My budget trx4 build

[islandlife]

Here is a before and after of the trx4 build I've been working on. Bought a sport used locally, bone stock. Basically got it as a cheap rig my 3.5 year old could drive, while I'm running the capra kit we built. Over the winter i got a little carried away with the 3d printer and one thing led to another….
Will update this thread with more pics and details of the build process, but figured i would throw up a couple to get it started.
Currently running:
-Modified jconcepts creepR cab
-HW 1080
-holmes hobbies crawlmaster sport 13t
-trx4 2 speed trans with some small jx servo for shifting
-3d printed carbon fiber nylon and petg frame modifications
-injora steel beadlocks
-proline bfg krawler tires, 4.75” predator compound
-90mm desert lizard shocks, mid droop (not in pics)
-epower 50kg direct power servo
-amazon led headlights and rocklights in 3d printed buckets
-radiolink rc4gs rx/tx

 

[Jamr]

I Like It!
Good lookin prints too!

 

[Tunedfrog]

Sweet ride, thanks for sharing.

 

[WickedFog]

That... is... amazing

 

[Jimbobjr]

Nice job, looks amazing!

 

[islandlife]

Thanks all! Its been a fun build so far

 

[Mtbmatty]

Great job, I have trx4 envy

 

[islandlife]

A few more shot of the trx development:
Started with some simple stuff, flipped bumper mounts and tucked bumpers, printed a low cg battery tray and some high clearance sliders, trimmed and lowered the body as much as i could.
Added a 25kg amazon servo, and holmes hobby motor.
Stretched the stock tires onto some 2.2” wheels i had around.
And tried out some 2.8” tires from my granite just for fun, ended up breaking a front axle haha

 

[Mtbmatty]

Did you use the stock servo mount, or do you need to go aftermarket? I’m not clear on how a non traxxas steering servo fits it in these things

 

[islandlife]

I used the stock traxxas mount when i first swapped servo’s. I'm pretty sure it dropped right in. Not using the traxxas mount now tho

 

[Mtbmatty]

I used the stock traxxas mount when i first swapped servo’s. I'm pretty sure it dropped right in. Not using the traxxas mount now tho

Why did you switch, and what are you now using??

 

[islandlife]

I originally swapped in the 25kg amazon servo because the stock traxxas unit was very slow and underpowered, and i had the servo already.
I am now running a 50kg “epower” direct power servo. Also a pretty inexpensive servo, and definitely not putting out a real 50kg of power, but it is strong enough, and quite quick for the price.

 

[Mtbmatty]

I originally swapped in the 25kg amazon servo because the stock traxxas unit was very slow and underpowered, and i had the servo already.
I am now running a 50kg “epower” direct power servo. Also a pretty inexpensive servo, and definitely not putting out a real 50kg of power, but it is strong enough, and quite quick for the price

I was wondering what servo mount you switched to

 

[islandlife]

I was wondering what servo mount you switched to

3d printed my own

 

[Mtbmatty]

3d printed my own

Gotcha

 

[islandlife]

After using the trx for a few months, i decided to change it up a bit, bought the two speed trx trans, and the jconcepts creepR body and started drawing up and printing parts to tie it all together.
Chopped the front of the frame off and made my own framerails/shock towers that sleeve into the c-channel. The revised shape allows for moving the shocks up, and gives the required clearance to do so. About 6mm lower ride height just with that.
Also chopped around 32mm off the rear of the frame for better departure angle.
Obviously I've been a bit concerned that doing the frame this way would be to flexible, or just plain not durable enough, but after a bit of trial and error, one massively catastrophic crash while my son was driving, and a change in material/design, it has proven to be quite stiff once bolted together with the servo mount/tower brace. And I've put at least a dozen packs through it, and multiple rollovers, and so far so good.
Obviously the right crash or bound up situation will likely break one of the prints, most likely the panhard mount, but thats ok, ill just print another

First round of final prints done with carbon reinforced petg filament, after breaking, went to carbon reinforced nylon for frame rails, bumper, front grill/light support. No breaks yet on the nylon.

 

[Doom!]

Really nice job!

 

[WickedFog]

What printer do you have? Love the designs!

 

[islandlife]

Just a ender 3 with some upgrades

 

[WickedFog]

Do you have an enclosure? I tried nylon one time, but it was when I started printing and it did not go well. What filament is it that you used?