Jato Gets to High Steppin' High Trail Chevrolet K10

[JatoTheRipper]

I've been in the mood for minis lately. I want to get the (2) TRX-4MT combo for $300 and split it with somebody, but haven't found any takers yet. I also kind of want another TRX-4M to build into a mini Ripper or something like that. Anyway, after working on Optic build last night, I had some more time to work on this truck.

Here's the big red Chevy as it sits now.


I bought this GLOBACT brass parts kit a while back to add weight. I also got some Birchwood Brass Black to hopefully get rid of the small touches of brass color on the mostly black parts.


Here are how the parts arrived. Like I said, mostly black, but with some non-scale brass highlights.


I first tried dabbing the Brass Black onto the parts with sponge brushes as instructed. That didn't work well so I resorted to soaking the parts in Brass Black for about 30 minutes. The results are a letdown. This is basically slight oxidation that can be easily rubbed off. I may have to paint the parts. For now, I installed everything except the diff covers. Those will look out of place. I also like the chrome pumpkin covers. I did not take photos.

 

[1fox2go]

You mentioned the TRX-4MT combo, any reason why you would prefer that over the mini LMT?

 

[OSRC]

I wonder if there's a clear coat of some kind over those parts to keep the brass from tarnishing.... might be giving you some issues.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

You mentioned the TRX-4MT combo, any reason why you would prefer that over the mini LMT?

You bring up a good point. I didn't realize the Mini LMT was the same size as the TRX-4MT until I saw a video comparing the two in the last week or so. The Mini LMT is definitely on my list as a result of that video. The TRX-4MT is still more old-school scale though and I still like it.

I wonder if there's a clear coat of some kind over those parts to keep the brass from tarnishing.... might be giving you some issues.

I was thinking the same, but it does tarnish a bit. After the fact, I read some reviews on this Birchwood Brass Black and the results seem mixed at best meaning my findings aren't uncommon.

 

[1fox2go]

well shame on me and you because now after watching trx-4m videos, i would rather run one of those over my scx24. the 1/18 scale just seems much more appropriate. Not interested in the Capra for some reason, would rather have a bodied vehicle.

And after discovering the Mini LMT now I kinda of want one of those too...

 

[JatoTheRipper]

well shame on me and you because now after watching trx-4m videos, i would rather run one of those over my scx24. the 1/18 scale just seems much more appropriate. Not interested in the Capra for some reason, would rather have a bodied vehicle.

And after discovering the Mini LMT now I kinda of want one of those too...

Yeah the 1/18 scale is so much better than 1/24 IMO. I may have run my SCX24 a handful of times...maybe.

I also want a Mini LMT, but I just can't justify it at the price. It's not a bad price, but I think it would have to be on sale to make sense for me.

 

[JimrC]

Yeah the 1/18 scale is so much better than 1/24 IMO. I may have run my SCX24 a handful of times...maybe.

I also want a Mini LMT, but I just can't justify it at the price. It's not a bad price, but I think it would have to be on sale to make sense for me.

I've had enough with the scx24's personally ... fine for indoor use but any regular outdoor use seems to break it constantly in my experience ... now needing another esc and yet another servo. Did get me into the 1/10 scale though so no real complaints other than I have a broken micro rig I'm refusing to put any more pennies into. Doubt I'll ever try the 1/18's so I only get to look at these on here

Liking the red Chevy a lot.

 

[1fox2go]

Yeah the 1/18 scale is so much better than 1/24 IMO. I may have run my SCX24 a handful of times...maybe.

I also want a Mini LMT, but I just can't justify it at the price. It's not a bad price, but I think it would have to be on sale to make sense for me.

Yea, if that mini LMT goes on sale...its going to be a hard decision for me not to get one.

For the Trx-4m, my thoughts were, when we go out with the 1/10 there are a ton of different options for lines that a smaller rig could take advantage of. But most everything is too much for the 1/24. I think I have ran mine 1 time. It is too light, bouncy and just doesnt really interest me for outdoor crawling

Is the high trail the same as the standard trx-4m just sits taller or is there different chassis/springs etc?

 

[JatoTheRipper]

I've had enough with the scx24's personally ... fine for indoor use but any regular outdoor use seems to break it constantly in my experience ... now needing another esc and yet another servo. Did get me into the 1/10 scale though so no real complaints other than I have a broken micro rig I'm refusing to put any more pennies into. Doubt I'll ever try the 1/18's so I only get to look at these on here

Liking the red Chevy a lot.

And the SCX24's just aren't high quality. They are barely above toy-grade in stock form. That's why they're dirt cheap.

Thanks! My uncle had a similar 1:1 back in the day and we, of course, called it Big Red. It was so awesome. I was in awe of him and that truck.

Yea, if that mini LMT goes on sale...its going to be a hard decision for me not to get one.

For the Trx-4m, my thoughts were, when we go out with the 1/10 there are a ton of different options for lines that a smaller rig could take advantage of. But most everything is too much for the 1/24. I think I have ran mine 1 time. It is too light, bouncy and just doesnt really interest me for outdoor crawling

Is the high trail the same as the standard trx-4m just sits taller or is there different chassis/springs etc?

The High Trail has the "Long Arm Lift Kit" that gives it 35% more ground clearance, a longer frame with a longer wheelbase, and and larger 2.4" tires. You can see more here: Traxxas TRX-4M Ford F-150 & Chevrolet K10 High Trail Edition | Traxxas

 

[SDT]

And the SCX24's just aren't high quality. They are barely above toy-grade in stock form. That's why they're dirt cheap.

100% agree. I had a Gladiator for maybe a month, changed a ton of stuff, and just never drove it. Then I got a TRX4M, felt dirty for giving the T people money, and have been steadily getting rid of the stock parts. Just need a frame and shock hoops to rid myself of their stuff.

 

[1fox2go]

Thanks to Jato, I walked back to my office with the Blue K10 Trx4m....

Still debating on the TRX4 K10 High Trail in Copper. I dont know why, but I want, nay need, that, and a set of the Traxx for it to really mess up the trails for everyone else in the group. Especially hill climbs, hahaha

 

[Col_Sanders]

That brass black stuff sucks. I tried it multiple times on properly prepared raw brass. Did it with a cotton ball and also soaked it for a while and the finish was splotchy and most of it wiped right off.

 

[Whats_a_dickfer]

I (temporarily) converted my F-150 High Trail to a monster truck. Bought the trx4mt frame rails and skid, everything else swapped over. It was fun I guess, but I think that if you really want some of that solid axle monster truck action the LMT would absolutely be the way to go.

I was running a furitek brushless system on 3s with speed gears in the transmission. In retrospect it was too much, borderline uncontrollable lol. Open diffs would go a long way in making it work better as a monster truck.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

I got tired of my TRX-4M being too slow and put the Hobbywing Mini24 on my Christmas wish list. I decided on the Mini24 because it has an Aux wire with adjustable drag brake. I didn't expect anyone to buy it, but my girlfriend surprised me with it.

It's an outrunner and it is adorable. Here it is next to the Holmes Hobbies 66T brushed motor.

Here it is next to a 1/4" hex 1/4" drive Craftsman socket.

She also got me the Furitek pinion gear that I had on my list. This is GARBAGE. DO NOT buy it. The threads of the grub screw don't grab until it is already protruding into the bore diameter. This means you can't get the screw to grab with the motor shaft through the pinion gear. Unfortunately, there was some miscommunication and my mom also got me this pinion for Christmas so now I have two junk gears.

Because the Furitek pinion was garbage, I had to order another pinion and decided on Injora. I also added the Injora metal low-range transmission gears for durability. These have the same 40.3:1 ratio as the Traxxas plastic low-range gearset that is currently in the truck. The metal transmission gears come with a press-fit 11T pinion gear, but I ordered their 11T pinion with set screw to mount on the Mini24 motor shaft that has a flat spot.

Here are the Injora metal transmission gears next to Traxxas plastic low-range gears.

I used a small amount of Vanquish grease on the transmission gears. It looks like a ton because my Q-Tip applicator wasn't pointy enough, but it's really not a lot on the teeth.

Here's the outrunner and transmission assembly.

I had a brain fart and forgot that the Traxxas ESC is a 2-in-1 with a built-in receiver. So I stole the FlySky FS-BS6 receiver from my Yokomo RD2.0 drift car. There shall be no drifting in the snowy and salty winter. I de-cased the receiver for more lightweightnessability. That's a word, right?

There really aren't any great spots to mount aftermarket electronics. I stuck the ESC to the rear shock mount/crossmember. The receiver is stuck to the top of the rubber battery strap. Maximum jankiness full speed ahead right here.

Another thing that sucks is the Mini24 comes with an Axial SCX24 plug and not a Traxxas one. The SCX24 battery has half the capacity of the one included with the TRX-4M. That should mean the SCX24 battery is lighter, but I didn't test it out. I do want to get an adapter to use the TRX-4M battery with the Mini24. That way I have options for batterys - SCX24 and TRX-4M.

But you can't blame me for the ghetto electronics placement. I was just anxious to test it out. HOLY SMOOTH! Smoother than hot butter melting on a chrome bumper in the July sun! (Click the image to see the video!) This is pretty sick! And it's also very quiet. It also has good speed. I'm pretty happy right now. Can't wait to drive it more.

 

[B-MOW71]

Nice! I've been looking for an electronics package for my Lil' High Trail. This looks like the perfect setup.

I made the same mistake and bought on of the tiny Furitek pinions. Luckily I only have one unused one!

 

[JatoTheRipper]

Nice! I've been looking for an electronics package for my Lil' High Trail. This looks like the perfect setup.

I made the same mistake and bought on of the tiny Furitek pinions. Luckily I only have one unused one!

It's a great system and I'm a Hobbywing fanboy. Here is a dirt cheap system that Harley showed on the SNU if you want to gamble. I will wait for other's feedback before I even consider gambling on it.

ROCKET-RC GECKO Pro 3500KV Motor MINI24 ESC Brushless For 1/16 1/18 1/24 RC Car | eBay

ROCKET-RC GECKO Pro MINI24 15A ESC & 1212 3500KV Motor Brushless Sensorless Motor ESC Waterproof 6.0V/7.4V/8.4V BEC For 1/16 1/18 1/24 RC Car. GECKOPro Mini24 supports both brushedand brushless motors.

www.ebay.com

 

[B-MOW71]

It's a great system and I'm a Hobbywing fanboy. Here is a dirt cheap system that Harley showed on the SNU if you want to gamble. I will wait for other's feedback before I even consider gambling on it.

ROCKET-RC GECKO Pro 3500KV Motor MINI24 ESC Brushless For 1/16 1/18 1/24 RC Car | eBay

ROCKET-RC GECKO Pro MINI24 15A ESC & 1212 3500KV Motor Brushless Sensorless Motor ESC Waterproof 6.0V/7.4V/8.4V BEC For 1/16 1/18 1/24 RC Car. GECKOPro Mini24 supports both brushedand brushless motors.

www.ebay.com

Same for me with Hobbywing. I did see Josh show this Rocket RC ESC on SNU. For the price doesn't sound bad and I'm curious to hear how smooth it is.