I picked up an RPM wide front bumper in blue today (Part # 81165) to help protect the front suspension from front impact damage. The quality and design on the piece is really good and, so far, it seems to be doing its job well.

Image from http://www.rpmrcproducts.com/

I was also able to try out the new suspension settings some more tonight. I tested it using two skate ramps back to back and spaced out about 4-6 feet which allowed or a smoother landing…when I was able to hit it just right. The new adjusted preload definitely seems to help with big landings, as does having a smoother transition with the landing ramp. I'm definitely getting better control of the car, although I certainly did my share of roof-skidding. D'oh!

After last night's "extreme" (tongue firmly planted in cheek) jumping session which resulted in a broken caster block (see below), I stopped off at Tammie's Hobbies and picked up a replacement pack of Traxxas Caster Blocks (Part # TRA3632) for $4.50 and a pack of Traxxas Suspension Pins with E-clips (Part # TRA3740) for $2.50. I was hoping to upgrade the caster blocks to aluminum ones, but they didn't have any, so I'll have to order some online to replace at a later date.

The repair was easy enough, although, being a complete noob to this stuff, figuring out the order in which to remove and replace things was a little tricky since the wheel got in the way. Knowing what I know now, I would do it like this:

1. Remove the wheel
2. Remove the remnants of the broken suspension pin (if needed)
3. Remove the remnants of the broken caster block
4. Install the new caster block, leaving the steering block disconnected
5. Install the new suspension pin connecting the steering block
6. Reinstall the wheel

I also added some of the suspension preload spacers to stiffen the suspension a bit for landings. I added one of the thickest spacers that came with the Rustler to each shock. As far as I could tell, the manual didn't explain how to do this, so it took me a bit before I realized I didn't have to pull anything to make this adjustment (just like I was hoping). To install the new preload spacers, simply pull the spring down and clip the spacer on to the upper shock body. The opening in the preload spacer will spread enough to slip over the shock body, so you don't have to remove anything.

I didn't try any jumps as big as I was doing last night, so I can't say how much the preload impacted landings, but it didn't seem to hurt the handling, at least on pavement.

I rolled the Rustler a few times by accident. Two of those roll-overs resulted in the plastic antenna tube becoming unseated from the chassis. I saw online last night that someone cut the antenna tube in two and inserted a piece of flexible fuel line to allow the antenna to bend in roll-overs rather than pulling out of the chassis. I think I might do this at some point.

Here's the broken caster block from last night:

All in all, I'm still very happy with the Rustler and I can't wait to drive it some more. I picked up a small tool box and some organizers to keep track of all the parts and tools that I have now specifically for RC cars. I'm awfully late to the game, but this is a fun new hobby.

After having done some research on RC cars for my girlfriend's son's birthday, I decided to take the plunge today and buy my first RC car. Well, actually I had a Tyco Hammer when I was a kid:

Because there are very few images of this old RC truck and because I no longer have it, I jacked these images from http://dragonhobbies.com/forum/index.php?topic=786.0. Click for full size.

I just had to mention that for nostalgic purposes. Okay, back to my story. I bought a Traxxas Rustler XL5 (3705) (in blue) from Hobby Town USA in Wilsonville. I went with this model because of the brand recognition, replaceable parts, waterproof (or at least resistant) electronics, and styling. I was a little nervous that I was going to be disappointed with it given the cost and since I bought it on a bit of a whim.

Holy crap was I wrong! It is WAAAAY cooler than I thought it would be. It is faster and handles much better than I expected. I realized that it was way too fast for inside the house after we tried running it around the living room a bit. Temporarily, we have two couches pushed together with a skateboard quarterpipe for a temporary indoor "foam pit" that we used for Pax's birthday party. We had tried jumping our RC quad into the foam pit, but it couldn't make it up the steep, slick ramp. The Rustler, however, LAUNCHED off the ramp and nearly hit the window past the couches!

It was raining and nearly dark when we took it outside to try it out, so they weren't the ideal conditions for trying out a new RC toy. Within a minute or two, we had the Rustler zipping around our culdesac. Of course, we nearly immediatly busted out the skateboard/bike/scooter ramps to test out the Rustler's jumping ability. I was shocked at how easily it launched into the air off the ramp. Mostly, I was surprised at how balanced it is in the air. It flies very flat and steady, which, unfortunately, led me to increasing the speed more and more until I was jumping it up to 15 feet.

…which resulted in a crash landing into a curb and a broken left caster block and suspension pin, not even before we exhausted a single charge. Oh well. It's going to be less than $7 to fix, although I think I'll replace them with aluminum pieces so as to not have to repeat this incident. It seems that there are an abundance of aluminum parts to replace the cheaper plastic parts, and I'm all about upgrades and customization (see my motorcycle).

As part of my purchase, I also got a Dynamite Prophet Sport (Part # 4056) 110-volt (120volt DC) charger and a pair of Team Orion Super Duty 2400 (Part # ORI10900) NiMH 7.2V batteries.

Specifications

• Waterproof electronics permit driving in water, mud and snow.
• Traxxas 2216 4-channel micro receiver.
• New waterproof receiver box.
• High-torque Waterproof Traxxas 2056 steering servo.
• Powerful Titan® 12T 550 modified motor with internal cooling fan.
• Rustler reaches speeds in excess of 35mph using the included
  optional 28-tooth pinion gear.*
• High-performance waterproof XL-5™ Electronic Speed Control.
  • Sport Mode – Forward / Brake / Reverse
  • Race Mode – Forward / Brake
  • Training Mode™ – 50% Forward / Brake / 50% Reverse (patent pending)
• New large axle carriers with 5×11mm oilite bushings
• Efficient Magnum 272™ three-gear transmission with ball bearings.
• Sealed gearbox protects the transmission with beefed up motor
  guard for extra protection.
• Revo®-spec Torque-Control™ slipper clutch system.
• External gear cover with easy slipper access.
• Reliable planetary gear differential.
• Telescoping U-joint driveshafts.
• Fiber-composite monocoque chassis.
• Gray chassis components offer a fresh look.
• Speed control and waterproof receiver box are securely fastened to chassis.
• Easy access battery compartment.
• Fully adjustable Ultra Shocks™ with X-ring technology.
• White powder coated shock springs feature a new responsive spring rate.
• Durable solid camber links eliminate the need for adjustment.
• Captured rod ends won't pop off for superior durability.
• Alias™ step-pin rear tires and front Alias ribbed front tires offer superior
  off-road traction.
• Rustler’s tires include performance foam inserts and they come
  pre-glued on mirror-chrome 2.8" All-Star™ wheels.
• New ProGraphix® multi-colored painted body is available in red,
  blue, black, and white.
  • Wing is securely attached to the body with precision hex hardware
• Rustler is backed by unparalleled Traxxas support and parts availability.

Length		17.5 inches (445mm)
Front Track		12.25 inches (311mm)
Rear Track		12.25 inches (311mm)
Weight		59.6oz (1.69kg)
Height (overall)		7 inches (178mm)
Wheelbase		11.375 inches (289mm)
Front Shock Length		Long
Rear Shock Length		XXLong
Front Tires		Alias™ Ribbed 2.8"
Rear Tires		Alias™ Step-Pin 2.8"
Front Wheels		2.8" Mirror-Chome (All-Stars™)
Rear Wheels		2.8" Mirror-Chome (All-Stars™)
Speed Control Type		XL-5 Electronic Speed Control
Motor (electric)		Titan® 12T 550 (12-turn)
Steering Servo		#2056 High Torque Waterproof
Receiver		#2216 4-Channel Micro
Gear Ratio (internal)		2.72 (final drive: 10.17)
Differential Type		Planetary
Gear Pitch		48-Pitch
Transmission		Magnum 272™
Steering		Bellcrank
Chassis Type		Modified Tub
Chassis Material		Composite Nylon
Engine (fuel-powered)		N/A
Brake Type		N/A
Fuel Tank Capacity		N/A
Top Speed		35+mph*

 

XL-5 (WATERPROOF) SPECIFICATIONS
Input voltage:		4-8 Cells (4.8 to 9.6 Volts DC)
Case Size:		1.23"W x 2.18"D x 0.61" H
Weight:		2.44 Ounce
Motor Limit:		15-turns** (540 Size) 12-turns** (550 Size)
On Resistance Forward:		0.007 Ohms
On Resistance Reverse:		0.014 Ohms
Peak Current – Forward:		100A
Peak Current – Reverse:		60A
Braking Current:		60A
Continuous Current:		14A
BEC Voltage:		6.0 VDC
BEC Current:		1A
Power Wire:		14 Gauge / 5"
Input Harness Wire:		26 Gauge / 9"
Transistor Type:		MOSFET
PWM Frequency:		1600 Hz
Thermal Protection:		Thermal shutdown
Profile selection:		Sport Mode: 100% fwd, 100% brakes, 100% rev Race Mode: 100% fwd, 100% brakes, no rev. Training Mode: 50% fwd, 100% brakes, 50% rev.
Single-button setup:		Yes, Traxxas EZ-Set®
For full details, click here.		**Properly geared

Documents

• Rustler (3705) Owners Manual
• Rustler (3705) Chassis Assembly
• Rustler (3705) Front Assembly
• Rustler (3705) Rear Assembly
• Rustler (3705) Transmission Assembly
• Rustler (3705) Optional Gearing Note
• Rustler (3705) Parts List
• Traxxas Radio Systems Parts List
• Traxxas Retail Order Form

Gathered from http://www.traxxas.com/products/electric/rustler3705/trx_rustler3705.htm