Traxxas E-MAXX 3906 vs 3903 Comparison

[@nobodynoone3428]

Very nice comparison. Find it interesting and informative to see videos like this showing older rcs as they were back in the day.

[@radsputiogramen8609]

Very informative. I just got my old school E-Maxx repaired after sitting in storage for almost 20 years. I did not know the wheels weren't glued. I will be gluing the tires. When I first received it from Traxxas, I was underway (Navy ship) in the middle of the Mediterranean. Never owned an RC truck, I couldn't wait to try it. As soon as I floored it, it went over the side. It was hanging by a tire on the side of the ship.

[@SuperFastRc]

Thats a great story! I guess you caught it before it went in the sea

[@GreatBirdOfHope]

Wow... I am literally in the exact same boat as you... My emaxx in my closet have not driven in 20 years since I was 17

[@scottwelch1023]

Love the 2 speed transmission... Was the wildest thing in that time frame. I wish I never sold mine....

[@JordanN404]

I still got one but it needs new motors because the stock ones were brushed and the brushes rusted

[@toolinedc]

I bought a 3906 when i was in highschool from a friend, still have it but its in peices in a box. Just bought another 3906 in almost brand new condition, all stock and functionning. Paid 190$cad /120$usd with 2 new batteries and the origin remote. I'm so happy !!!!!! Emaxx always been my favorite trucks owned 2 Xmaxxs as well, sold them, don't know why cause i want one back haha. The Maxx series from traxxas is my all time favorite. Great video man ! Gonna be looking for a 3903 to bash around. Don't wanna run the 3906 i just bought. Gonna be a shelf queen with few runs here and there in grass.

[@SuperC188]

3906 and 3903 are both classics. Especially the 3906, it’s something that we may never see again.

[@Hi-Tower_Hobbies]

Awesome to see this comparison! I owned this truck(3906) back in the day! Was a super fun truck! Not at all waterproof! Makes me sad that traxxas discontinued the emaxx model completely. I did get the last brushless model, luckily. Its still a fragile truck with the new brushless tech. Supposedly all the EMAXX's use the same bulkheads.

[@BJETNT]

Man mine is anything but fragile but I've upgraded a lot of it including the bulkheads. I have Robinson racing differentials along with RPM bulkheads a arms shock towers and that kind of thing and I have an aftermarket metal chassis with MIP drive shafts and associated racing shocks. Also I have titanium everywhere I can put it. Also I had the gorilla transmission put in where it locked it and second gear along with the transmission upgrades to where I can gun it and not melt the gears. I also have the brushless version and a supermax version that I built from the ground up. For racing I have not found anything I like better than the supermax version I can race it in monster truck or Truggy. The stock motor that comes in the brushless version is too fast honestly to race with six cells. I usually either use one four or five cell battery pack depending on the track itself that I'm racing on. The supermax parts might as well even be a completely different truck. Because to do it right it's about 3 Grand and there's nothing left in the original car and if you're going to build one for racing that's what I recommend just starting off with rather than buying one and replacing things as you go. I'm going to get rid of most of them except my supermax and maybe keep one as a basher and start playing around with my ex Max more

[@tracykey9227]

I have my 3906 that i bought in like 2003. Over the years, I've upgraded so many parts on it, to include connectors on the esc to take lipo batteries; of course, had to upgrade drive shafts and half shafts, that i made from cutting-to-length, from the heavy duty 3908 drive shafts. It is really fast and i enjoy driving it.

[@sbfhawk4343]

I still have my original 3906 Made everything waterproof and added the the Receiver and EVX2 controller and with the 2s lipos man this thing rocks. Still legendary.

[@RC-ty5ym]

You wasted your money on the evx2

[@peterroman3512]

@@RC-ty5ym Why? I was looking at upgrading my 3906 v-twin brushed to lipo using the EVX2. Is there something wrong with it or a better option?

[@RC-ty5ym]

@@peterroman3512 I'd recommend you the hobbywing 0880. Costs only around 45 bucks and can be fully programmed. Way more options than the overpriced EVX2

[@allmightygreatone1048]

Great video. Good job explaining improvements. Thank you. I remember the first nitro t max. The first emax was a converted tmax. The sound of the diffs and trans was amazing. We drove over ten scale buggies and terrorized those little machines at our indoor local track. It was a fun truck in the early 2000. Many guys at the track had these, we would do battle on the dirt track. The 3903 was much better truck. The erevo was superior to the emax and was more durable. Sad to say , this year our local track sold.

[@daveanderson8404]

thanx so much for this vid, great comparison, i just picked up the earlier model and this vid tought me a lot. thanx man

[@nhraandnascarfanatic5907]

I still have my 3906 along with my dads (who has since passed on) old original 1.5 tmaxx, I will never part with them but in recent years the money collectors/Traxxas enthusiasts have offered me for these trucks was nothing short of temptingly ABSURD!!!!… so hang on to that thing man

[@Aladinscave]

Working on my Emaxx now love the truck it’s a lot of fun and if you play with it knowing it’s weaknesses it is not bad it’s handling is what a e Maxx is 👍🏻🏁

[@SuperFastRc]

Exactly! The E-Maxx is fantastic! People only have problems with them when they use them beyond their limits.

[@billiesuebonilla2265]

awesome. thank you. I have a 3906 my sister bought me when i was 13. unfortunately i left it outside for years and rained on. i recently got back into it and im trying to fix it up. needs alot of work though haha.

[@SuperFastRc]

Ouch!

[@RainWalker24c]

Having that manual shift was so fun! I melted the battery connectors first month after use on evx, & twisted up the f/r axles lol. I put close to 400 in upgrades before selling, needed quick money. Wish I could've kept it.

[@SuperFastRc]

Haha i think i did the same. Then i went to all deans plugs on everything! Twisted the plastic driveshafts as well lol! And broke just about every part at least once. I ended up running a modded T maxx chassis and aluminum bulkheads and then it was pretty tough. But still not unbreakable lol

[@RadioControlGuitarist]

I just got a 3903 from my neighbor who has had it for 1000 years. I’ve got the Maxx bug now. I think I need one of every Maxx truck.

[@brianroberts5740]

Really good video. Great comparison. I have the old school 3906 and had to replace the ESC. Have the TMaxx too. Both great trucks. Also have an HPI Savage Big Block too. Hard to say which is better. Both species LOL have the merits HPI needs to build an on-board starter for theirs. I hate putllng em to start.

[@williambreeze2659]

Thanks for the breakdown!

[@giveup6309]

My 3906 is still running good to this day planning on doing a brushless swap on it and making it a real beast

[@krazicanuck9045]

I just dropped a Hobbywing max 8 combo on 6s in mine. Thing rips now.

[@AsurasWrath164]

What for? Absolutely unneccessary!

[@nhraandnascarfanatic5907]

@@AsurasWrath164 because it’s 2023 and 25mph doesn’t exactly raise the hairs on the back of the neck like it did in 2001 that’s why 😂

[@MiguelSanchez-nd4bv]

Crazy how I shelved my RC hobby 15+ years ago because well kids!!! Now my son is understanding the $’s it takes to keep them running. Got him a VXL slash and not I’m going through parts to rebuild my 2.5 T-Maxx that I converted to a 3.3. Hopefully the Spectrum DX3S and receiver still power up and work!!! Of course I still have to go through the HYTEC high torque servos too! And then there’s the E-Maxx to refresh for his girlfriend so she can run over his slash. lol. He finally got the bug. Looks like it will be an expensive year!! 🙄❤️💯👍🏽

[@SuperFastRc]

Ah i remember the old dx3s one of the first 2.4g radios out!

[@badlanz8642]

These things where the clodbusters of the 2000s

[@joeldude76]

I wish they still made the e maxx. I know it may not be as good as the new maxx but I like the fact that it’s basically just like my t maxx.

[@brianroberts5740]

Yeah. I have the TMaxx and the Emaxx both. Can't say which i like more. The nitro, motor, smoke and noise. Love it. EMaxx is EASY.

[@jeschreindl]

Man that 3906 is a beauty!

[@atkracing]

I always dreamed of owning a E- Maxx

[@jamesblake1848]

Yeah I was dreaming of having one too got one a few months ago for 120.00 dollars been upgrading every single thing on it still driveshaft on the way after adding all RPM, brushless/motor 1/8 scale setup . Duratrax tires and rims which are double the size of the original so now waiting on steel driveshafts. not including the miscellaneous things I've added hot racing clutch. I could have bought a Xmaxx 🤣🤣🤣

[@logangrilliotvlogs3538]

I'm gonna build one out of extra parts from my pro 15 even tho I have to many rigs but I can't help myself I love building rigd

[@niney255]

That truck is amazing 3906 I just bought one it is gray though

[@theshapeexists]

I still havey original t maxx i bought in 1999. Needs a new steering servo, shock tower and carb, but i completely rebuilt it recently

[@JOHNNAYMACK]

i just picked up a 3906 with extras for 100 dollars . mine had the esc they put before the red one for a very short period and then recalled them .(had a switch) i was floored when traxxas replaced it for free . yes in 2020 .they gave me the same one as in the summit . and no my tires are not glued but oldy enough they do not slip and i have been running lipos . had to shave a tiny bit off motor mount to get batteries to fit . did just snap a drive yolk though ...

[@SuperFastRc]

Yeah the drive shafts are not that tough especially with the age they have on them. Thats really cool that they replaced the esc in 2020 i would have thought they would be like the warranty period has passed lol

[@BradKwfc]

$100, where did you get it?

[@JOHNNAYMACK]

@@BradKwfc craigslist

[@JOHNNAYMACK]

@@BradKwfc one on ebay now for 87 dollars

[@BradKwfc]

@@JOHNNAYMACK Yeah I was looking at it just the other day. I made offers on another listed for $300.

[@lftdblazer]

Question for ya, since you replied to to me a few days ago. I've gotten my 3906 back up and running again, but I'm having battery issues. I stuck a pair of 3600mah 6 cell nimh's in it on it's maiden voyage and got quite a bit of run time without issues. On the 2nd charge I ran it a few laps and decided to check it out and sure enough the tamiya connectors melted together on the batteries. I then upgraded to 3800mahs with xt60 connectors and adapters for the Gen 1 TRX connectors. Realized I had lost reverse on the EVX-2, but it still ran good, lo and behold the ends of the batteries cooked and burnt the metal inside connecting the cells. What am I doing wrong or what could I check? I'm about to shelve this thing forever if I can't figure it out.

[@SuperFastRc]

You said you are running the evx2? Hmm my guess is that whn the connectors melted something caused it like a dead short somewhere in the batteries. Did the cells get real hot? What is the voltage on the packs. Also make sure the evx is not in race mode.

[@lftdblazer]

@@SuperFastRc I don't know what the voltage was on the first or second pair. Idk I may have made a mistake on charging them honestly. I thought the charger was pretty straight forward with it's settings. Using a Dynamit Prophet Precept on nimh mode. They were super friggin hot whenever the tamiya connectors melted. On the other pair of batteries they just burnt the ends and were cool to the touch. Also, have tried all modes on the EVX2 and cannot find reverse at all, but if I flick the trigger a certain way it will glitch to reverse it seems wide open and then if I a hit forward it will stop and then move forward, but again no reverse. This is in Sport mode when that happens. It's strange.

[@jaredsayrc4947]

I just rebuilt two emax 3906 upgrade radio to TQ1 three channels and waterproof esc and I bought 2s REEDY Wolfpack LiPo but I put big Joe's tire and now it doesn't do back flips and I put 80 weight shock oil and I'm looking at maybe going brushless how do you get out of trainer mod

[@SuperFastRc]

If you are using the evx2 and brushed motors it will not do a backflip. You would need to go brushless but on a 3906 i would not recommend it you will break it every time you run, driveshafts and gears brushless will eat them like candy. Esc program guide for TRX esc : traxxas.com/support/Programming-Your-Traxxas-Electronic-Speed-Control

[@djcrank4life]

Just got a castle system in mine!

[@lftdblazer]

Long shot, but do you happen to know which channel operates the steering, shifting and throttle on the 3906? I'm working on my newly acquired 3906. I took it apart to clean, but forgot to take a pic of the receiver wiring.

[@SuperFastRc]

Sure! Channel 1 steering, 2 throttle, 3 shifting.

[@lftdblazer]

@@SuperFastRc Awesome man. Really appreciate it.

[@lftdblazer]

@@SuperFastRc Why would Steering and Throttle be swapped? The throttle is steering and the steering is working as Forward/Reverse. The shifting works for Ch 3, but even swapping around 1 and 2 it does nothing. Is anything supposed to be plugged into the Batt terminal on receiver? I can't figure it out. This is weird. Lol

[@Moezer]

I just picked up a 3906 in super good condition and was wondering why the tires where not glued 😂 ik upgraded everything to rpm now though control arms turn knuckles and bulk head supports

[@STDriver92]

New Maxx platform is cool, but I wish Traxxas still made these and the E-Revo, The sledge is very run of the mill in its construction and the E-Revo was very unique. Oh well....

[@rome79735]

I have both, love them both......too bad they do not make them anymore. IMHO I like this compared to the Maxx.

[@RustybeltRC]

I have an E-Maxx Brushless Edition and I run it on 4S with a 20T pinion gear.

[@SuperFastRc]

I dont see why not. Monitor your temps

[@niney255]

Pls do a bashing vid on the 3903

[@allaboutarianabermudes390]

Please show me how to run 4s on a stock brushed e maxx 3908 . Mine won't take 3s

[@SuperFastRc]

3908 comes up as a stampede vxl. Which version do you have evx or evx2?

[@philliplyn2692]

I’ll take the first generation please just add upgraded parts and power batteries with charger the brushless with the mamba system would be next if you have one selling let me know thanks for sharing 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@brettcaudill9621]

I’d do about anything to find a new 3906

[@truthhurts4555]

I have 3 3906 trucks. They worth anything?

[@SuperFastRc]

Depends on the condition, most buy them for collections. I would list them on ebay or fb marketplace

[@minnesotabeans2964]

Where you located?

[@alecbarnett6545]

Would you be interested in selling your 3906? I’ve been searching for a blue 3906 for awhile.

[@SuperFastRc]

I have had lots of offers to buy it but I would rather keep it. Super hard to find these days!

[@VUO4E]

The 3906 was ultra-durable. Eventually the axles would twist but other than that ? Unbreakable - except if you think hitting posts is part of the rc-experience :)

[@SuperFastRc]

I mean if you don’t crash any rc is durable lol!

[@theirishaxe9405]

Im so jealous you have a new 3906!

[@SuperFastRc]

Got it on ebay about 5 years ago for $325

[@theonejp8907]

Great Video!!! I make Traxxas videos too!!!

[@ericjudd9603]

My 3903 still goes👍

[@ModellbautechnikSalzkammergut]

👍👍👍

[@gone.fishin9039]

Super fragile? I beat the crap out of my 3908 still with a 6s arrma combo and it has yet to break. These trucks were only fragile if you didnt make sure all the bulkhead/chassis/brace screws were tight.

[@SuperFastRc]

Nah, you are just lucky. These are not fragile but they are not durable either 🤷‍♂️

[@WowoodogPlays]

3608 is a stampede

[@sixtyonenine]

Got my dads e max 👍

[@jackwagonrc]

if you are ever interested in selling this model please let me know! we own a hobby shop in greeley and this would look great on display, thank you.

[@allaboutarianabermudes390]

Mr ultimate rc says he did it but turned off his comments . What a bozo

[@jordansluka6288]

I have an Erevo 1.0 and it breaks every time I drive it. My Emaxx 3906 and 3908 hold up better.

[@SuperFastRc]

Yeah the erevo 1.0 plastics don’t age well at all

[@061811]

want to sell 3906?

[@SuperFastRc]

No thanks but thanks

[@shawnjoe72]

I'll sell ya mine.

[@rileymay3556]

@@SuperFastRc hey brother I own the e-maxx used it a couple years ago don’t reamber how to pair the remote to the e-maxx all I can reamber is you had to hold the power and something on the controller is there any way you can make a video on it?

[@allmightygreatone1048]

Got 3 3906 light use, new Novak esc evx original . For sale. 2 red body, 1 blue body. Lots metal parts, too much to list. Got original radios . Never abused in water and mud.

[@allmightygreatone1048]

Will sell mine.