Krakentuned RC
RCTalk Racer
- Messages
- 100
- Reaction score
- 208
- RC Driving Style
- Bashing
- Racing
- Crawling
- Scale Builder
- Thread starter
- #21
Here we go again! I'm sorry for inundating you guys with all the Traxxas content. I promise I'm not a fan boy. I just have this weird character flaw where I get interested in something and get hyperfocused until I know everything about it. I'm actually just about "done" since most of Traxxas' designs are reused amongst their line-up. This particular build was my first step into the TRX4 platform. I knew I needed to do the builders kit because that's just how I am.
The build was very fun, and the instructions made the process really easy. I had the truck done in about three days, working about an hour a day. Initially I didn't have a clear direction for the build. I have always been a fan of the Axial Honcho, so I decided I'd attempt something similar. Pro-Line offers a backhalf kit, but the hefty price tag had me reeling. I was lucky enough to find a cheaper alternative on Amazon.
For the body, I went with a Carisma Ford F150. I had intended to keep the fender wells, but the body required a lot more trimming to reduce tire rub. The backhalf had some weird angles after the initial install, that was because of me trying to utilize the stock body mounts which added a ton of height. I didn't like the look overall and kept working to find a suitable workaround.
Seeing the body complete really had me falling in love. It was almost a perfect fit. The TRX4 frame is just huge. Traxxas has this weird tendency to understate their vehicles scale when they're technically overscaled. Dimensionally they're all 10th scale but their bodies are much larger.
At this point I started focusing on the innards. I swapped out the brushed setup for an all-in-one Fusion SE 1200kv system from Hobbywing. I absolutely love this motor combo, the torque is amazing, even while moving at a snails pace. It just keeps going and smoothly. I installed a few Bowhouse accessories to help get the weight as low as possible in the chassis. The Crawler Innovations battery and reciever box mount helped me eliminate the stock rock sliders, as they didn't fit anymore with the back-half. After cutting the body up some more for clearance I added a set of Defender flares, along with some trim pieces off the Traxxas Ford F150. I tried to use the bumper as well off the Traxxas Ford, but the size made the trick look comically small.
The stock wheels and tires didn't lend well to the overall look I was going for. So I bought a set of wheels from off the Traxxas Blazer, and glued on a set of Pro-Line Hyrax tires. These tires are bonkers! They conform so well, and really made the truck a joy to rock crawl. I also adapted the Carisma bumper that came with the body to work with the stock mounts. I'm not exactly 100% happy with it, and have considered getting a ScalerFab custom bumper for it. Maybe soon!
I've done a few things to help keep things working smoothly, and also made a few other things stronger. Starting with the Vitavon axle housings. These axle housings are masterpieces. They've helped bring a ton of weight down low. Along with the housings I also upgraded the axles to the chromoly versions from Traxxas. This made the setup that much stronger. I've also relocated the shifter servo to a more central location using an adapter I bought from Shapeways. I obviously love ProModeler servos, and a DS930BLHV was a perfect fit to the setup. Its a very powerful servo, even at 6V, but also very quick.
The build didn't come without challenges, but overall has been an incredibly fulfilling project. The truck performs really well over any terrain, but shines brightest amongst the rocks. I will be posting more pictures from its adventures in follow-up posts.
PARTS BREAKDOWN
Hobbywing Fusion SE (1200kv)
ProModeler DS930BLHV Servo
YEAH Racing metal servo arm
TRA8061 heavy duty rear axle shaft w/ input gear
TRA8062 heavy duty front axle shaft w/ input gear
TRA8042 GTS shock springs rear (0.22 rate)
TRA8043 GTS shock springs front (0.30 rate)
TRA8297 12/33 overdrive gears (front)
TRA8073X Bronco mirror set
TRA8076 Bronco side trim set
TRA8075 Bronco door handles & windshield wipers
TRA8017 Land Rover Defender flare set
TRA8165 Ford Bronco wheel set with center cap
TRA8255A extended portal drive stub axle set
TRA8298 stainless steel hardware
Pro-Line body mount thumbwasher Kit
Pro-Line Hyrax 1.9" tires
Bowhouse high clearance skid
ScalerFab custom rock sliders
Vitavon front & rear axle housing set
Crawler Innovations front electronics tray
RCLions aluminum shock tower set
INJORA RC back half cage
Carisma SCA-1E 1976 Ford F150 body
The build was very fun, and the instructions made the process really easy. I had the truck done in about three days, working about an hour a day. Initially I didn't have a clear direction for the build. I have always been a fan of the Axial Honcho, so I decided I'd attempt something similar. Pro-Line offers a backhalf kit, but the hefty price tag had me reeling. I was lucky enough to find a cheaper alternative on Amazon.
For the body, I went with a Carisma Ford F150. I had intended to keep the fender wells, but the body required a lot more trimming to reduce tire rub. The backhalf had some weird angles after the initial install, that was because of me trying to utilize the stock body mounts which added a ton of height. I didn't like the look overall and kept working to find a suitable workaround.
Seeing the body complete really had me falling in love. It was almost a perfect fit. The TRX4 frame is just huge. Traxxas has this weird tendency to understate their vehicles scale when they're technically overscaled. Dimensionally they're all 10th scale but their bodies are much larger.
At this point I started focusing on the innards. I swapped out the brushed setup for an all-in-one Fusion SE 1200kv system from Hobbywing. I absolutely love this motor combo, the torque is amazing, even while moving at a snails pace. It just keeps going and smoothly. I installed a few Bowhouse accessories to help get the weight as low as possible in the chassis. The Crawler Innovations battery and reciever box mount helped me eliminate the stock rock sliders, as they didn't fit anymore with the back-half. After cutting the body up some more for clearance I added a set of Defender flares, along with some trim pieces off the Traxxas Ford F150. I tried to use the bumper as well off the Traxxas Ford, but the size made the trick look comically small.
The stock wheels and tires didn't lend well to the overall look I was going for. So I bought a set of wheels from off the Traxxas Blazer, and glued on a set of Pro-Line Hyrax tires. These tires are bonkers! They conform so well, and really made the truck a joy to rock crawl. I also adapted the Carisma bumper that came with the body to work with the stock mounts. I'm not exactly 100% happy with it, and have considered getting a ScalerFab custom bumper for it. Maybe soon!
I've done a few things to help keep things working smoothly, and also made a few other things stronger. Starting with the Vitavon axle housings. These axle housings are masterpieces. They've helped bring a ton of weight down low. Along with the housings I also upgraded the axles to the chromoly versions from Traxxas. This made the setup that much stronger. I've also relocated the shifter servo to a more central location using an adapter I bought from Shapeways. I obviously love ProModeler servos, and a DS930BLHV was a perfect fit to the setup. Its a very powerful servo, even at 6V, but also very quick.
The build didn't come without challenges, but overall has been an incredibly fulfilling project. The truck performs really well over any terrain, but shines brightest amongst the rocks. I will be posting more pictures from its adventures in follow-up posts.
PARTS BREAKDOWN
Hobbywing Fusion SE (1200kv)
ProModeler DS930BLHV Servo
YEAH Racing metal servo arm
TRA8061 heavy duty rear axle shaft w/ input gear
TRA8062 heavy duty front axle shaft w/ input gear
TRA8042 GTS shock springs rear (0.22 rate)
TRA8043 GTS shock springs front (0.30 rate)
TRA8297 12/33 overdrive gears (front)
TRA8073X Bronco mirror set
TRA8076 Bronco side trim set
TRA8075 Bronco door handles & windshield wipers
TRA8017 Land Rover Defender flare set
TRA8165 Ford Bronco wheel set with center cap
TRA8255A extended portal drive stub axle set
TRA8298 stainless steel hardware
Pro-Line body mount thumbwasher Kit
Pro-Line Hyrax 1.9" tires
Bowhouse high clearance skid
ScalerFab custom rock sliders
Vitavon front & rear axle housing set
Crawler Innovations front electronics tray
RCLions aluminum shock tower set
INJORA RC back half cage
Carisma SCA-1E 1976 Ford F150 body
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