How to: Bulletproof your Traxxas trucks

Radio Control Car Action, Apr 2002 by Gonzalez, George M

Making tough trucks tougher

We receive hundreds of letters every month from readers who want to increase the performance and durability of their Traxxas Rustlers and Stampedes. This article is for them! We've compiled the 10 best upgrades to make these trucks practically bombproof (or your buggy, for you Bandit bashers). Nitro guys, we also include a few tips on how to make your TRX engine faster and more reliable; who doesn't want that? Let's head for the shop.

Big bumpers. If you're new to the hobby or are Into jumping for altitude, do yourself a favor and Install a big bumper. The tiny stock bumper on the Rustler, Stampede and Bandit doesn't protect the suspension at all. RPM makes a wide front bumper (item no. 81162; $6.95) that can be bolted on In minutes and will protect your suspension and chassis when it smacks Into the curb at full speed or lands nose first off a big jump. The RPM bumper will have paid for itself after your vehicle has survived a couple of horrific crashes.

Beefier bearings. The electric Rustler, Stampede and Bandit have small, 5x8mm wheel bushings that are usually replaced with ball bearings for smoother, friction-free performance; unfortunately, the wheel bearings are not up to the task of rigorous off-road abuse because they're so small. But the Nitro Rustler/Stampedes, on the other hand, have front and rear bearing carriers that use larger, 5xii, wheel bushings that can be replaced with proven, heavy-duty bearings. RPM also makes front and rear bearing carriers (F/R---80372/80382; $8.95) that accept 5x11mm ball bearings. Of course, you'll need to pick up eight 5x11mm ball bearings to complete the conversion, but you'll be rewarded with a faster, more reliable vehicle.

Hinge-pin brace. To protect the front suspension from crash damage, the Nitro Rustler and Nitro Stampede Include a fiberglass front tie bar (hinge-pin brace), but the electric Rustler, Stampede and Bandit don't have one. Traxxas offers a front tie bar (2532-fiberglass; $4; 2532X-graphite; $6) for all three vehicles, but you'll also need to Install longer, 44mm, suspension pins (2640; $2.50) to complete the conversion. Installing the hinge-pin brace will protect your vehicle's suspension arms, front bulkhead and hinge pins during hard crashes, so consider It a wise Investment.

Tie rods. All of Traxxas' nitro trucks are equipped with turnbuckle tie rods, but the electric versions make do with molded, nonadjustable upper links. You can replace the molded upper links with stronger versions from RPM (81262; $5.95), but for increased strength and Increased adjustability, try front and rear sets of steel turnbuckles from Traxxas: F/R1937 (54mm front)/2335 (72mm rear); $2/set. Want the ultimate in bombproof? Get a set of Lunsford titanium tie rods. You'll also need Traxxas ball ends (1942; $7) and eight 3x8mm machine screws to install the Lunsford links.

Slicker steering. The bellcrank bushings get dirty, and if they aren't cleaned and lubed regularly, they'll start to bind the steering system, and that strains the steering servo. Replace the bellcrank bushings with 5x8x2.5mm bearings (2728; $8) for ultrasmooth steering action that requires less maintenance.

Drive yokes. The strain of acceleration, jumping and hard driving puts enormous stress on the drive axles; all that punishment can weaken the stock plastic drive yokes over time. Traxxas offers these hardened-steel differential output yokes (4628X; $19.50) that won't twist apart under load.

The magic slipper

With the exception of the Nitro Sport, all of Traxxas' latest electric and nitro-powered trucks are equipped with slipper clutches to protect their drive trains. Early production electric Rustlers, Stampedes and Bandits did not include slipper clutches, though; so if you own a Nitro Sport or an older Traxxas truck or buggy without a slipper clutch (as shown on the right), install the slipper clutch (4615; $17.50) to protect your internal transmission gears and the spur gear from the shock associated with landing off big jumps under throttle or jamming the truck into reverse at full speed. The Traxxas slipper-clutch set includes everything that's needed for assembly, and it can be installed in a few minutes.

TRX TRICKS

Here are a few items that will keep your TRX .15 engine running faster and more reliably. These tips are recommended for all Traxxas trucks, Including the T-Maxx.

IN-LINE FUEL FILTER. A microscopic dirt particle can foul up your carburetor and make engine tuning nightmare. An in-line fuel filter is inexpensive insurance: it filters out all small particles that could damage your engine.

HIGH-PERFORMANCE AIR FILTER. The type of air filter you use can make a monumental difference to your engine's perform

ance. The stock, high-density, single-- element air filter that Traxxas includes with all of its trucks works well, but you can replace its element with a less restricting 2- or 3-stage element from Traxxas: 4062 (2-stage); 4063 (3-stage); $4.95. Many aftermarket air filters provide unrestricted airflow, but be sure that the one you choose fits the