RUST Modular Cars Guide (2024)

What are RUST Modular Cars?

RUST Modular Cars debuted in theModular Vehicles Update on July 2, 2020. These vehicles can be modified to suit the needs of a player or group of players inside the game. Along with the addition of this new vehicle type, road topology has been modified to be wider and smoother to make driving cars easier.

RUST Modular Cars are a type of vehicle that allows players the ability to customize a vehicle to suit their needs. Players can customize their vehicles by adding and swapping out modules that provide various functions, such as extra storage for loot or increased player-carrying capacity.

How to Get a Modular Car in RUST

The rust-bucket chassis of Modular Cars can be found around roadsides. They may initially be confused for the chassis of junk pile cars, but they can be recognized via the sparks and smoke shooting forth out of their nearly-destroyed frames.

The chassis will have a somewhat random assortment of modules attached to them, to begin with, such as an extra row of seats or a flatbed for a truck. These modules will be in varying states of decay and need to be repaired using a combination of resources depending on the module: metal frags, high-quality metal, and wood.

Although RUST Modular Cars use Low Grade Fuel to run, a player can push the vehicle like a Rowboat. Be warned, when pushing the vehicle up or down hills, you can and will get hurt if the car rolls back onto yourself or other players.

Finally, you might also choose to steal a car from a nearby neighbor if they haven’t put a lock on it or if it has become damaged to the point that the lock may be removed.

Anatomy of a Modular Car

Like any other vehicle type, there are specific names for the individual pieces that make up a whole vehicle. While some of these aren’t pertinent to the game or operation of the vehicle, they might be referenced at some point in this guide.

Modules

Module types are added directly to a Chassis via theWORK ON VEHICLEfunction when standing at a poweredModular Car Lift. More on the exact inner workings of assembly later in the guide.

  • Armored Cockpit Vehicle Module
  • Armored Passenger Vehicle Module
  • Camper Vehicle Module
  • Cockpit Vehicle Module
  • Cockpit With Engine Vehicle Module
  • Engine Vehicle Module
  • Flatbed Vehicle Module
  • Fuel Tank Vehicle Module
  • Large Flatbed Vehicle Module
  • Passenger Vehicle Module
  • Rear Seats Vehicle Module
  • Storage Vehicle Module
  • Taxi Vehicle Module

Chassis

A Chassis is the primary foundational structure of any vehicle, often referred to as the frame, incorporating the Fuel Tank, undercarriage, tires, and bumpers.

  • Large Chassis– 4 Modules at a time
  • Medium Chassis– 3 Modules at a time
  • Small Chassis– 2 Modules at a time

Engine Parts (Low, Medium & High Quality)

Engine parts are essential to any RUST Modular Car’s function (and performance). The parts required to run a vehicle are slightly different from car to car, and missing a single one can result in the car refusing to start. Car parts are an excellent example of ‘getting what you pay for,’ with lower-end parts resulting in poor performance and higher-end parts increasing speed and handling.

  • Carburetor
  • Crankshaft
  • Pistons
  • Spark Plugs
  • Valves

Modular Car Fuel System

Relatively straightforward, the Modular Car fuel system can hold up to 500 Low Grade Fuel, which is the maximum stack size.

Refueling Cars

  • Have the appropriate Low Grade Fuel in your inventory.
  • Position yourself behind the vehicle, facing directly towards the orange tank with silver slatting labeled FUEL.
  • PressEon the fuel tank to open the “FUEL STORAGE” container.
  • Insert the Low Grade Fuel into the Fuel Storage slot.
  • You’ve now refueled the Modular Car.

Rate of Consumption

Fuel consumption is contingent on components used and other statistics as determined by the player and car build. A more detailed explanation of these statistics follows later in the document.

Controls

Controlling a Modular Car varies depending on the statistics we will get around to later, but regardless of the components you use, the driving mechanics act just about the same.

  • Weases the vehicle forward
  • A & Dpivot the vehicle to the left or right. These controls may be used while going forward or backward
  • Saccelerates the vehicle backward. Use additional caution as there are no effective mirrors to guide yourself by
  • Fturns on the Headlights for nighttime driving
  • Left Mouse Button engages the horn – yes, you can hold it down indefinitely
  • Spacebarejects you from the vehicle
  • Xchanges seats, where applicable

Engines (Statistics & Function)

Many variables go into getting from point A to point B in RUST and using a Modular Car to achieve these ends is no different. At their most basic level, RUST vehicles are a means of potentially transporting players and their loot safer and faster.

Ultimately, though, not all modes of transportation measure up to one another in safety and speed, and neither do cars, their modules, and their internal parts. It is immensely important to understand that the potential parts and pieces we select to make a run to Outpost to recycle might be drastically different than those we’d select to stock a raiding Camper. Let’s take a better look at the stats we’re talking about.

To understand the difference, you must know how cars function. In this section, we will discuss the difference between engine types and the impact that parts and conditions have on a vehicle’s performance and statistics. To begin, let’s take a look under the hood:

  • Approach the engine portion(s) of whatever vehicle you wish to inspect
  • While facing the engine, pay close attention to the displayed prompt, and press the E key when OPEN is visible. This opens the engine compartment overlay.
  • Notice that around the engine block graphic, there are engine component slots that each require one of the displayed components to be inserted before the engine can function.
  • Max Power per kW will always be one of two things –
    • 75kW if looking at a Cockpit with Engine Vehicle Module
    • 95kW if looking at an Engine Vehicle Module
  • Parts may be inserted or removed from any engine at any time unless locked.

Engine Vehicle Module

On the subject of engine components, once again, quality matters. When using the Engine Vehicle Module where duplicate parts may be inserted, with all other parts assumed to be low quality, the following impacts to stats may be applicable:

PartStat ImpactLow Quality % ImpactMedium Quality % ImpactHigh Quality % Impact
CarburetorSpeed & Fuel Economy70%74% Speed, 75% FE78% Speed, 80% FE
CrankshaftSpeed70%74%78%
PistonsAcceleration & Top Speed70%74% – 78%, +4% each/both78% – 85%, +7.5% each/both
Spark PlugsAcceleration70%74% – 78%, +4% each78% – 85%, +7.5% each
ValvesFuel Economy70%75% – 80%, +5% each80% – 90%, +10% each

Cockpit with Engine Vehicle Module

When using the Cockpit With Engine Vehicle Module, where only a single set of parts may be inserted, with all other parts assumed to be low quality, the following impacts to stats may be applicable.

PartStat ImpactLow Quality % ImpactMedium Quality % ImpactHigh Quality % Impact
CarburetorSpeed & Fuel Economy70%75% Speed, 78% FE80% Speed, 85% FE
CrankshaftSpeed70%75%80%
PistonsAcceleration & Top Speed70%75% Speed, 78% Acceleration80% Speed, 85% Acceleration
Spark PlugsAcceleration70%78%85%
ValvesFuel Economy70%78%85%

Important Distinction: While one engine appears to obtain the same 100% statistics as the other while using fewer parts, it is crucial to realize that those percentages are applied to different Maximum Power outputs. A vehicle with 100% in all stats and a Maximum Power of 70kW will never have the statistical potential of a vehicle with a different engine generating 95 kW.

Where to Get Engine Parts

As previously noted, every engine block needs five different engine components to operate, and missing just one makes the entire vehicle useless. Add in the fact that engine components also have durability, and you may find yourself playing mechanic more often than you’d like.

Low-quality components can be found as loot in roadside car part boxes and are relatively plentiful worldwide, as there are also default spawning locations for these crates at all gas stations on the map. They can be blueprinted for 20 Scrap each and crafted by players and must be crafted at a tier 1 workbench. These can be useful for bringing vehicles back to your team’s vehicle lift for pulling off desirable modules.

Medium-quality components can be purchased at the Vehicle Parts Vendor in the Bandit Camp monument near the Air Wolf Shop. This vendor can be found on the second floor of the Air Wolf structure and will sell engine components and car lifts for scrap. Players can then blueprint the medium-quality engine components for 20 Scrap a piece.

High-quality components are the exclusive province of directly researching the item or learning it via the Work Bench Level 3 tech tree at the cost of 20 Scrap per piece.

Chassis & Modules (Statistics & Function)

What’s a car without a frame and a cab to sit in? A pile of parts, that’s what. In this section, we will dive into the three different frame types, also known as chassis, before getting into the ‘accessory’ modules planted on top of them.

Chassis

As stated, there are three primary frame types that players can choose from when designing their ideal ride. This category is interlinked with car modules, which is part of the reason why they are both being condensed into this section. Some car modules REQUIRE a larger chassis for deployment purposes, as will be demonstrated in a chart to follow later.

All Modular Cars must have at least one engine and one cockpit-type module at the minimum to function. All module swaps must be done at a powered Modular Car Lift.

The three chassis types are as follows:

  1. Small Chassis – 2 Module slots
    • Able to facilitate a single Cockpit With Engine Vehicle Module assembly and one additional single-slot module type or the Engine Vehicle Module and one cockpit type module assembly.
  2. Medium Chassis – 3 Module Slots
    • Able to facilitate a Cockpit With Engine Vehicle Module assembly and two additional single-slot module types (or one double) or the Engine Vehicle Module with at least one cockpit type module assembly and one additional single module.
  3. Large Chassis – 4 Module Slots
    • Able to facilitate a Cockpit With Engine Vehicle Module assembly up to additional module slot types or the Engine Vehicle Module with at least one cockpit type module assembly and up to 2 additional module slot types.

While on the Modular Car Lift, chassis without modules may be directly destroyed by any player with access to them by clicking Destroy Chassis in the lift interface.

Modules

Finally, modules are where players get to give their ride a custom feel. Modules differ between a quick sedan to get to and from the Abandoned Supermarket and a veritable tank ready to roll up and raid a neighbor. Swapping out and customizing will be discussed in the next section in more detail, so we will first review what modules are available and what they generally do.

Armored Cockpit Vehicle Module

Maximum HP / Condition700
Sockets Required1
DesignationCockpit, 2-Seats
Tier 3 Blueprint125 Scrap Research Cost

Armored Passenger Vehicle Module

Maximum HP / Condition675
Sockets Required1
DesignationNon-Cockpit, 2 Seats
Tier 3 Blueprint125 Scrap Research Cost

Camper Vehicle Module

Maximum HP / Condition525
Sockets Required2
DesignationNon-Cockpit, 4-Seats
Tier 2 Blueprint125 Scrap Research Cost
AmenitiesBarbeque, 18-slot Storage Box, Locker, 4 Sleeping Bags

Cockpit Vehicle Module

Maximum HP / Condition360
Sockets Required1
DesignationCockpit, 2-Seats
Tier 2 Blueprint125 Scrap Research Cost

Cockpit with Engine Vehicle Module

Maximum HP / Condition425
Sockets Required1
DesignationCockpit Engine, 2-Seats
Tier 2 Blueprint125 Scrap Research Cost

Engine Vehicle Module

Maximum HP / Condition300
Sockets Required1
DesignationEngine, No Seats
Tier 2 Blueprint125 Scrap Research Cost

Flatbed Vehicle Module

Maximum HP / Condition250
Sockets Required1
DesignationFlatbed Transport, No Seats
Tier 2 Blueprint125 Scrap Research Cost

Fuel Tank Vehicle Module

Maximum HP / Condition325
Sockets Required2
Designation200,000 mL Water Storage, No Seats
Tier 2 Blueprint125 Scrap Research Cost

Large Flatbed Vehicle Module

Maximum HP / Condition325
Sockets Required2
DesignationLarger Flatbed Transport, No Seats
Tier 2 Blueprint125 Scrap Research Cost

Passenger Vehicle Module

Maximum HP / Condition525
Sockets Required2
DesignationNon-Cockpit, 4 Seats
Tier 2 Blueprint125 Scrap Research Cost

Rear Seats Vehicle Module

Maximum HP / Condition275
Sockets Required1
DesignationNon-Cockpit, 2 Seats
Tier 2 Blueprint125 Scrap Research Cost

Storage Vehicle Module

Maximum HP / Condition275
Sockets Required1
DesignationNon-Cockpit, 48-slot Storage
Tier 2 Blueprint125 Scrap Research Cost

Taxi Vehicle Module

Maximum HP / Condition295
Sockets Required1
DesignationNon-Cockpit, 2-Seats
Tier 3 Blueprint125 SCrap Research Cost
AmenitiesMetal Shopfront built in to facilitate ‘taxi’ service function between players.

How to Customize a Vehicle with Modules

Module Addition and Subtraction

To begin vehicle customization, first, you will need a vehicle lift and a power source to power it up. Be sure to check towards the end of the guide for a neat garage base design idea that is perfect to perform this function. Drive your vehicle onto the powered lift and use the power station off to the side of the lift to begin editing the vehicle. You will see the available vehicle sockets with the current modules used by your vehicle.

Drag modules to and from the sockets to your inventory to swap out modules depending on the vehicle type you aim to build. Vehicle modules can be found on Modular Cars as they spawn throughout the game world.

Once you’ve found a car that has socketed the module you want, fill the engine block with the necessary components and drive the vehicle back to your powered vehicle lift. You can then remove the desired module and add it to your preferred vehicle.

For those players lacking the knowledge or motivation to create their own garage, there is also a permanently powered Modular Car Lift at the Junkyard Monument.

Adding a Keypad Lock

To lock your car and prevent unauthorized players from driving it, you will again need the vehicle lift. The vehicle edit screen will require that you have a cockpit module installed before you are able to see the controls to add a lock.

Adding a lock requires 75 metal fragments to complete, and players must immediately choose a 4-digit numerical sequence code to secure the vehicle. Removing a lock can be performed in the same fashion, minus the need for the metal fragments. Anyone who knows the code set may enter and exit the vehicle as one would a standard base door.

Modular Car Repair, Decay & Durability

Repair

Any vehicle, up to the moment that the frame collapses and disappears into the void, can be repaired 30 seconds after it last took damage. This requires using aHammerand havingClothin your inventory. Each repair swing will repair up to 61 damage. Anyone within range, regardless of elevation status, may repair the HAB.

Decay Rates

Depending on the modules loaded upon spawning, cars may spawn with an assortment of different durability values but will all slowly decay over the course of864minutes. This is the default decay period, but it is modifiable through server variables. Many players choose instead to house their cars in makeshift garages, and you can find our own take on this process with pictures and a description below.

Durability Damage Chart

Because all Modular Car components are different in their maximum durability, it would be impractical to detail how much damage each could potentially take before failing. In order to give relative scope, the below values were done using the Armored Cockpit Vehicle Module, boasting 700 health. All calculations were done using an LR-300, MP5A4, and Pump Shotgun for the assorted ammo types.

Ammunition / ToolDamage Done PerTotal Required to Destroy
5.56 Rifle Ammo4175
Incendiary 5.56 Rifle Ammo6.8103
Explosive 5.56 Rifle Ammo7100
Pistol Ammo3234
Incendiary Pistol Ammo4175
12 Gauge Buckshot2134
12 Gauge Slug888
Handmade Shell1839
HV Rocket4102
Rocket2693
40MM HE Grenade2825
Satchel Charge1515
Timed Explosive Charge700+1

Building a Modular Car Garage

As promised, we’re including a diagram for a simple garage base concept that new players can easily whip together. To keep things simple, we are including a materials list of everything that goes into creating what is depicted in the images. You are free to change the layout in any way you like, so long as it has (most of) the key components specifically gone over.

Materials and Deployables List

  • Resources:
    • 9780 Stone
    • 1633 Wood
  • Building Tools / Essentials:
    • 1 Tool Cupboard
    • 1 Building Plan
    • 1 Hammer
    • 1 Wiring Tool
    • 4 Garage Doors
    • 2 Sheet Metal Doors
    • 7 Key or Code Locks
  • Electrical Components:
    • 1 Modular Car Lift
    • 4 Solar Panels
    • 4 Root Combiners
    • 1 Switch
    • 2 Electrical Branches
    • 10 Industrial Wall Lights

Vehicle Ramps

Ironically, one of the most overlooked requirements for any successful garage is accessibility. Players will put down roots on a plot of land that is hilly, rocky, or otherwise restrictive to vehicles and be stuck with improvisation. When putting down the above footprint in your area, select a relatively flat space free from obstruction.

Once you have the center-most 2×4 section placed, be sure that the height of your foundations allows for Ramps to be added at both ends where garage doors are pictured. Getting a vehicle in or out without these ramps will be nearly impossible.

Functional Airlock

Sure, it might be a simple garage, but sometimes people store things they probably shouldn’t in places like this. A side entrance that opens and closes faster than a garage door is a must, especially if you are building in a highly populated area with plenty of grubs looking to ‘go deep.’

Side Triangular Areas

Modular Car lifts are big and bulky and do not play well in confined spaces. Because of this, the side triangular areas shown on the footprint image are essential to facilitate the side airlock, the electrical components, and the TC. While making your primary vehicle area 2 squares wide with these triangles in place isn’t necessary, having redundant space for storage or a second vehicle is always handy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to the loot of a Modular Car when it’s destroyed?

When a Modular Car is destroyed, the on-vessel loot container drops to the ground as a gray bag near the destruction site and is available for retrieval by anyone nearby. All fuel inserted into the fuel container is lost on destruction.

Do Modular Cars have headlights for night operations?

Yes, cars have built-in lights that can be toggled on and off by pressing the defaultFkey.

What happens to a Modular Car that gets submerged in water?

Like other vehicles, there is a cutoff point at which the vehicle will no longer allow players to mount and drive it out. Once this threshold is reached, the car becomes an inoperable, yet pushable, submarine without oxygen.

Modular Car Admin Commands & Convars

Command / ConvarDefault ValueDescription
modularcar.population3How many Modular Cars per KM spawn on map
modularcar.outsidedecayminutes864How many minutes before a Modular Car loses all its health while outside
vehicle.carwrecksTrueDetermines whether modular cars turn into wrecks when destroyed, or just immediately gib.
global.carstatsGet information about all the cars in the world via Console printout
vehicle.fixcarsInstantly full repair all applicable cars on map
vehicle.killcarsInstantly destroy all applicable cars on map
spawn car_chassis_2module.entityCommand to spawn car chassis with 2 module slots
spawn car_chassis_3module.entityCommand to spawn car chassis with 3 module slots
spawn car_chassis_4module.entityCommand to spawn car chassis with 4 module slots

Final Thoughts on RUST Modular Cars

As players further push the envelope of game progression methods, game mechanic exploitations, and game admin patience, you can be sure that Corrosion Hour will be right here detailing all of the tools that they are sure to use for these ends. Be sure to check out ourDiscord for our most recent updates. Be good to each other, always.

RUST Modular Cars Guide (2024)

FAQs

How to use vehicle module in rust? ›

On the chassis go the modules. Modules have different uses, sockets, conditions, and can be swapped around to various positions on the chassis. You can also pull modules off vehicles and store them like any other item in your inventory. This single module acts as your basic front seat for a driver and passenger.

How much rust is acceptable on a used car? ›

If the rust is only skin deep, that's a used vehicle you can keep. But if it affects the frame, that can be a recipe for pain. Check the vehicle history, and have a mechanic check out the areas you can't.

How to get cars rust? ›

Cars are crafted items in Rust, this means that players will have to gather a few materials and research the designs beforehand. The first thing people will need is a Car Lift. The Lift can be purchased at the Bandit Camp for 175 scrap.

What is the difference between crate and module in Rust? ›

Basic terminology: Crates and Modules

Crates can produce an executable or a library, depending on the project. Each crate has an implicit root module that contains the code for that crate. You can then define a tree of sub-modules under that root module. Modules allow you to partition your code within the crate itself.

How do rust modules work? ›

HOW DOES A RUST MODULE WORK? A Rust Module sends a weak electric current through the metal and helps stops it from rusting over time.

Why do trucks rust more than cars? ›

Rust, a common vehicle problem, is particularly notorious in Chevy trucks due to exposure to harsh weather, salt used on roads, and sometimes insufficient rustproofing.

How much rust is too much on a car chassis? ›

Anything more than surface rust or light pitting is considered 'bad' rust and should be assessed by a professional mechanic immediately. Bad rust can quickly spread from small areas into larger ones, leading to compromised structural integrity and further corrosion issues over time.

Are cars useful in rust? ›

Cars are a great way to get running quickly but can be expensive to maintain, and Mini-Copters and Scrap Heli are some of the most sought-after vehicles in the game. This guide will look at each type of vehicle in Rust, how to get them, and how to use them to your advantage.

What parts of a car rust the most? ›

While rust can affect virtually any part of a car that's made of ferrous metal, certain areas are more susceptible. For example, brake pads, wheel wells, and body panels often come into direct contact with road salt and trapped water, making them vulnerable to rust.

What is central locking in rust? ›

Much like central locking on a real car, it locks the doors so nobody can enter the car (unless they are holding a key in their inventory).

How many years does it take for car to rust? ›

If your car's paint is damaged, rust can begin to develop within four to five days. Outside of paint quality, many other factors influence the speed at which a car rusts, including climate, time of year, how routinely maintenance is performed, etc.

How long does it take to rust proof a car? ›

A: A typical rust proofing service takes about an hour. An hour a year keeps your car rust-free. Q: Does the rust proofing service void any warranties? A: Rust Check does NOT void any new car warranties.

How to treat a rusty chassis? ›

How to stop surface rust forming on your chassis
  1. Step 1: Remove excess surface rust with a wire brush or jet wash. ...
  2. Step 2: Apply Lanoguard Moto Grease On Worsening Areas. ...
  3. Step 3: Apply Lanoguard Moto Spray To The Whole Chassis. ...
  4. Step 4: Leave Your Underbody To Dry. ...
  5. Step 5: Reapply Once A Year.
Oct 19, 2022

How do I import a module into rust? ›

To import the module, we use the keyword mod , followed by the file name without the . rs extension. When a module is imported, it allows us to use any code that's marked as public in the file we're importing the module from. Note that the module must be imported before we use any of its code.

How to spawn a vehicle in Rust? ›

Console Commands For Admins

Use "spawn 2module_car", "spawn 3module_car", or "spawn 4module_car" to spawn a car with a semi-random selection of modules attached.

References

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