Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

I had the Savox SA-1230SG servo and Traxxas metal servo horn waiting to be installed to replace my dead, stock servo. I was awaiting delivery of the Yeah Racing aluminum servo mount which arrived on Monday. I was tipped off by this Yeah Racing plate by LSXGMC. On his thread he mentioned that this plate has obround holes in one side to accommodate all servo sizes. If you use the stock servo plate with a Savox servo you have to modify the tabs on the servo. I didn't want to do this since the tabs are plastic. The Yeah Racing plate was the perfect solution. It is a very nice piece and does exactly what it was designed to do. But it was a PITA to install. The servo plate is in between the frame rails so you have to remove the front bumper mount, front plate and then loosen up the frame screws so you can spread it apart. I missed the screw that mounts that Panhard bar to the frame also goes through the skid plate.

https://images.amain.com/images/larg....jpg?width=475


Under all this stuff you will find the servo mounting plate.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/859/4...75654123_b.jpg


Here's the bottom view. You can see the servo mounted to the stock, plastic mounting plate. That's where the Yeah Racing aluminum piece needs to go.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/961/4...fd757621_b.jpg


Here the servo and all of the stuff in the way of the plate has been removed. The frame screws have been loosened so I can spread the rails apart.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/881/4...d8e7ffe7_b.jpg


I didn't have much patience to start when I decided to tackle this and it only got worse as I went. The servo is in, but I didn't even remember to take photos.

Once the servo was in I had to remove the two screws holding the shocks and lower links onto the axle. You have to drop the axle in order to install the servo horn on the servo.

The servo is strong though. Now I have to figure out how to adjust end points so I don't kill the servo. Is it possible to adjust EPA on the stock transmitter?

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

Ok, this did not look like fun. I'm guessing you would not recommend this as a feasible trail fix?

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

If you're keeping the stock radio system, pick up the bluetooth module. The app makes setting endpoints, etc. 10000x's easier than following the blinking lights.

https://traxxas.com/products/parts/t...xxaslinkmodule

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

Yes, it's possible to adjust endpoints on the stock transmitter. The menu tree system of flashing lights and button presses is not too difficult once you figure it out. That said, when I set mine it did not seem to set the endpoints as it should. When turning the wheel to the desired position to set as the endpoint and pressing set the servo would suddenly jump way past that point. I had to reset to the stock endpoints then adjust using the dual rates adjustment. Kinda wonky way to do it but it's working. Not sure if others have this issue or maybe mines just a one off buggy unit.

Instructions for all the adjustments is on Pg 14
https://traxxas.com/sites/default/fi...ual-120130.pdf

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

You could change a servo on the trail if you wanted to spend a half an hour or so doing it, but I definitely would not recommend installing the Yeah Racing aluminum servo plate on the trail.

Thanks. I've looked at that module. It's either pick one of those up or buy a Spektrum DX5C or FlySky FS-GT5.

Thank you.

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

The app is literally so easy a caveman could do it. Snapshot below of adjusting the steering:

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

Heh. Caveman. Thats so 2004. ;-)

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

I ordered the Traxxas Link Wireless Module last night from a local seller on eBay that I often purchase from. They had it for $30.90 shipped whereas RPP had it for $37.99+shipping. And it's guaranteed to be here by Saturday. "thumbsup"

https://traxxas.com/sites/default/fi...T-Module_o.png

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

that same module is nearly 60$ here in Canada... :x

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

I've heard these are quite useful, you should post up about all the capabilities it allows for.

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

just go the app store on your phone and install. It will let you see everything, but remember the telemetry sensors are optional

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

One thing I did while installing the servo was getting rid of this thing. It was loose on my motor and I could easily slide it all around. After the fact I found out that it's apparently called a torque ring. I had no idea. As a kid I would stick metal on the outside of the motors on my RCs hoping that I'd see a performance gain. I never did and I thought I was wasting my time. But apparently I was doing a real thing. Theory is great, but whether or not it affects the performance of the motor, in reality, is to be determined. Another reason I removed it is so I could install a heatsink because I've heard these motors can get hot. Will it help? I'm not sure. Will it hurt? Definitely not. Will it stay or will the torque ring go back on? Again, TBD. The brass terds are the bushings leftover from my MST CMX upgrade not from the TRX-4.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/870/4...9af23dcb_b.jpg


Here's the servo installed. The Savox orange looks as gaudy as ever. Please, please get a new color Savox. How about making all of your servos part of your Black line? I bought this 1230SG servo during Savox's rare 15% off sale. It's claimed to have 499.9 oz at 6V so that should be plenty for me. After my initial test drive I'm very happy with it.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/907/4...25566f5a_b.jpg


Here you can see the servo installed with the Traxxas metal servo horn. Good to go. The horn isn't the clamping style that we love to love, but it should hold up just fine.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/960/4...e0db8b24_b.jpg


Lastly, here is an overview of the chassis. You can see the black heatsink installed in place of the torque ring. You can also see the wiring from the servo. I had to use a 3" or 4" servo extension. It's getting to the point where I have to use servo extensions all too often on my scalers. I hate using them because they are often crappy quality wires unless you buy the expensive ones.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/948/4...2d2fdd2f_b.jpg

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

Neat, tidy and efficient...nice job!

I appreciate that Traxxas at least provides wiring retention features for all those extra needed extensions rather than sending one back to the tie strap bag repeatedly.

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

After installing the Savox 1230 servo I wanted to set the end points, because as we know, incorrect EPA will kill a servo. The stock transmitter doesn't have this option. But one awesome thing about the stock transmitter is that you can buy the Traxxas Link Wireless Module to give the RTR radio more advanced features. Apparently you can do the same without the module, but you need to use beeps or lights and Castle ESCs have ruined me to the point where I never want to deal with that again.

Great packaging as always from Traxxas.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/823/2...7e0de7f9_b.jpg
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/979/4...93996055_b.jpg

Here's the back of the stock cover on the transmitter next to the back of the Traxxas Link.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/829/4...70fb93c2_b.jpg


Here the Traxxas Link is installed in the stock RTR transmitters. Fits like a glove as expected.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/865/2...bb57878d_b.jpg


This Traxxas Link connects to the Traxxas Link app on your phone via Bluetooth. It connects instantly. I've never seen Bluetooth connect so quickly.

The app is somewhat confusing because there are lots of different screens and I got confused while trying to set the end points. There is a screen that lets you set servo throw. I thought this was the only way to set end points at first. But in a different screen you can set right end points and left end points. It worked as expected.

Another cool feature that was news to me, probably because I didn't read the manual, is the Multifunction knob. I set mine, via the app, to control "Throttle Sensitivity". This is like expo seen on other transmitters. I can set it to 0% and have full throttle instantly or I can set it to 100% and it takes a lot of throttle to get the truck moving. This will really help out on the trails when trying to climb smoothly.

For around $30 shipped I'm very happy with this module at this point. It saved me from having to buy another receiver for one of my other radio systems or another transmitter system. "thumbsup"

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

I have to add that the Traxxas Link does not have any crawling specific settings. I was hoping that it would program the stock ESC for drag brake and no brake but I could not find any settings for this.

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

I’ve used that for some time now , I have 2 traxxas trucks, and ran a third 2wd with it. The functions(once found) work just as Jato said. My only beef is the whole thing feels toyish after using my Futaba.


Hang up and Drive

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

I didn't expect the Transmitter or Link Module to change any of the ESC settings.

Do yourself a favor and buy a HobbyWing WP1080 to replace the stock ESC if you want to adjust the drag brake. It's an unbeatable ESC at $40.

I've learned to not take expensive radios out on the trail. I often have to set my transmitter down on rocks or dirt when changing batteries or doing trail repairs. Plus, there are those times where you have to walk across rocks that can be wet, covered with moss or algae, or otherwise slippery. I've nearly gone down and caught myself with the hand holding my transmitter. Thankfully it was my Turnigy TS4G and not my Airtronics or Futaba radios.

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

That would be reprogramming of the the ESC though. This is strictly radio system setting.



Jato, good to hear you're happy with this purchase. It's definitely much easier than the light tree.

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

i cant wait for the new castle link Bluetooth thingy to be available for android.

cool to hear about the traxxas link, not bad for $30! i hear ya on cheap radios. spend that money on truck goodies! also i like to wear my tx on a lanyard around my neck. some radios don't have a place to put one though.

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

The Castle Bluetooth thing is $50. The price needs to come down on that especially since you'll need one in every truck! HobbyWing's is about the same price as well. Very cool item, but too expensive for what you get.

Good idea. I need to add a lanyard to mine. "thumbsup"

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

Jato - clear your PM's!

(so, I'm posting here - as it is TRX-4 Bronco-related)

So,

My friend picked up a TRX-4 Sunset Bronco today...

Looks like I will finally have a local crawling buddy!

He got a Hitec charger and a 3S Venom 5000mAh soft pack, just because he wanted to get rollin' right away...

He will definitely be getting batteries from another source in the future!

Anyways - he's super-stoked.

His kids got a LaTrax vehicle each, one got the little Teton, the other (a girl) got the "Hawaiian" paintjob Prerunner...

I met them there and we had fun spending his money!

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

It's been a while since I touched this Bronco because of my SCX10 II build and the continuation of my TF2 build, but I had a chance to get it out this weekend...finally!

We have been absolutely bombarded with rain in the Northeast this spring and summer so I haven't been able to get out on the trails nearly as much as I've wanted.

After we made plans to go trailing I made a late night decision to install the rear Underdrive gears that I've had laying around for months now. It's so nice how Traxxas has the name "Underdrive" and gearing stamped right into the gears. No having to count teeth!

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1793/...eb77befa_b.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1836/...7ddfc703_b.jpg


Because of the complexity of the TRX-4 axles with the portals I almost decided against doing this upgrade late at night. But I decided to forge ahead and I'm glad I did because it was extremely simple - much simpler than it first appeared.

For step 1 I removed the links and the driveshaft from the rear axle so that it was only attached by the remote locking diff cable. I didn't want to have to struggle to get to the diff cover screws which are screwed in from the back. Then you have to remove the portals and axles so the diff pulls out. Each portal is held on by 2 screws...2 screws! So simple to remove them. More great engineering by Traxxas. It literally takes more time to get into the portals than it does to remove them.

So after the axle was free I removed the diff cover. You can see the diff assembly as well as the plastic, remote diff locker. Would you look at that complicated mess?! Or is it...

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1797/...90e9a9c9_b.jpg


Here is the diff removed from the axle housing. It isn't too bad when you look at it by itself and breaking it down by part. We just aren't used to seeing much more than a spool in scalers. From left to right you have the bearing, ring gear, diff cup that contains the spider gears and the engagement dogs for the locking diff, another bearing, the locking slider, and another bearing. Simple and efficient really.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/891/2...a0198f5e_b.jpg


I separated the diff from the assembly so I could replace the ring gear. Notice the 4 "tabs" on the stock ring gear. These go into the recesses on the plastic diff cup to hold the spider gear shafts into place. Keep that in mind.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1821/...91b2ba91_b.jpg


Here is the underdrive ring gear next to the stock gear. It doesn't have the 4 tabs. I was surprised to see this. And there aren't any extra parts included to keep the spider gear shafts located in the diff cup. I was really surprised by this. Usually there is something on the diff gear or elsewhere that keeps the spider gear shafts in place.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1820/...1f60c6d2_b.jpg


Here is the underdrive pinion gear compared to the stock pinion gear. Notice it has the gearing and the word "Underdrive" stamped right on it as well. Awesome touch!

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1763/...48cbec12_b.jpg


After this I buttoned it all back together and did a bench test. Everything worked fine. I should have taken more photos, but I didn't.

This whole process took only 20 minutes or so and some of that time was spend researching if there was anything supposed to be included with the Underdrive gear set to hold the spider gears in place. I didn't see anything and everything worked like it was supposed to during my bench test and the trail run the next day.

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

So the next morning it was dreary and the forecast wasn't looking good, but OSRC and I were both anxious to get out so we rolled the dice and went trailing at our favorite spot. Thankfully, the weather was fine other than a few stray drops making their way all the way through the trees to get us. The storm held off until we left and then it poured on my way home. Sometimes Mother Nature does cooperate.

We had a long trail run. We were on the trail for at least 3 hours and the underdrive gears worked fine. No issues with the new gear not having those tabs I mentioned. It's still very odd to me, but it works so be it I guess. The underdrive certainly helped crawling performance. I'm not sure I'm going to add overdrive to the front. I think that would make straight line, second gear performance suffer too much. To be determined I guess.

I know what this truck needs next - an LED light kit.

Oh and the quality of these less than ideal light photos remind me I need a new phone.

This is about as "real or RC" as I get.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1836/...7114472b_b.jpg


My Bronco next to OSRC's Defender. I can't say I've ever seen a D110 in person, but I have seen a D90 and an old Bronco. We were discussing the scaleness of the size of the trucks and Traxxas seems to have gotten it pretty close. The Defender body is noticeably narrower, but it also has the longer wheelbase.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1761/...4df10545_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/876/2...c0d86706_b.jpg


More random shots:

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1788/...5ce4a418_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/884/4...3141f46f_b.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1804/...3d2cf7b4_b.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1779/...3028a6fd_b.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1808/...8ff1cc17_b.jpg

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

Oh and here are random oddities/coolness from the trail.

This is my favorite tree. From this angle it looks like a levitating tree. In reality it's a "Z-shaped" tree. It grows vertically out of the ground, then does a hard, nearly 90° right for a few feet, and then continues to grow vertically. It's a really cool freak of nature.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1761/...97cd8c71_b.jpg


And this boat trailer looking thing we found in the water. I'm thinking it might be remnants of when this was a mine or quarry, but I'm not sure. When I showed my dad the photo he thought it might be a "derrick" of which I'm not familiar with.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1807/...cb70787a_b.jpg

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

Gotta get a full pic of this tree lolSent from my LG-M703 using Tapatalk

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

Glad you got some trail time and the gears worked for you. 100+ heat index here all weekend with intermittent wicked NC storms so it was a stay inside and build weekend. Trailing in the summer here is a non-event for a Northwesterner.

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

Good thing you're not in Florida bro! From May till November heat index over 100° almost every day. 91° with 90% humidity & feels like temp 102° today. To trail in Florida bring a bunch of water & something to keep the mosquitoes away :ror: Ran last weekend at the in-laws house had to wear pants & long sleeves. Still got carried away by the mosquitoes. If I had to wait for good weather I'd hardly ever get to run. Keep up the great work Jato! Love seeing all the different places people get to run & the creative minds that we get to share on the forums. Have a great day!

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

It's still been doing more raining than anything. It's a miserable summer. Our crawling days have been cut by 75% or more up to this point. I hope the summer dries out. I also hope we also get this much precipitation in the winter in the form of blizzards. That won't happen.

Anyway, we were finally able to get out Sunday to our local scale crawling mecca. I took my TRX-4. It was a little wet with spots of mud. The rocks were particularly wet and slimy. My Bronco failed to make it up one of our favorite "test rocks" this time out. It normally crawls right up when it's dry. The only truck that made it up was my dad's SCX10 II and that was wearing Duratrax Showdown tires. My KLRs were stumped. Overall, I'd say the KLRs were one of the worst if not the absolute worst performing tire on Sunday especially on damp or mossy rocks. I was really disappointed. Looks of the tires are deceiving in this case. Proline TSLs (G8 compound I believe), Duratrax Showdowns and even Redcat Iroks schooled the KLRs in these conditions.

I still think this truck needs more weight up front. As a trail truck it does fine, but when I want to crawl steep inclines it likes to fall over backwards.

Not many updates, but I have some photos from Sunday. Every time I take photos in shady conditions I'm reminded I need a new phone. I can't wait for the next batch of flagships to be released so I can finally upgrade.

Oh I also decided I want new tires. Something better performing and better looking than the KLRs. I want something around 4.5". I wish Proline go with the program and started making mid size tires.


My Bronco next to two Land Rovers. Our resident Land Rover nut. He drove both rigs on Sunday.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/928/4...a402d19d_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/862/4...dc16a34d_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/849/4...6542b1f8_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/930/2...7f305294_b.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1837/...4dd723bd_b.jpg

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

I think I remember reading you had underdrive gears, have you installed them yet?

I had problems on inclines too. The HR brass diff cover helped a good bit, as did running a lighter weight shock oil up front.

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

Good memory! Yes, I have underdrive gears in the rear. I actually kinda forgot that... They are installed and I did notice a performance improvement. Up front I have SSD knuckle weights.

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

Have you installed your battery tray yet? Be interested to see it. I just ordered a bronco myself in the sunset flavor. Can’t wait to get it on Tuesday. My friend got one in the red like yours and we are going to box stock crawl them before doing any mods. I’m glad to hear that very little is needed for them to be fun to crawl with.

Probably will get a 1080 for it and a receiver so I can just use my dx4c radio but going to give the stock stuff a shot.

Ben

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

Actually I haven't even gotten around to finishing the design or printing one. It's something on my to-do list for sure.

Good idea. The TRX will surprise you out of the box on a trail run. Run it open diffs and watch it astound you. And that Bronco body is so awesome! Congrats on getting your own!

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

I've been installing LED lights in the Bronco body for quite a while now. It started sometime last year and then I moved onto other things. I decided to resume that last night. I am using a Tamiya TLU-01 LED unit that was included with the Jeep Wrangler CC-01 kit that I bought and sold long ago. I bought the LEDs in bulk from eBay.

I installed 10 of the 12 LEDs in the Bronco body (not illuminating the reverse lights) when I discovered the Tamiya unit only had 8 plugs. So I got out the soldering iron and spliced together the front turn signal and side marker lights on either side.

I also bought some aluminum light buckets on eBay. They are a great design and I like the fact that the light buckets are shiny and reflect light. The problem is that they were way too thick and you can't install the body. You can cut the inner finders, but I'm not willing to do that. Instead, I fired up SolidWorks and my 3D printer and made my own. The Chinese version is 10mm thick. I made mine 6mm thick.

Chinese versus mynese:

http://i.imgur.com/jxBxAp0h.jpg


Here you can see the substantial difference in the thickness. If I had a mill I'd shave down the Chinese versions because I really like them. No such luck.

http://i.imgur.com/dewOwfqh.jpg


And here's the completed set. I installed one and fitted the body and they seem to be thin enough to clear without any issues. I'll find out more when I resume the light install which is hopefully tonight.

http://i.imgur.com/wJ8jxxmh.jpg

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

:lmao: "thumbsup"

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

Jato screw them down to a 2x4 and use a belt sander to take them down, finish sand to get smooth, chineseium is soft usually


Hang up and Drive

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

Good point. I don't have a belt sander. I'd have to do that over at my dad's house. Maybe it's something I can try when the weather gets warmer and I'm over there.

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

Lil John Butera started fabbing his parts with a jigsaw, drill and belt sander. He created the billet stuff before any cnc was thought about


Hang up and Drive

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

So did I. Just sayin.

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

I had some more time to work on the Bronco last night.

Here is one of the light bucket housings installed. All of the layers of the 3D printed part are hidden by the textured, translucent lenses.

http://i.imgur.com/CPM6ClIh.jpg


Here's the backside of the bucket. Not nearly as exciting as JLo's backside, but this isn't that kind of forum. :mrgreen: My buckets still may be a little too thick. You can see the severe bends in the LED wires that are needed to clear the inner fenders. I wish I wish you could buy only the Traxxas LEDs for the headlights. Their PCB lights seem to be ideal for the space between the body and the inner fender.

http://i.imgur.com/lHlSwbyh.jpg


This is the best I could manage to un-rat's nest this rat's nest of wires. #1 reason why I hate LED lights.

http://i.imgur.com/wumSk54h.jpg


Here's the bad boy illuminated. I think the Tamiya, old school LEDs look great for the headlights. Can't wait to run this baby again.

http://i.imgur.com/ZdcjTvlh.jpg

Re: Jato Got a Bronco
 

Headlight color is perfect. Looking good Jato