There are numerous upgrades available for the Traxxas Maxx that can enhance your RC car and elevate your driving experience. Before diving into the list of upgrades, let’s first explore why upgrading your Maxx today is a great idea!
The Traxxas Maxx is arguably one of the best RC cars Traxxas has ever produced. In my opinion, it comes close to being the perfect RC car, thanks to the powerful features we outlined in our full review of the Traxxas Maxx.
With its impressive power, speed, handling, and sleek design, the Maxx offers a combination of features that’s hard to find in other RC cars.
What makes me really appreciate the Traxxas Maxx is that it’s the lightest version of the Traxxas X-Maxx. While the X-Maxx is even more powerful, larger, and more durable, its higher price (over $1000) makes it unaffordable for many.
Still, everyone wanted that X-Monster, and that’s how the Maxx came to be.
The Maxx delivers fantastic power and handling (though not quite on par with the X-Maxx), a similar design (just in a smaller package), and the added benefits of being easier to transport and taking up less space. Isn’t that the ideal RC car?
But what if you take it up a notch by upgrading it? Trust me, the excitement will be hard to contain!
Next, let’s explore some of the best Traxxas Maxx upgrades you can start adding today…
Read Also: Traxxas E-Revo vs X-Maxx : Which One is Right for You?
Traxxas Maxx Wheels
While the stock tires on the Traxxas X-Maxx tend to wear out quickly due to the vehicle’s size and weight, the Maxx’s tires are more durable and better suited for handling. However, as AMain Hobbies pointed out in the video above, the reason to upgrade your Maxx’s tires isn’t because of the tires themselves but rather the wheels.
The Maxx’s wheels are made of plastic and, while flexible, they may not withstand the pressure of aggressive driving, such as high jumps or high-speed off-road adventures. This makes them prone to cracking.
That’s why upgrading to aftermarket wheels is a wise decision:
- They offer higher quality and improve your Traxxas Maxx’s performance.
- They provide a more aggressive look, especially if the color complements your vehicle.
- They are larger than the stock wheels.
Here are a few top options we found for you on Amazon:
Read Also: Is the Traxxas X-Maxx the best Monster Truck ?
The Servo (One of the Best Traxxas Maxx Upgrades)
In our article on recommended upgrade parts for Traxxas cars, we frequently suggest upgrading the servo.
What is an RC Car Servo?
The servo controls the steering of the RC car. A more powerful servo allows for quicker and easier direction changes.
The stock servo on the Maxx is decent and performs well, but its lifespan may be limited. If you notice that the steering is becoming sluggish, it might be time to replace the servo. Just be sure it’s waterproof!
The servo I recommend, and one also endorsed by AMain Hobbies, is the TRA2085X. Although I found only the X-Maxx version on Amazon, you can still use it by installing a Traxxas X-Maxx servo adapter.
In some cases, the issue may not be the servo itself but other plastic parts that need to be checked and replaced.
Traxxas Maxx Fan
The fan plays a crucial role, not just in RC cars but in full-sized vehicles as well. Its primary job is to keep the motor cool. Without it, your Traxxas Maxx’s motor would overheat, affecting its performance and potentially damaging other components.
For this reason, it’s essential to monitor the motor’s temperature regularly. Thankfully, Traxxas makes it easy by allowing you to connect your Traxxas controller and Maxx to your smartphone through their app.
This app provides you with detailed analytics of your vehicle, including metrics like temperature, speed, and RPM.
Here’s a fan I recommend from Amazon:
Read Also: Traxxas Slash VS Maxx – Which One Is Better For You?
Suspension Kit
Upgrading your Traxxas Maxx’s suspension is one of the best modifications you can make. In fact, if I had to choose just one upgrade out of all 10, this would be my top pick!
Not only will it enhance your Traxxas Maxx’s performance, but it will also improve its appearance, handling, stability, and cornering. This suspension kit widens the vehicle by 20mm on each side, giving it a more aggressive look.
If you tend to drive aggressively, this upgrade is perfect for you. The kit includes Extreme Duty Traxxas Suspension Arms, links, rear springs, and an extended plastic drive shaft.
Traxxas Maxx Driveshafts
When upgrading your Traxxas Maxx—or any RC car—it’s important to remember that upgrading one part often means you’ll need to upgrade others to maintain balance and performance.
Stock Traxxas drive shafts are made from plastic, which is prone to breaking under stress. Many upgrades are focused on replacing weak, flexible plastic parts, and the drive shafts are no exception.
To avoid issues, you should upgrade to steel driveshafts. However, be mindful when purchasing, as there are two versions available: one compatible with the upgraded suspension kit mentioned earlier, and one for the standard suspension.
No need to worry though—I’ve listed both options here so you can choose the right one for your setup:
Wheel Hubs
Upgrading the suspension, driveshafts, and tires adds more power and improves handling. As mentioned earlier, upgrading one part without addressing related components can create imbalances. For this reason, it’s also advisable to replace your plastic wheel hubs with aluminum ones.
Aluminum hubs provide a more secure fit for your Traxxas Maxx’s wheels and can handle the increased pressure from the upgrades.
Here are the best options available on Amazon:
Traxxas Link Bluetooth
Earlier in the article, I mentioned how you can connect your Traxxas Maxx to your phone to access more data and details about your vehicle. In this section, I’ll delve deeper into how this works.
The Traxxas Link is a Bluetooth-enabled device that you insert into your Traxxas Maxx’s controller. It allows you to wirelessly connect the controller to your smartphone.
To get started, you’ll need to install the Traxxas app on your phone. Once installed, you can connect the Traxxas Link to your phone through the app, which uses Bluetooth to detect the device.
This setup provides you with in-depth information about your Traxxas Maxx, including motor temperature, speed, and even location tracking through the integrated GPS.
Read Also: Traxxas E-Revo vs Maxx . Which One Is Better For You?
Traxxas Maxx Carbon Battery Tray
If you’re looking to upgrade from a 4s to a 6s battery for more power, you might run into a sizing issue since the 6s battery is larger than the standard holder.
That’s where the carbon battery tray comes in. It allows you to easily fit the 6s battery into your Traxxas Maxx, enabling you to enjoy enhanced performance and speed with one of the best upgrades available for your Maxx.
The installation might require some guidance, so you can check out this tutorial to see the setup and how it works.
Read Also: Traxxas E-Revo vs X-Maxx : Which One is Right for You?
Gearing
One of the most effective ways to boost the speed of your Traxxas Maxx is by upgrading the gearing.
So, what exactly is gearing? To explain it simply, consider how gears work in a regular car. Gears are part of the transmission, and modern cars typically have 5 or 6 gears. The higher the gear (from 1 to 6), the faster the car can go.
In essence, the larger the gear, the faster the vehicle.
The main difference between a real car and an RC car is that real cars have multiple gears of various sizes, with the smallest being first gear and the largest being fifth or sixth gear. However, an RC car only has one gear.
If you want to increase the speed of your Traxxas Maxx, you simply need to remove the stock gear and replace it with a larger one. This will make your Maxx noticeably faster.
Keep in mind that changing the gearing can generate higher temperatures in the motor and other components. That’s why I recommend installing a fan (which I discussed earlier) to help regulate the temperature.
Here’s a great gearing option to consider when starting your Traxxas Maxx upgrades.
Read Also: Which is Best: Traxxas XRT VS X-Maxx? Best Traxxas RC cars
Shock Caps
Shock caps are components that support the shocks from the top. They are typically made of built-in plastic, but this material doesn’t hold up well under intense driving conditions.
For better performance, it’s recommended to replace them with aluminum shock caps. The aluminum version is more durable and can withstand greater pressure, especially if you’re using your Traxxas Maxx for high jumps. These caps are ideal for more aggressive driving.
There are also several colorful options available for you to choose from.
Now that you’ve seen all 10 Traxxas Maxx upgrades you can add to your RC car, which one stands out to you? What would be the final upgrade you’d add to your Traxxas Maxx? Let us know in the comments below!
And don’t forget to share any additional upgrades you’ve made to your Traxxas Maxx.
Read Also: Traxxas MAXX VS X-MAXX: Which One Reigns Supreme?
