Ford 58064 User Manual

MODEL 58064

owner’s manual

INTRODUCTION

3 BEFORE YOU

PROCEED

3 SAFETY

PRECAUTIONS

5 TOOLS, SUPPLIES,

AND REQUIRED

EQUIPMENT

6 ANATOMY OF

THE RAPTOR

7 QUICK START:

GETTING UP

TO SPEED

8 TRAXXAS

TQ 2.4GHz

RADIO SYSTEM

16 ADJUSTING THE

ELECTRONIC SPEED

CONTROL

18 DRIVING YOUR MODEL

Thank you for purchasing the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor by Traxxas. This
officially-licensed model captures the muscular looks and high­performance driving experience of the full-size 411-horsepower
super-truck. Based on the award-winning Traxxas Slash, the Ford
Raptor model features waterproof electronics for all-weather off-road
adventure, rugged independent suspension with long-travel oil-filled
shocks, and a powerful Titan 550 motor that delivers 30+mph top
speeds. Rubber-sealed ball bearings, heavy-duty steel transmission
gears, and high-strength materials assure your Raptor model is “Built
Ford Tough®” for exciting R/C performance run after run.

We know you’re excited about getting your new model on
the road, but it’s very important that you take some time to
read through the Owner’s Manual. This manual contains all the
necessary set-up and operating procedures that allow you to
unlock the performance and potential that Traxxas engineers
designed into your model. Even if you are an experienced R/C

enthusiast, it’s important to read and follow the procedures in
this manual.

We want you to feel confident that you own one of the best­performing models in the market and that it is backed by a team
of professionals who aim to provide the highest level of factory
support possible. Traxxas models are about experiencing total
performance and satisfaction, not just with your model, but also
with the company that stands behind it. We truly want you to enjoy
your new model!

Traxxas Support

Traxxas support is with you every step of the
way. Refer to the next page to find out how to
contact us and what your support options are.

Quick Start

This manual is designed with a Quick
Start path that outlines the necessary
procedures to get your model up
and running in the shortest time possible. If you are an
experienced R/C enthusiast, you will find it helpful and fast.
Be sure and read through the rest of the manual to learn
about important safety, maintenance, and adjustment
procedures. Turn to page 7 to begin.

20 ADJUSTING

YOUR MODEL

22 MAINTAINING

YOUR MODEL

2 • RAPTOR

Thank you again for going with Traxxas.

FCC Compliance

This device contains a module that complies with the limits for a Class B digital device as described in part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

The limits for a Class B digital device are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in residential settings. This product generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy, and, if
not operated in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. The user is cautioned that changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Canada, Industry Canada (IC)

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003 and RSS-210. This device complies with Industry Canada license exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: This
device may not cause interference, and This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Radio Frequency (RF) Exposure Information

The radiated output power of the Traxxas LP Device is below the Industry Canada (IC) radio frequency exposure limits. The antenna for this transmitter must not be co-located with any other transmitters except in
accordance with FCC and Industry Canada multi-transmitter procedures. Co-location means having a separation distance of less than 20 cm between transmitting antennas.

BEFORE YOU PROCEED

Carefully read and follow all instructions in this and any accompanying
materials to prevent serious damage to your model. Failure to follow
these instructions will be considered abuse and/or neglect.

Before running your model, look over this entire manual and examine
the model carefully. If for some reason you decide it is not what
you wanted, then do not continue any further. Your hobby dealer

absolutely cannot accept a model for return or exchange after it has
been run.

WARNINGS, HELPFUL HINTS, & CROSS-REFERENCES

Throughout this manual, you’ll notice warnings and helpful hints
identified by the icons below. Be sure to read them!

An important warning about personal safety or avoiding
damage to your model and related components.

Special advice from Traxxas to make things easier
and more fun.

Refers you to a page with a related topic.

SUPPORT

If you have any questions about your model or its operation,
call the Traxxas Technical Support Line toll-free at:
1-888-TRAXXAS (1-888-872-9927)*

Technical support is available Monday through Friday from 8:30am
to 9:00pm central time. Technical assistance is also available at Traxxas.
com. You may also e-mail customer support with your question at
[e-mail]. Join thousands of registered members in our
online community at Traxxas.com.

Traxxas offers a full-service, on-site repair facility to handle any of your
Traxxas service needs. Maintenance and replacement parts may be
purchased directly from Traxxas by phone or online at BuyTraxxas.
com. You can save time, along with shipping and handling costs, by
purchasing replacement parts from your local dealer.

Do not hesitate to contact us with any of your product support needs.
We want you to be thoroughly satisfied with your new model!

REGISTERING YOUR MODEL

In order to serve you better as our customer, please
register your product within 10 days of your purchase
online at Traxxas.com/register.

Traxxas.com/register

*Toll-free support is available to U.S. residents only.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

All of us at Traxxas want you to safely enjoy your new model. Operate
your model sensibly and with care, and it will be exciting, safe, and fun
for you and those around you. Failure to operate your model in a safe
and responsible manner may result in property damage and serious
injury. The precautions outlined in this manual should be strictly
followed to help ensure safe operation. You alone must see that the
instructions are followed and the precautions are adhered to.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER

• Your model is not intended for use on public roads or congested
areas where its operation can conflict with or disrupt pedestrian or
vehicular traffic.

• Never, under any circumstances, operate the model in crowds of
people. Your model is very fast and could cause injury if allowed to
collide with anyone.

• Because your model is controlled by radio, it is subject to radio
interference from many sources that are beyond your control. Since
radio interference can cause momentary losses of radio control,
always allow a safety margin in all directions around the model in
order to prevent collisions.

• The motor, battery, and speed control can become hot during use. Be
careful to avoid getting burned.

• Don’t operate your model at night, or anytime your line of sight to the
model may be obstructed or impaired in any way.

• Most importantly, use good common sense at all times.

SPEED CONTROL

Your XL-5 is an extremely powerful electronic device capable of
delivering high current. Please closely follow these precautions to
prevent damage to the speed control or other components.

• 15-Turn Motor Limit: The XL-5 has a 15-turn modified motor limit for
540 size motors and a 12-turn modified motor limit for 550 size motors
with 0 timing when the motor is properly geared. If the motor or speed
control is overheating, try a smaller pinion gear. Do not attempt to use
a more powerful motor (fewer turns) than the above-mentioned motor
limits or you could experience frequent thermal shutdown.

• Insulate the Wires: Always insulate exposed wiring with heat shrink
tubing to prevent short circuits.

• Water and Electronics Do Not Mix: The XL-5 speed control is
waterproof for use in mud, snow, puddles, and other wet conditions.
Make certain the other components of your model are waterproof or
have sufficient water resistance before driving in wet conditions.

Traxxas
1100 Klein Road
Plano, Texas 75074
Phone: [phone]
Toll-free 1-888-TRAXXAS

Internet
Traxxas.com
E-mail: [e-mail]

Entire contents ©2012 Traxxas.
Traxxas, Ready-To-Race,
Ready-To-Win, and ProGraphix
are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Traxxas. Other
brand names and marks are
the property of their respective
holders and are used only for
purposes of identification. No
part of this manual may be
reproduced or distributed in print
or electronic media without the
express written permission of
Traxxas. Specifications are subject
to change without notice.

Ford Motor Company Trademarks

and Trade Dress used under

license to Traxxas, Inc.

1

RAPTOR • 3

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

All instructions and
precautions outlined in this
manual should be strictly
followed to ensure safe
operation of your model.

This model is not intended
for use by children under
14 years of age without the
supervision of a responsible
and knowledgeable adult.

No previous experience
with radio controlled
models is required.
Models require a minimum
of setup, maintenance, or
support equipment.

4 • RAPTOR

• Transmitter on First: Switch on your transmitter first before switching
on the speed control to prevent runaways and erratic performance.

•

Use Neutrally Timed Motors: For reverse use, the motors must have
0° timing. Modified motors (with adjustable end bells) timed to 0° or
Johnson/ Mabuchi (closed end bell) motors are recommended. Using
motors with other than 0° timing will draw excess current in reverse, and
can result in the speed control overheating and premature motor wear.

•

Always Use Heat Sinks: Three heat sinks are factory-installed on the speed
control and must be used for maximum cooling and performance.

• 4-8 NiMH cells or 2 LiPo cells (2S) Only: The XL-5 can only accept a
maximum input voltage of 9.6 volts (NiMH), 7.4 volts (2S LiPo). Always
adhere to the minimum and maximum limitations of the XL-5 as stated
in the specifications table.

• Don’t Get Burned: The transistor tabs and the heat sinks can get
extremely hot, so be careful not to touch them until they cool.
Supply adequate airflow for cooling.

• Use Stock Connectors: If you decide to change the battery or motor
connectors, only change one battery or motor connector at a time. This
will prevent accidentally mis-wiring the speed control. If the XL-5 is not
wired exactly as shown in the diagram, it can be damaged! Please note
that modified speed controls can be subject to a rewiring fee when
returned for service.

• No Reverse Voltage: The speed control is not protected against
reverse polarity voltage. When changing the battery and/or motor, be
sure to install the same type of connectors to avoid reverse polarity
damage to the speed control. Removing the battery connectors on
the speed control or using the same-gender connectors on the speed
control will void the product’s warranty.

• Motor Capacitors Required: Three 0.1µF (50V) ceramic capacitors should
be properly installed on every motor to prevent radio interference.
Capacitors have been provided with the XL-5.

• Do Not Let the Transistor Tabs Touch: Never allow the three separate
transistor banks to touch each other or any exposed metal. This will
create a short circuit and damage the speed control.

• No Schottky Diodes: External Schottky diodes are not compatible with
reversing speed controls. Using a Schottky diode with the XL-5 will
damage the ESC and void the 30-day warranty.

BATTERIES AND BATTERY CHARGING

The XL-5 speed control uses rechargeable batteries that must be
handled with care for safety and long battery life. Make sure to read and
follow all instructions and precautions that were provided with your
battery packs and your charger. It is your responsibility to charge and

care for your battery packs properly. In addition to your battery and
charger instructions, here are some more tips to keep in mind.

• Never leave batteries to charge unattended.

• Remove the batteries from the model while charging.

• Allow the battery packs to cool off between runs (before charging).

• Always unplug the battery from the electronic speed control when the
model is not in use and when it is being stored or transported.

• Do not use battery packs that have been damaged in any way.

• Do not use battery packs that have damaged wiring, exposed wiring,
or a damaged connector.

• Children should have responsible adult supervision when charging and
handling batteries.

Recycling Your Traxxas Power Cell NiMH Battery

Traxxas strongly encourages you to recycle your Power Cell battery when it
has reached the end of its useful life. Do not throw your battery in the trash.
All Power Cell battery packs display the RBRC (Rechargeable Battery Recycling
Corporation) icon, indicating they are recyclable. To find a recycling center near
you, ask your local hobby dealer or visit www.call2recycle.org.

LiPo Batteries
Warning: Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries require special care and

handling procedures for long life and safe operation. LiPo batteries
are intended only for advanced users that are educated on the risks
associated with LiPo battery use. Traxxas does not recommend that

anyone under the age of 14 use or handle LiPo battery packs without
the supervision of a knowledgeable and responsible adult.

The XL-5 speed control is able to use LiPo batteries with nominal voltage
not to exceed 7.4 volts (2S packs). LiPo batteries have a minimum safe
discharge voltage threshold that should not be exceeded. The XL-5
is equipped with built-in Low-Voltage Detection that alerts the driver
when LiPo batteries have reached their minimum voltage (discharge)
threshold. It is the driver’s responsibility to stop immediately to

prevent the battery pack from being discharged below its safe
minimum threshold.

Low-Voltage Detection on the speed control is just one part of a
comprehensive plan for safe LiPo battery use. It is critical for you,

the user, to follow all other instructions supplied by the battery
manufacturer and the charger manufacturer for proper charging, use,
and storage of LiPo batteries. Make sure you understand how to use
your LiPo batteries. Be aware that Traxxas shall not be liable for any

special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the
installation and/or use of LiPo batteries in Traxxas products.

If you have questions about LiPo battery usage, please consult with your
local hobby dealer or contact the battery manufacturer.

TOOLS, SUPPLIES, AND REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

Your model comes with a set of specialty metric tools. You’ll need to purchase other items, available from your hobby dealer, to operate
and maintain your model.

Supplied Tools and Equipment

2.5mm “L” wrench 2.0mm “L” wrench 1.5mm “L” wrench Turnbuckle wrench

Body clips and body washers4-way wrench

U-joint wrench

Foam battery padAntenna nut wrench Optional gears

For more information on
batteries, see Use the Right
Batteries on page 11.

Recommended Equipment

These items are not required
for the operation of your
model, but are a good idea to
include in any R/C toolbox:

• Safety glasses

• Traxxas Ultra Premium Tire
Glue, Part #6468 (CA glue)

• Hobby knife

• Side cutters and/or needle
nose pliers

• Phillips screwdriver

• Soldering iron

Pre-load spacers and shock pistons

Required Equipment

4 AA alkaline

batteries

*Battery and charger style are subject to change and may vary from images.

7-cell NiMH battery pack* NiMH battery charger*

RAPTOR • 5

ANATOMY OF THE RAPTOR

Toe Link

Front
Camber Link

Shock

Front Shock Tower

Battery
Compartment

Battery
Hold-Down

Steering
Servo

Electronic
Speed Control

Rear Shock TowerChassis

Slipper Clutch

Spur Gear

Pinion Gear

Motor

Front Bumper

Front Suspension
Arm

Caster Block Steering Block

6 • RAPTOR

Antenna Mount

Receiver Box

Front Body

Mount

Rear Camber Link

LED Light Pipe

Transmission

Rear Bumper

Rear Body Mount

Half Shaft Rear Suspension Arm

QUICK START: GETTING UP TO SPEED

The following guide is an overview of the procedures for getting your model running. Look for the Quick Start logo on the bottom
corners of Quick Start pages.

1. Read the safety precautions on pages 3-4 7. Check servo operation • See page 14

For your own safety, understand where carelessness and misuse
could lead to personal injury.

2. Charge the battery pack • See page 11 8. Range test the radio system • See page 14

Fully charge the included battery pack. Charge your battery now so
it will be ready when you finish the other setup procedures.

3. Install the antenna • See page 15 9. Detail your model • See page 8

The receiver antenna and antenna tube must be properly installed
before operating your model.

4. Install batteries in the transmitter • See page 11 10. Drive your model • See page 18

The transmitter requires 4 AA alkaline or rechargeable batteries. Driving tips and adjustments for your model.

5. Install battery pack in the model • See page 12 11. Maintaining your model • See page 22

Your model requires a fully charged battery pack (included). Follow these critical steps to maintain the performance

Make sure the steering servo is working correctly.

Follow this procedure to make sure your radio system works properly
at a distance and that there is no interference from outside sources.

Apply other decals if desired.

of your model and keep it in excellent running condition.

The Quick Start Guide is
not intended to replace the
full operating instructions
available in this manual.
Please read this entire
manual for complete
instructions on the proper
use and maintenance of
your model.

6. Turn on the radio system • See page 13

Make a habit of turning the transmitter on first and off last.

Look for the Quick Start
logo at the bottom of
Quick Start pages.

RAPTOR • 7