I have had my Rockslide for about a month and have come up with some basic mods that seem to improve the durability of them.
1. The spur gear mod is no longer needed as Redcat has added a metal plate and 4 screws to the gear where it connects to the shaft from the factory.
2. Metal side plates. If you push down on the Rockslide with stock plates you will see that the upper shock mounts flex quite a bit. I got a set of (steel older version) plates from RampageHopups for $12.50 for the pair. The newer version on the Redcat site are Aluminum for$25. Note that these plates require 8 nuts and bolts for securing the upper shock mounts that are not included. I used 4-40 bolts and nuts from Lowes (10 pack for about $2) that are just about the same diameter at 3mm metrics. the steel plate is thinner and allows you to put the lower shock mounts on the inside of the lower links instead of the outside which seems to keep the links from hitting the side of the motor. it still allows full flex of the suspension. The dual battery end plate does not fit with the steel plates. (no holes and too narrow for the plastic pins.) I just zip tied my dual batteries to the plates. Also you will need to trim the mounting end of the body mounts flat and add some spacers to the the right width.
3. Dual/ larger batteries. I went with a couple of 7.2, 6800MAH from ebay $43 delivered. I can easily crawl for a couple hrs straight. I also like the added weight for more traction.. May try the 8.4 batteries to see if it will make it run a bit faster
4. If you turn the axles to full lock you will find that the dogbone binds up. take a die grinder and bevel out the female side of the cup to stop binding at full lock. I also ground them down shorter about 1/8 inch.
5. Replace the plastic steering servo horns with aluminum ones.
6. if you disassamble the gear cases a few times you will strip out the screw under the motor cover that holds that end of the case together. Drill it out the whole way bevel the motor mouting side of the case and use a 4-40 flathead bolt and nut to secure the case together then reinstall the motor. the same bolts you use for the shocks will work here. you will need to grind the nut on 3 or 4 sides to fit the recess on the cover plate side.. this also acts as a natural lock to hold it in place. the cut the bolt flush to the nut once it is installed and the cover will mount right back in its original location.
7. I have not had any issues with not enough torque but the 8T motor pinion gears are an easy upgrade option.
8. a sheet of stainless steel or Aluminum is easy to make skid plates to screw on under both axle/motors
If your axles crap out, don't waste your money on the Aluminum axle upgrades as you can do super bully axles or similar for less money than making full redcat Aluminum axles. No problems with my axles but that is the route I will take if they do kaput."thumbsup"
1. The spur gear mod is no longer needed as Redcat has added a metal plate and 4 screws to the gear where it connects to the shaft from the factory.
2. Metal side plates. If you push down on the Rockslide with stock plates you will see that the upper shock mounts flex quite a bit. I got a set of (steel older version) plates from RampageHopups for $12.50 for the pair. The newer version on the Redcat site are Aluminum for$25. Note that these plates require 8 nuts and bolts for securing the upper shock mounts that are not included. I used 4-40 bolts and nuts from Lowes (10 pack for about $2) that are just about the same diameter at 3mm metrics. the steel plate is thinner and allows you to put the lower shock mounts on the inside of the lower links instead of the outside which seems to keep the links from hitting the side of the motor. it still allows full flex of the suspension. The dual battery end plate does not fit with the steel plates. (no holes and too narrow for the plastic pins.) I just zip tied my dual batteries to the plates. Also you will need to trim the mounting end of the body mounts flat and add some spacers to the the right width.
3. Dual/ larger batteries. I went with a couple of 7.2, 6800MAH from ebay $43 delivered. I can easily crawl for a couple hrs straight. I also like the added weight for more traction.. May try the 8.4 batteries to see if it will make it run a bit faster
4. If you turn the axles to full lock you will find that the dogbone binds up. take a die grinder and bevel out the female side of the cup to stop binding at full lock. I also ground them down shorter about 1/8 inch.
5. Replace the plastic steering servo horns with aluminum ones.
6. if you disassamble the gear cases a few times you will strip out the screw under the motor cover that holds that end of the case together. Drill it out the whole way bevel the motor mouting side of the case and use a 4-40 flathead bolt and nut to secure the case together then reinstall the motor. the same bolts you use for the shocks will work here. you will need to grind the nut on 3 or 4 sides to fit the recess on the cover plate side.. this also acts as a natural lock to hold it in place. the cut the bolt flush to the nut once it is installed and the cover will mount right back in its original location.
7. I have not had any issues with not enough torque but the 8T motor pinion gears are an easy upgrade option.
8. a sheet of stainless steel or Aluminum is easy to make skid plates to screw on under both axle/motors
If your axles crap out, don't waste your money on the Aluminum axle upgrades as you can do super bully axles or similar for less money than making full redcat Aluminum axles. No problems with my axles but that is the route I will take if they do kaput."thumbsup"
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