The Traxxas Maxx is one of the most popular 1/10 scale monster trucks on the market — and for good reason. It's built to bash hard, handles dirt jumps and rough terrain with ease, and delivers that satisfying combination of power and durability right out of the box. But if you've been running your Maxx for a while, you already know: stock parts have their limits.
Whether you're pushing the Maxx on the bash track, street curbing, or full-send backyard jumps, smart upgrades will protect your investment and unlock noticeably better performance. This guide covers the best Traxxas Maxx upgrade parts — what to prioritize, what actually makes a difference, and what to skip.
Why Upgrade Your Traxxas Maxx?
The Maxx ships with a solid foundation: 4WD, independent rear suspension (IRS), and a brushless motor that can push 60+ mph with the right gearing. But like all production RCs, cost controls mean some parts are made to a budget. Common failure points include:
- Plastic suspension arms that crack under heavy landings
- Stock CVD axles that strip after repeated abuse
- Aluminum gearbox housings that can strip threads over time
- Shock bodies that wear and lose consistent damping
Upgrading these components means fewer broken sessions, better handling, and more time driving instead of repairing.
1. Aluminum Suspension Arms — Replace These First
This is the single most impactful upgrade for Maxx bashers. The stock plastic lower suspension arms take the brunt of every landing. Under repeated high-impact stress, they flex and eventually crack — often taking out tie rods and pivot balls with them.
Aluminum suspension arms (7075-T6 or 6061-T6 billet) are dramatically more rigid and impact-resistant. You'll immediately notice more consistent cornering and less suspension flex during hard runs.
1/10 Traxxas Maxx Aluminium Lower Suspension Arms Upgrades Red
$26.99 Shop Now →
1/10 Traxxas Maxx Aluminium Lower Suspension Arms Upgrades Blue
$26.99 Shop Now →
1/10 Traxxas Maxx Aluminium Upper Suspension Arms Upgrades Red
$26.99 Shop Now →
1/10 Traxxas Maxx Aluminium Upper Suspension Arms Upgrades Blue
$26.99 Shop Now →2. Heavy-Duty CVD Axles — Drivetrain Protection
If you're running the stock CVD axles on a Maxx that sees real abuse, you've probably already stripped one. The stock axles use soft steel that's adequate for casual runs but not for repeated high-torque launches and hard landings at speed.
Upgraded steel CVD axles use harder alloy with better heat treatment, providing significantly more torsional strength. For a monster truck platform that regularly hits full suspension travel, this upgrade is essential.
RCGOFOLLOW™ CVD Drive Shaft Strengthened Design #8996 for Maxx
$43.99 Shop Now →
RCGOFOLLOW™ Front Rear Drive Shaft 4pcs for Maxx Upgrades
$66.99 Shop Now →
1/10 Traxxas Maxx 2pcs Carriers Stub Axle Upgrades Red
$31.99 Shop Now →
1/10 Traxxas Maxx 2pcs Carriers Stub Axle Upgrades Blue
$31.99 Shop Now →3. Aluminum Shock Towers & Body Posts — Structural Integrity
Shock towers are structural components — they anchor your shocks and define suspension geometry. The stock Maxx shock towers are plastic and will eventually crack or deform under consistent high-impact stress. Once a shock tower warps, your suspension geometry is off and the truck handles poorly.
Aluminum shock towers and bulkhead tie bars are a direct swap upgrade that adds rigidity to the entire suspension system. Pair them with aluminum body posts while you're in there.
1/10 Traxxas Maxx Aluminium Bulkhead Tie Bar Upgrades Red
$17.99 Shop Now →
1/10 Traxxas Maxx Aluminium Bulkhead Tie Bar Upgrades Blue
$17.99 Shop Now →
RCGOFOLLOW™ Alloy Roof Skid Plate for Maxx Upgrades
$26.99 Shop Now →4. Steering Blocks & Caster Hubs — Better Handling on Jumps
Steering components are frequently overlooked until they fail mid-session. The Maxx uses plastic steering blocks that, under hard impacts, can break or deflect enough to cause steering binding. Aluminum steering blocks and caster hubs provide direct, consistent steering feel with no flex — you'll notice sharper response immediately.
RCGOFOLLOW™ Steering Blocks Left & Right 8937 for Maxx Upgrades Red
$24.99 Shop Now →
RCGOFOLLOW™ Steering Blocks Left & Right 8937 for Maxx Upgrades Blue
$24.99 Shop Now →
RCGOFOLLOW™ Caster Blocks C hub Carrier 8932 for Maxx Upgrades Red
$23.99 Shop Now →
RCGOFOLLOW™ Caster Blocks C hub Carrier 8932 for Maxx Upgrades Blue
$23.99 Shop Now →
RCGOFOLLOW™ Steering Caster Blocks Hub Carrier Set for Maxx
$61.99 Shop Now →5. Upgraded Shock Absorbers — Tunable Damping
The stock Maxx shocks are functional but limited in adjustability. Metal oil-filled shocks with adjustable preload give you tunable damping for different surfaces. On packed dirt tracks, you'll want softer settings; for street bashing and ramp jumps, firmer damping keeps the chassis stable on landing.
1/10 Traxxas Maxx Metal Oil Filled Shocks 8961 Upgrade Parts Red
$50.99 Shop Now →
1/10 Traxxas Maxx Metal Oil Filled Shocks 8961 Upgrade Parts Blue
$50.99 Shop Now →
1/10 Traxxas Maxx Metal Oil Filled Shocks 8961 Upgrade Parts Black
$50.99 Shop Now →Upgrade Priority: What to Do First
If budget is a factor, upgrade in this order:
- Aluminum suspension arms — highest breakage risk, biggest reliability gain
- Heavy-duty CVD axles — drivetrain protection under high-torque bashing
- Aluminum bulkhead & shock tower — structural integrity for suspension system
- Steering blocks & caster hubs — handling consistency and steering feel
- Upgraded shocks — tunable performance across terrain types
Maxx Version Compatibility Note
Traxxas has released several versions of the Maxx, including the original Maxx (1/10), the Maxx with 4S power, and the newer Maxx Slash variant. Some upgrade parts are version-specific. Always confirm the version compatibility of any part before ordering — the part numbers differ between generations.
At rc-gf.com, product listings include version-specific fitment information to take the guesswork out of compatibility.
Browse All Traxxas Maxx Upgrade Parts →
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most important upgrades for the Traxxas Maxx?
The most impactful Traxxas Maxx upgrades are aluminum suspension arms, heavy-duty CVD axles, and aluminum shock towers. These three components address the most common failure points on the Maxx platform and should be prioritized before other modifications.
Are aluminum upgrade parts better than stock plastic parts on the Traxxas Maxx?
For bashers and hard drivers, yes — aluminum parts are significantly more durable under repeated high-impact stress. Pair aluminum suspension with quality oil-filled shocks to manage the additional rigidity.
Do Traxxas Maxx upgrades require special tools or expertise?
Most Traxxas Maxx upgrade installations require only standard hobby tools — hex drivers, a nut driver set, and thread locker. Suspension arm swaps, CVD axle replacements, and shock tower upgrades are all within reach of intermediate hobbyists.
Where can I find compatible Traxxas Maxx upgrade parts?
RC-GF (rc-gf.com) stocks a dedicated Traxxas Maxx upgrade parts collection with aluminum arms, CVD axles, steering blocks, and more. All listings include clear version compatibility notes.
Looking for more RC upgrade guides? Read: Complete Traxxas Slash Upgrade Parts List: What Actually Works — a deep dive into the best Slash mods for 2WD and 4WD variants.
