Getting ready to build chassis kit
 

Hi there, new member here! My wonderful wife just ordered me a TRX-4 chassis kit for my birthday! I'm stoked to finally get back into the RC game after a long break. I fell in love with RC back when the first T-maxx was released (~year 2001). I got hooked and played hard for many years (T-maxx/Supermaxx, Stampede, Revo, Losi buggy/truggy, etc.). Mostly nitro powered stuff. Then life got busy as I have many other interests and hobbies and I sold most of my collection. I've always missed it and said one day I'll be back.

I've wanted a trail rig/crawler for a while since I think it would scratch my itch for RC, but it still didn't feel like the right time. Well it's time now. At least I think it is! I'll be clearing my workbench space and making room for an organized build. I thought I wanted RTR, but realized it's going to be way more satisfying to have a little project time, and I'll appreciate the finished product that much more.

Anyhow, that's my story. Any tips/suggestions/comments about building a TRX-4 from kit or even just general comments about the TRX-4? I'm pretty sure I made a great choice and look forward to hanging out on these forums to share and learn!

Re: Getting ready to build chassis kit
 

Welcome to RCC and the TRX4. You will love it. Have you given any thought to electronics or body yet?

Re: Getting ready to build chassis kit
 

Thanks for the welcome!

As far as electronics I'm not sure yet. I know a better steering servo is a must so that will probably be first. It's hard for me to leave anything stock so I'll look into motor and ESC at some point. That's where I'll probably lean on you guys. Since I spent most of my time playing with nitro, I'm pretty much a newb when it comes to electric. Guess a 3S battery is recommended, but again this will be new territory for me. Lipo was just getting really big when I left the scene, so I still have much to learn here. Lighting kit is also on my mind - that might be fun!

As for body, I'm stoked to find Proline makes a Raptor body. For now that's the one! [emoji106]



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Re: Getting ready to build chassis kit
 

The chassis kit I built came with inner fenders that made fitting any not-Traxxas body difficult. You might need to pick up the F/R shock towers at your local hobby store, then you’ll be good. I was waiting for the bronco body to come out as I totally hacked a proline XJ to get it to fit. Almost ended up looking like a square bodied Willy’s when it finally fit.
The VX-5 ESC is nothing to turn your nose at. Neither is the Titan 21t that comes with. Run the stock electronics for a bit to find the shortcomings. I haven’t broken the weak stock servo yet. TRX can be made to go fast but I don’t think that’s what it was designed for.
I love my chassis kit turned bronco. I’ve extended the stub shafts and added brass 12mm spacers and “brakes”. Stock tires ride on Chinese beadlocks. Lighting is next up as well as getting some of the telemetry stuff working. Ran into the rep at my LHS and he gave me some ideas. Could’be talked to him for an hour.

Re: Getting ready to build chassis kit
 

If you go with the hobbywing 1080 esc, you might want a 4inch radio wire extension. I just built the sport kit. No issues. Make sure to power it on to set the servo before getting too deep. Pita adjusting later

Re: Getting ready to build chassis kit
 

Thanks for the feedback! I like upgrading as things wear out or break. Sounds like the HW1080 ESC is a must when it comes upgrade time.

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Re: Getting ready to build chassis kit
 

Been working hard to get my workshop cleaned up for this build. I dusted off the old RC toolbox tonight and got this work mat I found on Amazon put down. Not sure if I'll keep it yet, it's a bit smaller than I wanted especially since the work area is tidier now! [emoji106]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...26a5ad1491.jpg

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Re: Getting ready to build chassis kit
 

It's time! https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e3a5ace3f7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...006bffbe0a.jpg

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Re: Getting ready to build chassis kit
 

Congrats and welcome to the X4 family! Depending on what your end use for the truck will be will determine the type of feedback you get on mods etc. It sounds like you're interested in trailing and while I do exclusively crawling, my first suggestion to try and resist putting anything on the truck that will raise the center of gravity. The lighter you can keep the body of the truck the better it will perform overall. Lower is better.

Re: Getting ready to build chassis kit
 

Again thanks for the tips!

Not sure of the exact direction until the build gets closer to finished.

Here's the progress last night. Tranny is 95%.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...202beb32f9.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d4df6d7d3b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...6796584265.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...02a3dd86ff.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...8299f82d1c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ed7e4054a8.jpg

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Re: Getting ready to build chassis kit
 

More progress last night. Finished up the tranny and completed front/rear diffs.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e95ee49183.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...dbca90b379.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...581ca93c01.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...823c9da205.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a3a98b3daa.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...83d1b8795f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...8c761e4a59.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c336312703.jpg

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Re: Getting ready to build chassis kit
 

Lookin good. You REALLY need to mess up that bench a little bit, lol. When I take pics I have to use the entire backside of my arm to clear a spot just to make it look half way not-messy. ;-)

Great job so far "thumbsup"

Re: Getting ready to build chassis kit
 

Lol @punkindrublik I should post pics of my messy work bench before I cleaned it up for this project! [emoji85] Cleanest it's been in a loooong time!

Thanks for the encouragement, I'm really enjoying being back in the RC world again! [emoji106]

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Re: Getting ready to build chassis kit
 

Build is looking good!

Re: Getting ready to build chassis kit
 

Rear axle and portal assembly started last night...
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...8ce1405f85.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...15bba83900.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...2674678e7b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...df9c83ca6c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...61bef75213.jpg

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Re: Getting ready to build chassis kit
 

Front axle almost complete...
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...6303315f00.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...33bc87039f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...6ecb4dc2aa.jpg

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Re: Getting ready to build chassis kit
 

Great choice for your first crawler kit! You will love it.

Great photos and very nice thread for your first build thread.

Re: Getting ready to build chassis kit
 

Front axle finished and chassis started...
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...81777244ef.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...616b1d9d18.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4cd706fc13.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4da0194f09.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c138fa650f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...486915d9c5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a8cde83e19.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d6a20af625.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3790c31ada.jpg

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Re: Getting ready to build chassis kit
 

Chassis, trans, motor, and electronics installed...
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...fc5db2b626.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3ec7614a11.jpg

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Re: Getting ready to build chassis kit
 

Why isn't it muddy yet?!? ;-)

Looking great man! "thumbsup"