Picking up a Slash today

[sweetdiesel]

After a short hiatus from R/C due to moving and family/work obligations I'm getting back in the game with a Slash. I was planning a one off brushless baja truck build this summer but seeing as I have limited time to do so, the Slash looks to be a nice alternative for some fun. I understand the Slash is based on the Rustler with a few upgrades to make it more durable. I'll be driving it hard in my backyard (which is basically a redwood forest with gravel paths) and racing it at least 1-2 times this year on outdoor asphalt with FatEddy and Robmob.

What parts do I need spares for? I don't live close to any hobby shops anymore so I'd like to stock up on parts when I pick it up today. How durable is the stock steering servo and suspension?

Eventually once I get my RC gear unpacked I'll be hooking it up with a 4S lipo/5K motor combo but that probably won't be for a few months. For now, I will run with the stock motor/ESC, 2S lipo, and Spektrum RX.

 

[Lessen]

I'm like to officially welcome Sweetdiesel back to the real world

I wish I could race you guys. What fun that would be...

 

[Candyman]

Yeah SD, it's good to see the chaos calming. The Slash looks like a ton of fun. Especially if you're out in the forest. It'll be a blast.

 

[Gundragon]

After a short hiatus from R/C due to moving and family/work obligations I'm getting back in the game with a Slash. I was planning a one off brushless baja truck build this summer but seeing as I have limited time to do so, the Slash looks to be a nice alternative for some fun. I understand the Slash is based on the Rustler with a few upgrades to make it more durable. I'll be driving it hard in my backyard (which is basically a redwood forest with gravel paths) and racing it at least 1-2 times this year on outdoor asphalt with FatEddy and Robmob.

What parts do I need spares for? I don't live close to any hobby shops anymore so I'd like to stock up on parts when I pick it up today. How durable is the stock steering servo and suspension?

Eventually once I get my RC gear unpacked I'll be hooking it up with a 4S lipo/5K motor combo but that probably won't be for a few months. For now, I will run with the stock motor/ESC, 2S lipo, and Spektrum RX.

Hello Sweetdiesel. I just recently purchased a Slash also and have been asking these same questions. To honestly answer you about the Slash it has been a great truck! CharlesTheMan has even pictures of a group of guys really giving these trucks a bashing that would normally tear most trucks a new backside, but it keeps going and going just like the energizer bunny. I have even tried a couple things with mine, nothing like what Charlie did but it seems to take a great beating so far. I am going to be on a track this weekend here in Kansas by where I live and plan to run it as full as I can and see what happens from there. So far no parts have been needed. The one that DID break on the Slash in Charlies video shows the guy lost a nut.
The title of it for CharliesTheMan's videos is called Slash Video (Several Vids) take a look at that and tell me what you think there.

 

[sweetdiesel]

I saw a couple of his vids last night at home and that was pretty much the deal maker. I was pleasantly surprised to see how much of a beating they could take.

I can't wait to finally get my hands back on an RC. It will be great fun to blow off some steam with some backyard bashing in the new digs. Maybe a playhouse roof jump is in order. Video at 9. LOL

 

[CharliesTheMan]

I never thought that I would see a traxxas vehicle that was this durable. The suspension seems to hold up pretty good. A lot of guys were having problems with the driveshafts either twisting or just popping off and the slash gtg where I shot the video. You can use Rustler arms from RPM if you want to upgrade those, and the tranny and slipper setup is from the traxxas VXL line if you want to have some spares. I think there's another Rusty part that I'm missing, but I can't remember what it was. Other than that, the slash is full of new design and parts.

 

[Brushlessboy]

Welcome back sweetdiesel. As I said in the Hopups for Slash thread, ALL the suspension parts, including shocktowers, shocks, bulkheads, etc are from the Rustler, bellcrank too.

 

[savagefan04]

Hey SD welcome back!
I'm actually in the same boat. I recently moved to a new house and bought a new slash. Right now its sitting in the storage area until i finish up the painting but i'm excited to see what it can do. let us know what you recommend us electric newbs need to upgrade first.

 

[sweetdiesel]

Thanks for the welcome back fellas. I got it home, soldered up a deans and hooked up a half charged lipo.The Slash took it's first crash after 10 seconds of hooking up the battery. LOL I had set it on the pub table and had the TX turned on about 15 ft away. Something glitched and the sucker ran right off. It survived the 4ft foot drop upside down without a body on hardwood floors with no issue. Wife witnessed the event and we bothed laughed like little kids.

Waiting on a pack to finish charging so I can go tear up the backyard.

 

[abadk9420]

Is that the lipo pack in the picture that you are going to be running in your truck, if it is you might be buying a new ESC soon because the XL5 is rated for a max of 9.6 volts. nice truck by the way I would like to have one of those my self..

 

[Brushlessboy]

Unless I'm mistaken thats a 5s not a 4. That'll turn that 550 till it glows in the dark.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

Careful, i dont think that the XL5 has a low voltage cutoff, but MR Electric Guru of 2007, I'm sure you already knew that.

 

[Brushlessboy]

In all fairness to S/D, he did say he would use the stock setup with a 2s. And I feel he has a Mamba Monster on the way for that other brick.

 

[CharliesTheMan]

You asked about spare parts and I forgot to comment. A lot of the guys who are running 7 and 8 cells on the stock system are having to replace the titan motors after running them hard for long periods of time. So if you're going to be bashing it you may want to have one on hand just in case.

 

[WoodiE]

I'm wanting one but I'm really trying to hold out - I'd really like to see them come out with a 4WD electric version.

alpinehyperlite - You are correct, the XL5 does not have a shut off and not recommended for Lipo's per Traxxas.

-Michael

 

[alpinehyperlite]

What would one of these things do with the Velineon system in it?

 

[sweetdiesel]

Careful, i dont think that the XL5 has a low voltage cutoff, but MR Electric Guru of 2007, I'm sure you already knew that.

I did not know the XL-5 did not have a LVC until I read the manual last night while the pack was charging. I had assumed it had one since the Rustler ads mention running lipos. I'll run a wattmeter for now on the first few packs with an egg timer for 4 minutes each. This will validate amp draw and energy used. If I decide to continue running the stock motor I'll pick up an LVC. But with Charlie's comment on the Titan motors going out early it may see a brushless set-up sooner than later.

The brick in the pic is a 5S lipo, which I just threw on there for kicks. There is only one ESC I have that will handle that much voltage and it's on one of my older projects. I'm running Orion Platinum 4800s for now.

 

[robmob]

The Slash is the best bang for the buck I have seen in awhile. If I didn't just pick up the ERevo, I would be all over one.

Congrats on the purchase Dom.

 

[sweetdiesel]

I ran two 4800mah lipo packs this weekend while the kids were taking naps. Here's my two minute review.

The good:

Durability: This thing is tough as nails. I had multiple crashes into retaining walls, upside down flips, 4 ft headers into hard packed dirt, and high speed crashes through the wife's clay pots. (The clay pots did not survive) Nothing broken, nada, zip. Body is scratched up but no cracks. Good job to Traxxas for including body hole protection washers.

Handling: Very good set-up out of the box for off road and gravel. Handling is neutral and the truck is predictable at all speeds. Weight is well balanced front to rear which makes it jump quite well.

Speed and acceleration: With the Orion Platinum 2S lipo pack this things zips. I don't see the need for anything faster than the stock 12T motor unless I was drag racing in a very big parking lot.

What could be better? There are a few items that I had minor gripes about.

The motor though fan cooled, did get very hot to touch after one full pack. A $3 motor heatsink should bring temps down and help prolong motor life.

When running off road, the rear chassis brace tended to catch small sticks. I will use a small piece of lexan to make a shield so that sticks slide off the brace, rather than go through them and get tangled in the wheels.

The Slash body sits pretty low and the suspension is fairly soft. During high speed cornering the tires can rub against the body fenders. I'll trim about 5mm of material off the fenders for more clearance.

Brakes are weak and could not hold the truck to a stop when parked on an incline. I'm used to running brushless motors with very strong brakes. It's a minor gripe considering the low cost of the truck.

Overall I am very happy with the truck. Kudos to Traxxas for producing a low cost fun to drive truck that is fast out of the box and very durable. I'd easily recommend it to both beginners and experienced RCers without hesitation. :thumbup:

 

[MrClean]

and high speed crashes through the wife's clay pots. (The clay pots did not survive)

LOL, I had Pepsi coming out of my nose when I read that, and dang it burns!! I don't know why, but that just struck me as really funny.