Temperatures are still tickling the triple digit mark here in the mountains with humidity in the 90% range so going outside is still a torture test on the body; even walking to the mailbox is met with air that is thick enough to chew. Thankfully we don’t have to walk to the mailbox to get this week’s RC news! Traxxas has a new mini basher to round out their lineup of new 1/16 brushless mini’s, Team Associated released a new combination turnbuckle wrench/diff adjustment hex wrench under their Factory Team division while JConcepts has introduced a slew of new parts including fin turnbuckles for the latest race kits, Pioneer wheels for the vintage RC10 and RC10T as well as 2.2″ 4wd buggy front’s with their slightly wider width and a pre-cut chassis protector for the Team Associated RC10B84. Let’s dive in and see what’s new!
TRAXXAS
Following up on the release of the Mini MAXX (a shrunken X-MAXX) and the Mini XRT (a scaled down XRT) Traxxas has released the Mini Slash 4×4. This truck is BL-2s brushless powered and retains the new Mini’s 1/10 4wd drivetrain for bash-all-day durability. The small tires are licensed replicas of the BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/A KM3’s, which look the part on a short course truck. The chassis is slightly longer than the Mini MAXX for added stability and a more scale appearance. Oil-filled dampers keep the truck under control and are built in the same manner as their larger 1/10 siblings. Traxxas includes a 2-cell 3500mAh LiPo battery and USB type-c charger for out of the box running convenience meaning only (4) AA batteries need to be added to get the truck up and running.
Item #108164 Traxxas Mini Slash 4×4 https://traxxas.com/108164-1-mini-slash-4×4
TEAM ASSOCIATED
Racers now have a new combination wrench to add to their arsenal of pit tools thanks to Team Associated’s Factory Team division. On one end of the tool lies a 3.7mm wrench to fit the flats of most Factory Team titanium turnbuckles. as well as other’s that use a similar size flat. At the opposite end of the tool is a 90 degree 2mm hex driver that fits into the outdrive of a ball diff, holding both the outdrive as well as engaging the diff screw, all without removing the tires from the vehicle. This is especially useful on the RC10B7D as making this adjustment easier means more drivers will exploit this vital tuning option.
Item #1529 Combination Turnbuckle Wrench/Hex Driver https://www.associatedelectrics.com/news/latest_products/2972-new-ft-turnbuckle-and-hex-wrench-37mm-and-2mm/
JCONCEPTS
JConcepts has been incredibly busy this week, releasing new wheels for vintage Associated’s, titanium turnbuckles for modern race kits and a pre-cut chassis protector for the RC10B84. First up are the new Pioneer Wheels for the RC10, RC10T narrow front and 2.2″ 4wd Buggy front.
The RC10 versions utilize a non-flanged bearing while the rear can accept either 1/4″ or 3/16″ axles thanks to the included adapters. Four screws around the wheel nut add a touch of vintage style and the fluorescent orange harkens back to the in-your-face styling of the early 90’s. White and fluoro yellow options are also available as well as fitments for the RC10B2 and B3, please see the below link for each part number as well as further details on these wheels.
Link: https://blog.jconcepts.net/2025/08/jconcepts-new-release-pioneer-rc10-2-2-wheels/
The RC10T is an interesting creature with its narrow 2.2″ front wheels that still utilize a tall profile tire. JConcepts has a Pioneer wheel option to suit both the front and rear of Associated’s first electric race truck. Like to run more traditional “wide” front wheels on your 10T? JC has you covered there too! Each of the Pioneer wheels is available in black, white, yellow and orange and the rears include adapters for both 1/4″ and 3/16″ axle adapters. Again, please see the below link for item numbers and further details.
Link: https://blog.jconcepts.net/2025/08/jconcepts-new-release-pioneer-rc10t-2-2-wheels/
Rounding out this week’s wheel releases are 2.2″ 4wd buggy front wheels to fit the RC10B74/B84, Xray XB4, TLR 22X-4 and Schumacher L1R in black, white, yellow and orange. Each pack includes four wheels as well as the hardware to bolt into the face of the wheel. Please see the below link for a comprehensive list of item numbers and further photos of the additional colors.
Link: https://blog.jconcepts.net/2025/08/jconcepts-new-release-pioneer-modern-4wd-front-buggy-wheel/
There’s no denying the beauty of a titanium turnbuckle; the almost helium-filled feel of the material in your hand, the sound it makes as it hits the floor when you accidentally cut the poly bag too far, it’s an almost religious experience. Well, maybe not, but the Fin turnbuckles from JConcepts add a touch of factory unobtanium to your ride, not only looking amazing but shedding a few grams in the process. Owners of the TLR 22X, Team Associated RC10B84 or RC10 4×4 now have the option to join the cool kids club, because as we all know, you’re not cool unless you’ve got JC Fin turnbuckles on your race rig (and I don’t just say this because I run JC Fin’s on my RC10B7 Late Model dirt oval car either). These 3.5mm titanium units are available in either blue or black anodizing and the contrasting clear has a fine knurling that catches the light enhancing the beauty of these little gems. Part numbers and additional photos can be found by clicking through the links below.
22X: https://blog.jconcepts.net/2025/08/jconcepts-new-release-tlr-22x-3-5mm-fin-titanium-turnbuckles/
RC10 4×4: https://blog.jconcepts.net/2025/08/jconcepts-new-release-rc10-4wd-fin-titanium-turnbuckle-set/
RC10 B84: https://blog.jconcepts.net/2025/08/jconcepts-new-release-b84-fin-titanium-turnbuckle-set/
While you’re adding a set of Fin turnbuckles to your cart click over to the new Pre-Cut Chassis Protector for the RC10B84. Keeping the chassis scrape-free is not only good for aesthetic reasons but it also maintains the chassis’ strength over time and reduces friction with the track surface. Some tracks even require a chassis protector for running on carpet or astroturf so be away before heading out to run. JConcepts’ Pre-Cut Chassis Protector is printed on premium durable vinyl and include three separate rear chassis pieces as that is the highest wear area. A neutral color scheme matches any paint scheme and each protector includes both JConcepts and Speed Laboratory logos.
Item #5300 RC10B84 Chassis Protector https://blog.jconcepts.net/2025/08/jconcepts-new-release-b84-pre-cut-chassis-protective-sheet/
PROJECT UPDATES
This week was the death of 1000 cuts for the projects here at 1i-rc; progress was made on several vehicles but nothing was substantial enough to drag out to the shop and get photos of. The Sand Rail got it’s wiring cleaned up a little, two new JST connectors soldered on and a metric butt-load of zip-ties installed to tidy things up a little. It still needs some suspension tuning front and rear as the Jato arms are rubbing the chassis in the rear and the shocks don’t quite fit properly into the pockets of the front arms for the lower shock mounting position. A little trimming with a hobby knife will open that up the required 1/2mm; allowing the 105mm aluminum shocks to slide right into place.
I stayed up a few nights soldering a complete custom rock light kit for an upcoming project, incorporating a total of 18 5mm 12v LED’s, 5 JST connectors and more clear heat shrink tubing than I care to admit to. I love soldering and am thankful that I have retained that skill even after losing my sight. I use a $20 soldering station from Amazon that has an adjustable temperature control, heats up quickly, has a quality tip and even has a long power cable that gives me the freedom to move the iron around my project and not the other way around. It’s not a Weller or a Hakko but it does a pretty good job for the type of work I do. (That’s not to say that I’d turn down a Weller or a Hakko if one was offered to me…)
Our Traxxas Mudboss got a new set of Pink RPM Heavy Duty suspension arms this week, partly because of their color but more so to see the difference in the stock HD Traxxas parts and the RPM units. For me the RPM’s are a no-brainer. The HD arms are significantly firmer and I have broken the Cold Weather arms in the past, making me skeptical that Traxxas has changed the formula in the time since. The RPM’s have always struck a good balance of performance stiffness and durable flex and these new arms are no difference. I would like to take this time to let everyone know that there is an interference issue with the HD caster blocks of the new Traxxas models and RPM’s arms, which is more prominent with the Wide Offset Front Arms but is present in the standard offset models as well. The issue comes from interference between the arm and where the caster wraps around the front of the arm, capturing the hinge pin. On my car this friction holds the arm in the up position when the shock is not attached, acting as a tension spring and working directly against the shock spring. RPM is aware of this issue and a note of this is also available on their website. Please note that this issue is directly because of the design of the new Traxxas caster blocks, not the RPM parts which work perfectly with the original style caster blocks.
I want to thank you each and every one for joining us again this week for TWIRC. It is readers like you that keep us motivated and keep the passion burning. Until next week be good to yourself, be good to others, be good to your RC.