Traxxas Stampede 4×4 Upgrades: Effective Enough?

Introduction

The Stampede is one of Traxxas’ top sellers. And, they have a lot going for it.

But RC enthusiasts are suckers for performance. And if you guys see someone else’s Stampede performing better than yours, you’ll go crazy. 

I think we have you enthusiasts covered. Since you guys don’t just want to collect RC vehicles and drive them, upgradeability is key. And there are a few things that you can upgrade when it comes to the Traxxas Stampede.

It’s still super easy to get confused since no one has any clear guide about it. So, we’ve put together this guide full of Traxxas Stampede 4×4 upgrades. 

We even added a couple of tips towards the end, so I think you should stick around. So let’s dive right in-

Product Overview

First up, we have a set of shock caps. These are a few of the cheapest upgrades that make a huge difference. We reviewed a few of the caps and then laid eyes on them.

I mean, I don’t know why Traxxas does this. They could have just included these caps with the original Stampede. But no! They’ll just stick the plastic ones on there so that you spend a little extra for the upgrades.

Well, let’s not blame them too much since they aren’t the only company that does this.

As for these aluminum caps, well, they fit quite well. We swapped out the plastic ones for these caps. And it was easy. You don’t have to fiddle around with them too much. So that’s a relief. 

Since amateurs like us could install these, you should be able to do it too. 

The aluminum build is definitely on the stronger side. It’s better than the plastic ones that they replaced. And, if you’re interested in the machined edges, I think you’ll like the design too.

It’s not all good news, though. We tried out two sets of these for a couple of months. And, when we tested the Stampede out with the new caps, one of the sets gave up. That’s right, we found cracks on a couple of them.

This can be an isolated issue. That’s because the other set was intact. Well, I can safely say that this set is more durable than the stock plastic caps. So this should be a worthwhile upgrade.

Pros

• Fits perfectly
• Tougher build quality
• Decent replacement caps
• Machined finish for smoother edges

Cons

• Not good for harder impacts

Product Overview

Up next, we have another product from Traxxas. Again, we tried out other brands. But the shock shafts from Traxxas beat the rest. And we’ll tell you why-

Let’s start by talking about durability. Well, these shafts are hard. I mean, the stock shafts that you get don’t really come close. Maybe that’s why you have to pay so much more for these shafts coated with titanium nitride. 

The materials are hardened steel. I bet you didn’t see that one coming. We’ve seen a ton of cases where the stock shafts gave up and broke. And this set can be a lifesaver at times.

You can either change the stock ones completely or replace a damaged shaft. But, we can assure you that you’re still getting a decent performance upgrade. 

We were able to spend around two months with these shafts. And the results were decent. While one or two units might turn out defective, you can always ask for a refund. 

Pros

• Hardened steel body for great durability
• Affordable upgrade
• Good standby shafts
• Fits the Stampede well 

Cons

• One or two units may be flawed

Product Overview

Coming in at third place, we have a bearing adapter. These little guys go a long way when it comes to upgrades for your Stampede.

And the fact that these are cheap makes them even better. The set we’re looking at today is from Traxxas. Who would’ve guessed? 

Well, the bearing adapter is aluminum. So you can probably start to see a nice little pattern here. The durability aspect is something Traxxas skips out on when it comes to the stock parts.

I mean, they couldn’t have made high sales from these parts if they included the best stuff right away, right? 

Let’s face it! The only reason someone would need an upgrade for this is if the plastic stock bearing adapter failed. And, I’ll be honest, that’s a common phenomenon.

We saw a ton of stock bearing adapters go down during the reviews. So it’s normal for someone to switch to a more durable option. And this is where this bearing adapter comes in.

Pros

• Affordable upgrade
• Durable adapter
• Boosts heat resistance
• Upgrades the stock bearing

Cons

• Doesn’t boost performance 

Product Overview

At number four, we have a bearing mount from Hot Racing. And this one gets a lot of praise from the consumers. But let’s talk about that later. We’ll be letting you know what we think about this.

While this is one of the more expensive upgrades, I think it’s necessary. If you’re into competing with the different RC vehicles, I think bearing motor mounts can help out.

The overall structural integrity is what I like about this one. While you only get a plastic one from Traxxas, this one is made for the real deal. Ours came with a bigger bearing. So we take this as a bonus nonetheless. 

On top of everything, we even got a better motor when compared to the stock one. So no one’s complaining.

The only thing that bothers me is that this isn’t a must-have upgrade. That’s why it’s so far down the list. But if you’re into the competitive nature, I think the stronger build will help you out.  

Pros

• Good structural integrity 
• Fits perfectly with the Stampede
• Decent for competitive racing
• Comes with a good motor

Cons

• A bit on the pricier side

Product Overview

Finally, you can add a bit of bling by picking a set of wheels. These things are perfect for improving performance and looks.

I’m not kidding. Some of the wheels look gorgeous. These companies have a neat way of attracting customers.

Well, in this particular case, the wheels have a certain flair. We see chrome wheels with sturdy tires. The tires won’t disappoint, either. They’re straight from Talon.

As you might have guessed, wheels and tires make the perfect upgrades. And a big reason is the tires, honestly. Some of the tires get scuffed over the years. And if you’re competitive, you know that a set of tires wouldn’t last too long.

That’s why you need newer tires. And this set of two seemed like a decent choice in our eyes. 

Well, if you want all four of them, you can just go for the four tires, right? But there are instances when you just need to change one or two. So I think the deal makes a lot of sense.

In terms of performance, well, we had the set of wheels for around a month. And during the testing phase, we found out that the grip was decent. We tried the Stampede out on different surfaces. And the wheels excelled on most of them.

We even noticed a slight upgrade in terms of traction, so there’s that. You can opt for wheel upgrades once your original wheels get scuffed. And, trust me, the originals get scuffed in no time. So this set can save you in those trying times. 

Pros

• Allows a decent traction
• Good grip on different surfaces
• Decent build quality

Cons

• Wheels are glued

Which Upgrades Should You Opt for?

Now we’ll be talking about all the possible upgrades. These can be the upgrades a Traxxas E Maxx needs as well. Now, listen to me very carefully. There isn’t any specific order. You can prioritize whichever upgrade you prefer. So let’s get on with it.

Upgrade Method #1: A Set of Shock Caps

The first thing that you should think about is getting a new set of shock caps. These caps for your shock absorbers make a ton of difference. 

Just make sure you get a durable design. This isn’t an upgrade you have to perform every year. So if you get a good set, it would last till the end of your Stampede’s lifecycle. 

The best part is that they’re relatively affordable. You don’t have to break the bank. And the performance upgrade that you’re getting is kind of off the charts, most of the time.

Upgrade Method #2: New Set of Shafts

Another thing you can look for is a brand new set of shock shafts. Everything available in the market is either steel or titanium. And the best part is that the premium materials don’t cost a lot at all.

Some of the big shots even went as far as to coat the shafts with titanium nitride. Now, that’s what I call dedication. Whether you’re just replacing the older broken shaft or upgrading to a new one, this should be a good decision.

Upgrade Method #3: A Good Bearing Adapter

Bearing adapters are next in line. You might get the full experience if you go for the OEM versions. 

But some of the third-party brands also know their job well. Most of them are made out of aluminum and boast intricate designs. But the best part is that this little guy can quickly boost the stock adapter. 

Most of them are of the same size, and it’s a matter of “one size fits all” at times. As for pricing, I think you can spend the least amount of money on these fellas. 

Upgrade Method #4: A New Bearing Mount

Let’s talk about a slightly expensive upgrade now. While this is completely optional, the boost in performance might actually make you greedy, no cap. 

Many brands make durable motor mounts for the bearings. And they put a lot of effort into this. Since the Stampede comes with a rather brittle plastic mount, an upgrade is super beneficial.

You even get a bigger bearing most of the time. So the newly added support might help you win races you weren’t winning before.

Upgrade Method #5: Change The Wheels and Tires

Lastly, for a slight performance improvement, you can opt for a change of wheels. Most of the wheel manufacturers go with solid wheels along with tires. 

You can even choose different colors on the wheels too. I’m not saying there’s something wrong with the stock wheels. But let’s be honest, you can definitely add a little bling to the Stampede. 

FAQs

Question: Can I make my Stampede run quicker?

Answer: Yes, there are a couple of modifications that might lead to better performance. You could swap out some gear for lighter ones and lose weight. Maybe you can even lower the overall height of your ride. There are endless possibilities.

Question: Can I put a big battery in my Stampede?

Answer: It depends on what you mean by “big.” But we’ve seen some people rocking 10000mAh batteries on their Stampedes. The battery performance does get a lot better. But you do end up adding a lot of weight to it.

Question: Can I switch to a brushed motor for my Stampede?

Answer: I’m not sure as to why you would do that. The brushless motors are the future, and they’re churning out better results as they go. But if you’re really interested in the traditional motor, then, by all means, go for it. 

Conclusion

When it comes to Traxxas Stampede 4×4 upgrades, that’s all we could include.

Don’t get me wrong. We tested all the parts here and recommended the best versions here. But there are other opinions about the choices so you might like something else. 

Feel free to choose the upgrade you like. There might be something you like more than us. Go right ahead. We’re just listing the possibilities here. 

It’s definitely tricky to churn out the maximum performance from your Traxxas Stampede. But you surely reach a certain extent without too much effort.

With that said, we hope you can make the upgrades of your choice. Good luck and drive your Stampede safely.