TRX4-XL "SUPERSIZER" -- another BIG RIG to challenge SCX6!!

[WRXronald]

And it ran great, and now its toasters again.. lol. I think the pinion was bending the clutch shaft now that I CA'd the clutch for no slip. That awful noise periodically was the pinion slipping on the clutch gear and skipping a tooth, and at the end there one or the other is DONE FOR.

Its kinda over from here I think; just need to stop dropping funds like Ferp says this is what happens 1/10 parts in 1/6th rig, hell almost 1/5th.

All the parts and bits needed for SCX6 stock trans case, motor mount, vitiavon internals, Vitavon driveshafts 8mm, and an 8mm shaft extension and 8mm pillow ball bearing mounts to extend a driveshaft out the back w/out also having drop another $80 on a 290mm Vitavon long driveshaft (the front/rear comes as a set and is 210mm long- not long enough out back).

$442. G dang.

Taking donations tough times

Very please to see the motor can push it in high gear! 6s would have been real nice if it had the guts to handle. No sign of wear or stress in the Vitavon Ryft axle guts as yet.

I'll take one last look maybe the front/center transmission to TRX transmission as a transfer case could solve the issue if it was just the shaft bending and allowing the pinion to slip on the clutch gear and skip --- as a driveshaft attached to it would not have the same essental "push apart" effect ---- and inside the center front transmission is that planetary type so maybe it also doens't suffer the same kinda of fate?

one last chance and hope for the TRX4 trans lol!!! then i'll snap the dirn 5mm (really just 4mm at thinnest) clutch input shaft -- its just not worth all the effort to then have it fail and have to go back to the SCX6 trans avenue.

I must vacate TRX4 transmission now, put the truck on the shelf, and await SCX6 upgrades................. Yep, otherwise its a disgrace and will NEVER haul a thing, let alone its own self. The CLOD BEASTIE is embarrassing it right now and plowed thru 2 full packs today and climbs all the snow hills this rig can't lol.

 

[WRXronald]

Think I figured out the route to try next --- don't think Vitavon Ryft trans can work --- motor mount challenges.

SCX6 trans 1.5mod gears is $300, but Idk, just a GIANT hunk of metal with no going back and mount challenges in my skinny chassis.

So if one of something is good, then 2 should be great eh? I learned that building the CLOD BEASTIE.

So I ordered another Prefixal "planetary" type center 2-speed transmission and another 4250 Outrunner brushless motor ---- gonna try and fit one transmission and one motor per front / rear axle. I know twin 4250's will push 35lbs of rig easily and pull 350lbs up a hill.

So lets see what a built RYFT axle can take lol..... I likely can just direct-drive the rear end from the 2nd transmission output and skip having 2 transfer cases. I'll mount the 2nd motor/transmission directly behind the front-biased transfer case that is running a drive out to the front end.

I can tilt the front transfer case a wee bit this way in its mount and get an easier drive-shaft angle for my extreme drive height situation / short axle distance to the front pumpkin --- which has been a challenge from day one of the build; I have A LOT of uptilt on the pumpkin and would like to be able to reduce it a tad at least.

Also cures the issue of SO much rub from the front U-joint collar on the upper area of the TRX4 transmission case; and cures the issues of pinion/spur pushing each other apart and eventually eating each / skipping / failing like on the last drive -- it has become the latest weak point.

and cures the issues of any power sufficiency questions of just one 4250 outrunner in such a big rig with big tires.

YESSS!!!! LOL what could go wrong ...... next hurdle will be the 5mm drive outputs and drive pins holding them i'm sure........ The Vitavon Ryft ring/pinion gear assembly in the axles are 6mm stout input shafts to the pumpkin so those should hold for now.

I went with generic 4250's instead of Turngiy Aerostar, cheaper ---- but the lowest speed was 600kv ---- so just maybe we'll get some decent snow-hittin wheelspeed going on finally!!! (currently on 350kv)

 

[ferp420]

they used to sell 6mm outputs for axial 3 gear and wraith transmissions maybe still do
maybe someone makes beef for the trx4 also worth looking in too

 

[Gula]

Have you tried mad force axles? They can be made nearly any width and use 1/8 buggy internals in the axle (6-8MM) FYI

 

[WRXronald]

Have you tried mad force axles? They can be made nearly any width and use 1/8 buggy internals in the axle (6-8MM) FYI

I think someone had suggested Mad Force previously --- I looked into them and priced out I don't think I could get to the place and avaialility of RYFT axles --- so I went the RYFT route --- less than $100 for STEEL axle housings (cast or whatever who cares its STEEL) and were pretty close to straight-up compatible with Vitavon Ryft portals ---- Vitavon Ring & pinion and voila for less than $400 I had a set of complete BEEF axles with all Vitavon internals! They show no signs of failing as yet.

I also think a 5mm shaft can hold up just fine if its not flattened on both sides removing a full 1mm of meat like the TRX4 clutch shaft ---- also that shaft was deflecting as the small 8mm pinion pushed HARD and away and was only in a plastic transmission mount --- stock plastic TRX4 trans mounts = bad idea in a 27lb rig. So while the motor mount was metal and holding nicely, my whole trans and motor were just affixed to Traxxas plastic. Pretty weak -- impressed it held as long as it did --- took ALOT of abuse.

Also with this new setup the 5mm trans shafts will only need to drive a front 2 tires or a rear 2 tires ---- softening the load considerably.

We'll see --- pics and vids as it all comes together!! I have to figure out how to fit the transfer case and another motor mount ouptut right behind it for the rear --- I wonder that I can just slap it right between the frame rails like magic.....

Won't have all the parts till early Feb but from there I plan to get to it --- want to do more challenging snow testing -- that really seems to stress parts this CLAY like snow ---- its even just hard to walk in and not really even all that deep!

 

[WRXronald]

Maybe if I get this one done --- i'll look into a MadForce build next with an SCX6 1.5mod transmission -- single speed -- pure crawler -- Low COG, etc. I've always wanted to try a set of 40 series Rock Crushers on RC4WD Steel-Stamped beadlocks! Nice excuse to nab a set lol

I don't think there are portals for the Madforce? So would keep it low to ground and focus on staying planted in rock crawling. Or should I go MASSIVE IMEX like monster tractor tires lol ---- I really like tractors A LOT!!

Recently installed an ATV snow plow and winch in my Husquvarna lawn mower lol (hey its 23hp plenty of JUICE!) and its been pushing snow GREAT so far this winter..... cheaper and WAYY better than the Husquarvarna brand spring-load junk plow for $500

 

[ferp420]

just build a scx6 already
geeze lol

 

[WRXronald]

I can't even bring myself to spring for an SCX6 transmission....... how'm gonna build the whole rig?

Also,,, why I feel like I did already, twice? (well maybe not SCX6 calibur, but at least have hands down better steering than a SCX6 in both BIG rigs now!)

 

[ferp420]

I can't even bring myself to spring for an SCX6 transmission....... how'm gonna build the whole rig?

Also,,, why I feel like I did already, twice? (well maybe not SCX6 calibur, but at least have hands down better steering than a SCX6 in both BIG rigs now!)

i dont know why were your lookin for a scx6 trans at but mine was only $110 on ebay!

 

[WRXronald]

Huh, I searched and searched a good bit all I could find was the plastic Axial case and motor mount for $50, seemed dumb.

i was talking Vitavon brand versions in the prices in mentioned above.

Kinda weird I searched like heck on Ali / internet for SCX6 transmission last few days and found not much -- Ferp makes one comment and i'm like whaaa?? Go out there and google SCX6 transmission and voila ---- all metal case with full guts complete SCX6 2speed trans on Ali for $150 ??

Swear it was not there yesterday wth? How can I never find this stuff!!

Thank you for pointing that out at least -- now I have another less pricey $ option!

One issue with SCX6 trans though it weighs almost 3lbs w/out the motor --- and I just don't know how I fit it exaclty in the chassis --- its GIANT.

Suppose I rarely go the sensible route ---- gonna try the dual motor / dual transmission idea first I think --- the overall weight of the 2 trans / 2 motors should be less than SCX6 transmission + larger 5065 motor.

Power should rival the 5065 motor no probelm with twin 4250's.

And if the shifting works ok --- think about it i'd have low/low, high/high and low/high / high/low --- meaning there's potential for the front/rear to either under drive or overdrive based on shift settings. Might be cool for rock crawling tough steep hill situation to overdrive the front end a good bit, or set it for under drive the front end when mudding or snow bashing. Who knows maybe it just won't work at all and i'll have to vacate the idea..... open to however it works out.

Also how cool would it be to have built two completely different twin motor / twin transmission setup SCX6 custom rigs, with neither of them using ANY SCX6 drivetrain components!! I'm half way there, just need this one over the hump lol. I may still have to use SCX6 beefie drive-shafts, we'll see.

 

[ferp420]

the issue i have with all my 2 speed transmissions is the excessive slop in the set up add 2 2 peeds and the slop would be crazy
i can live with it with 1 transmission but 2 would be a no go for me

the scx6 trans is huge all scx6 parts are huge the entire scx6 is huge and over built
my axial yeti xl is also huge but the parts are much smaller not over built like the scx6 i think they learned from the yxl though thats why the scx6 parts are so big cause there last large scale releases was a turd

sometimes i find ebay cheaper than aliX most of my scx6 parts came from ebay

alot of times you have too hunt down the really good deals

 

[WRXronald]

I get it. Do agree, I need to go overbuilt here anyways -- tire diameter in the snow causes crazy strain on parts it seems like, held up better rock crawling for that matter.

So anyways -- the first of the 2 Prefixal center transmissions showed up today..... uh... yeah. NO.

Just kinda cheap junk inside, that kind of steel you know that feels like it came inside a stock MN 1/18 or 1/12 scale $55 toy truck. I have ZERO faith in the shifter mechanism holding up and not stripping out its hex very quickly -- even just pushing two tires a front or rear. No chance in longevity here.

I can't take the time and effort fitting it all up with zero confidence --- not even carbon or hardended gears or shafts. Its JUNK.

Returning it all, both trans. the 2nd motor, and gonna have do the SCX6 transmission route, probably just make a custom transmission mount plate that fits inbetween the TRX4 rails and lifts/drops or cocks on angle the transmission as needed --- I see a lot of "slipper clutch" mods for sale for it -- wonder how bad the stock version really is. Guess i'll find lol -- but hey the mod kit is inexpensive so no biggie if its a 'have to' upgrade.

I feel the TRX4 transmission was pretty close to being good to go -- 1mm more on that clutch shaft and I think it holds... like you say all the SCX6 stuff is pretty overbuilt --- sans stock steering lol (that was a miss from what I hear) so I suspecte it hold just fine on this setup even with a motor upgrade like a 5065.

Some of the videos i've seen --- my driving style is akin to old grandpa compared to most serious SCX6'ers out there.

 

[WRXronald]

Well I took the plunge!! Nabbed the BEEF finally. Rats they posting this trans for sale with a stock of 10 of them.... I put in my cart and was going to wait for the sale to come up today at 3pm.... NOPE.... by last night at like 5:30 they were down to the last 1 in stock; and it was already "in" several other carts. Not a big deal, price was $150 so only missed out on $9 discount. still

With the Chinese New Year upon us, looming Tariffs, etc, ya really think I need excuses like that to buy something absurd and over the top like this? LOL well i'll tell myself it helped a little anyways! Compared to Vitavon pricing, how can I complain (yes I realize this is not BEEF at all compared to the Vitavon stuff!) I did spring for the steel shaft/aluminum wheel clutch slipper upgrade as well --- not sure if wil need it but as much trouble as I had with TRX4 slipper/clutch shaft --- I don't want to find out the hard way and wait 3 more weeks on shipping a $25 mod part. LETS DRIVE!

I'll have ot adapt the rear shaft to get an extra 180mm out of it or approx 7inch and step down the U-Joints from 8mm to 6mm at the axles for the Vitavon Ryft pinion gear shafts to fit, probably will just sleeve it with brass tube 8mm OD / 1mm wall thickness. For the extension I'm hoping it fits inside a 12mm ID shaft (16mm OD, 6063 heat treated aluminium) and I will adapt by slicing the drive-shaft in half on the female side, and 4mm carbon steel pinning the drive-shaft inside the extension shaft so it can mate to the male slider side -- need a total shaft length 390mm!!! Maybe 325-350-ish if I move back the transmission a tad compared to TRX4. Usually these female spline axle tubes are not splined all the way down (1/10 scale cheapies get just the first 4-6mm depth with spline, the rest is just round tube inside) this can make shortening / lengthening tricky work at times.

Will also have to curate a custom fit of the trans in the TRX4 chassis and get the axles to be happy on extreme ride height and challenging front angles --- probably going to have to go back in the chassis a solid inch or two further than the TRX4 chassis, just what has to be done for fitment I presume.

Will try to document as I go...... starting it out on the 4250kv outrunner and a 15t pinion - - MOD 1 obviously. That's 375kv, I also have same size motor in 600kv -- maybe we can get some wheelspeed to it one of these days!!!!

 

[WRXronald]

IT LIVES!!! Muhahaha!!

Lol got it fixed up --- SCX6 hunk of beef is fully installed, driveshafts aligned and geometry working out so far!! Its wonk, its jenk, but it drives better it seems than when it was TRX4 transmission and driveshafts! Time will tell. Same size motor just stepped up to 600kv from 350. Gearing seems similar to TRX4 trans with the 350kv, not sure maybe a tad faster.

Used alcohol to cut the marine grease in the portals and pumpkins -- really freed up rotation ALOT and I think that was sapping the system badly prior.

High gear spins so nice and freely now --starting slow and with power in high gear is quite easy now whereas before it would hardly even get moving.

5065 motor on the way but I might not even need it!!!

 

[WRXronald]

Some pics if the Tube is not your cup of tea!!

Over 31lbs with body shell and 40oz worth of steel tire chains!!!

SCX6 Upgrade - all metal 2-speed transmission, carbon steel gears, w/clutch delete kit and a 14 pole 600kv Brushless Outrunner 4250 (1000watts up to 5s lipo)

22inch wheelbase, 16inch track width, 36inch overall length! (yeah I know got a weird sus geometry or jenky bed alignment going on back there needs some work)

needed a hefty metal-gear high torque servo setup on a steel M3 Heim ball joint just to shift the transmission!! 3mil Lexan coupler from servo horn to ball heim!

Transmission and its mount plate are intentionally cocked forward 10-12degrees -- when I went to mount it level I realilzed it would be very easy to cock it forward and get me some angle for the front drive that I may need at a later point. There is plenty of angle to play with out back, and exact opposite -- EXTREME driveshaft angle up front with trans very close to axle and clearing a huge suspension lift to the chassis. The forward tilt eally helps keep rotation decently smooth, and benefit brings the motor forward and down in the chassis a wee bit! The top mount in the chassis is just how it worked out for the SCX6 transmission mount holes and how they needed to fit over the TRX4 chassis rails (see vid) ----- it was TRICKY to say the least!!

Another shot of the EXTREME front driveshaft angle -- it actually works ok!!! (forgot to switch that upper 4-link back to the inner of chassis, drat!)

Here you can see i've drilled thru an aluminum 6065 shaft with 5mm holes at 90 degrees and thru a piece of driveshaft cut down to just 15imm length to pin them together nicely with 5mm steel motor shaft cut down to 20mm length to match width of the aluminum tube. I took the remainder of the female spline about 75mm and put it up in the aluminum shaft on the other side and did same 90 degrees twin 5mm pins to hold it and allow telescoping of the male side of the spline ---- and VOILA ---- 14 inch long HEAVY BEEF driveshaft. 8inch ruler in the pics...

Here you see how I mated the large bore 8mm SCX6 driveshafts to the smaller input of 6mm VITAVON RYFT pumpkin pinion shafts -- I used a stainless steel sleeve 8mm OD x 6mm ID and drilled it thru at 2.5mm along with putting new 2.5mm holes in the SCX6 carbon steel driveshafts ----- otherwise the M4 holes were too far inward to align with the holes in the pinion shafts on the pumpkins. I used 2.5mm x 18mm steel dowel pins with loc-tite to hold them!

INSANE CENTER CHASSIS CLEARANCE!!! 8 INCHES!!!

Equally insane tire diameter!!! Really takes big power to rotate and steer these big heavies!!!

To steer a set of 3.8 / 40 series giant and heavy tires/wheels w/30+lbs bearing down on them -- we need MAD servo torque --- custom made Mild Steel 1/5th scale servo mount - - using carbon steel mounting hardware, steel steering joints and heim links, and a 3s lipo dedicated 1/5th scale steering servo putting out 1900oz/in of torque or 150kg/cm3 !!! (that's at 12.0v, at 12.6v it puts out close to 175kg or easily over 2000oz/in, wow, and for just $35 too, just NUTS!)

Hope you enjoyed!!!

Sorry if this all a bit jenky lol --- i'm sorta like a Road-killer --- just get it driving and we'll think about the rest later!!!!

 

[WRXronald]

Rig's ready to roll just waiting for some decent *walkable Terrain to show up -- we've had nothing but SOLID ice here for days --- quite noxious especially for the dog -- she is tiny and gets around kinda ok but I can hardly keep of my arse.

Finally got a set of ice cleats for the boots- --helping immensely!! Driving the rigs is not much fun in all the ice,,,, need rain and mud or SNOW SNOW SNOW lets go!!!

I got the body mount, I got the transmission, f/r pumpkins and portals all WHITE LITHIUM Greased up really good --- smooth, no resistance, and water resistence for gears, shafts, and bearings!!!!

Also go the axles phased properly --- both in rotation and angle out from transmission matching angle in to pumpkin --- both for front and rear.

WOW phasing is legit and made a big difference to smoothness of rotation --- no more speed up, slow down, speed up slow down. I'd say its 95% better and compared to how it was before a strong improvement. (I misunderstood phasing and had it opposite when set them the last time around lol -- directly OUT of phase). And it was worse with front's extreme angle and the rear's minimal angle ---- front was speeding up slowing down a lot while rear wasn't ----IT WAS WONK!! For a minute I thought the front was binding, but then it hit me I must have phase backward or sometthing. I didn't realize unmatched angles also substantially effects phase so I got that cleaned up too by shortening upper links a bit.

Some shots up against the 1/6th CLOD and the 1/8th CEN/EMO X4 for size comparison --- it ended up a GIANT!!!

 

[WRXronald]

Completely glitch free run mostly in high gear --- wanting to press it a little and see what its got. Power seems good and plenty and even just fine on torque supply going pretty slow -- crawling etc in HIGH gear!!!

The SCX6 trans seems real nice, shifts every time, and I the white lithium grease seems to be keeping everything smooth and effecient, used about 25% of capacity in this drive, not bad at all -- 4s 5200mah, end voltage was 3.97v per cell--- really solid, although snow wasn't that deep really. Still its turning an additional 2.5lbs worth of chains!!!

Snow is super wet and heavy again and about 34degrees today -- in this type of snow tires with no chains tend to fill up the lugs with snow and become smooth surfaced slippery --- the chains REALLY hit it today pretty solid, there's also a slick layer under the wet snow --- its been all solid ice for days//weeks before this.

Now I can easily see gearing up from the 15t and so far don't see why i'd go up to the 5065 motor size other than I have it on order lol so why not?! Thats got to be an axle breaker for sure!

And a BIG THANKS to FERP420 on here again as I could not have come this far with this rig on the UPSIZE project w/out his advice for a number of items namely the beefy RYFT upgrade axles.... before that I was trying to build it up on CAPRA axles lol!

Maybe some day we'll get upgraded to Vitavon SCX6 portal axles, but for now, don't need 'em!!! Maybe a ginxy but I haven't yet even upgraded the rear ring and pinion to the Vitavon set, its sitting here waiting but the cast set that came with the axles is holding like NUTS!

 

[ferp420]

And a BIG THANKS to FERP420

glad i could help lol

 

[WRXronald]

Made another Big drive this evening -- didn't video was just getting too late -- but the snow was mega lfyin'!! All I can say is I think this rig is gonna embarrass the SCX6 CLOD Beastie when it comes to snow pushing in the deep and heavy. Nothing could stop it today until I got into a half-thawed ditch of pure straight SLUSH, and I was whoopin' the slush for a hot minute too until front right tire all full of a heavy plug of slush/water and then SNAP goes the weasel I sheered a 2.5mm pin on the wheel 17mm hex hub - literally double side sheered it so that the pin was in THREE pieces and the middle piece was clean cut inside the axle shaft still --- had to apply some torch heat to free it up --- otherwise it was a quick and easy fix and back on the road and ripped another 25mins in deep snow a bit later on with the lights on out back --- the 2.5mm pin is a possible new weak point. Not really a bad one, so cheap and fast to replace. Could also be because the 17mm hex hubs i'm running are drilled at 3mm Pins, so the 2.5mm pins don't securely hold the hex's, and they bend the pins a little straight away, i'm sure that didn't help long-term holding strength. I WAS SO impressed how much snow it went thru up to that point, high gears + chains, it just EATS and climbs snow mounds like nothin!!

Hope to make a quick vid tomorrow to document the insane snow going capability, but emphasis quick -- supposed to get crazy cold again. Wind's been nuts. Its definitely going to outdo the SCX6 CLOD I think just due to being 5lbs lighter and so much more center ground clearance under the portal axles, plus decent wheelspeed in high gear, its probably 1.5mph high top speed, although it is on 4s vs I typically run the SCX6 CLOD on 3s while its 6s capable no issue.

I have been watching a lot of "TRX Snow Trax" vids and claims that tires can't hang with tracks --- and even somebody claiming their TRX4 with tracks would go thru more snow than an SCX6 (on Rock Crawler specific tires, well yes of course). JUST annoying. I agree Trax are magical in the snow, but they are also FATAL the moment you hit heavy wet snow with water in it, a river passing and back to cold freezing temps and fluffy snow, or any kind of serious rock crawling along the way whatsoever -- also I don't think they seem to really steer or climbs inclines as well and in a seriosly stick-laiden off-trail woods run you can forget the tracks they get jammed with sticks/twigs/debris --- they seem problematic with all those rolling parts.

Come out and try this rig on I say --- maybe the TRX4 on Trax can float on top of 36 feet of snow -- kinda so what. Lets push and plow thru some DEEEP snow!!! That's what i'm after.

For that we want to setup just the right balance of chains and weight for grip, some amount of footprint for float, and clearance to prevent high-center -- any truck even with TRAX (aside from maybe a snow groomer) will high center quite easily when the snow is deep enough and soft enough if the Trax aren't extra-wides. This rig can push A LOT of snow in front of it and keep the chains gripping and the tires spinning!!

Also got the first 5065 motor today -- - its HUGE. Makes an already big 4250 look puny, and a big beefie 5mm motor shaft, again, puny up next to the 8mm. They sent me wrong one, sensored. UGH. Has to go back, lol maybe its a sign?

400kv on 8s vs the current setup which is 600kv on 4s. Both on 15t pinion but i'm about to try 25tooth pinion on the 4250 motor ---- we'll see if its too tall for it - I think it might just be able to go we'll see. Or it will break stuff way too easily. Should push top speed from about 3mph to 5-6mph-ish. The 400kv bigger motor on 8s with a 25t I compute out in the almost 7mph range!!

Battery effieciency is way up as well --- I think marine grease was ruining my day before. weird cuz that stuff is like MAGIC BUTTER inside the Clod axles.... its like GLUE inside driveshaft based axles it seems like --- robs all power insanely!!!

For a sting coming up the yard I just left it pegged 100% throttle pushing thru deep 8inches of snow all the way up the yard hard go for about 2 straight minutes non-stop. Motor was even warm (yes its real cold I get it) but was just impressed I barely used much lipo at all, 3.97v/cell when I was done and my mind was blown!!! I probably could have put in an hour driving easy!

Anyways -- if the 2.5mm pins shear too often, I might try and bore out the shaft to 3mm Pins --- see if the shaft will hold up --- its a 6mm Vitavon for a RYFT, so somewhat beefie.

From there -- its all the way to Vitavon SCX6 portal axles........ I hope that's a ways off though!

 

[ferp420]

back in the days of the axial yeti xl pins sheering was a big problem the guys on here used hardened tool steel pins made from the shank of drill bits they worked alot better so before you drill out your shafts try that see how it holds up