Transforming the Off-Road Rustler into a Blacktop Beast
The Rustler 4X4 VXL is ready to rip with Velineon brushless power. If you’ve got the brushed Rustler 4X4, you can upgrade to the Velineon Brushless Power System with a trade-in using the Power-Up Program.
Traxxas 8712 tool kit
Installing upgrades on your Traxxas model is even more fun when you upgrade your tools, too. The Traxxas 8712 tool kit includes an overmolded grip, premium hex bits, and nut drivers that make modifying and maintaining your model faster and easier. You even get a convenient embroidered storage case.
Getting Started
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Aluminum Upgrades
If you’ve got the urge to add metal to your machine, choose genuine Traxxas machined aluminum parts for perfect fit and premium quality. We went with orange and blue for this build, and installed a full set of caster blocks, steering blocks and rear carriers. These are stiffer than the plastic parts they replace, for flex-free control no matter how hard we push it in the turns. Blue-anodized shock towers beef things up further, and TUBES links round out the upgrade package for a fully-adjustable and stylish suspension.
The bright-orange anodizing really pops.
The parts are precision machined from 6061 aluminum.
The aluminum towers work with the Rustler 4X4’s quick-release body system.
TUBES links are lightweight yet super strong.
Now that’s a good-looking front end.
And here’s the rear. HD arms are standard on the Rustler 4X4 VXL.GTR Shocks
Traxxas Ultra Shocks are the best plastic-body shocks in the business, but for even smoother damping and longer life between rebuilds, we upgraded to aluminum GTR shocks. The GTR’s large-diameter bodies hold 70% more oil for unbeatable consistency, and the 13mm bores are PTFE coated for super-slick action. Scuff-resistant titanium-nitride coated shock shafts glide on X-ring seals for nearly frictionless action and long-lasting performance. And they look awesome! You can get them in colors, too—orange, green, red, blue, or hard-anodized.
The GTRs are sold in Long and XX-Long pairs. Springs are sold separately.
The GTR shocks feature aluminum construction, greater oil capacity, and TiN coated shafts.
Threaded preload adjusters make it easy to dial-in ride height.
Sway Bar Setup
Adding sway bars to the Rustler 4X4 and other Traxxas 4X4 models only takes a few minutes with no disassembly required, and can dramatically improve handling in high-traction conditions—which is exactly what this project is all about. The 6898 Sway Bar Kit includes front and rear sway bars in two thicknesses, so there’s plenty of tuning range to suit on- and off-road conditions. Since our Rustler 4X4 is set up for maximum grip, we installed the thicker, stiffer black sway bars.
The sway bar set fits all Slash/Stampede/Rustler-based Traxxas 4X4 models.
We removed the shocks to show the front swaybar.
Disassembly is not required to install the swaybars.What Does a Sway Bar Do?
Anaconda® Grip
You wouldn’t put knobbies on a Corvette, would you? Actually, that sounds pretty cool, but we digress. For concrete-clutching grip, we shelved the stock Talon tires in favor of Anaconda street rubber on All-Star wheels in black chrome. The Anaconda design features thick tread blocks for long life, and the directional pattern looks killer. The Anacondas have a smaller overall diameter than the Talon tires and roll about 13 inches with each revolution, compared to 14 inches for each spin of the Talons. To compensate for this, we swapped the 11-tooth stock pinion for a 12-tooth pinion. We could have gone up to a 13-tooth gear for maximum speed, but the 12-tooth gear will allow us to bolt the Talons back on when we want to go off-roading, without over-gearing the truck.
The Anaconda tread delivers excellent street traction, and looks amazing.
Black chrome, always a winner. You can also get the Anacondas on mirror-chrome wheels.
The Anaconda tires have a slightly smaller diameter than the stock Rustler 4X4 tires.
Installing a 12-tooth pinion makes up for the reduced tire diameter.Now Available: Anaconda Tires on RXT Wheels
You can now add ultimate pavement prowess to your Rustler 4X4 and keep the tough, modern look of the truck's original RXT wheels in 4 color options. Sinister all-black, black and satin chrome are available, along with bright green and orange if you're looking for something a little wilder. Each set is pre-glued and ready to install. Shop all Rustler 4X4 Tires & Wheels >
Wheelie Control
The Rustler 4X4 is wheelie-bar-equipped right out of the box, but the bar height is non-adjustable. To keep our truck planted with the front wheels low, we installed the optional 4-position wheelie bar. This requires the Stampede 4X4’s rear bumper parts, which bolt right up. We also replaced the bar’s plastic wheels with trick blue-anodized versions with white-letter tires. You can also get the wheels in red, and the tires fit the plastic wheels, too. To get the tires separately, ask for item 5185.
Installing the Stampede 4X4’s rear bumper allows the adjustable wheelie bar to fit the Rustler 4X4.
Plastic wheels are standard, we upgraded to the blue-anodized aluminum versions.Street Style
Once again, our man Jason came through with another fine-looking paint job. Jason kept the windows clear using the body’s supplied window masks. And if you don’t feel like masking the windows, the body also includes decals for a blacked-out window look with zero effort. You also get stickers for the grille, headlights, and tail lights.
You can use the included masks for clear windows, or just apply the blackout decals.
That's marks the end of our Rustler 4X4 Street Brawler build. Be sure to check out part two of this build for our driving impressions and some helpful tuning tips. Until then, don't be afraid to experiment with your own vehicles. Wrenching is a big part of our hobby, and a lot of fun!
