The Traxxas TRX-4M has been out a short while now, however we had been nonetheless fortunate to get our fingers on one to unbox and take for a spin at our native crawling sizzling spot.
This new rig is tiny in dimension – just one/18 scale – and is fairly customary so far as micro crawlers go, nevertheless it does have some neat options that do put it above the remainder.
Let’s take the deep dive into this itty bitty Bronco and present you what it comes with, the way it performs and if it’s actually well worth the extremely inexpensive $150 price ticket.
Product: Traxxas TRX-4M Ford Bronco
Website: traxxas.com
Purchase: https://bit.ly/3WrtPtz
Part #: TRA97074-1-RED
Scale: 1/18 Scale
Price: $149.99
Build Type: RTR
Recommended For: Those which have restricted areas to crawl OR need an amazingly succesful micro rig to play with.
Unboxing/Action Video
What’s Included
In addition to the Ford Bronco, you additionally get the Traxxas TQ Radio system, a 750mAh 2S LiPo battery, USB ID charger, instruments and a pair pre-load spacers for the shocks – if you would like extra trip top. There’s additionally the bag with the usual paperwork – handbook and guarantee information.
What’s Needed
• 4 AA Batteries
Main Features
The very first thing we have to discuss – and doubtless the plain purpose why you’d need one – is the beautiful Ford Bronco physique set. It’s a tough physique molded from ABS and comes chock-full of element with separate components just like the roof rack, mirrors, door handles, grille and spare tire cowl. It makes use of the Traxxas clipless physique system to keep away from any ugly physique mounts – in our opinion, ALL automobiles of this nature ought to have this setup! The Bronco is offered in 4 totally different colours – blue, black, white and crimson – and all embody molded bumpers with entrance factory-installed LEDs. The physique additionally has LED buckets for entrance and tail lamps, all managed by the ECM 2.5 All-In-One ESC/Receiver/Light Controller.
The chassis structure is easy – a twin metal c-channel body with the servo up entrance, transmission down low within the middle and the ECM 2.5 mounted in between the rear shock towers. This permits the battery to be mounted somewhat farther ahead for higher weight distribution. Beefy entrance and rear bumpers assist shield the automobile throughout tough, offroad excursions.
The transmission that comes within the Bronco makes use of a ‘High Range’ Gearing, giving it a great quantity of pace whereas nonetheless being crawlable. However, Traxxas affords two elective transmissions that may be dropped in to switch the efficiency of the rig – a ‘Speed Gearing’ and a ‘Low-Range’ Gearing. This is an attention-grabbing possibility because it means that you can actually customise the way you need to use your TRX-4M.
Let’s discuss suspension. The TRX-4M includes a 4-link setup with their stellar oil-filled GTM shocks. There’s loads of articulation on all 4 corners with little or no interference with the physique at full carry. The steering can also be glorious with a tremendous 45° of angle, making tight turns a breeze.
The electronics package deal is high notch for a tiny rig. Traxxas has included a 2065T heavy obligation waterproof servo for steering. It makes use of a metallic predominant gear and dealing on the total 6v energy, making it a bit overkill for turning this tiny truck. For go-power, the Bronco makes use of a crawler-tuned Titan 87T 180-size motor that has a plug hooked up for straightforward substitute. The ECM 2.5 can also be customary, combining the ESC, receiver and lighting controller into one unit. Finally, it’s all managed by the TQ radio system.
Because it’s an attention-grabbing little setup, we needed to speak a bit extra in regards to the ECM 2.5 combo unit. This 2S LiPo appropriate unit has a one-button EZ-set programming perform that means that you can progress by way of totally different driving modes. There’s a Sport mode for common use, a Trail Mode that smooths the brakes for steep descents and a Crawl Mode that totally applies the brakes the second the throttle is launched, retaining the rig planted on steep hills. The ECM unit additionally doubles (or triples?) as a Lighting Controller, giving it Traxxas’ Pro Scale LED performance. We’ll be enjoying somewhat extra with this within the close to future!
Performance
We took the TRX-4M to Corona Del Mar State Beach, a neighborhood crawling spot that’s recognized for it’s differing terrain. Got a scaler, a lot of little trails working by way of the realm. Brought you full-on comp rig – there’s loads of areas for that as effectively. Oh, and it’s all proper on the seashore. Can’t beat that!
Acceleration
This class is all about throttle administration, each up and down any rocky spots. Under regular use, the throttle felt clean and silky, giving us glorious management of the rig. On the extra trickier climbs, it felt like a a lot bigger truck, climbing with ease (most often) with the naked minimal of throttle. Once the tires had been moist (or sandy), it grew to become a bit extra slippy however, general, we had been pleasantly stunned by the smoothness of each the throttle and braking.
Handling
In its out-of-the-box setup, the Bronco was a pleasure to drive. It felt good going up, happening and going sideways, nevertheless it may gain advantage from a bit extra weight up entrance. There had been a pair instances the place we toppled backwards because of a light-weight entrance finish however, actually, we had been most likely pushing the rig previous what the out-of-the-box setup was made for. We did have to vary our traces for a number of the uphill spots to compensate however, for probably the most half, the Bronco felt rock regular. While the ABS physique does add some weight up excessive, it’s nonetheless gentle sufficient to not should a lot have an effect on on the efficiency of the truck.
Suspension
The suspension appears about good for this tiny truck. There was loads of articulation once we selected the tough ‘possibility line’ (as a substitute of simply staying on the flat floor) and solely a few times did we get it high-centered. The shocks stored all 4 corners on the bottom when wanted and the tires appeared to have fairly first rate grip – once more, as soon as they acquired moist or sandy it took a bit extra ‘doing’ to get the truck to climb. We do really feel, although, that a greater set of tires (perhaps even one thing with inserts) might increase the efficiency of this rig (simply be certain they keep scale!).
Durability
While we did dump the Bronco a pair instances, its gentle weight means completely zero injury – not even any scratches on the physique! We ran it by way of water, all good. Rolled in down a tough rocky incline, nonetheless going sturdy. Tumbled backwards down a reasonably steep climb, not even a scratch. Unless you drop it from a tower, it’s going to be fairly exhausting to break this truck in the event you hold the driving scale.
Additional Notes
• The TRX-4M does NOT embody bearings. Instead, a full set of self-lubricating bushings are put in in every single place. Honestly, we like this just because it means we are able to exit and play and never fear about splashing by way of water, trekking by way of mud or bombing it by way of some snow. Zero upkeep.
• Making the ECM 2.5 unit 2S LiPo appropriate is a good alternative and opens up the Bronco to fairly a number of improve battery choices. As a crawler, 750mAh is kind of a bit, however there’s at all times room to go greater. And longer.
• We have to provide it as much as Traxxas – together with the bumper LEDs provides the client a style of lighting. Pre-installing the physique buckets and having an open port within the ECM (in addition to some cool performance) is a good way to entice the acquisition of they remainder of the LED setup.
Gallery
Final Thoughts
We’ve had a number of micro crawlers earlier than and all have labored effectively, however none have given us your complete package deal – efficiency and tremendous scale – till now. We LOVE the look of the Ford Bronco and, teaming it up with an incredible chassis and tremendous out-of-the-box efficiency, we are able to just about say this little man goes to promote out. Everywhere. Especially for its inexpensive $150 price ticket.
Is it price it? Absolutely.
Does it want any upgrades? Not in any respect, however you’ll need to just because there’s a ton of cool stuff on the market to customise it with.
Do you want one? No. You want two – one to maintain inventory (as a result of it’s actually enjoyable in inventory type) and one to switch as a result of, effectively, we’re RC nerds and we ALWAYS modify issues.
Enjoy the Traxxas TRX-4M Ford Bronco. We know we’ll.