10 Parts & Upgrades To Beef Up Your Traxxas Rustler’s Performance

There is no such thing as a perfect RC car. They can always be improved, and RC enthusiasts love to tinker with their vehicles in order to keep up with the competition.

The Traxxas Rustler is one of the most popular models on the market. It has been the go-to model for beginner hobbyists and racers for years, but it can be improved upon easily.

With just a few simple upgrades, you can get more speed, more power, and better performance from your Rusty. Here, we have compiled a list of the 10 best upgrades for the Traxxas Rustler for helping your truck to reach its full potential.

1. LiPo Battery

One of the best upgrades for an RC vehicle is a LiPo battery, like this Power Cell for the Traxxas Rustler VXL. Specifically engineered to fit Traxxas RCs, this Power Cell uses a high-current connector, and the semi-rigid construction means it will survive through rough conditions.

A Traxxas Rustler battery upgrade gives your truck more power. This not only means that it will drive longer, but will also boost its top speed. A battery upgrade is ideal for racers and casual hobbyists alike. It will be more fun in general, and more competitive in a contest.

2. Velineon Brushless Motor

If you’re serious about pushing your top speeds, then you’ll want to opt for a Traxxas Rustler motor upgrade. Recommended by many RC experts, the Velineon Brushless Waterproof Power System is arguably the best motor on the market.

This motor is optimized to provide you with extreme power, which helps you to get the most out of your truck. With ultra high-temperature magnets and high-speed ball bearings, the Velineon motor is as durable and efficient as it is powerful.

3. High-Torque 400 Red Brushless Digital Servo

Faster speeds are great, but increasing velocity isn’t fun if you can’t control your truck. In order to improve handling, you’ll want to upgrade to a higher quality servo.

The High-Torque 400 Red Brushless Digital Servo is an excellent servo to use with your Rustler. Providing 400 ounce-inches of torque, you will notice the increased responsiveness and faster turning speeds. As an added benefit, it’s not simply water resistant, it’s fully waterproof, meaning one less thing for you to worry about.

4. Aluminum Steering Blocks

While we’re on the subject of performance in steering, you really can’t overlook your steering blocks. By opting for aluminum steering blocks, you can improve your truck’s control by making its steering tighter and more accurate.

These 6061-T6 Aluminum Steering Blocks are the ideal Traxxas Rustler 4×4 VXL upgrade. In addition to the performance boosts that you’ll see, these blocks add color to your Rusty, allowing you to personalize your truck.

5. Aluminum Shocks

What’s the point of driving an RC truck if it can’t survive off-roading? While you’re installing Traxxas Rustler upgrades, you should add aluminum shocks to allow you to do more extreme driving, like bashing or mudding.

We recommend Aluminum Front Shock towers and Aluminum Rear Shock Towers by GPM. While Traxxas Rustler shocks are suitable for normal, everyday use, aluminum shocks will mean you can try more daring drives without the worry of taking damage.

6. Aluminum Caster Blocks

You may have noticed our obsession with aluminum, but this is no accident. Traxxas Rustler aluminum parts are more durable, which increases the life of your vehicle.

These GPM Aluminum Caster Blocks will further help protect your shocks, meaning more drive time for you and your truck. Crashing an RC vehicle or ramming it into an obstacle, like a curb, can be anxiety-inducing. The moments before you can reach and inspect your truck have you imagining every scenario involving broken hardware. As we mentioned, replacing plastic parts with aluminum versions will help reduce that anxiety by minimizing the chances of serious damage.

7. Aluminum Suspension Arms (A-Arms)

Before we move away from shocks and suspension, we have to talk about the suspension arms. Also called A-arms, they’re right in the thick of the action, so you have to be confident that they can withstand whatever you throw at your Rusty.

For a complete upgrade, we recommend the GPM Gunmetal Aluminum Front Suspension Arms and Lower Rear Suspension Arms. As you can see from their place on this list, GPM is a trusted brand. They are great at making high-quality, perfect-fit replacements for a variety of Traxxas Rustler 2WD parts, and these suspension arms are no exception.

8. Heavy Duty Axles

Making our way outward from suspension to the Traxxas Rustler’s wheels, we will now take a look at the axles. You may find the stock axles are effective for normal use, but if you want to safely jump your truck or drive it at higher speeds, you’ll want to upgrade your axles.

Replacing the stock axles with Traxxas Extreme Heavy Duty Front Outer Stub Axle Assembly and Rear Outer Stub Axle Assembly can add durability for more adventurous driving. You should also replace the stub axle carriers with these Aluminum Stub Axle Carriers for increased protection.

9. Tires and Wheels

Our journey through performance control upgrades has finally brought us to the workhorse of your assembly: the tires and wheels. Choosing the right tires and wheels for the intended usage of your vehicle can make all the difference when it comes to keeping your Rusty upright and in control.

If you mostly stick to the road, these Traxxas Black Chrome All-Star Front Wheels and Rear Wheels with Anaconda Tires are stylish and reliable. For off-roading, these Traxxas Rustler 4×4 Talon EXT Tires will keep your truck on its feet.

10. Bumpers & Bulkhead

After all this work, it wouldn’t make sense to forget the Traxxas Rustler’s body. After all, the rest may do most of the work, but the body will probably take most of the beating.

First, we recommend the Integy Aluminum Front Bulkhead for keeping the front of your truck safe during a crash or while bashing. For additional protection, you can’t overlook upgrading the bumpers, such as with this GPM Aluminum Front Bumper. While it’s not made of aluminum, this RPM Rear Bumper will protect the rear of your Rusty while also allowing you to mount a wheelie bar should you desire.

Installing Traxxas Rustler Upgrades

It’s not always a simple task to get the most out of your RC vehicle. It can be time-consuming and exhausting, but after investing in your hobby, it makes sense that you’d want the best experience. At RC Superstore, we’re passionate about RC driving and racing. If you want assistance upgrading your Traxxas Rustler parts, contact our team today.