Traxxas Bandit indoor clay race build

[BeastyShout]

So, inspired by MXACRES on YouTube I’m building a Bandit from the ground up because I figure if I bought the buggy whole, I’d wind up replacing everything eventually, so why not just build it from the ground up with good parts to begin with(?).

Starting with the front end parts on order so far:

• Chassis with battery strap and esc platform, eBay (thought it was the black one, but turned out to be grey. Oh well)

• R-Designs CF shock tower (holes for dayz)

• Black top chassis plate

• stock bumper

• aluminum bulkhead (blue)

• RPM arms

• aluminum caster block (blue)

• RPM steering block

• HR steering bellcrank (black)

• turnbuckles

Going with a plastic-aluminum-plastic-aluminum theme for the suspension bits to keep it somewhat rugged but not too rigid that there’s no flex. Hoping that works pretty well.

I’ve got an Associated B6.3 body laying around I’ve heard it’ll fit with some trimming. Also have some Associated factory team shocks I could use. I plan on picking up a Savox 1258 on the used market, and stock ESCs are cheap enough whether I go with Hobbywing or a Reedy RTR unit. Clamp on hexes for the rear, and I know for sure that Associated 71127 front hex axles work with the TRX steering blocks. Got plenty of hex wheels with slicks. Plenty of 12mm springs and oils to experiment with. Also, have a Reedy Sonic 17.5 motor to go with it.

Pretty stoked to get this project going.

[rc10nick]

Bandit builds seem to be the "in thing" lately! Can't wait to see yours, sounds like it will be a good one.

I know for sure that Associated 71127 front hex axles work with the TRX steering blocks.

Really? I didn't know this. I always though the ae front axles weren't long enough to use with the traxxas steering blocks. If they work I'll have to get a set for mine because so far the front axles are the worst part of my build, lol.

[BeastyShout]

Really? I didn't know this. I always though the ae front axles weren't long enough to use with the traxxas steering blocks. If they work I'll have to get a set for mine because so far the front axles are the worst part of my build, lol.

Yessir, check out this thread for details. I had to shim it out because of the wrong size screw I had on hand (it was too long). You probably won't even need to shim it if you had the correct screws. Otherwise, it worked great on the B4.

https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?p=564202#p564202

[BeastyShout]

Took the B6 body to the LHS to test fit on a Bandit, and it did not fit. I don't know how MXAcres was able to get one to fit on his. Looks like I'm getting a new body for it then, which is fine. Make rear cab great again. I was around when the transition to forward cab became all the rage with the Proline Bulldog, and now I'm sick of seeing them. It's kind of endearing to see a rear cab on the track, especially one with a big TRAXXAS sticker on the side.

Instead of making the Traxxas axles to maintain hexes without falling off, I went ahead and bought another set of 71127 axles. This combo is tried and true:
RPM steering + 71127 hex axles


Most of my front end parts don't come in til the end of the week. I wager that this car won't be finished for another month or so. My wife is eventually going to notice that pile of parts one day turned into another toy car.

Wish list so I don't forget:

-RPM transmission case
-Aluminum shock tower of some sort
-RPM rear arms
-HR slipper eliminator
-Exotek CVDs
-RPM stub axle carriers
-rear shocks, probably GTR big bore
-old school Spektrum DSM rx
-HW stock esc or Reedy SC600
-some sort of sealed diff
-new body
-B6 wing mount

[Chewbacca]

This is a really interesting build. Cool info on the RPM + 71127 parts.

Now bodies, I find the repro bodies from penguin rc as well as TBG quite nice, I think the Losi JRX Pro SE or XX bodies are easy to fit to different vehicles.

If you want to stay Traxxas, the TRX3 Repro body by Penguin is a good fit and has that old school look.

The last suggestion I'm going to make is the PU-0004 body by pulse RC for the Team Durango (now bankrupt) DEX 210. LINK

That is if you can find that body in the US.

I hope some of this helps with your progress.

[BeastyShout]

Front end is done-ish. UPS lost the bumper so ordered a replacement. Looking like the aluminum bulkhead might be lost as well. If it doesn’t turn up by tomorrow I’ll order another.



Unfortunately, the RPM outer hinges are a bit beefy and binds with the steering block a tad bit, so a quick Dremel job solved that. Also, had to bore out the caster block hinge with a 1/8 bit to fit the pin.

Ordered:
-esc
-rx
-servo
-transmission
-HR rear axle carriers
-steel CVDs
-clear body

[BeastyShout]

Aluminum bulkhead finally came through.



So far, these parts have went together with no issue. No slop in the suspension at all. Everything is TIGHT, but I think that just means you can’t really tune the wheelbase or caster angles and such.

[BeastyShout]

Starting to look like a car. Hoping to be able to drive it by Sunday or Monday.

[morrisey0]

If you need a couple of beater bodies, check out https://www.ebay.com/itm/395363701421?itmmeta=01HX7N26BFEBVGHB6R51880EB4&hash=item5c0d8352ad:g:U20AAOSwMXxmKoeT&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAAwJ8NVahmoVShqYnJUyMelbKcQzMXsg%2FQ1KaSziscqqwG8a7fjnXzP4JiNuoL6OZtM8k3lbWpYX1PGpAWo%2FIQK6yAvRAMpy5TTQn5TRNFP6vXWp%2BPUqaJwlJzAFkQ154mqBdVAwehIZfxWj2vx%2FudG9oK149L3%2B%2BHuuv9ftT9jlkJWmTcmuPNNpG3s5fE0HUEp%2FQerDo2ErdsuV6piqoxaAxJaTXBR79TjW5x7jESqfEZ4XzHlEwqB4S0ltVB%2B1JmUA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5TmiPXpYw
Two prepainted bodies for $40 shipped is hard to beat. I worked with the seller through FBMP, and he dug up a orange / blue for me out of the pile.

[BeastyShout]

Side by side with a B4 +8.


The Bandito has about a 4mm longer wheelbase. Pretty much done. Just waiting on the driveshafts and transmission to be delivered. Bought the black gearbox as a spare but I might build out a backup tranny.

Cannibalized the servo, rx, and rear shocks from the B4.


And the Hot Racing rear uprights take 5x11x4 bearings instead of the 5x8x2.5 that the stock uprights take. Also, standard AE wheels rub against the shock mount screw when positioned all the way out on the rear arms. Had to move the shocks to the middle holes to prevent rubbing.


Just about done. Tranny and driveshafts supposed to deliver tomorrow. If I play it right, maybe take it to the track that evening.




Ordered: Hot Racing sway bars for the Slash 2WD and slipper eliminator.

[rc10nick]

Great built! I love the antenna tube - really adds to the old school feel. I want to add one to my bandit even though I don't need it at all. lol

[BeastyShout]

Great built! I love the antenna tube - really adds to the old school feel. I want to add one to my bandit even though I don't need it at all. lol

Thanks! Yeah, I'm running an old school M11 with the Spektrum module, so I guess I need to put the antenna up.

The steel driveshafts ordered were advertised for the Bandit however they were too long, so I suspect it is for a Slash. Running the stock plastic driveshafts on it for now. Would like to get the Exotek drag CVDs in the future. Otherwise, everything is wired up and calibrated. Should get a track report this evening.

Also, the tranny was advertised with hex screws, but it came with regular phillips head fasteners.



Here's the electrics more/less. I should probably shorten the battery leads.


Probably need to add some weight to the nose end.

[BeastyShout]

Ended up not needing to add weight to the front. It was actually pretty dialed with whatever setting I put on it.

I was dying for more speed out of the 17.5, then remembered that I turned the timing to zero. Will need to get back to the track after blasting the timing up to 40.

Otherwise, stuck a fan on the motor using a B6 fan mount.

[Dangeruss]

That's a good lookin' buggy, really diggin' the tri-color paint job.

Awesome the car ran so well on its first outing too.

[Lavigna]

This is a very cool idea. I have enjoyed your build. It's a good looking car. As much as I hate modern Traxxas, I am a huge fan of their early race cars.