Rustler to Slash LCG conversion by a newbie

[bozo]

I think the truck is near purr-fect. Very creative with the foam nerf, and love the body.

Thanks! Cat puns are always a-purr-eciated...
Some minor progress since last update. Used some gaffer's tape (great stuff!) to cover the nerf pool noodles. These things are really handy. They stiffen the body on the sides and also push out a little bit, giving me more tire clearance front and rear. They also help on quieting the dreaded plastic body rattle.
I also added a 40mm 5V fan to the ESC running off a 8.4v battery tap. Another will be added to the motor once I figure out the rear sway bar mounting. These 40mm 5v fans really move some air at 8.4v! I hope they hold up...

Another welcome addition is a Pro-line body mounting kit. I hate body clips, always a pain to deal with. The Pro-line mounting system is really ingenious, and both centers and firmly clamps the body nicely. It also cuts down on body rattle a lot. The only downside is if you lose a fastener, replacements are expensive! I decided to drill a 0.6mm hole in the center of each cap. Next was some fishing leader line (nylon coated steel) inserted in the cap and then crimped over. Added a capture post and presto- no lost fasteners!

Here's the front and rear body mounts assembled and mounted...

I added a pair of RPM roof skids, and also got some rectangular rubber bumpers from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GZSR95Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
20 for $7, they're really flexible and should help with the inevitable road rash soon to come. I've only put one on so far (center rear of roof) but more will be added soon.

I'm really liking this cheap ebay body, added some tigershark vinyl stickers on the sides and have a tiger eyes sticker on order from Etsy (a great source for cool RC stuff).

The tiger eyes stickers are 7"wide, and should fit on the hood nicely.

Been running it hard on both pavement and dirt, very happy with the performance so far. Body sway is pretty bad, so I'm working up some sway bars. The only broken thing so far is a blown front shock, probably just needs a rebuild. All in all, I'm having a blast! The tech has really changed for the better since my '80s Tamiya Frog.
Ordered a SkyRC GSM020 so I can collect some data for tuning etc. Great reviews, and can be found for under $60 with some digging.

 

[Doom!]

Lots of little improvement make a big difference.

 

[Chubaka]

Thanks! Cat puns are always a-purr-eciated...

Between the mesh covered vents and lower chassis, it should be a less chance of a cat-tastrophe

 

[Rustler1978]

I once did this, (after converting a slash 4x4 hcg to lcg. And therefore had a lot of the necessary parts already. They were marked with (have??).
The rest is a list of what you'll need using traxxas slash parts. Also had the current pricing to do it as of July 2022. I have since added a chuckworksrc mid motor chassis so now the rustler is a mid motor slash



3677 rear bumper mount
6870 tires--have??
5872 front wheels--have??
5874 rear wheels--have??
2555 rear arms-- $2.19 JRC
5837 skid plates--$8 amain
1914R body mounts--$6 amain
3644 tie rods--have?--$5.79 3745 with JRC
5857 front springs--have?
5858 rear springs--have?
3745 steering rods--have?**
2532 hinge pin brace--have?
2640 hinge pin--have?
5835 front bumper--$5.27 JRC with 5836
2742 1935 steering link--have?
5822 hcg chassis?? 5831/32 lcg $25 amain
5823 nerf bars--have?? 5833a $4 amain
5827 battery hold down--have??
5836 rear bumper**
5624 5526 receiver box--have??

 

[bozo]

I once did this, (after converting a slash 4x4 hcg to lcg. And therefore had a lot of the necessary parts already. They were marked with (have??).
The rest is a list of what you'll need using traxxas slash parts. Also had the current pricing to do it as of July 2022. I have since added a chuckworksrc mid motor chassis so now the rustler is a mid motor slash



3677 rear bumper mount
6870 tires--have??
5872 front wheels--have??
5874 rear wheels--have??
2555 rear arms-- $2.19 JRC
5837 skid plates--$8 amain
1914R body mounts--$6 amain
3644 tie rods--have?--$5.79 3745 with JRC
5857 front springs--have?
5858 rear springs--have?
3745 steering rods--have?**
2532 hinge pin brace--have?
2640 hinge pin--have?
5835 front bumper--$5.27 JRC with 5836
2742 1935 steering link--have?
5822 hcg chassis?? 5831/32 lcg $25 amain
5823 nerf bars--have?? 5833a $4 amain
5827 battery hold down--have??
5836 rear bumper**
5624 5526 receiver box--have??

Great list, very handy!
How do you like the mid motor chassis?

 

[bozo]

Finally got the tiger decal from Greece for the hood. Two months shipping!
Did some other upgrades and improvements while waiting.
Added a new motor and esc- Innovatking, looks like a Rocket or Surpass rebrand
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09JLTXZL3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
It was on sale for $59 when I got it. We'll see how it holds up...
Also got a better radio- RadioLink RC4GS.
Added more bumper strips, 40mm motor fan and a wing and generally finished the build.
Thing runs really good- fast and seems to handle pretty well. I'll address issues as they arise during further shakedown runs.
I really had a lot of fun building this rig, and the smile factor is off the charts.
Only thing I don't like is the windshield sticker- right hand drive is just wrong...
BTW, the pool tube nerf bars still exist- just not in these pics.

 

[WickedFog]

Great looking truck!

 

[DavidB1126]

I like that you mounted the esc and receiver on to the battery strap. Does it make a difference with handling? How do you like that new Radiolink rx/tx? I'm planning to get it for my cars. I'm either going to go with that same radiolink or the futaba 4pm. I'm still running the stock TQ rx/tx in my slash. Its time for a upgrade. I want more settings and more functionality. Also I only have 1 radio instead of 3 for multiple cars.
I'm still going to keep the stock rx/tx just in case if my dad or friend wants to drive at the same time.

 

[Doom!]

Looks great, that smile factor is probably the most important bit!

 

[bozo]

I like that you mounted the esc and receiver on to the battery strap. Does it make a difference with handling? How do you like that new Radiolink rx/tx?

Don't know if the position of the ESC and receiver make any difference in handling, but every bit helps. I really like the RadioLink. Lots of settings to play with and extra rx's are only $19. There are a bunch of presets on the transmitter, so you could just get a few more receivers and use the same transmitter for multiple cars. Only thing I don't like so far is the throttle trigger. Too sharp on the edges.

that smile factor is probably the most important bit!

You got that right!

 

[bozo]

I have since added a chuckworksrc mid motor chassis

What do you think of that chassis? Mid motor sounds nice, but the chassis is a bit pricey...

 

[WickedFog]

What do you think of that chassis? Mid motor sounds nice, but the chassis is a bit pricey...

I am curious how the Chuckworks stuff is as well.

 

[Greywolf74]

Decal looks great!