Soze rejoices the Traxxas TRX4 Sport Kit

[soze]

Traxxas.... Kit.... Two things that I never thought would go together again since the 80's. Yes, they did come out with that chassis kit with all the electronic doo-dads that I didn't want... so I passed on it. They came out with a TRX4 Sport which is exactly what I wanted from the platform, but no kit was in sight, so I bought the RTR. Lo and behold... The day finally came where Traxxas released what I think a lot of others besides myself were clamoring for. Insta-buy.

My build is going to start out pretty much stock at first, and maybe deviate a little once I tie-up my multi-other projects that I'm working on. I think I bit off more than I could chew grabbing most of the other base platforms out there from other manufacturers at the same time.

Let's begin...

Build Details

Most link to items I used are on eBay. As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.


Kit:

Traxxas TRX4 Sport Kit (ebay)


Parts:

1.9" Alloy Beadlock Wheels (ebay)
Traxxas 8080 Inner Fenders (ebay)
Traxxas 8053 45T Spur Gear (ebay)
Robinson Racing 12T 32P Pinion (ebay)
Slipper Pads from Traxxas 8254 Slipper Clutch Rebuild Kit (ebay)
TRX4 Aluminum Motor Mount (ebay)
Adjustable Shock Mount C-Hubs (eBay)
Adjustable Shock Mount Rear Hubs (eBay)
Metal Inner Portal Knuckles (eBay)
SSD Brass Portal Weights for TRX4 (eBay)
ScalerFab Comp Style Front Bumper with Bull Bar for TRX4 Sport
ScalerFab Rock Sliders for TRX4 Sport
ScalerFab Pre-Runner Rear Bumper for TRX4 Sport
Traxxas 8288 Underdrive Gear Set (eBay)


Electronics:

Turnigy MG959 V2 Servo (eBay)
Holmes Hobbies Trailmaster Sport 550 21T Brushed motor (eBay)
FlySky GR3E 2.4GHz 3-Channel Receiver (eBay)
FlySky GT-3C 2.4 GHz Radio (eBay)
HobbyWing Quicrun WP-1080 Esc (ebay)
HobbyStar 3S 3700mah LiPo (ebay)


Tools:

Versachem Brake Caliper Grease (ebay)
Permatex Anti Seize Lubricant (ebay)
Tamiya Side Cutter (ebay)
Protek RC Shock Pliers (eBay)
DEWALT DCF610S2R 12V MAX Cordless Lithium-Ion 1/4 in. Hex Chuck Screwdriver Kit (ebay)
MIP Metric Speed Tip Set MIP9512 (ebay)
Associated 1656 FT 1/4 in Driver Handle (ebay)
Duratrax Shock stand (ebay)
Bob Smith Industries Blue Thread locker (eBay)
Multistar Rubber R/C Work mat


Paint:

Tamiya PS-5 Black (ebay)
Tamiya PS-30 Brilliant Blue (ebay)
Tamiya PS-23 Gunmetal (ebay)
Tamiya PS-55 Flat Clear (ebay)
Plasti-Dip (ebay)
Tamiya 5mm Masking tape for Curves (ebay)
Frog Tape (for general masking) (ebay)

 

[soze]

Section A: Transmission Assembly


We start off with the transmission. Section A.


Here is the parts bag for Section A.

Step A1 Parts

Step A1 complete

Step A2 parts

Step A2 complete

Step A3 parts

Step A3 complete

Parts for Step A4

Step A4 complete

Step A5 parts

Step A5 complete

Step A6 parts

Step A6 complete

Step A7 parts

Step A7 completed

And that's all for the "Transmission Assembly" - Section A

 

[JatoTheRipper]

Good to see you finally building the Sport, Sport! :mrgreen:

Is that blue grease on the gears the Versachem Brake Caliper Grease? If so how does it compare to Axial's grease, Vanquish's grease, marine grease or something else you have experience with?

 

[Shinchu]

NICE! you are killing it with these builds man. your part 3 came out on my feed right next to those other youtube guys... KILLING IT! also tell Mrs. Soze we said THANK YOU for letting you play so much!
hopefully i can convince my father in law he needs one of these in time for proline by the fire...

keep up the incredible work sir!

 

[soze]

Good to see you finally building the Sport, Sport! :mrgreen:

Is that blue grease on the gears the Versachem Brake Caliper Grease? If so how does it compare to Axial's grease, Vanquish's grease, marine grease or something else you have experience with?

I actually started using Versachem from seeing Jeepiac talk about it. It's tacky so it stays on pretty well. I could probably go lighter on the grease, but once you give it a good run it seems to thin out, or at least get moved to the side of the teeth so that there is a thinner coating left on the gear teeth.

If I used nitrile gloves I'd probably do a better job spreading it using less because I hate the way it feels on my hands... but since I don't I usually just put more and then rotate the gears to make sure it spreads evenly while trying to avoid getting the grease all over the place.

I can't remember what Axial's grease is like, but I probably have a tube of it somewhere. I haven't used the other two.

I've also started trying Permatex anti-seize on the universals/cvds. It goes on really light and spreads really easily and evenly. It doesn't seem like dirt/grit will be sticking to those joints with it which is the reason I switched to it. I'm still testing it out though, and I'll try it out at CDM rocks (sand) when I get the chance.

NICE! you are killing it with these builds man. your part 3 came out on my feed right next to those other youtube guys... KILLING IT! also tell Mrs. Soze we said THANK YOU for letting you play so much!
hopefully i can convince my father in law he needs one of these in time for proline by the fire...

keep up the incredible work sir!

LOL thanks. Man it's actually hard to get time. I get 1 hour in the evenings and maybe 2 hours in the morning on weekends.

 

[soze]

Section B: Rear Axle Assembly

Yay, we move on to the axles!


You need this rear axle parts bag.

You also need the spool bag.

Step B1 Parts

Step B1 Complete

Step B2 parts

I think some have had issues with getting the diff plugs go though easily, but it didn't seem to be an issue on my build at all.

The e-clips on the other hand.... yeah we all know by now that I hate e-clips.


Step B2 complete

Parts for Step B3

You need to be very careful with the ball bearing sizes used in this step. The 5x11x4mm bearing is shown with blue shield in the instructions, but in reality it's black. So carefully measure the bearing sizes, or just match it up with the instructions since it's 1:1 scale.

Step B3 complete

Parts for Step B4

Step B4 complete. Make sure to not overtighten the diff cover.

Parts for Step B5

What I liked about the parts for this step is that the parts clearly had identifying markers for which part goes on the left and right. Nothing left up to vagueness.


Step B5 complete.

Parts for Step B6

Again, with this step, you need to carefully match up the ball bearing sizes. The 6x12x4mm is shown with blue shield in the instruction manual, but they are all black shielded. Measure carefully, or match up carefully with 1:1 illustration in the instruction manual.


Step B6 complete

Parts for Step B7

Step B7 complete. In the picture it looks like I used too much grease, but that's not the amount that it actually ended up with. What I usually do is pack the grease on thick, close up the assembly and give it a good few rotations to spread the grease out, then remove the excess. Didn't bother to or rather forgot to another picture post excess removal though.

Parts for Step B8

Step B8 complete. Be sure not to over-tighten the screws in this step.

Step B9 parts

Step B9 complete

Parts for Step B10

No need for fiddly pins that fall out of the hexes! Thank you Traxxas! Was nice that this kit comes with metal wheel hexes and locking screw pins.


Step B10 complete

And... we're done with Section B - Rear Axle Assembly.

 

[Topher Builds]

Great thread Soze! Happy to see another sport build

 

[JatoTheRipper]

That grease sounds like the stuff I've used. It does seem like you know when you put too much on because it always gets pushed to the outside.

Good start to a thread!

 

[soze]

Section C: Front Axle Assembly


You'll need the front axle parts bag.

Steps C1- C4 are pretty much the same as the rear axle assembly steps B1-B4, so I'll skip over those.


Parts for Step C5

Step C5 complete

Step C6 is the same as rear axle Step B6

Parts for Step C7

Also trying out/starting to use Permatex anti-seize on my CVD/Universal joints.

You can put on a little of it, and it spreads really easily and evenly with a few rotations.

Versachem grease on the gears

Step C7 complete

Parts for Step C8

Step C8 complete

Step C9 is basically the same as rear axle Step B10 except one of the link mounts is now a link mount + panhard mount.

And now we're done with Section C - Front Axle Assembly.


We now have a set of TRX4 Sport axles!

 

[JSterrett]

I've also started trying Permatex anti-seize on the universals/cvds. It goes on really light and spreads really easily and evenly. It doesn't seem like dirt/grit will be sticking to those joints with it which is the reason I switched to it. I'm still testing it out though, and I'll try it out at CDM rocks (sand) when I get the chance.

I use the same thing on my universals for the same reason. Have been using it for a couple of years and have had 0 issues. I also use it on the pivot balls for link ends...

 

[soze]

That grease sounds like the stuff I've used. It does seem like you know when you put too much on because it always gets pushed to the outside.

Good start to a thread!

Yeah, I go through this kind of tedious process with the grease of packing it on thick first, then removing excess later. Sometimes I don't even remove the excess right away. I'll finish the build, put in a few packs... then go back and clean out any excess. I figure putting it under light power a few times helps the grease spread out evenly, plus I get to check if I actually missed anything when I open it back up.

 

[soze]

I use the same thing on my universals for the same reason. Have been using it for a couple of years and have had 0 issues. I also use it on the pivot balls for link ends...

I may have even picked up the suggestion from you. One of the many reasons why forums are better than social media for documenting builds. Anyway, I did go back to my older builds and cleaned off all the grease I was using on those CVDs and replaced with this Permatex stuff.

 

[soze]

Section D: Chassis Assembly

Can start to see the build coming together now.


Here is the parts bag that you'll need.

You'll need these for Step D1

Step D1 complete

Parts for Step D2

Once again, it's nice that Traxxas clearly marked pieces with FR, FL, RR, RL so that there is no confusion which brackets go where.


Step D2 complete

Step D3 parts

Step D3 complete

Parts for Step D4

Step D4 complete

Parts for Step D5

Step D5 complete

Parts for Step D6

Step D6 complete

Parts for Step D7 - you'll notice one 3x10mm is missing. It was missing from my parts bag, but I had a spare one from my parts bins.

Step D7 complete

That's all for Section D: Chassis Assembly

 

[neospirit]

Parts for Step D7 - you'll notice one 3x10mm is missing. It was missing from my parts bag, but I had a spare one from my parts bins.

I was missing the 3x10mm as well. My kit also missing a servo screw and one for the front light socket. It must just be the batch.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

I wasn't missing any screws, but I was astounded that there were very few leftovers and absolutely no c-clips.

Did your chassis rails come pre-scratched like mine?

 

[soze]

I wasn't missing any screws, but I was astounded that there were very few leftovers and absolutely no c-clips.

Did your chassis rails come pre-scratched like mine?

I had scratches, but I'm not sure if it was pre-scratched or self scratched! :lmao:

I could see it getting scratched in the bag though... the frame rails are rubbing up on each other as packaged.

 

[M1tch]

That anti seize you used on the CVD's reminds me of some stuff I used at work a few years ago. It actually contained silver! So wasn't cheap, but I wasn't paying for it :twisted:

Nice to see another sport build. The quality of kits recently is getting much better that just a short time ago. i was very impressed with my Venture SBK. Seems like companies are realising people won't buy crap any more. Can only be a good thing.

 

[soze]

Section E: Electronics Installation

So as far as electronics go, I'll be using the following:

Turnigy MG959 V2 Servo (eBay)
Holmes Hobbies Trailmaster Sport 550 21T Brushed motor (eBay)
FlySky GR3E 2.4GHz 3-Channel Receiver (eBay)
FlySky GT-3C 2.4 GHz Radio (eBay)
HobbyWing Quicrun WP-1080 Esc (ebay)


You'll need the electronics parts bag for this section

Step E1 Parts

Step E1 complete. Fits like a glove.

Step E2 parts

You'll notice that I'm using the stock 17T pinion, and the stock 39T spur from the earlier transmission step. I'm building it as is initially as I'm using the Holmes Hobbies 21T 550 motor instead of the Traxxas 21T Titan Reverse 550. I've already purchased the 45T spur + pads and 12T/13T pinions to be used later.


Using a Holmes Hobbies 550 21T Trailmaster Sport. I really should swap to using bullet plugs, but I've got a bunch of Tamiya style connectors in my parts... and it just makes sense to use them.

So the Holmes Hobbies motor shaft is shorter than a Traxxas Titan motor shaft, so I had to mount the pinion the opposite way from what the instructions wanted.

With the stock 17T pinion + 39T spur, we'll be using the "C" mounting hole on the motor mount. I might look into updating this part later on.

Step E2 complete

Parts for Step E3

Step E3 complete. Using a FlySky GR3E receiver so there were a few challenges in regards to the length of antenna, receiver wire lengths, etc.

Step E4 parts

Using a Turnigy MG959v2 servo that I had on hand for now.

Step E4 complete

Step E5 had two 3x12mm screws used for mounting the Traxxas esc. I'm using a Hobbywing Quicrun WP1080, so those weren't needed.

Step E6 parts

Step E6 complete. You can see I rotated my receiver around. I did it to accomodate wire lengths. I'm still playing around with it to see if I can get the receiver light to line up with the receiver light window on the case.

Step E7 Parts

Step E8 is basically routing the wires to the receiver and securing them with the included zip ties. I had to create 2 wire extensions as neither the servo nor the esc wire was long enough to reach the inside of the box comfortably. It looks like I'll have to create 2 more longer ones so that I can turn the receiver around to the other orientation and hopefully line up the light to the light case light window.

Parts for Step E9

You need to grease the foam seal on the receiver box outlet

Receiver box o-ring in place

Step E9 completed. Receiver box all closed up.

Parts for step E10

Step E10 completed. I have a feeling this is going to be coming off eventually for a 3D printed low center of gravity tray in the future.

Parts for step E11. Metal servo horn included!

Step E11 complete

That completes Section E - Electronics Assembly!

 

[JatoTheRipper]

I had scratches, but I'm not sure if it was pre-scratched or self scratched! :lmao:

I could see it getting scratched in the bag though... the frame rails are rubbing up on each other as packaged.

Yours were probably pre-scratched as well. Horrible packaging on the frame rails. That and the lack of extra hardware are really my only major gripes about this otherwise awesome kit.

Does Traxxas offer the slipper pads separately or are you using another brand for the 45T spurt?

Anti-seize is messy stuff. It's not something I ever want on my RC bench. :lmao: I'm still wondering how it looks after mud and water. You'll have to keep us posted. But I think somewhere else you said you stick to the dry.

 

[B-MOW71]

Nice build thread! Very detailed and informative. Who needs a manual when you have Soze!

It's great to see all the Sport Kit builds going on at the same time. Kinda makes me want to buy another and join in.

I really enjoy watching your build on YouTube. Looking forward to the next.