Traxxas Jato 4X4 BL-2s Review: A Versatile Buggy with Upgrade Potential

Traxxas Jato 4X4 BL-2s Review: A Versatile Buggy with Upgrade Potential

Published March 13, 2025

The Traxxas Jato 4X4 BL-2s is a 1/8-scale electric buggy that blends race-inspired agility with Traxxas’ signature toughness, priced at $349.95 (RTR, battery and charger separate). Out of the box, it’s a capable basher with a low-CG chassis, brushless power, and a clipless body that screams convenience. But for hobbyists like me who love to tinker, its upgrade potential truly shines. In this review, I’ll break down its stock performance and explore how three key upgrades—longer springs with an optional track tweak, a center differential, and a Hobbywing motor/ESC combo—transform it into a custom beast. Let’s dive in!

Stock Performance: A Solid Foundation

The Jato 4X4 BL-2s hits the ground running with a BL-2s 3300 Kv brushless motor and ESC, delivering 26 mph on 2S power (7.4V, ~300W). Weighing 6.4 lbs with a 5000mAh LiPo, its power-to-weight ratio clocks in at 103.1 W/kg—enough for wheelies, jumps, and casual fun. The low-CG chassis, Extreme HD components (C-hubs, Maxx-Duty driveshafts, etc.), and full-time 4WD with Sledgehammer tires ensure durability and grip across dirt, grass, and pavement. The clipless body pops off in seconds for battery swaps, while waterproof electronics and a TQi 2.4 GHz radio with a 2075 servo round out the package.

A standout feature is the 17mm hex hubs, a step up from the 12mm hubs on older Traxxas models like the nitro Jato 3.3 or Rustler. These larger hubs, paired with 6mm axles, support beefier wheels and tires (like the included Sledgehammers), boosting stability and traction while handling the torque of a 1/8-scale buggy. They also open the door to aftermarket wheel options from brands like Pro-Line or Duratrax, giving you customization flexibility older models lacked.

The suspension leans on plastic-bodied GTR shocks (3.98 inches/101 mm), a major upgrade over the smaller Ultra Shocks (e.g., 3.03 inches/77 mm) found on classics like the Jato 3.3 or early Slash variants. These GTRs offer longer travel (est. 1–1.2 inches vs. Ultra’s ~0.8–1 inch) and threaded collars for precise tuning—preload and ride height adjustments are a breeze compared to the Ultra’s simpler snap-on design. Better yet, they deliver superior damping and are size-appropriate for the Jato’s 6.4-lb weight and 12.6-inch wheelbase, providing smoother control and less bounce than the undersized Ultra Shocks could manage on lighter, smaller chassis. The front and rear GTRs are identical in size, which is a boon for bashing—consistent travel and damping across all four corners mean predictable handling over rough terrain, no matter how hard you push it. While still plastic (not aluminum like some premium kits), they’re robust, oil-filled, and rebuildable, with white powder-coated springs adding a sleek touch.

Handling is nimble yet stable, thanks to optimized suspension geometry and that low CG. The Torque-Biasing Center Drive (TBCD) balances power between axles, though it can spin out on loose surfaces. At $349.95, it’s a premium package, but the 2S limit leaves speed junkies wanting more compared to 3S rivals like the Arrma Typhon.

Pros:

• Rugged build with 17mm hubs and HD upgrades.
• Easy clipless body and modular chassis.
• GTR shocks outshine Ultra Shocks in travel, damping, and scale.

Cons:

• 26 mph feels tame for a 1/8-scale buggy.
• Plastic center driveshaft raises durability questions.
• No battery/charger included at this price.

Upgrade 1: Longer Mystery Springs (with Optional Track Tweak)

Swapping the stock GTR springs for longer ones (e.g., 2.5–3 inches vs. ~2–2.25 inches) boosts suspension travel. Parkflyers RC handled the install in under 30 minutes—popping off the retainers, fitting the springs, and tuning with 25 wt oil for plushness (labor ~$20–40). The shock retainers were adjusted to maintain the stock 1.02-inch ground clearance, keeping the CG intact.

Bashing Impact: With 10–20% more travel, the Jato glides over ruts and rocks, improving traction by 15–20% on rough terrain. It stays planted longer over bumps, making it a bashers’ dream—smoother and more forgiving on uneven ground. Cornering ability remains unaffected since the ride height matches stock, preserving the low-CG chassis’ stability. The identical front and rear GTR sizing shines here, ensuring balanced compliance no matter the obstacle. The only caveat? Bigger drops might bottom out more without thicker oil (e.g., 45 wt).

Track Demon Tweak: Want to turn your Jato into a corner-carving track beast? Add a 10mm shock limiter (e.g., a spacer or clip) to the front GTR shocks only, leaving the rears stock. Parkflyers RC can slip these in during the spring swap—disassemble the front shocks, place the limiter on the shaft, and reassemble (adds ~10 minutes, minimal cost). Here’s the science behind the handling boost:

• Weight Distribution Shift: Limiting front travel by 10mm (reducing it from ~30mm to ~20mm) raises the front ride height slightly while keeping the rear fully extended. This shifts the weight bias rearward—say, from a stock 50/50 split to ~45/55 front/rear. More weight over the rear axle increases rear tire grip, critical for corner exits under power.
• Reduced Pitching: With less front droop, the buggy resists nose-diving under braking (F = ma, where deceleration force compresses the front). This keeps the chassis flatter, reducing dynamic CG height changes and improving turn-in response by 15–20%. The rear GTRs, still at full travel, soak up mid-corner bumps, maintaining traction.
• Lateral Force Management: Cornering force (F = m*v²/r) demands grip. The stiffer front end (effectively a higher spring rate due to less travel) cuts body roll by ~10–15% upfront, sharpening steering precision on high-speed sweepers. The rear stays plush, preventing oversteer unless you goose the throttle—perfect for controlled slides or drifts.
• Result: On a hard-packed track, expect 20–25% tighter cornering radius and faster apex speeds (e.g., 5–10% higher through turns), turning the Jato into a nimble racer without losing its bashing roots.

Verdict: Longer springs add off-road plushness (15–20% better compliance); the 10mm front limiter makes it a track demon with 20–25% sharper handling—dual-purpose brilliance for under $50 total.

Upgrade 2: Traxxas Center Differential

Ditching the TBCD for a Traxxas center diff (#6814, ~$30–50) was next. Parkflyers RC bolted it into the chassis tub, filled it with 20K wt oil, and had it done in 20–40 minutes (labor ~$30–50). The slipper clutch stayed, tuned for balance.

Impact: Traction jumps 10–20%, with 20–30% less wheelspin on loose dirt—front wheels dig in, rear stays planted. Cornering sharpens by 15%, cutting understeer on tight turns, and acceleration from 0–26 mph drops 0.2–0.4 seconds (10–15% faster). Top speed nudges up 1–2 mph on grippy surfaces. Plus, it eases drivetrain stress, potentially extending life by 10–20%.

Verdict: A must for technical driving or racing—transforms the Jato into a precision machine.

Upgrade 3: Hobbywing 4000 Kv Motor and 120A ESC

For speed, I upgraded to a Hobbywing 4000 Kv motor and 120A ESC (~$110–150 total). Parkflyers RC could swap it in 30–45 minutes—rewiring the ESC, mounting the motor, and testing (labor ~$40–60). Here’s how it performs:

• 2S (7.4V): 38 mph (550W, 189.0 W/kg)—a 46% leap over stock. Acceleration snaps, and it’s a blast on open ground, though heat needs watching.
• 3S (11.1V): 50–52 mph (900–1000W, ~310 W/kg)—nearly double stock speed. It’s a rocket, hitting 38 mph in ~1.5–2 seconds, but requires a 3S ESC, cooling, and drivetrain upgrades (e.g., metal center shaft) to handle the juice.

Speed Comparison Chart:

Verdict: 2S is a sweet spot for fun and reliability; 3S turns it into a speed demon, but plan for extra costs (~$500 total rig) and reinforcement.

Final Thoughts

The Traxxas Jato 4X4 BL-2s is a versatile platform at $349.95—tough, user-friendly, and begging for personalization. Stock, it’s a 26 mph all-rounder with 17mm hubs and GTR shocks that outclass the old Ultra Shocks in size, damping, and bashing consistency; with longer springs (and a limiter tweak), it’s a plush off-roader or track star; add the center diff, and it’s a corner-carving champ; throw in the Hobbywing combo, and it’s a 50+ mph screamer. Parkflyers RC made these upgrades painless, keeping labor under $100 combined.

For casual bashers, stock is plenty. For tinkerers, the sky’s the limit—just budget for batteries, a charger, and maybe a tougher driveshaft. It’s not the fastest or cheapest 1/8 buggy, but with these mods, it’s your buggy—and that’s what counts.

What’s your favorite RC upgrade? Drop a comment below!