If you’ve read my previous article on the Latrax Rally Review, you’ll already know how many upgrades are available for this awesome beginner RC car. That’s one of the best things about it — the ability to customize and upgrade various parts helps you not only boost performance but also learn how RC cars actually work.
That said, it’s important to be cautious when upgrading. Make sure each part is compatible not just with your Traxxas Latrax Rally’s model version, but also with the other components you’ve installed. This helps avoid unnecessary issues and ensures everything runs smoothly.
In this article, I’ll walk you through some of the best Latrax Rally upgrades you can make. Let’s dive in!
P.S. Many of these Traxxas Latrax Rally upgrades are also compatible with the Latrax Teton!
Traxxas Rally Brushless Motor Upgrade
One upgrade that many Traxxas Latrax Rally owners are excited about is switching from a brushed motor to a brushless motor. Why? Because brushless motors deliver significantly more power, offering a major boost in speed and overall performance.
Upgrading your Rally to brushless might sound intimidating, but thanks to the car’s simple design, it’s easier than you think. Just follow the tutorial by Roadside RC (linked above) — it’s a great guide.
Trust me, this will be one of the most exciting upgrades you can make!
👉 Click the button below to check the price of the best brushless motor for your Rally.
Battery Upgrade: One Of The Simplest Latrax Rally Upgrades
Your Latrax Rally likely came with a 6V 5-cell NiMH battery. While decent, it doesn’t offer the speed thrill many hobbyists crave. Upgrading to a 2S LiPo battery (or even a 3S, if you’re feeling adventurous) can dramatically increase your RC car’s speed and runtime.
Pair a 2S LiPo battery with a brushless motor, and you’ll be blown away by how much fun it is to drive!
Even though it may not seem like a big change, the battery plays a crucial role in performance.
👉 Click the button below to check out a recommended 2S LiPo battery.
Headlights: Add Style and Functionality
Installing headlights is one of the coolest upgrades you can make to your Traxxas Latrax Rally. The best part? There are so many ways to customize them depending on how creative you want to get.
If you’re a beginner, don’t worry — I’ve got you covered. Below is a full list of parts you’ll need, plus a step-by-step tutorial to follow.
Parts You’ll Need:
- 5mm LED Lights
- Plastic 5mm LED Holders
- Battery Holder
- AA 1.5V Performance Batteries
- Slide Switch Panel
- Stainless Steel Screws & Nuts
- 24 Gauge Wire
- Shrink Tubing
- Solder Kit
- Small Head Screwdriver
- Wire Stripper & Cutter
- Long Nose Pliers
- Drill Bit
- Lighter or Heat Gun
- Hot Glue Gun
- Duct Tape
Once installed, your new headlights will have their own power supply and ON/OFF switch, making them completely independent from your RC car’s main electronics.
Bearings — Smoother, Faster Wheels
Bearings play a crucial role in your Rally’s performance. They’re located in the center of the wheels and are responsible for helping them spin smoothly.
While the stock bearings are decent and won’t harm your vehicle, aftermarket bearings are designed to reduce friction even further—leading to smoother wheel rotation and increased speed.
⚠️ Installing bearings can be a bit tricky, especially with the small parts involved. It’s highly recommended to follow a detailed tutorial to ensure everything is done correctly.
Big thanks to Greg from RC Driver for putting together a helpful guide on how to install them!
👉 Here are the high-performance bearings we recommend:
Oil-Filled Shocks — A Must-Have Upgrade
Most high-quality RC cars come with oil-filled shocks as standard. Unfortunately, the stock shocks on Traxxas Latrax Rally are friction-based, which is a major drawback.
Over time, friction shocks wear out and offer poor durability and handling. On the other hand, oil-filled shocks provide smoother suspension, better control, and increased longevity—especially during jumps and rough terrain.
🛠️ Upgrading to oil shocks is one of the best changes you can make to your Latrax Rally.
👉 Check out the oil-filled shocks we recommend below:
Shock Towers — Boost Durability & Handling
Shock towers are the essential components that connect the shocks to the chassis of your RC car. They’re mounted directly onto the chassis and come with multiple mounting points, allowing you to easily adjust the position of the shocks to suit your driving style.
Now, why should you consider upgrading your shock towers?
It’s all about improving handling and boosting durability. Let me break it down:
When your RC car takes a hit or lands a jump, the shocks absorb most of the impact. However, because the shocks are mounted to the towers, some of that stress transfers directly to the shock towers themselves.
On a brand new LaTrax Rally, the stock plastic towers can handle the pressure—for a while. But over time, repeated stress can lead to wear, reduced performance, or even breakage.
That’s why upgrading to aluminum shock towers is such a smart move. Aluminum is much stronger than plastic, offering better durability and significantly improved handling. These upgraded towers hold up better under pressure, giving your car a more responsive and stable ride.
And the best part? They’re super easy to install!
Just unscrew the old plastic towers, bolt on the new aluminum ones, and you’re good to go—no complicated tools or steps required.
Of course, there are plenty of other upgrades you can add to your LaTrax Rally, but upgrading the shock towers is one of the most impactful changes you can make for performance and fun.
Recommended Shock Towers for Your Traxxas Latrax Rally:
So, do you have any other Traxxas Latrax Rally upgrades to add other than these?
Share them with me in the comments section below!
