Enhancing Durability with the Latest Stampede 4X4 Parts

After the massive success of the Slash 4X4 and Stampede 4X4 that followed it, Traxxas fans wondered when a Rustler 4X4 would join the dynamic 4WD duo. When the best-selling stadium truck finally went 4WD, the Rustler 4X4 was an instant smash and an exciting high-performance addition to the 4X4 family. It also brought some unique new parts to the mix, which make excellent upgrades for the Slash 4X4 and Stampede 4X4 models. For this build, we’ll install the Rustler 4X4’s new heavy-duty suspension arms, aluminum slipper pads, and extreme-duty driveshafts on a Stampede 4X4 VXL. We’ll also try out the Rustler’s new Talon Extreme tires and RXT wheels.
Stampede wheelie
Rustler action

­
Parts List
­
  • 3655G HD Arms (rear) - green (x2)
  • 6852A Extreme-duty 4X4 rear driveshaft (x2)
  • 6851A Extreme-duty 4X4 front driveshaft (x2)
  • 5352R Heavy-Duty slipper clutch rebuild kit
  • 6773X Talon Extreme tires and RXT wheels (x2)
­

Getting Started


Heavy-Duty Suspension Arms
Traxxas molded the Rustler 4X4’s arms out of our latest extreme-duty plastic composite. The new composite is stronger in all conditions, but especially in cold weather because it resists low-temperature brittleness. These arms are a direct fit for the Stampede 4X4, and they come in these high-impact colors: green, blue, orange, red, white, or basic black. As you can see, the new material isn’t the only difference between the stock arms and the heavy-duty parts. The new design provides both the flexibility to withstand impact, and also the extreme rigidity required for high-performance power transfer and handling.

Stock arm in black, HD arm in greenStock arm in black, HD arm in green
HD arms unique shapeHD arms unique shape

It only takes a few minutes to install each arm. The arm geometry and hole locations are the same as the stock arms, so everything bolts right up. The contrasting green and black parts look great together.

Front HD arms installed
Front HD arms installed
Front HD arms installed

Superior Shafts
Along with tougher arms, the Rustler 4X4 arrived with extreme-duty driveshafts. The new shafts are easy to spot thanks to their grey composite plastic. And if you look closely, you’ll see that the new shafts are also larger in diameter, and use more material in the yokes for extra strength. Like all Traxxas telescoping shafts, the new heavy-duty shafts are keyed so the male and female halves only fit together one way—the right way, so the universal joints are always properly phased. The shafts are sold as singles, so you’ll need two each of the fronts and rears.

Thicker Extreme-Duty shafts boost durabilityThicker Extreme-Duty shafts boost durability
No problems installing the thicker shaftsNo problems installing the thicker shafts

High-Power Pads
When Traxxas engineers developed the super-high-output E-Revo Brushless Edition, they realized fiber-composite slipper clutch pads were at the limit of their power-holding capabilities. The solution was simple: use solid-aluminum pads. The aluminum pads shrug off high heat and resist deforming when the slipper clutch is tightened down. They’re included with the Heavy-Duty slipper clutch rebuild kit, and simply replace the stock pads. The rest of the parts can go in your spares box, they’re for other models that share the same rebuild kit.

Heavy-duty rebuild kitHeavy-duty rebuild kit
Install the aluminum pads on your clutchInstall the aluminum pads on your clutch

Talon Extreme Tires
Your Stampede with come with either Maxx chevron tires of Talon tires. The Rustler 4X4 uses the latest Talon Extreme tires and RXT wheels. Talon Extreme tires weight about 3% less than the “regular” Talons, and about 18% less than the Maxx design. That helps the Talon Extremes spool up faster for even more aggressive acceleration. The Talon Extremes are also more versatile with a tread that is more aggressive than the standard Talon, but rolls much more smoothly than the chevron tire. Also important: the Talon Extremes are “TSM Rated” for use with the Traxxas Stability Management system. TSM pushes tires to the limit, and TSM-rated tires are glued with the same high-tech adhesive used to keep the Traxxas XO-1’s tires firmly mounted at 100+mph.

Maxx chevron, Talon, Talon ExtremeMaxx chevron, Talon, Talon Extreme
Talon Extreme tiresTalon Extreme tires
Completed RustlerHere’s the completed chassis with the Talon Extreme tires and RXT wheels

Converting to VXL Specs
We equipped a Stampede VXL for this project, but if you’ve got a Titan 550-powered Stampede 4X4 and want to upgrade to brushless power with a full “VXL” suspension and drivetrain, you can also add the parts below. Don’t forget the wheelie bar, you’ll need it! And remember, you can get a discount on the Velineon brushless power system when you trade in your XL-5 speed control and Titan 550 motor using the Power-Up Program.

Velineon brushless system
Upgrade items

­
Brushless Conversion Parts List
­
  • 3350R Velineon VXL-3s power system
  • 6755 Aluminum center driveshaft
  • 6888X Front drive hub
  • 5539 Steering links
  • 3643 Front camber links
  • 3644 Rear camber links
  • 4974 Wheelie bar
  • 4976 Wheelie bar wheels
­