Traxxas Blue Eagle LS Impulse Buy

[therigliveson]

So after losing out on an old school Bandit to build up a mad idea I had, I bought a clapped out Blue Eagle on Ebay. At first glance, it's a basket case. I've been searching the site for a while for details about these and seems to be that I may regret this can of worms I opened. While all white parts would be great, I'm thinking I'll be Frankenstein-ing this thing together.

Basically, I need to know what wheels and chassis to start with?

[TRX-1-3]

TRA 1974, Light dished front 2.2
TRA 1972, Light dished rear 2.2

Or try this:

https://traxxas.com/sites/default/files/legacy_partslist_blue-eagle-LS_0.pdf

It's the Blue Eagle LS parts list.

A Blue Eagle with that style chassis is most likely the LS version as well. The Blue Eagle was kinda an upgrade kit with three gear 272 magnum transmission w/slipper, bellcrank steering...then they came out with the LS upgrade with long suspension and light dished wheels with more offset. Then they released the entire kit with these features....chassis, trans, wheels, rear suspension arms, etc. That looks like a factory release Blue Eagle LS. But I'm not TOTALLY sure. Those rear arms look like Eagle

Traxxas shows the Eagle as released in 1990 and the Blue Eagle LS in 1991. The Blue Eagle may have been released as a kit in there at some point but very limited in that configuration?

Here is the Eagle parts list:

https://traxxas.com/sites/default/files/legacy_partslist_eagle_0.pdf

[jwscab]

He's got you pretty much covered above, perfectly.

First, strip it all down and soak all the nylon parts, steel parts and bearings in Simple Green full strength. Wash the chassis and shock towers down with acetone and wd40 to remove any residue from glue etc. Scrub the aluminum parts in simple green but rinse, I have seen some shadowing of aluminum with simple green, this goes especially for any anodized parts like shocks and motor plate, dawn and water and scrubbing for those parts.

Scrub everything and then wash with dawn and water, including pipe cleaners in all the hinge pins holes.

You will probably want to boil the nylon parts afterwards for strength.

You can get many of the parts needed on eBay without waiting too long, many Traxxas parts are still identical or usable as replacement.

After doing all that, you will be surprised how nice it turns out

[therigliveson]

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the help. This isn't my first rodeo restoring an old vehicle, but I don't know much about the vintage Traxxas stuff. I know the chassis with the kick up are unobtainium, but I'm hoping someone will chime in with a solution using a bulkhead for the front?

[TRX-1-3]

I think you could Frankenstein a Blue Rustler SRT II.

Here is a link to the Taxxas legacy parts list page by model.

https://traxxas.com/support/PDF-Downloads-Legacy-Models

[jwscab]

Is the front bulkhead broken? I forget exactly what it looks like but even the later model parts I think can be cut apart to make the separate sides work for any width traxxas chassis. just not the bandit or later with the extra lip for mounting to a flat chassis. so a bullet, rad, rad2, hawk hawk2 part could be used with modifications. I think trx-1 front mounts will work and they are already split apart.

[Mr. ED]

What are your plans for it? Whatever crazy idea you had for the bandit should easily transfer on this and maybe even be easier to execute as this is more modular than the later bandit.
Mine is currently going through life as a buggy.

[therigliveson]

What are your plans for it? Whatever crazy idea you had for the bandit should easily transfer on this and maybe even be easier to execute as this is more modular than the later bandit.
Mine is currently going through life as a buggy.

My plan with the Bandit was to pay homage to the buggies of yesterday. Was going to get some of the "white" HD arms, convert to neon ball links, shocks w/ adjusters, old school large spiked tires, etc. I'm into building, not running so much so shelf queen status is what I'm after...not necessarily box art though.

[therigliveson]

Does anyone have a line on a manual for a Blue Eagle LS? A scan is really what I need. Thanks in advance!

[R Cane]

I've been trying to find a manual for this one also, for years. If someone finds one, please share?
I've got a project one that was dyed a gnarly orange color. I guess the only cure for that is dying it black or dark red....

[R Cane]

Here's the parts list with numbers, if you don't have it already. Might help looking for pieces...

[jwscab]

Yeah that one needs to be dyed black now. But it's a nice example.

I don't think I've seen a manual for this one, although you could use most of the manuals for the hawk rad bullet and they would be really close

[therigliveson]

I've been trying to find a manual for this one also, for years. If someone finds one, please share?
I've got a project one that was dyed a gnarly orange color. I guess the only cure for that is dying it black or dark red....

car01.JPG

I've got quite the basket case as well, I should have some pics to post this week of my progress. Best of luck on your project, like some said, there are a good bit of parts on Ebay but you have to be quick when they come up!

[Mr. ED]

What are your plans for it? ...

My plan with the Bandit was to pay homage to the buggies of yesterday. Was going to get some of the "white" HD arms, convert to neon ball links, shocks w/ adjusters, old school large spiked tires, etc. I'm into building, not running so much so shelf queen status is what I'm after...not necessarily box art though.

Something like that is a pretty straight-forward conversion from these trucks. Some radicator wheels or trx1 or 3 and you're halfway there

[TRX-1-3]

Doesn't proline or rpm have a pro-gearbox for these cars too?

Yes and I think the MIP goodies (for the 272 "Magnum") are still somewhat "widely" available.....

And a guy could always shear the rear arm mounts from the gearbox assembly and use the separate mounts if the chassis is drilled for them. I THINK.

^^^from separate thread but relatable I think^^^

https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=45197