From Tires to Sway Bars, Here Are The Top Upgrades That Will Help You Get The Most Out Of Your Traxxas Slash 4×4 on the Track.
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Are you tired of watching your Slash 4×4 struggle on the track? Do you want to make sure that you’re getting the most out of your vehicle? Look no further than these proven upgrades that will take your Slash 4×4’s performance to the next level. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just getting started, these upgrades are essential if you want to dominate the competition. From tires to sway bars, here are the top upgrades that will help you get the most out of your Slash 4×4.
Top Pick | Features | Deals |
---|---|---|
#1 Top Tire List for Racing Read More… | – Maximize your traction 1. Tires for Loamy tracks. – Panther Boa SC (Amazon) – Panther Boa SC (eBay) 2. Tires for hard-pack with lite dust on top. – Pro-Line Hole Shot 2.0 SC (Amazon) – Pro-Line Hole Shot 2.0 SC (eBay) 3. Tires for blue or black groove tracks with almost no dust. – Pro-Line Positron (Amazon) – Pro-Line Positron (eBay) | Check Price on Amazon eBay |
#2 Best Diff for Traxxas Slash 4×4 Bashing or Racing Read More… | – Make your slash easier to drive 1. (for 2s Lipo battery) – Traxxas 6814 Center Differential Kit Slash 4×4(Amazon) – Traxxas 6814 Center Differential Kit Slash 4×4 (eBay) 2. (for 3s + Lipo battery) – Traxxas 6780 Complete Center Differential Kit(Amazon) – Traxxas 6780 Complete Center Differential Kit (eBay) Note: run #4 if you’re racing 2s (it has less weight) | Check Price on Amazon eBay |
#3 Traxxas Slash 4×4 LCG chassis Read More… | – Improves stability and handling | Check Price on Amazon eBay |
#4 Hot Racing – Sway Bar Kit for Slash 4×4 Read More… | – Reduce body roll – Improves stability – Able to tune the front and rear roll separately | Check Price on Amazon eBay |
#5 Best Shock and Spring Setup Read More… | #5 Best Shock and Spring Setup 1. Front shock/spring – Traxxas GTR Shock 7461x/Traxxas GTR Shock Spring 7445 (Amazon) – Traxxas GTR Shock 7461x/Traxxas GTR Shock Spring 7445 (eBay) 2. Rear shock/spring Traxxas GTR Shock 7462x/Traxxas GTR Shock Spring 7446 (Amazon) Traxxas GTR Shock 7462x/Traxxas GTR Shock Spring 7446 (eBay) Note: Cheaper shock setup in the post below |
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Maximize Your Slash 4×4’s Performance on the Track with These Proven Upgrades
Slash 4×4 Tires for Racing
Let’s start with the most obvious upgrade: tires. If you’re serious about racing, you need to have the right tires. The wrong tires can make a huge difference in performance, and you want to make sure that you’re getting maximum traction on the track. There are a few things to consider when choosing the right tires for your Slash 4×4:
On this site – Best Short Course Tires For Racing (Top 10)
Best tire list
#1 Panther Boa SC – This is my go-to early “test the track” tire on nearly any outdoor track. It does well in Super Loamy track wet or dry. A bigger lug in the middle with smaller pins on the outside makes this a diverse tire and works well on any track. It also has good compound when the track gets a bit grooved and a thick center tread helps with tire life. This also is my #1 tire to recommend if you could only buy tires for all the tracks you run on.
#2 Pro-Line Hole Shot 2.0 SC – Best on hard-pack with lite dust on top. also, work well on wet tracks.
#3 Pro-Line Blockade SC – Like the Hole Shot but works better in duster conditions and last longer. On a wet track the tire tends to cake up so best used is on a dry track.
#4 JConcepts Sprinter SC – This one is closer to the Hole Shot Tire at #2 but works better on higher-speed turns by helping the car rotate if you have a push. It should also last a bit longer and more constant lateral grip but not better overall grip on a fresh set of Hole Shot.
#5 Pro-Line Positron – This tire is for blue or black groove tracks with almost no dust. Mostly used in hard-packed indoor tracks.
Tread Pattern
The first thing you want to consider is the tread pattern. Different tread patterns are designed for different surfaces, so you need to make sure that you’re choosing the right one for the track you’ll be racing on. For example, if you’re racing on a track with loose dirt or gravel, you’ll want a tire with a more aggressive tread pattern that can dig into the surface and provide more traction.
Example 1. Tires that have ribs around the whole tire with close stack pins or blocks (like the AKA Enduro 3) usually are more predictable at holding the turn. These tires tend to last longer as well but you lose forward bite and rotating out of the turn. Tires like this are good if the track allows you to keep a constant speed.
Example 2. Tires patterns like the Panther Rattler will have a crap ton of forward bite… Because it has bars that run laterally through the width of the tire. but you lose out on the advantages of holding a turn well. Tires like this work well if you can square up the turn (without spinning out). If you not sliding out tires like this are fast.
Example 3. Tires that have bars like example 2. but only in the center line with pins or blocks on the out edge (almost like checkered pattern tire tread) usually have all the good as Ex1. and Ex2. with not as many cons (tires like the Panther Boa and Pro-Line Hole Shot 2.0 ) some of the reasons these are my top two tires.
Compound
The compound of the tire is also important. Softer compounds will provide more grip, but they’ll wear out faster. Harder compounds will last longer, but they won’t provide as much traction. It’s all about finding the right balance between grip and durability.
Center Diff
Some slashes come with a center diff from the factory but if you don’t have one it could make your car hard to drive on the track. This upgrade helps with the ability to adjust which wheel gets the most power. The Slash 4×4 center diff upgrade will put more power to the front wheel, making it pull the car around the track rather than push and it will be much easier to drive the more the car is pulling.
Also on this site – RC Diff Oil Tuning (Simplified)
The Traxxas 6814 Center Differential Kit Slash 4×4 is the one I would recommend for the track for it being more lightweight. You should only run a 2s lipo with this center diff which should be your race trim setup to keep light… but if for some reason you run 3s or more in your slash 4×4 you will need to upgrade to the Traxxas 6780 Complete Center Differential Kit which has a steel spur gear to give durability for the extra power added.
also, the recommended diff oil is Traxxas 5042 1 Million Weight Differential Oil or for low grip tracks Traxxas 5039 Differential Oil, 500,000 Weight, and 5136X Differential Oil Kit if you want to try to tune your front and rear diff.
If you need help with the Installation process…
LCG Chassis
If you want to improve the handling and performance of your Slash 4×4, you should consider upgrading to a low center of gravity (LCG) chassis. The Traxxas Slash 4×4 LCG chassis is designed to lower the center of gravity of your vehicle, which improves stability and handling. This means that you’ll be able to take corners faster and with more control, giving you an edge on the track.
On this site – RC Center of Gravity Tuning (Simplified)
Installation
Installing an LCG chassis can be a bit more involved than other upgrades, but it’s not too difficult if you have some experience with RC vehicles. You’ll need to remove the old chassis and install the new one, which may require some new hardware. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to ensure that the installation goes smoothly.
Here is a nice video that will help you with installing your Traxxas Slash 4×4 LCG chassis…
Sway Bar Kit
Another upgrade that can make a big difference in your Slash 4×4’s performance is the Hot Racing sway for bar kit Slash 4×4. this kit should give you everything you need to achieve the best Traxxas slash 4×4 sway bar setup that you need. The sway bar kit is designed to reduce body roll, which improves stability and handling. This means that you’ll be able to take corners faster and with more control, giving you an edge on the track. You’re also able to tune the front and rear roll separately giving more or less roll to the side that needs it the most.
On this site – RC Sway Bar Tuning (Simplified)
Installation
Installing a sway bar kit is relatively easy. You may need to adjust the sway bar to ensure that it’s properly aligned and functioning correctly. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to ensure that the installation goes smoothly.
Here is another great video on to install the Hot Racing Sway Bar Kit for your Slash 4X4.
Other Parts To Consider
In addition to the upgrades listed above, there are a few other parts that you may want to consider upgrading to improve the performance of your Slash 4×4:
Shocks
High-performance shocks can improve the handling and performance of your Slash 4×4 by providing better suspension and damping. This means that you’ll be able to take jumps and bumps with more control and precision, giving you an edge on the track.
I recommend getting the Traxxas GTR Shock 7461x for the front shock and the Traxxas GTR Shock 7462x for the rear. It has good oil weight in the box. For springs I would go with Traxxas GTR Shock Spring 7445 (red) front and Traxxas GTR Shock Spring 7446 (black).
If the recommendation costs too much I would try these Aluminum Shocks with the rear spring I listed above – this would get you in the ballpark. An even cheaper setup would be to run the stock shock run 45-weight oil in the front and 30-weight oil in the rear and find a cheap linear spring (the biggest key is to get a linear spring for the rear).
On this site – RC Shock Position Tuning (Simplified)
Bearings
Upgrading to precision bearings can improve the efficiency of your Slash 4×4, which can translate into better performance. Better bearings can reduce friction and wear, which means that your vehicle will be able to go faster and have less strain on the electronic including battery life.
Usually, just getting some replacement bearings is all you need if your old bearing is starting to feel gritty. But if you want a performance gain get a set of Ceramic Bearings IMO a bit overkill and too costly.
Motor and ESC
If you’re serious about racing, you may want to consider upgrading your motor and ESC. A more powerful motor and ESC can provide better acceleration and top speed, which can give you an edge over the competition. This upgrade can be a bit expensive, but it’s worth considering if you’re looking to take your Slash 4×4 to the next level.
- I think a bigger advantage is saving weight for the Slash is a bit rear-heavy since the motor is in the back. I would get the HOBBYWING EZRUN 3652 SD G3 Motor (4100kv) this would push some of the weight forward. You will also need the HOBBYWING EZRUN MAX10 G2 80A ESC to complete. This combo should help balance the truck and give it a much smoother power delivery for it being sensored. would also recommend getting the HOBBYWING ESC LED Program Card Box to fine tune you’re combo
2. The top setup will give you better handling but if you need more speed the HOBBYWING EZRUN 3665 SD G3 Motor with the EZRUN MAX10 G2 140A ESC will get you there. I would not recommend this unless you absolutely need it. It will be much more strain on the drivetrain and you will need to go to a 5mm pinion gear.
Tips for Race Setup
Finally, it’s worth considering your overall race setup when you’re looking to maximize the performance of your Slash 4×4. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Suspension Tuning
Make sure that you’re tuning your suspension to match the track conditions. This means adjusting the ride height, spring rate, and damping to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your vehicle.
On this site – Simplified Suspension Tuning Guides
Weight Distribution
Pay attention to the weight distribution of your vehicle. You want to make sure that you’re distributing weight to the tires that need it the most.
On this site – 3 Chassis Tricks For More Grip (Racer Tips)
Tire foam inserts
Make sure that you’re adjusting your tire foam inserts to match the track conditions. Softer inserts can provide more grip, but they can also make your vehicle harder to drive if the tire is flopping around. A harder insert will give you a more consistent feel and speed but usually equals less grip.
Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about racing your Slash 4×4, these upgrades are essential. From tires to chassis upgrades, these upgrades can make a big difference in the performance of your vehicle. Be sure to choose high-quality parts from reputable manufacturers, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when installing them. With the right upgrades and a bit of practice, you’ll be able to dominate the competition and set new personal bests on the track.
Check out these sites for more on the topic…
- traxxascarsreviews.com – Top Slash 4×4 Upgrades You Need To Do Now!
- traxxas.com – Slash 4X4 3-Phase Upgrade
- amazon.com – Traxxas Slash 4×4 Upgrades
- reddit.com – slash 4×4 upgrades? : r/Traxxas
- wheelspinmodels.co.uk /#KB19: Steve W’s Top 5 Traxxas Slash 4X4 Upgrades
- Short Track RC – TRAXXAS SLASH 4X4 5 TOP UPGRADES FOR DIRT TRACK RACING
- Razor RC – 5 Best Traxxas Slash 4×4, Stampede 4×4, Rustler 4×4, Rally 4×4 upgrades
- Go Hobby! – 3 Must Have Upgrades to Make your Traxxas Slash 4×4 Race Worthy
- Razor RC – Traxxas Slash 4×4 racing setup (race tuning guide) #razortuned
- thatRCkid – The BEST Traxxas Slash 4×4 Upgrade! | Aluminum Motor Mount
How can I improve the handling of my Traxxas Slash?
You can enhance the Traxxas Slash’s handling in a few different ways. To start, you may lower the truck’s roll and sway by upgrading to a stiffer set of shocks.
Additionally, you may modify the shock oil weight to fit the driving circumstances. Furthermore, the suspension’s toe angle may be changed to increase its stability and grip.
Finally, you may enhance the truck’s turn-in performance by modifying the caster and camber angles… My Simplified Suspension Tuning Guides might help!
What is the best pinion gear for a Slash 4×4?
Generally with stock VXL Velineon 3500, 13 through 16 tooth pinion gear is a good starting point for most drivers, but if you plan to do high-speed driving, you may want to go with a higher tooth count.
Additionally, if you have a higher Kv motor, you may need to lower the tooth count to achieve top speeds and temps cooler… more advanced understanding at Spur and Pinion Gear Explained (Simplified)
How to stop Traxxas Slash from flipping?
The Best way to stop your Traxxas Slash from flipping, is lowering your center of gravity. To achieve this you can add weight lower in the chassis or reduce weight high on the chassis… More at Center of Gravity Tuning!
Another great way is to simply lower the vehicle ride height… My
RC Ride Height Tuning (Simplified) might help!