RCCrawler Forums

o0wiz0o · 05-07-2018, 06:22 AM

Hi folks. Thought I’d do a quick long term review on my experience with the TRX4 Defender.

The drive train has been flawless. In the last 5-10 miles I have a slight click that comes and goes in the front diff but not enough to make me open it as yet! I give Traxxas major credit for how tough and well built this rig is. The shocks are still working great too. No leaks. I also tow up to 40lb with a trailer so it’s not used lightly.

Electronics! Well the steering servo was replaced immediately for a Savox I had. This was powered by a CC BEC which probably helped the stock esc complete 44 miles before getting glitchy. The motor was ok but I had a HW 1080 and Holmes 27t wired and waiting so both came out as did the BEC. 60 miles on and the truck is still doing great!

Also a note of praise to the HW1080 and HH 27t....I get insane battery life out of these two. Almost 2hrs per 4000mah 3s.

If your interested in my trailing there’s plenty of pics here:

https://plus.google.com/communities/...58499388?iem=1

Topher Builds · 05-07-2018, 08:05 AM

There’s some great shots on your plus page Wiz. Nicely done.

o0wiz0o · 05-07-2018, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pant Danza

There’s some great shots on your plus page Wiz. Nicely done.

Many thanks. My Missis thinks it odd I have more pics of my trucks on my phone than her and the family. Oops.

cartronicshn · 05-07-2018, 08:24 AM

Totally agree Danza , great pics.

HTFU Defender · 05-07-2018, 12:10 PM

I have really enjoyed my truck. However, I was just thinking to myself that for the price it has been ok. I'm new to rc so I'm not sure if I'm right in my thinking. My steering servo left me, the servo horn went, and this weekend my front diff went strange, and the front diff housing has cracked. I don't feel like I have abused the truck so it is a little disappointing. As I said, I'm new to this so my expectations may not be in line with reality.

o0wiz0o · 05-07-2018, 12:26 PM

I think some luck is involved with all RC. Sometimes you get the ‘Friday afternoon’ built truck where the assembly line was itching to get home. Sometimes you get the odd weak part. I’ve had many trucks over the years and trail trucks to. The TRX4 has been leaps ahead in quality to all my Axial based rigs. The first thing you did with older axial vechiles was remove the weak parts. :-)

HTFU Defender · 05-07-2018, 02:18 PM

I'm having a lot of fun with it, but I'm already running up quite a tab. Upgrading and repairing are adding up! I should have the replacement front axle housing this week but I'm a little worried if I'll be able disassemble and reassemble everything myself.

o0wiz0o · 05-07-2018, 02:48 PM

You’ll be fine. Take pictures as you disassemble and have the manual (exploded diagrams) handy. Most importantly take your time. :-)

HTFU Defender · 05-07-2018, 03:24 PM

Will do, thanks. I'm probably going to buy a Bronco and double the fun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by o0wiz0o

You’ll be fine. Take pictures as you disassemble and have the manual (exploded diagrams) handy. Most importantly take your time. :-)

high plains drifter · 05-07-2018, 04:45 PM

It's really fun to have two different flavors of the same rig. They're just different enough to make things interesting. I think I like driving the Defender a bit more but that's probably because it was my first one so I'm just more familiar with it's handling characteristics. The Bronco really shines on the tighter more technical stuff but the Defender squeezes through narrower obstacles and seems to climb a bit better. Swapping out tires and wheels is fun too. Yea... having two is really cool cause if one's broken you just take the other one. Plus it's nice if you buy or make a part and for some reason don't like it on the one rig, you can still try it on the other.

Capt J-rod · 05-07-2018, 05:42 PM

I was within seconds of buying a trx-4 bronco, but then the ascender happened. Then I was ready to do it again and axial ran the scx10ii kit on sale for $309. Now the wife is starting to ask too many questions lol. I don't think the cracked housing is normal... I do know that traxxas stands behind everything and a phone call or email is where I would start. The worst they could say is no.

celt · 05-08-2018, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HTFU Defender

I'm having a lot of fun with it, but I'm already running up quite a tab. Upgrading and repairing are adding up! I should have the replacement front axle housing this week but I'm a little worried if I'll be able disassemble and reassemble everything myself.

Give this a try...easy to follow.

https://traxxas.com/sites/default/fi...Manual-WEB.pdf

HTFU Defender · 05-11-2018, 02:57 PM

Alright, alright. I replaced the front axle housing and while I was at it I changed over to red diff covers and pumped a bunch of grease in the diffs. Since everything was already in pieces I swapped in the metal servo horn and put on my new rear bumper. Front diff servo has stripped gears. I wish I had called Traxxas on that earlier in the week. Maybe could have had it fixed up for the weekend. Oh well, I can still have fun with only one locking diff, right? Thanks for everyone's help on this.

o0wiz0o · 05-12-2018, 04:10 AM

If you want to lock the diff just pull the cable at the servo end. You can manually lock/unlock. :-)

o0wiz0o · 06-03-2018, 11:08 AM

135 miles in now. List of parts failure is:

Failed parts:
1 hex pin.
XL5 ESC (Motor ok but replaced at same time)
1 Stock servo horn stripped.
1 micro servo
2075x servo (Was in use as a shift servo).

No maintenance other than regular WD40 and I did put Marine grease in the diffs/portals. Good job Traxxas...good job.

ScoJac · 06-03-2018, 04:02 PM

Good to hear, I can agree.
I have only managed to kill the servo, the rest of the gear is still good to go on my Defender.
The TRX4 is a BEAST, not only are the plastics probably the highest quality. There is a lot of quality engineering and thought put into it behind the scenes.

o0wiz0o · 06-03-2018, 04:17 PM

Completely agree! Leaves my axial rigs in its shadow. I keep reading about the Vanquish ARTR and thinking it's just got nothing other than bling. The locking diffs and two speed just make this rig so capable. The portal are ace. No more diff clanging. :-)

HTFU Defender · 06-03-2018, 05:14 PM

My broken parts list:
Defender
1. Dead 2075 servo
2. Stripped plastic servo horn
3. Cracked front axle housing
4. Stripped 2065 servo gears. Should be metal.
5. Failed 2065 front servo. Rear may go soon.

Bronco is still stock and nothing has gone bad yet.

I think I was a little rough on the Defender at first. We’ll see how the Bronc does by comparison. I expect to at least replace the steering servo at some point.

Overall, I’m still enjoying them quite a bit.

o0wiz0o · 06-04-2018, 01:37 AM

I think build quality is partly to blame for the issue with the micro servos. Some fail quickly while others last a long time. Mine bar the micro servo that was on shift duty have been ok and back in my time of Summit ownership again they did not fail.

I should note I am careful with the servos. I switch while at a stop and I'm easy on the throttle while they settle.

Inspector86 · 06-06-2018, 11:05 AM

How do you measure miles on these trucks, especially down to ".3" mile? GPS?

05-07-2018, 06:22 AM	#1
o0wiz0o RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK Posts: 1,015	100 Mile Review Hi folks. Thought I’d do a quick long term review on my experience with the TRX4 Defender. The drive train has been flawless. In the last 5-10 miles I have a slight click that comes and goes in the front diff but not enough to make me open it as yet! I give Traxxas major credit for how tough and well built this rig is. The shocks are still working great too. No leaks. I also tow up to 40lb with a trailer so it’s not used lightly. Electronics! Well the steering servo was replaced immediately for a Savox I had. This was powered by a CC BEC which probably helped the stock esc complete 44 miles before getting glitchy. The motor was ok but I had a HW 1080 and Holmes 27t wired and waiting so both came out as did the BEC. 60 miles on and the truck is still doing great! Also a note of praise to the HW1080 and HH 27t....I get insane battery life out of these two. Almost 2hrs per 4000mah 3s. If your interested in my trailing there’s plenty of pics here: https://plus.google.com/communities/...58499388?iem=1 Last edited by o0wiz0o; 05-07-2018 at 06:26 AM.

05-07-2018, 08:05 AM	#2
Topher Builds Gold Star Baby! Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,554	Re: 100 Mile Review There’s some great shots on your plus page Wiz. Nicely done.

05-07-2018, 08:24 AM	#4
cartronicshn I wanna be Dave Join Date: May 2006 Location: HONDURAS...ROCK HEAVEN Posts: 5,076	Re: 100 Mile Review Totally agree Danza , great pics.

05-07-2018, 12:10 PM	#5
HTFU Defender Rock Stacker Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Denver Posts: 50	Re: 100 Mile Review I have really enjoyed my truck. However, I was just thinking to myself that for the price it has been ok. I'm new to rc so I'm not sure if I'm right in my thinking. My steering servo left me, the servo horn went, and this weekend my front diff went strange, and the front diff housing has cracked. I don't feel like I have abused the truck so it is a little disappointing. As I said, I'm new to this so my expectations may not be in line with reality.

05-07-2018, 12:26 PM	#6
o0wiz0o RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK Posts: 1,015	Re: 100 Mile Review I think some luck is involved with all RC. Sometimes you get the ‘Friday afternoon’ built truck where the assembly line was itching to get home. Sometimes you get the odd weak part. I’ve had many trucks over the years and trail trucks to. The TRX4 has been leaps ahead in quality to all my Axial based rigs. The first thing you did with older axial vechiles was remove the weak parts. :-)

05-07-2018, 02:18 PM	#7
HTFU Defender Rock Stacker Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Denver Posts: 50	Re: 100 Mile Review I'm having a lot of fun with it, but I'm already running up quite a tab. Upgrading and repairing are adding up! I should have the replacement front axle housing this week but I'm a little worried if I'll be able disassemble and reassemble everything myself.

05-07-2018, 02:48 PM	#8
o0wiz0o RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK Posts: 1,015	Re: 100 Mile Review You’ll be fine. Take pictures as you disassemble and have the manual (exploded diagrams) handy. Most importantly take your time. :-)

05-07-2018, 04:45 PM	#10
high plains drifter RCC Addict Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 1,615	Re: 100 Mile Review It's really fun to have two different flavors of the same rig. They're just different enough to make things interesting. I think I like driving the Defender a bit more but that's probably because it was my first one so I'm just more familiar with it's handling characteristics. The Bronco really shines on the tighter more technical stuff but the Defender squeezes through narrower obstacles and seems to climb a bit better. Swapping out tires and wheels is fun too. Yea... having two is really cool cause if one's broken you just take the other one. Plus it's nice if you buy or make a part and for some reason don't like it on the one rig, you can still try it on the other.

05-07-2018, 05:42 PM	#11
Capt J-rod Rock Stacker Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Northern Ohio Posts: 75	Re: 100 Mile Review I was within seconds of buying a trx-4 bronco, but then the ascender happened. Then I was ready to do it again and axial ran the scx10ii kit on sale for $309. Now the wife is starting to ask too many questions lol. I don't think the cracked housing is normal... I do know that traxxas stands behind everything and a phone call or email is where I would start. The worst they could say is no.

05-11-2018, 02:57 PM	#13
HTFU Defender Rock Stacker Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Denver Posts: 50	Re: 100 Mile Review Alright, alright. I replaced the front axle housing and while I was at it I changed over to red diff covers and pumped a bunch of grease in the diffs. Since everything was already in pieces I swapped in the metal servo horn and put on my new rear bumper. Front diff servo has stripped gears. I wish I had called Traxxas on that earlier in the week. Maybe could have had it fixed up for the weekend. Oh well, I can still have fun with only one locking diff, right? Thanks for everyone's help on this.

05-12-2018, 04:10 AM	#14
o0wiz0o RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK Posts: 1,015	Re: 100 Mile Review If you want to lock the diff just pull the cable at the servo end. You can manually lock/unlock. :-)

06-03-2018, 11:08 AM	#15
o0wiz0o RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK Posts: 1,015	Re: 100 Mile Review 135 miles in now. List of parts failure is: Failed parts: 1 hex pin. XL5 ESC (Motor ok but replaced at same time) 1 Stock servo horn stripped. 1 micro servo 2075x servo (Was in use as a shift servo). No maintenance other than regular WD40 and I did put Marine grease in the diffs/portals. Good job Traxxas...good job. Last edited by o0wiz0o; 06-03-2018 at 11:59 AM.

06-03-2018, 04:02 PM	#16
ScoJac Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Yavin 4 Posts: 373	Re: 100 Mile Review Good to hear, I can agree. I have only managed to kill the servo, the rest of the gear is still good to go on my Defender. The TRX4 is a BEAST, not only are the plastics probably the highest quality. There is a lot of quality engineering and thought put into it behind the scenes.

06-03-2018, 04:17 PM	#17
o0wiz0o RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK Posts: 1,015	Re: 100 Mile Review Completely agree! Leaves my axial rigs in its shadow. I keep reading about the Vanquish ARTR and thinking it's just got nothing other than bling. The locking diffs and two speed just make this rig so capable. The portal are ace. No more diff clanging. :-)

06-03-2018, 05:14 PM	#18
HTFU Defender Rock Stacker Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Denver Posts: 50	Re: 100 Mile Review My broken parts list: Defender 1. Dead 2075 servo 2. Stripped plastic servo horn 3. Cracked front axle housing 4. Stripped 2065 servo gears. Should be metal. 5. Failed 2065 front servo. Rear may go soon. Bronco is still stock and nothing has gone bad yet. I think I was a little rough on the Defender at first. We’ll see how the Bronc does by comparison. I expect to at least replace the steering servo at some point. Overall, I’m still enjoying them quite a bit.

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06-04-2018, 01:37 AM	#19
o0wiz0o RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK Posts: 1,015	Re: 100 Mile Review I think build quality is partly to blame for the issue with the micro servos. Some fail quickly while others last a long time. Mine bar the micro servo that was on shift duty have been ok and back in my time of Summit ownership again they did not fail. I should note I am careful with the servos. I switch while at a stop and I'm easy on the throttle while they settle.

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