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Adding Telemetry, Custom Wheels, and Body Graphics to Our Drag Slash
In Part 1 of our Drag Slash build we elevated the durability and performance of the stock truck with some choice aluminum accessories and pro-grade Big Bore shocks. In this second installment, we're adding Traxxas Link™ real-time telemetry and customizing our ride with body graphics and detailed Weld wheels. Let's get started!
To capture temperature, RPM, speed, and voltage data, we’ll install the Telemetry Expander with GPS module, the Traxxas Link Telemetry wireless module (for Bluetooth connectivity with your smart device and the Traxxas Link app), and the required RPM and voltage/temperature sensors.
On an off-road Slash, the Telemetry Expander tucks under the body and aligns with mounting bosses molded into the chassis. The Drag Slash’s body mount prevents the expander from reaching the bosses, so we drilled new mounting holes using a 3/32″ bit. The new holes are 16 mm back, measured from center to center with the bosses.
Telemetry expander installed. It’s secured with 3x18 mm screws instead of the supplied 3x10 mm mounting screws.
RPM data is collected via a magnet attached to the spur gear. The magnet holder is molded with a little extra material opposite the magnet to counterbalance its weight.
The RPM sensor inside the gear cover detects the magnet as it passes. Traxxas Link uses the spur gear’s RPM to calculate motor RPM and displays it on the app’s dashboard.
Traxxas Link automatically recognizes your model and loads its settings. You can add or remove gauges from the dashboard with a touch, record and share the live display, and select different display styles. You can also manage model memory, change channel settings, adjust steering and throttle sensitivity and endpoints, and much more.
When your Drag Slash is ready for a new “sheetmetal”—or if you just want a new color—you can get the body separately in blue, red, purple, green, black, and white. You can also get a clear body for the ultimate in customization with our complete line of ProGraphix™ paint..
The Drag Slash body includes the window decals and rear wing, but the molded grille, bumpers, and light surrounds are sold separately so you can choose the finish: chrome, black, black chrome, or satin black chrome.
The Drag Slash’s replica Weld wheels are now available in gloss black, shown here alongside the standard black chrome finish.
Here are the Mickey Thompson slicks on their Weld wheels: optional gloss black on the left, standard black chrome on the right
We hit the rims’ molded-in hardware detailing with a chrome pen and mounted the wheels with orange nuts for a high-contrast look.
Looking good! The bright colors really set our Drag Slash apart from stock.
Here’s our installed 4 mm motor plate. All colors include an etched Traxxas logo on the back and the orange color shown here is a nice touch.
The Drag Slash’s Chevy C10 body offers lots of opportunity for custom graphics. We tried a few different designs and colors in Photoshop before making a pattern. For easier cutting with a hobby knife and straightedge, the designs have no curves—just straight lines.
Here's what the Drag Slash looks like with our new graphics applied. You can make your own custom designs in just a few steps.
We also cut out a bowtie for the hood, and installed retainers to keep the body clips wrangled during battery pack changes.
Real-Time Telemetry
It’s easy to add telemetry capability to Traxxas models, including the Drag Slash. The Traxxas Link™ App for your smart device is free, and your TQi radio system communicates with the app via Bluetooth and the Traxxas Link Wireless module. The Telemetry Expander installs on the chassis and serves as the hub for the telemetry sensors you install to measure temperature, RPM, and voltage. You can get the expander with or without a GPS module to measure speed with satellite accuracy (naturally, we opted for the GPS-included setup). Click here to learn more about Traxxas Link telemetry.
To capture temperature, RPM, speed, and voltage data, we’ll install the Telemetry Expander with GPS module, the Traxxas Link Telemetry wireless module (for Bluetooth connectivity with your smart device and the Traxxas Link app), and the required RPM and voltage/temperature sensors.
On an off-road Slash, the Telemetry Expander tucks under the body and aligns with mounting bosses molded into the chassis. The Drag Slash’s body mount prevents the expander from reaching the bosses, so we drilled new mounting holes using a 3/32″ bit. The new holes are 16 mm back, measured from center to center with the bosses.
Telemetry expander installed. It’s secured with 3x18 mm screws instead of the supplied 3x10 mm mounting screws.
RPM data is collected via a magnet attached to the spur gear. The magnet holder is molded with a little extra material opposite the magnet to counterbalance its weight.
The RPM sensor inside the gear cover detects the magnet as it passes. Traxxas Link uses the spur gear’s RPM to calculate motor RPM and displays it on the app’s dashboard.
Traxxas Link automatically recognizes your model and loads its settings. You can add or remove gauges from the dashboard with a touch, record and share the live display, and select different display styles. You can also manage model memory, change channel settings, adjust steering and throttle sensitivity and endpoints, and much more.Body, Wheels & Tires
We’re just mixing up the look a bit by swapping the black-chrome wheels for gloss black, adding anodized wheel nuts, and creating custom graphics for the body. The orange-anodized 4 mm motor plate adds even more color to our machine.
When your Drag Slash is ready for a new “sheetmetal”—or if you just want a new color—you can get the body separately in blue, red, purple, green, black, and white. You can also get a clear body for the ultimate in customization with our complete line of ProGraphix™ paint..
The Drag Slash body includes the window decals and rear wing, but the molded grille, bumpers, and light surrounds are sold separately so you can choose the finish: chrome, black, black chrome, or satin black chrome.
The Drag Slash’s replica Weld wheels are now available in gloss black, shown here alongside the standard black chrome finish.
Here are the Mickey Thompson slicks on their Weld wheels: optional gloss black on the left, standard black chrome on the right
We hit the rims’ molded-in hardware detailing with a chrome pen and mounted the wheels with orange nuts for a high-contrast look.
Looking good! The bright colors really set our Drag Slash apart from stock.
Here’s our installed 4 mm motor plate. All colors include an etched Traxxas logo on the back and the orange color shown here is a nice touch.
The Drag Slash’s Chevy C10 body offers lots of opportunity for custom graphics. We tried a few different designs and colors in Photoshop before making a pattern. For easier cutting with a hobby knife and straightedge, the designs have no curves—just straight lines.
Here's what the Drag Slash looks like with our new graphics applied. You can make your own custom designs in just a few steps.
We also cut out a bowtie for the hood, and installed retainers to keep the body clips wrangled during battery pack changes.
That's a wrap!
That concludes our Drag Slash build. If you missed anything, be sure to look back over Part 1. With all the options and colors available for the Drag Slash, it’s easy to set your straight-line machine apart with personalized style. The custom combinations are endless! We hope this build has inspired you to get creative with your Drag Slash, and as always, we encourage you to tag Traxxas when you share your creations on social media. Be sure to follow Traxxas on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter—you just might see your ride featured for all your fellow Traxxas fans to enjoy.
That concludes our Drag Slash build. If you missed anything, be sure to look back over Part 1. With all the options and colors available for the Drag Slash, it’s easy to set your straight-line machine apart with personalized style. The custom combinations are endless! We hope this build has inspired you to get creative with your Drag Slash, and as always, we encourage you to tag Traxxas when you share your creations on social media. Be sure to follow Traxxas on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter—you just might see your ride featured for all your fellow Traxxas fans to enjoy.
