Rustler with monster truck tires. Possible?

Ok, bear with me on this. This idea may be completely ridiculous, and if so, feel free to say so (I've got a thick hide!).

I'm interested in running an electric rustler with Maxx/Revo sized wheels and tires. Converting over to those wheels/tires is easy enough with the axle adapters.

I guess my main question is with the Mamba Max system I have in right now, would it be possible to run a rustler with the MT tires if I swapped out motors to one of the Wanderer's and installed a UBEC to run a higher number of cells? I can't find information on the can size of the wanderer, so I'm not sure if it would even fit.

Finally, is this a complete waste of time/money? Am I going to end up with a truck that, while I could get it to run fast, would just put too much stress on the drivetrain (axle stubs, tranny, etc.) which was likely never designed for MT sized tires?

Thanks!

Chris

Which MM system do you have right now? If you are already running it and have beefed up the tranny and other stuff, then you are probably good to go.

A buddy of mine, although I don't recommend it, is running a 4600 system on 3S lipo. It runs surprisingly well and with proper cooling measures, it runs at a nice cool temp too. He throws it in my face all of the time, because I thought he would have all sorts of problems. Just another reason why the 4600 is my favorite.

I think that going with a larger motor, like an L can Feigao, will result in lots of broken drive train parts. Even the L can motors are beasts.

I'm running the 5700, so it can theoretically handle up to 12 cells or 3S without any modding. So what you're suggesting is try it out with just the smaller motor? I didn't figure I'd get anywhere enough power to move that kind of weight, etc.

And yes, everything is beefed up to handle a brushless system. Only need to get steel diff cups (waiting to see what the price of the VXL will be).

Thanks!

Chris

[t-maxxracer32]

i would not recommend putting the 5700 through that much voltage. it could have been just bad luck but i had my mm5700 motor up and running for a good 5 months and then all of a sudden the first time i try it on 12 cells the motor seized up... the motor was shot...

luckily castle has awsome customer support and i got a brand new motor free of charge..

12 cells would be pusing it with the 5700. 3S lipo has less voltage than 12 nimh cells. In fact, 12 cells is closer to 4S lipo than it is to 3S. As I said, I'd run the 4600 motor.

I know that there are a lot of Traxxas fans on this forum, but I am not one of them, so I don't know if beefing up the drive train on the Rustler is enough for it to withstand what you are going to put it through. I'm only saying that I wouldn't recommend doing what you are talking about doing; but if I were to do it just for the heck of it, I would do it with the 4600 motor. You're gonna need low rpms and high torque. The only reason that I am suggesting trying it, is because the Rustler is relatively light.

[Patrick]

If you do change to bigger tyres, make sure you change the gearing to make up for the larger circumference, other wise just putting big tyres straight on will over stress things. (extra weight and geared for a higher speed)
Maybe use BrianG's speed calculator to find out what gearing you'll need to get if you want the same speed. But remember the big tyres might be a bit slower, because of the extra weight.

Thanks Patrick, I forgot to mention that. Just think big spur and small pinion. As Patrick said, you not only have to accommodate the larger diameter of the tires, but also the added weight. You should expect much slower top speeds. You'll also need to pay attention to the steering. Everything is going to be put under A LOT more stress. I know the truck is light, but I'd go with at least a 100 oz/in steering servo and make sure that the servo saver isn't too tight. If you go with a servo that has a high current draw, you might also want to go with a bec that will send 6v to the servo.

I just want you to know that you are opening a can of worms. You're likely going to have problems that you aren't anticipating that aren't drive train associated. The larger diameter of the tires is also going to mean more leverage applied to all of the steering components. I can't even imagine what all of the extra unsprung weight is going to do to the handling.

[Patrick]

Oh yeah, I forgot about the steering servo.
I kind of like big tyres, even though I know it's not doing anything any good.
This thing will look like a mini e-maxx that's using jumbo kongs.

Thanks for all the tips and hints guys. Yeah, I hadn't thought of the steering servo either. I'm running a Hitec 645MG right now. Plenty of power for 2.2 wheels, but for MT wheels, probably not. I would imagine the turnbuckles would be under additional stress, and as pointed out, the shocks probably wouldn't function as they should. So overall, it sounds like it would be a wasted venture :)! Might as well continue on with getting an actual truggy instead of a Frankentruggy, or if I do put on the MT wheels, just use it as a shelf queen only ;)!

Thanks!

Chris