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Rustler 4x4 VXL Upgrade reccomendations?

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HuddyBoy

RC Newbie
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Hey All! I have a rustler 4x4 vxl, and was looking for some good upgrades. I have cooling fans on both parts of the motor, and the light kit. I was looking into a new servo, tires(for a baseball diamond, grass or road-like a hybrid), and better shocks. Could you guys recommend me some good aluminium upgrades too?
 
I use a JX 25kg servo (from amazon) in mine, and Losi Pro aluminum shocks (off their Tenacity Pro model) (from Jennys RC)
https://jennysrc.com/collections/losi-tenacity-pro-los03027

I would avoid too much aluminum, adds weight and doesn't flex. I went with Traxxas' Extreme Heady Duty suspension parts / drive-shafts.
I did replace the slipper with a center diff, less wheelie prone, but better control for me.

TRX Rustler 4x4 ch.webp
 
Last edited:
Hey All! I have a rustler 4x4 vxl, and was looking for some good upgrades. I have cooling fans on both parts of the motor, and the light kit. I was looking into a new servo, tires(for a baseball diamond, grass or road-like a hybrid), and better shocks. Could you guys recommend me some good aluminium upgrades too?
My rustler is 80%metal with carbon fiber and after that I have crashed many times and nothing has broken so far. The only problem I have rn is my ecu i burned it after running it all day. So i recommend metal parts with carbon fiber If you have at least 300$ to spend. But you wont need to replace any of these parts for some time. Just make sure you wash them and dry them
 
So i recommend metal parts with carbon fiber If you have at least 300$ to spend.
Just what exactly are you telling him to upgrade?
If he had $300 to spend he definitely doesn’t need to dump all of that into this truck. It just doesn’t seem cost effective.
I believe @9x19 has laid out a perfect example of what @HuddyBoy can do.
 
If I were to upgrade mine, I’d follow 9x 19’s course. I don’t bash mine like crazy. More just ripping it around. I jump and wreck the crap out of it. But, it’s not off of ramps.

I’ve broken a front A arm on the right side, a drive shaft on the right rear, and a couple shocks on that same arm. Other than stripping a few pinion gears and the above damage, that’s all that’s been broke. I’m betting it’s got a hundred packs through it though.

What I’m getting at is the plastic Traxxas puts on their rigs is there for a reason. It doesn’t break very often.

I do plan on juicing mine up this winter with HD suspension parts like 8x 19 did, I just got too many other rc projects that keeps money going to them versus my rustler vxl.

It’s yours to do with what you want. But, it’s a great rc as it. If you can keep from hitting rocks and bulging tree stumps, breaking the lower A arm and bending the shock shafts, there isn’t much it needs. And, unless you just want to bling it out, aluminum parts certainly falls into the not needed category.

My advice woukd be If you like blinging rcs out, buy an ARRMA. Their bigger rcs usually have an aluminum chassis. And you can bling out shock towers, diff covers, chassis braces, etc…. It makes them a beautiful rc for sure. If you want tough and dependable, Traxxas has been doing that really good with their choice of plastic.

That’s my opinion. It’s just something to consider.
 
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