Hanging with Paulie: Reviews, Rides, and Regrets… All for Your Benefit…and entertainment

One Traxxas Servo Fixed
Many Traxxas owners complain about weak Traxxas servos, and I found out why. After troubleshooting my Slash Nitro, I replaced the stock servo with the EcoPower WP120T from A Main Hobbies. I demonstrate how to install the servo, and I may have switched from Hitec.

Traxxas Steering Upgrade
The stock steering on the Traxxas Nitro Slash is a weak point, so I upgraded to the aluminum Traxxas 3743A bellcrank with built-in bearings. The install took some patience—removing the bumper, servo arm, and loosening the chassis—but the result is tighter, smoother steering and better durability. Combined with upgraded tires, the Slash becomes a fun, drift-happy nitro truck that just needs a little tuning to shine.

The Slash Slays!
When a USPS alert feels like Santa’s text, you know it’s a good day. My order from A Main Hobbies brought Proline Badlands tires for the Slash. Now I was free to do a science experiment: could it drive with just foam and no tire? Turns out… yes, with glorious donuts and burned foam. Here’s the story, the laughs, and the nitro-fueled fun.

A Little Mix and Match
I give an update on the Traxxas Slash and update some of the Tamiya projects we have lying around. I also show my love for Tamiya by

So close, but no cigar
Out with the old, slash and in with the new. Okay, so it is not a new slash, but I report on the new body with a full how I did it. It is a little tricky to paint these bodies, but there is a certain joy to it even if one is not that skilled at painting.

Reviving the Slash
It is time to give the Traxxas Slash some love. The original body had a dent on it, and I may have done some cartwheels with it myself. So, it is time to get a fresh body, play with some supplies, and see what we can cook up.

Tuning the Slash
Whoops! I did manage to get the truck tuned, and then WHAMMMO! More details coming on that next week, but this week I talk about tuning the nitro engine,

Slash: She’s a Rippin’…. Not just playing Air Guitar
We got the Slash Running! I am doing the break-in and some of the tune. I produced a video, yeah…. made it on my mac…. and you can see that the Slash actually runs!

Update on Slash… Nitro, not the Guitarist… although I hope he is well
I get my new motor from Traxxas. I summarize some of the challenges in getting the motor into the chassis, and walk through some solutions.

Slash Nitro: Tuition Paid to School Hard Knocks
I lament my holy engine. I discovered why the engine would not stay running and sorta fired. I pulled the motor only to see the window into the engine’s world.

Nitro Slash: Hopefully a Winner
So, what can turn an electric guy to branch out into nitro? I am not sure that I am sold at this point, but the truck does look pretty awesome!