The MOST UNDERRATED Traxxas RC Car | ITS CHEAP!

[@jackdeth2063]

I used to run RC cars in the late 80's/early 90's and gave up on it so I could spend money on my gaming computer. I decided to get back into it in about 20 years later and bought a Duratraxx Evader for around $100. I had fun with that car, but it felt a slow and a little boring. I didn't even know what brushless or lipos were at the time. After doing some research, I decided to get a Stampede VXL. I don't think I ever even seen one drive before, just pictures of it. I figured with the big tires, it would easily drive through the grass. (something that my rc cars weren't very good at in the 80s) When I finally got the Stampede, I was blown away by it. TONS of power, TONS of torque, crazy fast! I could plow through anything with it. I didn't have a lipo charger, so I started out with an 8 cell NIMH battery. Later that year, I upgraded to a 3s lipo and this car was insane! No matter what I threw at it, it kept on going. Years after I had it, it stopped moving and I thought the spur gear was stripped. When I took the motor out, I realized the motor shaft was not centered and not right. I took the motor apart and found one of the bearings went out. I didn't have any new bearings in my tool box, so I took a bearing out of another part of the car (I think it was the steering block), put and old bushing I had in the steering block, put the motor back together and it worked perfectly fine. I didn't like the collapsible wheelie bar that came with it, so I bought a steel bar from the home depot and made a home made wheelie bar/ skid plate and it works great. I still have the Stampede today and it still lots of fun. It's one of my favorite "toys" of all time. Thanks Mark for the video and your memories of your first Stampede.

[@smallscalemotoring]

Easy to get excited about a new RC - doesn't matter how cheap/expensive it is! 👍👍

[@joseCalderon1976]

That's so true 😂👍

[@justinmcmenamin9037]

My son and I both have 2wd stampedes. We started out in the hobby together. We’ve both upgraded to vxl, rpm parts, and custom bodies. We also have an erevo now. But our stampedes are still our favorite trucks to drive in the yard together.

[@justinoconnor1472]

The toy comparison was spot on when I'm driving my nitro I definitely don't feel like people think I'm just playing with a toy.

[@CoalitionGaming]

Basher to race basher to full on onroad + offroad racer all around SoCal then eventually back to basher here. Stampede is iconic to me. It was there for all of it when I wanted to just mess around with something, or throw it down for Gearbox class. I now have two, an original with a revo-spec slipper and 13.5 Novak upgrade, and a XL5 grey chassis version with RPM arms, shock towers, and camber links and STRC aluminum knuckles, caster blocks, stub axle carriers, and skidplates/chassis braces also with a Novak 13.5 and Havoc ESC and badlands tires. Also packed the diff with marine grease for better control. These things are great in the sense that they just keep going. Brother and cousin both got new ARRMA RCs and are impressed still when they drive my Stampede. Love it.

[@geodude3966]

The Stampede XL-5 was my first ever hobby grade RC that I got almost 15 years ago, and I STILL have it today! I got it for $125 shipped from Tower Hobbies back when they still used to sell Traxxas RCs and had coupon codes for them! I remember the first day I took it out, I cartwheeled it on the street and the camber link broke on it - same as yours did lol. Guess that's still a weakness almost 15 years later. Also I went to my "local" hobby shop (they're 100 miles away) at the start of this summer, and they literally had from floor to ceiling about 5-6 pallets of Stampedes on their salesfloor. I wouldn't be surprised if the Stampede is the best selling hobby grade RC of all time, they go through so many.

[@joefox8526]

My first car was the stampede 4x4 brush edition. It got me hooked quickly. I now own 5 cars. Got the wife and grandkids into the hobby. I agree the design is weird. I lowered the body with lowering mounts and put on Talon tires. It still has good ground clearance and it looks a lot better. However, I put the stock 'paddle' tires on it this past month to run in the snow and ice. Total blast.

[@pbruteforce1]

Time tested platform been in production for nearly 30 years shares a lot of components with the bandit, rustler and Slash so parts are easy to get. Arguably the most popular RC truck every sold I think Traxxas has sold hundreds of thousands of these 👍

[@bensnipes7288]

Nitro Stampede with the TRX .12 was my first nitro rig, and 2nd hobby grade rc for me. Still have it today. With a little work she may still run....good memories!!

[@mcbrothers2800]

my dad got won in 1994 when they were new and we got it out the lofted got all the bits we needed and 25 years later it is still making us smile

[@jamesblake1848]

That was my first hobby grade RC truck too. I got it 11 years ago when my son was 3 it's his now at 14 and of course I upgraded to brushless a year after I purchased it . Now days I'm loving my Xmaxx 👍😁👍

[@roberttierney9284]

I have been putting 2 1/8th inch wholes in my tires 180 degrees apposed in the middle of the tread. When the tire spins, out comes the water. Started doing this with my T-Max years ago. I still do it on my race tires.

[@berisade1]

It was my first hobby grade rc car, 6 years ago. It's the best rc car for beginners, it's really cheap and very easy to work on

[@Dysl3xicDog]

Vxl 2wd stampede was the first hobby car I bought for my son. It started my addiction.

[@travispratt6327]

You can always boil the tires and take the foams out, dry everything completely then re-glue. Also if you’re plugging the holes just get rid of the foams, they aren’t needed if you dont have vents.

[@blakersen]

My first hobby grade rc was a Traxxas Stampede 4x4 vxl I got over 10 years ago. Still have it and I still love it. Super easy to work on and has been really durable.

[@d-nice2866]

It's not that durable chassis weak

[@d-nice2866]

It is the easiest to work on out of the cars i had to fix

[@rckingracer]

I roll mine all the time im used to my original rustlers, long long power slides

[@lafferty007]

I love watching videos like this. I always wanted a hobby grade rc as a kid but I was stuck with toys r us cars. Fast forward to adulthood and I really love hobby grade rc cars... and for the fun fun fun

[@dirtlyf6540]

Bought the pink stampede for my sons 4th birthday. Thing is a tank. 1 motor and 2 or 3 servo savers have been killed and that’s it. He’s 5 now been running it 100 percent on 2S Lipo I forgot how good it looked new.

[@Thefaslife]

i had a stampede 11yrs years ago..i bought my 4 year old daughter a stampede kit last year, we built it, its one of the most bang for your buck, great quality, cheap parts repair and hard to break truck you can get

[@erikdravn]

My first "real" RC truck I purchassed myself. I have ZERO regrets! It's fun as hell!

[@jjhardie4101]

We have the 4x4 brushed Stampede! LOVE IT! It was the builder kit also, we had a blast putting it together and then ripping it around everywhere we could find lol. Under rated is right it is a blast!

[@timh5653]

The original kit version of the Stampede was my first hobby grade RC. Wish I kept it also.

[@hulkslayer626]

Just picked one up 4 days ago. First "real" rc car I've ever owned. Absolutely LOVE it! And plenty fast for me. Thought about buying the upgraded version with all the bells and whistles and glad I didn't. For someone who has had K-mart rc cars all their life, this is scary fast lol

[@smasher5115]

I put the rpm wide front A-Arms on mine and it handles so well

[@kashmurray1199]

You are so right. I had an original in kit form. 5X8 axle bushings and when you used bearings they would burn up. So I put the SRT suspension on it. 13 turn double and a Novak Duster 2. At that time it was awesome. You could air that thing out and it took it. Yep memories.

[@bradass]

I’ve been using my 2wd Stampede for almost 3 years. With maintenance of course. And it’s very durable and also of fun! Highly underrated

[@ersinoren5281]

Is the brushed motor a problem?

[@bradass]

@@ersinoren5281 only if it gets water in it. Other than that, it’s a good motor and fairly priced

[@berisade1]

13:00 you don't need to buy new ones, just put few hole in the tires and drive, the water will flow out

[@SebastianLong]

My first hobby grade was a nitro Revo. I asked my brother if he wanted a RC too because he watched me run mine a number of times. He said sure and i asked him what kind he'd like. He told me something with a decent amount of ground clearance. Ended up getting him the Stampede 4x4 brushed. His exact line to me after he ran it his first run was "I'm a 30 yr old using a toy, till i pulled the throttle and it did a wheelie. From that moment i realized how fun these things are" Since its purchase, everything has been upgraded except the chassis. The only thing he breaks anymore is the motor shaft and it's a 5 mm shaft motor. Broke the motor shaft twice now since i think 2011-2012. He still has it and has the original body, but he doesnt use it much anymore.

[@rckingracer]

Does it has a sliper clutch in the 4x4?

[@SebastianLong]

@@rckingracer Yes it does. They have an optional diff upgrade and think a few of their smaller models already have them installed from factory.

[@556outdoors]

I'm getting a Stampede 2wd vxl for christmas!! Can't wait to see what the hype is about. I drove my neighbor's Stampede 2wd vxl before and fell in love instantly. Can't wait!!

[@smiththers2]

stampede 4x4 vxl was my first traxxas, and i too thought the body just didnt fit the chassis all that well. mine didnt like going too slow, and the motor would not start, leaving the only option of flooring it to make it move. i took a massive hit when i sold it, and bought a brushed emaxx after that. def enjoyed that truck more with its titan 775 conversion and 4s lipo. fast forward to now from almost 8 years ago, and im running a HOSS 3s. the thing is an absolute monster and i plan on doing the diff fluid swap that you did to yours.

[@butlerRC]

Hands down the best First RC Car, it got me back into the sport. Traxxas' platforms are amazing. Our stampede became a rustler, then a slash, back to stampede then back to a slash. Locking the diff also changes the fun of the stampede as well.

[@buggyworld7723]

I love the stampede. It was my first hobby grade rc car and I still have it even 12 years later. Riding long wheelies was my favorite part about it.

[@Iowaprod]

Was mine too!

[@rcalltypes8230]

Needs a wheely bar & bearings for the wheels. Definitely fun to drive 👍🏻

[@carloswright]

I think the brushed Rustler is up there with it. I need a Stamped now, in pink. I'm sure it's more capable than the Rustler as a basher.

[@ReadySetRC]

My first electric Traxxas truck was the Summit. Love that beast. Never looked at the Stampede solely because of that truck. But any truck that puts a smile on your face is going to be the one for you. Great video, got me thinking👍

[@jim52970]

I got a deal on 4 new summit wheels and tires. They're huge on the Stampede 4X4, stoopid big!! The trucks platform was redone *4* TIMES. First basic titan basher, then slash wheels and raced with short course, then went brushless with street foams and lowered, now geared low 3650kv 60a with a 3s 100c LiPo on the summit tires--- U N S T O P P A B L E

[@garethhuwwilliams6019]

It’s all about the fun factor. My first 1/10 car was an ecx 2wd torment. I’ve modded the hell out of it, learned a ton on it. Despite having bigger and faster cars, I still take it out and have a blast with it!

[@frankymal8640]

ECX 2wd platform is one of the most durable out there, Ruckus version is kind of like a better handling stampede 2wd. We have a Ruckus and two torments, love em

[@michaelrawlesjr.5459]

I just got my first Stampede 2wd (brushed) about 3 months ago. And it's a blast to drive. Now I have 3 car. Got the 4 tec 3.0 chassis with the C8 vette body on it (now VXL) and I just picked it a Rustler 4x4 (brushed) about 4 days ago. They all are just tons of fun.

[@knoxyboxy]

Do you think I can put a brushless Traxxas esc and motor on that? If I got tired of brushed? I kinda wanna make my own stampede vxl.😊

[@bayouboattrash]

My son loves his 2wd stampede and I love my 4x4. I got him the 2wd in case he didn't like the hobby. When I saw he liked it, I got mine. Looking back, I wish I got him the 4x4 as well from the beginning. Looks like a 4x4 kit is in the future.

[@coreystack5655]

Yesss!!! I bought a rustler first, then bought 3 stampedes in a row, brushed was so fun, wheelies and all. But 3s on vxl on dirt is controlled chaos. Love this truck. Cheap monster. Strong, controllable. Metal gears better bearings and aluminum bulkheads and you'll be trying to kill this this. Knew I loved mark for a reason 👌🤘

[@michaeldorich4485]

This a great video for someone just getting into the hobby. The Stampede is the descendent of one of the original Traxxas trucks called the "Sledge Hammer." It was an excellent video.

[@joshthomas4225]

I bought my 3 and 1/2 year old the newer Traxxas Stampede 2WD(USB-C Charging). Put that beast in "training mode" and he loves it! Many crashes later and no damage! Great starter monster truck!!!

[@EXTREMERC416]

You have to vent the tire trougth the rubber and tape the holes. Its a must do on any basher. Gun needs to be able to get out. If you only tape the holes the tires will balloon wrong at high speeds.

[@lionelplunkett9428]

G'day Mark people playing Cricket in USA that's cool. Use a small hole punch to put hole in the centre of tread so as you drive the water will fly out the hole. Best to do when you are building new set of wheels and do not use a drill tire use a hole punch 👍👍

[@traxxasfans]

I bought the 4x4 stampede kit and built it my self and it’s totally amazing and you can lower the body to give you the more scale looks if you like .

[@budgee1215]

Hey Mark, I have two Traxxas Stampedes and I love them. I would like to see you upgrade yours to a brushless motor. I think you would enjoy it alot better.

[@ryanriffs_1349]

I remember back in 98 99 my friend got me into r/c cars and sold me his midnight pumpkin and with that money and a little more he went to our local hobby store and bought the stampede in red. We were amazed by its performance got even better with the up grades. Few months down the down I bought that one off him and he went and got a hpi rs4 kit.

[@izyaboi9344]

My first hobby truck was a stampede, 100% underated

[@rcpete7055]

There's something really relaxing about your narration Mark 💪 Awesome 👍 always worth watching at least once.. Thankyou bud 👍

[@justinmcmenamin9037]

And we also use the rich duperbash technique for the tires. Seal up inner rim vent holes. But drill two holes in the tire itself. All the water comes out as you drive it

[@MrGdbsti05]

i just bought a 2wd rustler vxl 279 on sale right now for the same reason. i changed all the screws to hex in my last kit

[@SnarkyRC]

I had a 2wd Stampede many years ago. It's tippy af but, a set of 3.8 Trenchers help. The 4x4 is version is an improvement but, the MT10E eats them both for breakfast.

[@Ozzel1980]

I have had a stampede 2wd for almost 4 years. It has been my most durable, reliable car. I drive it more than my Granite 4x4 blx, because it is never broken.

[@moveyarcs2449]

I own a stampede and I absolutely love it. Amazing on 3s. A wheely beast

[@johnramirez5996]

Add little weight by using stick on tire weights. Had to add 3oz's to front of mine to keep it down so we could just drive it. Did cart wheels and wheelies. Just fast. Great video.

[@sonofsega816]

I have owned dozens of RC cars over rhe years and I would have to say my favorite hands down is the brushed Stampede. They are pretty tough stock and parts can practically be purchased at the corner 7 Eleven. The handling is so fun with those huge tires and high center of gravity.

[@somedude3601]

Agreed, Makes you learn to drive so much better. And a great entry for people learning how to work on hobby grade Rc.

[@happytrailsrc]

My first hobby grade rc was the Tamiya black foot, but my first Traxxas vehicle was the Sledgehammer. I miss that truck.

[@crazylarryjr]

I bought a used broken stampede (The old school with the plastic mid gear) for $40.00 chassis roller no electronics. I ended up making it into a quite nice basher with track abilities. Why did i say track abilities? because I entered it in the Stadium truck class and finished 2nd place. This was a 4 car class with an RC 10 T3 and two RC 10GT's. My setup back them was a Tekin Rooster esc, with a 13 turn trinity (one of the stone motors) I was running Masher 2K's on I want to say HPI 6spoke wheels. best $40.00 I ever spent

[@TheStevo420]

That’s sick 😂

[@ReadySetRC]

Hey Mark the shocks on the Vendetta are screw down. Should be able to screw down the red cap to adjust tension.

[@MarkSantaMaria]

Thanks… i’ll check it out

[@darphox]

Looking at one of these for my son, think I'm sold! Thanks for all the detail.

[@CJD303]

I have a Stampede 2wd. A $200.00 dollar truck turned into a $900.00 truck when I was done with it. Had a lot of good times with it.

[@kennethwelty1190]

All mine have wheelie bars. I was given an original one from a friend put a Palma bus body on it with Sheriff decals on it. Painted it Black with Police lights.

[@keijimorita1849]

I removed the body mounts on my Stampede 4x4 VXL. Heavily trimmed the Proline Brute Bash Armor body, applied several layers of duct tape under it where the shock towers contact & use industrial Velcro to hold it in place. I run it in dog parks.

[@Nate_B_2100]

I got a traxxas stampede 4x4 for my first hobby grade rc and no regrets.

[@Westside7be]

cheapast traxxas is the Bandit XL5 if i'm not mistaken. I bought a XL5 2WD Stampede (with rock'n roll body) for my 5 year old and we are loving it. I possibly like it more than my 6S notorious. Relatively cheap to buy, and once you've put a bit of aluminum in the front suspension (as well as bearings) it's very reliable and lots of fun. The brushed engine also means we can drive it really slow and crawl it. And yeah, our stock tires are out of balance and yeah, I inverted the front and rear tires too...You didn't notice it but it makes the front wheels rub against the body. Get a wheelie bar to protect that body though!

[@ronpedrick3755]

You can make them handle just like the slash just buy making the shocks wider and softer and lowering the body

[@Jonsellscoolstuff]

We have the 4x4vxl and 2wd stampede and they are tough to beat for the price. I enjoy the 4x4 over the xmaxx or the sledge especially if hitting the skate park. Send it 20 feet up if it breaks your only out 25-40$ in parts.

[@sirfelthimself6557]

I literally picked up a nitro stampede Monday and have been talking about how this chassis and platform is one of the most under rated and they have so much potential

[@shelbygt350r4]

I’m how it’s a ball to drive. I have a Stampede. It’s a lotta fun, it constantly flips over 😂

[@BrashKingTCG]

Hey Mark if you get the 4x4 Stampede there is a way to solve the body clearance issue. I don't know if you're able to do a similar mod to the 2wd or not. I have the 4x4 VXL, it was my first RC car and what got me excited about the hobby.

[@blainesworld6404]

This was my first new rc when I got back in. I converted it to a rustler I need to get done.

[@jdm.drifter8406]

Hey mark! Youre probably not gonna see this. But i have an e revo 2.0, i forgot to plug the holes. Then i remembered some rc companies vent the tires instead of the rims. Basically what i did was heat up the end of a 2.5 hex key and let it melt thru the tire. I havent had water problems since

[@jordanrutherford1766]

Poke a few small holes around the tire and centrifugal force will eject the water. I did this to my 1/16 summit tires. Love the vids they are always awesome!

[@Dropddime74]

These 2wd stampedes are some of the most fun I’ve had with RC definitely toylike, but makes for some good drag racing with buddies if they have have them 😀

[@Super1handed_rc]

My first ever traxxas was a nitro monster truck of some sort I don’t even remember but my second traxxas getting back into the hobby when I had kids was a stampede 2wd and I loved it and eventually wanted to go faster so my son got the brushed and I upgraded to the stampede vxl I bought it from a main hobbies in chico ca and still have it and love it …. I’m like 5 body’s in and basically every part is now rpm stuff

[@kevinflanders327]

I owned three stampedes & lost them in moves. Then my love for the hobby dropped off for two years, but got a 1/16th slash, sold it due to my hobby shop telling me there was no upgrade path for it, which made me sell it for a 2wd Stampede. I upgraded it to a castle system, rpm parts. I still have it, and rebuilding one a buddy totaled before selling it to me.

[@ryansnyder2877]

Great video what would you say is funner the two wheel drive Stampede or just the brushed 4 wheel drive Stampede? I got to pick me up something 😆

[@poorboytrucking1]

The shocks on the vendetta are adjustable bud. Just adjust the caps down. The shock bodies are threaded for adjustment

[@WildArcheryBoy]

What you can do which is what I did long ago was buy a stainless steel screw kit and replace the screws when you replace parts that need it.

[@josbinyoface6276]

🤔 So in the beginning meaning a very long time ago, I use to get water in my tires. Make a couple small holes on tire and gun the remote the water will come right out. Then when you finish put the tires on some heat like a radiator or heat pad worked for me whenever I’ve gotten water in my tires.

[@joeycarlson9589]

Agreed!! My first hobby grade RC!! Got it for my 10th birthday with the Purple & Horizon themed body. Shouldn’t have sold it. I’ve been thinking of getting another one here soon though, cause my rc fleet has felt like something was missing.

[@somedude3601]

Tape your vent holes with good tape before you run in water. Or poke an outer vent hole to drain the water.

[@dannyhamby6334]

I just bought one of my local fb market place complete in great shape with a few rpm parts on it with the battery and charger for $70 yes $70 was steal I love them have had like 3 this one I’m putting every rpm option on it just ordered first batch on Amain lol. Just something fun about them and I’m a carpet pan racer but it’s just fun to goof off sometimes and not be so serious like it is with the pan car.

[@ce152capt100]

Hard not to love the xl-5 stampede. I did not understand this until I owned one. Wheelie machine!

[@chrisbakerone]

My son loves his stampede! What is the “skid plate for the rear gear box” at 8:35? Traxxas wheelie bar is flimsy and doesn’t hold up to bashing. That thing looks more durable. Thanks!

[@jadenromo935]

I’ve got an Xmaxx and a bunch more stuff but I just want the stampede so bad so ima get one

[@ryanmoore4844]

This dude has nothing but positive vibes love this msm channel

[@MarkSantaMaria]

Thanks Ryan!

[@jgrc73]

They cancel the vxl right after you made this, and you're right funnest Traxxas ever made

[@truerc]

Pro-Line body mounts and a custom body will fix the "toy look" easy, really just the mounts. The stock ones are a bit long, not as bad as the 4x4 though.

[@simonhall5694]

If your tires get full it’s best to vent the tires or they will break soon

[@Sackmatters]

I’ve had a 2wd vxl stampede for about 10 years. It’s just a fun little rig.

[@frankmaze1972]

My first Traxxas was a brushed Stampede. It was fun but top heavy. Besides lowering it and putting smaller diameter wheels and tires on it, you can mount the battery under the frame with Velcro straps.

[@sterling-hugueley]

That’s a bomb waiting to happen

[@SEGAWR]

Super fun truck Had same one I got blue yellow body. my son drives it now , he thinks it funny that it beats my x maxx in speed run Love the sound the stampede makes on 3s and gear mod vxl monster

[@Modifier-RCs]

It's funny you mention this, cause I have one that I bought like in new condition a couple years ago. What I did to chassis: I upgraded just about everything in it. My has a brushless vxl system, and a beautiful hard body custom made twin cab on it that I made 👌. I used (2) hard bodies to make (1). After all the upgrades I haven't touch it, it's in a clear bag as a shelf queen 😩. I'll see if I'll make a video to show you what it has on, and I'll let you know it's posted for you to check it out 😉👌. I was selling it for $250, but now I'm not 👍

[@robertpabon8068]

Love the stampede! Traxxas home here top 3 in order 1. Xmaxx 2. E-revo 3. Stampede lol. Keep up the good work brother

[@mikecollins6378]

Just leave your vent holes open and vent the tread of your tires use a pic heat it with the torch to poke holes in the tread🤙🏻

[@jdwogoman6061]

This truck is hands down my favorite "hobby grade" truck. Is there better trucks umm yes. duh. But dollar to fun ratio on driveability... THIS IS THE TRUCK. Super easy to work on. CHEAP. I have 3 of these in diff variations. I add a wheelie bar and aluminum shock caps to each right out the box. Replace broken parts with RPM. Bash,Fix,Clean, repeat. SOOOOOO UNDERATED Stay brushed enjoy the fun.

[@jdwogoman6061]

Also, I replace all screws to allen keys.. super cheap.. go to a Fastenal or something similar and buy boxes of the common traxxas screws for around $8-10 a box of 100 per style.

[@Miko_of_the_North]

It would be nice if you did a must upgrade parts video of this truck. I just got my son the Bigfoot one Edit I have done the wheelie bar and just got the wide RPM bumper

[@robertjones9624]

The stampede was my first Hobby truck I owned, Let’s be honest the truck is fast rtr out the box will wheelie and rip…..the down side to the stampede is it’s overall durability I would seem to break/burnout that titan motor… I later appreciated all the weak parts, by the time I was ready for my second rc truck I was completely familiar with every component I needed reinforce or what I wanted to expect out of my rc

[@JagImaging]

I picked up a used Stampede for my son ( a Max D ) Its a freaking blast and I dropped the body down to make it look better..lol