bilinvic's TRX4 Bronco Build

[bilinvic]

Here we go again with another TRX4. I'm a huge fan of the late 70's Ford F150 and Bronco and therefore couldn't wait to get my hands on a shiny new Sunset Bronco. My other TRX4 took a ton of testing, tuning and upgrading to get it to be a superior rock crawler, so much of this Bronco build will be similar with regards to the parts list.

I'm dedicating this build to my father who recently passed away...thanxs for buying this for me Dad.

I'm going to tear this rig down right to the last bolt so I can ensure everything is greased and all the hardware will be swapped over to RC Screwz stainless steel.

I posted some comparison pics with my '66 Chevy TRX4.

Let the tear down commence!

The parts that have been waiting for the TRX4 to arrive:




Mail day:





Baseline weight with no battery:

[JatoTheRipper]

Nice! This should be an awesome build from you.

Why didn't you go with the kit? Because the Bronco body isn't available separately, yet?

I'm really curious to see how those Samix parts hold up.

[bilinvic]

Thanxs JTR! I didn't go with the kit because there was no benefit of upgraded parts, plus I really wanted the Bronco body. The Samix parts have been great on my other TRX4 so far. I would equate them to the Vanquish of Asia!

[bilinvic]

Not RTR anymore!

[soze]

I must hold off, I must hold off..... you guys are really making it hard.

I initially was looking at getting the kit as well, but there really is no point since you still have to pay the price for all the electronics... and I want the Bronco body.

[calcagno45]

Nice wheel selection! Looking forward to seeing this one thru.

[bilinvic]

Originally Posted by calcagno45

Nice wheel selection! Looking forward to seeing this one thru.

The wheels intended for this build are not in the photo.....

[JSterrett]

How come this isn't done yet? (lol)

[bilinvic]

I'm workin' on it JSterrett...

Front axle is completed.

Traxxas Overdrive machined Gears (12-33T)
Samix Brass Steering Knuckles
Samix Brass Lower Shock/Link Mounts
SSD Brass Outer Portals
Incision Stainless Steel Tie Rod
Incision Stainless Steel Drag Link
APS Brass 12mm Hex Wheel Hubs

I added a .3mm shim between the pinion output shaft and the driveshaft for optimal gear mesh.

The transmission, Portal gears and the differential ring & pinion had more than enough grease from the factory, way more than my first TRX4; Nice to see Traxxas.

I weighed the front axle after I started disassembling it, but nonetheless all the parts were weighed together:

Stock front axle - 270 grams / 9.5 oz
Modified front axle - 526 grams / 18.55 oz / 1 lb 2.55 oz

[calcagno45]

Originally Posted by bilinvic

The wheels intended for this build are not in the photo.....

Aw man, those gold Gear Heads would look great with the Bronco body.

[JSterrett]

Very interested to see what you think of those Samix knuckles. Working on a new body for my TRX now, and plan on adding some Samix and SSD brass once taxes come in. May also try the LURC steel C-hubs....

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[bilinvic]

I have the same Samix knuckles on my other TRX4 and they seem to be great, nice and heavy and very nicely machined. The mate well with the SSD outer Portal brass cover. I'm sticking with the stock C-Hubs for both TRX4s because they are inexpensive to replace and are the main part (other than the pumpkin) that will come in contact with the rocks and plastic slides better than steel, aluminum or brass. I carry a brand new pair of Traxxas C-Hubs in my trail repair kit.

[bilinvic]

Rear axle is completed.

Traxxas Underdrive Machined Gears (10-35T)
Samix Brass Portal Cover (Outer)
Samix Brass Lower Shock/Link Mounts
APS Brass 12mm Hex Wheel Hubs

[Fookison]

I’ve tried to resist but caved and ordered the Bronco today! Great work on yours Bil! Last was the twin hammer and now this one! I’ve got to stop subscribing to your builds! (NOT)


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[Killa-Cotton]

X2 on Samix parts. I've been running them for a few years on my onroad cars. They make some quality stuff but it aint cheap. Of course the good stuff never is. You beat me to the Gearhead ENK's. My Bronco wont be here until Monday but when i ordered the sunset color i knew the gold ENK's would look awesome on it. I may half to go with black centers now. That would look great as well. Nice job on yours!

Originally Posted by bilinvic

Thanxs JTR! I didn't go with the kit because there was no benefit of upgraded parts, plus I really wanted the Bronco body. The Samix parts have been great on my other TRX4 so far. I would equate them to the Vanquish of Asia!

[bilinvic]

Everything is put back together and all of the electronics are in place.

I decided to use an MMP instead of a Mamba X and I used a Holmes Hobbies BLS HV500 servo instead of the Savox SB-2290SG; 694 oz-in is a little overkill for a 1.9 rig! The MMP was mounted up front on the "Bronco plate" to keep it protected from the elements. I'm using a BEC RX bypass harness so that I can get a full 8.4 volts to the servo and used the MMP's internal BEC (set at 6.0v) to provide power to the rx and micro servos.

The Slate 2850kV motor is probably too much for a TRX4, especially with a 2-speed....but I can dial the power down if need be. My other TRX4 uses a 1800kV ROC 412 and that motor is perfectly suited with a 2-speed transmission.

I have a Bowhouse RC LCG battery tray coming from Shapeways.

The Incision stainless steel link kit is as expected...good weight down low and plenty strong. Swapping all the link ends sucked though! Quick tip: I apply a couple drops of silicone shock (30w) fluid to the link threads to make it easier to screw the link ends on or off if needed.

I raised the sliders using 4mm sections of 1/5 scale fuel tube so that the sides of the body fit very securely within the groove.

I'm going to add some external shock limiters on all four shocks...remember kids, too much flex isn't a good thing!!!!

The bumpers look good, but I don't expect them to last long out on the rocks. I'm going to fill the void areas of the bumpers (on the backside) to give them more structural integrity. I'll also remove the hitch as this is definitely an anchor. I hope someone comes out with OEM style metal bumpers for the Bronco....hint hint SSD!

I've been wanting to buy the Gearhead 1.9 ENK wheels for such a long time and I finally pulled the trigger. IMHO, they look perfect with the old skool 70's sunset paint scheme. I also bought all scale hardware for these wheels, but since the scale hardware also keeps the beadlocks together, I decided against using them. Besides, I change wheels and tires more often than my wife changes shoes and the 2mm scale hardware simply would not be up to that constant wrenching! The lugs are Locked Up RC M2x7mm Acorns. I thought the offset may be an issue because the 12mm hubs are not removable, but that's not the case, I love the stance. I did have to use the 8mm wide APS brass hexes because the wheels would have rubbed against the front SSD brass outer Portal cover/weights. I still have to get a pair of the SSD rear wheel hubs...can't have locking rear hubs!

Now that the chassis is almost completed, I have some ideas for the body to differentiate it from the others.

On to the pics....

[bilinvic]

List of parts so far:

Traxxas Overdrive machined Gears (12-33T)
Traxxas Underdrive Machined Gears (10-35T)
Samix Brass Steering Knuckles
Samix Brass Lower Shock/Link Mounts
Samix Brass Portal Cover (Outer) (for the rear diff)
Samix TRX4 Servo Horn
SSD Brass Outer Portals (for the front diff)
Incision Stainless Steel Link Kit
APS Brass 12mm Hex Wheel Hubs
Castle Creation Mamba Max Pro ESC (waterproofed)
Castle Creations 2850kV Slate Motor
Castle Creations BEC v1 (waterproofed)
Homes Hobbies BLS HV500 Servo
RC Screwz Stainless Steel Hardware Kit
Gear Head RC 1.9 ENK EZ-Loc Aluminum Wheels
Locked Up RC M2 Acorn Wheel Studs
SSD RC Scale Locking Hubs
Bowhouse RC LCG Battery Tray (ordered)

[ScoJac]

Nice work, that is the cleanest wiring I’ve ever seen on a TRX4.

As for the bumpers might check into the SSD Ascender Blazer bumpers, would have to mill a slight radius in the front bumper to follow the curve in the body as well as modify the mount a little bit. Might be able to use the rc4wd tf2 universal bumper posts.


CHROME FRONT BUMPER FOR ASCENDER

CHROME REAR BUMPER FOR ASCENDER

https://store.rc4wd.com/Universal-Bu...-2_p_3370.html

[JatoTheRipper]

What size Hyrax tires are you running on your Bronco?

I didn't realize the ENK wheels had screws all the way around the wheel. Most every Gear Head wheel I've seen only have 6 screws on either size. It kinda drives me nuts. I like how yours has the screws all the way around, but if you have to remove each and every one of those to chance tires that would also drive me nuts.

I've used scale hardware to hold Gear Head wheels together and I've never had a problem.

[Killa-Cotton]

You don't. There are only six that hold the ring. The rest just drop into over sized holes in the wheel. Just like LURC beadlocks. That's what i love about the enk's. The look awesome with scale hardware installed.

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

What size Hyrax tires are you running on your Bronco?

I didn't realize the ENK wheels had screws all the way around the wheel. Most every Gear Head wheel I've seen only have 6 screws on either size. It kinda drives me nuts. I like how yours has the screws all the way around, but if you have to remove each and every one of those to chance tires that would also drive me nuts.

I've used scale hardware to hold Gear Head wheels together and I've never had a problem.