Personal Projects / RC Trucks / Product Photography
ARRMA MOJAVE 6S V3 Review: 2026 Specs, Features and Off-Road Photos
I picked up the 2026 ARRMA MOJAVE 6S V3, a 1/7-scale 4WD brushless RC desert truck, for a simple reason: it looked like a ridiculous amount of fun. It also gave me a perfect excuse to combine a new RC hobby with professional product photography, high-speed action shots and plenty of dust.
I am a Pittsburgh product photographer, and I spend plenty of time photographing products for clients. This one is mine. Much like my 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport build, I wanted a place to document the truck, the photos and the things I learn as I go.
The ARRMA MOJAVE 6S V3 is a ready-to-run, four-wheel-drive desert truck introduced in 2026. It has a 2050Kv brushless motor, Spektrum Firma 150A Smart V2 speed controller, 7075-T6 aluminum chassis and a new clipless body. ARRMA advertises 60+ mph capability on a suitable 6S LiPo setup. That is a manufacturer claim, not a speed I have independently measured.
When did the ARRMA MOJAVE 6S V3 come out?
The MOJAVE name predates this truck, but the ARA7604V3 generation is the 2026 refresh. It was being discussed publicly by August 2026, with retailer release windows ranging from late September to October depending on region. The US product page showed it in stock by October 7, 2026. I could not verify one universal official launch day, so I am not going to invent one.
My truck is the beige and orange V3, which is easy to distinguish from earlier versions by its new body and concealed clipless mounting system. It is a standard MOJAVE 6S V3, not the separately sold EXB model.
What is new on the V3?
The ARRMA MOJAVE 6S BLX combines a realistic short-course-inspired desert-truck body with a 6S-capable brushless power system. This latest V3 is the one I'm photographing and driving. If you're searching for an ARRMA MOJAVE review, it is important to distinguish my early owner impressions from a long-term durability test. I have not yet logged enough runs to claim that any V3 component is failure-proof.
ARRMA did more here than update the body graphics. The biggest changes focus on access, chassis protection and electronics:
- Clipless body access: side-release buttons replace the familiar exposed body clips.
- 7075-T6 aluminum chassis: a substantial chassis specification upgrade over the V2 listing.
- Added debris protection: reinforced side guards and protective chassis components help manage the dirt and stones a truck like this throws around.
- Spektrum Firma Smart V2 ESC: revised throttle-control electronics paired with the 4074-size brushless motor.
- S665 digital steering servo: updated steering hardware over the earlier V2 specification.
- Revised wheel hardware and protection: reinforced wheel hexes, skid protection and the new body structure.
There is no need to buy a pile of upgrades before finding out what the updated truck can do. I am keeping the mechanical setup close to stock while I learn how it behaves.
ARRMA MOJAVE 6S V3 specifications
For anyone comparing ARRMA RC trucks, this is the full-size 1/7-scale MOJAVE 6S V3, not the smaller ARRMA MOJAVE 4S. The 6S platform has its own dimensions, electronics, parts and battery requirements. Check the exact model number before buying replacement parts or aftermarket upgrades.
The truck ships ready to drive once I supply the appropriate LiPo batteries, charger and charging safety equipment. The package includes the vehicle, transmitter and installed electronics. The batteries and charger are sold separately. See the official ARRMA/Horizon Hobby specifications for the latest documentation and parts support.
4S versus 6S: how much power do you need?
Is it one of the best RC desert trucks? That depends on what you want to do. My interest is realistic off-road motion, enough power to throw gravel and a chassis large enough to photograph convincingly. The 4S setup can be easier to manage during controlled photo passes, while 6S offers the full high-speed RC truck experience. It is not automatically the right choice for every driver or location.
On 4S, the truck has a less aggressive power ceiling, which can be useful while learning the controls or trying to make repeatable camera passes. A compatible 6S pack unlocks the full power configuration. A single 4S or 6S hardcase pack can work, as can compatible paired 2S or 3S packs connected as specified by ARRMA. Battery dimensions, connectors and discharge capability matter as much as the voltage printed on the label.
ARRMA promotes 60+ mph capability, but actual speed depends on gearing, pack condition, terrain and setup. I have not conducted a GPS speed test, and I am not presenting an estimated runtime as a measured result. Grass and heavy stop-and-go driving can make any high-power truck work harder and run hotter.
The reason I bought it: the photography
I'm a Pittsburgh product photographer who works on commercial product photography for brands. This personal project lets me apply the same techniques to a radio-controlled truck: authentic outdoor product photography, careful composition, sharp product details and action photography that communicates how the machine performs rather than simply what it looks like.
The photos are honestly half the fun. I shot this series with my commercial product photography mindset, using my Sony a1 and Tamron 35-150mm lens. I went looking for directional light that would catch individual stones and turn suspended dust into something visible and dramatic.
The technique is not complicated, but timing matters. Get low, use a fast shutter speed, keep the camera focused where the action will happen and take enough frames to catch the one moment when the tires, dust and light all line up. Dust can look almost like smoke when the sun hits it from behind.
This is the same thinking I bring to client work: show the product clearly, then show what it feels like in action. A clean detail photo establishes the design. A dynamic lifestyle image makes it memorable. That is why this fits on ISJDESIGNS as both a personal project and an example of how I approach photographing objects in motion.
For the complete photo series, visit my ARRMA MOJAVE 6S V3 photography showcase, where I put the truck and the action photography on full display.
How it drives on dirt and gravel
The MOJAVE is a desert-truck design with a long wheelbase, wide stance and independent suspension. It looks at home running across open dirt and rocky ground. In my early photography sessions, the fun has been watching the suspension work and seeing the tires kick up material as the truck changes direction.
Different surfaces ask different things of the truck. Loose gravel rewards smooth steering inputs, while thick grass creates greater rolling resistance. Sand and mud also mean more cleaning afterward. The electronics are described as waterproof by the manufacturer, but waterproof electronics do not make bearings, fasteners and every mechanical component maintenance-free.
What I would check and maintain
For people researching ARRMA MOJAVE 6S upgrades, I'd start with careful maintenance instead of immediately swapping parts. Tires, bearings, suspension hardware, steering and motor temperatures are worth monitoring before spending money. An older MOJAVE 6S or EXB upgrade list does not automatically fit the updated V3.
I am treating maintenance as part of the hobby. Before each run I look at the tires, wheel nuts, LiPo connections, steering and suspension. Afterward I brush out debris, inspect for cracks and loose parts, and check the shocks and driveline. Wet runs deserve extra attention to bearings and corrosion.
For the V3 specifically, I would inspect the new inner guards and clipless body mechanism for stones and trapped debris. I would also monitor motor and ESC heat during extended 6S runs before spending money on additional cooling. The much longer ownership history of older MOJAVE generations is useful, but their recurring issues should not automatically be labeled V3 defects.
The camera-mount experiment
I also attached an Insta360 X5 for a first-person RC view. The temporary mount gave me an angle I liked right up until it broke. That part of the project needs a proper solution: mechanical fasteners, a rigid base, thoughtful placement and a backup retention tether rather than relying on a makeshift connection.
A future 3D-printed camera surround or custom bracket could be interesting, but I would want to test the design carefully and use metal hardware for the main load-bearing connection. It also needs to stay clear of the V3 clipless body releases. I will document that project as it develops rather than pretending the first attempt was a success.
The truck and accessories
Here are the two product links associated with this project. The first is the truck itself. The second is an aftermarket chassis dust cover marketed for the MOJAVE 6S, but the listing does not establish confirmed compatibility with the redesigned V3. Check seller fitment details before ordering.
The beige truck listing. Verify the exact ARA7604V3 version and seller information before purchasing.
Advertised for the MOJAVE 6S, but V3-specific fitment is unconfirmed.
Shopping disclosure: These are Amazon product links. If they are affiliate links, a qualifying purchase may earn a commission.
Is the ARRMA MOJAVE 6S V3 worth it?
If you are comparing the ARRMA MOJAVE 6S V3 versus the MOJAVE 6S EXB or MOJAVE 4S, check each vehicle's official product listing rather than assuming the names describe identical trucks. My truck is the standard RTR V3. This article documents what I own and photograph, not a back-to-back test of all three.
For me, absolutely as a personal project. The size, realistic body, 6S power system and way it throws dust make it more interesting than a typical small RC car. I bought it because I wanted something fun to drive, but it has also become a reason to get outside and make photographs without a client brief or deadline.
If you are researching one yourself, start with the factory specification, the space you have to drive it and the cost of proper batteries and charging equipment. High speed is appealing, but the bigger value for me is how much there is to explore: driving, mechanics, filming and image-making.
Commercial Photography / Pittsburgh and Nationwide
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Explore Product PhotographyARRMA MOJAVE 6S V3 FAQ
When was the ARRMA MOJAVE 6S V3 released?
The V3 is a 2026 refresh. Public coverage appeared by August 2026 and retail availability varied by region during September and October. A single global launch day was not verified.
Is the MOJAVE 6S V3 ready to run?
Yes, the truck and radio electronics are assembled, but suitable LiPo batteries, a charger and charging safety equipment are required separately.
Can the MOJAVE 6S V3 run on 4S?
Yes. ARRMA lists 4S and 6S compatibility, including approved single- and dual-pack arrangements.
How fast is the ARRMA MOJAVE 6S V3?
ARRMA advertises 60+ mph capability with suitable 6S power and setup. I have not independently GPS-tested this truck.
Is the MOJAVE 6S V3 the same as the EXB?
No. The standard V3 ARA7604V3 and MOJAVE 6S EXB ARA7704V3 are different configurations.
What changed from the MOJAVE 6S V2?
The V3 introduces a new clipless body, revised protection and wheel hardware, a 7075-T6 chassis, a Smart V2 ESC and an S665 steering servo.
Official technical reference: ARRMA MOJAVE 6S V3 specifications and parts support. Released-market timing and product availability differ by region.
More from me: my Toyota 4Runner build, product photography and ISJDESIGNS.
Explore my professional product photography, automotive product photography, and contact page for commercial photo projects.