That would be the original 2.5 T-Maxx (model # 4910). The black Tranny, plus the black RX & battery box put it around the 2003 vintage. It's the short chassis version (you can tell by the cut out under the exhaust pipe). Depending on what the previous owner did, it could have been widened up to the newer specs with the RPM arms. It did not come with a 3.3, and definitely not an OS .18TM.

The tranny that's on yours is quite strong, once the reverse gear is removed, but it uses the old style slipper pegs, and much weaker center driveshafts. You can upgrade to a Revo-spec slipper, but it will limit your spur gear choices. Regardless, once you get the tranny fixed, be prepared to start twisting off rear center shafts. That OS is just too much for the stock plastic ones. Mine got so bad that I had 4 or 5 spares with my everytime I went out. Eventually, I found a set of center CVD's for the short chassis, which seems to have fixed that problem. Upgrading to the newer heavy duty plastic shafts would work, but they don't make them for the short chassis, so you'd have to upgrade to the longer chassis, plus shafts.

I wouldn't say you got shafted, but you paid close to top dollar for a very old truck that needs some TLC. You'll also find that aftermarket hop-up parts are becoming harder to find for this vintage. I have the same truck (mine is heavily modified), and I'm running into the same problems.

I'm likely going to sell mine, and either get a newer version to play with when I'm not racing my truggy, or switch to a Losi LST, or Associated MGT.

If you really like your truck, I'd check out some of the ebay links posted above. i saw a complete long chassis, gray tranny, and center shafts for $69.99 (buy it now). That would solve a lot of your problems, and would open you up to many more options for aftermarket parts. Your front and rear sections will bolt right up, as will your motor and electronics.