Hot Racing Aluminum 100mm HD Big Bore Shocks for Traxxas Slash 4x4 (2)

I'm the type who primarily posts positive reviews, namely because most people are prone to leaving copious bad reviews and failing to write good ones that praise product quality. That said, there are always outliers and Hot Racing missed the mark with these shocks. I bought the additional shock tuning set x2 each, (front and back) because I race x2 Slash 4x4s for the purpose of testing out different setups to determine what's fast and what isn't. Of course, this depends on the conditions of the outdoor off-road track, but you get the idea. I'll tweak something on one truck and if it works, I match it with the other one until their specs are perfect for race day and I know exactly how they'll perform, I.e., smooth as butter.

I tried every combination of shock springs with the HR Aluminum shocks and took notes. Blue, red, yellow, etc., front to back, and back to front, in literally every combination you can do with the tuning set. With all the spring variations I tried, nothing came close to performing well. They are extremely firm so on-road applications may serve you better but overall, as the adage goes, you get what you pay for. This is especially true in the RC world where if you want an amazing setup, you're going to pay for it. That's the bottom line.

These are cheap as hell compared to the Pro-Line Big Bore shocks (Slash 4x4 version), but they look gorgeous. The trucks never looked so damn good so imagine my excitement when I showed up at the club track to practice with buddies. I showed off the renovated machine and everyone agreed it was a clean setup, but as soon as I started driving on them the trucks were all over the place. The afore combinations never helped, even running the softest springs was far too stiff to perform well. After a full day at the track, from 6 AM - 8 PM, I switched back to the Pro-Line shocks and the ease of driving quick and precise was noticeable from the beginning.

I know there's likely an on-road application that these would perform better in, but if you're an off-road junkie you're going to be disappointed; it's the nature of the beast. Pay attention to the reviews from those who are obviously veterans or more knowledgeable than others because there's a plethora of people on the RC websites that don't review the products and talk shit about AMain Hobbies, the shipping rates/timeframes (when that has N-O-T-H-I-N-G to do with AMain but the couriers), customer service, RC Techs., and you name it. So many of them don't address the product, or it's clear the individual leaving the review can't follow the directions with the most simple applications and the result is they ruin the product and blame the company! We all know AMain is the best, so avoid those like the plague and get on board with those who know what's going on. For the off-road world, these shocks don't cut it.

In closing, all I can say is do yourselves a favor and upgrade to the best -- Pro-Line Big-Bore Shocks. I'm giving V-E-R-Y generous 3-of-5 stars because I feel they're in the middle of the road, (pardon the pun) when compared to the other suspension setups on the market. And one can't deny the aesthetics of HRs shocks. They really liven up the look of whatever vehicle you can use them with, but I'd never recommend them to anyone else at the track, nor would my buddies after seeing the way these handled.

Great shock build well
Definitely improvement over stock handling
Front and rear installed on slash

Its a really nice shock, after a few major jumps the seal blew on the shocks

Beautiful and all...
It's impossible to refuel.
refueled and do not disassemble!
Stock punches gasket damper