1/16 Summit VXL
It’s said that dynamite comes in small packages. So don’t let the convenient size of 1/16 Summit VXL fool you. Wicked Velineon brushless power, 4-wheel drive traction, and long-travel suspension give explosive acceleration and terrain conquering capability! This is our version of a fully loaded 1/16 Summit VXL.
Suspension and Steering
Friction is the nemesis of movement. As the suspension travels up and down, the rocker arms pivot on a post, and the shock compresses.
To fight against friction, we used rubber sealed ball bearings for easier movement on the rocker arm posts. A set of ball bearings were also used to free the steering and provide smoother steering response. Next, a set of aluminum, oil-filled GTR shocks were installed for buttery, smooth damping. The hard-anodized finish strengthens the aluminum, while providing consistent performance with less maintenance.
Red-anodized toe links and push rods add strength and more adjustability to the steering and suspension geometry. Rounding out the suspension is a set of aluminum pivot ball caps at each corner. The aluminum pivot ball caps are stronger than plastic and will stay consistent, run after run.
- GTR Aluminum, Oil-Filled Shocks, 7061X
Red-Anodized Push Rods, 7118X
Red-Anodized Toe Links, 7138X
Aluminum Pivot Ball Caps, 7033X
Ball Bearings, 5114
Ball Bearings, 5124
Machined Steel Hollow Balls, 7028X
Drivetrain
Removing rotating mass and balancing power distributed to the wheels leads to a smoother, more efficient drivetrain. For this we added the Center Differential for balanced power to all four corners; we can also tune this by changing the fluid in the Center Differential.
Next, we installed the steel constant velocity center driveshafts for less rotating mass. Lastly, to ensure power delivery to each corner, we used a set of “strip-proof” aluminum hex wheel hubs. Not only are the hex hubs tough, but the blue-anodizing bumps up the “cool” factor
- Center Differential, 7014
Steel Center CV driveshaft, 7250R
Aluminum Hex Hubs, 7154X
Play It Cool
Heat is an enemy of electronics. To help keep the motor running cool, we added the blue-anodized Heat Sink to help pull unwanted heat away from the motor.
- Heat Sink, 3374
Light It Up
Conquering the terrain isn’t always done during the day. To keep the fun running long after the sun goes down, a set of LEDs were installed to light up the night. The LED kit includes everything you need. These lights are a cool, functional addition. They’re also extremely bright, and add realism to nighttime adventures.
- LED Light Kit, 7285
Telemetry
Monitoring the condition of your vehicle is always important. Traxxas makes keeping an eye on the vitals easy with Telemetry equipment. For this build, Telemetry is set up for monitoring battery voltage, RPM/speed, and motor temperatures. Note: The Telemetry equipment requires use of a TQi radio system with Docking Base or Bluetooth connectivity. Additional sensors, such as GPS, can be added by using the Expander Module.
- Temperature and Voltage Sensor, 6523
Temperature Sensor Mount, 6535
RPM Sensor, 6522
Telemetry Trigger Magnet, 6540
First Impression
The first visible feature on the 1/16 Summit VXL is the body and ExoCage. We opted for the optional clear body and went with a simple two-tone, yellow and black, paint scheme.
The addition of blue-anodized aluminum wheel nuts is a subtle finishing touch.
- Clear Body, 7211
Anodized Aluminum Lock Nuts–1747R Blue, 1747G Green
Wheelie Fun
Ballistic Velineon power means wheelies, and lots of them! We added a wheelie bar on the back of the 1/16 Summit VXL for stability when the nose points to the sky.
- Wheelie Bar, 7184
Speed vs Time
Whether the goal is more miles per hour or longer adventures at night, Traxxas has the accessory to get your model going. Approach speeds of 50+ mph by using the Series Y-harness, or make the adventure last all day and well into the night with the Parallel Y-harness. Both are equipped with Traxxas High Current Connectors for consistent, proven performance.
Series Y-harness, 3063
Parallel Y-harness, 3064
Bottom Line
It may be tempting to let such a good looking machine stay on the shelf, but that would just be wrong! This 1/16 Summit VXL is built for go-anywhere fun, day or night.