New to RC, my Stampede projet!

[Bashing_Time]

Hi, I bought a used VXL Pede 2 weeks ago off ebay. Truck came with GH aluminium GearBox, front bigbore shocks and BadLands Tires mount on Dsperado wheel. It came with a stock vxl body almost unuseable.

I bought a Proline Chevy body and painted it. I took a pic of it after some bashing:







One thing I learn after that week of extensive use is that the truck is tuff but not bulletproof.

I broke 2 rear carriers (stock one) and one from caster block ( stock also) and the front stock shock tower.

After that, I received a new chassis, new RPM Slash front Bumper, new wheelie bar and other stuff to rebuild the truck as new as it can.

I use it that way last week and came to the conclusion that my pede need less weight in the back and less traction. Problem is, I'm having trouble loosing traction on dirt road and gravel... Front wheel can't stay down. To much power, traction and bad weight distribution.

I just teared down the Pede to bare chassis once again ( For me it's a big part of the fun ) and ordered more stuff:

Traxxas Big Bore shock with titanium shaft with 45wt for the rear
Front and Rear FLM aluminium shock Tower
Hot Racing progressive rear springs (3 rates)
Traxxas aluminium caster block, steering knuckle and rear carrier
New set of original worn Talon tires for less traction.
RPM gearbox , less weight that the GH aluminium one.
STRC hinge pins kit.

I will rebuild it next weekend and play the the suspension ajustment to find a better balance. I will try to put the battery more to the front also. I guess that the swicth in gearbox will help.

Wheelies on the street is fun and the kids like them but I will like to add a bit more handling to an already fun package...

Will put more pics next week!

[gPlayer234]

Cool rig! One thing though is your rear end is sagging waaaaaay to much. To fix the droop, add some shock spacers to the rear shocks. For general bashing I usually try to make my chassis sit parallel to the ground. To me it looks like you need to raise the rear an inch or lower the front an inch.

[jayblazer]

Grab a traxxas wheelie bar while your at it and set it low to keep the front end down. Maybe some softer rear shocks would help too.

[OlorinTharkun]

Softer in the rear would make the sag worse! Stiffer springs and spacers will fix the droop.

[Oaks]

I like the way it sits, the truck looks tough like that especially with the badlands.

You've got a nice line up of parts on the way. To strengthen the front of the chassis surrounding the servo, pick up a rpm slash front skid plate. A few drilled holes, screws and bolts are required to make it work, but its worthwhile. Perfect little project for the pede owner who likes working on it just as much as running it.

[MAXXXMASHER]

Nice round of parts on the way. Pick up a set of STRC king pins while you're at it, too. Get rid of all those pesky e-clips!!

FLM BL E-MAXX ~ BL E-4TEC Drifter ~ Pro-Trac Slash ~ FLM P2de ~ SCX-10 ~ AX-10 ~ Wraith ~ HPI Custom Nitro dragster ~ 3 Losi micro scalers

[Bashing_Time]

Thanks you all for the comments and advices. The photos I put are from 2 weeks ago. Since then I have some spacers in the back and drop the body about 2/3 of an inch.

I also have a wheelie bar on it now but I will not put it back on the rpm gearbox. Trying to save more weight in the back.

I will post updates of the Bashing Machine this week-end. Tomorrow I will try the BMX track here in town. Big air I guess!

[OlorinTharkun]

I would keep the wheelie bar on. It really provides good protection from flipping and acts as a back bumper. You can get stiffer springs and/or add a little more spacer for not too much $.

[Jezza]

I would keep the wheelie bar on. It really provides good protection from flipping and acts as a back bumper. .

Yeah defintely need that but strap it down with a zip tie. You will how solid it can get even after huge jumps of the ramps......good protection

[Bashing_Time]

Oh yeah! I can now drift on dirt and gravel! I put progessive springs in the back that help a bit. Then, the big move, I put the stock Talon tires on the rear and keep the badlands for the front. Wow, the Badlands are SOOO much sticker then the stocker, night and day différence.

Now it handle like a charm, way less wheelie. I was not even able to do donuts on a beach volley ball field with the badlands!

[CBD55]

Wow thats a really nice truck you have there!

[O.G.]

I like the looks of the lowered rear end. The Pede was my first truck and I still love 'em. Nice build so far.

[Bashing_Time]

Here some update of my Pede.

Front FLM aluminium shock tower (did'nt have time to put the rear one on)
STRC Hinge pin kit.
TRX aluminium casters and front and rear bearing carrier.
Stock Talons in the back for less grip and Badlands in front for more steering.
Big Bore shocks all around. Stock springs in front, Hot Racing progessive spring in the back.
Body lowered almost an inch.
RPM Slash front bumper instead of RPM stampede bumber.

I still use the GH aluminium tranny but I have a RPM one I will swap in to see if less weight in the back is good. I also snap a rear bumper screw in the tranny case. Can't put my wheelie bar on.

Picture of it now.

[Bashing_Time]

Just bought the STRC aluminium front Bulkhead. Hope it's the last thing I will spend on for a few days...

I sold my project car and went into RC car thinking that it won't cost me money... But wrenching and upgrading is addictive!

[O.G.]

What color bulkhead did you buy? I'm a big fan of STRC.

[Bashing_Time]

Red, to go along with the TRX aluminium parts I have already. The only non-red alum parts I have are the FLM shock towers wich are bare aluminium.

[Bashing_Time]

Some update: Truck is running strong and really durable. The only problem I had lately is a rear drive shaft. I bought and installed the Slash 4X4 hd drive shaft. I also bought some Dirt Hawg tire on desperado wheels. I like black wheels. The new tire are way shorter so I will be able to lower the truck even more.

Im also running front wheels on all four.

I had a heat problem going from GH alum GearBox to the RPM gearbox. Problem was that I put an extra teflon washer in the tranny that was rubbing. Speed and power seems the same put the motor was really hot. Now it's fix. Let say that I'm now pretty good and fast at putting the thing in pieces and rebuilding it. I do 12 hours overnight shift from time to time...

Then I test my top speed with my phone strap to my truck using the speedview app I reach 34mph on 2s and 28/83 gearing.

I found an old RC track in my town and it's a blast. With the truck lower and the soon to be here front extended FLM front arms the thing will start to be fast!

[Bashing_Time]