Traxxas Sledge Upgrades

In this video AJ walks you through a couple of upgrades for the Sledge. Having had the time to bash this beast from Traxxas for a while now, he has a feel for the way this RC handles and where some of the weak points are. He repairs the front axel and adds a couple of new components to this awesome machine. Come along and explore the Traxxas Sledge as we make it tougher and more reliable.
Music:
MixKit, Party Robot
Deaf Election, Acceller8
Rasmus Faber, Sneak out together

[@_Oz_]

The wheelie bar makes for a great handle; and, there is a piece you can grab onto under the wing.

[@Hungrybird474]

Man I want one of these 🤩. I only have a HBX 16908SA but she rips it up with a 3s . I have to ease into top speed or she flips . It’s only 1/16 size but my first to have fun with . That build looks nice quality

[@jameshoward9700]

Sir, that was very helpful and informative. Thanks!

[@Kaydee57600]

Thanks

[@salvatorerotundo1560]

Great video

[@RickyD1968]

FYI ON my sledge I just installed a wheelie bar and I use that as a handle !!!!

[@rossrukke4673]

Good camera angles I'm glad I'm subscribed to you I'm thinking the sledge will be my next purchase so I better or stay in touch with your videos thanks a lot.

[@Hungrybird474]

That’s awesome bud 👏. I have to save for one of these but I think I would like it . Happy Easter

[@Crazychoashorts]

Great video, love that grab handle gonna get one fitted on my sledge ...

[@AJJAMStudios]

The wheelie bar does the same thing. I would look into that too and then decide.

[@user-gj5ws2yy4i]

Awesome video

[@TheTony1259]

By the way, that was a great job you did on the Sledge I also own that truck 😊

[@MrKen-sj5qi]

I'm definitely thinking of getting one of these. Everywhere I look on KZbin they seem to be pushing upgrades. It must have a better this, it must have a stronger that. I'm not convinced yet, but I'm getting closer. Excellent video, AJ. Your much like me. Working on them can be just as fun as bashing them, if not more so.

[@ajaykumark107]

I'm running and bashing the stock ones and they are just fine. I am not jumping mine like 40 ft

[@SpeedSyko]

GREAT VIDEO AJ!!! Thanks brother! A+

[@AJJAMStudios]

I love this stuff 😎👍

[@jacobhenson3952]

Glad too see you working on the Sledge. Let’s see how the upgrades hold up. I have the driveshafts and I run a max 6 in mine and they have held up great so far.

[@AJJAMStudios]

We will definitely find out how well they hold up. The Sledge is a really tough machine straight out of the box. I’m hoping these upgrades will fix the issues we’ve had. Thanks for commenting 😎👍

[@angelogallegos1400]

what gearing do u run on the max 6 and does it over heat?

[@randythompson1723]

I noticed that when you mounted the motor and center diff off the car to the GPM motor mount you set the mesh close. I didn't see where you set the final mesh. 👍👍

[@AJJAMStudios]

My rough setting was good and didn’t need to be adjusted. I really didn’t think much of it. Spacing should be just enough for movement between the gears: the thickness of a sheet of fine paper. Thanks for pointing that out 😎👍

[@paulsimons1164]

At least he was honest about the grab bar being 3D printed and it most probably going to break do yourself a favor guys by the Traxxas wheelie bar all the way it is your grab handle it's great I have it

[@FarmerFpv]

I see the same issue happening as with the Arrama motor mounting. No support on the rear of the motor. I have bent the motor mounts and smashed the back of the motor with hard landings, especially at the skate park. I would put 3d printed support to prevent bending the motor mount and destroying the motor. They have 3d printed supports on eBay. You can use the Arrma clocked rear support since your motor wires are to the side. It just snaps in place for some extra security. Your videos are well done.

[@AJJAMStudios]

Great info. Thank you so much. We’ll look into it. 😎👍

[@jacobhenson3952]

@@AJJAMStudios M2C makes a back motor support for the sledge for 20 dollars and it’s worked great for me so far.

[@AJJAMStudios]

Good to know, thanks. AJ

[@jimdwyer2820]

Great vids by the way!! I was wondering if you could put links to the replacement/upgrade parts you are using? It’s nice to go and check the stuff out as you are putting them in…just a thought and keep up the great work!

[@jimdwyer2820]

Never mind I didn’t watch far enough in to see you shown the part numbers etc lol

[@paulsimons1164]

You can get the traffics Willie bar in different flavors and if you don't know what a flavor is it's color the rainbow is available in Traxxas parts accessories for this vehicle have fun with the right product it makes it even greater

[@nobody617]

1.75 playback speed works well. On most videos actually. Especially instruction videos. Fir me anyways. Good for a.d.d. 🙂

[@popcornhead3479]

I'd rather just use the kit with the little oblong washers on the bottom to hold motor more secure,it's way less expensive and easier to use. Also why not use a wheelie bar as a grab handle? It serves two purposes! Just my two cents but good video

[@runnerbaba]

Would love to see you get a new Arrma 4s V2. And your thoughts, upgrades everything. Thanks for your videos. (Fill the diffs completly full or just 90%?)

[@AJJAMStudios]

I have one on order. Just waiting for it to arrive. I usually fill my diffs up. I haven’t had any issues doing this. Thanks for asking. 😎👍

[@rooseveltrainesjr1536]

I will get that motor mount I like it

[@notlrachtron]

Love the content of all your videos …re. Sledge does it come with sway bars ? As I noticed they sell various ones ..if it doesn’t , are they needed /recommended …was thinking of buying a sledge but very up in the air about it ..money not an issue , just on the fence about it ..cheers

[@AJJAMStudios]

No it doesn’t come with sway bars but they are not really needed for the type of bashing it was designed for. My take on it is this: the center diff fluid is too stiff and should be lightened up some. The motor mount needs to be loctited down hard from the start. And the servo could use an upgrade but that’s about it. Check all of the nuts and bolts as they do loosen up, perhaps loctite there too. My humble opinion is this: this machine rocks. It’s tough, fast, and fun as hell to drive. Thanks for asking 😎👍

[@Buckeyeboys1]

Hi, looks good. The factory motor mount has a fan mount. What do you recommend for fan mount replacement? Thx

[@marcel24101972]

OK. the motor mount looks good but now the motor is no longer supported. it "floats" as it were above the chasis. I wonder how it will handle hard landings.

[@AJJAMStudios]

Most of our RCs have this same setup in them and they are holding up just fine, and have for years, but if pounding an RC on concrete is a thing, then additional support is available. We've just installed an M2C motor support bracket in our Sledge as a test. This is the first M2C part we've actually purchased for the channel. This support mounts to the original motor mounting slots and is adjustable for different pinion sizes. Still, we haven't had any issues with this mount type in the past. Arrma, Associated, and Losi all have this type of mounting system in them from the factory and they have a long track record of durability; skate parks not withstanding. 😎👍

[@s21killah]

Great video..what's the largest diameter motor that gpm mount can hold?

[@DB-qm4jx]

Does GPM make good stuff? I’m new to the aftermarket RC stuff I think they say on their website they are in OEM manufacturer for major manufactures. They must be good then? Great video as always I just got my sledge the police go but haven’t had a chance to run it and looking forward to it

[@AJJAMStudios]

Generally GPM makes great stuff. The parts I’ve gotten from them are still working perfectly. Easy install and made from good materials. No Sponsor talk here, just the facts. Thanks for asking. 😎👍

[@toddbristol707]

Great video. I just picked up my Sledge today and I'm glad I found this channel. Question - The GPM hardware looks great, and I get the concept and why you replaced the stock parts with it, however - You now are without a way to mount a fan for the motor. is that something you decided Not to care about? Also, with the grab bar (which I love...), can that be mounted with a wheelie bar, or is it "one or the other"? Thanks!

[@someonewhocares5712]

i put a fan on mine same company GPM it has bars that slip around motor i tie wrapped mine to driver support for added stability

[@NeelMIII]

After watching this video and several others I decided the Sledge was for me. I ordered the GPM mount just before getting the truck. One thing I saw when installing the mount yesterday. **Bear with me here for a second** I think the fit and finish are good, but the one concern I have is while the gear and center diff are bracketed there is nothing holding up the other side of the motor, meaning if the landing is hard gravity will do what it does and the unsupported part of the motor will do what it does.. Sooooooo what I will be doing is modifying the OEM motor mount bracket by cutting off the piece that attaches the motor (by 2 screws kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJCshJSBr5qIY68) to the lower cradle and then installing the OEM motor mount as well as the GPM mount. My thought is that cradle bolts to the chassis and will support the motor during "crash" or "hard" landings. @AJJAMStudios - thoughts ?

[@NeelMIII]

The traxxas wheel bar can be used as a handle.

[@NeelMIII]

Just finished cutting putting the OEM engine mount back on WITH the GPM mount. Fits well, going to drive the sledge tomorrow. Easy enough, cut the bracket that mounts to the motor on the OEM cradle. Remove the right side plastic side skirt, remove 3 bolts that hold the motor gear slide the motor out to the right, put the OEM cradle on slide the motor back into the GPM mount.. good to go. OEM = Traxxas part.

[@heatwave-2243]

ive already broken 3 tires, lost 2 screws and broken a shock cap, this is on top of it shiping without the ecs and receiver cap, btw ive only run it 6pairs of batterys threw it......

[@brian7316]

Hi AJ ..I was wondering about them 2 chrome pan head screws you tightened up last uner the chassis ..would them heads of them screws get rounded off while running the Sledge in time ..shouldnt they be flat headed screws there ?

[@AJJAMStudios]

Sorry for the delayed response. If the chassis was counter sunk then I'd swap them out for flat screws, but these are the ones that came in the kit, so I installed them. If they take damage or cause issues then I'll countersink the chassis myself and replace them with the appropriate screws. We try not to do that sort of thing much around here because others, those who watch our videos, may not have the resources to do it properly and we try and help when we can, not show off and do things others may have trouble doing. But to get to your question, yes they may round off, and they may actually catch on things as we bash over obstacles. I see a change in our future. I guess we'll see how long they last - that too will be a good test. Thanks for asking. AJ

[@pewterngold]

For an $800+ rig….Traxxas need to redesign the motor mount given the problems that are occurring with the motor shifting and causing damage to the center diff. THAT would be the right thing to do. But then they would be admitting to a design flaw which Traxxas will rather avoid like the plague.

[@brumfiba]

I blew through 4 of the stock spur gears in the first two weeks I owned mine. The motor mount is definitely a problem.

[@paulsimons1164]

Aluminum diff cups motor housings anything to keep your bearings in place better than Milton plastic around your bearings heat from the bearings will destroy the plastic casings so upgrade the aluminum housings and keep your bearings in check them every single time you buy a ready to run they all need to be shimmed

[@HORRUS29]

Can you still put a heat sink fan on the motor with that setup? Do you have to also use the original motor mount for a fan?

[@AJJAMStudios]

Yes, a fan and heat sink will fit. There are many aftermarket heatsinks out there that will work just fine. Thanks for asking. 😎👍

[@jasonosterhoff4840]

How has the motor mount held up?

[@kennylam7248]

hi there, thanks for this good video. i have one question, which number of pinion that GPM mount motor can put in ? ( 13t / 14t / 15t / 16t ) ???

[@AJJAMStudios]

Unclear. The stock pinion fit right in and there was room to gear up but I do not have the numbers for you. Perhaps after we’ve bashed it a while we may know more. Thanks for asking 😎👍

[@genstruktur]

Would also like to know?

[@genstruktur]

I have 15t on there now with GPM motor mount. I think there is room for at least 20t

[@JvD1985]

Whats the max pinion size with that GPM motor mount?

[@TheTony1259]

Can you show me how to take out the Cush drive on the E Revo 2.0 and reinstall it I am having trouble putting it back together and keeping that pen in place when you put the plastic washer over it and then put the black cover over it with the gear the 54t metal gear.

[@AJJAMStudios]

Unfortunately we do not have the E revo so I can’t do that. Wish I could help. 👍

[@TheTony1259]

@@AJJAMStudios Thanks Anyway 😊

[@vivos71]

Idk if I maybe missed in in the video, but where do you get your shock boots from?

[@AJJAMStudios]

My local hobby store had them. Also, you should be able to find them on eBay. Search Traxxas sledge shocks. Thanks for asking 😎👍

[@kollak01]

idk the factory motor mount supported the motor over a larger area. seems like other metal chassis cars with just the motor mount mounting to the end of the motor can allows flex of the mounting plate. but usually those motors are very close to the bottom of the chassis. being the traxxas one raises the motor up slightly there is more room for the motor to move with the setup you added. i get the center diff mount but i feel like you lost the robust mounting of the factory setup.

[@AJJAMStudios]

We also added the M2C motor support.

[@leegorman3329]

if you had to pick one out of the sledge or talion, which would it be?

[@AJJAMStudios]

Ouch, tough question. I think the Sledge is tougher out of the box, but I love my Talions, especially the XL we put together. For me personally it is a toss up. If you figure in cost the edge may go to the Talion. However, the Sledge is a beast. Thanks for asking 😎👍

[@leegorman3329]

@@AJJAMStudios thanks for replying, after all the footage i’ve seen on the talion i didn’t think anything could be tougher than that! i’ve seen it launched 30 ft in the air countless times and still doesn’t break

[@j.r.sitman6286]

Do you have a video on replacing the center front drive shaft?

[@AJJAMStudios]

Not yet. We haven't had the need yet. Thanks for asking😎👍

[@rooseveltrainesjr1536]

You should have took that esc off also get a firmament,

[@rooseveltrainesjr1536]

I replace my motor with 2200 hobbywing that thing fly I have a 17 t pinion I use my wheelie bar for my holder bar

[@TheTony1259]

My front grill keeps getting banged up, Is there a way to make the front bumper longer so that the front of my truck don't get dinged in?

[@AJJAMStudios]

I don’t know. We haven’t found one yet.

[@christopherjohnson2102]

Any update after running it for a while? I am considering the same mount and am concerned that the gears seem exposed. Seems like a rock or something could get in pretty easily and destroy the gears.

[@AJJAMStudios]

The exposure of the gears is incidental. Most of the 6s RCs are set up this way. We’ve never had an issue with that. Thanks for asking. By the way, this RC is a beast and functioning perfectly. 😎👍

[@BIGWojo68]

What kind of screw drivers is he using? The one with the metal handles..

[@AJJAMStudios]

He fly for the larger handles andDynamite for the shorter ones. The Dynamite ones have great heads on them. (Got ours at our local hobby store)

[@desertrider325]

Do you have a video on the servo?

[@AJJAMStudios]

Not yet. We’ve mentioned it a few times because we use them a lot. Perhaps we’ll do one on it in the future 😎👍

[@taxpayertroy]

Hey can you use different motors with this gpm mount? I have the same mount thank you

[@AJJAMStudios]

Yes you can. It is just like the mounts in our other 1/8th scale RCs.

[@taxpayertroy]

Cool, yea I’m thinking of using a rocket 1700 with this gpm mount in my sledge do you think that’s a good basher combo??

[@taxpayertroy]

@@AJJAMStudios and thank you

[@AJJAMStudios]

It depends upon the screw mounting holes for the motor. My gut says it will fit, but I haven't tried it either, so I may be wrong on that one. Anyone reading the comments that knows the answer to this one, please chime in and help this guy out. Thank you. AJ

[@khrisyeet8022]

First baby!!! Can you do some Losi SBR videos? If you have one that is. If not Infraction or Mojave would be great. Maybe even the LMT.

[@AJJAMStudios]

Unfortunately we haven’t purchased an SBR. We do have videos for the other three you mentioned. Thanks for commenting 😎👍

[@ak5012000]

why you put the motorgear backwards on?

[@AJJAMStudios]

To gain proper alignment with the spur gear.

[@ak5012000]

@@AJJAMStudios ok thanks

[@DevilFish75]

Can you add the links vor the parts?

[@taxpayertroy]

Question, how is the motor supported to the chassis?? Also, is there holes for a fan?? Thanks

[@AJJAMStudios]

The motor is supported by the mount on the face of the motor only unless you add a under bracket for support. Many manufacturers build RCs with this type of mount for the motor with great durability. The choice is yours as to how you would deal with this issue, which really isn't much of an issue, unless you like skate parks or pounding your RC on concrete or pavement. And no, there are no holes for a fan, but a simple heatsink would give that option to you. Thanks for commenting. 😎👍

[@russellhall784]

That motor mount dosnt support the motor well enough

[@AJJAMStudios]

If you check out our On the Block video for the sledge you’ll see we’ve taken care of that issue. Thanks for commenting 😎👍

[@paulsimons1164]

Just put a wheelie bar on there's no need for a handle the handle is stupid by the wheelie bar it serves the same purpose that grab handle looks like crap because it's 3D printed it's going to break as soon as you do one or two wheelies s*** product