Need advice on buying my first truck...

mr.s4ndm4n · 10-20-2009, 06:59 PM

I'm pretty set that i want to get the Traxxas Revo 3.3, but because i'm new to this hobby, i'm looking for advice on other necessities that I need to buy to go along with my truck?

Anything that you guys can recommend (that doesn't already come with my in the box w/ the Revo 3.3) is much appreciated. Links would be nice too.

mister-e-meat · 10-20-2009, 07:14 PM

fuel,fuel bottle,AA batteries,six cell stick pack for easy starter and i think thats it some add ons i would recommend 17 mm hex adapters and traxxas swaybar kit tan sprins for the rear and green in the front.

OG RC 10T · 10-20-2009, 08:14 PM

In addition to the above get your self some thicker shock oil to go with the heaver springs.

Pick up a bottle of 50w, 55w, and 60w. Try them and see what suits your driving the best. The stock suspension is way to soft and has tons of body roll.

Lastly the diffs have 30k weight in them, you will notice that when in a turn all of the power will unload to the inside wheels. If your on a track leave the 30k in the rear and put 50k front, if your just bashing with the truck put 50k both front and rear.

OG RC 10T · 10-20-2009, 08:15 PM

.... Also dont forget a temp gun to properly tune your motor.

rglamis · 10-20-2009, 10:44 PM

and on top of what the others have said,

center diff and rear break,take out opti drive and put a forward only kit in it,wing kit and wing, take the stock steering servos out and put a single arm set up to run one servo,a hitec hs-7955tg servo for steering works great. it will turn a lot better.rpm a-arms are a lot better then stock.

boomgagem · 10-20-2009, 10:55 PM

Heat gun
Temp gun
RX battery pack (2 if you can afford it)
RX Battery pack charger
7.2 Nicad battery for the EZ Start (Don't be cheap get a good battery)
After Run Oil
Spare air filters
Air filter oil
A set of nice hex tools (Metric 1.5, 2.0, 2.5mm)
4 way wrench (The one traxxas sends is awful)
Pack of body clips

Get either the 5308 version or the Platinum, these don't have reverse. As for hop ups, I would definitely get a wing (platinum comes with one). I'd go ahead and get a glow plug ignitor as well, that blue wire for the EZ Start is terrible.

mr.s4ndm4n · 10-21-2009, 06:11 AM

Thanks for all the replies!!

But, i'm COMPLETELY new to this and some of the things you guys have said are WAY over my head at the moment. Also could you give me some links to a some of the items you are suggesting so i can see what it is and learn some of the lingo.

ajb1205 · 10-21-2009, 04:02 PM

For someone new to the hobby, and new to the Revo (great choice BTW), I would get the following (other than fuel, batteries, etc):

1. Traxxas wing mount and wing of your choice (great wheelie bar, added protection for the body but more important the engine, and a great grab handle)

2. Hand held temp gun - everyone says not to tune by temps but when you are new to nitro rc a $25 temp gun could be the difference between a distroyed engine or a well tuned one.

3. Good quality hex drivers...1.5mm, 2.0mm, 2.5mm...worth every penny. I would recommend Hudy...spend the money now and they will last a long, long time.

From there, read as much as you can to learn how it all works (tuning, etc). You can then upgrade/replace parts as you break them or need them.

Good luck and have fun!

OG RC 10T · 10-21-2009, 05:35 PM

It would be more difficult to link everything to you. I would suggest going on to tower hobbies web site and type in the suggestions, as that would be much quicker for you and who ever is trying to reply.

For the lingo - Traxxas.com has a great forum where you can learn just about everything for the revo, in depth. There also are great break downs of each component for you to look at, incase you need to repair anything.

Good luck, its a great truck.

Just throwing this out there - if your very new, you may want to consider the eRevo. Im not trying to start a nitro vs. electric debate as they are both great in there own way, but if you get good nimh battery packs, its an easier way to learn. - again just my thought.

mr.s4ndm4n · 10-21-2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OG RC 10T

It would be more difficult to link everything to you. I would suggest going on to tower hobbies web site and type in the suggestions, as that would be much quicker for you and who ever is trying to reply.

For the lingo - Traxxas.com has a great forum where you can learn just about everything for the revo, in depth. There also are great break downs of each component for you to look at, incase you need to repair anything.

Good luck, its a great truck.

Just throwing this out there - if your very new, you may want to consider the eRevo. Im not trying to start a nitro vs. electric debate as they are both great in there own way, but if you get good nimh battery packs, its an easier way to learn. - again just my thought.

Thanks for your advice! And yeah, i did consider getting the E-Revo but: 1) I want to take the challenge and learn all about the nitro's, 2) I don't want to be limited by batteries, and 3) the electric trucks seem to be more expensive.

OG RC 10T · 10-21-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.s4ndm4n

Thanks for your advice! And yeah, i did consider getting the E-Revo but: 1) I want to take the challenge and learn all about the nitro's, 2) I don't want to be limited by batteries, and 3) the electric trucks seem to be more expensive.

Understandable. Electrics may seem more expensive but by the time you get everything you need for both the electric or the nitiro, the total cost is actually about the same.

Now if you go brushless and lipo batteries, with electric, you will see a increase in price.

mr.s4ndm4n · 10-21-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OG RC 10T

Understandable. Electrics may seem more expensive but by the time you get everything you need for both the electric or the nitiro, the total cost is actually about the same.

Now if you go brushless and lipo batteries, with electric, you will see a increase in price.

Yeah, thats what i was looking at in the electric trucks: cost of lipo batteries, and the brushless edition trucks. And charge times of the batteries isn't very appealing to me either. No doubt though, i'll probably eventually get a electric truck sooner or later.

Also, what kind of charger do i need for w/e batteries are used on the revo 3.3??

boomgagem · 10-22-2009, 11:24 AM

I would just get the Thunder AC6 charger. It will charge your receiver battery and ez start battery, plus it will charge lipo batteries too. It's about $55 bucks, so by the time you buy 2 separate chargers you'll be about the same price.

mister-e-meat · 10-22-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.s4ndm4n

Yeah, thats what i was looking at in the electric trucks: cost of lipo batteries, and the brushless edition trucks. And charge times of the batteries isn't very appealing to me either. No doubt though, i'll probably eventually get a electric truck sooner or later.

Also, what kind of charger do i need for w/e batteries are used on the revo 3.3??

it should come with a crappy little wall charger but if you wanted to upgrade i would recommend http://www.hobbypartz.com/thac6smbachw.html
its the best bang for your buck no power supply needed

2k7bkr · 10-23-2009, 12:28 AM

good choice for your first nitro (mine was an traxxas s-maxx many moons ago ) Just for your info. I think the new revo 3.3 are forward only, but can be converted to do reverse as well. Also if you ever choose to go electric, there are many aftermarket options that allow you to make your Revo electric.