Sorry Traxxas, had to do it...

[Strykeviper]

Ok after giving it much thought, I have decided to upgrade from the velineon system to the MMP 2400.

When I first got my truck I overheated the motor and seperated the magnet from the rotor. No big deal Traxxas replaced it for the warranty charge since I bought it second hand. I also bought a new velineon the day I sent it in because I did not want to wait.

A little over a week later I was running my truck in the front yard and I braked hard and sent it tumbling. I heard the spur strip and after I changed it the truck would not roll. Tried to turn the pinion and it was seized up. Motor I sent in came in this day so I installed it to find out my ESC was bad. Traxxas replaces them both even though the ESC was out of warranty. Thank you Traxxas! Motor and ESC came in on 4/6.

Yesterday 4/14 I was running my truck in an open field and noticed a small pile of clay next to the baseball field. It was about a foot tall so I started running my truck over it and progressed into jumping it. It was only getting about 3' of air each jump. Then one unlucky tumble I heard the spur strip. I give it throttle to see if it would move and all I got was a high pitched whine and no movement. Took the spur out and tried to turn the pinion and it was frozen again.

I love the velineon system but it doesn't like me for some reason. I put in an order on ebay for the MMP 2400 for $188 and bill me later approved it, yay!

Monday I will call traxxas and once I get the new velineon I may put it in my merv who knows.

Anyone have any tips or advice about running the MMP 2400? Gearing, Batteries etc?

I plan on running mostly 3s but maybe some 2s or 4s. I have trenchers and MIP all around. Will the stock servo hold up to that power? Plan on installing it as a Slash MT?

[Petertje60]

You will love that combo. On 2S it wont really come alive. On 3S you need a good battery to be able to feed it sufficient. I use a 5200 3S 40C. 17/54 is a nice start for 3S. Be prepared for tons more power.

Your spur stripping problems might be caused by a too loose mesh or a worn out bearing. Its a good idea to get a stronger motor plate.

[Strykeviper]

I have the king headz mount and bearing. Maybe on the too loose mesh. It only seems to happen after a tumble. I can run speed runs all day with no issues but a bad tumble takes off teeth.

[Petertje60]

Good choice. I just ordered exactly the same a minute ago. Lol.
Maybe you could tighten your motor mount a bit more. Since there is a nut on the other side, you can apply quite some force before you are ruining parts. Especially with the more powerful 2400 that becomes even more important.

[__tk__]

Since I'm pretty sure I hosed my VXL ESC a couple days ago, I followed suit and ordered the MMP 2400 combo off ebay as well.

Question regarding LiPo connections: I purchased my lipos with the traxxas connector already on.. I've got friends who are good with soldering, but what do I need done? I'm seeing Dean's Ultra Plugs mentioned, so do I order some male/female pieces, put one female on the MMP ESC and then snip the traxxas connector from my lipos and solder on the males? I have (2x) 2s 5000mah 20c lipos, and (1x) 3s 5000mah 25c -- will these hold up? i plan on keeping the VXL system for winter snow bashing... maybe keep my current lipos as-is for when i swap the vxl in, and buy new (better) lipos for the MMP? thoughts?

edit: or just put a male traxxas connector on ESC??

many thanks...

[johnh2005]

I would just put whichever connection to the least amount of items that you have the most of...

Confused?

Me too.

If you already have 4 items with Traxxas connections and two with something else I would just put the Traxxas connections on the things without. If you have more of another connection make the rest compatible with that.

I see that the batteries you mention are only 20c and 25c. If you are going to be running the 2400 combo then you are probably going to want to upgrade to at least 40c+. You have a lot of stuff to think about here =)

[Strykeviper]

I would get the connections to match what you already have. I plan on getting new batteries as well. If you plan on swapping systems in the winter you might as well have the batteries compatible with both so you have more batteries to use when you use the vxl system.

[new2bashing]

Your story is a unfortunately a common one

Traxxas is having some serious quality control issues with their electronics and the slash/pede 4x4s are undersized for the platform so they have the most failures

You will be happy with the castle

[Dadx2mj]

Traxxas is having some serious quality control issues with their electronics

I dont know what you are basing that statement on but one thing is sure if there is an issue with the electronics Traxxas takes care of it and their customers.

and the slash/pede 4x4s are undersized for the platform so they have the most failures

Not sure that I follow what you are saying here,,,do you mean you thiink the VXL system is too small for the Pede 4x4?

[Strykeviper]

I think the vxl system is great myself. I just wanted something more powerful and after 2 similar failures I figured I'd upgrade to something new.

Definitely no issues with customer support. I have already sent in my motor and esc for replacement. Traxxas customer support is amazing!

[johnh2005]

I dont know what you are basing that statement on but one thing is sure if there is an issue with the electronics Traxxas takes care of it and their customers.



Not sure that I follow what you are saying here,,,do you mean you thiink the VXL system is too small for the Pede 4x4?

There have been quite a few people on here (me one of them) who have had ESC's blow out the second the stock battery touched it to not even a full pack through. I have talked to two people at the local track who bought Slash's and both of their's was bad out of the box as well. It happens...

[__tk__]

i wouldnt have looked for a replacement setup this early (just got my truck in late feb.) and was even looking at just ordering a full vxl system from ebay to use and have as backup once mine gets replaced. i dont know if my issue was brought on by misuse or bad build.. its been through a decent mud hole once, and hosed it off a couple times before this saturday, when i ran it through some 2-4inch puddles on the sidewalk pretty continuously. support tried walking me through some troubleshooting, but again got stuck at the esc not going in to setup mode. he told me to send back the esc+motor for replacement. scary to say but i'm looking forward to running it this winter in some snow, but i'll have a blast with the 2400 through the summer while i wait

[thedreadedend]

TK, what ever you end up with for connectors, you always put the female on the battery! ALWAYS! If you put a male end on a battery, all it will take is the end of the connector to touch a piece of metal and disaster could strike. Again, and very important, batteries will get the female end so it is a protected, covered connection. Just 2 lil tabs exposed from the esc aide can't hurt anything but can you imagine if all your wall sockets at home had the prongs hanging out of the wall? Ouch, clumsy people would bw crispy people with big hair.

[Strykeviper]

TK, what ever you end up with for connectors, you always put the female on the battery! ALWAYS! If you put a male end on a battery, all it will take is the end of the connector to touch a piece of metal and disaster could strike. Again, and very important, batteries will get the female end so it is a protected, covered connection. Just 2 lil tabs exposed from the esc aide can't hurt anything but can you imagine if all your wall sockets at home had the prongs hanging out of the wall? Ouch, clumsy people would bw crispy people with big hair.

This made my night! Reminds me of a friend of mine. I know he would be the one to become crispy lol

[__tk__]

excellent point about the connectors!!

here's where i'm at.. I've got RPM A-arms + front/rear shock tower + front bumper, MIP front/rear CVDs.
I ordered the MMP2400 + (2x) 2s 5000mah 50c batteries. (and connectors!) - i'll order a 3s 50c eventually..
Can I run the stock 11/54 gearing without any trouble? if not, what to order-- i mostly run around my house in the grass and street.
Any other parts I should pick up now? Kings Head Motor Mount?
I'm going to order some new tires/wheels too-- probably trenchers (unmounted) since i hear a lot of positive things.

edit: maybe i should start my own thread as i'm kind of taking over strykeviper's
is there a difference between nitro and electric wheels? whats the difference between front/rear wheels?? here's what i'm looking at:
trenchers: http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ucts_id/172739
rear electric wheels: http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ucts_id/207370
they dont have front electric wheels, soooo: http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...Wheels-2-Black

[thedreadedend]

When ordering wheels for this truck or sl4sh, you will be looking for front electric or rear nitro. They are the same wheel. He front nitro is unusable unless your into major modding, and rear electric are almost 0 offset so the will slim the truck, easy roll overs, and lots of interference with suspension parts so if you see rear nitro or front electric grab um, its what's on the truck now.
This does not apply to sc wheels! In the case of sc wheels, rear sl2sh is the same as all around on 4wd sl4sh. Fronts are a wider offset and adds just enough for the tires and body to rub in most cases. Also causes conflict at the track if people notice your wider than stock. So short course wheels will be 4wd slash wheels or rear 2wd sl2sh wheels all around.

[__tk__]

When ordering wheels for this truck or sl4sh, you will be looking for front electric or rear nitro. They are the same wheel.

So what you're saying is either front electric or rear nitro will work on all 4 corners.. i dont have to get front and rear-specific wheels. thanks

[thedreadedend]

Right on buddy. Glad to be some help. I go way out there with my wheels! I create a cool looking set with the same size as stock for an end result. Less sidewall and huge wheels, looks like a truck sporting 32" rims when im done
You'll see, sometimes the creativity just grabs ya by the turnbuckle lol

I wouldn't recommend jumping into these without fully understanding the strengths and weaknesses first. It does cause some havoc and can be fine tuned for ultimate bashing but it'll cast you some big $'s if you don't know what is going to get stressed and broken before hand. All trucks and bash zones are different so what lasts for me, could end up folding on you.
Best of luck with the new tires and wheels! Tires are a truck changing upgrade that will completely amp up its ability!

[Strykeviper]

excellent point about the connectors!!

here's where i'm at.. I've got RPM A-arms + front/rear shock tower + front bumper, MIP front/rear CVDs.
I ordered the MMP2400 + (2x) 2s 5000mah 50c batteries. (and connectors!) - i'll order a 3s 50c eventually..
Can I run the stock 11/54 gearing without any trouble? if not, what to order-- i mostly run around my house in the grass and street.
Any other parts I should pick up now? Kings Head Motor Mount?
I'm going to order some new tires/wheels too-- probably trenchers (unmounted) since i hear a lot of positive things.

edit: maybe i should start my own thread as i'm kind of taking over strykeviper's
is there a difference between nitro and electric wheels? whats the difference between front/rear wheels?? here's what i'm looking at:
trenchers: http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ucts_id/172739
rear electric wheels: http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...ucts_id/207370
they dont have front electric wheels, soooo: http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...Wheels-2-Black

Sound like you're more prepared than I am. I still need to get better batteries for my setup. I'm pretty sure my 20c batteries won't cut it when I get the 2400 installed.

I already have the king headz mount. I would recommend it as it will be more stable for the motor and has the larger bearing for the spur assembly.

I'm getting this as well, hopefully it will be sturdy enough for the increased power:



It's the Hot Racing motor plate with heatsinks.

Yes you will need front wheels all around if they are electric wheels.

I have trenchers on desperados. They were premounted and on 3s with the velineon system they balloon like crazy. There is a video on youtube about them and shows them balloon.

[Strykeviper]

Right on buddy. Glad to be some help. I go way out there with my wheels! I create a cool looking set with the same size as stock for an end result. Less sidewall and huge wheels, looks like a truck sporting 32" rims when im done
You'll see, sometimes the creativity just grabs ya by the turnbuckle lol

I wouldn't recommend jumping into these without fully understanding the strengths and weaknesses first. It does cause some havoc and can be fine tuned for ultimate bashing but it'll cast you some big $'s if you don't know what is going to get stressed and broken before hand. All trucks and bash zones are different so what lasts for me, could end up folding on you.
Best of luck with the new tires and wheels! Tires are a truck changing upgrade that will completely amp up its ability!

Those wheels look good

I would be concerned with too much power breaking the spokes. How do they hold up?

[thedreadedend]

Slammed a curb sideways and cracked one back in february. But used 2 more sets without hassle sense and I don't play nice either. Take a look at some of my bash sessions, plenty to see on my youtube channel

[O.G.]

If you are stripping spurs with the vxl, you'll surely strip them with the castle setup. I recommend you go to 32p gearing. I've never stripped gears like that nor have I burned up traxxas esc's or motors.

[Strykeviper]

The stampede 4x4 is 32p stock. I usually only strip them after a bad landing or rollover. Probably related to throttle control.

But I have shattered 2 magnets in the stock vxl motors

[__tk__]

The stampede 4x4 is 32p stock. I usually only strip them after a bad landing or rollover. Probably related to throttle control.
But I have shattered 2 magnets in the stock vxl motors

so its safe to stay with stock gearing when running the 2400?

just ordered:
1 x KHZ-TRX-6860 King Headz Traxxas Slash 4x4 Aluminum Motor Mount w/Bearing $35.99
2 x PRO2729-03 Pro-Line 30 Series Desperado 2.8" Rear Nitro Wheels (2) (Black) $22.50

Pro-Line Trenchers 1170-00 (ebay) $34.50 shipped -- didnt specify quantity.. judging by prices listed on various websites, that shoul be 4 tires? (i hope)

Hot Racing motor plate -- SLF1801 - $10.95 shipped.

hopefully all that looks good (and i'm done spending money again for a week or two)

[Strykeviper]

I would hope for the price it's for 4 tires. My LHS sells a pair for $15.99 unmounted with foams. The part number from that listing is the unmounted version, which is good so you can tape them.

I have to do some more reasearch on gearing myself. Everything I've seen shows to gear it higher to get similar speeds as stock. I'm looking at starting around 16-18 pinion but am undecided so far.

I'm mainly interested in quick acceleration but able to run longer periods without heating up.

With the stock vxl system, I was geared stock 11/54 and with 3s it seemed like I had about 10 minutes before I had to let it cool down.

Anyone with more experience with this combo feel free to chime in on how you geared this setup

[thedreadedend]

A pede with a 2400 and mmp, gear it to the moon if u like lol. 17/54 is cake for a p4de sipping on a 3s battery and 2400. I've gone as high as 22/50 but not sure if I went any higher than that. My sl4sh mt runs with 20/54 all day. But summer time, its gonna be around 17/52.

[Strykeviper]

I don't want to rip my truck apart with power, but would it be better to get some 40-45c 2s and run in series for 4s power? Or get something like a 3000mah 40c 4s battery? I'm looking at getting some 40c+ 3s lipos also.

Can 2s lipos give decent acceleration with this motor combo for bashing?

[Strykeviper]

Quick update

My motor combo and TQi controller came in today. Not real happy with the temporary install of the ESC. I have it on top of some insulation foam where the original ESC would have been. I'm thinking I may convert to a slash mt for space.



I also got the castle link so I can adjust settings. Should have the hot racing motor plate tomorrow.

Currently geared 18/54 but I have a 16t and 21t pinion to play with.

I know the battery isn't good enough for this setup but I am going to get a hardcase 40c 3s lipo and maybe a couple of 2s lipos incase I get brave enough to try 4s. This thing is a beast on 3s as it is lol

[__tk__]

awesome! hopefully all my parts will be in by beginning of next week.. until then, i'm doing a full tear down and deep cleaning everything, replacing all original bearings, cleaning the diffs, re-greasing and oiling so i'll be ready to roll with the 2400

[Strykeviper]

My next step is to replace all bearings and get a stainless steel screw set.
I did a teardown after my stock motor went out and all bearings were working freely and I regreased.
The motor combo comes with the blower fan, but I'm not going to add it unless I need to.

[Strykeviper]

GPS confirmed 37.4 on 18/54 gearing in about a 200' strip of road in front of my house.



Can't wait to see what it can do with plenty of space to run

[Petertje60]

With a good 3S battery, you can add 50% to that speed. Your combo wouldnt even have a hard time doing that.

[Strykeviper]

I'm planning on getting at least a 40c 3s. That run was on a 20c 3s and I could barely keep the front on the ground.

[Petertje60]

It depends a lot on how low your body sits. I lowered mine and took care of the front sitting a little lower than the rear. Mine does 60mph without lifting the front end. I have to add that I'm always gentle on the throttle when I'm doing speed runs.
For the record: when I recorded those speeds I was using untaped Street Fighters which balloon pretty bad at that speed.

If yours only gets to that speed with that gearing, I think the battery is not able to deliver enough power. Does it get warm?

[Strykeviper]

The motor was 99° and the battery was cool to the touch. The next time I go to my parents house I'm going to run it on the golf course and see how fast I can get it.

The body is a stock stampede, not lowered.

[Strykeviper]

My truck can't wait

Ordered a 5000mah 40c gens ace 3s and 2 5000mah 40c sky lipo 2s batteries.

I went with the softcase 2s lipos, that way if I ever get brave enough I can put them in series and try out 4s. I have a feeling I won't do that much or without lots of open space lol

[Strykeviper]

Forgot to snapshot the pic but had a gps confirmed run at full throttle on a flat road of 51.2mph on a 20c 3s battery with 18/54 gearing. Can't wait to try again when I get my gens ace 3s lipo next week

Temps stayed in the 140°-160° range

Did I mention at that speed with untaped trenchers is insane to control?!?

[drummerjay19]

I Just had an issue with my 4X4 vxl p4de I was running it about 6 hours ago and took it over some big jumps and high speed runs on asphalt (NOTE*** Mine is all stock except dual fans lower body and aluminum rear nuckles). I seemed to slip the drive gear or something. Sooo i took it apart and then found out that the drive gear has a barely stripped spot in the gear and that the motor moved on the slide mount. i cleaned the gear and tightened things back up and it seems fine.

[Strykeviper]

So I rounded a desperado again Not a big deal, got it remounted on a spare wheel, and upgraded to the revo slipper with aluminum pads. I had a piece of a stock pad missing.

Just went out to test it to see how it performed, I adjusted it a 1/4 turn back from tight. Ran it around for a few minutes and then decided to punch the throttle. It did a complete backflip and landed on the wheels

Is it safe to leave the slipper set this way?

I was in shock when I saw it do the backflip. Can't wait to show it off to my lil brother next time I go to my parents

[Strykeviper]

I Just had an issue with my 4X4 vxl p4de I was running it about 6 hours ago and took it over some big jumps and high speed runs on asphalt (NOTE*** Mine is all stock except dual fans lower body and aluminum rear nuckles). I seemed to slip the drive gear or something. Sooo i took it apart and then found out that the drive gear has a barely stripped spot in the gear and that the motor moved on the slide mount. i cleaned the gear and tightened things back up and it seems fine.

For drive gear are you referring to the plastic spur gear or the metal pinion gear? I'll assume the spur gear, I have had several awkward landings that have damaged spur gears. I usually have at least 3 spares in my box for that purpose.