Traxxas TRX-3

[Dangeruss]

In 1993 Traxxas' continual improvement to their 1/10 2wd racing buggy program would result in the TRX-3. Unlike its Blue Eagle LSII stablemate whose updates centered around its double deck chassis, the TRX-3 was a nearly all-new buggy. Sharing very few parts with the previous TRX-1 Traxxas' would take a diametric approach to the spec creep that created increasingly larger buggies by introducing one that was smaller in nearly every physical dimension in order to produce a more nimble platform. This started with a .5in shorter, double deck, black fiberglass chassis plate with improved steering bellcranks sandwiched under the top deck that stretched from the detachable .125in narrower 30-degree plastic front kick up back to its chassis stiffening plastic battery box. The suspension was still a 4-wheel independent, lower a-arm and turnbuckle upper camber link design but the front arms were each .2in. shorter and .125in closer than on the TRX-1. The rear arms, mounts and stub axle housings where unchanged however new caster blocks were fitted up front. The suspension attached to revised front and rear bulkheads which supported a pair of black fiberglass shock towers holding teflon coated hard anodized aluminum oil-filled shocks, with medium length coilovers on the nose and extra-long coilovers at the tail. The TRX-3 would also feature a redesigned 3-gear externally adjustable ball diff transmission that moved the motor further forward on its new aluminum mount and the outputs downward for better weight distribution and driveshaft angles. Disk face wheels would supplant the TRX-1 spoke wheels and wear Pro-Trax 4740 ribbed front and new 4751 mini pin rear tires. A more traditionally styled lexan buggy body would complete the TRX-3, which came unassembled, with full bearings, less electronics:

Factoid... why was there no TRX-2? Because the TRX-1 was released in 199(1) and the TRX-3 was released in 199(3).

[RC10th]

Another Traxxas bedtime story

How many kids would dream of having that under the Christmas tree.

[Frankentruck]

I haven't driven my TRX-1 or TRX-3 yet, but the TRX-3 looks to me like it got heavier and took a step back from being a pure racer. That's my impression at least based on design impressions.

[Dangeruss]

I haven't driven my TRX-1 or TRX-3 yet, but the TRX-3 looks to me like it got heavier and took a step back from being a pure racer. That's my impression at least based on design impressions.

What caused you to think it took a step back from being a pure racer? The addition of the extra plastic from the battery box and the front deck seemed like a step back to me.

Another Traxxas bedtime story

How many kids would dream of having that under the Christmas tree.

"All I want for Christmas is a TRX-3, a TRX-3, gee if I could only have a TRX-3, then I could wish you Merry Christmas...."

...Sleep tight

[Frankentruck]

I haven't driven my TRX-1 or TRX-3 yet, but the TRX-3 looks to me like it got heavier and took a step back from being a pure racer. That's my impression at least based on design impressions.

What caused you to think it took a step back from being a pure racer? The addition of the extra plastic from the battery box and the front deck seemed like a step back to me.

It seems like a step back to me because:
- All that extra plastic added for the TRX-3 battery box and then a top deck on the plastic is just more weight with no benefit.
- My TRX-3 chassis is natural color fiberglass chassis with separate plastic piece for front kickup. TRX-1 is graphite chassis with front kickup.
.

[Dangeruss]

It seems like a step back to me because:
- All that extra plastic added for the TRX-3 battery box and then a top deck on the plastic is just more weight with no benefit.
- My TRX-3 chassis is natural color fiberglass chassis with separate plastic piece for front kickup. TRX-1 is graphite chassis with front kickup.
.

Yep, I'd call that a consensus. How cool would the car have been with a molded kickup graphite chassis, battery cups instead of the battery box, and a graphite top deck that stretched front to rear...