Whats the best upgrade that increases the TRX-4 Broncos offroad capability?
 

Im curious as what you guys recommend as the best mod a person can make to improve the offroad capability of the TRX-4 Bronco. I just got mine and was trying to layout an upgrade path. Thanks!

Re: Whats the best upgrade that increases the TRX-4 Broncos offroad capability?
 

I'd say some brass front portal covers are going to be the most noticeable right off the bat. The added weight really helps lower the center of gravity, and starting with just the fronts will increase its climbing ability. Starts around $30.

Re: Whats the best upgrade that increases the TRX-4 Broncos offroad capability?
 

Awesome. I just ordered the steering servo that everyone is getting off of amazon. Ill look into those covers. Thanks!

Re: Whats the best upgrade that increases the TRX-4 Broncos offroad capability?
 

Look at your truck layout and do all the free/cheap mods to reduce weight up high and move what you can to a lower position. Then worry about buying things. The MFR brass portal covers are the best I've seen or tried, don't go overboard with brass. "thumbsup"



MFR makes the best fitting and nicest machined portal covers, all the others are a distant second place at best. "thumbsup"

https://metalfabbyreed.com/

Re: Whats the best upgrade that increases the TRX-4 Broncos offroad capability?
 

what would you consider going overboard with brass? Thanks

Re: Whats the best upgrade that increases the TRX-4 Broncos offroad capability?
 

If you look for after-market parts you will see a lot of different brass goodies... from lower spring retainers, to knuckles, to lower link mounts, portal housings, etc, etc, etc. The consensus is that you not just randomly start throwing too many brass parts at your rig all at once. Start by adding the portal covers... then continue to drive/ learn how the rig handles, and maybe tweak spring pre-load by adjusting the collars on the shocks.You can also change out to different rate springs and shock oil if you want to dial things in even further but again... start slowly and learn the characteristics of the rig as you go. There are a LOT of variables and everything that you add, delete, or change can potentially change the way that the rig climbs, side-hills, digs, etc. Do one thing at a time.

Also fwiw... Natedog turned me onto the MFR front brass portal covers and they are without a doubt the nicest, best fitting covers out there. Locked UP RC also makes a pair that I have on another rig of mine... also nice but the MFR's are for sure the best designed.

Re: Whats the best upgrade that increases the TRX-4 Broncos offroad capability?
 

Installing a stronger servo helped my rig tremendously. Adding brass knuckle weights 150g to my front axle. Made it climb way better. My 6oz bumper helped it climb better too. Not a big fan of sprung weight, but it did make the rig look more scale the way the body moved while crawling. Stiffer foams in the tires helped ALLOT with side hill ability. Lowered battery tray made a noticeable difference. Good tires make a huge difference. The stock tires are pretty good, but the foams are crap. I cut the small lugs off on mine. That made a big difference. Changing from the stock 30wt shock oil to 15wt Made a noticeable difference as well. My rig weights in at 8lbs 6oz as it sits & I'm loving the way it's set up. Good luck brotha! Don't hesitate to ask questions. There is a Trx-4 section on this forum. Also always use advance search when searching. ALLOT of great info & people on this forum. Peace!

Re: Whats the best upgrade that increases the TRX-4 Broncos offroad capability?
 

SSD portal weights. They thankfully aren't brass colored. They are a work of art - look great, fit well, and they work.

Proline tires - because traction is key in crawling.

Re: Whats the best upgrade that increases the TRX-4 Broncos offroad capability?
 

MFR brass portal covers much better fit and finish and enough weight down low, too much is not a good thing either. Reduce weight that is up high. "thumbsup"

Re: Whats the best upgrade that increases the TRX-4 Broncos offroad capability?
 

My SSD portal weights first perfectly. The fit and finish is excellent. Or do you mean the MFRs are lower profile?

The SSDs weigh more for sure, but the TRX-4 is a heavy truck so I think the percentage of added weight isn't that great if you understand what I'm trying to say.

Re: Whats the best upgrade that increases the TRX-4 Broncos offroad capability?
 

UJnfortunately the stock plastic chassis panhard bracket is way too flimsy, but since the Bronco has fender flares that has the panhard mount integrated into it is not as simple as to replace the stock one with an aluminum one, i ordered one and i want to keep the inner fenders, i'll try to figure out a way to mount it

Re: Whats the best upgrade that increases the TRX-4 Broncos offroad capability?
 

At the moment I have my front beadlocks weighted running the cheap Hyrax knockoffs, eventually I'll get some brass. I have an Ascender on the way so I've been reading Natedog's ascender thread and I've transferred some tips he has for the K5 blazer to my Bronco, first thing I did today was totally back off all the preload off all the shocks and second I dropped each body post down one hole. It's a world of difference on hill climbing and side hilling and it didn't cost a dime. Like an earlier post said, do the simple stuff first it makes a difference. Check out the Trx4 thread for more info.

Re: Whats the best upgrade that increases the TRX-4 Broncos offroad capability?
 

I dont know anything about the trx4 but the first thing i do when i see traxxass electronics of any type in any of my rigs is fry the traxxass electronics ive burned up 3 escs 2 servos and 4 550 can motors i seem to only have issues with traxxass electronics they usaly only last 2-3 min no matter what i do i should mention the fact that all my traxxass junk was used usaly in the pile of stuff that came with the rig but some was installed and working till i plugged a battery in to it

Re: Whats the best upgrade that increases the TRX-4 Broncos offroad capability?
 

Here is a slightly different thought...
I think it depends on which vehicle you are starting with.

Here are a couple almost free ones for the Bronco to think about
1) lighter shock oil and less preload on springs - I really like 15wt
2) remove the battery tray, use small batteries and put them up front with a velcro strap
3) pull it all apart, marine grease for waterproofing (it can be messy so wear gloves if you haven’t done it, water doesn’t get it off) and don’t over do it
4) drive it to see what comes next

Not free:
New Hobbywing or Castle ESC and motor
BEC for +23Kg servo with aluminum horn
Monster torque servo (6-8v capable of you have the cash) or make sure the new ESC can pass through at least 6v
Hot Racing high clearance steering link
BowHouse low CG battery tray for larger packs
110mm to 120mm shocks for flex
Front Bumper with winch
Axle guards and skid plates
Tires and bead lock wheels based on terrain
Brass to weight bias 55% to 60% front axle versus rear.

Hope this helps! Others may have more but this is the list I have been working.



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Re: Whats the best upgrade that increases the TRX-4 Broncos offroad capability?
 

I can relate to most of given tips. Changes on my TRX-4 Bronco that gave it better performance are:
Stiffer foams, I use Crazy Crawler foams. A stiffer one in the front tires and a even stiffer one in the rear tires.
Original tires mod helps a lot.
Weight distribution, around 60% in the front.
Adding a bit of brass weight in the front.
Adding brass link set.
Change to a more powerful servo.
27T Holmes Hobbies Trailmaster Sport motor with 9T pinion.

This changed it a lot. Better side hill handling, more torque, better climbing overall, no more roll overs.

Re: Whats the best upgrade that increases the TRX-4 Broncos offroad capability?
 

This is the finished result:

http://i66.tinypic.com/r70rwy.jpg

Re: Whats the best upgrade that increases the TRX-4 Broncos offroad capability?
 

The most notable free mod I have done so far was raising the body one peg on the mounts, so I could flip the front bumper mount to raise it, and flipping the rear bumper on the mount after I cut off the trailer hitch.


Drastically improved approach/departure angles.

Re: Whats the best upgrade that increases the TRX-4 Broncos offroad capability?
 

I upgraded the wheels and tires and it's capabilities went WAY up.
RC4WD 1.9 Beadlock wheels and RC4WD Mickey Thompson MTZ tires with their foams in the front and Proline dual stage in the rear. I don't want to super modify mine as I have others for that so I kept it simple.