Slash 4×4 Platinum Edition!!

I got a good call today from Dave at 106 Race Park. My Slash 4×4 Platinum Edition came in. So I ran down there at lunch and picked it up, along with a Spektrum S3100 receiver, and a Traxxas Sawy bar Kit (for the E-Revo). I was glad it showed up in time for the start of the Indoor races at The Barn this weekend, and it’s always fun to have a new toy. I got home and unfortunately had to endure the remaining half of my work day with the box taunting me from the couch next to my desk. After work though, the first thing I did was open it all up, install the receiver, and my transponder from the E-Revo. Everything was really easy to work on as usual.

**Little tip for anyone else with the Platinum Edition, or anyone planning on upgrading the reciever. There is a tiny set screw that is used to tighten the chassis around the antenna tube. If you have the receiver box closest to you the set screw is to the right of the antenna. It is tiny and easy to miss, I did. I used some pliers to get the tube out the hard way. No damage or anything, but I felt like a moron when I saw the tiny set screw afterwards. I would have know it was there if I read the instructions on “Installing your receiver”, but seriously, who reads that crap?

After I got the receiver in I had some trouble with getting the throttle to work. I ended up reading through the instructions on the VXL-3S and got that solved, it just needed to be calibrated. I am spoiled with the Castle system I guess and have not had to deal with setting up an ESC using the one button and lights to figure it out. I did notice on the VXL-3S there is an Auxillary port on the outside of the ESC, with a rubber cap, as well as an external connector for a cooling fan, according to the manual. I’m hoping the Auxillary is for something cool, like a way to tune the ESC from a PC like Castle Link, but I guess it could just be power for a transponder. I don’t see any mention of it in the manual, maybe I missed it. I’ll check around and update once I find out, if someone doesn’t comment and beat me to it. I finally got everything calibrated and set. The ESC is in Race mode, 100% throttle and brake, no reverse. I haven’t run it around yet, I worry about the salt outside hurting the thing, and it was dark by the time I was done with work anyways.

I am thinking of maybe just throwing something simple on this body for a paint job, and then buying a new body along with the Slipstream to have Herb paint for me before the spring series starts. I guess if whatever I do for paint comes out ok, I might just paint a slipstream myself too. I wasn’t planning on this at first so I’ll have to hit the store again tomorrow to grab paint, and some masking tape too.

I took some pics for everyone to look at, just to brag, and in case any one hasn’t seen one up close. Check them out in the gallery. I was surprised to find the center drive shaft has a plastic case to keep dirt and water from getting through the drive shaft into the chassis, that wasn’t in the Traxxas info from what I saw. I like that the sway bars are all installed for you, some nice blue shiny parts are in there hidden away in the wheels too. The center differential is not installed out of the box, so I am not sure whether I want to just add it in, or try it out and add it in later on. I made a new gallery for the Slash 4×4, more pics are in there for everyone to take a peek at. After I’ve had some drive time I’ll throw up some sort of “review” of what I think.