

We did this by installing a cooling heat sink and a cooling fan kit to the motor. Keeping your motor and ESC cool is the best way to extend its operational life.
#TRAXXAS RUSTLER 4X4 BODY UPGRADE#
Rustler is already outfitted with Traxxas’ powerful brushless Velineon VXL system, so we didn’t need to upgrade the motor or ESC, but we did want to add a cooling system to it. Aside from making the driveline stronger, Traxxas’ unique splined telescoping design delivers full-range articulation so there isn’t any need to limit suspension travel. These upgraded steel CV units can handle the excess power without issue. The heavy-duty steel CV driveshafts we installed are engineered specifically for stadium truck applications and are built to withstand the large amounts of torque that are fed to them by powerful motors such as the Traxxas brushless VXL that is in the Rustler.
#TRAXXAS RUSTLER 4X4 BODY INSTALL#
We started by disassembling the Rustler’s front and rear suspension so that we could install upgraded steel constant-velocity (CV) driveshafts, heavy-duty suspension arms, aluminum shock towers, as well as front aluminum caster and steering blocks and rear stub axle carriers. Making our Rustler stand out from the crowd by making it our own with factory upgrades ended up being quite an enjoyable process and the results are fervently satisfying.

It was decided to concentrate on fortifying our Rustler’s suspension and driveshafts while also enhancing the VXL’s cooling system. We took a dive into their online catalog and selected a few upgrades that we thought would enhance our weekend bashing sessions.

Some parts are meant to increase the durability of the vehicle while others can enhance any of its performance aspects including its stability, handling or power output. They offer upgrade parts for most, if not all of their offerings. We took a gander at the ocean-deep catalog that is Traxxas’ website and saw that the company has a deep understanding of what makes RC enthusiasts like us come back for more… upgrades. Its fully captured rod ends are designed to not pop off even under extreme stress.īack to the crux of this article, the all-important upgrades. Thick 4mm turnbuckles are made from heavy-duty steel and can be adjusted for custom toe and camber settings. The truck’s set of oil-filled Ultra Shocks is complemented with progressive rate springs that help maintain a smooth ride rough terrain and big air jumps. Its one-piece aluminum driveshaft distributes the power between front and rear gearboxes, resulting in an impressively smooth and efficient driveline operation. This is possible thanks to a robust transmission set up that includes a larger Revo-Spec slipper clutch and extreme heavy-duty driveshafts. If you’re looking for pure speed, it’s good to know that the Rustler 4X4 VXL’s Velineon 3500kV sensorless and brushless motor can power it to over 65 miles per hour while running the recommended battery and gearing pairing. The result is a truck that confidently careens around tight corners and jumps with ease. The wheelbase of the stadium truck has been lengthened by 20mm in order to provide enhanced balance for stability and responsiveness. The Rustler’s low-CG chassis positions the truck’s mass low for improved stability and confident handling. This four-wheel drive stadium truck already features plenty of upgrades straight out of the box including a completely brushless electronics package as well as a low-center of gravity (low-CG) composite chassis. Traxxas’ Rustler 4X4 VXL amps up the already impressive performance of its base-model version by further augmenting it with generous amounts of brushless power for aggressive off road speed and sure footed stability. Before we jump into how we upgraded our Rustler, let’s recap what the Rustler 4X4 VXL is all about. We could never leave anything in its factory configuration after all. Now that we have had some time with it in its stock form, we thought that it was a good time to upgrade it for even more driving fun with a selection of Traxxas factory upgrade parts. Those who read our previous review of the Rustler will remember that we were enthralled with its dynamic driving and robust durability characteristics. Our pink and purple liveried four-wheel drive truck is driven by Traxxas’ powerful brushless Velineon motor and electronic speed controller combination. We previously managed to get a hold of a Rustler 4X4 VXL to review in the January issue of RCCA. It’s definitely a versatile and fun vehicle to drive. Available in no less than six variations, Rustler is offered in two or four wheel-drive and is motivated by your choice of a brushed motor, brushless motor and even nitro engine option. One of the most popular RC vehicles that Traxxas offers is the stadium truck called Rustler.
