TRX4 sport (not) build

[Busdriver]

Now I believe this may be a first? A build thread for a TRX4. Hopefully this will not create a rift in the space time continuum but here goes. Firstly I should explain the title. The chassis that I am building is the TRX4 Premium Builders kit. So it comes with full bells and whistles, portals, locking diffs, 2 speed transmission, cruise control etc, etc. The one thing it doesn’t come with is a body. I’ve always liked the Sport version with the exposition rack etc so that’s what I’m using. Hope that all makes sense. So difficult to photograph but this is the contents of the box along with the bodyshell.  All the bags are labelled and correspond to a complete section of the manual. Unlike a lot of Tamiya kits this comes with full sealed rubber bearings, oil filled shocks( well empty actually but you get the idea). For example stage one is the transmission so you select the transmission bag  and in that you find this little lot  and this  tells you very clearly what to do with it all. I say that with some emphasis because when you get to the end of the section and you have a big bearing staring at you you haven’t read it carefully!!!! As far as I can tell there are no spares anywhere. Result unbolt all you hard work and see wher the bearing should have been hiding!!. Will post some more later but I have to say so far it goes together like a dream.

[BuggyDad]

25 minutes ago, Busdriver said:

  and in that you find this little lot  

Tamiya - you could sue them for stealing your box wrench! 

[Busdriver]

43 minutes ago, BuggyDad said:

Tamiya - you could sue them for stealing your box wrench! 

Actually it’s not an exact copy. It is longer and polished!!!

[Tamiyastef]

@Busdriver I'm pleased to see a build of this. I planned doing a build thread when I started building my TRX4Sport in 11/2020... but as it usually goes with me I get carried away with building and forget to take pictures...

 Mine is the actual Sport kit, so no electronics included, no two speed transmission or diffs...

This makes the transmission (it seems to share the same case?) a lot simpler than on yours.

 

If you don't mind I'll put pictures up (if I have them and can find them as I'm temporary on an old cell phone untill my regular one is repaired) of the steps where the sport differs from your kit. 

 

Off topic: I see you have the same problem on your Revell glue bottle as I had, mine cracked so bad I had to get another bottle for it. 

[Mad Ax]

1 hour ago, Busdriver said:

Hopefully this will not create a rift in the space time continuum but here goes.

I believe this will only happen if you fit a Conrad motor.

1 hour ago, Busdriver said:

exposition rack

Is this a rack that stops for a while to explain what's going on, in case you missed it during all the dialog and action bits?  

In all seriousness, I love the Sport body - and when you consider how much extra you normally have to pay for all those add-on scaley bits, it makes the Sport kit good value for money.  Since you're fitting yours on a full-fat Premium kit, you'll have the ultimate sleeper wagon out on the trails.

[BuggyDad]

1 hour ago, Busdriver said:

  

Also - colour instructions? Witchcraft. 

[Tamiyastef]

4 minutes ago, Mad Ax said:

I believe this will only happen if you fit a Conrad motor.

[Tamiyastef]

2 minutes ago, BuggyDad said:

colour instructions

I found this very refreshing. Equal quality wise with Tamiya and Kyosho but with an extra show element kinda; I like!

[Busdriver]

1 hour ago, Tamiyastef said:

@Busdriver I'm pleased to see a build of this. I planned doing a build thread when I started building my TRX4Sport in 11/2020... but as it usually goes with me I get carried away with building and forget to take pictures...

 Mine is the actual Sport kit, so no electronics included, no two speed transmission or diffs...

This makes the transmission (it seems to share the same case?) a lot simpler than on yours.

 

If you don't mind I'll put pictures up (if I have them and can find them as I'm temporary on an old cell phone untill my regular one is repaired) of the steps where the sport differs from your kit. 

 

Off topic: I see you have the same problem on your Revell glue bottle as I had, mine cracked so bad I had to get another bottle for it. 

Glad to see the pictures. The glues been cracked for ages. Still doesn’t seem to leak or dry out so as they if it ain’t broke don’t fix it!!!

[Busdriver]

1 hour ago, Mad Ax said:

I believe this will only happen if you fit a Conrad motor.

Is this a rack that stops for a while to explain what's going on, in case you missed it during all the dialog and action bits?  

In all seriousness, I love the Sport body - and when you consider how much extra you normally have to pay for all those add-on scaley bits, it makes the Sport kit good value for money.  Since you're fitting yours on a full-fat Premium kit, you'll have the ultimate sleeper wagon out on the trails.

That’s the theory!!!! As for a Conrad that’s just too close to the dark side Traxxas is one thing…….

[Busdriver]

Just realised one other difference with the sport kit and that’s the wheels. I’m probably going to fit some Injora beadlocks with Hyraxes to mine as opposed to the stock ones.

[Tamiyastef]

59 minutes ago, Busdriver said:

Just realised one other difference with the sport kit and that’s the wheels. I’m probably going to fit some Injora beadlocks with Hyraxes to mine as opposed to the stock ones.

Kit wheels are indeed another design. I fitted these GPM wheels with the stock tires.

https://tamico.de/GPM-Alu-Felge-19-for-Crawlers-Design-A-2

[BuggyDad]

1 hour ago, Busdriver said:

Just realised one other difference with the sport kit and that’s the wheels. I’m probably going to fit some Injora beadlocks with Hyraxes to mine as opposed to the stock ones.

I bought Injora beadlocks. I haven't run them yet but the one I assembled went together perfectly. Also, just got an email from them - small discount on currently. 

[Busdriver]

49 minutes ago, BuggyDad said:

I bought Injora beadlocks. I haven't run them yet but the one I assembled went together perfectly. Also, just got an email from them - small discount on currently. 

Yes I got one of those as well, just don’t need anything at the moment ☹️

[Busdriver]

1 hour ago, Tamiyastef said:

Kit wheels are indeed another design. I fitted these GPM wheels with the stock tires.

https://tamico.de/GPM-Alu-Felge-19-for-Crawlers-Design-A-2

I’m going to mount up the stock tyres on the TRX4 wheels and the Hyraxes on the Injoras for comparison.

[Busdriver]

The transmission coming together     Next up are the front and rear differentials    looking good so far 

[OldSchoolRC1]

Traxxas doesn't do many kits, but when they do, they sure do it right. Enjoy the build! 

[Busdriver]

1 hour ago, OldSchoolRC1 said:

Traxxas doesn't do many kits, but when they do, they sure do it right. Enjoy the build! 

Thanks, I have to agree.  I think the nearest Tamiya I’ve built to this is an XV01 and by that I mean the way it goes together. Everything just fits, the plastic is excellent and the hardware is all good quality machine screws. Where there is metal to metal there is pre applied threadlok. . I think my only issue with the builders kit will be the fenders as I think they will be a tad wide for the sport body. Nothing that Dr Dremel can’t fix. I could have bought the narrower fender set but hey where’s the fun in that!!!

[BuggyDad]

4 hours ago, Busdriver said:

Thanks, I have to agree.  I think the nearest Tamiya I’ve built to this is an XV01 and by that I mean the way it goes together. Everything just fits, the plastic is excellent and the hardware is all good quality machine screws. Where there is metal to metal there is pre applied threadlok. . I think my only issue with the builders kit will be the fenders as I think they will be a tad wide for the sport body. Nothing that Dr Dremel can’t fix. I could have bought the narrower fender set but hey where’s the fun in that!!!

Interesting they supply bumpers on a chassis without a body. I believe Element doesn't. Your kit I think has more included in multiple areas. I've bought Injora ones but they're a shot in the dark - don't know whether they'll suit.

[Busdriver]

1 minute ago, BuggyDad said:

Interesting they supply bumpers on a chassis without a body. I believe Element doesn't. Your kit I think has more included in multiple areas. I've bought Injora ones but they're a shot in the dark - don't know whether they'll suit.

Language difference here. The do supply bumpers but what I’m actually talking about is inner fenders/wheel wells. They are designed to fit the Old Bronco/Blazer shells I believe so are wider. They do a replacement set called a narrow fender set which fit under the narrower Sport body.

[BuggyDad]

1 hour ago, Busdriver said:

Language difference here. The do supply bumpers but what I’m actually talking about is inner fenders/wheel wells. They are designed to fit the Old Bronco/Blazer shells I believe so are wider. They do a replacement set called a narrow fender set which fit under the narrower Sport body.

Oh right, sorry misunderstanding. Still, Element doesn't provide them either!

I'd have thought they'd be very body-specific? 

Maybe Traxxas have more of an expectation you'll fit their bodies, where others might be more inclined not to have any expectation as to what you'll do with the chassis. 

[Busdriver]

Following on from here I have done both axles , the chassis and installed the electrics. There’s nothing really to say other than it just goes together well. I fitted all the electrics switched the power on and everything worked just as it’s supposed!! So here are some pictures.

                       ………. Phew that was a building session!!! Electrics look a bit of a rats nest but will look fine once the receiver box is closed. A tip to anybody who plans to do this build mark each plug with an identifier of some form as they are quite difficult to trace back to source. I didn’t!!!…….

[Busdriver]

Another session 






all fairly self explanatory!!

[Busdriver]

Apart from the drive shafts ( no I didn’t forget) that’s the construction basically done. I have to say this is not a difficult build but none the less is quite satisfying. The only thing of a similar style that I’ve built before is the GMade GOM and I have to say this thing is in a different league, and I accept a different price point. It just all fits together so well. The ground clearance with the stock wheels and tyres and the portal axles is just amazing. It’s like it’s got 2.2 wheels and tyres not the 1.9’s that it’s actually got. I have a little bit of playing around getting the body sitting right then it’ll be on to decor!!!

[Badcrumble]

I looked the kit up and made *gulp* noise when I saw the price but there is a lot of bang for your buck. Glad you're enjoying it, I reckon it will be a great performer out in the wilds.