Just Got a NEw Traxxas Rustler

I just got a new Traxxas Rustler. What are some things that I need to add to it customization wise?

[magman]

First, welcome to the forums.

1. is the rustler electric or nitro?

2. what is your budget...it is easy to get carried away.

3. your set up will some what determine what you need to spend to keep from destroying your truck....more power and speed, the stronger it needs to be

I assume it is electric....
1. Mike sells some nice Fast Lane parts for it
2. If Al. arms aren't your thing...then rpm all the way
3. rpm or Al carriers
4. titanium turnbuckles and pins
5. a 50 series 3300kv Medusa motor w/ 5mm shaft
6. mm esc w cc bec
7. 3s 25c li-po or 4s for stupid speeds, mah. of your choice...Mike sells them here

As I said before, speed costs in performance and parts breakage. If I may offer a suggestion....Buy top quality parts once or you will be constantly breaking inferior parts. Not to say that you will not break the good stuff...but less likely.

One final note. Your electronics are your heart and soul of your truck, DON'T SKIMP! especially on the batts...they do make a difference.

Good luck!

yes, it's electric. My budget is $35 a month.

[E-Revonut]

Is it an XL-5 or VXL? I had to replace the caster blocks on mine a few times before I finally bought the aluminum ones. For the most part don't get carried away upgrading until you break something, then buy the best you can. If it's only an XL-5 start putting your $35/month away and save for a good brushless setup. Unless your looking for speeds in excess of 40MPH 2s Lipo is all you will need, anything faster is really only good for speed runs as you can't turn at those speeds. I had the vxl for awhile and only upgraded parts when I broke them. Caster blocks, steering bell cranks, and front bulk where all upgraded to aluminum and the rear arms and rear shock tower got RPM replacements. Aluminum shocks would be a good upgrade too, I was constantly blowing the caps off mine. Get some tires! The traxxas pin tires don't hold up long, esspecially on pavement.

It's an xl-5. I have been into the hobby for 6 months, and have a Trinity Monster Horsepower 27t motor, 2 team orion super duty packs (both only 2400 mah). I also have the red rear springs, waterproofed receiver/ servo, wheelie bar, fiberglass shock tower/tie bar, stocker back tires, and some Anacondas. I also have some old but fairly new traxxas protrax tires. I'm thinking I'll either get dirt hawgs, or geolander. I am saving up for a sidewinder or a VXL. Which do you reccomend? What are some good combos? I need it to be as cheap as possible, but I want a good motor. I don't need to go 70 mph, so I don't think I'll ever go lipo, but how would a tenergy 8 cell pack do on a brushless setup? I'm also in the process of getting some new tool and ble RPM a-arms (front and rear), and ble aluminum castors. For rims for the new tires I'm going traxxas 2.2. For sand I'm getting sand paws, and I already have an RPM bumper. I'll also be getting steel transmission gear.

[E-Revonut]

I would recomend going with a mamba Max(MM) over the sidewinder(SW), the sidewinder is good but the Mamba max will allow you to go further in the future, if money is really tight though the sidewinder will handle the job. Keep in mind though that the castle link doesn't come with the sidewinder, it's about an extra $20-25, without it you can't program the esc on the computer, only with your transmitter which can be a PITA. Rather than getting a combo would suggest buying the escand motor seperate. As I already mentioned, I would take the MM over the SW but the SW will handle a Rustler. For the motor I would go with a Medusa 36-50-3300. That setup will cost a little more but will outlast a MM or SW combo. Once you step up to a brushless setup you will find that your batteries will be useless! A 2400mah pack just can't put out the current the brushless is going to need. You will need almost double that to get ANY performance, it may not even move with them. My buddy tried a SW/4600kv cobo on some cheapo nickel packs and it wouldn't even move. I have run some decent NiMh packs in my vxl when I had it and also in my crt.5, speed is about half what it does on Lipo. You can get a quality lipo for $75ish that will give you about 25-30 minutes runtime, so that's really better than buying 2 nimh packs at $30 each that might give you 15 minutes each and have it go half as fast, at least it's better IMO. It took me a few months to jump on the Lipo bandwagon but I haven't looked back yet, except for the racing I do that requires a nimh pack!

Yeah, I can't afford a Mamba Max, so I'm jsut wondering, what would you prefer? The VXL esc with the VXL motor, or the Sidewinder Combo. As I said, I don't need to go 70 mph. Just a question. Will the VXL system blow up a NiMh pack, and how fast would I get with a VXL system and an 8 cell 3800 mah?

[lincpimp]

Not much point going to brushless without lipo. There is also not much point buying good nimhs, as they are similar in price to lipo. So either stay with what you have, or save up for some zippy lipos and a cheaper lipo charger from Hobby City... Then you can move up to a budget brushless setup, probably the vxl setup is the best bet.

Originally Posted by lincpimp

Not much point going to brushless without lipo. There is also not much point buying good nimhs, as they are similar in price to lipo. So either stay with what you have, or save up for some zippy lipos and a cheaper lipo charger from Hobby City... Then you can move up to a budget brushless setup, probably the vxl setup is the best bet.

So how much were those flightmax evo lipos? I really am on a cruch for money, but maybe it's just better to get a good motor like the Team Orion SV2 Pro BB for $40 with an 8 cell pack.

[E-Revonut]

Stay away from the vxl combo, it's a rip off, unprogramable and doesn't leave much room for expanding. A SW is much better but I'd still stay away from the combo. The motors in either combo will run very hot, heat is an enemy and the motor won't last long. A SW esc and a Medusa 36-50-3300 motor ordered from RC-Monster will cost about $185, about $20 more than a VXL combo, $40 more than a SW combo. The Medusa setup will outlast the Rustler and will perform much better. While saving up for the system keep an eye out for deals on here from Members and on ebay. You may find a used esc and motor for much less. Anyway you go an 8 cell Nimh pack will work, I wouldn't expect more that 35MPH on a fresh charge, but that will fade very quickly, eventually you will go LIPO. Lipos are lighter, way more powerful, and even with equivalent Mah the lipos have about a 30% longer runtime. Save up and buy the right stuff the first time! Ask around, you won't find a better motor for the money than a Medusa.

[lincpimp]

I would not waste any money on a better brushed motor...

If you pick up a decent 2s lipo, it will make quite an improvement with the stock traxxas xl5 esc and titan 12t. You will need a low voltage cutoff, like a li-saver, or novak smart stop.

Keep in mind that you can sell the xl5 esc and titan... Might get 30-40 bucks.

Used sidewinders are easy to find, I got 3 of them one week for 50 bucks each. The medusa suggested is a good motor, but you can find used vxl motors pretty cheap, and used cc motors can be had cheap too. It all depends how budget you want to go. At 35 bucks a month, you may just want to play with what you have. That would barely cover my breakage costs...

Originally Posted by lincpimp

I would not waste any money on a better brushed motor...

If you pick up a decent 2s lipo, it will make quite an improvement with the stock traxxas xl5 esc and titan 12t. You will need a low voltage cutoff, like a li-saver, or novak smart stop.

Keep in mind that you can sell the xl5 esc and titan... Might get 30-40 bucks.

Used sidewinders are easy to find, I got 3 of them one week for 50 bucks each. The medusa suggested is a good motor, but you can find used vxl motors pretty cheap, and used cc motors can be had cheap too. It all depends how budget you want to go. At 35 bucks a month, you may just want to play with what you have. That would barely cover my breakage costs...

can I use a sidewinder esc with a vxl motor?

[lincpimp]

Originally Posted by fredrc

can I use a sidewinder esc with a vxl motor?

Yep, you will need to solder 4mm connectors on the traxxas motor, and possibly shorten the wires a bit... Any sensorless motor will work with the sidewinder. You can even run a brushed motor on the sidewinder.

Sweet! Then I could sell my xl-5 for money!

How is the ZIPPY Flightmax 2200mAh lipo? How fast would it go with a VXL motor?

https://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/...(USA_Warehouse)