I really can't believe im asking this question, as a current owner of a HPI Baja 5T and previous owner of a Savage Flux and first and only Traxxas products, a Revo 3.3
I was not impressed with the build quality and design of my Revo 3.3 back in 2007, the diffs were a PITA to get too, always leaked, the TRX engine never held a tune worth crap and the stock plastic components always broke.
I've been enjoying at long last owning a Baja after three years of thinking of doing it. I do very much enjoy it, however the ownership cost is starting to give me pause on how far I really want to go with modifying and bash proofing my 5T as there is no racing in my area of any kind, its just bashing.
My Revo 3.3 left a sour taste in my mouth with Traxxass products, but their Slash line has been getting so much damn attention within the last year and especially now with a 4x4 version out, its just insane how people peeps are buying these. As well as all the hop ups available is just downright insane.
That being said, I am a basher so I take my RC basically almost anywhere with the exception of mud, rain and snow as my Flux wasn't waterproof and cleaning my 5T is a royal chore. I loved my Savage Flux that I had last year, but I got kinda tired of babying Lipo batteries and having to charge two batteries for one vehicle.
Just today, I finished a bash session with my 5T at my local 1/8th sale track and although it was fun, the amount of clean up work and already having to replace a few parts really made me start thinking I should give Traxxass another shot, especially with a waterproof, brushless, 4x4 Slash that looks like it could take me anywhere and do anything.
I don't know much about SC trucks and they visually don't really look like bashers in comparison to monster trucks. That being said, exactly how far can you push one of these Slash 4x4's to the point where you just blowing shocks, diffs and other things as a result of not having enough ground clearance? How have the electronics held up in wet/snowy weather? I've always wanted to drive in the snow up in Montana, but my Flux wasn't water proof and Lipo's don't like cold weather.
I pretty much plan on getting the Slash Ultimate edition so I get alot of hop ups right outa the box along with some extra goodies. What would I need to get to help "bash proof" this truck?
Basically, help a curious but cautious Slash noob out here, so I can make an informed decision in the near future of how much I wanna spend putting money into my 5T vs getting another Traxxas product that may or may not fufill my needs. Can you even drive these things through grass due to the low ground clearance? Again, im used to Monster trucks....
Basically, sell me a 4x4 Slash if you can. Vids and pics are a great help to back up your claims.
I owned a slash 4x4 for a brief time. I don't race. The first thing I changed out was the vxl because the motor was getting too hot for constant going and stopping. I can see if you race, you wouldn't have that problem. I bent both from shock pistons from bad landings and run into things. It was a fun truck. I would have kept it, but I would have to spend some money to make it more durable for bashing. After I sold the slash, I bought a used ERBE. I love it. I run the Xerun 80A with the KD 9xl motor with 2s or 4s. I can have very bad landings and run into things and it keeps going. Personally, by the time you spend the money to upgrade the slash, it would cost as much as the ERBE. Another option is the new Slayer Pro that is coming out. It's basically a 1/8 scale SC. I would get it if I was into nitro. I will probably get one if they ever come out with an electric version.
I don't have a 4X4 Slash but from my expirence with the 2WD they are quite bashable, but you will probably find yourself getting a aftermarket body pretty soon. The stock VXL motor should be powerful enough for you, especially on 3S lipo. Also If you're worried about ground clearance you can always convert it to a MT just with: MT body, MT Wheels & tyres, 17mm? wheel adapters and an extended front body mount(I think thats all). Just Google "slash monster truck build" and you'll find some info and builds.
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My OCD is kicking in again and its saying I need to get a Slash 4x4 so I can enjoy all around bashing, even during the winter time and not have to worry about frying the electronics vs my Flux. I really like how adaptable the Slash 4x4 is for a variety of conditions from what i've seen of other people rids and I really like that it only needs 1 battery to run vs 2 for my Flux. But I still have such a bitter taste about Traxxas products after my Revo 3.3 experience as well, so im kinda scared and yet curious to give Traxxas one more try.
Grrr... and yet I need to finish Frostbyte II Savage Flux build as well but now i'm wondering if a Slash 4x4 would be better suited for my needs for year round bashing and cost savings. Stupid OCD...
The Slash 4x4 is great, hands down. Personally, I'd get the RTR version and just get the big bores. That's all you need. I've owned 4-5 Slash 4x4s and loved them all but not once have I ever broken a hub, castor, or steering knuckle in plastic versions and all the aluminum will do is bend and make your axles even more wobbly.
The ground clearance can be an issue but there are ways around that. I modded one of my 4x4s to be a Baja w/ 17mm adaptors and 1/8 truggy wheels. Ran it on a 2230kv Hobbywing motor and on 6S for stupid speed runs on a MM Pro and 3S for regular bashing which was plenty and temps stayed ice cold. There are tons of upgrades available but only RPM arms are really necessary along with TiN shaft and aluminum bodies. STRC makes great upgrades for the truck including shock bodies. I'm not a huge fan of the aluminum big bores but the shafts are a must.
Center diff and sway bars will actually make bashing more difficult so don't bother with either. And aluminum is not all it's cracked up to be.
Bottom line, get one. They're a blast, EASIEST thing to work on ever (whole rear end comes off with 5 screws!), tough as nails, and just good for everything.
If interested I have a Platinum edition with the plastic parts installed, big bores, sway bars, and center diff for sale as a roller or ARTR (need radio unless you wanna pay $140 extra for Futaba 3pk w/ Spektrum) that I'm looking to get $150 and add your own motor/ESC/Servo, $250 add radio or $395 w/ 3pk and receiver.
In short the slash 4x4 makes a ok bashing truck, add a whole list of RPM upgrades such as arms, bearing carriers, bumpers and a few others and it becomes a great little bashing truck. If you like to bash and go to the track to bash every now and then you'll like it. Oh and you cant beat the look of a short course truck catching some BIG AIR!
Yeah, I think im just sad/bitter because I have hardly been able to drive my Flux at all since I bought it a month ago because i've been so excited to do a build on it and get it how I want it, visually anyway. I've spent crap loads money and almost no driving/fun time to show for it.
I should probably just buy one along with my Flux and see how well I like it rather then selling my beloved Flux on a whim on something that I may end up hating and regretting
I have one and I thoroughly enjoy it. I hear the rear drive axles are a weak point, but I haven't had an issue and, I just recently replaced them with MIP CVD's.
I have run it -- accidentally -- through mud and water on numerous occasions. It came out and asked for more. I recently have had to replace a bunch of bearings that I'm sure the water had some role in making them seize. On the bright side, I haven't run it in water for a few months now, so they lasted a while after.
I toasted a rear differential and slipper bearing/adapter on a 3S. You'll want to get the Traxxas or King Headz aluminum upgrade for this. The diff. I hit a curb pretty darn hard and broke a front A-arm, blew up the shock and bent the shaft for it.
This in almost a year of bashing at least twice a week, many times more. I've recently relaxed and replaced many parts because I want to race it. Overall, I'm very happy with its durability. I had a Rustler first and thought that could take a beating, but in my case, I'd argue the Slash 4x4 could take a worse beating and keep on cruising.
All this aside, the first thing you want to do is lose the Traxxas(s) mentality. I don't mean that in a negative way, just that if you're gonna drop $400, make sure it's something you want.
Any other input? I've been hearing peeps have been having overheating issues with the VXL motors, what's the info on that? Can you put a heatsink on them?
Maybe try and snag a nice roller on here and put your own Novak or Tekin system in it (along with your own radio system). The VXL does get a little hot!
Any other input? I've been hearing peeps have been having overheating issues with the VXL motors, what's the info on that? Can you put a heatsink on them?
With what batts? Wow if you run just a reg. 2s you should be just fine! Slash is the best bang for your buck! From bash to racing its a durable truck! Hard to brake! Seen it done but wow he hit hard! Best thing about the ESC is if it should go bad $20 bucks gets you a new one from Traxxas!
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Any other input? I've been hearing peeps have been having overheating issues with the VXL motors, what's the info on that? Can you put a heatsink on them?
Buy 1 , try it , they are amazing , if you dont like the brushless sytem but like the car , take the system out of the slash and sell it and then take the brushless system out of your flux and throw it in the slash . It will be crazy powerfull and never over heat. I had a flux , great truck , i just find the slash a world easier to work on in everyway , plus i like the fact that i only need one battery for it. I pretty much charge up about 6 packs the night before , meet some friend's and can bash for a few hour's and i am good. The slash is tough , very tough but i wouldnt say as tough as the flux is. On a scale of 1-10 with ten being the toughest , i'd give the flux a 10 and the slash 4x4 a 8.75 but this can be changed with rpm arm's and just a custom cover to protect the small spaces wich rocks can get into the drive shaft.... Just My Opinion ....
How bashable are Slash 4x4's?
