TRX-4 build from a former Toyzuki owner.

[GTSLOW]

So going into this year I knew I wanted to do something different. In March of '17 I built my Toyzuki V2 and have thoroughly enjoyed it for the last two years. This year I'm going a completely different route. I'm going to give the TRX-4 a go. For this build I'm going to build around the new Brazin All Time Low chassis and components. Throughout this build and season I will be comparing this rig directly to my friends and their V2/V2.5's, yeah I converted a good chunk of people in my area to Toyzuki's lol!

For starters here's what I'm carrying over from my Toyzuki:

• The Scale Shop Rock Monsters
• Brass patties on all four corners
• Mamba Micro X
• Brood Vigor 2600kv
• Holmes Hobbies SHV500 V1
• Cap modded Big Bores w/ mini t springs

What I have so far:

• TRX-4 Tactical edition
• Proline KM3's (siping action to come)

What I've ordered as of today:

• Brass outer portal covers (x4)
• 3/16 Aluminum stock for upper links
• 3/16 Brass stock for lower links
• Traxxas Overdrive / Underdrive gears
• Traxxas single speed conversion
• Traxxas differential spools (x2)
• Brazin RC All Time Low Chassis
• Brazin RC ATL Skid and parts tree
• Knights Customs 1995 4Runner front grille and lights
• Spaz Stix Candy Rootbeer
• Proline Interior for the 4Runner
• HH HV/SHV500 rebuild kit

What I need to figure out:

• Decision on running a lockable rear differential (I think unlocking on steep climbs will reduce flip back)
• What foams to run (this will be last minute as I'm not entirely sure what it's going to way)
• How much to trim and sipe on the KM3's

 

[Topher Builds]

Nice! I’ve been waiting to see one of these builds on the ATL chassis. Sounds like a good plan so far. Looking forward to the build.

 

[Brian5582]

Can’t wait to see more. Working on gathering parts for a “custom” TRX4 setup now myself. Excited to see what you do with it.

 

[GTSLOW]

Nice! I’ve been waiting to see one of these builds on the ATL chassis. Sounds like a good plan so far. Looking forward to the build.

I'm super excited. Don't get me wrong, I'm a diehard TZ fan, but I needed something new.

Can’t wait to see more. Working on gathering parts for a “custom” TRX4 setup now myself. Excited to see what you do with it.

Well the build is waiting on Shapeways now. I've heard things ship faster than expected but I'm looking at early March delivery date.

 

[Desmo]

Nice. I’m also wating on a All time Low chassis and shapeways parts.

 

[B-MOW71]

Subscribed!

Can't wait to see this build.

I'm hoping to get my ATL chassis ordered soon before the discount on these expires.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[OSRC]

Decision on running a lockable rear differential (I think unlocking on steep climbs will reduce flip back)

I'd recommend it - it works almost like a freewheel dig at times. Can really reduce front lift once you get the hang of it. Generally I run mine open at all times - helps with turning as well - and just lock it when needed. "thumbsup"

 

[JatoTheRipper]

I'm looking forward to how this turns out.

 

[GTSLOW]

According to Shapeways I'm in production! "thumbsup""thumbsup":shock::shock:

I'd recommend it - it works almost like a freewheel dig at times. Can really reduce front lift once you get the hang of it. Generally I run mine open at all times - helps with turning as well - and just lock it when needed. "thumbsup"

Well I think that's what I'm going to do! Gonna need to pass on the ole DX3R and pickup something with 4 channels. I'm feeling like a servo winch is in my future.

 

[GTSLOW]

I'd say over half of the goodies have arrived! I ordered a second Proline 4Runner body as I'm not sure if the 1st one is coming yet. Also bit the bullet and ordered a set of the Proline 2-stage foams. I've heard good things about them and figured why not.

Other decision.... I'm going to skip the spool in the rear and running the factory locker! :O I'm really thinking that this is going to help with certain steep climbs.

 

[GTSLOW]

Update!!

So all of these goodies arrived! Also not pictured: Proline 4Runner and Proline Foams.

Oh and this goodness came too.

So the first thing I jumped into was tear down of this ole girl. It's a TRX-4 Tactical Edition.

And we ended up with this.

To get things started I jumped into the single speed conversion. Everything was straight forward and went together without issues.

Time for some chassis mockup. Everything seems to fit perfect.

The panhard mount makes me rather nervous, I've seen some photos of broken ones online too.

For now I threw on some larger washers and we'll see what happens.

Next step was to get the OD / UD gears in along with the front spool.

The Traxxas spool and OD gears fit together like absolute CRAP. The holes on the gear and the spool are not perfect. I tried filing the holes but my little file didn't work well on the hardened metal

I threw the included Traxxas hardware into the trash and went with some stainless KnK stuff I had. MUCH better fit on my MIP driver.

The result.

Some trimming and ready to go back in.

And to wrap up the night I went through my HH SHV500 V1. This girl will be going on her 3rd year of service without any major service from HH. Late last year I noticed some shaft play so I figured I could at least replace the gears. Turns out all it needed was new bearings. I went ahead and replaced everything anyways and added some grease.

Stayed tuned for more updates!

 

[Brandon]

Yikes that panhard mount is scary.

 

[B-MOW71]

It's looking great so far! Yeah, panhard mount looks like a weak point. Maybe somebody will design one in aluminum or SS.

 

[svt923]

The Traxxas spool and OD gears fit together like absolute CRAP. The holes on the gear and the spool are not perfect. I tried filing the holes but my little file didn't work well on the hardened metal

All those fancy parts and no Locked Up spools?

 

[GTSLOW]

It's looking great so far! Yeah, panhard mount looks like a weak point. Maybe somebody will design one in aluminum or SS.

This may sound crude but given the simple design I was thinking of hand filing one out of aluminum and drilling holes as needed. Another thought would be to offer this as a 3D printed item in metal.

All those fancy parts and no Locked Up spools?

I am absolutely kicking myself! I was originally planning on running spools in the front and back and $19.98 sounded a lot nicer than $46.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

I'm surprised the Traxxas spools didn't fit well. I put their UD gears in the rear of my Bronco and they fit perfectly with the locking diff. I would expect that you got a dud as Traxxas machined parts are usually spot on.

Not only is the panhard mount spindly, but so is that X chassis brace and rear crossmember/bumper mount. Those parts definitely need a revision.

Looking forward to the finished project though and its performance.

 

[GTSLOW]

I'm surprised the Traxxas spools didn't fit well. I put their UD gears in the rear of my Bronco and they fit perfectly with the locking diff. I would expect that you got a dud as Traxxas machined parts are usually spot on.

Not only is the panhard mount spindly, but so is that X chassis brace and rear crossmember/bumper mount. Those parts definitely need a revision.

Looking forward to the finished project though and its performance.

No kidding. So the issue is that the holes on the ring gear were slightly in more than the holes on the spool. I ever so slightly filed, or tried to file, the holes. I was able to eventually get three to go in without issue but the 4th was a pain. My little jewelers file set was no match for the hardened ring gear.

I'd like to note that not pictured is the body mount braces/brackets. They are certainly more beefy. However, you are correct about that X brace LOL!


*edit* My recommendation for the panhard mount is to move the rear hole back about 1/2". This would allow for extra material to come up off the bracket itself.

 

[GTSLOW]

Slight progress made! Update tomorrow!!!

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Slayso]

How's she looking these days?

 

[GTSLOW]

It is with great regret that I must share this news. I had a lot of fun tuning and tweaking the ATL over the past season. Unfortunately I've decided to go back to a Toyzuki. This thing is an absolute hill killer and runs the best off camber lines I've ever seen. Despite my attempts at getting better with the "throttle pop" to avoid high centering, it hasn't worked out.

You will be missed my dear ATL.