The Traxxas Slash comes in several different configurations, and each model is equipped with different components and parts.
If you own a two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive Traxxas Slash, there are a few parts that will GREATLY improve the truck’s performance. In this post, I will cover the Best Traxxas Slash Upgrades that you should buy if you plan on racing your Slash or hitting big jumps.
If you don’t want to spend time installing upgrades, The Traxxas Ultimate Edition Slash has almost every upgraded part on our list.
Always make sure to double check that the part will fit your particular Slash.
If you’re like me and own a Slash 4×4 VXL, the parts on our list are must-have upgrades to get the most out of your Slash. Lets dive in!
Why I Bought Upgrades For My Traxxas Slash
The first time I took my Slash VXL 4X4 to the racetrack, I blew off my plastic shock caps almost immediately. All the oil spilled out of the rear shocks and I was done driving for the day.
I had been bashing the Slash around my neighborhood for several months and had never broken anything. Once I started jumping the larger triples at the track, the stock suspension had a hard time keeping up with the hard landing.
I decided to upgrade to the Pro-line shocks I have listed down below. I really like the Pro-line shocks and think they are a major performance upgrade. They have never leaked and are great for hard landings. I have a wooden ramp at my house and I send the Slash flying just about every weekend. So, at a minimum, upgrade your shocks. I promise you won’t regret it.
Best Traxxas Slash Upgrades : Suspension and Shocks
All Traxxas Slash models (except the Slash Ultimate) come with the standard Ultra Shocks. The Ultra shocks are oil filled and have plastic caps. These shocks are very good for driving around your backyard, but they may not be suitable for hitting big jumps where the shocks take a lot of abuse.
Best Traxxas Slash Upgrades #1: Aluminum shock Caps
In my experience, the plastic caps on the ultra shocks can pop off after a hard landing. When the shock cap pops off, all the oil inside the shock body drains out. Not only does this make a mess, but now your shocks are running without oil.
So my first and cheapest upgrade to the Slash would be a set of aluminum shock caps. Aluminum shock caps can help keep the shock in one piece and keep all that oil inside the shock body.
Best Traxxas Slash Upgrades #2: Adjustable Shocks
If you are looking to race your slash and hit large jumps, fully adjustable shocks are the way to go. Adjustable shocks will have metal parts and are stronger than the stock shocks.
But why do you need adjustable shocks?
The main reason to buy adjustable shocks for you Traxxas Slash is to set the spring preload. The spring can be tightened or loosened by twisting the spring collar.
By setting the spring preload, you can tune your suspension, so the truck will take off a jump in a very flat trajectory. It does come off the jump face with the nose down or up, it comes off flat. This is very important so you can keep control of your truck while in the air.
Traxxas GTR Shocks
Traxxas makes the GTR adjustable shock for the Slash if you want to use all Traxxas parts. The GTRs are a great adjustable shock that will give you immediate performance gains.
The two parts you will need are:
- Part #7461 GTR Long
- Part #7462 GTR XX-Long
The GTR long shocks are installed on the front wheels and the GTR xx-long shocks go on the rear wheels.
Proline Racing Power Stroke Shocks
Proline makes a fantastic shock for the Traxxas Slash. I personally run these exact shocks on my Slash VXL. These shocks are dual spring and adjustable. So, you can easily adjust the spring preload to dial in your suspension. All you do is twist the spring collar at the top. You can make adjustments in about 10 seconds without taking the battery out of your truck. Its really a quick and painless adjustment!
Check price on Amazon: Pro-line Power Stoke Shocks FRONT
The front Pro-line shocks are a bit shorter. For jumps, I recommend running a 50 weight shock oil. If you find the suspension is still not stiff enough, you can try a 60 or 70 weight. It all depends on your personal preference.
Check price on Amazon: Pro-line Power Stoke Shocks REAR
The rear Pro-line shocks are longer. You can try different shock oil weights on the front and rear, but keep the weights pretty close, and usually the heavier weight goes in the rear shocks.
If you only want Traxxas brand shocks, check out our post on Traxxas Slash GTR shock upgrades.
we also did a full comparison between the Traxxas GTR and Proline Power Stroke shocks if you want even more details about these shock options.
Or, here are the quick links to the shocks and springs on Amazon:
Best Traxxas Slash Metal Parts Upgrades
Metal components are stronger, more rigid, and last longer than plastic parts. You don’t need to upgrade every plastic part to metal, but the list below is our list of parts worth the upgrade. Of course, if you are a Slash enthusiast, the more metal parts, the better! But here are our top picks.
Best Traxxas Slash Upgrades #3: 6838X 7075-T6 Aluminum Front and Rear Shock Tower
Upgrading from plastic to aluminum shock towers will instantly make your Slash more rigid and tough. Plastic is weaker than aluminum, and hard landings can cause plastic shock towers to flex and break.
Aluminum shock towers won’t flex and are difficult to break. On hard landings, you could end up bending the shock tower, but you won’t suffer a complete failure like with plastic parts. Worst case scenario, you bend a shock tower and then bend it back into position. But, you would have to suffer a very hard crash to bend the aluminum shock towers.
So, for rigidity, toughness, and an overall longer life span, I recommend upgrading to aluminum shock towers on your Traxxas Slash.
Please note, this aluminum part should fit the Slash 4×4, not the two-wheel drive model.
Please note, this aluminum part should fit the Slash 4×4, not the two-wheel drive model.
Should Fit 4X4 Slash
Best Traxxas Slash Upgrades #4: Aluminum Rear Stub Axel
The rear hub is a part that can break during hard landing or crashes. This is a simple part to install and is inexpensive. Aluminum rear hubs will strengthen the rear-end of your Slash. Again, because of the added strength aluminum provides, you are more likely to keep driving after a hard crash where a plastic part may have easily broken.
Double check to make sure if these fit your Slash model. These do not fit the Slash 4X4. For the Slash 4X4, you need part 1952X.
Should Fit 2WD Slash
Should Fit 4X4 Slash
Best Traxxas Slash Upgrades #5: Aluminum Front Steering Blocks
The front steering spindle is another great hop-up part. It is also easy to install. All you need to do is remove the front tires, pop off the steering linkages, and remove a couple of pins to upgrade this key steering component. Although this part is small and inexpensive, it plays an important role in steering the Slash. That is precisely why it is on our list of Traxxas Slash upgrades!
Double check to make sure if these fit your Slash model. These do not fit the Slash 4X4. For the Slash 4X4, you need part number 6837X.
Should Fit 2WD Slash
Should Fit 4X4 Slash
Best Traxxas Slash Battery Upgrades
If you have a Traxxas Slash that is capable of running 3S LiPo (the VXL model can), upgrading the battery to an 11.1 volt 3S battery will blow your mind. The acceleration and speed the Slash can reach when running a 3S LiPo can’t be compared to a 2S LiPo.
So, if speed is what you’re after, invest in a 3S LiPo battery. You can’t go wrong with Traxxas batteries. So, I recommend the Traxxas 11.1 Volt 25C 5000 mAh LiPo and Charger.
A 25C LiPo will provide plenty of power and should have an excellent run time. You can expect about 25 to 30 minutes of normal driving and about 15 minutes if you are doing speed runs.
If you don’t need a charger, here is a quick link to the battery only:
FAQs For The Best Traxxas Slash Upgrades
What Traxxas Slash Upgrades Should I Get?
Aluminum parts are great upgrades to improve your Slash’s handling and toughness. Shock towers, front and rear stub axels, and steering spindles are all recommended upgrades over the stock plastic parts.
Do I Need To Upgrade The Traxxas Slash Electronics?
If you have a brushed motor and XL5 ESC and want more power and speed, upgrading to a brushless system will give your Slash a major power boost and make it go faster. If you already have a brushless system, you probably don’t need to upgrade the electronics unless the components wear out or break down.
Can I Upgrade My Traxxas Slash’s Body?
Yes, many manufacturers sell aftermarket Slash bodies. You can buy an unpainted body and create your own custom paint job or buy a pre-painted body.
Conclusion For The Best Traxxas Slash Upgrades
I think shopping for Traxxas Slash upgrade parts is almost as much fun as driving my truck. It makes me feel like a kid again to shop and plan what I am going to install next on my Slash.
I recommend upgrading the suspension first before doing anything else. If you like to tinker around with your RC cars and trucks like me, you can certainly dive into all the different aluminum upgrades that are on the market. If you are looking for speed and power upgrades for your Slash, buy a LiPo battery or invest in a brushless motor upgrade. Thanks for reading and happy driving!
