Johnny builds a TRX4 Sport kit with/for the boys...

[JohnnyAnguish]

Even though I'm taking forever on my TF2 build, I decided to start (and finish) another build. This one is for the boys (and me, obviously).

BOOM!


Traxxas TRX4 Sport Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

The purpose of this build isn't to go all scale crazy, but to build something tough and capable for the boys to bash around with on the trails. Big Little Guy built a Barrage. That's a great little rig, but I wanted them to have something a little beefier to save some wear and tear on my other rigs. Something they can take through any mud puddle they can find and I won't worry about it. Something to barrel over the rocks. Something for the snow. Something they'll jump and crash and probably even try to drift.

Let's see how this goes...

[toys222]

Sweet, have fun! Look forward to following the build.

I might look into a sport kit for the wife if she shows any interest in having her own.

[mass-hole]

The trx4 is certainly tough and capable. My 2 year old loves to drive it into trees and rocks at full speed and it doesn’t care whatsoever

[Inspector86]

My TF2 build has become nothing more than a shelf queen in favor of three TRX4 builds since. The Traxxas is just a much better quality truck.

[JohnnyAnguish]

Originally Posted by toys222

Sweet, have fun! Look forward to following the build.

I might look into a sport kit for the wife if she shows any interest in having her own.

Fun will be had! My wife's involvement in the hobby is to help me make license plates. Not much interest beyond that.

Originally Posted by mass-hole

The trx4 is certainly tough and capable. My 2 year old loves to drive it into trees and rocks at full speed and it doesn’t care whatsoever

My boys are older, so trees aren't generally the issue. It's more about mud pits, rock piles, ramps, other trucks...

Originally Posted by Inspector86

My TF2 build has become nothing more than a shelf queen in favor of three TRX4 builds since. The Traxxas is just a much better quality truck.

Different types of rigs, for sure. I'm hoping to have fun with both of them eventually!

Little Little Guy helped build the transmission. So far so good...


Traxxas TRX4 Sport Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Traxxas TRX4 Sport Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[JohnnyAnguish]

Big Little Guy helped with the axles. That was fun because I got to explain the difference between portal axles and the axles on the Barrage he built. Building tiny trucks is fun and educational!

Also, E-clips are the worst. The absolute worst.


Traxxas TRX4 Sport Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Traxxas TRX4 Sport Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Traxxas TRX4 Sport Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[CamoColton]

E-Clips are indeed the worst. Did they give you two correct plastic plugs that the E-clips hold in place? One of mine was correct, but the other axle's parts bag had a longer plug with a hole through the center meant for the selectable diff model's servo cable to be fed through. I filled it in with black silicone and carried on. Called Traxxas to let them know they were sending incorrect parts and they seemed pretty nonchalant about it.

[JohnnyAnguish]

Originally Posted by CamoColton

E-Clips are indeed the worst. Did they give you two correct plastic plugs that the E-clips hold in place? One of mine was correct, but the other axle's parts bag had a longer plug with a hole through the center meant for the selectable diff model's servo cable to be fed through. I filled it in with black silicone and carried on. Called Traxxas to let them know they were sending incorrect parts and they seemed pretty nonchalant about it.

Mine came with the correct plugs. I was missing a couple of screws, but I had extras.

Even though I know this rig is going to get thoroughly thrashed by the boys, I still couldn't keep myself from detailing out the diff cover...


Traxxas TRX4 Sport Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[CamoColton]

Ah, mine was missing some screws too - forgot about that.

Diff cover detailing looks excellent, I might have to follow your lead.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JohnnyAnguish]

Had a little bit of help from each of the boys pulling the chassis together. I decided to add the inner fenders for looks (obviously) and to maybe keep a *little* of the mud and guck out of there.


TRX4 Sport Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[JatoTheRipper]

You couldn't have picked a better rig for your boys!

C/E-clips are the worst! I had one go flying tonight during the Capra shock build. Thankfully, they included one extra.

[JohnnyAnguish]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

You couldn't have picked a better rig for your boys!

C/E-clips are the worst! I had one go flying tonight during the Capra shock build. Thankfully, they included one extra.

I've been impressed with the couple of times I've tried out the TRX4 platform at my LHS. Seems pretty sturdy.

The first E-clip literally took me 15 minutes to get in place. My Big Little Guy was laughing at me because he knows how much I hate them. Thankfully, the other one went on first try.

[CamoColton]

Originally Posted by JohnnyAnguish

I've been impressed with the couple of times I've tried out the TRX4 platform at my LHS. Seems pretty sturdy.

The first E-clip literally took me 15 minutes to get in place. My Big Little Guy was laughing at me because he knows how much I hate them. Thankfully, the other one went on first try.

I put mine on using Xuron Long Nose 485 pliers. They grip the e-clips very well.
They just might be the best needle nose pliers I have used.

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by CamoColton

I put mine on using Xuron Long Nose 485 pliers. They grip the e-clips very well.
They just might be the best needle nose pliers I have used.

Those are freaking thin! I'd be afraid to lose control of the E-clip.

[CamoColton]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

Those are freaking thin! I'd be afraid to lose control of the E-clip.

This is true. Maybe I'm the exception, but damn did they work out well for me.

[JohnnyAnguish]

Time to get some electronics in this thing!

Spektrum receiver for receiving duties...


TRX4 Sport Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

I've had good luck with these cheapo servos in a couple of builds. Let's see how one wolds up to some abuse from a couple of trigger happy boys...


TRX4 Sport Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

Holmes Hobbies 550 motor. Didn't really consider anything else for this project. Dropped down to a 15T pinion as well after reading a bit about the Sport's gearing...


TRX4 Sport Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


TRX4 Sport Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[CamoColton]

I can't see what turn trailmaster sport 550 you put in, but I put the exact same pinion gear in mine as well. It definitely helped smooth the truck out a bit while keeping some decent top end wheel speed.

[JohnnyAnguish]

Even though this thing is going to get thrashed, I still couldn't help myself from doing some detailing. It would be a complete waste of time if it wasn't so therapeutic...


Untitled by johnny anguish, on Flickr


TRX4 Sport Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


TRX4 Sport Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


TRX4 Sport Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[JohnnyAnguish]

The boys wanted to use the wheels and tires that came with the kit, but I couldn't bring myself to break out the glue. We compromised. Kit tires, some CI Deuces Wild foams I had kicking around (it is going to end up in every puddle in Massachusetts, after all) and some GMade plastic beadlocks...


TRX4 Sport Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


TRX4 Sport Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[JohnnyAnguish]

Oh, hey! It's a truck! Better go take some pictures, because it will never look this good again...


Traxxas TRX4 Sport Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Traxxas TRX4 Sport Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Traxxas TRX4 Sport Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr