New Stampede VXL 3607 - What to upgrade to avoid down time on vacation?

[Rhymer]

I want to upgrade my new rig with some tougher parts that are likely to break... like the half shaft that just broke running in plush grass. I'm looking at ordering
"MIP X-Duty CVD Kit 11104, Traxxas Stampede 2WD, Rustler VXL"

Other than that... are there some basic parts I should replace with tougher components, like aluminum parts? I'm already looking at some GensAce batteries.

Thanks,

[chadkillzone]

I would pick up rpm arms front and rear wide bumper and aluminum castor/rear hubs.

[Rhymer]

Shiny... and the list starts! Thanks!

[lotus2200]

if it doesnt have metal camber links then get rpm heavy duty ones front and rear probably a slash bumper for front and rear with low profile wheeles if ur bashin (all thats rpm) and also traxxas aluminum wheelie bar wheels

[Oaks]

One of the first parts that I broke was the stock caster blocks which I replaced with the anodized TRX aluminum version.

[NewbieToTraxxas]

In order of importance(IMHO): 2wd slash front bumper,alum wheelie bar,alum castors,strc hinge pin set,proline protrac 2wd suspensin kit,new tires,alum bearing carriers
also this thread a few posts below xD

[CrankBait228]

you dont need anything unless you plan on tearing up your truck

[mark c]

All I broke on my first p2de vxl (first real rc after an xl5) was a couple castor blocks and a steering block. I beat that thing to death and wrecked constantly because I was a horrible driver with it lol. This was running it at least 2 hours a day every day for nearly two weeks. If you think 200 bucks in upgrades will keep you from breaking your truck it ain't gonna happen. Buy all that stuff and you might fry your esc the first day out.
Wanna avoid downtime for sure? Buy another truck and take it with you. In all honesty its why I have what I do. No hobby shops within 60 miles of me and it drove me NUTS to have my vxl down.

[DiggerPede]

I totally suggest the RPM slash front bumper & replace what breaks afterwards. Unless you plan on jumping off a roof you should be ok. Not saying you shouldn't upgrade other parts unless you just want to right now. Who am i to tell you this. Lol check out my Sl4sh build.

[AbSoLooT1]

I would pick up rpm arms front and rear wide bumper and aluminum castor/rear hubs.

Stay away from the RPM arms cuz the thing to do for STampede 2wds, is the Protrac kit. Massive improvement on Handling, and lets u use same off set wheels all the way around.

But definatly a Stampede 2wd bumper from RPM, Proline, OR stock... (for the slash) Aluminum Castor blocks, RPM gear cover... STRC hinge pins is a great one to avoid down time also.

[Stampedenit]

In order of importance(IMHO): 2wd slash front bumper,alum wheelie bar,alum castors,strc hinge pin set,proline protrac 2wd suspensin kit,new tires,alum bearing carriers
also this thread a few posts below xD

I'm with him. I purchased all the above except the aluminum wheelie bar. The one thing I would put at the very top of my list is proline powerstroke shocks. If your working on a budget, be prepaired as they will be cost you about a $100 but I'm here to tell you, they are worth it. I have 2 car sets of powerstrokes. 1 for the pede and 1 for the rustler.

[AbSoLooT1]

I want to upgrade my new rig with some tougher parts that are likely to break... like the half shaft that just broke running in plush grass. I'm looking at ordering
"MIP X-Duty CVD Kit 11104, Traxxas Stampede 2WD, Rustler VXL"

Other than that... are there some basic parts I should replace with tougher components, like aluminum parts? I'm already looking at some GensAce batteries.

Thanks,

These dont fit very well without some mods on the 2wd. And for the money there is a TON of better mods to do for that price.

[Toyboarder]

Unless you're going to be doing massive jumps and running 3s at 50mph plus, I would go with a more flexible wheelie bar. I personally have went with T-Bone racing bumpers / wheelie bars for all 3 of my RC's (Stampede (rear only, 2wd Slash for front), Summit, and a non-Traxxas buggy). They are wide and protect, they are flexible enough to absorb impacts, and they look decent. I have yet to break one, and the buggy I acquired recently literally does cartwheels halfway down the street on the bumpers alone. Very durable, and reasonably priced.

Here's a pic of it on my Stampede.

[Rhymer]

Oh I for sure plan on having fun with it... which would probably translate to tearing it up what good... want to make it a tank!

[NewbieToTraxxas]

Oh I for sure plan on having fun with it... which would probably translate to tearing it up what good... want to make it a tank!

If you want a tank follow my advice. I jump and bash on concrete and don't break stuff. I bash hard.

[Rhymer]

I have made my way down all the posts, and very much appreciate the feedback, along with the link to the other upgrade post. I'm totally new to this stuff... and now that I think about it, it may have been me jumping it down a set of 8 foot stairs a few times that caused the half shaft to break. That may have weakened it so it tore apart during the grass run.

The reason I was looking at that upgrade (MIP X Duty) was it seemed like the toughest half shaft replacement from another set of posts I read, which seemed to have several people talking about how often the half shafts do break, so I wanted to try and lessen that as much as possible. Would a better upgrade for the shafts simply be the 6852X?

I will look into the giant post that was linked to, and at the above suggestions. You guys rock!

[Rhymer]

Newbie, I have to ask... what does the 'Lights' portion of your sig refer to?

[NewbieToTraxxas]

Newbie, I have to ask... what does the 'Lights' portion of your sig refer to?

I am a lighting director/technician/designer/engineer.

[Rhymer]

cool. And thanks again for all the feedback!

[dcsally97]

I would skip the MIP shafts and get the stock Slash 4x4 rear shafts. They are heavy duty and a big improvement over the stockers.

[DiggerPede]

I would skip the MIP shafts and get the stock Slash 4x4 rear shafts. They are heavy duty and a big improvement over the stockers.

+1 They are really tough shafts. They should withstand the power you put to them for a while. I'm still running my same set for a while now.

[Rhymer]

Sounds like a plan. Will pass the MIP shafts for now.

[Toyboarder]

Sounds like a plan. Will pass the MIP shafts for now.

Plus, you can't really widen your truck with the MIP without doing further modifications (I believe) whereas with the stock or heavy duty normal ones you can. It won't help your durability, but a Protrac kit will totally change your stampede. Imagine doing power slides and bashing around on the street without rolling all the time, as well as an overall increase in handling and response elsewhere. The arms seem to hold up well, but the rear shock tower cracked when I did a cartwheel. Just a thought for when you get back if you want to liven up your truck!

[Rhymer]

Funny you should mention the Protrac kit; I just read through Loot's incredible post he linked into above... that looks like a for sure upgrade!

[NewbieToTraxxas]

Funny you should mention the Protrac kit; I just read through Loot's incredible post he linked into above... that looks like a for sure upgrade!

best money iv'e spent on my pede to date...i advise you get the protrac parts separate tho...pain to sell un needed kit parts

[Oaks]

+ 2 on the protrac comment. especially since now I'm running protrac fronts with rpm arms in the rear. Around the house and on the street, I'm going to be rash and say that first impression is that I like the stockish arms better in the rear, for the looks and general characteristics. And I have no clue what to do with those wheels I got ith the kit

[DiggerPede]

+ 2 on the protrac comment. especially since now I'm running protrac fronts with rpm arms in the rear. Around the house and on the street, I'm going to be rash and say that first impression is that I like the stockish arms better in the rear, for the looks and general characteristics. And I have no clue what to do with those wheels I got ith the kit

Maybe something like a Slash or Sl4sh in the future??? Oh and on the RPM arms i was really dissappointed at how much flex the arms offer on my new Sl4sh build. With a heavier truck i'm not liking them much at all. That's where Proline steps in for me. Well on my Sl4sh build it will be sporting T-RCE magnesium arms.

[guardog]

I have mine completely stock and run 3S lipos. I beat the snot out of it 3 or 4 times a week and only stripped a slipper once. Depends on what your doing and how you do it. All the above are great recommendations but when you have 6 r/c vehicles and 2 planes you have to pick and choose which ones to upgrade. The stampede is extremely durable and should last a long time with simple maintenance

[Strykeviper]

I have mine completely stock and run 3S lipos. I beat the snot out of it 3 or 4 times a week and only stripped a slipper once. Depends on what your doing and how you do it. All the above are great recommendations but when you have 6 r/c vehicles and 2 planes you have to pick and choose which ones to upgrade. The stampede is extremely durable and should last a long time with simple maintenance

Never heard of stripping a slipper. How did you manage that? Or was it the spur you stripped?

[Rhymer]

All the above are great recommendations but when you have 6 r/c vehicles and 2 planes you have to pick and choose which ones to upgrade. The stampede is extremely durable and should last a long time with simple maintenance

This is my only one so far, so it is my new baby... will get all the attention.

[Rhymer]

Dang... my trees hate this thing... I never noticed they could jump around until I started driving a 30mph rocket around them.
Got my p2de running again today (been busy) and within 5 min broke a steering block. That's ok, was stock. Still working on upgrading the bits. My front bumper is on the way, so that may have saved it if I would have waited.

[Rhymer]

I just now realized the ProTrac post loot did wasn't linked to above. Mainly when I came back to my post for the link.

Here it is:
Everything you need to Know About Protrac - Massive Thread.

[Rhymer]

Here is a link to the post listing my upgrade items.