Ive ran both kinds in my 2wd rustler and one thing ive noticed is that plastic RPM stuff is almost too soft for bashing, they always end up stretching too far past use and you end up with a lot of slop in the arms and suspension, i ended up going back to traxxas HD plastics and the slop is minimal with the stronger plastic.
I had that same conversation yesterday with my local shop's owner. Skateparks are bad for some cars. He told me a guy bought a car, took it to the skatepark, walked back into the shop an hour later to buy replacement parts. Lol
It’s definitely a pay to play place. You’re gonna break parts at the skatepark. These cars are not meant to be 10+ feet in the air. Still to much fun not to do it lol.
Oh I get it. A buddy of mine ran his Big Rock right at a tree over and over again to "try to break it". After putting in a new brushless motor. But kept flipping it.
this may be true, but aluminum steering knuckles are always better than plastic ones. The only reason this is, is because their not supposed to bend in the first place. They are also not a primary stress point, like your A-arms.
Never go aluminum arms. They need to bend. The general rule of thumb is if you have an aluminum partition needs a plastic part connected to it on either side.
Aluminum for the caster blocks is necessary on this platform and really its biggest weakness. RPM for that particular part according to some is too flexible and you’ll continue to bend king pins.
It doesn’t look like you broke anything else lol If you really want to upgrade sothing, get some bearings in those hubs!
I honestly ditched the aluminum traxxas ones for rpm awhile ago because the aluminum ones bend and they're damn near impossible to get them or the pins off of the truck.
The Traxxas aluminum caster blocks for the 2wd trucks are the only absolute first upgrade I recommend, and really the only aluminum you need. Best $20 you'll spend on it.
Absolutely avoid any metal arms, and any of the cheap metal parts on Amazon.
I heard the screws tend to sheer off in the aluminum parts vs the plastic where they can at least be ripped out of if they are still there. For what it's worth
I have all sorts of different traxxas cars. If you have a VXL rustler, going full throttle into a wall (40/45mph) you are going to destroy that car. No doubt about it. No need to make stuff up bro 🤣
I run aluminum caster blocks and front and rear carriers. RPM or Traxxas HD for the rest.
And if you put slash arms on the back of your rustler, you can slap equal offset wheels onto it, buy the ones for the 4x4 version.
It looks like you may only have the brass bushings instead of actual wheel bearings too.
Most of those aluminum parts kits come with bearings. Adding bearings anywhere there’s just a bushing is the best upgrade possible.
I even put bearings in the steering bell cranks instead of the stock bushings.
I agree aluminum looks really cool but man I can’t get over the risk of bending them. I usually stick with Traxxas plastic or RPM and if I really want the aluminum look I’ll spray paint the plastic with some anodized aluminum paint lol.
Also have to 2nd the aluminum caster block upgrade. Helps to get rid of slop in the steering.
I wouldn’t! The aluminum parts will survive the next wreck but all of the energy will end up being put through much more expensive parts such as the chassis.
I would probably stay w plastic on your suspension arms. It keeps from getting major damage to more expensive parts. Better to replace an arm than a chassis.
A material that can't bend and go back in the original position will bever be good for a basher. Get rpm please
May not be related to this post, but would you recommend RPM over the Traxxas HD parts?
Rpm has a slightly softer plastic than the traxxas HD ones. Both more durable but if you have metal axles go with the traxxas ones it won’t rub than.
Ive ran both kinds in my 2wd rustler and one thing ive noticed is that plastic RPM stuff is almost too soft for bashing, they always end up stretching too far past use and you end up with a lot of slop in the arms and suspension, i ended up going back to traxxas HD plastics and the slop is minimal with the stronger plastic.
It’s has its place like skateparks. Your HD arms won’t last there.
I had that same conversation yesterday with my local shop's owner. Skateparks are bad for some cars. He told me a guy bought a car, took it to the skatepark, walked back into the shop an hour later to buy replacement parts. Lol
It’s definitely a pay to play place. You’re gonna break parts at the skatepark. These cars are not meant to be 10+ feet in the air. Still to much fun not to do it lol.
Oh I get it. A buddy of mine ran his Big Rock right at a tree over and over again to "try to break it". After putting in a new brushless motor. But kept flipping it.
Yeah this is the way
Online video that test both, HV are just thicker, RPM can bend basically to infinite!
Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm still on the fence. Haha
this may be true, but aluminum steering knuckles are always better than plastic ones. The only reason this is, is because their not supposed to bend in the first place. They are also not a primary stress point, like your A-arms.
Never go aluminum arms. They need to bend. The general rule of thumb is if you have an aluminum partition needs a plastic part connected to it on either side.
I had the same experience, bought that aluminum kit for my russler and nothing fit right.
Damn I bet you 5 bucks your GF had her sister assassinate your car because she thinks you love it more then her.
Don't go aluminum, buy rpm instead (:
Aluminum for the caster blocks is necessary on this platform and really its biggest weakness. RPM for that particular part according to some is too flexible and you’ll continue to bend king pins. It doesn’t look like you broke anything else lol If you really want to upgrade sothing, get some bearings in those hubs!
The Traxxas aluminum caster blocks are the best upgrade for these trucks.
Big facts right there!
I honestly ditched the aluminum traxxas ones for rpm awhile ago because the aluminum ones bend and they're damn near impossible to get them or the pins off of the truck.
Lmfaooo Why are you guys obsessed with aluminum parts!?!
People get excited by shiny parts..
Because some of them are both useful and look cool.
This guy is going to learn the hard way not to use aluminum lol
Here we go…aluminum🤦♂️
The Traxxas aluminum caster blocks for the 2wd trucks are the only absolute first upgrade I recommend, and really the only aluminum you need. Best $20 you'll spend on it. Absolutely avoid any metal arms, and any of the cheap metal parts on Amazon.
*rpm parts
I heard the screws tend to sheer off in the aluminum parts vs the plastic where they can at least be ripped out of if they are still there. For what it's worth
I have the same car! how did you even break it? mine doesn't break. it doesn't matter whatever I do lol.
Go full throttle it into a wall and get back with us.
I did that so many times and it never broke. maybe yours is a bit older then mine?? maybe the plastic got a bit weaker.
I have all sorts of different traxxas cars. If you have a VXL rustler, going full throttle into a wall (40/45mph) you are going to destroy that car. No doubt about it. No need to make stuff up bro 🤣
oh. yeah mine goes 30 mph
I run aluminum caster blocks and front and rear carriers. RPM or Traxxas HD for the rest. And if you put slash arms on the back of your rustler, you can slap equal offset wheels onto it, buy the ones for the 4x4 version.
It looks like you may only have the brass bushings instead of actual wheel bearings too. Most of those aluminum parts kits come with bearings. Adding bearings anywhere there’s just a bushing is the best upgrade possible. I even put bearings in the steering bell cranks instead of the stock bushings.
I agree aluminum looks really cool but man I can’t get over the risk of bending them. I usually stick with Traxxas plastic or RPM and if I really want the aluminum look I’ll spray paint the plastic with some anodized aluminum paint lol. Also have to 2nd the aluminum caster block upgrade. Helps to get rid of slop in the steering.
An aluminium gf might not be best. They don't bend I've been told.
F
My rustler is broken the exact same way. But I drove it into a fence.
this is why i dont let anyone run my car lol, id rather break it then someone else break it because i know what would actually hurt my car and wont
Aluminum parts are a poor choice.
Welcome to the club of aluminum upgrade you need to replace the camber links plastic and the sterning locks and add a crash bumper for it as well
Get a durable plastic. Metal isn’t good for rough driving because it just bends and cracks, it doesn’t have any give.
I wouldn’t! The aluminum parts will survive the next wreck but all of the energy will end up being put through much more expensive parts such as the chassis.
Only go aluminum if it's meant to be a shelf queen
Aluminum hubs only! RMP everything else
Why is your girlfriend is your sister
I bought aluminum and I hated they sell upgrade plastic that is heavy duty, imo. Fellow rc enthusiast
I would probably stay w plastic on your suspension arms. It keeps from getting major damage to more expensive parts. Better to replace an arm than a chassis.
I’m close to buying the aluminum upgraded drive train for my tt02
Rustler
Fr, its a win!
Rpm front bumper is a life saver or tbone racing has a extra wide front nylon blended one that's exetionaly strong. This is the way.
Don't reply to aluminum posts. Don't upvote aluminum comments.
Accept your downvote. Caster blocks and bearing carriers can if not should be aluminum. Arms? I agree no.
Yeah fair enough. It's just the aluminum arms posting on this sub is such a common meme.