OSRC
I wanna be Dave
Other TRX4 Builds:
Sport
Bronco
Overview:
Finally got around to picking one up. I had some Amazon gift cards from x-mas burning a hole in my pocket so $150 later, I had a grey TRX4 sitting at my front door. My wife commented that the color matched the grey starting to pop up on my facial hair
flipoff so I nicknamed it Greybeard.
Not going to rehash everything that's been said, but I did check a few things out when getting it. Reading the TRX4 threads I wanted to check out the gear mesh and front driveshaft. No rubbing on the driveshaft at all, and my truck definitely meshed best in the C holes. Not sure if there have been running changes but everything was good to go out of the box.
I like the Defender body, no plans to change it at this time. I did pull the rack off and spray the roof white so the body didn't look so bland. Really makes a difference imo. Also pulled the fake winch eyesore off and moved the bumper back 1 hole.
Since it was delivered when it was about 2 degrees outside, the tires had flatspotted somewhat and even letting them sit in front of the heater didn't stretch them back out. I think they look a little chunky anyway, so I swapped over some Falken tires with dual stage foams as I think their narrow width looks much better. Added some GDS wheels with a wrap of lead weights to get some weight down low until I can order some portal weights. Other than that, it was bone stock.
We went out to a local park which is a nice mid level trail for the first run. Plenty of flat trails, with some rocky sections, stream crossings, muddy pits and a decent hill climb. Figured it would be a good test run area. Had a good group of trucks - 2 Cross rigs, SCX10 I & II, and my daughter was wheeling my CR01 mud bomber.
Since it was in the mid 40's after a long stretch of cold and snow, I expected a lot of mud. Turns out most of the trail was still frozen with hints of mud here and there.
I was not expecting a lot from the Falkens. Having run them before, I was not over the top on their performance. I stand corrected...apparently they just need a heavy truck as they worked out pretty good.
I'm not a throttle jocky in any way. I don't really scale out my rigs, but drive in a very scale manner. I focus more on tire placement and throttle control when I wheel. I left the diffs unlocked, and have to say I was blown away at how capable the truck was with the diffs open. Could not believe what this truck went up and over. I suspect that with a lighter body, it would need the diffs locked more often, but with the heavy stocker up top it good good traction just about anywhere. Making me rethink a few things about how I build my other rigs.
I generally do not do waterproofing..nice to have a rig I can tool around in wet areas with.
Steep rock. No lockers needed. Amazing.
Towards the end of the run, the ice was melting and things were definitely getting muddier. As the tires started packing up more, I did have to start locking the diffs and using 2nd gear to get some wheelspeed to get up and over rocks. Great to have options.
All in all, I have to say I was impressed. Driving was a ton of fun seeing what I could get up and over with the open diffs (pretty much everything) - tire placement was key. Shifting into second to get some wheelspeed for the muddy spots and downshifting into first to let it creep down inclines was a ball. If there's a better scale drivers setup out there, I don't know what it is.
Stock steering servo did fine, though I could see it was struggling here in there when wedged in rocks. Not enough for me to replace it yet though.
Noticed my truck was dead silent in 2nd gear, but somewhat loud in first. Not to the point where I was worried about it - just an observation.
As soon as the budget allows, looking into portal weights, bumpers and the Bowhouse battery holder.
Have the feeling this truck is going to get a lot of wheeltime this year. Next run will be a somewhat more difficult location. We'll see how it does there.
Sport
Bronco
Overview:
Finally got around to picking one up. I had some Amazon gift cards from x-mas burning a hole in my pocket so $150 later, I had a grey TRX4 sitting at my front door. My wife commented that the color matched the grey starting to pop up on my facial hair
flipoff so I nicknamed it Greybeard. Not going to rehash everything that's been said, but I did check a few things out when getting it. Reading the TRX4 threads I wanted to check out the gear mesh and front driveshaft. No rubbing on the driveshaft at all, and my truck definitely meshed best in the C holes. Not sure if there have been running changes but everything was good to go out of the box.
I like the Defender body, no plans to change it at this time. I did pull the rack off and spray the roof white so the body didn't look so bland. Really makes a difference imo. Also pulled the fake winch eyesore off and moved the bumper back 1 hole.
Since it was delivered when it was about 2 degrees outside, the tires had flatspotted somewhat and even letting them sit in front of the heater didn't stretch them back out. I think they look a little chunky anyway, so I swapped over some Falken tires with dual stage foams as I think their narrow width looks much better. Added some GDS wheels with a wrap of lead weights to get some weight down low until I can order some portal weights. Other than that, it was bone stock.
We went out to a local park which is a nice mid level trail for the first run. Plenty of flat trails, with some rocky sections, stream crossings, muddy pits and a decent hill climb. Figured it would be a good test run area. Had a good group of trucks - 2 Cross rigs, SCX10 I & II, and my daughter was wheeling my CR01 mud bomber.
Since it was in the mid 40's after a long stretch of cold and snow, I expected a lot of mud. Turns out most of the trail was still frozen with hints of mud here and there.
I was not expecting a lot from the Falkens. Having run them before, I was not over the top on their performance. I stand corrected...apparently they just need a heavy truck as they worked out pretty good.
I'm not a throttle jocky in any way. I don't really scale out my rigs, but drive in a very scale manner. I focus more on tire placement and throttle control when I wheel. I left the diffs unlocked, and have to say I was blown away at how capable the truck was with the diffs open. Could not believe what this truck went up and over. I suspect that with a lighter body, it would need the diffs locked more often, but with the heavy stocker up top it good good traction just about anywhere. Making me rethink a few things about how I build my other rigs.
I generally do not do waterproofing..nice to have a rig I can tool around in wet areas with.
Steep rock. No lockers needed. Amazing.
Towards the end of the run, the ice was melting and things were definitely getting muddier. As the tires started packing up more, I did have to start locking the diffs and using 2nd gear to get some wheelspeed to get up and over rocks. Great to have options.
All in all, I have to say I was impressed. Driving was a ton of fun seeing what I could get up and over with the open diffs (pretty much everything) - tire placement was key. Shifting into second to get some wheelspeed for the muddy spots and downshifting into first to let it creep down inclines was a ball. If there's a better scale drivers setup out there, I don't know what it is.
Stock steering servo did fine, though I could see it was struggling here in there when wedged in rocks. Not enough for me to replace it yet though.
Noticed my truck was dead silent in 2nd gear, but somewhat loud in first. Not to the point where I was worried about it - just an observation.
As soon as the budget allows, looking into portal weights, bumpers and the Bowhouse battery holder.
Have the feeling this truck is going to get a lot of wheeltime this year. Next run will be a somewhat more difficult location. We'll see how it does there.
Last edited:
