Traxxas Radicator

[Dangeruss]

Traxxas released their Radicator 1/10th 2wd electric buggy in 1989 as an evolution of the Bullett released in 1988. The Bullet was Traxxas' third vehicle and first competition level buggy. The Radicator however, lowered the purchase price while still providing a race ready platform. It accomplished this by replacing the Bullet's gold anodized aluminum chassis and fiberglass upper deck with an injection molded nylon tub, substituting the aluminum oil-filled adjustable coilover shocks for ABS plastic versions and used one-piece wheels instead of three-piece. The remainder of the four-wheel independent suspension with its long lower a-arms and turnbuckle upper camber links, from the spindles to the bulkhead up front and hub carriers to the transmission case integrated arm mounts in the rear was the same. Even the gold anodized aluminum shock towers and motor plate were carried over from the Bullet. To its credit, the new chassis mounted the battery lower and inline rather than transversely for improved handling, the new shocks received valved pistons for quicker rebound, and a new metal gear planetary differential was installed in the existing case. Knobby rubber tires, bushings, and a clear lexan body round out the unassembled kit while the RTR version received an XL-1 reversing ESC, RS-540S motor, pistol grip radio system and painted body. To bring the Radicator up to competition spec Traxxas offered a host of hop-ups including a graphite chassis, aluminum (Bullet) shocks, bearings, etc.