underscorepatrick ‘s FJ trx4 build :

[underscorepatrick]

Pablo Escobar​

Hey there!

This is my first build since coming back to rc crawling. I’m from the clod buster axles & gd600’s with 55t era :ror: lol. When HPI released their FJ body I had to get one(something about FJ’s and samurais ) . The tamiya fj was too short a wheelbase. I liked the features of the TRX4(this’ll be my second),like portal axles, although in my opinion,some are useless,like locking diffs. I’d prefer lockers,so spools might be coming . Aside from that,my current TRX4 has been running very effeciently & reliable. So I decided to use the HPI fj body on a assembly kit TRX4. Lets see how it goes!

I’ll be updating this thread as soon as the parts come in,so stay tuned. Hope you guys enjoy

UPDATES​

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(easier to navigate)
9/13/18 initial start chassis build, accessory mount, wheels/tires, winch
9/14/18 v2 Jerry can/propane mount, finish chassis & mount electronics, fender trimming
9/16/18 body mounting/fitting & wheel fitting. Opinions wanted
9/17/18 mounted rock beasts, Warn fairlead, axle/t-case
9/19/18 install Castle 2.0 BEC, trasharoo, MAIDEN RUN.
9/27/18 UPDATE on page 2! install brass axle parts.

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CHASSIS
+ TRX4 . wheelbase 12.4”

ELECTRONICS
+ stock esc & motor
+ Savox 1257tg
+ Castle BEC 2.0
+ RC4WD 9.5 winch & controller

BODY
+HPI fj sandstorm
+HPI bumper set

WHEELS/TIRES
+ SSD contender/ Proline krawler KX or
+ Vanquish/incision method/ Proline mudterrain KM3



Here are some initial photos. Stay tuned ,I’m hoping this build will come out clean! Thanks for stopping by,& God bless y’all.

9/13/18​

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-aluminum bracket to hold jerry cans
-mount winch to bumper
-mount tires/wheels
-start chassis build​

Began with making brackets for the rear tire carrier to mount Jerry cans .







Winch mounted onto bumper ,as well as the beadlocks & tires











Starting the chassis kit now. Fairly easy kit to build. Everything is split in seperate bags, so all components for axles are in one bag,chassis in one bag,etc.. much easier than back in the day ,where all screws were I. One bag & parts were on parts trees.

9/14/18​

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-new mount for propane tank & Jerry cans
-finished mounting electronics & chassis
-mounted bumpers
-trim fender wells to fit fj body.​

Also started trimming the fender wells. Had to chop a good amount of material,but this is the “form” of the front fender well:

9/16/18​

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-body mounted
-wheels/tires mounted​

Got the body mounted today. Take a little bit more trimming for he fenders,maybe slight spacing for the stock sliders( looking for a nice set right now) . It’s on there. The rear will be mounted with a Velcro plate . Have to mess around with mounting holes as well. She looks so pretty









TIRES

I mounted the km3’s & kx’s . The tires are too big. Anything 4.75” will he, so i’ll be running some Pitbull RockBeast tires on. I think they’ll look perfect. I’m loving this filled fender look though :x


What’s your opinion? Bronze SSD’s or Silver Methods ?

9/17/18​

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-Pitbull rock beasts mounted on method wheels
-Warn fairlead from rc4wd installed
-axle & t-case skidplates installed​

Tires fit much better with almost nothing rubbing. Seems like the bronze SSD contenders are everyone’s choice so I’ll be mounting them on tonight. Stay tuned!



Installed a Warn fairlead,also moved the winch forward more to try & get the bumper & body to mesh.




Found these on the internet. The t-case skid is solid,the axle skids are soft aluminum. Not sure how long those will last.

9/19/18​

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- installed CC 2.0 BEC
-trasharoo came in!
-remounted scale accessories
-MAIDEN!​

basic BEC install. Removed power wire from ESC. Running 6 LED’s straight to a port on the reciever. Is this an ok power source for LED’s ? Will I mess anything up?



Scale Trasharoo from RPP . Cool accessory! Stuffed with extra hardware,zip ties,winch controller, wrench,& anchor.




Cleaned up the rear a little bit.




AND HAD HER MAIDEN RUN!



I have to figure out how to post videos . He crawls good. Everything feels fresh compared to my defender lol. What ya think so far?

 

[FANATICRC]

Be interested to see it with the FJ body. Always loved the FJ but hated the HPI platform.

 

[Nightwalker]

Very nice build!!! Can't wait to see it with the body installed me too!

Be interested to see it with the FJ body. Always loved the FJ but hated the HPI platform.

What do you hate so much about the Venture ?

 

[FastMatt]

Funny, I just bought the same body for my TRX-4 as well! I haven't started the conversion yet. I still don't know what size tires will fit even with some fender trimming on the body. Curious the route you'll take.

 

[underscorepatrick]

Funny, I just bought the same body for my TRX-4 as well! I haven't started the conversion yet. I still don't know what size tires will fit even with some fender trimming on the body. Curious the route you'll take.

Trimming the fenders wasn’t bad. I freehanded the cuts & it came out pretty clean... I did mount the wheels & the tires are going to rub bad. I have a set of rock beasts I’m going to throw on. I think the 4.5” will look really clean. If you have any questions about the conversion ,you can PM me or comment here . Stay tuned for the updates!

Be interested to see it with the FJ body. Always loved the FJ but hated the HPI platform.

I hear ya. I was actually going to get the venture,but I opted for the trx,because for almost the same price,you get better features. But if I get lucky & save enough pennies,I might have to get a venture! First rc was a nitroMT lol :ror:

 

[underscorepatrick]

Very nice build!!! Can't wait to see it with the body installed me too!




What do you hate so much about the Venture ?

Thanks man stay tuned!

 

[Snowflake]

Hey why would you have a propane tank on the back of your fj?

 

[underscorepatrick]

Hey why would you have a propane tank on the back of your fj?

It’s actually intended to be a co2 tank,but it looks more of a propane tank,so I just say it’s propane lol. “Can’t call a dog a dog if it ain’t a dog. “

 

[OSRC]

My vote is for bronze - they look perfect under there

 

[underscorepatrick]

My vote is for bronze - they look perfect under there

Thanks for your input. I’ll be mounting these rock beasts on them tonight! Updated the thread today,check it out!

 

[eric113]

I also did a fj cruiser. I shorten the wb and used Lockedup RC bumper mounts and rear body mount.

 

[Nightwalker]

Thanks man stay tuned!

Sure will "thumbsup"

 

[FANATICRC]

Those tires definitely complete the look.

I also did a fj cruiser. I shorten the wb and used Lockedup RC bumper mounts and rear body mount.

 

[FANATICRC]

Maybe hate is too strong a word but as was said below when comparing price and features the venture comes up short. Not that I wouldn't have one but when choosing a new one the trx4 has been hard to beat.

Very nice build!!! Can't wait to see it with the body installed me too!




What do you hate so much about the Venture ?

 

[Topher Builds]

I really like the idea but I can’t help but to wish there wasn’t so much rear bumper(s) going on there. The bumpers look to be like 40% of the rear fascia.

If you could get the body down lower it would help too. Keep at it! Looking good so far

 

[vipers28]

"What’s your opinion? Bronze SSD’s" I hate them with the KM3's, you should send them to me for disposal!!!!!!!!! STAT.

 

[Natedog]

My vote is for bronze - they look perfect under there

X2, bronze SSDs! "thumbsup"8)

Thanks for your input. I’ll be mounting these rock beasts on them tonight! Updated the thread today,check it out!

Ditch the aluminum skidplates, they decrease ground clearance slightly and don't slide over obstacles nearly as easy as the plastic axles and skid.

4.5" tall or shorter tires looks better and will sidehill better. "thumbsup"

 

[underscorepatrick]

X2, bronze SSDs! "thumbsup"8)






Ditch the aluminum skidplates, they decrease ground clearance slightly and don't slide over obstacles nearly as easy as the plastic axles and skid.

4.5" tall or shorter tires looks better and will sidehill better. "thumbsup"



"thumbsup"

Yea I noticed that too. Thanks for the heads up! I bought them on an impulse late night buy. The ARB cover I have is going to get beat up Lol. 4.5” tires look amazing! My photos don’t do it justice! Thanks again for your input

 

[underscorepatrick]

I really like the idea but I can’t help but to wish there wasn’t so much rear bumper(s) going on there. The bumpers look to be like 40% of the rear fascia.

If you could get the body down lower it would help too. Keep at it! Looking good so far

The rear bumper is quite tall including the painted bumper section of the local. In person it’s not too bad,but I understand exactly what you mean.. some trimming would probably fit that... I’ll be looking into bumper options made for both the Venture & TRX4. Since this truck will do mainly trails,I wanna try to keep it as scale as possible ,so i’d Want a rear swingout. Any suggestions? I know Scalerfab makes quality bumpers. I also have a SSD front bumper on the defender trx4 I have that seems to be good quality.


Thanks for your input!



Thanks for all the input guys. Appreciate it! Stay tuned! :mrgreen:

 

[underscorepatrick]

"What’s your opinion? Bronze SSD’s" I hate them with the KM3's, you should send them to me for disposal!!!!!!!!! STAT.

:lmao: Bronze SSD’s it is!!!! Might be selling/trading the km3’s,but. If I remember correctly,I have to pass a probation period before able to post in the classifieds. Stay tuned!