Build Thread My Traxxas Rustler 2wd build/project

[DavidB1126]

I just searched more into it. All of the castle copperhead systems are all sensored. I am looking into more of sensorless because I do more bashing than practice on the track or racing. If i go with castle my best would probably be the sidewinder 4. My uncle pointed out it would be best for me to stick with the same system in each car because of programming. Since I am doing hobbywing for the slash i should go with hobbywing for the rustler. And my uncle used to run hobbywing in his buggys and scts's so he does have the program box.
So for my slash I'm going with the max10 sct 4000kv. For the rustler I'm going with the regular max10. I'm either going to do 4000kv or 3300kv.

 

[JCsRCcar]

@DavidB1126 Yes that is the Castle Copperhead and 3800 combo that I run but it does have a few shortcomings you should be aware of.

#1 the BEC is either 5.5 volts or 7.4 volts and you shouldn't run the BEC at 7.4 volts with a Traxxas TQi or TQ receiver or it wont last very long. The way around this is either to use a BEC bypass harness which works great on a 2s battery but will make a 3s go out of balance which is a no Bueno. https://www.amainhobbies.com/holmes-hobbies-receiver-bypass-adapter-hhb250100008/p1366069 . Your other option is to run a separate BEC and I did this myself. I like the Castle 10 A BEC https://www.castlecreations.com/en/cc-bec-010-0004-00 which works very well and is affordable too. With that BEC and a bypass harness you can run the Traxxas receiver off the Castle ESC and the servo off the BEC if it can take a higher voltage.

#2 it used to work with the B-link bluetooth module but then Castle did something and mine hasn’t worked since. You can still use the little USB thing that they give you for free if you send in the request thing and they mail it to you.

For just a little more money the Castle Mamba X with the 1410 3800 kv motor is a better option. https://www.castlecreations.com/en/...5-2v-wp-esc-and-1410-3800kv-combo-010-0161-00 It has more adjustability, upgradability, and is made in the USA too. It also has a more powerful BEC that can be adjusted from less than 6 volts up to I think 8.4 volts, or somewhere around there. Sometimes you can catch a sale and get this combo for a good discount. Amain Hobbies recently had this combo on sale.

That Max10 ESC with 3660SL motor is hard to beat for the money. I run that ESC with 3200kv 3660SL sensored motor in my LMT and I like it a lot. It doesn't have as many adjustable options in the programming as Castle has but its a solid performer. With 4000 kv though I would think you will have to be careful on 3s and watch those temperatures.

If you’re ever looking for the best bang for the buck steering servo then look no further than ProModeler servos. The DS505BLHV or the DS630BLHV are absolutely two of the best servos on the market by a lot in my opinion. I run ProModeler servos exclusively now in all my RC cars. Best part is they are made in the USA with Japanese parts. These are the hidden gems in this business. https://www.promodeler.com/brushless-servos.aspx

 

[JCsRCcar]

https://www.amainhobbies.com/castle...-w-1410-sensored-motor-cse010-0161-01/p578322
Its on sale and you can use coupon JUN1522 for an additional discount.

 

[DavidB1126]

Haven't been on here in a while but I have the max10 60a esc and 3652 4000kv motor. Here was a speed run and bash from the other day.

I had also put in my Radiolink Rx/tx. And I thinks that is about it since I was last ob this thread.
What I am going to do is make a 2.0 thread of my builds. They will be more current and will be updated more frequently.

 

[HDRIDER56]

Here is my Rustler 2wd. Mostly Stock
Upgrades that have been done: Traxxas Anaconda Street tires and wheels, Traxxas Blue Wheelie Bar, Traxxas Aluminum Steering Bellcrank.
Plans for future: No plans for it right now, my rustler has been more reliable than my slash. The Rustler is 1 year old. My slash is 6 years old
Electronics: Stock brushed titan12t, XL-5 ESC
Album with pics and vids
Socials: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube
View attachment 130920View attachment 130921View attachment 130922

So in your opinion, it's worth upgrading? Read a post the other day calling the Rustler vxl 2wd a glorified grown-up toy and best to just leave stock, not worth upgrading it. I recently picked on up on the cheap, just need a battery and charger. When you pay $30 for it, that leaves a whole lot of room for upgrades.
Nice job by the way

 

[DavidB1126]

So in your opinion, it's worth upgrading? Read a post the other day calling the Rustler vxl 2wd a glorified grown-up toy and best to just leave stock, not worth upgrading it. I recently picked on up on the cheap, just need a battery and charger. When you pay $30 for it, that leaves a whole lot of room for upgrades.
Nice job by the way

Yea it is worth to upgrade. There's some long term upgrades that will make it more durable, and faster too. Or look better. It's your truck so you can make it how you like it! This is my 2.0 build thread for reference which is still getting updated: https://www.rctalk.com/forum/threads/my-rustler-2wd-build-2-0.136846/

Just decided to make a new one because I learned so much in the past few years and make it more in detail.

 

[ahr43]

In my humble opinion, Rustler is a good platform for upgrade. Lots and lots and lots of OEM (Original Equipment Traxxas) and after-market mods available for building and moding to any RC discipline.

@DavidB1126 has worked with his a lot - as this thread shows.

Got my first Rustler ~2000-2002. Built from a kit when all Rustler came in was a kit. Then turned around and bought another. Since then have bashed, crawled, trail road her. Took her on the full-prep drag racing scene, Bracket Class, at local, regional, national and world level 2005-2006. Now down to two in the stable. One for no-prep 33/66ft drag racing and speed runs; the other for bashing and backyard grass track tri-oval.

I spell fun, versatility and economy of mod R-U-S-T-L-E-R. Hope you choose to mod yours as well. Good luck. -AC

 

[HDRIDER56]

So what battery and charger is everyone using? I called around today seeing what happened had what. Unfortunately these days Hobby shops are far and few between them. One shop that wasn't a traxxas dealer said they would cut off the Traxxas connector and replace it with whatever brand they carried because the original Traxxas connectors only set 80 volts to the battery. Anyone know if this is true or not? I've read a few forum posts talking about aftermarket traxxas batteries and chargers, I also read about the Traxxas ID charger and batteries. Seemed to have good reviews

 

[WickedFog]

So what battery and charger is everyone using? I called around today seeing what happened had what. Unfortunately these days Hobby shops are far and few between them. One shop that wasn't a traxxas dealer said they would cut off the Traxxas connector and replace it with whatever brand they carried because the original Traxxas connectors only set 80 volts to the battery. Anyone know if this is true or not? I've read a few forum posts talking about aftermarket traxxas batteries and chargers, I also read about the Traxxas ID charger and batteries. Seemed to have good reviews

The smart battery stuff is overpriced, and I wouldn't recommend anybody go that route. You'll be locked in to using only Traxxas barteries, and they're going to hurt your wallet every time you buy one.

And in the 4 years I've been on this forum I have seen more complaints about smart charger problems than anything else.

The Hota D6 Pro is the best bang for the buck charrger available.

And if you want to see the best batteries for the keast amount if money, read through this thread.

Thread 'LiPo Comparison Thread (LiPo and NiMH AAs)'

Dec 19, 2022

There seems to be some confusion as to how to filter all the data and just be able to look at what battery is better than what. If all you want to know is what LiPo is better, what you want to look for is the "voltage under load" (VUL). The higher that number is the better the lipo is. All you have to do is look at the "VUL" chart in my post and it has what batteries performed better than the others in decending order. If a lipo on the list is higher than another then that lipo is better.
The rest of the data on there is really more just for the sake of knowledge than anything. doesn't...

• Greywolf74
• Replies: 117
• Forum: Electronics

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[DavidB1126]

The smart battery stuff is overpriced, and I wouldn't recommend anybody go that route. You'll be locked in to using only Traxxas barteries, and they're going to hurt your wallet every time you buy one.

And in the 4 years I've been on this forum I have seen more complaints about smart charger problems than anything else.

The Hota D6 Pro is the best bang for the buck charrger available.

And if you want to see the best batteries for the keast amount if money, read through this thread.

Thread 'LiPo Comparison Thread (LiPo and NiMH AAs)'

Dec 19, 2022

There seems to be some confusion as to how to filter all the data and just be able to look at what battery is better than what. If all you want to know is what LiPo is better, what you want to look for is the "voltage under load" (VUL). The higher that number is the better the lipo is. All you have to do is look at the "VUL" chart in my post and it has what batteries performed better than the others in decending order. If a lipo on the list is higher than another then that lipo is better.
The rest of the data on there is really more just for the sake of knowledge than anything. doesn't...

• Greywolf74
• Replies: 117
• Forum: Electronics

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• 

@HDRIDER56
This

I personally in my rusty (now updated on my 2.0 build thread I'll fetch the link for you, I run Zeee 5200mah 80C 2s packs. They are ok. Terrible voltage drop issues tho. CNHL and SMC are my top choices for batteries, or whatever @Greywolf74 recommends in his battery tests which @WickedFog linked above. I personally have a skyrc t200 be serves me well but if I had to upgrade which I'm planning to do so, Hota D6 Pro or G E N S D300.

Traxxas and Spektrum smart systems are not that good. If you really want a smart system the G E N S G Tech is the only one I'd recommend (or the EcoPower copy of it) since the smart tech isn't in the battery plug. But getting a regular battery and charger is not that different and not that difficult. Very easy to set charge modes and charge rates as long as you know how to take care of your batteries and maintain them well.

My rusty 2.0 build thread: https://www.rctalk.com/forum/threads/my-rustler-2wd-build-2-0.136846/