My TXT Build
 

This is my first TXT and here is how it turned out:

(click the images for a larger version)
http://www.4x4shots.com/albums/userp...l_DSC01097.JPG
http://www.4x4shots.com/albums/userp...l_DSC01100.JPG

The paint job is my first using a liquid mask.

It seems to be geared too high for now, but I have some different motor/pinion combinations to help fix that.

Anyway, specs:
SW2 w/3" skid
14.5" WB
55T motor
12T pinion
84T spur
Axial beadlocks
Moab 40s
5955
XRS

Great job for your first! How about some action shots.

I should have some soon! I've got a 4 day wekend coming up...

Cool another 14"er. "thumbsup"

Yep, a bit larger than my TLTs.

I got a lot of ideas from Rocpede's build!

I built pretty much exactly the same truck as yours but im running a rc4wd R2 tranny and i also feel the gearing is too high, and not nearly enough torque. The problem is the axles, i think they are only 2:1 reduction. If someone made a readily available 4:1 gearset for TXT axles i would buy them. I know eGressor has regeared these axles before. I know my 14'r is being held WAY back by the gearing/power. I am going to go with a HH brushless setup soon to get around the problem with the gearing (i hope)

Btw, your rig looks great"thumbsup"

I think brushless with the RC4WD tranny would be a good combo. 40 Series wheels are going to be tough to turn in binds though, Maxx sized tires would give you some torque back.

Nice looking build Jeremy, I like the silver and red paint together.

Thanks for the compliments Bender.

To regain some of my gearing, I was thinking about a set of the new RC4WD portals....

Those portals also got my attention.

I dont want to hijack this thread but i am running maxx mashers, i had 40 series moabs on mine for about 10 minutes. Too much tire.

One question, are you going to go with rear steer eventually?

Yeah, I plan on adding it soon. I was going to use a 645MG servo and make a mount similar to the one in the front. I just need to figure out how to rewire my TQ3 for the rear steer.

Sometime this week I am going to drop in my 65T Axiom that is sitting on my workbench. I think I also have lower tooth count pinion that might help.

Well, I swapped in my 65 turn motor and now the truck is just slow and lacks torque. I think I might try a RC4WD GRU. Any advice?

Could it be the XRS? I would think it would be able to handle this setup (it did well on a 2.2 tired crawler).

Or should I just shoot for a brushless setup?

nice looking rig. how does the sw2 work with the txt axles?

Really, a 9tooth? I have a heck of a time getting a 12 tooth to fit with the pede tranny. The motor hits the inside of the tranny and I have shaved off as much as possible.

The SW2 works great! The wider skid is a necessity with the TXT axles (suspension link mounts and shock mounts on the axle end are pretty wide). It flexes nicely.

I believe if you move to 64 pitch gears you can get a 12/90 on a pede. A switch to shorter tires would help you the most though. Mine has a 55t and maxx mashers and i feel it is still too fast, so i was hoping a switch to a 65t would slow it down enough, but maybe not. Also, what batteries are you using? Do you run a reciever pack? I run a 6.0v 1500mah reciever pack for the servos as well as a ib4200 stick pack, and i have a fair amount of punch, but it still doesnt "feel" right, especially in binds, and its too fast for real technical crawling IMO. I doubt you are being held back by the xrs. I will be doing alot more testing/tuning on mine after i get my 5955 servo back from warranty.

I also agree that the SW2 is a great chassis for a TXT, but it definitely needs the 3" skid plate, and it gives you the perfect spot for a reciever pack!;-)

That works with the stock TXT tranny. But, he's running a Stampede tranny and they lack reduction when bolted to TXT axles.

I agree the SW2 does have to be 3" wide for a TXT build, if you run a shorter wheelbase. Sparky ran 64p gears for awhile, but it still lacked a little torque for hard binds.

I missed that part, I'm in learning-mode ... Thanks for pointing that out.

Ahh....good idea with the 64pitch. I'll give them a shot!

The batteries I run are 7.2V 2800 mAh (6 cells). Do you have any recommendation on a receiver pack? This would be plugged directly into the Rx (batt slot), correct?

Bender, is there a way to mount up the stock TXT tranny to your chassis (with out a lock of hacking on the chassis)?

I've never seen it done. It's so bulky I'm not sure it would fit, even running the 3" wide chassis.

That is what I was thinking as well, but you never know...there are some creative folks out there!

If someone has done it I'd like to see it too.

Do you know if that diameter gear will work with the larger Maxx yokes?

Im not sure if they would fit with maxx yokes or not. I believe the ratio of the trans is 2.72:1, the spur/pinion (87/12) ratio is 7.25:1, and the axles are 2:1. After doing the math i get 39:1 gearing, which is super high. A tlt is geared lower than that and they have alot smaller tires. Doubling that to 80:1 would be enough gearing IMO. Thats why i wish someone had a 4:1 axle gear kit available. The rc4wd portal boxes look like a sweet solution but at $200 and a higher COG i would rather do something else. What about a rc4wd planetary reduction unit bolted to the motor? They are 4:1 that way you have room to gear up to get the desired wheelspeed, but you will need to cut the chassis to fit in the unit, or go to a shorter brushless motor. I just ran the numbers on my setup and its 56:1 and shorter tires, and i need alot more gear to be happy with it.

You know, I was thinking that would be a good solution, but was also unsure if it would fit with the SW2 chassis. With the wider skid, the motor is just inside the SW2 chassis.

I think I might give that a shot as I dont think those larger spur gears will fit on the pede tranny with the Maxx yokes.

Thanks for the tips!

Well, a GRU a new Tekin2 and a 65T Axiom has my rig crawling as slow as could be!

I think that 4:1 gearbox did the trick!

BTW, I had absolutely no problems getting the GRU to fit in the SW2 with the 3" trans skid.

NICE! I wish i could get parts up here that quick:x I ordered a 75t lathe as a cheap/easy solution to the gearing dilemma but it will be another 2 weeks until it even shows up:roll: There is no way i could get the GRU in my truck unless i hack a LARGE piece out of the chassis, because im running a R2 that sticks out of the trans cutout in the frame. Its cool that you found a fairly easy solution to the gearing problem!

Thanks for the compliment!

Maybe you can clock that R2 90* and get a GRU to fit?

Im actually thinking of reworking my entire drivetrain layout, which would reduce the torque twist tremendously, and move the battery weight around better. i would also be able to get a GRU in there no problem!

Awesome! Post up your pictures and tips to eliminate torque twist. I am still playing with springs and oil weight in the rear end of my truck. It has too much squat upon take off.

Well, I found a pretty good deal on a set of TT Servo Mounts. I also am begnning the rear steer setup. I just need to build the links and it'll be ready. Here is a picture of the rear axle:
http://www.4x4shots.com/albums/userp...l_DSC01133.JPG

Nice and clean build now go get some rock rash on it:lol:

Yeah, have been fine tuning some stuff and then ran into a few problems.

After I wired up the rear steer and got it working, the front servo began to act funny. When I powered up the Tx and Rx, the front servo would turn completely to one direction and not move. Turn them off and I could move it back by hand.

Now the ESC will not come on at all...

Havent encountered this problem before on any of my other crawlers.

BTW, I did not change the wiring setup of the front servo during rear steer install...

Check these two links out. EGRESSor has come up with that solution. I think he sells a kit, could be wrong about that though.
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/tamiya-txt-1-juggernaut/24580-1-4-gear-ratio-jugg-axle.html
http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/3252964

Tom

He doesnt sell a kit, but I did see that gear setup for sale on this forum.

cool i like the body

Thanks!

What servo are you running on the back? The front is a 5955 right? If the rear is a digital, you will need a rx pack or voltage regulator. Quite a few people have fried the BEC on the TR2 running 2 digital servos.

The rear has a 645. I do think that my ESC is fried though. The crawler worked fine and then one day, nothing. I cant get the esc to turn on.

any test runs yet?

Alfy