1997 model Traxxas Rustler

[digger]

OK guys.
Had someone give me a "nitro rustler." Complete. Thought I would make a beater out of it. The manual says 1997 on it. Pull start. Engine still has plenty of compression, think it needs a radio? Haven't had a chance to look at it very good.

Do the parts still fit from the new ones.
Is it worth messing with?
I'm thinking this guy didn't know what he was doing and gave up.
I'm going to try to clean it up and get it started, just wondering what was weak on it that I need to watch for.
Thanks.

 

[JESSE G]

I dont think Traxxas changed too much on them over the years, but I could be wrong. I have a very old T-Maxx and all of the parts from the new ones interchange with it. So I would asume it would be the same with the rustler.

 

[SuperMaxx83]

yes all the rustler parts are the same but now they have newer better parts such as the diff and axles wut motor is in it pro .15

 

[digger]

Yeah got the pro .15. Other than a couple of screws missing, don't see anything wrong with it. Guy got it new, couldn't get it tuned right and gave up on it. Still had the box and the manual. He had put a set of dirt paws on the back. Looks like he used model glue on em. I told him I would see if I could help him with it, but he just wanted rid of it.
Going to get it cleaned up and go over it when I get the chance.

Thanks.

 

[beason]

i got a old nitro sport.. (a bit older then your rustler) and MOST parts fit it.. (the chassis is different..) as far as weak parts it depends on what your gonna do.. if you hard on it.. then change the shock towers and front c hubs for aluminum.. i just blast around the yard.. no big air and i havent broke anything yet.. the .15 is a decent motor but doent have near the power of the new 2.5.. i like mine the way it is because I've only got 55 bux in it and i can just get out and cut around the yard with it.. make sure you got bearings in all the wheels.. mine had bushings.. and if you can get the battery holder (or better yet a battery pack) moved to the front.. it will help greatly with your stearing ability and wheelie suppression.. i did this with a hump pack and it handles SO much better.. but again i have a different chassis..

 

[digger]

Beason, I take it you got yours straightened out? I started to post on the one you started, but didn't want to railroad you. What did ya have to do to yours?
I haven't had a chance to mess with mine. If it works out, I'll probably port the engine. Seems like the port job on my Savage is working out, and I want to try another.

 

[BADNBADN]

the rustler is a great basher once you a couple weaks spots taking care of. I seemed to always have trouble breaking the front bulkhead. Went alunimum and never had another problem. until the screws stripped. lol

 

[beason]

its all good now.. i had to clean it up.. put the pull rope back together (man that was a biotch) i put in a battery pack, and modded the chassis so it would fit right in front of the fuel tank.. i had to get servos.. but i had a few of those.. (cheepos work fine on this thing cause its so light..) waiting on bearings all the way around for the wheels (should be in today) its ok for a .15 i feel it could be faster..it has decent top end but lacks a bit on low grunt.. ill prolly stunt it for a bit then when i get a new job and some cash.. toss a os .18 in it or something.. then it will fly.. (literaly) but as it sets for 35 bux (plus 20 bux for a radio) and all the other stuff i put in it i had laying around.. or people give to me (thanks MR. Tmaxx) i can't complain at all..

 

[digger]

May try to get mine going this weekend? Got a 3 day weekend, but my ST is coming Friday. Want to get it broke in and try it out.

Don't think this little car is going to need much. I can see a pipe. Maybe a radio? The guy told me it wouldn't run if ya hit the brake. I don't think the idle screw is even in the slot in the carb barrel. I'm finding a lot of things wrong with it that are newbee issues.

Idle screw not right: carb barrel will rotate all the way around, no stop.
Brake linkage is against the spur gear: wouldn't roll
The header connecter has been black taped. (If it was ripped, that may be an issue?)
And the tires aren't glued to the rims.

Going to see if the engine will run and go from there. Thanks for the help

 

[beason]

ha my tires werent glued ether.. man what a feeling to finnaly get it running right just to have the front tire run off and leave you!! lol oh and that may be the wrong spur.. cause i know my linkage is very close to it. but i dont know if there is a way to adjust it.. oh and my bearings still havent come in .. "stanthemanrc" sucks at shipping (ebay guy)

 

[digger]

Tinkered with mine a bit today.
Radio works, didn't range check it though. Got the idle screw about where it needed to be. Got it fired up, but.... The rubber pipe is brittle and cracked. Not getting enough muffler pressure.

 

[rbmaxxbasher]

My rustler holds up pretty good, except for hte drive shaft chronically popping out. Oh and the caster blocks. Keep a spare set of those handy.

 

[digger]

Had the pro 15 running a couple of weeks ago. (Still haven't tore it down.) It will run about 1/2 a tank or so and quit. I'm using Trinity 20%. Should I use Traxxas in it?

I'm planning on doing a teardown before I run it anymore. I know a lot of things to look for. Fuel lines, dirt in carb, maybe a small hole in the primer bulb? Anything else. Thanks.

 

[dannthenitroman]

i own a traxxas nitro sport and the problems i have had i will list just incase it helps-
cracked front bulkead, heaps of exhaust rubber thingy problems,the bushes oh the bushes(get bearings!!!!!!!!!!), and the engine (pro .15) is weak as, though i didn't find this out till i got an os .12 cv-r, now it does 10 foot wheelstands!