Older E maxx - newer knuckles?

[MSB]

had an older emaxx (3906) that has been collecting dust for a few years and recently ran across the Summit Lt trucks, and thought, why not? I got some slayer rims, but they hit the flat faced older knuckle, even with wider hexes. After googling the summit/newer knuckles they are somewhat recessed rather than flat, which looks like it allows the slayer rims to work. My question is are the newer knuckles, traxxas 5334r knuckles a bolt on replacement? I played on google for about half and hour and didn't find anything like what i was looking for, so maybe you guys can help.

I'm probably opening up a can of worms with this, but love the look of the smaller diameter wheels on this build.

any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[meatmonkey]

Yeah, your opening a can of worms.

The newer knuckles use larger wheel bearings(which you'll have to source), which require you to convert to the newer plastic shafts, or the Traxxas Steel replacements for the 3905, as long as your truck already has the wide track suspension.

The stock newer plastic knuckles are very weak IMO. I broke both sides in the first two packs with my brushed 3905. I upgraded to the RPM versions (which take even larger wheelbearings), but still pop the front lower pillow balls out on occasion.

The newer knuckles also take different balls for the outer rod ends on the toe-links.

You can source stock replacement parts for fairly cheap on Ebay, but IMO the stock parts leave a lot to be desired.

 

[MSB]

I figured as much, i'm just going to have to narrow some 3.2" wheels and figure out a new tire combo. Thanks a lot for the input MM, I really appreciate it.

 

[hvydty1]

I have an older 3906 E-maxx and installed a set of newer E-maxx knuckles on it and have had no problem with rim clearance at the hexes. They are off the 3908 brushless maxx, and have a more beveled face. I just E-bayed em cause they came with the bearings, seals, piviot balls and whatnot. I went ahead and got the revo style drive shafts too just cause. One note, the stock steering linkages do not work with the new knuckles, Traxxas went with a newer captured linkage design, makes popping linkages off harder, but strengthens the overall design. The linkages won't work too because they also redesigned the steering rack to the new captured ball design and use two servos instead of one. No stranger to makeing things work, I just made me some new steering linkages out of 8/32" all thread and brake line sleeves and Revo ball ends. You will have to shim the knuckles where the tie rods mount, But I just used a ball from an old ball end under the new tierod. It works good enough for me and I flat out try and break it everytime I run it.
Just a thought. I made them work with very little work, and the design of the piviot ball to A-arm didn't change, so a straight up convert there. If your going to try this I highly recommend the new Revo/ Maxx brushless style driveshafts. Not sure if there is a real difference between the old shafts and new, but you won't have to open everything back up if an old shaft breaks. E-bay is a good choice cause the peeps there sell most stuff together. All the knuckles for one price, all the axle shafts for another, all the linkages, Ect...

Upon looking at e-bay for a set, the part number you asked about is the part number I ordered for my 3906 Maxx.