Project: Full-Option Sledge Part 2
We Outfit Our Sledge with the Newest Aluminum Accessories
A bunch of exciting new accessories arrived after wrapping up Part 1 of the Sledge build, so naturally we just had to get them onto our project truck. Along with new colors for the main chassis, tie bars, and bellcrank posts, there are now TUBES links and machined aluminum steering blocks and caster blocks available in red, green, orange, blue, and gray. Let’s take a closer look:
PHASE 3: MORE ANODIZED OPTIONS
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| Phase 3 Parts List |
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No changes to the Sledge chassis for the new optional colors, it’s just a different look. Seeing the bare chassis makes it easy to appreciate all the engineering detail that went into the truck.
TUBES links combine tubular 7075 aluminum bodies with heavy-duty steel inserts to deliver greater rigidity and strength than titanium without the added cost of the exotic metal. Added bonus: aluminum construction allows for a range of colors.
We couldn’t decide on red/blue or blue/red for the front, so we chose both—red caster blocks and blue steering blocks for the right side, vice-versa for the left.
We’re keeping the red and blue theme going with the rear carriers. The machined aluminum carriers match the geometry of the composite parts.
The aluminum parts look fantastic and take our Sledge from “extreme heavy duty” to “extremely extreme heavy duty.”
PHASE 4: GEARING UP FOR MAXIMUM SPEED
Out of the box, Sledge is geared for efficient running on all types of terrain with plenty of torque for off-roading and exciting top speeds with a 4S LiPo (14.8 volts, 35+ mph) or dual 3S LiPos (22.2 volts, 55+ mph). If you want to go for absolute peak speed and see your Sledge top 70+ mph, you can install the optional 18-tooth pinion and 46-tooth spur gear. Keep in mind, that gearing is for speed running on hard surfaces only. If you use the speed gearing for general on- and off-road driving, the motor and speed control can overheat. The speed control’s thermal shutdown protection will spare it from damage, but if the motor exceeds 170° F (77° C), you may permanently reduce its power output or cause other damage. To avoid overheating, monitor the motor temperature after each full-speed run, and allow cooling time between runs as needed.
Traxxas makes it easy to choose the gearing that matches your need for speed.
The optional 18T pinion and 46T spur gear put 70+ mph within reach. You can also go with a 16T pinion and 52T spur gear to achieve almost as much speed (65+ mph) with less strain on the power system, but it’s still a speed-run-only ratio. Stick with the stock 13/52 gears for all-around multi-terrain fun.
We installed the 3476 cooling fan to help the VXL-6s speed control shed heat during maximum-power pulls to 70+ mph. The fan plugs into the receiver for power via the included wire harness.
Machined Steel Ring & Pinion Differential Gears
Sledge’s stock differential ring and pinion gears are extra-large and made of steel to deliver all the durability required for hard launches to top speed, supercross-style jump sessions, and hammering through rough terrain with 6s power. The optional machined-steel ring and pinion gears are even harder than the stock parts for longer service life and greater wear resistance under maximum-stress conditions. They’re machined from steel billet and are the ultimate in drivetrain strength and precision for the most demanding drivers.
Sledge’s stock differential ring and pinion gears are extra-large and made of steel to deliver all the durability required for hard launches to top speed, supercross-style jump sessions, and hammering through rough terrain with 6s power. The optional machined-steel ring and pinion gears are even harder than the stock parts for longer service life and greater wear resistance under maximum-stress conditions. They’re machined from steel billet and are the ultimate in drivetrain strength and precision for the most demanding drivers.
Sledge’s original-equipment steel ring and pinion differential gears are plenty strong, but the machined-steel versions are even stronger. We’re adding the machined gears from the start because we’re in full-option mode, but this upgrade can wait until you wear out the stock gears—if you ever do.
The differential’s ring gear can be removed and reinstalled without emptying the differential, but the gear swap is a good opportunity to change the oil viscosity if you want to alter diff action. The 5136X diff oil set includes 10,000, 30,000, and 50,000 weight silicone fluid.
PHASE 5: TRAXXAS LINK TELEMETRY
Traxxas Link makes it easy to record and view telemetry data as you drive, and Sledge is equipped to show battery voltage, speed control temperature, motor RPM, and speed right out of the box. To keep tabs on motor temperature, we’ll also install a separate temperature sensor. For complete details on everything you can do with Sledge’s TQi transmitter and Traxxas Link, check out How to Become a TQi Power User.
The Traxxas Link module installs in seconds and enables Bluetooth connection with your iOS or Android smart device.
The 6521 Temperature & Voltage sensor has two plugs. The grey plug goes in the receiver’s Voltage/Temperature (V/T) port. The red plug goes into the Battery/Channel 5 (Batt/CH5) port.
The 6535 Temperature Sensor Mount holds the sensor’s thermistor tightly against the motor and includes a thermal pad for efficient heat transfer and accurate readings.
Here’s Sledge’s Traxxas Link dashboard. We moved the voltage meter to the smaller gauge on the right so the motor temperature could be in the larger position below it.
PHASE 6: TRACK-READY TRACTION
Response Pro Soft-Compound Tires
Sledge rolls out on massive Sledgehammer® tires with aggressive, moto-inspired lugs engineered to sling sand, motor through mud, and withstand high-output driving in the toughest off-road conditions. For high-grip, high-performance handling in track-like conditions, we’re adding a set of Response Pro tires to our Sledge tool kit. Their smaller diameter will lower our top speed a little bit, but it's worth it for the extra grip. The fine tread pattern and low-profile design offer sharper steering response and maximum traction on hard-packed dirt, plus a big savings in rotating weight.
Sledge rolls out on massive Sledgehammer® tires with aggressive, moto-inspired lugs engineered to sling sand, motor through mud, and withstand high-output driving in the toughest off-road conditions. For high-grip, high-performance handling in track-like conditions, we’re adding a set of Response Pro tires to our Sledge tool kit. Their smaller diameter will lower our top speed a little bit, but it's worth it for the extra grip. The fine tread pattern and low-profile design offer sharper steering response and maximum traction on hard-packed dirt, plus a big savings in rotating weight.
Response Pros are sold in pairs complete with foam inserts and fit Traxxas 3.8″ wheels. We went with the E-Revo VXL’s six-spoke design and mounted them using Ultra Premium tire glue to ensure a super-strong, 6s-ready bond. If you prefer a ready-to-install option, the Response Pros are also offered factory-mounted on white dish wheels.
Here’s the Response Pro compared to the stock Sledgehammer tire. The Response Pros on six-spoke wheels weigh 7.5 oz. (212 g) each versus 11.9 oz. for the Sledgehammers. That’s a total weight savings of 1 lb., 1.6 oz. (500 g) for all four tires. The Response Pro’s lower profile means Sledge will roll 17.6” (448 mm) with each tire revolution versus 20.8″ (528 mm) for the Sledgehammers. The shorter rollout and big reduction in rotating weight are ideal for rocketing from corner to corner in track-style conditions.
Sway Bar Cornering Control
For all-terrain fun-running, there’s no such thing as too much grip. For track-style action, excessive traction can scrub corner speed and make handling feel nervous. Sway bars are the tried-and-true solution for reducing chassis roll and tailoring grip to track conditions, and Traxxas makes it easy to add them to Sledge with a complete six-bar kit. For full details on how sway bars affect suspension action and how to put them to work, check out Part 4 of our Suspension Tuning Guide.
For all-terrain fun-running, there’s no such thing as too much grip. For track-style action, excessive traction can scrub corner speed and make handling feel nervous. Sway bars are the tried-and-true solution for reducing chassis roll and tailoring grip to track conditions, and Traxxas makes it easy to add them to Sledge with a complete six-bar kit. For full details on how sway bars affect suspension action and how to put them to work, check out Part 4 of our Suspension Tuning Guide.
The Sledge Sway Bar Kit includes everything you need to install front and rear sway bars, and the six bars are color-coded to indicate stiffness. No disassembly is required to install the bars.
The sway bars attach to the suspension arms with labeled, fixed-length links that make installation and setup extra fast and easy.
PHASE 7: CUSTOM PAINT OPTIONS
Sledge looks great in its four factory color combos, but Traxxas gives you options if you want to choose your own custom colors. The fastest, easiest way to get a unique look is a ProGraphix® body. Just spray your favorite color (or colors) to fill in the clear areas of the screen-printed graphics, add the included decals, and presto—a custom finish with no masking required. If you prefer a crystal-clear canvas to express yourself, the 9511 clear body leaves all the design choices to you and includes masks for a see-through window look, as well as blackout window decals you can apply for a faster finish.
The clear and ProGraphix body options arrive fully trimmed and include all the window, grille, and logo decals you’ll need to complete the body.
We sprayed the front of the ProGraphix body red, the rear section metallic blue, then used white to fill in the middle. (FYI if you’re new to painting RC bodies: the paint goes on the inside.) We sprayed the white over the entire body so the red and blue areas would achieve full brightness. The whole job took three minutes and it was dry in fifteen.
After peeling off the overspray film and applying the decals, we swapped the black original-equipment body reinforcements and roof skids for blue versions. You can also get them in orange, red, and green.
We used this “blank” Sledge graphic to sketch ideas for the clear-body paint job. Print it out and get creative!
Here’s our completed Sledge with ProGraphix body.
That completes our Sledge build. In case you missed anything, we'll lay out the full parts list below.
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| Phase 3 Parts List |
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