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Drag Bandit Build Research - Lots of questions

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I'll be using either Traxxas or ST Racing for all that, but none of it will be stock Bandit parts. I like the Traxxas aluminum stuff, except their stupid aluminum links. What a joke those are lol.
Been there done that. Snapped 3 rear traxxas aluminum links before. There not good at all. And they lie about their aluminum strength anyways. i went with the VXL steel ones. Those are much better. Might be some weight but at least they are strong.
Been there done that. Snapped 3 rear traxxas aluminum links before. There not good at all. And they lie about their aluminum strength anyways. i went with the VXL steel ones. Those are much better. Might be some weight but at least they are strong.
Well on the slash, the aluminum ones are fine.Its just the rustler that I had problems with. Maybe because the body is protecting everything vs the rustler, the rear hubs and links are exposed.
 
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Been there done that. Snapped 3 rear traxxas aluminum links before. There not good at all. And they lie about their aluminum strength anyways. i went with the VXL steel ones. Those are much better. Might be some weight but at least they are strong.

Well on the slash, the aluminum ones are fine.Its just the rustler that I had problems with. Maybe because the body is protecting everything vs the rustler, the rear hubs and links are exposed.
When I bought my Jato, there was like 3 sets of those pink aluminum Traxxas links in the box of spare parts. I broke one or two every run I made with them on.
 
Man. I did not think this thread was over 3 years old. Thinking more about this build now for a project for maybe this summer.

What resparked the interest is I grabbed the Xtreme Racing 11.25" chassis because it was marked down 50% on Amain! $90 for this guy. I couldn't let that go.
640480000XTR10666_11_.webp


So based on what I see there, that is obviously setup mid motor, and looks to be using the stock Drag Slash trans housing I think. Not much of a Traxxas aficionado, so correct me if I'm wrong. I will be using the Hot Racing aluminum trans housing that I already have.

The rear shock tower is also from Xtreme Racing for the Drag Slash.
https://www.amainhobbies.com/xtreme...ower-for-traxxas-drag-slash-xtr10692/p1368778
xtr10692.webp


Front shock tower - same.
https://www.amainhobbies.com/xtreme...ower-for-traxxas-drag-slash-xtr10691/p1368777
xtr10691.webp


Because of those shock towers, that kit is also using the stock Traxxas Ultra shocks 🤮

Not wanting all that suspension travel, I'm going with the lower profile towers Xtreme Racing sells and will be using Traxxas 4-Tec style shocks. But not Traxxas brand. Let me just say, there won't be a single Traxxas part on this build if I can help it 😅

Anyway, here's what I'm thinking for the rear.
https://www.amainhobbies.com/xtreme...r-for-traxxas-rustler-slash-xtr10644/p1059796
xtr10644.webp


And for the front.
https://www.amainhobbies.com/xtreme...r-for-traxxas-rustler-slash-xtr10643/p1059795
xtr10643.webp


From there I'll just build 4-Tec shocks from ST Racing components. I'll need to source the internal parts somewhere. If I absolutely have to, I'll grab stock 4-Tec stuff 🤮
Screenshot_20250215_234141.webp


@johnnydmd - any thoughts on this? I'd appreciate your input if you have any. I know this might not be up your alley with the 11.25 electric stuff, but I'm curious to know if you've seen anyone running an 11.25" chassis.

I'm also wondering with the mid motor setup how a wheelie bar would mount, because I expect this car to be a wheelie monster without one.

Wonder if this setup would work 🤔
https://www.amainhobbies.com/dragrace-concepts-drag-pak-wheelie-bar-mount-black-drc-328.5/p1439158
drc-328.5.webp

https://www.amainhobbies.com/dragra...big-wheels-black-mid-motor-drc-10200/p1386415
drc-10200.webp
 
I got alot of tge parts in my cart too. I went with traxxas on this one because I got 2 fulll strc builds and traxxas offers pink.
Do you know of a better source for the 4Tec internals other than buying Traxxas stuff? I have 2 sets of the stock 4Tec shocks in my wish list, and it probably won't much difference, but I know how weak Traxxas shock shafts are.

This is one thing that concerns me. I am almost positive DragRace Concepts used to sell a Traxxas transmission with arm mounts that you could get that had 0°. But I can't find it now.
Screenshot_20250216_085041.webp


The Hot Racing transmission has removable arm mounts, but I think they only come in stock configuration. I need to go look at our drag Slash.
 
Do you know of a better source for the 4Tec internals other than buying Traxxas stuff? I have 2 sets of the stock 4Tec shocks in my wish list, and it probably won't much difference, but I know how weak Traxxas shock shafts are.

This is one thing that concerns me. I am almost positive DragRace Concepts used to sell a Traxxas transmission with arm mounts that you could get that had 0°. But I can't find it now.
View attachment 221059

The Hot Racing transmission has removable arm mounts, but I think they only come in stock configuration. I need to go look at our drag Slash.
I think trx is the only one. Maybe @Littlemotor can shock us. On my bandit and stampede i have strc shocks with trx internals. I opted for the trx tini gold shock shafts.
 
@johnnydmd - any thoughts on this? I'd appreciate your input if you have any. I know this might not be up your alley with the 11.25 electric stuff, but I'm curious to know if you've seen anyone running an 11.25" chassis.

I use the low profile front tower with Terrorcuda, it's nice.

As for 11.25 chassis, only thing I can say is that you will be limited to only a few body choices, the Pinto, and a Capri are the only two I'm aware of. The Pinto though is super cool. We have a guy running in our Team with it on an 11.25 Rustler chassis.
 
I use the low profile front tower with Terrorcuda, it's nice.

As for 11.25 chassis, only thing I can say is that you will be limited to only a few body choices, the Pinto, and a Capri are the only two I'm aware of. The Pinto though is super cool. We have a guy running in our Team with it on an 11.25 Rustler chassis.
So are you running the 4tec shocks with that lower mount? If not, what are you running?

My only concern right now is if the DragRace Concepts wheelie bar mount for a mid motor setup will fit this Xtreme Racing chassis, because that so far is the only thing I've found. And I am betting it will not mount to anything except the DRC transmission, which they discontinued the one for the Slash chassis. I've been trying to find info on how you mount a wheelie bar on a mid-motor setup, but I haven't spent a lot of time on it yet, so I haven't found anything out.
 
An exciting build in the offing, Kevin. Looking forward to seeing how you work your magic on this gem.

Couple of things I'd do. Consider swapping in an aluminum RR shock tower. STRC makes a nice one. RR shock tower takes and transfers a lot of load on a sprung drag chassis. Not sure CF is up to it. Depends on the quality of the CF- you can judge that.

Using shock shaft limiters lowers the ride height without drastically changing the shock length/chassis relationship. Esp. up front. Coming down off a wheelie really upsets a drag chassis. A bit extra shock travel up front helps minimize that. -AC
 
An exciting build in the offing, Kevin. Looking forward to seeing how you work your magic on this gem.

Couple of things I'd do. Consider swapping in an aluminum RR shock tower. STRC makes a nice one. RR shock tower takes and transfers a lot of load on a sprung drag chassis. Not sure CF is up to it. Depends on the quality of the CF- you can judge that.

Using shock shaft limiters lowers the ride height without drastically changing the shock length/chassis relationship. Esp. up front. Coming down off a wheelie really upsets a drag chassis. A bit extra shock travel up front helps minimize that. -AC
I thought about that on the rear, but was thinking that shock tower being so short, and a somewhat sturdy design, it might be ok. I made limiters for the drag Slash, limiting travel in both directions. It just has the Ultra shocks on it for now.

To be completely honest, this one is being built more for looks, and the only racing it will see is against Breydon or maybe him against his friends. But I'm not locked into anything, so keep the ideas coming. I'll go check out that tower.

I am looking at rear arms too. The chassis says it needs 0° arms in mid motor configuration, so I'm still looking at those.

As for front shocks/tower, I'm not sure I can stuff the longer shock tower under the body. I want the body as low as I can get it without scraping the concrete outside. And this body is definitely lower than the Drag Slash. Granted, there is no chassis under this, but this is kinda the look I'm after. Just a bit higher off the ground of course.
image_31f649a6-d99a-42fb-aa08-a4367e128f1b.webp


This is about as low as the Mustang body will go on the Slash. I only got it this low by limiting the front shocks.
20211227_142241.webp
 
So are you running the 4tec shocks with that lower mount? If not, what are you running?

My only concern right now is if the DragRace Concepts wheelie bar mount for a mid motor setup will fit this Xtreme Racing chassis, because that so far is the only thing I've found. And I am betting it will not mount to anything except the DRC transmission, which they discontinued the one for the Slash chassis. I've been trying to find info on how you mount a wheelie bar on a mid-motor setup, but I haven't spent a lot of time on it yet, so I haven't found anything out.

I think they are 4-tec shocks. This was a car that I bought from a teammate who built it, and I just made a few finishing touches on.

For the wheelie bar, you'll probably have to do some custom fab work.
 
I think they are 4-tec shocks. This was a car that I bought from a teammate who built it, and I just made a few finishing touches on.

For the wheelie bar, you'll probably have to do some custom fab work.
That's what I was thinking. I'm going to grab the DRC mount and go from there. I can always print something. I wish DRC didn't discontinue the trans I needed for this 🤬
 
Check out the RPM tranny cases. It has a 0deg option mounting to the chassis instead of the case. And an aluminum motor plate. Fill the guts with TRX steel ring gear diff and steel gears. Did that on my Rustler drag build. Went with the stronger tooth 32p pinion/spur - no slipper - as well. Makes for a rugged and affordable drag tranny. Hope this helps. -AC
 
After seeing the Pro-Line Pinto body with 11.25" wheelbase, meant for the Traxxas Bandit or AE SR10 chassis, I have been wanting to build one. I am currently just researching the build to be started this Spring, but I am totally unfamiliar with Traxxas vehicles and parts interchangeability.

View attachment 136392

I plan to build the car in pretty much stock form from parts from Jenny's RC, aside from the electronics and transmission and I guess axles. I have learned here that a lot of stuff from the Slash and Rustler 2wd vehicles is compatible.

One thing that confuses me is the axles. I have been told to use 12mm hex wheels I will need Slash or Rustler axles. But the bandit has shorter A-arms. If I buy the axles from Jenny's from a Rustler, it comes with the uprights.
https://jennysrc.com/collections/ru...pindles-rear-axles-carriers-3752-traxxas-3707

Will this need to be combined with Bandit parts to work? What else will I need? Are Bandit and Rustler uprights interchangeable? Can I just hack the driveshafts down to fit the Bandit? Or is there a better driveshaft like a CVD that I can get for the Bandit? I just want the best drivetrain I can get, and be able to use 12mm hex wheels.

Links to any cool Bandit specific drag parts would also be greatly appreciated. Looking at chassis, but need to keep the 11.25" wheelbase.

Thanks
I'll definitely be a help. I'm very familiar with that lineup of cars. The Traxxas metal upgrade is not worth it, you spend 60 bucks for something that is one part breaks (usually the metal stubs) its 6 bucks. Vs 6 bucks for the whole plastic axle. I used to go through axles like crazy. The chassis is probably okay. I'd get the magnum 272R transmission eventually. I'm actually looking at a drag car. You could hack drive shafts down, but I've never done it and IDK how good it'll be after. Probably don't need a crazy suspension. Get the slash body mounts. NO CLIPLESS. It sucks. I bought it and converted back I hated it so much. Get a good servo and a drag slash wheelie bar. You'll need it.
 
I'll definitely be a help. I'm very familiar with that lineup of cars. The Traxxas metal upgrade is not worth it, you spend 60 bucks for something that is one part breaks (usually the metal stubs) its 6 bucks. Vs 6 bucks for the whole plastic axle. I used to go through axles like crazy. The chassis is probably okay. I'd get the magnum 272R transmission eventually. I'm actually looking at a drag car. You could hack drive shafts down, but I've never done it and IDK how good it'll be after. Probably don't need a crazy suspension. Get the slash body mounts. NO CLIPLESS. It sucks. I bought it and converted back I hated it so much. Get a good servo and a drag slash wheelie bar. You'll need it.
I've already built one Slash based drag car. This one will be a bit nicer build.
20211227_142241.webp
 
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