Traxxas TCP buggy build...

[Brandon G]

I have yet to do a step build and post, and after talking to James this weekend, I figured now would be the best time....

I got this car about 6 months ago. 90% of the car was there NIP with a few missing pieces. I had to source a diff which wasn't a problem since they still sell the Pro diff new. I needed shocks too, and I found the Slash big bore shocks were the same as the original with exception of springs and the shafts are Ti nitride coated. Missing a few other little things, but I have amassed all I need to go through with the build. I will be doing this sans manual, so the exploded views are all I have to go by with this car.

I will be using all allen screws on this build as I cant stand the Traxxas phillips hardware. Only exception is the 4mm FH screws, they are aluminum and phillips.

Enjoy!

[Brandon G]

More intro..

[Brandon G]

Build 1

Notes: Seems Traxxas suffered from the same ineptness as Associated as far as not countersinking their chassis enough. I will need to countersink all the 4mm flat head holes just a little bit to get it flush.

[Brandon G]

Build 2

Notes: The chassis stiffener is a stout piece. Should do the job well. The rear anti squat shims are a nice touch. It comes with a handful of different angled shims.

[Brandon G]

Build 3

Notes: I built the diff a few months back, so I will skip the details of it's assembly. I had trouble with the first one I got. The threads that the diff thrust screw went into had some issues and caused the screw to snap off flush... Traxxas sent me the new pieces about a week later, and the 2nd try I had no problems. It turned out to be a very smooth diff. I'm just not a fan of the bellville washers and no lock nut. (thread lock)

The pucks in the slipper seem to be a retarted way to go. And from what I hear, it is the weakness of the tranny for anything more than a stock racing motor. On a positive note, they drilled and pressed a small brass roll pin in the slipper drives to engage into slots in the slipper rings. Another nice touch is the adjustment hole in the diff housing. It aligns with a small hole in the trans housing. This allows you to place a small allen wrench from the outside and it engages the slotted diff adjustment screw. No need to remove dog bones to adjust the diff.

The trans is nice and smooth!

The tranny housing is keyed to the rear bulkhead, and I had to loosen the bulkhead about 1/8" to get it to slide into place. The tranny is a tight fit between the rear arm mounts, but didn't require and sanding for it to fit. Everything is very tight and slop free.

[Brandon G]

Build 4

Notes: The traxxas shocks are very smooth, but not without their problems. They have the X rings instead of orings. I did notice that one of the front shocks looked like they were thrown together in a rush and they pinched the rings. The other front shock had the cap (with bladder) screwed down and the bladder was pinched and cut. Had to make another call to Traxxas, and they sent me the parts in about a week.

I ditched the Slash progressive springs and went for the proper kit springs instead.

[markt311]

I'm so jealous! Brandon, you know how bad I wanted another one of these, oh well, at least I'll get to see it at the track sometimes Those chassis stiffeners are really hard to come by now, I think I dremelled mine to death on my TRX3

[Mr. ED]

So, what is the difference between this and a trx-3? sorry for my ignorance

Thanks for the detailed pics and build notes

[tiger1]

absolutely beautiful car

[Brandon G]

Compared to the TRX-3 the TCP came with 3 pairs of shocks. 1 standard length rear, 2 different lengths for the front. It came with 2.2" wheels F&R with Proline tires as well as the 2.1"/2.0" F&R with Traxxas tires. Also it had both the white and black arms, front and rear, why I don't know. It also came with the slider outdrives as well as the dogbone/universals. That's all I can think of off the top of my head. They wanted to make it a "total competition package" with as many options available to configure it in a number of different ways.

[scr8p]

cool build brandon.

question....... are you still having issuse with attaching more than 5 pics to your message? i looked into it again and i can't find anything wrong........ setting wise.

[scr8p]

nevermind, it looks like it's not an issue anymore. i just counted your last round of attachments.

[jsrracing]

oooooaaaaa

[RichieRich]

Great work, Brandon. I have one of these on my wish list.

[wts873]

very nice car! I cant wait to see how it turns out. I always liked the look of that body.