Traxxas TRX1 NIB + Upgrades build (?)

[Lavigna]

I was fortunate enough to acquire this NIB Traxxas TRX1 several months ago. The box and packaging are lovely. I really want to build it up, but so far I haven't been able to get myself to cut open the pristine sealed packages, filled with fresh 1991 air.

I have also gathered some nice period upgrades, as well as a nearly flawless Composite Craft TRX1 chassis, thanks to member TRX1-3.

I wanted to document the kit and the bags before I open them. I see some of the white plastics have yellowed a bit. Before I build it I plan to hydrate and whiten these pieces.

Like others, I have been on the hunt for a Traxxas XL3 esc. These controllers are quite hard to find, but I think this build would be the perfect home for one.

[Lavigna]

The still sealed stock chassis and the Composite Craft chassis.

[RC10th]

[jkelm24]

Love it!

[MarkyDents]

Dude ! YES…. Here we go

[Retro rc]

Man I’m soooo jealous right now wish I could build another 1 of these from new.

Do it do it do it or it’s just another box of parts

[Supernaut]

Very cool. I am in the process of gathering parts to build one.
miss the one I sold.

[Lavigna]

Man I’m soooo jealous right now wish I could build another 1 of these from new.

Do it do it do it or it’s just another box of parts

Nice. Can you share pictures of the one you built?

[Retro rc]

Man I’m soooo jealous right now wish I could build another 1 of these from new.

Do it do it do it or it’s just another box of parts

Nice. Can you share pictures of the one you built?

Would do but the last time I built 1 of these from a nib kit it was 1992

[TRX-1-3]

I don't know why, but I am compelled to fill my shelfer's shocks with oil (cannot tolerate the cartoonish bouncing of undampened suspension {I guess I do know why}). On that note (and I know it's on your radar), if you do the same, do not use those kit red O-rings. Go with the blue silicone/X-rings or equivalent. I do like to utilize the red O-rings for jounce buffers/limiters per the assembly manual though. I cannot wait for this build to "blossom"!

[Retro rc]

Man I’m soooo jealous right now wish I could build another 1 of these from new.

Do it do it do it or it’s just another box of parts

Nice. Can you share pictures of the one you built?

Managed to find some pics sorry they’re pics of pics hope they’re ok

[Lavigna]

^ Retro RC


Damn! That thing look great. I like the paintwork. This is quickly becoming my favorite vintage car, next to the XX.

[Retro rc]

Lol quick and simple back then …… a roll of masking tape and 4 tins of spray paint. Had a friend doing a sign writing course with access to a vinyl cutter that made things look a bit professional lol
Hard to see but he also did a chrome pinstripe on the bottom of the blue for me as well

Just trying to track down some pics of the next trx-1 body and the blue eagle ls I had done aswell

[Lavigna]

I just received this prototype TRX1(?) transmission and motor plate. It appears to be hand machined from a clear delrin material. It has a small hole in the top to adjust the diff. The front end lip that attaches to the bulkhead is made from a piece of fiberglass.

You can see parts of the internal gears and bearings from the outside because its so transparent. I think it's so cool. The bottom of the motor plate is machined at an angle, tapering down towards the edge. I'm not sure why, but it may make more sense once installed on a chassis.

The lightbox pictures make it look much more yellow than it actually is. One side is more yellow than the other. I am tempted to try whitening it using sun/hydrogen peroxide, but I am not sure it would be compatible?

If anyone has more information on what this is or who made it, please post here.

[TRX-1-3]

The machined taper in the motor plate may just be a super attention to details kind of thing. Something about the motor plate, and probably across manufacturers on platforms of this era/style, is the alignment/fitment to the chassis once it's lashed up to the transmission. Especially those two rear most holes. So getting it all lined up trying to distribute the tweakage so no one component gets it all. Man, short story long.....the wedge is probably just designed to true up that bottom surface so it screws as flat as possible to the chassis without tweaking the trans case. Real racecar stuff. Those rear most motor plate-to-chassis screws/holes are a pain. I've found that mounting it all up then loosening the transmission, bulkhead and motor plate screws gives enough play to get those rear holes lined up with the chassis and then kinda walk them all down a little at a time....

Edit: it's a different motor plate (Blue Eagle, etc.) and the contours of the case are barely discernable in these pics (kenooze found these somewhere) but very similar...I'd venture to guess/confirm you've got a totally legit prototype gearbox housing there...The hand etched IV on the bulkhead lip plate....

trx1scottmontgomery.jpg (39.45 KiB) Viewed 1091 times

trx1scottmontgomery.jpg (39.45 KiB) Viewed 1091 times

trx1bis.jpg (40.2 KiB) Viewed 1091 times

trx1bis.jpg (40.2 KiB) Viewed 1091 times

Oh, and this is another TOTALLY RAD find!! You track down some of the sweetest tidbits! I am 100% confident you will find that XL-3.