ARRMA's 6S lineup — the Kraton, Outcast, Notorious, Talion, and Mojave — are some of the most capable bashing and racing trucks on the market. But pushing 6S power through stock plastic components will eventually find the weak points. Here's what to upgrade first and why.
1. CVD Drive Shafts — Essential for 6S Power Levels
At 6S, torque spikes during aggressive throttle inputs or hard landings can snap stock drive shafts. Metal CVD upgrades handle the stress and provide smoother power transfer across the entire power band.
182.5mm CVD Drive Shaft Set — Kraton/Outcast 6S
$31.99 Shop Now →
Heavy Duty Steel CVD Drive Shaft — Infraction/Limitless/Typhon 6S
$29.99 Shop Now →
CVD Axle Part 8×44.5mm — Kraton/Notorious/Outcast 6S
$20.99 Shop Now →2. Differential Outdrives & Diff Sets — Stop Diff Blow-Outs
At 6S, the diff outdrives are a known failure point. Under hard acceleration and full-send jumps, stock outdrives strip and crack — resulting in sudden loss of drive. Steel replacements prevent the catastrophic diff blow-outs that strand you on the field.
Heavy Duty Steel Diff Outdrive — Felony/Infraction/Limitless 6S
$17.99 Shop Now →
38T Front/Rear Diff Set with 9T Input Gear — ARRMA 6S
$61.99 Shop Now →
40CrMo Steel 42T Front/Rear Diff Set — ARRMA 6S
$50.99 Shop Now →3. Dogbone & Center Drive Shafts
Center dogbones are the secondary failure point after front/rear CVDs. Upgrading these to alloy or steel prevents the "death wobble" that happens when a center shaft bends under load — especially common during high-torque launches on grippy surfaces.
135mm Dogbone Central Drive Shaft ARAC4033 — Kraton/Mojave/Talion
$21.99 Shop Now →
135mm Dogbone Drive Shaft AR310460 — Kraton/Mojave/Talion 6S
$23.99 Shop Now →4. Chassis Braces & Shock Towers — Structural Rigidity
At 6S speeds, chassis flex transmits stress into the drivetrain and suspension mounts. Front and rear chassis braces lock in the geometry under load, while a reinforced rear shock tower keeps your suspension angles consistent after hard landings.
Front Chassis Brace ARA320555 — Notorious/Typhon/Outcast/Senton 6S
$21.99 Shop Now →
Rear Center Chassis Brace — Notorious/Typhon/Outcast 6S
$24.99 Shop Now →
Rear Shock Tower ARA320580 — Kraton/Notorious/Outcast 6S EXB
$31.99 Shop Now →5. Shocks — Tunable Damping for Bashing & Racing
Stock ARRMA 6S shocks are functional but lack tuning range. Alloy-bodied replacements with adjustable preload let you dial in damping for different terrains — softer for rough dirt, firmer for ramp jumps and track use. The improved seals also last significantly longer under hard bashing conditions.
Alloy Front Shocks — Kraton/Notorious/Outcast/Typhon 6S
$27.99 Shop Now →
Alloy Rear Shocks — Kraton/Notorious/Outcast 6S
$27.99 Shop Now →
Alloy Front+Rear Shocks Set ARA330764 — Talion 6S
$53.99 Shop Now →6. Steering Blocks & Bellcranks — Precision Under Power
Steering components take lateral impacts from every hard corner and obstacle strike. Aluminum steering blocks and bellcranks eliminate flex and binding, providing consistent, responsive steering even under the torsional loads that 6S power generates.
Front Steering Block ARAC9366 — Notorious 6S EXB
$40.99 Shop Now →
Aluminium Steering Bellcrank Set — Felony/Infraction/Kraton 6S
$39.99 Shop Now →7. Pinion & Input Gears — Drivetrain Longevity
Steel pinion and input gears outlast stock composite gears under the sustained torque loads of 6S motors. When replacing, always verify correct mesh gap — poor mesh destroys both metal and plastic gears prematurely.
24T Steel Pinion Gear 1.0 Mod SAFE-D5 — ARRMA 6S/8S
$18.99 Shop Now →
40CrMo Steel 15T Main Input Gear — ARRMA 6S
$21.99 Shop Now →4S vs 6S: Upgrade Priority Comparison
| Component | 4S Priority | 6S Priority |
|---|---|---|
| CVD Drive Shafts | High | Critical |
| Diff Outdrives | Medium | High |
| Center Dogbones | Low–Medium | High |
| Chassis Braces | Optional | Recommended |
| Shocks | Optional | Recommended |
Upgrade Priority for ARRMA 6S Bashers
- CVD Drive Shafts — prevents most common mid-run failure
- Steel Diff Outdrives — stops catastrophic diff blow-outs
- Center Dogbones — secondary drivetrain protection
- Chassis Braces + Shock Tower — structural integrity under 6S loads
- Alloy Shocks — tunable damping for better handling
- Steering Blocks & Bellcranks — precision and durability
Browse All ARRMA 6S Upgrade Parts →
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best performance upgrades for ARRMA 6S models?
For the ARRMA Kraton, Outcast, and Notorious at 6S power levels, the most impactful upgrades are steel CVD drive shafts, steel diff outdrives, and aluminum chassis braces. These reinforce the areas most stressed at 6S speeds and prevent the most common mid-run failures.
Are ARRMA 6S upgrades worth it for bashing?
Definitely. At 6S power levels, the forces involved are significant and can crack stock components quickly. Aluminum chassis braces, metal diff internals, and stronger driveshafts extend the life of your ARRMA dramatically and allow you to bash harder with confidence. The investment pays off after just a few prevented breakages.
What should I upgrade first on an ARRMA Kraton 6S?
Start with CVD drive shafts and steel diff outdrives — these are the first components to fail under hard 6S bashing. Next, add front and rear chassis braces and consider upgraded shocks for better damping control. All these foundational ARRMA Kraton 6S upgrades are available at rc-gf.com with clear fitment guides.
