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10 Best RC Upgrades for Bashers

08/07/2026

10 Best RC Upgrades for Bashers

Best RC Upgrades for Bashers – Build a Tougher, More Reliable RC Car

A basher only has to cartwheel across a gravel car park once to show you where the weak points are. If you're looking for the best RC upgrades for bashers, the right answer isn't always the shiniest aluminium part or the most expensive option. The best upgrades improve durability, handling and reliability without making your model heavier or more difficult to repair.

At RC Model Shop, we stock thousands of upgrades and replacement parts from the biggest RC brands, whether you're upgrading a Traxxas, Arrma, Losi, Team Associated, Corally, FTX or another popular model.

Useful categories:

Upgrade What Actually Needs Improving

Before filling your shopping basket, spend a few minutes looking over your car after a hard session.

Ask yourself:

  • Are the tyres worn or lacking grip?

  • Does the steering feel vague?

  • Are the shocks leaking?

  • Have you bent a driveshaft?

  • Are the bearings rough?

  • Does the motor or ESC run too hot?

The weakest part on your car will usually tell you what needs upgrading next. Building a balanced, reliable basher is almost always better than simply adding more power.

Tyres Are Usually the Best First Upgrade

Very few upgrades make as much difference as a quality set of tyres.

New tyres can improve:

  • Grip

  • Acceleration

  • Braking

  • Steering response

  • Stability over rough ground

If you mostly drive on loose dirt or grass, choose a more aggressive tread pattern. For hard-packed dirt or tarmac, a tighter tread generally provides more predictable handling.

Higher-powered 3S, 4S, 6S and 8S vehicles often benefit from belted tyres, which reduce ballooning at speed and improve stability.

Browse our range of Tyres & Wheels:
https://www.applianceelectronics.co.uk/products/516/tyres-and-wheels

Upgrade Your Steering Servo

A weak steering servo can make even an expensive RC car feel disappointing.

A better servo offers:

  • Higher torque

  • Faster steering

  • Better centring

  • Improved durability

  • Greater control over rough terrain

For bashers, metal geared waterproof servos are generally the best choice, particularly if you regularly drive through mud, wet grass or puddles.

You'll find servos, receivers, ESCs, motors and much more in our RC Electronics section:

https://www.applianceelectronics.co.uk/products/511/rc-electronics

Improve Your Suspension

Good suspension doesn't make your car faster.

It helps you use the speed you already have.

If your model constantly bottoms out, bounces after jumps or struggles over rough terrain, upgrading your shocks can dramatically improve control.

Depending on your vehicle, worthwhile upgrades include:

  • Alloy shock bodies

  • Stronger shock shafts

  • Larger bore shocks

  • Better shock caps

  • Fresh silicone oil

  • Correct spring rates

A well-balanced suspension setup allows the tyres to stay in contact with the ground, giving you more grip and confidence.

Upgrade the Drivetrain When Adding More Power

If you're moving from 2S to 3S, fitting a larger motor or simply driving harder than before, the drivetrain becomes increasingly important.

Popular upgrades include:

  • Steel driveshafts

  • Stronger differential gears

  • Hardened centre shafts

  • Upgraded input gears

  • Aluminium diff cases

  • Premium machined components

If you're looking for some of the highest quality aftermarket upgrades available, browse our range of Vitavon Upgrades:

https://www.applianceelectronics.co.uk/products/470/vitavon-upgrades

Remember that not every part needs replacing immediately. Sometimes it's better to leave an inexpensive part as the sacrificial weak point rather than transferring impact forces elsewhere.

Don't Forget the Bearings

Bearings rarely get the attention they deserve.

Worn bearings create:

  • Drag

  • Excess heat

  • Sloppy handling

  • Reduced efficiency

  • Premature wear throughout the drivetrain

If your car has seen plenty of water, mud or dusty conditions, replacing the bearings can make it feel noticeably smoother.

Rubber sealed bearings generally offer the best balance between durability and protection for bashers.

Protect the Chassis

Repeated jumps and heavy crashes place huge loads through the chassis.

Useful protection upgrades include:

  • Chassis protectors

  • Skid plates

  • Centre braces

  • Front braces

  • Rear braces

These upgrades can significantly increase durability, but avoid reinforcing absolutely everything. Too much aluminium can transfer impact forces into more expensive components.

Upgrade Your Radio Equipment

Many RTR radios are perfectly adequate.

However, upgrading your transmitter and receiver can give you:

  • Better steering precision

  • Adjustable throttle curves

  • Dual rates

  • Endpoint adjustment

  • Improved signal reliability

  • Greater driving confidence

This becomes increasingly valuable on larger, faster and more powerful models.

Browse our RC Electronics category here:

https://www.applianceelectronics.co.uk/products/511/rc-electronics

Improve Battery Performance

Sometimes poor performance isn't caused by the motor.

A tired battery or poor connector can reduce punch, acceleration and overall consistency.

A quality LiPo battery with an appropriate discharge rating often delivers:

  • Better acceleration

  • More consistent voltage

  • Improved runtime

  • Better overall driving feel

Always ensure your battery, ESC and connectors are compatible before making any changes.

Keep Temperatures Under Control

Heat is one of the biggest enemies of RC electronics.

If your motor or ESC regularly gets hot, consider:

  • Cooling fans

  • Heat sinks

  • Lower gearing

  • Better airflow

Cooling upgrades help improve reliability but shouldn't be used to compensate for incorrect gearing.

Upgrades That Can Wait

Some upgrades look fantastic but offer very little benefit for most bashers.

These include:

  • Full aluminium suspension arms

  • Cosmetic alloy accessories

  • Huge power upgrades before strengthening the drivetrain

  • Heavy metal parts that add unnecessary weight

A balanced RC car is almost always more enjoyable than one with maximum power but constant reliability issues.

Our Recommended Upgrade Order

If you're unsure where to begin, this is the order we usually recommend:

  1. Tyres

  2. Steering servo

  3. Suspension

  4. Bearings

  5. Drivetrain upgrades

  6. Chassis protection

  7. Radio equipment

  8. Cooling upgrades

Following this approach gives the biggest improvements in durability and handling while avoiding unnecessary expense.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best first upgrade for an RC basher?

For most models, tyres are the biggest improvement. Better grip transforms acceleration, braking and steering.

Should I replace everything with aluminium?

No. Some alloy upgrades are excellent, but replacing every plastic part can transfer impact forces into more expensive components.

Are metal geared servos worth it?

Yes. Metal geared servos are generally much more durable for hard bashing and cope better with larger tyres and rough terrain.

Are Vitavon upgrades worth the money?

Vitavon upgrades are among the highest quality aftermarket components available and are particularly popular for high-end Traxxas and Arrma builds where strength and precision are priorities.

Do cooling fans make a difference?

Yes. Cooling fans help reduce temperatures and improve reliability, although they should be used alongside correct gearing rather than instead of it.

Whether you're replacing worn-out parts or building the ultimate basher, upgrading the right components in the right order will keep your RC car stronger, more reliable and ready for countless battery packs.

At RC Model Shop, we stock thousands of genuine replacement parts, performance upgrades and accessories from the biggest brands in RC, helping you get the most from every drive.

Written by the RC Model Shop team – passionate RC enthusiasts helping customers choose the right models, upgrades and parts every day.

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