if my body posts are the right height?

Adjust body posts so the shell sits 3-5 mm above your tires at ride height with no contact during full suspension compression. If the shell touches tires when you press down on the chassis, raise the posts. If the shell sits too high and looks awkward, lower the posts. Test by pushing the suspension through full travel before securing the shell permanently.

What happens if my wheelbase is between two standard sizes?

Choose the longer wheelbase shell and drill mounting holes forward to match your chassis posts exactly. Measure from your front axle to rear axle, then position the shell so weight distribution looks balanced. The shell may extend slightly past your bumper, but proper mounting position matters more than perfect length. Always test fit before drilling permanent holes to confirm alignment.

Get the Right Shell on Your First Try

Measure your wheelbase and width once, then order with confidence. The chart above eliminates guesswork - your chassis dimensions point directly to compatible shells every time. No returns, no drilling extra holes, no frustration.

Browse our complete selection of RC car bodies organized by size, from 190mm touring shells to GT8 platforms. Every shell includes exact fitment specs and compatibility notes. Our team will match you with the perfect body in minutes if you need help finding your specific chassis.

Shop RC Car Bodies by Size →