Traxxas Mini Maxx Upgrades

[TeknoJ]

This guys goes over in detail on how to do the swap. Looks pretty easy... hopefully Traxxas takes notes

I haven’t torn it down to the diffs, what is the benefit here? Are the slash diffs better? The mini was supposed to be using 1/10 parts from something but from what if a slash 4x4 has better diffs?

 

[CertifiedMike]

The video states that the mini comes with planetary style diffs that he was blowing up.
The Slask diff he is instaling is a stronger sun/spider gear design.
I can't swear that it is or isn't stronger but refitting/retro-fitting a proven winner seems to make sense!

 

[CertifiedMike]

Theres a breakdown of the stock diff issue

 

[TeknoJ]

When I get time I will watch these. I'm trying to side hustle some RC money today and get a little 5th scale driving in. It has started snowing.

 

[CertifiedMike]

When I get time I will watch these. I'm trying to side hustle some RC money today and get a little 5th scale driving in. It has started snowing.

Ok, forget those videos... Where are the "5th scale in snow" videos???

 

[TeknoJ]

Ok, forget those videos... Where are the "5th scale in snow" videos???

Thats a valid question.....

 

[jojobeans]

I haven’t torn it down to the diffs, what is the benefit here? Are the slash diffs better? The mini was supposed to be using 1/10 parts from something but from what if a slash 4x4 has better diffs?

General consensus from what I've seen on other forums and reddit is the diffs are weak out of the box. Traxxas uses a planetary style diff and the materials/design/etc just doesn't hold up to power. Why Traxxas reinvented the wheel when they already manufacture proven diffs that would fit with zero modification is beyond me. They should've just used slash, rustler, stamped diffs from the get go... I feel like it would've been cheaper on their end too instead of making new molds and retooling for diffs on one car? Who knows lol

My unpopular *opinion* is everyone thinks their small scale RC that can barely drive in a pea gravel parking lot without getting thrown onto its lid, needs to go 70mph and run on 3s. I think on 2s the diffs are plenty strong for the actual usable power level and people are creating their own problems by trying to make the thing something it's not. You know how the saying goes... just because you can, doesn't mean you should. lol

 

[TeknoJ]

General consensus from what I've seen on other forums and reddit is the diffs are weak out of the box. Traxxas uses a planetary style diff and the materials/design/etc just doesn't hold up to power. Why Traxxas reinvented the wheel when they already manufacture proven diffs that would fit with zero modification is beyond me. They should've just used slash, rustler, stamped diffs from the get go... I feel like it would've been cheaper on their end too instead of making new molds and retooling for diffs on one car? Who knows lol

Considering this thing is marketed as a mini using 1/10 scale parts yes, its odd. I thought they just took every part they already had and stuffed it into a mini chassis.
I really like the truck alot but, its just another reason upon many for me to hate on Traxxas again. I will look into this diff swap a little further.

 

[CertifiedMike]

General consensus from what I've seen on other forums and reddit is the diffs are weak out of the box. Traxxas uses a planetary style diff and the materials/design/etc just doesn't hold up to power. Why Traxxas reinvented the wheel when they already manufacture proven diffs that would fit with zero modification is beyond me. They should've just used slash, rustler, stamped diffs from the get go... I feel like it would've been cheaper on their end too instead of making new molds and retooling for diffs on one car? Who knows lol

My unpopular *opinion* is everyone thinks their small scale RC that can barely drive in a pea gravel parking lot without getting thrown onto its lid, needs to go 70mph and run on 3s. I think on 2s the diffs are plenty strong for the actual usable power level and people are creating their own problems by trying to make the thing something it's not. You know how the saying goes... just because you can, doesn't mean you should. lol

I'm not trying to get into "this" specific truck but this is more a blanket statement on r/c.
IF Tomley is correct, this truck, like the Granite 3s version comes from the factory stating that it is capable and designed for running on 3s.
If the truck isn't capable of handling 3s, the product should not be sold or mention ANYWHERE that it CAN handle 3s.
This should be pretty self-explanitory.
My Granite blew itself apart, same as this truck did on 3s.
Traxxas and Arrma (prob many others) are selling these things KNOWING that they can't handle the power.
They also know that we will likely spend another $300 on parts before we decide the truck will NEVER handle the power or abuse and we should buy a bigger truck and start the upgrading game all over again.
Its gonna take a LOT to convince me to buy an RTR, EVER again.
Designed to fail.

 

[9x19]

I'm not trying to get into "this" specific truck but this is more a blanket statement on r/c.
IF Tomley is correct, this truck, like the Granite 3s version comes from the factory stating that it is capable and designed for running on 3s.
If the truck isn't capable of handling 3s, the product should not be sold or mention ANYWHERE that it CAN handle 3s.
This should be pretty self-explanitory.
My Granite blew itself apart, same as this truck did on 3s.
Traxxas and Arrma (prob many others) are selling these things KNOWING that they can't handle the power.
They also know that we will likely spend another $300 on parts before we decide the truck will NEVER handle the power or abuse and we should buy a bigger truck and start the upgrading game all over again.
Its gonna take a LOT to convince me to buy an RTR, EVER again.
Designed to fail.

The Mini Max is equipped / sold with a 2S system from Traxxas. Where do they market it as 3S ready?

 

[CertifiedMike]

The Mini Max is equipped / sold with a 2S system from Traxxas. Where do they market it as 3S ready?

I am going by what Tomley said and shows in his video. Its from Traxxas site and manual.
The video details it.

 

[TeknoJ]

Its 3s ready when you put in the $140 VXL system. I did a 3s system for half that cost, a cheap surpass motor from Ali would make it even cheaper
3s ready, dont confuse it with 3s capable. An actual 3650 size motor is what it really needs and you can keep it on 2s

 

[CertifiedMike]

Its 3s ready when you put in the $140 VXL system. I did a 3s system for half that cost, a cheap surpass motor from Ali would make it even cheaper
3s ready, dont confuse it with 3s capable. An actual 3650 size motor is what it really needs and you can keep it on 2s

The only part of the Granite that is 3s capable or ready is the battery tray.

 

[CertifiedMike]

Its 3s ready when you put in the $140 VXL system. I did a 3s system for half that cost, a cheap surpass motor from Ali would make it even cheaper
3s ready, dont confuse it with 3s capable. An actual 3650 size motor is what it really needs and you can keep it on 2s

More to this point, there is no mention of needing to upgrade anything else including the diffs to make it 3s "whichever". (According to the vid)
He broke 3 diffs in a battery and a half. Its not like these things remotely stood a chance in this case.
Thats why I thought this upgrade was genius! An existing part that Traxxas has made millions of by now!

 

[TeknoJ]

If and when we smoke a diff or 2, I will report back on that. Right now we run ours on 3s and were more than 3 packs in at least.

 

[9x19]

I am going by what Tomley said and shows in his video. Its from Traxxas site and manual.
The video details it.

Thanks, don't watch many videos. I just didn't see any 3S mention when looking at the Traxxas site, but I didn't dig too deep.

 

[9x19]

Thanks, don't watch many videos. I just didn't see any 3S mention when looking at the Traxxas site, but I didn't dig too deep.

Ok, had to go watch (he's really painful to listen to) and he found one sentence on the Traxxa website, in a blurb about the 32pitch gears, that said they'd hold up to 3S.

I've no idea why Traxxas would reinvent the wheel here, but 'marketed as 3S capable' is a big extrapolation.

 

[CertifiedMike]

Ok, had to go watch (he's really painful to listen to) and he found one sentence on the Traxxa website, in a blurb about the 32pitch gears, that said they'd hold up to 3S.

I've no idea why Traxxas would reinvent the wheel here, but 'marketed as 3S capable' is a big extrapolation.

I've only seen ppl's vids. If this is a "2s only", it should be made as clearly as if it were 3 or 4...
I'm sure my frustration with Traxxas is being compounded by my experience with Arrma. Its about ALL these "rtr" trucks that are actually "capable" only after signifigant modification, time and $.
I'm not trying to point fingers, I'm trying to note that a junk part is easily fixable with an extremely common and cheap part.
Traxxas' reasoning for the 'reinvention' will likely remain a mystery.
I WISH I found a cheap and easy fix for my Granite!
I WISH these companies would be more honest and open about what to expect when (in the Granite's case) it is powered as its meant to be. (3s) Its frustrating to say the least.

 

[9x19]

I've only seen ppl's vids. If this is a "2s only", it should be made as clearly as if it were 3 or 4...
I'm sure my frustration with Traxxas is being compounded by my experience with Arrma. Its about ALL these "rtr" trucks that are actually "capable" only after signifigant modification, time and $.
I'm not trying to point fingers, I'm trying to note that a junk part is easily fixable with an extremely common and cheap part.
Traxxas' reasoning for the 'reinvention' will likely remain a mystery.
I WISH I found a cheap and easy fix for my Granite!
I WISH these companies would be more honest and open about what to expect when (in the Granite's case) it is powered as its meant to be. (3s) Its frustrating to say the least.

Yeah, it took me three tries to finally walk away from the Arrma 3S models.

 

[CertifiedMike]

Yeah, it took me three tries to finally walk away from the Arrma 3S models.

My honest impression/expectation was that the truck would be able to handle 3s because of how it was advertised by Arrma. It really has been a let down. I believe that Arrma was well aware of this plarform's shortcomings and doubled-down on it when they released these as 3s.

I'll spare you the gory details with a quick spoiler.
This guy takes the Mini Maxx diff apart and finds there are some plastic bushings that could be replaced to help stop the gears binding up and shearing.
It is a partial fix because the other side of the planetary gear shafts are moulded into the diff case.
A good point was raised in comments.
The Mini Maxx 4s version is likely to come with this "upgrade" diff as "stock".