Project Build: TRX-4 2021 Ford Bronco Part 1
Customizing the Newest TRX-4® with the Latest Accessories
All Traxxas models are upgradeable with all sorts of options and accessories to improve performance and durability. You can also customize them to suit your personal style, but some models do have more options than others. If you’re looking for a model with a lot of potential for a truly personal and unique build, it’s hard to top a TRX-4. We’ve had a ton of fun with our previous builds including the Ultimate TRX-4, Maximum Mud Bronco, TRX-4 Comp Crawler, and Galaxy Edition Chevy Blazer, and now we’re turning our attention to the hottest truck in 1/10 scale as well as full-size: the 2021 Ford® Bronco. We’re going deep into the accessories catalog for this one and settling in for a relaxing bench session to bolt all the goodies into place. After that, we’ll spice things up with some extra custom touches you might want to try yourself.
Here's a look at some of the accessories we'll be installing. This isn’t even everything! There’s so much you can do with a TRX-4. See all the accessories for the 2021 Bronco here.
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Add All Accessories to your cart with one click!
Before we get started: how’s your tool game? Traxxas has everything you need to make upgrading and maintaining your RC fleet as fun and rewarding as the time you spend behind the wheel.
Axle and Drivetrain Upgrades
The TRX-4 series offers plenty of ways to trick out the axles and drivetrain with parts that back up great looks with extreme durability. You can also boost the versatility of your TRX-4
with options such as the 2-speed conversion kit and T-Lock differential kit to add remote-locking differentials and High-Low shifting to the TRX-4 Sport models. Our 2021 Bronco already has those features, so we’re going to focus on machined aluminum strength and style for the axles, plus an extra helping of super-tough steel for the shafts and gears.
You can get the TRX-4’s machined aluminum accessories in red, blue, green, and charcoal gray. We’re going with charcoal gray and a few pops of blue for this build. Lowering the CG
The machined aluminum axle parts increase strength, and of course they look terrific. The aluminum parts also add nearly three ounces to the truck’s overall weight to boost climbing and crawling traction. Adding the weight to the axles lowers the Bronco’s center of gravity. You can see the breakdown in the image below.
The machined aluminum axle parts increase strength, and of course they look terrific. The aluminum parts also add nearly three ounces to the truck’s overall weight to boost climbing and crawling traction. Adding the weight to the axles lowers the Bronco’s center of gravity. You can see the breakdown in the image below.
Adding weight onto the axles lowers the Bronco's center of gravity and increases stability.
It’s invisible once installed, but the aluminum motor plate is a smart upgrade for flex-fighting strength and a bit of extra cooling as the aluminum pulls heat from the motor.
The 8298 hardware kit replaces the black-oxide fasteners found on the TRX-4 with stainless steel. You may end up with a few extra screws, depending on your model.
Here are the chromoly axle shafts (top) compared to the stockers (which are still all-metal, but not as hard). This is a stealth upgrade since the shafts are hidden once installed, but if you’re looking for the ultimate in drivetrain strength and longevity, the cro-mo shafts are the hot setup.Overdrive Gears
While the axles were apart, we also replaced the stock ring and pinion gears with the precision-cut machined-steel versions. We stuck with the stock ratios for all-around off-road adventuring. If a focused extreme-terrain setup is what you’re after, you can also get the steel gears with different ratios to overdrive the front axle by 11, 13, or 27%. “What’s the purpose of overdrive” you ask? Click here to learn more.
While the axles were apart, we also replaced the stock ring and pinion gears with the precision-cut machined-steel versions. We stuck with the stock ratios for all-around off-road adventuring. If a focused extreme-terrain setup is what you’re after, you can also get the steel gears with different ratios to overdrive the front axle by 11, 13, or 27%. “What’s the purpose of overdrive” you ask? Click here to learn more.
Machined-steel overdrive gears allow you to tune your truck's hill-climbing ability.
Here are the completed axles, ready to be reinstalled on the chassis. We also traded in the Bronco’s stock grey diff covers for chrome versions.
When reinstalling the axles, be sure to align the marks on the driveshafts to keep them “in phase”. We filled the marks in with red paint for easier visibility.
Our Bronco’s flip side is looking good. The stainless screws add pops of silver, and they won’t rust.
Portal Weights
You may have already spotted the portal weights. The dense brass weights add 34 grams to the front axle to press the tires harder to the terrain and increase the truck’s front weight bias. The weights fit the aluminum outer portal housings only, they’re not compatible with the stock composite housings.
You may have already spotted the portal weights. The dense brass weights add 34 grams to the front axle to press the tires harder to the terrain and increase the truck’s front weight bias. The weights fit the aluminum outer portal housings only, they’re not compatible with the stock composite housings.
Install the portal weights with the longer screws included in the package. The included screws are black, but we went stainless.
Steering and Suspension Upgrades
The 2021 Bronco and all TRX-4s are fully outfitted with high-strength steel suspension and steering links, metal servo arms, threaded-body aluminum shocks, and a high-torque metal-gear servo. That means our Bronco is equipped like a “full option” rig as soon as you open the box. We're taking it a step further by installing premium GTS shocks that use high-tech coatings to deliver pro-grade performance. For over-the-top steering power, we’re upgrading to the High Torque Red 400 servo. This high-tech powerhouse swings the front wheels with enough power to pull 25 pounds—not to mention digital precision and the strength of full-metal gears.
All TRX-4s are equipped with silver-anodized aluminum GTS shocks, and you can get green, blue, or red-anodized versions as options. For peak performance, get the GTS dampers with hard-anodized bodies, PTFE-coated bores, and slick Titamium-nitride shafts. They’ll set you back an extra ten bucks, but they deliver longer seal life and extra-smooth action.
No matter which color you get, all assembled GTS shocks include a bottle of oil and arrive ready to fill. We like to unscrew the lower cap and put a drop of oil on the seals before filling. For the ultimate in smoothness and performance, follow our TRX-4 Pro Shock Build guide.
With 400 oz-in of torque, the High Torque Red 400 servo steers with more than three times the power of the stock 2075X servo (which is no slouch at 125 oz-in).
The red-anodized mid-case looks trick and offers performance benefits too—it stiffens the case and acts as a heatsink.
The Red 400 servo works in conjunction with the 2262 High Output BEC. The BEC ensures the servo won’t drain power from the receiver when maximum torque is required. Learn more here.
That wraps up Part 1 of our 2021 Bronco build. Check out Part 2 where we tackle the wheels, electronics, and some custom body modifications.
