The Traxxas Rustler 4×4 VXL is one of the best and strongest RC cars that Traxxas has made. This RC car is as popular as the Slash because, with its power and performance, the price seems like a bargain for a lot of people.
Click here if you’d like to see our full review of the Traxxas Rustler 4×4 VXL
The stock parts of this RC car are pretty reliable and handle well which makes the Rustler one of the special RC cars of Traxxas.
However, a lot of people love upgrading their RC cars to have more fun not only after they built their own car, but also when they are in the process of the upgrade!
This is why today, I will show you the best 10 easy upgrading parts to add for your Traxxas Rustler 4×4 VXL.
Read also: Top 10 Traxxas Slash upgrades for 2021
GTR Shocks: Essential Parts For Traxxas Rustler 4×4 VXL
Shocks are so much important when it comes to carrying the vehicle as well as absorbing all the shocks coming from the ground especially if it was a hard way to drive on.
The problem with the stock shocks that come with the Rustler is that they’re not great at handling. And so when there is so much pressure on the vehicle, they may probably not be able to keep up with the speed and the pressure. Especially if there were other upgrades on the vehicle.
Replacing the stock parts with the new aluminum solid GTR shocks will help the vehicle to sustain its balance on the road no matter how hard it was. This will give you the chance to control your Traxxas Rustler Easier instead of struggling with it.
The Shocks Springs
Just so tat you know, the GTR shocks don’t come with their springs. And the other thing that I want you to know is that the stock springs aren’t compatible with the GTR shocks. But this isn’t a problem at all, because you can have a new compatible springs for your new GTR Shocks.
They’re so cheap and easy to install, so don’t worry about that at all.
Here is a link to get them on Amazon:
The A-Arms
Alongside the GTR shocks, the A-arms are always important when it comes to the durability and the handling of the vehicle.
The reason why you should change these as soon as possible is because of how sensible and fragile that place in the Rustler. Let me explain…
If you notice, this A-arms are right below th shocks. And as you know, the shocks are responsible for absorbing all the pressure that the vehicle gets from the high speeds and the hard ground. And the fact that the A-Arms are next the these shocks means that they’re also under the same pressure as the shocks.
Not only that, they are responsible to keep a strong linking between the vehicle and the wheels.
The Traxxas Rustler 4×4 VXL Tires
So far, I was talking about 3 parts that you should change and that they’re linked to each other. And as you saw, the GTR Shocks are linked to the A-Arms, and these are linked to the tires.
This doesn’t mean that if you change one of them that you have to change the others, but it’s better to have parts of the same range of handling for your Rustler, especially that they’re cheap!
You don’t have to change your Rustler’s tires because there is no difference between the stock and the aftermarket.
Well, you’ll change them anyway. It’s just a matter of time and it depends also on how you drive your Rustler. This is normal because they’re the ones that have the most pressure of all your the parts of your Traxxas Rustler.
AND, it’s COOL! You know what I mean…
The Wheelie Bar Wheels
This is the easiest and the fastest upgrade you’ll have for your Rustler 4×4 VXL.
The wheelie bar Wheels are the small wheels installed in the back of the vehicle to prevent it from flipping back because of the high acceleration.
The aftermarket Wheels looks bigger and cooler with a blue color. All you have to do is unscrew the stock wheels, and fix the new ones instead. That’s it. Congrats!
The Cooling Fan
I see that this is a favorable upgrade if it wasn’t necessary. Because If you’re driving your Traxxas Rustler 4×4 VXL for long hours, it’s better to have a cooling fan for your ESC (Electronic Speed Control) to reduce its temperature and maximize power flow in full speed.
You don’t have to unscrew anything. All you have to do is to plug this cooling fan into the ESC of your Rustler which is the Velineon VXL-3s and add the power connector to it. And here you are ready!
The Telemetry Expander
This is the best part for me. The telemetry expander is the device that makes you able to track your vehicle as well as to know other metrics like the speed, the temperature as well as the GPS to know your vehicle location. Isn’t that great?
The installation of this part of Traxxas Rustler 4×4 VXl requires three steps: The installation on the vehicle itself, then, on the controller, and then, you link the controller with your phone by Bluetooth using Traxxas app!
This upgrade will give you the ability to know everything about your Rustler 4×4 VXL. Therefore, this will help you tracking the health of your car and make its life span longer.
There is another thing that, honestly, I’m not sure of it. But, In the Traxxas XO-1, adding this upgrade makes you unlock another level of the motor. This means that you can reach more speeds on the XO-1 if you install this.
Is this applied to the Traxxas Rustler VXL 4×4 as well? I’m not sure of it. I’d love to see what you think in the comment section below!
The Steering Servo
The steering servo is the piece responsible on the steering on your vehicle. It’s the one that makes you able to turn your vehicle on the right and on the left. The more powerful the servo, the more you’ll be able to control your Rustler and increase the response time.
When installing the servo, make sure that everything is centered including your controller.
Changing your servo is not that simple. So, here is a video that will show you exactly step by step the installation process.
The Drive Shafts
The driveshafts are so important not only in RC cars but also in real cars. Because there are responsible of transferring the torque and the power from the motor to the wheels, and this is what makes your Rustler able to move!
The problem with the stock Driveshafts is the building quality. They’re built from plastic, and despite they’re doing the work, replacing them with steel driveshafts will make it safer for the car to be driven.
Also, be aware when changing those driveshafts because the rear ones are not the same as the front ones. So be careful and know which one’s right place.
The Spoiler
If you don’t like the technical stuff and you care more about the look of your Traxxas Rustler 4×4 VXL, then, this upgrade is perfect for you!
All you have to do is to grab the spoiler with the color that you like, and then install it on the body of your Rustler.
The installation process is so simple. All you have to do is to unscrew some of the internal body’s screws to get rid of the ancient spoiler, and install the new one. It doen’st even take 5 minutes even if you’re a beginner.
Here are three color available on Amazon for you:
If you’d like to change the color of the whole body, here are 4 colors for you:
