FAQs on the Traxxas Stampede, Rustler, and Bandit.
Which should I buy the Stampede, Rustler, or Bandit?
All three models share the vast majority of their parts with the exception of body, chassis, and tires so even if you "pick the wrong one, you can easily convert it to the other with about $50 in parts (although I would just buy an additional RC). The Rustler and Bandit are almost identical with the exception of tires and bodywork so converting a bandit to Rustler and vise versa takes a body and wheel swap and a spur gear change.
If you desire to be a professional track racer or at least spend some quality time at the track cutting your teeth on racing, go buy a Traxxas Rustler or Bandit there is no better starter trucks than a Traxxas Rustler for the beginner racer. If you want to just have fun, jumping, bashing, and in general running amuck in your neighborhood and grassy areas of your yard, the Stampede is your RC. Sure the Rustler will do this but will require big wheels being added like Moabs or Masher 2000 added and a spur gear change to have the same abilities as the Stampede. I also believe the Stampede chassis to be much more suited to handle extreme abuse more so than the Rustler/Bandit chassis. Whatever your decision buy the RPM Wide Bumper right away for either, this must have $5 upgrade will save you the pain, agony and cost of replacing front end components.
Whether you just like to terrorize the neighborhood or are a seasoned RC veteran, the Stampede, Rustler, and Bandit are durable, low maintenance RC trucks that provides tons of fun in stock and modified forms all at a price that is hard to beat.
What length should me antenna be?
The stock replacement length is 22 3/4"-"23 measured from the edge of the receiver. Adjust accordingly.
What is the lowest turn motor I can gear properly for the Stampede/Rustler/Bandit?
With the stock MSC and old stock XL-1 ESC the limit is 17 turns, however with a higher performance ESC you could go as low as a 14 turn motor without having problems properly gearing the new motor. Almost any brushless motor will work as the power of the brushless motors makes all by the lowest turn brushless motors very gear-able in the Stampede, Rustler, and Bandit and work on a different set of rules and can be geared appropriately regardless of their specified "turn". The new 2006 XL-5 can handle 15 Turn regular 540 sized motors and 12 Turn larger Maxx sized 550 Motors.
What are the some of the standard modifications most people make to hop up their Stampede/Rustler/Bandit - yes for the most part even the new 2006 models?
Below is a list of some common modifications that can increase durability, speed, and your overall enjoyment of the your RC.
RPM Bumper - $5 (a must have item, if you buy nothing else, buy this)
Washer backed motor mount - $0-5 for parts
Make it easy, measure you antenna length and write it with a permanent marker on the receiver or better yet on a piece of paper and put it inside the receiver. That way if you shear off an antenna (and you will), you can just cut a new one and re-attach it. You will thank me later.
Traxxas Aluminum Shock Caps - $10 (Once on - never had a problem)
Shock Strengthening - Add two Silicon O rings per shock to gently limit shock over travel - $0-5 for parts (insurance against breakage)
RPM Gear Cover - $5 (insurance against breakage)
Floppy Antenna Fix with shrink wrap or electrical tape - $0 (Fixes an annoyance and protects antenna)
Aired Tires - $0 (better performance & traction)
CA Glue tires/rims - $5 (better traction - less tire to rim spin under torque)
Adjustable front camber links - $10 (corrects camber alignment issues)
RPM 5X11 Bearing carriers and stainless steel sealed bearings - $30 (more spin)
Various Pinion/Spur gears - $25
Differential Repack with heavy grease - $2 (like a limited slip differential.)
Converted pivot screw on rear shock to a pivot ball - performance and durability
Replace stock front shock tower with a Nitro Rustler Front Shock Tower
Traxxas aluminum idler gear - you Will break the plastic idler, everyone does, but will probably never have another transmission problem after replacing the idler gear with aluminum I never have will the exception of a differential replacement.
All power connectors upgraded to Deans Plugs or Power Poles - $20 (More Power!)
All power wires upgraded to Deans or equivalent 12 Gauge Wire - $5 (More Power!)
A higher performance ESC and motor - the stock 2006 model is pretty good already.
Wide-pede conversion - performance and stability.
Aftermarket tires - performance and durability - the stock 2006 are really very good.
RPM Lower shock cups - Longer, deeper, and stronger than stock - less likely to break or pop off.
Custom lightened chassis - $0 (Shaved weight but it took time and patience)
Lowered/Shaved body mounts to lower body. - $0 (Dremel-ed them down for a lower look)
Suspension Kingpin e-clip upgrade (insurance against breakage)
Is the XL-1 a good ESC (electronic speed control)?
The XL-1 is a great ESC to get you going in the hobby. The second part of the answer is that Traxxas has attempted to provide a good quality ESC affordably and as such it may not compare with as many features, have as much power, or as low a motor turn limit as other speed controls available which can cost significantly more. As your skills increase, you may want to add a more feature rich and more powerful speed control which can accommodate lower turn limit more powerful motors OR go directly to a brushless system which will put you money ahead in the long run.
Is the new XL-5 a good ESC (electronic speed control)?
The XL-5 is a very nice ESC and should provide you with everything you need from and ESC until you move to a brushless system - which by the way should be your next move from a cost efficiency perspective.
How should I gear my Stampede, Rustler or Bandit?
The pre-2006 models come geared stock at 78/18 Bandit, 84/18 Rustler, and 87/18 Stampede. The general rule is to run a stock sized spur (the big gear) with 2 teeth less for the pinion (the small gear) than the Turns of the motor. So let's say you pick up a Trinity Pro-Amber 17T or a new SV2 17T, you should probably gear at 15/87 on the Stampede as an example.
On the new 2006 models the spurs are available in 76, 83, 86, and 90 tooth sizes with the 86 being stock. The new pinions from Traxxas range from 18, 19, 23, to 25 teeth.
The 5 Second Rule applies to gearing where if you can hold your finger on the motor for more than 5 seconds the gearing is fine. If not your need to go down one or a couple teeth on the pinion until you find the point where the motors operating temperature runs cool enough to pass the 5 Second Rule.
