The All-New Traxxas Stampede 2WD Brushless Gets 3S VX3 Power and a Monocoque Chassis

The biggest structural change is the chassis. Traxxas now molds the shock towers into the main frame, with double-shear shock mounts and front and rear bulkheads that lock into the chassis. The footprint has also grown: Traxxas says the wheelbase is about an inch (26 mm) longer and overall width is up a little over an inch (28 mm) compared with the previous truck, which it credits for better stability over rough ground.

The body is now clipless. It snaps onto self-latching mounts, and new Bash-Lock levers lock those latches closed so the body cannot pop off during hard landings. An injection-molded grille and tailgate panel reinforce the mounting points. Underneath, a new battery tray sits low in the chassis with a latching strap instead of body-style clips.

Power comes from the new Velineon V3200 sensorless brushless motor (3200Kv, 5 mm shaft) paired with the waterproof, fan-cooled VX3 ESC. The ESC accepts 2S or 3S LiPo packs only; Traxxas states NiMH is not supported. Traxxas lists top speed as 35+ mph on 2S and 50+ mph on 3S with no gearing change required.

The VX3 has three drive profiles (Sport, Race, and a 50 percent Training Mode) and is set up with Traxxas EZ-Set one-button programming. The truck ships with the TQi 2.4 GHz radio, which adds Traxxas Stability Management (TSM) and a new Punch Control feature that lets you dial throttle response from 0 to 100 percent using the transmitter's multi-function knob. Steering uses a new 2057 waterproof metal-gear servo with a dual-bellcrank steering system and built-in servo saver.

The suspension has moved to a double-wishbone layout with heavy-duty arms and new extra-long composite GTR shocks with threaded collars. The drivetrain uses the Magnum 272 metal-gear transmission with a slipper clutch, a planetary steel-gear differential, a heavy-duty top shaft, and a switch to 32-pitch spur and pinion gears. New Talon MXT tires come mounted on 2.8-inch wheels.

Traxxas lists the truck at 20.28 in (515 mm) long, 13.86 in (352 mm) wide, and 8.34 in (212 mm) tall, with an 11.65 in (296 mm) wheelbase, 3.54 in (90 mm) of ground clearance, and a weight of 6.09 lb (2.76 kg). The battery compartment measures 166 x 47.5 x 28 mm.

Traxxas lists the Stampede 2WD Brushless at $329.95 and showed it as available on its site at the time of writing. (Some coverage rounds this to a $329 street price.) RC Saver is already tracking the black, green, orange, pink, and red versions at AMain Hobbies, though stock there was showing as unavailable when this post was written. Check the price grid below for current pricing and stock.

The truck is ready-to-run but does not include a battery or charger. You'll need a single 2S or 3S LiPo pack with a Traxxas connector (NiMH will not work with the VX3 ESC), a LiPo-compatible charger (Traxxas recommends its EZ-Peak 2970), and four AA batteries for the transmitter. The box includes the truck, the TQi radio, and basic maintenance tools.

Links go to the store via our affiliate link; buying through them supports RC Saver at no extra cost to you. The Traxxas link lands on the Traxxas homepage, so search for part number 136454-4 once you're there.