TRX4 LC70 Build

[Brian5582]

Thank you. I 100% agree on the tire but will have to see how it “feels” once I get it running. Definitely going to do a mount for one but who knows if I will run it there full time. That’s why I think I am just going to do a stud through the center hole. Probably just use a plastic wheel painted to somewhat match the aluminum ones and take the foam out to get it light as possible. I don’t run the spare on my Bomber because of the weight but that’s more of a full time crawler.

[Kidloco51]

Rad on many levels! Love it.

[Brian5582]

Been working on scuffing the body and doing body work... god I hate body work but as we all know good body work and good prep makes the paint job. Killer makes a good body but there are definitely a lot of low spots and mold lines that can be seen so sand, bondo, sand, bondo... hoping to put a coat of filler primer down tomorrow. Bed cage is pretty much done, I ordered a jewelers torch to finish brazing. Hopefully it should make life a lot easier for the rest of the cage, bumpers and sliders if I don’t use the Killer TRX4 ones I ordered.

[Brian5582]

Spent most of my work time this week trying to fix the bed. The bed sides were pulled in at the top on the tailgate end so when I put the back of the bed and tailgate on it was rubbing very badly. I got that straightened out with many rounds of heat and interior bracing to push the sides out. Took a lot of work but I got it. Other than that I scuffed all the panels and have been putting glazing putty on to fill seams, low spots, mold lines, defects... and then sanding some more. Hopefully it will be in primer by the end of the weekend.

Got a jewelers brazing torch so I can finish brazing the cage up, half of it’s just tack welded. I should have bought the little torch long ago, it’s so much easier than brazing with a full sized torch head. If I am lucky I might start on bumpers also. I need to do at least the front so I can trim the kit bumper accordingly before paint.

Also got another set of Vanquish Bullies to mount my spare. Put on a set of BFG Krawler’s, they were a dream to mount over the stock Traxxas tires. Just using the stock foams for now cause I am unsure of the final weight. Put on a set of 350 hubs and Vanquish XD center caps. Probably going to use scale hubs or slugs up front for final assembly and also need to get scale hardware but have too much stuff to buy for it still and it will at least run like this so that’s how it’s staying for now.

[Brian5582]

Ahh the efficiency of our postal service... trying to build bumpers, need winch to do front bumper. Order winch from Co in NH (I am in MA) so winch ships from NH too... wait for it... Des Moines Iowa Sorry just needed someone to complain to lol. Between Amazon loosing my packages and UPS and USPS sending them on a country wide tour I have such good luck with shipping. No wonder why Amazon is taking over the world.

Ok rant over, I feel better now

[JatoTheRipper]

This continues to look so bad ass!

[Brian5582]

Working on back bumper, hopefully I will have my winch tomorrow so I can keep going on the front.

[durok]

Killer rear bumper!

[Brian5582]

Thanks, now I just need to figure out how to mount it lol. I really wish my winch would get here so I can do the front. Don’t want to paint until I get them both built and mounted but I have a feeling it’s lost somewhere in Iowa.

[mewalsh100]

Your build is looking stellar Brian! I've loved that LC70 body since I saw the teaser AsiaTees did with it on the TRX-4. Are you going to do a hinge mount system at the rear for access? The tube work also looks fantastic - can't wait to see how the completed rig looks. Great job!

P.S. - Probably not as scale as you want, but I know there are some decent looking lexan engine / engine bays. It would definitely be light and would serve to cover the servo, etc well.

P.S.S. - This is the kind of build thread where I REALLY MISS the LIKE button!!!

[Brian5582]

I am not planning on hinging the body at this time though that could change. I am trying to build everything so I have the option to hinge it in the future if I need to. I am 99% sure my battery is going in the engine bay. Right in front of the servo. I am going to have to compromise a couple things such as most likely no engine but a cover may be an option. The cage and tire add a bit of weight to the back so I really want to keep my battery up front. I am going to tuck my electronics between the frame rails so I can try to build a semi full interior. I might add a bed box or fuel cell if I need more room for electronics. I also compromised on using a bumper mounted winch so I have room for the battery. It will add a good scale detail and by building my own bumper I can make it as low profile as possible so I don’t loose too much approach angle.

[mewalsh100]

Sounds like you’ve got a solid plan. I look forward to seeing your rig complete. Lovin it.

[Brian5582]

Thanks, my winch has finally made it back to MA after a cross country tour and is scheduled for delivery today so hopefully I can finish up my bumpers this weekend.

[Brian5582]

Rear cage/ tire carrier and bumper done. Other than sandblasting, a little body filler and some paint. Considering buying a front bumper. I would save me some serious time. I know I can build what I have envisioned but for $70 the bumper made for this truck isn’t too bad looking... can’t decide. I would really prefer “built not bought” but a full front bumper with winch mount is going to take me some serious time and probably lots of swearing and my pile of scrap probably getting slightly larger before it’s done.

[Brian5582]

Started working on a front bumper but think I am going to scrap it in favor of the factory winch bumper. Just not going where I want, too big and boxy looking. Going to order the one that goes with the body set and maybe modify it a little. Plus I really like the fog light setup in it and that’s something I can’t build.

[danieldzurisin]

Looking real good!!, x2 on the shipping companies!



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[Brian5582]

Thanks! For some reason DHL can ship my bumper, door, hood,sliders, and tailgate operating sets I bought from Asiatees here from China in 2 days but our more common shipping companies like Fed up express, UPS, and our wonderful postal service loose every other order or it gets re routed all over the country. And don’t even get me started on Amazon delivery... my driveway is half a mile long on a rural semi road so the idiots leave my stuff on the ground under my mailbox and then when I call and tell them the package disappeared they can’t understand why. I hate thieves, call me whenever you want but don’t call me a thief... ok I feel better now lol

My front bumper is supposed to be here tomorrow and it’s getting shipped DHL so I am pretty sure it will be. That’s the last major exterior part I need so hopefully I can make some good progress coming up. Once I get the bumper and winch mounted I am going to build some inner fenders and battery box under the hood and then with a little luck I can finally get some color on this thing.

[Brian5582]

Been slow going, got my bumper in, mounts made and bumper mounted (forgot to take pics. Glad I ordered the bumper, I am going to paint it but it saved me a lot of work and I like the looks of it. I might build my own hoop/ stinger instead of using the factory one. Oh for reference if anyone reads this while building one the RC4WD Warn mini winch doesn’t fit without a simple mod. The motor hits the mounting holes so you have to raise it up 1/8” or file the mounting slots so you can slide it back more.

There than that I have been working on the engine compartment/ battery box. Not much but it’s something. Damn nice weather and the good old “honey do” list is seriously cutting into my toy truck time.

[Bananaclip]

The build and metal work is looking mighty fine good sir! Keep us posted.

[soze]

Build is looking good!