I really appreciate all of these videos! Especially with how in depth you go, rather than cutting things out for the sake of making the video shorter. Just picked up my Sledge 2 weeks ago and have learned a ton from your channel. Sounds like I need to check the diffs asap!
Always check fluids first, they are always low. Just upgraded 1/16 Erevo with a center diff, it was empty from Traxxas. Thank you for watching, you’ll love the Sledge. Also, we just bashed the Sledge pretty hard during RC Clash Event 10, no gear issues. Stick with Traxxas Hardened gears, cover the slot under the chassis for the spur gear, and a chassis bag.
I picked one of these up with in almost mint condition with 4 3s batts and the Traxxas dual charger for $450 off marketplace. The original owner already installed the motor cooling fan. I've already upgraded the gears and steering servo. For the price I paid. I'm plenty satisfied with spending some extra $ to upgrade.
I think your tip on flipping the washers is something I am going to try. I noticed after putting them in forward facing the arrows it just feels too tight. With that being the said the motor just failed (smoked) and my small inside voice kept telling my mesh was to tight or almost none existant. I have a new motor coming tomorrow, so I will flip mine to rear facing as well. Also wondering if this is why I have noticed a 5 to 10 minute drop in runtime on my sledge, if its causing to much friction.
The Hot Racing washers just don’t work for me, and the support from them is terrible. I’d try M2C or another brand. I removed them and installed the M2C motor mount, no need for anything after that. I was having the same issue with those washers, too tight.
I just bought a sledge. I can’t say I’m pleased to hear all the issues you have had with it. Would you suggest to go ahead a replace the front and rear gears? I have not even had a chance to take it out for its first run yet.
I would not stress, get yourself a chassis bag, and upgrade your front/rear diffs with spiral cut gears. I haven’t had a single issue since, haven’t damaged a pinion or spur.
another cool video!! That's the reason why I don't currently have a Sledge. you definitely have to invest too much to have fun. aftermarket chassis, HD diffs etc. if I do the math, the Sledege is more expensive than my XRT and that's not OK, especially at a time when Arrma has 2 attractive 8S models on the market.
Very true, you will need to upgrade parts out of the box. But that’s with most RC’s. Even the XRT has its own issues. I know the XMaxx needs better pinions and spur gears out of the box as well. Traxxas knows this but it’s a good way for them to keep making money. I think all these cars should come with machined steel gears. Thank you for watching.
I have had my Sledge for about two months and I haven't had to do anything to it 🤷 It has been a blast to run stock. I guess I did buy a Bluetooth module for the tqi but nothing on the Vehicle itself.
Thanks man. I’m gonna buy one. Can run the stock ones till they go or should I swap the gears and pinion/spur first. Also, is it good now? With all the upgrades. Do you have a fan? Does it over heat with the bag? Is there a list for all your upgrades?
The M2C motor mount is a must right away, the chassis will bend. I would wait to upgrade the differential gears until they fail, I’ve heard some don’t see issues. But you won’t have issues with those spiral cut gears they are tough. I like using the chassis bag from Hot Racing because it keeps dirt, and rocks out that could damage your pinion/spur gear. I haven’t had any issues since those upgrades. The Sledge doesn’t over heat, but it’s gonna start getting hot out so I will be adding a fan. Hope this helps, check out the Sledge playlist it helps to answer your questions. You’ll love this truck!
Imo the key to keep a traxxas car good is, keep the arms and carriers stock. For the F/R diffs; diff housing needs to be alu as well as the diff covers. The chassis needs the lower brace aswell as the top chassis plate of m2c. This prevents Flexing and imo this is one of the causes of gears stripping. For the rest i replaced the sinterd stock gears with spiral gears in the front and rear. Also a little graphite grease on gears.
I always tell those to stay away from aluminum, it can cause issues with bearings, bending, and it’s not cheap. My chassis is bent again, but it doesn’t matter because of the M2C motor mount.
I wish Traxxas had included the hardened gears in the new Sledge update instead of those stupid belted tires. The Sledge has 20M center diff oil, a powerul torquey motor, and a huge amount of traction, it's a recipe for shredded gears. I've upgraded my Sledge to all hardened gears and put the Hot Racing motor spacers in as well and I don't have any more problems, but it was an expensive upgrade.
That’s where I was at, the Sledge is so much fun after the issues are fixed. The belted tires are great for high speed, you’ll get better handling. But you’ll loose that rotation if you plan on bashing.
@@redbanditracing I went with the hot racing motor mount with Traxxas aluminum diff cover and aluminum carrier I never had the pinion issue like some have but was thinking about the washers to for extra caution but thank you good to know
My sledge quit moving so you think my center diff is gone? I have the vitvion spirals front and rear? I am running the castle 1717 on my sledge. Does anyone not make a drop in c enter diff better than stock?
Take out the motor and see if it moved freely. If so, remove the center differential next and see if it moves freely. That’s an easy way to tell what’s not moving. The center differential is very beefy I doubt you need an upgrade. But anytime you add more power you’re going to break things.
