Traxxs Rustler

[Dangeruss]

1994 would see a paradigm shift at Traxxas as they wound down their racing program to focus exclusively on entry level vehicles, which included their newest stadium truck, the Rustler. Traxxas was able to turn the SRT, their most expensive stadium truck, into the lowest priced kit in the market. This was accomplished by constructing the entire vehicle out of plastic, starting by replacing the SRT's fiberglass deck with a very Losi inspired molded composite plastic chassis. The 4-wheel independent suspension received redesigned lower a-arms at all four corners with new hub carries and spindles up front, the latter now containing the wheel bushings which were secured by a drive pin, mirroring the updated rear stub axle housings. A revised bellcrank steering system would find its way under a molded plastic upper deck which served to reinforce the detachable front bulkhead carried over from the SRT. While the steering would retain its turnbuckle adjustability, the camber turnbuckles would become unadjustable plastic links. The plasticization would continue with the shock towers and the plastic bodied oil-filled coilover shocks with clip-in spring collars they would support. The SRT's aluminum motor mount would also be replaced by a plastic mount integrated into the updated 3-gear transmission with a planetary differential, sans slipper. Pro-Trax 4791 Mini Spikes & 4780 Ribbed tires would return, wrapped around new 8 hole plastic dish wheels riding on bushings all around. The truck was topped off by a new Dodge Ram styled clear lexan stadium truck body. The Rustler was available in an unassembled kit with 540 motor and 3-step mechanical speed controller or as an RTR with the addition of a Traxxas TQ radio system, with later models later including a 7.2v battery and ac/dc charger, ESC, and chrome wheels as well: