Shodog's TRX-4 crawler

[shodog]

Picked up a new toy today at the hobby shop. Just need to switch out the esc plug for a Deans. I was impressed with it just messing around in my front yard. I'm going to try an unglue the tires and replace the wheels with some Rc4wd Dick Cepek beadlock wheels.

[clm]

Oh my goodness, Yes I got one of these the middle of last month and love it!

Make sure to check the pinion mesh as many of them have the pinion only half engaging the spur gear (mine included) The driveshaft slider turns into a nasty binding POS... but there is not much you can replace it with yet, I am eagerly waiting on MIP. Only other thing I can say is steering servo is not suited for a crawler or a trail truck of any kind, although it would be a great servo for a 2wd buggy or truck. I have done a few minor things to mine over on RCC, same user name there.

Oh, be VERY VERY careful removing the spare tire. Traxxas decided to use a locknut on a bolt that the other end is in very soft nylon. I ended up butchering the rack trying to get the tire off to waterproof it...

[shodog]

Thanks. I'll check those items. I'm getting binding at full lock on the steering so I'll need to dial back the exponential on the steering. What steering servo would be better suited for this application?

[clm]

What steering servo.. now that's the $150 question.

You need something far north of 200 ounce inches, on the cheap size you could go for a Power HD 20kg all the way up to something like a Promodeler 470 or the Holmes Hobbies servos. But the prime number you want to look for is torque.

What battery are you going to be running with it? If it's always going to be a 3s lipo you could get the Holmes Shv500 and power it directly from the battery bypassing the built in bec eliminating the possibility of it frying the esc's bec at full stall. The other option would be something like a Castle Creation BEC 2.0 to power the steering so the steering does not blow the esc.

One big thing I would suggest if you are sticking with the stock radio is a pack of servo extensions plugged into the receiver and run out to plug into all the servos and esc outside the box for easier maintenance and servo replacement... So you don't have to reseal your box each time you take the truck apart. Also pictured my antenna relocation, the side plate and the radio box are both TRX-4 only parts.. and BOTH have an antenna mount built in... what!?

[RCveteran]

Traxxas moved the bar with this one. Really cool truck out of the box. Makes me feel like SCX10 is old tech overnight. Well I guess I do like vintage so maybe it's vintage.

[clm]

Trx-1 2wd racing buggy
Trx-3 2wd racing buggy
Trx-4 NOT 2wd racing buggy

Ok now I want to see someone turn this into a 2wd racing buggy!

lol

And yeah, it's a game changer in that all the performance options are included at the beginning and the end user has the option to lock the features out or remove them.. If you were to start from almost any other truck the two speed, the portals, the lockers, etc would be all extras costing a hundred bucks or more but Traxxas threw them all in for the same price you could get a stripped truck from another vendor.

[GoMachV]

Funny cause the TRX-4 name was already used, just not in the USA. It was a 4tec based buggy. Incredibly hard to find pics of.

[Lonestar]

Traxxas moved the bar with this one. Really cool truck out of the box. Makes me feel like SCX10 is old tech overnight. Well I guess I do like vintage so maybe it's vintage.

well I'm seeing Sub-C's and a closed-can brushed mill on the pic up there, so to me that plastic-fantastic traxxas thingie is vintage, really

[shodog]

I've started running a 3 cell lipo in mine and it really wakes up the truck.

[clm]

well I'm seeing Sub-C's and a closed-can brushed mill on the pic up there, so to me that plastic-fantastic traxxas thingie is vintage, really

Yeah, well, I just have not picked up any big lipos yet. I remember back in the day doing everything I could do to get 5 minutes out of a car... now with this 3000mah nimh pack I run out of steam before the car does :p

[Lonestar]

I've started running a 3 cell lipo in mine and it really wakes up the truck.

no kiddin'

I mean, 3000 NiMh provide at best half of what a 3S lipo does...

[clm]

I am thinking of getting some cheap 7 cell Nimh, the resolve was hardened when I watched a Youtuber do a review on the charger he used a day ago.. then had a 4s lipo fire. Yeah, never had a Nimh self immolate itself, and the 6cell nimh puts out plenty of speed in this scale truck, the 7 cell will be perfect.

[shodog]

Like CLM said, this truck is a good deal for what you get. When I bought the truck I had an Axial scx10ii kit on the counter comparing the two with the scx being about $90 cheaper. What sold me were the portals, the servo actuated locking diffs and the radio.

I'm digging running this truck using a 3 cell 5500mah lipo which lasts forever. I've been running three days on the same charge. With a fresh charge it can pull wheelies from a dead stop. I really want to keep this as a runner so I'm trying to avoid buying all the cool aluminum stuffs that's starting trickle out from the aftermarket manufacturers. I did have to change the plastic wheels with some RC4WD Dick Cepek gun metal 7's.

[clm]

3 days on one charge of the 5500lipo.. no wonder I can't run out a single charge of these nimhs in the times I have drove it. The efficiency does not compare with the full scale model!

Oh yeah, this is not well publicized.. but there are 4 holes in the bar right over the windshield, put your body clips here when taking off the body! How thoughtful of Traxxas

Also if you 1: stick with the stock ESC and 2: stick with the stock body, one of these are very helpful.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-10-TRAXXAS-TRX4-Trx-4-ESC-Easy-Start-Trigger-Power-Transfer-Switch-Bracket-/302402474920?hash=item46689793a8:g:D6gAAOSwbopZgbJP

[Leyland]

I only have 1 traxxas in my collection at the moment (a 2wd stampede), almost bought a slash 4x4 but ended up ordering an Arrma senton instead. I have multiple Axial SCX10 trail trucks, but this is one Traxxas that i can't wait to get. What a great looking truck and as mentioned above, the options and durability in stock form is far supperior to many other competitors on the market. keep posting your trucks and mods guys!