TRX4 Battery tray mod...

[high plains drifter]

Just wanted to post this for those that may want to keep the stock tray but want to run batteries other than the Traxxas ID lipo's. Potential benefit with this would be if you're wanting to use smaller batteries, use several different size batteries, or just want a cleaner look. Tiny bit of weight-savings with this mod too.

After removing the tray, it's basically a matter of taking a Dremel to get rid of the stock hold-down parts and make some additional slots to run the new battery straps through. Just make sure that the slots will accommodate the width of your new straps. The ones that I'm using are from Spektrum... sold as a set of 4 ( 2 @ 10 x 200 mm/ 2 @ 15 x 250 mm). Good idea to also cut-to-size some type of material to keep batteries cushioned & protected. Plenty of different substrates that will work for this... drawer liner, hard foam, etc. Pretty self-explanatory but here's some pics for reference.

Essentially, these are the parts that will be removed:



New slots cut out along the bottom of the tray:



Here you can see the "C" shaped cut-outs on both sides of the tray for allowing the battery leads to "flow" unhindered. I did this b/c I noticed that with some lipo packs, the battery leads were getting kinked or otherwise rubbing on the edge of the unmodified tray:



Finished...





Some different size batteries securely mounted:

[FANATICRC]

Being a trx owner I'm obviously concerned with weight, love the look of the mod but am interested in what the weight gain is considering total original weight and post weight with straps

[high plains drifter]

I didn't weigh anything but the parts removed, definitely weigh more than the 3 very light-weight Spektrum straps. Again... not a very significant weight-reduction but it does shave off a few grams I'm sure.

[o0wiz0o]

Super mod. Well done and thanks for sharing. :-)

[FANATICRC]

Agreed, any amount of weight reduction is good