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OS's TRX6 Been saving up for this one for a while... Well, I wasn't sure which way I wanted to go. TRX6 or a VP Pro. Both are seriously pricey! Since I already have enough crawlers, I decided on something different...And man, a 6x6 is something different! Unfortunately with the current pandemic lockdown, my wife happened to be home on the day it was delivered. It's one thing sneaking a CC01 box past her, but no way I was sneaking a 6x6 box by... it was enormous. Not to mention she happened to be looking out the window when the UPS guy heaved it on the porch. Busted! After a 20 minute Q&A session (She's actually great about my obsession...er...hobby) and donating the shipping box to the kids for "craft purposes" I got down in the shop and unpacked. And so the TRX family grows by 1 now to 5. Went with the gunmetal version. Body is extremely well done...matte finish, lots of detail, lights and all. I personally don't like the Mercedes body per-se, it's not my style but it's well done enough that it'll stay for a while. Ditched the wheel center caps right away, I don't like convex wheels. https://i.postimg.cc/44FG5tCG/20200323-141605sm.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/C5dg0Mq9/20200323-095034sm.jpg First mod. Thought this was appropriate. :) https://i.postimg.cc/4yMTxCvy/20200323-142950sm.jpg Didn't go crazy with it right out of the box... Started off with the almost required Bowhouse tray and SSD knuckles up front. https://i.postimg.cc/tCKj0jCm/20200323-145826sm.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/zfjZRHw9/20200323-151945sm.jpg Knuckles are installed, but I wanted a pic of the exhaust before it gets scratched to hell. I think it looks badass personally. https://i.postimg.cc/d0vc1jC2/20200323-153827sm.jpg I tweaked the rear suspension a bit to get more up travel - I just laid down the shocks a bit using the given holes. More travel on the left. https://i.postimg.cc/ZKBSDRZd/20200323-155701sm.jpg Can see I staggered them - the rear most shocks went forward 2 holes, the center shocks moved 1. https://i.postimg.cc/K8tyxH1c/20200323-160227sm.jpg Future mod...I picked up a set of tires to match what I already had, and robbed a set of rims from another truck to make six (and 2 spares). https://i.postimg.cc/NMjh8GpL/20200324-140120sm.jpg Lit up and ready to go! Lots of lights on here! https://i.postimg.cc/SsTBg0vd/20200324-140426sm.jpg |
Re: OS's TRX6 First test... https://i.postimg.cc/T1KZS786/20200324-140656sm.jpg Found the rear suspension is quite stiff. It seems Traxxas set it up as a compromise between slow speed work and high speed stability which makes sense. I have no intention of going fast with it though, so definitely some spring and shock work is in my future. I think the rear axles can be much more active. https://i.postimg.cc/ZKyGxMFP/20200324-140852sm.jpg This is about all the flex I get. It's good, but there's much better to be had. Very cool watching those dual axles do work back there in any case. https://i.postimg.cc/6qFDNrwG/20200324-141007sm.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/dQXMdYdt/20200324-141108sm.jpg The tires are ok...I assume they'll break in a bit as I go, though I'm looking forward to swapping them out. Decent traction even with the diffs unlocked - weigh and 6 tires count for a lot, but boy, lock those rear diffs and there's not much stopping it. Just powers up and over whatever I'm driving on. https://i.postimg.cc/6pJDjfYk/20200324-141212sm.jpg Got up some of my hardest lines... The way the body wraps around the sliders is an issue though. Definitely something that needs to be addressed at some point. https://i.postimg.cc/SKmHqN0V/20200324-141529sm.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/sgYbtGLv/20200324-141737sm.jpg Next up - suspension work...looking to go softer all around. Probably a gearing change - down to a 9t pinion most likely as I'm not looking for speed, tires and some body trimming - especially around those sliders. I have OD gears for the front on the way too. |
Re: OS's TRX6 Congrats! Great overview of the rig. These things are definitely something different. Solid list of small changes from the onset and that’s a good idea on the rear shock angles. She’s a beaut "thumbsup" |
Re: OS's TRX6 Thanks, it's a beast for sure. Can't wait to get it out on the trail. I picture the mother of all recovery rigs...going to take some time to get there though. |
Re: OS's TRX6 Very cool truck. I hope I never see it out on the trail, even though I'm sure I will, because then I'm sure I'll want one! :ror: It should look awesome with those wheels and tires too. |
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I went with Factory Team Associated 15 weight (150cst) all around. Also change out the black spacer at the bottom of the shock reservoir with that white one from the ultra shock rebuild kit. You know about Green Slime, probably. Then I tried all the spring settings you can imagine. I even tried out the new Proline dual-rate springs, but those are all entirely too soft believe it or not. So after lots of testing, I’ve got the .39 springs up front, .22 on the intermediates, and .30 on the rears. I found I had to go to .30 on the rears from .22 because it collapsed too much on steep climbs. The .30 springs help to push back on the front. This combined with all the brass & other mods makes this thing a beast. |
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Re: OS's TRX6 Got a bit of work done... I'm finding that with the kids home, I have a heck of a lot less time to wrench. Still manage to sneak down and get some RC time in however. Picked up a Redcat Gen7 roof rack on the cheap, hacked it up a bit and mounted it up. Fits perfectly! https://i.postimg.cc/xCfPzZXL/20200328-124743-SM.jpg Also my front bumper arrived, it replaces the stock plastic piece. It's a winch mount as well as bends down as a servo guard. Pretty nice piece for the price. https://i.postimg.cc/wvwQckNZ/20200328-124846-SM.jpg Tons of room under there for a winch. https://i.postimg.cc/yxWXfSXd/20200328-125819-SM.jpg And mounted...not sure I like the weird fairlead.....it's got friggin teeth! The way they hang down, I'll be needing a dentist for sure. :) https://i.postimg.cc/mZ6SP8BF/20200328-125852-SM.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/Qx9J11dY/20200328-125916-SM.jpg Trimmed the body around the sliders...I didn't like how it wrapped around the outside of the sliders. It caught just playing around on my course. https://i.postimg.cc/D0DQRyBc/20200328-125929-SM.jpg While I had the scissors out I did some fender trimming to accomodate the larger wheels and tires. Tried to only take off what I needed to as I want to keep the fenders. https://i.postimg.cc/fRY7gsXx/20200328-130359-SM.jpg Takled the rear suspension...Axial Icons have 10mm more overall travel than the TRX shocks. I swapped over the stock springs, filled with 30wt oil and they feel pretty good. There's a little less dampening with the Axial pistons so they should loosen up the rear quite bit. Kind of like Ex-lax. https://i.postimg.cc/SNB7rRXS/20200328-162833-SM.jpg Mounted up, there's more downtravel though uptravel remains about where it was. Win/Win. https://i.postimg.cc/R097kYQ2/20200328-163846-SM.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/6Q0rthMq/20200328-163859-SM.jpg OD gears showed up, and got them mounted. https://i.postimg.cc/1t3ptNdH/20200328-164953-SM.jpg Put the wheels and tires on, and I like it! Stance looks perfect, and the rear suspension feels great! https://i.postimg.cc/hjZV7tWq/20200328-173938-SM.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/qqtycH46/20200328-174032-SM.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/QCR50Yd4/20200328-174058-SM.jpg |
Re: OS's TRX6 That's a beast. I love it. I was thinking adding that roof rack up his is crazy, but with that big chassis and all that drivetrain I'm guessing there's a ton of weight down low even when stock. |
Re: OS's TRX6 Nice updates! You’re working fast on this one. Solid rear flex "thumbsup" Digging the bumper choice too. I’m guessing you may not have driven it yet but I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the OD and turning/overall climbing in this thing. |
Re: OS's TRX6 I haven't yet, I'm hoping to sneak out this weekend...if we're allowed to. Been doing homeschooling, teaching critical life lessons to the kids like Battleship, Payday and Life. Cooking and cleaning. :) I've watched more TV in the past 3 weeks than I have in the entire last year. |
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Re: OS's TRX6 Quote:
The truck has turned out great! It has a unique look with that roof rack, for sure. |
Re: OS's TRX6 ^^ thank you sir! It's a work in progress. Finally got this beast out on the trail. And it is a beast! Holy cow. Put about 8000mah through it on a nearly 4 hour trail run. I think it's safe to say it's broken in. Alert - lots of pics! Made short work of my usual test rock right at the entrance to the trail. Didn't even need to lock the diffs! 6 contact patches of decently grippy tires and a very heavy truck is a lot of grip. https://i.postimg.cc/kXTmKHdH/20200405-103415-SM.jpg Watching all three axles undulate when going down the trail never gets old. Well, it hasn't yet. And it's been 4 hours. :) https://i.postimg.cc/52GWkFyq/20200405-104753-SM.jpg Just like my X4's, it's amazing where the truck goes with the diff open. Using the steering to shift the weight around can usually get you where you want to go. With the diffs locked, it climbs like nothing I've ever driven. Both of these rocks are tough climbs for my 4x4 rigs...about 1/2 of them won't go up there. The X6 wasn't even breathing heavy at the top. Of course, the exchange is agility - can't just pivot at the top like you can with a 4x4 and sharp steering - it's takes a bit of thinking ahead at times. Unlocking the rear diff(s) does let it turn sharper and that really came in handy at times. The OD gears up front really helped too. It's a different drive for sure, but it was a ton of fun today. https://i.postimg.cc/DzX3VybV/20200405-105017-SM.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/SRmBz61q/20200405-105225-SM.jpg In true TRX4 fashion, I shifted into high gear and just wafted along the easy sections, and used low gear when I wanted more torque and better control. I think I'm going to drop to a 9t pinion.. the stock motor does ok, but lower gearing will come in handy. Eventually I'll be shopping on Mr. Holmes website for sure. More power never hurts! https://i.postimg.cc/RhGj1W2t/20200405-105358-SM.jpg Spring signs were everywhere...finally! https://i.postimg.cc/y8WzPT18/20200405-111557-SM.jpg Off the trail, the 6 contact patches and portals let this thing chug through just about anything. I explored around a few areas I would not have tried with my other rigs simply as the X6 could power over to them. https://i.postimg.cc/63Vs3j0Y/20200405-111858-SM.jpg I don't do mud too often, but couldn't resist churning though a shallow creek for a while. The Deep Woods aren't the best tire out there on the rocks, but they do great in mud and slippery situations. https://i.postimg.cc/Y9BKtK1v/20200405-113020-SM.jpg The coolest tree I've ever seen. Haven't been back this way in a while, good to see it's still standing - just like Elton John. https://i.postimg.cc/Pf4sn7Nq/20200405-113205-SM.jpg Just enough power with 2S to roost the tires still in high gear. Did some wheel spinning hill climbing for a while. I'm sure this motor wakes up a lot on 3S, I might have to give it a go next time. I only have huge 3S packs for my bashers but they should fit in my Bowhouse tray and hopefully not wreck the COG too badly. https://i.postimg.cc/RVZrSTnL/20200405-113258-SM.jpg Whoever came up with cruise control is a freaking genius. Give that person a raise! It's one of those things you never knew you needed until you have it. There's a long stretch on an old rail bed that's flat and boring. Cruise came in handy to give my hands a rest! https://i.postimg.cc/9QssB5gL/20200405-113549-SM.jpg Only spot I got stuck - those damn exhaust pipes caught on the rock and stopped me dead on a high center....they look cool, but they have to go. https://i.postimg.cc/ncRyCQ4b/20200405-113821-SM.jpg Swapping the rear shocks gave me much more suspension travel out back, and it came in handy for sure. Two of the shocks blew out their oil during the run...At least, i think they did. I have a few tricks that usually keep the Icons in good shape but these only lasted 2 hours. These came from an older stock Cherokee kit. Not sure if the o-rings hardened up or if I tore them or what, but they feel empty. I'll have to pull and check/rebuild them. Well worth the increase in stroke and wheel travel. https://i.postimg.cc/RFB8j1Bf/20200405-114213-SM.jpg Battery swap and beef jerky breakfast time... really chews through the batteries, but I expected that. Tons of drag in the driveline I'm sure as TRX sealed bearings always seem to have, as well as a large heavy rig. Got about 2 hours per 4000mah pack - your mileage may vary. I brought 10,200mah total though I only needed 2 4000mah packs. I finished with the second pack at 24% after a total of about 4 hours. Motor and ESC were barely warm, I think 2S doesn't stress the ESC nearly as much as 3S does. The beef jerky was nice! https://i.postimg.cc/NFGn0gLj/20200405-115310-SM.jpg Tires are shredding up nice. Well broken in! https://i.postimg.cc/qvN9nMwt/20200405-115743-SM.jpg Crossing a natural bridge...easy does it! https://i.postimg.cc/W4rCWWQT/20200405-120353-SM.jpg Heading back to the parking lot... job well done! https://i.postimg.cc/63fSw7WP/20200405-122738-SM.jpg I must have got a ringer steering servo as it seemed to have a lot more power than I remember in my X4's. Did really good, even in high stress situations. There were a couple of areas where I wished for more steering - mostly when maneuvering through the rocks and really burly terrain, but not nearly as much as I expected. Frankly, it did good enough that I'll leave it for now even though I have a new one standing by. Shocking, I know. I have the metal steering arm, but I forgot to install it. The plastic one held up ok though that's getting swapped ASAP. Only a matter of time with this big beast. Freaking love this truck. Not a fan of the body, and I think I have a plan for that eventually, but driving a 6x is a blast. |
Re: OS's TRX6 Love all the running pictures! Looks good out on the trail! |
Re: OS's TRX6 Nice running pics and looks like a good time! Knock on wood that your stock electronics continue to shine. Flexing good on those rocks |
Re: OS's TRX6 Nice little story there; very enjoyable with the pictures. "thumbsup" |
Re: OS's TRX6 Busted out of house arrest yesterday for some much needed RC time. I brought my daughter with as she has been in the house since the middle of March and she's starting to crack around the edges. Poor kid. I set her up with my old CR01 (Which did great, steering radius the size of Montana not withstanding) and I ran my X6. I put another 8000 mah through the X6 and I have to say I am loving this truck. https://i.postimg.cc/pT89LGRt/20200503-093249.jpg We basically crawled all over the mountain, a much longer loop than I normally run just to get out of the house. It had rained the night before, so it was a muddy mess in spots, and the creeks were running high. Lots of trail running mixed with some very technical areas. Loved it. https://i.postimg.cc/qqxz8NNb/20200503-095939.jpg Found this on a back trail...a tree growing though a rock, it had cleaved it into 3 giant pieces. Mother nature is awesome. https://i.postimg.cc/8z0sBQCS/20200503-101431.jpg Crossing a creek, the section had been filled in with rocks some time ago to prevent further erosion. The X6 picked it's way though cleanly. Now that I'm getting the hang of how to wheel this thing, I'm finding it ridiculously capable. Since its so long, you can span gaps I would never think of with my 4WD trucks. https://i.postimg.cc/Dy7W7PNt/20200503-112450.jpg About 1/2 way through the run, we stopped for beef jerky and Mt. Dew time...I figured we should swap batteries since we were about out based on my mental battery clock. Interestingly, the X6 and CR had both used exactly 87% of the pack capacity. They were running 4000 and 2200mah packs respectively. The weight of the X6 defintely takes a toll on the batteries. https://i.postimg.cc/k5RGT1Vt/20200503-105405.jpg And back out, just a few more wheeling pics. https://i.postimg.cc/kXw2Gt3D/20200503-114146.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/5206CNbg/20200503-114930.jpg Coming and going.. :) By this time, my daughter had somewhat checked out and was rock bouncing the Jeep. Thankfully it's a total tank and took all the abuse she threw at it. She figured out second gear and Bo Duke'd it off this rock quite a few times. It held together fine until we go to the parking lot and then the front driveshaft gave up the ghost exactly 5 feet from our truck. https://i.postimg.cc/jdqjpdwT/20200503-115041.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/xCKC2X3f/20200503-121106.jpg Pics can't do this justice... I would never have looked twice at this rock with my 4wheel rigs, but given the long WB of the X6 I though why not. There's a heck of a gap between the first rock and the second, and about a 50d slope on the second to the top. I nudged the bumper up the second rock to get the front wheels over the gap, and once they made contact with the rock I let the rear tires do their thing... spanned the gap, got on the rock and with all 6 tires digging it clawed it's way up and over. Frankly it made it look boring. https://i.postimg.cc/BZB671vN/20200503-123958.jpg Stock electronics are still doing ok which is good since 1080's are sold out pretty much everywhere. :) I am considering a body change since with something lighter, the performance would be off the charts in my book. Not sure what I want to do yet. |
Re: OS's TRX6 Great pics! Really wanting one of these now but just not into buying RTRs. Totally envious you can get to trails now, ours are still locked down. Stupid COVID took all the good trailing weather. :evil: |
Re: OS's TRX6 We are locked down too. However, the local state parks are mobbed with bikers, hikers, and people who otherwise would have never been outside. The facilities are not open, but the parks are. Not much the rangers are going to do about it even if they were closed, they are outnumbered 50-1. This happens to be privately owned land from my understanding (though it borders state game lands) and it was a mob scene when we left. First day in the upper 70's and everyone was down by the swimming hole. We got there early and it was nice and quiet to start. |
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