Reviewer's Notebook

Stuck at home andcan't go wheeling?  Or maybe your rig is torn down and in repair, or better yet in the middle of an upgrade that will make it even better on the trails.  Then again, maybe you are like me and just a Kid that has never (and will never) grow up.  I pretty much fit all three of these descriptions.  Sometimes at the same time! 

Well, your search for what to do and how to occupy yourself, or maybe even get a fix for that bad wheeling jones, is as close as your nearest Hobby Shop. If there isn't a local hobby shop in your area, try the phone or computer, amazing what a little technology can do! How does 58" tall tires and 35 inches of vertical wheel travel grab ya?  How about fully adjustable suspension, I mean toe in front and rear, camber front and rear, spring rate, shock rate, ride height.  At all four corners. 

Well, the 58" tall tires and 35 inches of wheel travel are scale.  What I mean is that the little monster above (and in this article) is a 1/10th scale RTR (Ready To Run) monster truck. If blown up to actual size, tire size and wheel travel would be 58" and 35" respectively, that is a pretty awesome accomplishment.   The little beast in question is a true 4x4.

It is Nitro Powered (the fuel contains Nitro methane and Methyl Alcohol), it has disk brakes, 2 speed automatic transmission and reverse.  That's just a rough outline of what this MEAN little Truck comes with.    

Would you believe that this little bad boy could flex this much, and yes, all 3 of the other tires are on the ground.     Click image for full size photo

The little sucker can climb pretty good too!  It likes loose dirt and sandy hill climbs a little better than rocks though. Click image for full size photo

Now its time to get to the heart of the little beast, to show you what its made of and what you get with it when you buy it.  This fine little monster is a RTR KIT, which stands for ReadyToRun.  The truck is completely built and all the radio components are installed.  All you have to do is add fuel, batteries and its "Ready To Run"!  There are a few things that you must do to finish off the truck though. 

The body comes in clear lexan and you have to paint it yourself.  They are in the process of making the pre painted bodies for those of you who do not like to do this yourself.  You also have to glue the tires if you don't want to pull them off the wheels. The TRX .15 engine makes some pretty good power and will spin the wheels in side the tires, or pull them off the wheels with a hard turn and the throttle pinned at wide open (been there done that :-).  The instruction book that comes with the Truck explains how to do this and if you have any problems with understanding or want some tuning tips for the truck you can go to the TRAXXAS web site, or call their toll free number and speak with their AWESOME customer service.  I have called several times to get tuning tips and to just ask some test questions. I got prompt, courteous responses to my questions and the tech person asked a couple of questions himself to make sure I understood what he was trying to tell me.

This is a photo of the top of the box that the Tmaxx comes in.  The rest of the box has detailed views of some of its components. Click image for full size photo	Here is everything that is inside the box, notice the clear lexan body, it has a protective coating on it that you remove after painting. Click image for full size photo
Warranty and instruction paperwork as well as decal sheet and the e/z start and small parts.  The instructions are first rate.                                Click image for full size photo	This is a shot of the small bag of tools that comes with the TMAXX, none of these fit the glow plug or the wheel nuts. Click image for full size photo

When you buy the TMAXX, you will need to get a few things to be able to run the truck.  I am going to list what you need to make it run, there are other things that you may want to get for your convenience, but the list below is what you will need to fire it off when you get home with it.

The radio that comes with the Tmaxx is their own TQ3 Top Qualifier radio.  It has 3 channels and also comes with servo reversing switches.  The throttle/brake control has a switch to set it at 50/50 or 70/30 for the throttle/brake control.  There are also trim knobs for both the steering and the throttle/brake servos.  It takes 8 of the 12 AA batteries required.  The antenna is collapsible and the steering control knob is covered in foam to give you a good comfortable grip.  The 3rd switch on the radio is for the reverse servo, if it's down it's in forward, if it's up it's in reverse. It is positioned on the radio controller so that its very easy to flick it in either direction with your thumb.  

Shot of the radio controller, shows all the control and trim knobs. Click image for full size photo

This shows the 8 AA batteries that are required to run the radio.  The bottom snaps back on the radio. Click image for full size photo

Now on to the Truck.  The only one word description that I can give you for this Truck is AWESOME!  It will do 30 mph plus ( I Radar Verified a speed of 32mph with it right after breaking in the engine, I have done some hop ups and will test it again.)  It runs off Nitro, so that you don't have to change a battery pack every 8 minutes or so to keep it running.  The suspension is fully adjustable with toe and camber at all 4 wheels.  You can even change the shock pre load with included spacers, or you can get stiffer or softer springs. You can also change the ride height with different springs. 

Since it is Nitro powered, reverse has to be worked in by gear changing.  There is a servo that does this. The truck will run as fast in reverse as it will in forward.  It also has disk brakes, that's right, true disk brakes.  There is a central mounted disk brake that is attached to the transmission that will bring the little beast to a very rapid stop.  If you set it to tight you can flip the truck over. 

Now we come to the transmission, since the folks at Traxxas wanted good low end power and also a high top speed, they built from scratch a new 2 speed transmission. It has an adjustable slipper clutch on it to help with extreme shock loads and the shift point for 2nd gear is also fully adjustable. 

This photo shows the engine and one end of the transmission.  The large gear is the spur gear and it contains the adjustable slipper clutch for shock load.  The plug in the transmission is to access the shift point adjustment screw. Click image for full size photo	This shows the disk bake, its a shot from the bottom so you can't see the caliper part.  It is directly on the front drive shaft and is free floating.  You can also see the front part of the transmission in the shot.  They make carbon fiber disk brakes also. Click image for full size photo
The top of the truck with the body off before running, you can see the warning label attached to the fuel tank and all the servos and wiring.  Notice the toe in set that way from the factory. Click image for full size photo	The underside of the truck before ever being run.  You can see the transmission in the center of the body and also the large suspension arms and shocks.  The main chassis is aluminum. Click image for full size photo

The suspension of this truck is truly remarkable.  It has 2 coil over shocks at each wheel, they have 3 1/2" of wheel travel from full stuff to full droop.  The coil springs have snap in spacers so that you can change the spring rate to make it stiffer.  The shocks themselves are fully rebuildable and you can also change the oil weight, and or the diaphragm inside the shock to change the dampening. 

You have to see the little bugger in action to appreciate its plush ride.  It will take huge jumps and land pillow soft, you can hit large holes and whoops at very fast speeds and the suspension just soaks it up and begs for more.  Each wheel is also fully adjustable for toe in or out by a steel tie rod at each wheel.  You can adjust camber by the pivot ball that is attached to the upper and lower a-arms at each wheel. 

The tires are 5 3/4" tall and 3" wide, they have foam inserts and also act as an active part of the suspension.  They help to soak up the hard landings from big air jumps.  They have that great Chevron type tread pattern that real monster trucks have, they sling a lot of dirt and sand, not to mention some pretty good size gravel.  They make that cool mud grip hum on asphalt too.  What is also very neat is all of the suspension arms are the same at each wheel, there are two different kinds, the upper and the lower, but they are the same at all four wheels. 

The shocks are also the same, they preload spacers in the rear are a little thicker, but they are all the same which makes it easy at rebuild time, or if you want to upgrade.

The front suspension showing the double A arms and the coil over shocks.  The round piece in between the A arms is the drive shaft for that front wheel. Click image for full size photo	Here is a breakdown of the shocks. The one on the left is built complete with a small pre load spacer.  The one on the right is a broken down shot with the spring caps on. Click image for full size photo
This shows how to pull the bead away from the wheel and apply C/A.  I used medium grade and did 4 spots on each side of the wheel.  Holds very well and makes it easier to remove. Click image for full size photo	This shows the tires, from the top and sides, also shows the wheels after I painted them to match the truck.  The tire is 5.75 inches tall and 3 inches wide.  The tread pattern is an aggressive chevron. Click image for full size photo
This is a good shot showing the upper A arm, the shocks go through the 2 large holes.  The A arm is the same at all four wheels.  Click image for full size photo	This shows the lower A arm.  The large hole in the center has tabs on either side that the shock attach to.  You can also see the front wheel drive shaft. Click image for full size photo

The engine puts power to the truck by using a central clutch in a bell gear that is on the main shaft of the engine.  It works like a go-cart clutch or a chain saw clutch.  The bell gear is 20 tooth and that spins the transmissions spur gear.  The spur gear has 72 teeth, and it has some rulon slipper pegs around the center of it to act as a driveline shock absorber.  The transmission is fully enclosed in its own housing and has a drive shaft coming out of each end for the front and rear wheels.  Each drive shaft goes to a differential with real ring and pinion gears.  From there each wheel is powered by its own drive shaft from the differential.  There are 32 sealed ball bearings used in the driveline.  There are also Spools available for the differentials.  I have put one in the rear and the traction difference is phenomenal. Once you put the spool in though, street driving is not an option, it won't turn very sharp and puts tremendous strain on the driveline while on asphalt.

The gearing can be changed via the spur gear and/or the clutch bell gear.  The spur gear is currently available in 72 tooth (stock) or 70 tooth (which will give it more top end).  The clutch bell gear is available in 20 tooth (stock) or 18 tooth (which will give you a lower gear ratio for better low end) and it has been said the 16 tooth one for the Nitro Rustler will also fit, but it puts the engine up tight against the gas tank.  You can get a graphite disk brake, all metal drive shafts.  The list of up grades goes on and on.  You can do more stuff to this little truck than you can to your real rig.  There is not a part on the truck that you cant replace with something made out of aluminum or titanium.  The aftermarket for R/C stuff is phenomenal, they come up with new products as fast as the manufactures come out with new R/C vehicles.

You can see the spur gear and the clutch bell gear meshed together in this shot.  You can also see the rubber plug that gives access to the shift point adjustment Click image for full size photo	A good shot of the whole transmission.  The right bottom metal rod activates the disk brake, the right top rod activates the reverse gear.  The long rod going across the screen is the throttle Click image for full size photo
Some of the Traxxas accessories that are available.  There are 2 and 3 stage filter inserts, as well as a spare air filter and a spare glow plug.  The glow plugs are available in different heat ranges. Click image for full size photo	This is Traxxas's own blue anodized tuned pipe.  It comes with a new spring wire hanger and a new mounting nut and bolt.  You will have to supply your own zip ties to secure the silicone tube. Click image for full size photo
Here is the tuned pipe installed and ready to go, it also shaves an ounce or so of weight off the truck.  Click image for full size photo	This is the optional spool available from Traxxas.  It can be used in either front or rear differential. Click image for full size photo
This shows the spool and the included new mounting screws, it comes with instructions and a good break down picture.  Its a pretty beefy piece of equipment.  Adds gobbs of traction too. Click image for full size photo	This shot shows the old stock exhaust pipe and has a good view of the heat shield that is put on both fuel lines to protect it from the engine head, it can reach upwards of 300 degrees. Click image for full size photo

One of the neatest features of the truck is the E/Z start system.  It consists of an electric starter motor attached to the engine and a starter box that attaches to a 7.2 volt rechargable battery.  The battery pack plugs into the starter box, the box has a plug that attaches to the truck, and the starter plug on the truck goes to the starter and to the glow plug.  You attach the plug and hit the button.  The engine turns over and the glow plug is heated.  There is even a red l.e.d. on the box that glows to signify that the glow plug is good.  

E/Z start in the package with zip ties Click image for full size photo	E/Z start installed on a rechargable 7.2 volt battery Click image for full size photo
Electric starter motor on the engine, the black plastic housing that the motor attaches to is the gear drive for the E/z start system.  The gas tank was removed in this shot so that you can see better. Click image for full size photo	Here you can see a good shot of the cooling head of the engine.  The blue wire going into the top of the head is the glow plug wire, you can also see the E/Z start plug mounted in the rear body mount. Click image for full size photo

The truck has some great ground clearance.  The braces that make the chassis stiff act as guards and the front and rear also have skid plates to protect the drivetrain and to help stiffen up the chassis.  All of these parts are readily available made out of aluminum and in different colors as well.  Once you break in the engine (following the manufacturers instructions), then you can take it out and flogg the hell out of it!  This monster loves to be run hard.  It will lift a tire in a hard corner and happily roost your buddy (while he is working on his... hahahaha, sorry Clint).  The truck handles very well to be as large as it is.  You have to be very careful on asphalt though, its very easy to flip it and or cartwheel it, especially in reverse (trust me I know, you would be surprised how high it goes when accidentally induced into a flip).  

All in all it has been a blast, almost as much fun as actual wheeling.  It is also very useful in chasing off your neighbors pesky cats and dogs.  You have never seen a cat leave at such a high rate of speed and with such wide eyes.  I even chase my own dogs around with it, keeps them on the porch and out of the way after it buzzes them a few times.  

If you like to have fun and you want hours and hours of enjoyment, then drop by your local hobby shop and pick up a TMAXX, you wont be sorry you did.  I have had just as much fun upgrading and modifying the TMAXX as I have had running it.   Just the thing for us "tinker freaks".  

Below are some more pics of the TMAXX doing various things and in various stages of modifications.

If you are interested in the TMAXX, or any other TRAXXAS product, please stop by their web site and take a look around.  It is crammed with information and has the most complete on-line customer service I have ever encountered.  It even has small video clips in several of the most popular formats so that you can see and hear what your R/C vehicle is supposed to be doing.

Any questions or comments, please feel free to email me.

depdog@off-road.com

See ya on the trails!

Depdog

http://www.traxxas.com/ 1 888 872 9927 Traxxas Corporation 12150 Shiloh Road Dallas, Texas U.S.A. 75228 Traxxas U.K. P.O. Box 1128 Winterbourne, Bristol BS36-2SH, England