2
INTRODUCTION:
Thank you for purchasing a Traxxas product. The Rustler and Bandit
deliver pro-level racing technology and performance. The transmission
is a quiet and efficient 3-gear design complete with ball bearings.
The planetary gear differential provides proven durability and low-
maintenance operation. A slipper clutch is included to prevent tire spin.
The four-wheel independent suspension uses oil-filled shocks on the front
and rear for extreme amounts of suspension travel and bump absorption.
The shocks are fully adjustable so the model will have superb control over
rough terrain.
This manual details the assembly of both the Rustler and the Bandit. If you
purchased a model that is Ready-To-Run, this manual will aid you in
disassembling and rebuilding the model during normal maintenance and
repair procedures. This manual will also acquaint you with the model’s
many different components and its mechanical operation.
Look over the manuals and examine the model carefully before opening
any of the parts bags included in the kit. If for some reason you think the
model is not what you wanted, then do not continue any further. Your
hobby dealer absolutely cannot accept a model for return or exchange
which has been run or contains open bags. Please read the separate
Operating Instructions manual before attempting to drive your
new model.
If you have any questions about your Rustler or Bandit, call Traxxas’
technical support department at 1-888-TRAXXAS (U.S.A. residents only,
outside U.S.A. call 972-265-8000). Technical support is available Monday
through Friday, from 8:30am to 9:00pm central time. We hope that you
will enjoy your new Traxxas model. Technical assistance is also available
thru our website at www.Traxxas.com 24 hours a day. E-mail Traxxas at
[email protected]
ASSEMBLY HINTS:
To assemble this kit, you’ll need a large flat working area where you will
have plenty of room to build. Be sure it’s someplace where you can leave
your work spread out and not in the way when you want to take a break
from the assembly. Allow yourself plenty of time to build this kit, assembly
time is going to vary with each individual. Experienced builders may only
need 4-5 hours to assemble this kit, while others may spend an entire
weekend on it. You should feel comfortable with taking as much time as
you need to properly build and set-up your model. The race, after all, is on
the track, not the workbench.
If you’ve been exploring the contents of your kit box, you’ve noticed many
bags of small parts. Open only one bag at a time. To keep the parts
organized, use small paper plates or several large plastic plates with
partitions to contain the parts. Label the paper plates and then pour the
contents of the bags onto them. This puts the parts out in the open where
you can find them easily. The plates also prevent small parts from rolling
off the table.
While it is possible to assemble your kit just by following the pictures,
please read the text next to each photo. The text contains important
information such as screw sizes and part numbers. Also, pay attention to
the “NOTE” which follows some steps.
Before you attempt to run your newly-built model, please read all of the
instructions and precautions included in the operating instruction manual.
Remember, as you assemble your Traxxas model, you are not alone. If you
have any questions or run into difficulties, call the Traxxas’ technical sup-
port department at 1-888-TRAXXAS (872-9927). Customers outside U.S.A
call 972-265-8000. Technical support is available Monday through Friday,
from 8:30am to 9:00pm central time.
TOOLS YOU WILL NEED:
Some of the tools which you may need in the maintenance and repair of
your model have been provided for you, they include:
Wrenches, 4-way wrench, hex wrenches (1.5mm & 2.0mm)
u-joint assembly tool
Below is a list of other tools and supplies you may need for maintenance
and repair of your model:
Philips screwdrivers, #1 & #2
Flat blade screwdriver (.25 inches wide)
Small, flat-blade, jeweler’s screwdriver
Pliers, locking (such as Vise Grips) & needle nose
Hobby knife
Superglue (such as “Zap” brand)
Paper plates and Shop rags or paper towels
Tape, masking and electrical
Machine oil such as “3 in 1” Oil™
Paint and other chemicals needed to finish the body are not included.
These items can be purchased from your hobby dealer. There is a section
in the operating instruction manual which provides tips for painting and
detailing the body. Instructions on installing the wing on the Bandit are
also included in the operating instruction manual.
RADIO SYSTEM INSTRUCTIONS:
The radio system is not provided in the unassembled kit. Towards the end
of the assembly process, there are photos demonstrating a typical, two-
channel, radio system installation. Before you begin installing your radio
system, it is necessary to locate the center (neutral) position of the
steering and throttle servos. Connect the steering servo to the channel 1
terminal and the throttle servo to the channel 2 terminal in the receiver.
Connect the thin red and black wires from the mechanical speed control
to the “batt” terminal in the receiver.
Place fresh “AA” batteries in the transmitter and turn the power switch on.
Turn the throttle and steering trim adjustments on the transmitter to the
center “0” position. Plug a freshly-charged battery pack into the speed
control. The servos will jump to their center position. Now, unplug the
battery pack and turn off the transmitter. Disconnect all of the radio
components and set them aside. Be careful not to move the servo shafts
when installing the servos into your model.
IMPORTANT
:
On the Traxxas mechanical speed control, the red wire is
positive and the black wire is negative. Your mechanical speed control is
compatible with Futaba and most other brands of radio equipment.
However, some brands of receivers have reversed positive and negative
input terminals. If you connect the Traxxas speed control to one of these
receivers without changing the wiring, the receiver will be severely
damaged. Pay particular attention to the wiring when using
Airtronics/Sanwa and some Novak brand receivers.
Complete instructions for operating the Traxxas TQ radio system are
included in the operating instruction manual. However, you will need to
follow the instructions that came with your particular radio system.
WARRANTY STATEMENT:
Every effort has been made in component design and material selection
to make your model as durable as possible and still maintain a weight
consistent with good handling.
Because this model is intended for high-speed operation under severe
conditions, no warranties are expressed nor implied relating to the
longevity of the parts.
If you find that a part has a defect in materials or workmanship, please
return it to us BEFORE IT IS USED, and we will gladly replace it.
Damage caused by excessive force, abuse, neglect or failure to adhere
to the precautions outlined in the literature contained with your model
will void the warranty.
HARDWARE DESCRIPTION:
The drawings that follow are provided to help you identify the many
different sizes and types of hardware that are used in the assembly of
this model. Note the difference between the length measurements of
the roundhead and countersunk screws. A ruler is provided at the
bottom of each page to measure the length of the screws in millimeters.
