Ah yes, my favourite YT series returns! The progress continues - surely there’s a win coming soon. I don’t need one and sadly I have nowhere to race one but man, this series really makes me want a yellow wheeled Bandito of my own 😂
That was awesome.....and yes.....I got a Bandit.....just cuz of your videos.....gonna see how it handles on turf.....keep 'em coming.....your gonna 🏆.....have fun and be safe 👍
Love it. I never was any good at off road, and haven't raced in awhile, but the Bandit is so cool! Obviously being able to drive makes a huge difference. Years ago I had just purchased a new XXXT and I let a friend of mine, that COULD drive, enter my son's Traxxas Rustler. Stock, tires and all, except I did have a legal 27 turn motor in it and a good (at the time) 2000mah NIMH battery. Long story short, he qualified in the A main and I didn't! Anyway love your videos can't wait to see more of the BANDITO!
Really good series thanks for creating and posting! Nice to see a rear motor car running so well. Might be worth sticking a gear cover on it though to potentially protect a Marshall in a crash scenario from getting their fingers caught. Keep up the good work.
This! I remember the stock banding gear cover had a little hole designed specifically to vacuum up extra grit from the track as a favor to other drivers. Can't remember the part number, but remember an after-market replacement that was fully enclosed.
That Bandito saga is getting really really interesting. Kind of frustrating for those who likes to show off with big brands and thousands dollar machine. Keep on the good work, just suscribed
Awesome video series! Traxxas has racing DNA in their blood, ask Jeremy Kortz! Traxxas is making money with the RTRs and bashers! It would be nice if they got back into competitive racing! Oh yeah your lucky you got 93 at the pump! Lol!
Reakky enjoying your series on the Bandit and racing it. I been talking about doing what you are doing for a few years and always kids my buddies that I might come back to racing but if I did I was going to run a Bandit and just have some fun and not take every so serious like I use to. Great job on the Bandit.
It's a real pleasure watching this series evolving. Never thought this car would be so competitive and I would love to see it on a carpet/astro track, as we over here in Europe mainly drive on that surfaces. Ah by the way, where did that german license plate came from? :D
You did get the right screw kit, I had the same "not enough of what I needed and plenty of what I don't" problem when I converted my rustler screws to all steel. But now I'm looking into converting my Rustler into a Bandit thanks to this series.
Bandit was my first track car 20 years ago because of the low cost of entry. Hindsight, yes, would have saved more in the long run if total cost was the only thing I cared about. But, I feel like I learned so much more and had more fun wrenching and hacking to make a "slow" car go fast, than I would have had in making a "fast" car go just a little faster. Thanks for the great content!
That rodeo joke was top shelf material dude. Hilarious. If it wins, give this car the body it deserves! No longer the bandit, it has transcended its beginnings and is the Bandito!
The caster blocks are for the rustler/stampede. I also found this out the hard way. For some reason the bandit uses a bigger diameter outer pin compared to the rusty/pede. Loving the bandito videos. I purchased one to mess with at my LHS Astro turf track. Keep'em coming 👍👍👍
@@mxacres if you're still looking for aluminum castor blocks, someone makes them for a drag bandit in aluminum.....I think it was STRC.....but don't hold me to it. I can't wait to get my "Bandito" on my LHS Astro track to try it out next week. I normally race 2wd off-road with my Yokomo 3.1, 17.5 and spec slash class. Keep the bandito videos coming! I subbed👍👍👍
I haven't watched this one yet but I'm very much enjoying your films, keep it up, very entertaining and insightful to say the least. Why so fee views? You deserve many many more. Also it's refreshing to see a bunch of lads having fun , too many of us take our sport/hobby too seriously. Kick some!!!
I'd also like to add to help you out, RPM arms are more flexible than the stock Traxxas arms. Which is good for traction but bad because they can mess with suspension settings due to the flexibility. Also take out all the bearings, remove the seals and put them in a ultrasonic cleaner, oil them up, and reinstall seals. The bearings will spin more freely. I did this to my spec slash for racing at my LHS and the truck drives better! 👍👍
@@mxacres last year I build a 2wd slash for racing and it was just way heavier than the competition cars. So corner speed was horrible. Can’t recommend that. I now am driving a SC6.2 and drives like a dream.
I kinda want to try doing something similar with an XB Dual Ridge TT02B at some point. Honestly, I'm starting to see just how overrated the top-end racing platforms are. They do definitely have an advantage but it's not anywhere near as big as people make it out to be. It's not enough of an advantage to be the determining factor in a club race at least.
Those caster blocks are the #3632 and are for slash, stampede, and rustler 2wd. I made the same mistake, had to buy strc bandit caster blocks that are #2432.
The rpm steering setup for slash/rustle/ bandit is tighter than any aluminum setup I've tried( aluminum ends up floppy after a half a dozen runs.) I Run the rpm arms, caster blocks, shock towers. Just tighter than the aluminum..... but run the aluminum rear bearing blocks.
Watching the car, it looks like it needs a bit better off corner steering with better rotation as well. I would suggest less caster(20°) if you can get it and loosen the diff a touch. It looks like it's got good initial turn in but lacks in center-off steering. Reminds me of a Losi XX
Nicely done in regards to proving that the car doesn't need hundreds spent on it. But... with the money spent on it, I think you could get a RB10 RTR to do the same job? I do get the reason for this video series though....a low cost car with upgrades, can beat some of those current day built cars. Love it!
I picked up a slash to bash with, two months later and I’m getting it setup for racing instead. My local track is going to force me to race 2wd for a bit, soo I’m going to get a bandit to do it with. Thanks for showing that you can do it and not spend college tuition money on it.
A good upgrade is STRC Hingepin/kingpin set. It's much stronger than stock with a locknut on one end. You'll never have to worry about them backing out. Plus it makes the up and down motion of the a-arms much more fluid. No sticking points.
I never understood aluminium hubs unless they are known to break, your adding alot of weight (compared to plastic) and on the very outside aswell which will limit rotation.
alloy upgrades are so common, but whether for racing or bashing, they are not always really an upgrade. Flex is certainly important for a basher...if the outer parts can't flex, then the force gets sent to the inner parts of the chassis, parts often harder/more expensive to replace. For racing, the rigidity should be a good thing, but the weight might not be. Weight can be your friend, but it all depends on where the weight goes...a little weight out by the wheels is equal to more weight on the chassis. Those alloy hubs add weight that the suspension has to dampen. For racing, alloy adds more strength than it does performance. The racing adage goes "simplify, then add lightness. The Bandito is already pretty simple, so adding lightness is the way to go, not to add weight.
I get the aluminum steering rack for durability. But on the caster blocks, wouldn't that just add metal? Everybody loves metal but I'm assuming all that's doing is making your rig heavier which is bad right?
Taking it from the stock version, what upgrades have you made? Tires, servo, ESC, engine, shocks? And then some? And you are not using the stock controller either? It was a long time since I was racing RC cars, but as I remember you can always buy a cheap car and make it run well with upgrades. But in the end, the total price level compared to buying a kit competition buggy is not that high and usually durability will be worse for the cheaper car. What I mean is that you seem to make a great job with he Bandit, and it seems to be a fun project, but in the end will it be faster and will it be much cheaper than going expensive from the start?
This is awesome! Your probably still under $500 when the buggy ia good to go, i was looking into getting into 2ed but just to build the stupid thing was $1k plus entrance fees hard pass jumped into the mini z thing instead. This though at $500 and under is very temtpting
Always figured Al hubs would just increase unsprung weight, havent broken any of those parts. id recomend the better shock shafts, bend the stock ones a lot
always always always, go RPM caster blocks, rear hubs, and arms, the aluminum bell crank is a must, along with tow links, M.I.P hardware with locking nuts. itll be bullet proof and everything meshes together nice, no binding. my rustlers were always my favorite rc.
The front caster didn’t work bc the front bandit arms are also the same on the nitro rustler. They are not the same arms that the electric rustler or slash uses.
Its funny how you sometimes «over upgrade» a car and sometimes need to dial it back a bit. I like the simple, less is more attitude on your build with this one. After getting a Bandito myselfe I started driving in a club on a carpet track . First time for me but so much fun. The car works really good after a few adjustments and some of the hardcore members is just like «is that a traxxas??» Looking forward for more upgrades / adjustments on your build. Maybe the win will come with the custom body ??
Yo please put a stock 17.5t with timing in the bandit and do it right. I really wanna know if I can use this platform at my track. They are gonna make me use a true 17.5t. Those 12t titan motors are much quicker I think….
I could be wrong. However I think you jut made it more expensive. Not faster. Isnt keeping it stock the point of running a value priced car? Having to spend 1000$ turns ppl off
Everybody is sponsored now... 17.5 class and ur puttin on heavier parts. most buys are paying $$$$ to make their cars lighter. Thus stock class cars are more $$$ than mod. Sad. -U10
Stay away from RPM. Their plastic is too soft. I dumped RPM's and went back to stock Traxxas plastic. I keep 3 sets of caster blocks and steering knuckles/hubs (whatever they're called) in my toolbox. They are a quick change if broken.
RPM is not designed for racing, they are designed for bashing because they are soft. Only thing RPM I would use on a race car would be front and rear arms. No caster blocks or hubs.
Ah yes, my favourite YT series returns! The progress continues - surely there’s a win coming soon.
I don’t need one and sadly I have nowhere to race one but man, this series really makes me want a yellow wheeled Bandito of my own 😂
Thank you!
This is an awesome underdog story. Love it!
Literally just picked up a Bandit as my beginner race car just because it looks like it will be a fun way to learn racing. All because of this series.
That’s awesome! Have fun with it
To quote Clarkson..."MORE! MORE OF THAT!!"
That sounds like the slot cars we ran. RC Ghost.
The Bandit carries the racing spirit of the Traxxas TRX1! Great job and yeah it was very close.
The entertainment part is a hell yes.
this series is actually soooo good! love seeing an under dog car sticking it to the big dogs.
That was awesome.....and yes.....I got a Bandit.....just cuz of your videos.....gonna see how it handles on turf.....keep 'em coming.....your gonna 🏆.....have fun and be safe 👍
Same here. 👍👍
Thanks dude! And good luck to you!
You The Man......👍
couple of us in our club are trying to work out a spec 2wd buggy class. the Bandit was a consideration.
Thanks for doing the testing for me, mate :D
😂 your welcome
Dude, I love the bandit videos
So tempted to buy one now. Great videos dude. Following 🤘
Thanks!
Great series. Impressive Performance. I might have to buy a Bandit.
Go get one. Tons of cheap fun.
Love it. I never was any good at off road, and haven't raced in awhile, but the Bandit is so cool! Obviously being able to drive makes a huge difference. Years ago I had just purchased a new XXXT and I let a friend of mine, that COULD drive, enter my son's Traxxas Rustler. Stock, tires and all, except I did have a legal 27 turn motor in it and a good (at the time) 2000mah NIMH battery. Long story short, he qualified in the A main and I didn't! Anyway love your videos can't wait to see more of the BANDITO!
Thank you!
All ur merch is making me wanna come ride mx acres haha
Those caster blocks are for the Rustler arms. Bandit uses Nitro Rustler arms and has a different caster block.
Really good series thanks for creating and posting! Nice to see a rear motor car running so well. Might be worth sticking a gear cover on it though to potentially protect a Marshall in a crash scenario from getting their fingers caught. Keep up the good work.
This! I remember the stock banding gear cover had a little hole designed specifically to vacuum up extra grit from the track as a favor to other drivers. Can't remember the part number, but remember an after-market replacement that was fully enclosed.
That Bandito saga is getting really really interesting. Kind of frustrating for those who likes to show off with big brands and thousands dollar machine. Keep on the good work, just suscribed
Ha ha! Thank you!
Bruh this series has been super entertaining and fun... I gotta get a bandit
I’m really enjoying this upgrade journey and the honesty that sometimes the bling doesn’t seem to do much for the race pace!
Awesome video series! Traxxas has racing DNA in their blood, ask Jeremy Kortz! Traxxas is making money with the RTRs and bashers! It would be nice if they got back into competitive racing! Oh yeah your lucky you got 93 at the pump! Lol!
Reakky enjoying your series on the Bandit and racing it. I been talking about doing what you are doing for a few years and always kids my buddies that I might come back to racing but if I did I was going to run a Bandit and just have some fun and not take every so serious like I use to. Great job on the Bandit.
To me that’s the entire appeal. After taking racing too seriously I lost interest. Now I’m like dude let’s just run stock traxxas and have fun !
It's a real pleasure watching this series evolving.
Never thought this car would be so competitive and I would love to see it on a carpet/astro track, as we over here in Europe mainly drive on that surfaces.
Ah by the way, where did that german license plate came from? :D
I plan to try some carpet racing very soon . I can’t remember where I got the plate. I was hooked on old vws years ago.
You did get the right screw kit, I had the same "not enough of what I needed and plenty of what I don't" problem when I converted my rustler screws to all steel. But now I'm looking into converting my Rustler into a Bandit thanks to this series.
Awesome! I believe I got the wrong kit. I’ll use them eventually somewhere.
Bandit was my first track car 20 years ago because of the low cost of entry. Hindsight, yes, would have saved more in the long run if total cost was the only thing I cared about. But, I feel like I learned so much more and had more fun wrenching and hacking to make a "slow" car go fast, than I would have had in making a "fast" car go just a little faster. Thanks for the great content!
Thank you!
That rodeo joke was top shelf material dude. Hilarious. If it wins, give this car the body it deserves! No longer the bandit, it has transcended its beginnings and is the Bandito!
Ha ha! Bandito Indeeto
The caster blocks are for the rustler/stampede. I also found this out the hard way. For some reason the bandit uses a bigger diameter outer pin compared to the rusty/pede. Loving the bandito videos. I purchased one to mess with at my LHS Astro turf track. Keep'em coming 👍👍👍
Yes I believe you are correct. Just made the same mistake with rpm caster blocks😂 this is getting expensive.
@@mxacres if you're still looking for aluminum castor blocks, someone makes them for a drag bandit in aluminum.....I think it was STRC.....but don't hold me to it. I can't wait to get my "Bandito" on my LHS Astro track to try it out next week. I normally race 2wd off-road with my Yokomo 3.1, 17.5 and spec slash class. Keep the bandito videos coming! I subbed👍👍👍
@@mxacres integy makes alu caster blocks that actually fit the Bandit. We put them on after a stock plastic one snapped in half.
Just the comment I was looking for. I also had this issue between my vxl rustler and ba dit and had to learn lol
BANDITOOOOOO. I am late to the party, but never too late.
I am envious that you seem to have a track so close to where you live. Looks like a lot of fun. Keep the videos coming please 👍
Awesome, entertaining video! Definitely subscribed and watching more! Cheers.
I haven't watched this one yet but I'm very much enjoying your films, keep it up, very entertaining and insightful to say the least. Why so fee views?
You deserve many many more.
Also it's refreshing to see a bunch of lads having fun , too many of us take our sport/hobby too seriously.
Kick some!!!
Awesome !!! Keep up this Bandito racing
Dude, LOOKING at someone wrong can cause cancer in California apparently lol 😆
Yes. They passed that law this year. But only if you think of them by the wrong pronoun.
As a native Californian, I can confirm this.
@@mikeluther60 😆😆😆😆😆😆😆
@mike luther bahahahaha
I'd also like to add to help you out, RPM arms are more flexible than the stock Traxxas arms. Which is good for traction but bad because they can mess with suspension settings due to the flexibility. Also take out all the bearings, remove the seals and put them in a ultrasonic cleaner, oil them up, and reinstall seals. The bearings will spin more freely. I did this to my spec slash for racing at my LHS and the truck drives better! 👍👍
What do you mean by suspension setting?
Great work. This series has been awesome. Keep it up!
Thank you!
Yes. Liked before watching. I know this will be good.
Love the Bandito video series. What's next in the Traxxas challenge?? Rustler or Slash VXL? They both have adjustable turnbuckles and tunable diffs.
2wd sct has suddenly taken off locally. I may have to purchase a slash?
@@mxacres last year I build a 2wd slash for racing and it was just way heavier than the competition cars. So corner speed was horrible. Can’t recommend that. I now am driving a SC6.2 and drives like a dream.
I kinda want to try doing something similar with an XB Dual Ridge TT02B at some point. Honestly, I'm starting to see just how overrated the top-end racing platforms are. They do definitely have an advantage but it's not anywhere near as big as people make it out to be. It's not enough of an advantage to be the determining factor in a club race at least.
at this rate Traxxas should be sponsoring it all!
Those caster blocks are the #3632 and are for slash, stampede, and rustler 2wd. I made the same mistake, had to buy strc bandit caster blocks that are #2432.
Thanks
wish we had a track like this near by
Great series! Keep up the good work and the win will follow soon!
Thanks
I've got every RPM part made on my bandit.
They can definitely be competitive.
Also have aluminum shock caps on stock shocks
You can use 2531a arms with those alum parts and upgrade the transmission to the magnum 272r for the better diff and topshaft.
I’ve really enjoyed these videos
Thanks
The caster blocks were probably meant for the slash. The bandit hinge pin is thicker then the slash pins.
This is starting to make sense now. Thanks.
The rpm steering setup for slash/rustle/ bandit is tighter than any aluminum setup I've tried( aluminum ends up floppy after a half a dozen runs.)
I Run the rpm arms, caster blocks, shock towers. Just tighter than the aluminum..... but run the aluminum rear bearing blocks.
I use RPM hubs and shock towers
The aluminium hubs wear out .
That aluminum caster block doesn't fit the RPM arm either, actually. I had the same issue while building a street stock.
Watching the car, it looks like it needs a bit better off corner steering with better rotation as well. I would suggest less caster(20°) if you can get it and loosen the diff a touch. It looks like it's got good initial turn in but lacks in center-off steering. Reminds me of a Losi XX
Nicely done in regards to proving that the car doesn't need hundreds spent on it. But... with the money spent on it, I think you could get a RB10 RTR to do the same job? I do get the reason for this video series though....a low cost car with upgrades, can beat some of those current day built cars. Love it!
Thank you
Awesome series!
Thank you
Everyone is rooting for the Bandit!!!
I picked up a slash to bash with, two months later and I’m getting it setup for racing instead. My local track is going to force me to race 2wd for a bit, soo I’m going to get a bandit to do it with.
Thanks for showing that you can do it and not spend college tuition money on it.
I hope you film your progress too!
Have fun with it! It’s actually a great buggy
I am entertained and have therefore subscribed. 😊
A good upgrade is STRC Hingepin/kingpin set. It's much stronger than stock with a locknut on one end. You'll never have to worry about them backing out. Plus it makes the up and down motion of the a-arms much more fluid. No sticking points.
Just a reminder, the bandit uses different arms, cblocks, and pins up front. Not all of those captured pins will fit👍
Also, the aluminum caster blocks are compatible with the Traxxas HD arms for the Drag Slash/Bandit. No need to drill with the HD arms.
I never understood aluminium hubs unless they are known to break, your adding alot of weight (compared to plastic) and on the very outside aswell which will limit rotation.
Just having fun and I wanna try lots of options on this buggy.
alloy upgrades are so common, but whether for racing or bashing, they are not always really an upgrade. Flex is certainly important for a basher...if the outer parts can't flex, then the force gets sent to the inner parts of the chassis, parts often harder/more expensive to replace. For racing, the rigidity should be a good thing, but the weight might not be. Weight can be your friend, but it all depends on where the weight goes...a little weight out by the wheels is equal to more weight on the chassis. Those alloy hubs add weight that the suspension has to dampen. For racing, alloy adds more strength than it does performance. The racing adage goes "simplify, then add lightness. The Bandito is already pretty simple, so adding lightness is the way to go, not to add weight.
You got this ribble lol
Ha!
If you want a big improvement in the cars rotation, see if you can find a NOS set of MIPs. Made a world of difference back in the day.
I get the aluminum steering rack for durability. But on the caster blocks, wouldn't that just add metal? Everybody loves metal but I'm assuming all that's doing is making your rig heavier which is bad right?
I’m actually going back to plastic, but it can definitely use some weight up front.
Taking it from the stock version, what upgrades have you made? Tires, servo, ESC, engine, shocks? And then some? And you are not using the stock controller either?
It was a long time since I was racing RC cars, but as I remember you can always buy a cheap car and make it run well with upgrades. But in the end, the total price level compared to buying a kit competition buggy is not that high and usually durability will be worse for the cheaper car.
What I mean is that you seem to make a great job with he Bandit, and it seems to be a fun project, but in the end will it be faster and will it be much cheaper than going expensive from the start?
I’ll list everything so far in the next episode. Thank you 👍🏻
Great video series!
Someone share this series on Traxxas' social media
Need to get some ceramic bearings
This is awesome! Your probably still under $500 when the buggy ia good to go, i was looking into getting into 2ed but just to build the stupid thing was $1k plus entrance fees hard pass jumped into the mini z thing instead. This though at $500 and under is very temtpting
I too bought a bandit because of your videos
That’s awesome! Enjoy it!
Always figured Al hubs would just increase unsprung weight, havent broken any of those parts. id recomend the better shock shafts, bend the stock ones a lot
Yes. Already have one that’s tweaked a bit.
@@mxacres we put the traxxas GTR shocks on our race bandit and never had a failure after.
always always always, go RPM caster blocks, rear hubs, and arms, the aluminum bell crank is a must, along with tow links, M.I.P hardware with locking nuts. itll be bullet proof and everything meshes together nice, no binding. my rustlers were always my favorite rc.
Technically aluminum is heavier. Any weight is a time killer in 2wd buggy racing. Probably would have went with RPM.....
The front caster didn’t work bc the front bandit arms are also the same on the nitro rustler. They are not the same arms that the electric rustler or slash uses.
I like this siries
How do you hold your shorty pack in? Seems the little plastic bar isn’t enough
Double sided tape
The csters are made for a traxxas rustler
Its funny how you sometimes «over upgrade» a car and sometimes need to dial it back a bit. I like the simple, less is more attitude on your build with this one.
After getting a Bandito myselfe I started driving in a club on a carpet track . First time for me but so much fun. The car works really good after a few adjustments and some of the hardcore members is just like «is that a traxxas??»
Looking forward for more upgrades / adjustments on your build. Maybe the win will come with the custom body ??
Custom paint HAS to make me a better driver!😂
Want me another bandit too because of your series
keep the aluminum front hubs. They are literal glass
Yo please put a stock 17.5t with timing in the bandit and do it right. I really wanna know if I can use this platform at my track. They are gonna make me use a true 17.5t. Those 12t titan motors are much quicker I think….
I’m using a fantom roar legal 17.5 currently.
I think those are the caster blocks for a slash or even a drag slash
Ya sounds like you are correct
what gearing do you use for a stock 17.5 brushless motor on the bandit
Upgrade to a Rustler rear arm wide setup
Did you upgrade servo?
Shanks Phalanx Jason. It's been awhile Since Pitt Ohio. BTW, I still have the Shadow !
Ha ha! Dude! Good to know you’re still alive.
The bandit has different outer front hinge pins compared to the rest of the trx 2wd line. Those c blocks are not 4 the bandit
Maybe try slash arms, not sure if they are as narrow as bandit front arms
Don't use rpm, cool for bashing but as a racer I can tell you it sucks. Go with the proline bits, if you need the part numbers let me know.
Used integy had no issues
I'm building a bandido, I have associated 12 mm shocks, associated turnbuckles and ball cups.im putting on it.
Let me know how it works out!
That's a Honda CR-V? If yes, I have one too!
The ultimate Rc race hauler!
Joe!
You should definitely dona list of things that worked and cost..
Will do.
@@mxacres thank you!
awesome!!!!!
I could be wrong. However I think you jut made it more expensive. Not faster. Isnt keeping it stock the point of running a value priced car? Having to spend 1000$ turns ppl off
Where’s the fun in that
How much have you spent on that thing?
I’ll add it up in the end. Most of the parts I already had laying around.
@@mxacres that still counts as buying parts 😉😂
Do the caps fail in thus video. It should be the first upgrade. We'll on the slash anyway. A+ for production grade
Everyone says to replace them, but so far I haven’t had any trouble with them 🤷♂️
@@mxacres maybe has less droop than a slash
What is the name of the track you attend ?
Big dog Rc in stoneboro Pennsylvania
Everybody is sponsored now... 17.5 class and ur puttin on heavier parts. most buys are paying $$$$ to make their cars lighter. Thus stock class cars are more $$$ than mod. Sad. -U10
Stay away from RPM. Their plastic is too soft. I dumped RPM's and went back to stock Traxxas plastic. I keep 3 sets of caster blocks and steering knuckles/hubs (whatever they're called) in my toolbox. They are a quick change if broken.
Interesting. RPM parts are great for bashing because of the softness but I can understand that may actually be counterproductive for racing.
RPM is not designed for racing, they are designed for bashing because they are soft. Only thing RPM I would use on a race car would be front and rear arms. No caster blocks or hubs.