Wow did we see a ton of huge releases this week with the mega-drop from Traxxas that was leaked on social media around 12 hours before the official release. While this has happened before with other brands such as Arrma and Tower Hobbies, this leak was largely ignored by not only average hobbyists but also Traxxas itself as most felt it was AI generated and not a genuine release. We’ll cover all of the different models below; be prepared though, there are a bunch of them this time! Also new this month is another retro release from Team Associated, this time being another “tribute” to Tamiya with the Retro 80’s Ultra Fox Kit. Also new from Team Associated is a Factory Team chassis protector kit for both the RC10T84 and RC10T84FT kits that will help extend the life of the aluminum chassis when racing outdoors and a piece that is nearly universally mandated at indoor carpet and turf tracks to protect the track surface from damage. Rounding out this week’s new releases are a quartet of new parts for the RC10 and RC10FT v2 buggies from JConcepts that includes new Mono wheels, +3.5mm axles, an aluminum steering rack and a 3d printed battery box that allows the use of JConcepts battery brace as well as most popular bodies. Let’s dive in and see what’s new!
TEAM ASSOCIATED
Before we get started here I want to say that I will give my opinion on this kit at a later time once I can do a fair bit more research on the topic and will instead only present the facts as provided by Team Associated.
New this week from Team Associated is the 80’s Retro Ultra Fox Kit, a tribute to the legendary Tamiya Ultra Fox that pushed the envelope of engineering in racing back in the early 1980’s. Its mono shock front suspension is its most striking design element, something that isn’t seen on many other models from the period (think Yokomo and a handful of later Tamiya’s). New molded side guards bolt up nicely to the black anodized chassis tub while a black anodized nose plate and motor plate not only look Factory Team approved but also add a touch of durability. Out back lies a traditional 6-gear transmission, this time filled with ball bearings (bearing are found throughout the kit) and spinning a set of hardened driveshafts. A trio of Associated’s famous gold anodized dampers keep the tires in contact with the ground and TA also includes a front anti-roll bar system to aid in high speed handling. A new molded rear bulkhead system not only gives a home for the arm mounts and transmission but also provides a strong foundation for the fiberglass rear shock tower to mount to. The battery box in the UF can house a 6-cell NiMH or 2s LiPO battery pack and the entire chassis is covered in the iconic Viper body that was seen on so many cars at the track back when this car’s ancestor would have competed. Rounding out the package are a set of knobby off-road tires that are so 80’s they nearly require the end user to wear parachute pants and a Milli Vanilli tour t-shirt just to glue them up.
Item #6051 Retro 80’s Ultra Fox Kit https://60years.associatedelectrics.com/rc10-retro-80-s-ultra-fox-kit-rhw8/?searchid=0&search_query=6051
TEAM ASSOCIATED RETRO RC10 2026 COUNTER: 10
Also new from Team Associated is this Factory Team chassis protector pack for the RC10T84 and RC10T84 Factory Team. These thick, motocross-graphic style vinyl graphics are pre-cut to the exact dimensions of the RC10T84 chassis and include extra rear section pieces to keep that high wear area fresh over time. These are a great option for outdoor running to protect the expensive aluminum chassis plate and, as most indoor tracks mandate it, makes the truck legal for carpet and turf racing. Each kit includes one center graphic, three rear skid covers and extra Team Associated logos to further show your TA allegiance.
Item #92632 Factory Team Chassis Protector, RC10T84/FT https://60years.associatedelectrics.com/rc10t84-ft-chassis-protector/?searchid=0&search_query=92632
TRAXXAS
Traxxas is hitting us hard this month with the introduction of the new VX3 Velineon 3s power system and six, yes six, newly updated models. Included in that lineup are the Slash 4×4, the Rustler 4×4, the Stampede 4×4, the Slash 2wd, the Rustler 2wd. and finally, the Stampede 2wd. I’ll only be covering what is new with each platform; if it is not listed, consider there to be no change from previous models (this is just for simplicities sake).
First let’s talk about the new power system, the VX3. Like previous Traxxas electronics the VX3 is waterproof and includes the Traxxas iD connector for simple, plug-it-in-and-go convenience. To keep the ESC cool under extreme loads the board is fitted with a large aluminum heat sink and fan (the fan is powered directly from the ESC’s fan output, negating the need for an extra power lead to the receiver or battery. High resolution braking control means you have precise control of the brake force at every brake trigger position; from a light touch to ham-fisted panic stops the VX3 has you covered. Interestingly Traxxas states that this ESC is not rated for NiMH use, leading us to believe that LiPO cutoff is automatically set when the pack is plugged in thanks to the iD connector and users never have to worry about over-discharging a pack again.
Moving downstream from the ESC we find the new Velineon V3200 brushless motor. Inside this motor we find dual high-speed ball bearings, ultra-high temperature sintered Neodymium magnets for increased torque and precision throttle at every trigger position, a 5mm output shaft for use with stronger 32p and mod1 gearing as well as an internal fan that pulls cooling air through the motor and exhausts it through slots on the outer portion of the motor.
What is slightly confusing for most is that this system if the next-generation of the Traxxas flagship brushless lineup, yet the motor is rated with 300 less kV and the vehicles that feature this system are touted as having slower top speeds. While this looks like a downgrade, anyone that has driven an earlier model VXL will tell you that, while they will do the speed touted on the box, they will get hot and only do that speed a handful of times before hitting the thermal safety. These new vehicles will do the claimed speed without a gear change. and as such, it s fair to assume that the gearing chose is safe for use in most, if not all, conditions.
Item #3446 VX3 ESC https://traxxas.com/3446-velineon-vx3-electronic-speed-control
Item #3442 Velineon V3200 Motor https://traxxas.com/3442-velineon-v3200-brushless-motor
First up in the lineup of updated models is the Slash 4×4, which now receives new composite versions of the GTR shocks, the VX3 brushless system, an LCG chassis, Extreme HD suspension components, fluid filled center differential, a solid center driveshaft with mid-mounted support bearing, MAXX duty driveshafts, solid camber ad steering links, a new aerodynamic body with clipless mounts and outer molded body armor, 32p gearing and replica Kumho off-road tires. A new TQi Sport radio is included, featuring a removable grip for smaller hands though the radio itself is already much smaller than the previous TQi unit. Pairing to that transmitter is a TQi 3-channel receiver with Traxxas Stability Management (TSM).
Item #6845 Traxxas Slash 4×4 VX3 Brushless https://traxxas.com/slash-4×4-brushless-68454-4?learnmore=y
Up next is the Rustler 4×4 stadium truck which receives a host of upgrades with this latest release including a new clipless body with molded body reinforcements, molded GTR shocks, Extreme HD suspension components, fixed molded camber links, MAXX duty driveshafts, torque biasing fluid-filled center differential, a rigid center driveshaft with center support bearing, new Sledgehammer ST tires at all four corners, a new metal gear 2057 waterproof servo, a functional rear wing, factory-installed wheelie bar. the new TQi Sport radio and 3-channel TSM receiver, and of course, the new VX3 esc and V3200 brushless combo.
Item #67464 Rustler 4×4 Brushless VX3 https://traxxas.com/rustler-4×4-brushless-67464-4?learnmore=y
Rounding out the trio of 4×4 vehicles fitted with the new VX3 brushless system is the Stampede 4×4. This truck has undergone a bit of an evolutionary change over the past few years, growing from its shorter 1/10 (but really about 1/12) size to a larger 1/10 that is more comparable to other models in its class. The newest Stampede receives numerous upgrades including clipless body mounts with reinforced latches, new Talon MXT mounted on black wheels, a torque-biasing center differential with steel spur gear and a center bearing supported rigid center shaft, a metal gear 2057 steering servo, VX3 brushless power system, the TQi sport transmitter paired with a 3-channel TSM equipped receiver, MAXX duty driveshafts, Extreme HD suspension components, one-piece camber and steering links, reinforced front and rear bumpers, a factory installed wheelie bar and finally new composite body GTR dampers.
Item #67454 Stampede 4×4 Brushless VX3 https://traxxas.com/stampede-4×4-brushless-67454-4?learnmore=y
Now comes the 2wd models, of which includes the Rustler, the Slash and the Stampede, each of which come with a plethora of upgraded parts and pieces that brings these models into the 21st century.
Up first is the Rustler, a model that holds a special place in my heart being the first hobby-grade RC I ever owned. The new Rustler is more than just a motor and ESC upgrade and some new graphics, it is an updated model that touches on every aspect of performance and includes a new carbon-fiber textured plastic chassis, deal bellcrank steering with integrated servo saver, a metal gear 2057 steering servo, Extreme HD suspension components, HD driveshafts, 32 pitch gears, composite body GTR shocks, one piece camber links and steering links, a revised upper chassis deck, a clipless battery strap, factory installed wheelie bar, a new clipless body with outer molded skid protection, the new TQi Sport transmitter paired to a TSM equipped 3-channel receiver and new Sledgehammer ST rear tires paired with new ribbed front tires to keep the truck pointed in the right direction.
Item #37454 Rustler 2wd Brushless VX3 https://traxxas.com/rustler-2wd-brushless-37454-4?learnmore=y
Up next is the new Slash 2wd, this time with a new 13.2″ wheelbase LCG chassis, dual bellcrank steering with the new 2057 metal gear steering servo providing the yank, adjustable steel camber and steering links, Extreme HD suspension components, Extreme HD driveshafts, 32 pitch gears, a new upper chassis deck, clipless body and mounts, clipless battery retention, the VX3 power system, TQi Sport radio paired with a 3-channel TSM equipped receiver, molded body GTR dampers. a new aerodynamic body shell that reduces drag and parachuting while in the air, licensed BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/A tires on black short course wheels as well as reinforced shock towers both front and rear.
Item #58434 Slash 2wd VX3 Brushless https://traxxas.com/slash-2wd-brushless-58434-4?learnmore=y
Rounding out this trio of 2wd muscle-bound beasts is the all-new Stampede. With its longer chassis the Stampede is now truly 1/10 and comparable to other trucks in its class. The new chassis is modeled after the tub chassis found in the MAXX with its integrated shock towers and heavy duty front and rear bulkheads. Double shear shock mounts house the new composite body GTR dampers up top while Extreme HD suspension components mount to the bottom eye of the shock and keep the wheels pointed in teh right direction. New dual bellcrank steering swings smoothly on ball bearings and is pushed around by the new 2057 metal gear steering servo. A steel tie bar keeps the front hinge pins in their place while a new front bumper protects the aforementioned bulkhead. At the end of the Extreme HD hubs are new Talon MXT tires mounted to stealthy black 2.8″ wheels. Controlling the VX3 brushless power system and waterproof servo is the new TQi Sport transmitter and 3-channel TQi TSM receiver. The new clipless body mounts are fastened to a new monster truck body that also features molded skid protection on the outside to extend its life.
Item #136454 Stampede 4×4 VX3 Brushless https://traxxas.com/stampede-2wd-brushless-136454-4?learnmore=y
JCONCEPTS
JConcepts has been busy recently, working hard on their line of RC10 parts which is expanding by a fair bit thanks to these new pieces. First up is a new Mono front and rear wheels, available in both black and pink varieties. The fronts are 2.2″ in diameter and fit the kit supplied bearings from the RC10, B2 and B3 buggies. The rear wheels are 2.2″ as well and fit standard 3/16″ axles and are pin drive, fitting the rear of those buggies perfectly.
Item #3403P Mono Front Wheels, 4pc, Pink
Item #3043B Mono Front Wheels, 4pc, Black
Item #3404 P Mono Rear Wheels,4pc, Pink
Item #3404B, Mono Rear Wheels, 4pc, Black
Link: https://blog.jconcepts.net/2026/06/jconcepts-new-release-mono-wheels-rc10-rc10b2-rc10b3-black-pink/
Next are the +3.5mm axle adapters for the RC1o, both font and rear, that fit the Pioneer wheels, and feature a +3.5mm offset. These SLS 3d printed pieces fit the stock front wheel bearings and the standard 3/16″ rear axles.
Item #5354-001 1/4″ Axle Adapters
Item #5354-002 3/16″ Axle Adapters
Link: https://blog.jconcepts.net/2026/06/jconcepts-new-release-pioneer-rc10-1-4-and-3-16-axle-3-5mm/
Next is a new aluminum steering bellcrank set for the RC10and RC10FT Gen2, These pieces eliminate the flex of the stock plastic pieces while also looking like a piece of jewelry sitting in the chassis. Each arm is supported by ball bearings and the kit includes 8/32 x 5/16” Titanium FHCS screws as well as 8/32 x 5/16” Titanium FHCS screws and is available in either black or blue anodizing.
Item #5325-1 RC10 | RC10 Factory Team Gen2 aluminum steering bellcrank assembly, set – blue
Item #5325-2 RC10 | RC10 Factory Team Gen2 aluminum steering bellcrank assembly, set – black
Link: https://blog.jconcepts.net/2026/06/jconcepts-new-release-rc10-rc10-factory-team-gen2-aluminum-steering-bellcranks/
Finally for this week is a new 3d printed battery box for the RC10 Factory Team that allows the use of either 6-cell NiMH power or 2s LiPO packs without interference between the battery box and the body. These SLS 3d printed pieces are a direct bolt-in for the RC10FT and other RC10 variants.
Item #5370 RC10 Factory Team battery box, 3D print – black
I would like to extend a huge thank you to each and every one of you who tune in each week to get your RC fix; your continued patronage is greatly appreciated. Unfortunately there are no project updates this week as my wrist and hand are still recovering from surgery and are not quite up to the task to turning wrenches just yet. Don’t worry though, once my hand is healed we will have a slew of new projects for you and the wait will be worth it. Until next time, be good to yourself, be good to each other, be good to your RC.