Project Build: Taking the TRX-4M Bronco to New Levels of Strength and Style
There’s no easier, more affordable way to get into all-weather, all-terrain trail trucking than with a Traxxas TRX-4M. Whether you go Bronco or Land Rover Defender, you’re getting true trail performance and display-model detailing in an RTR package that’s perfectly sized for grab-and-go 4X4 fun. And like all TRX-4 models, the M-trucks are fully supported with a wide range of accessories to tailor your rig’s ride, boost durability, and personalize your machine with custom style. We’re throwing all the accessories at a TRX-4M Ford Bronco to show off all you can do, and everything you see is also compatible with the Land Rover Defender.
Lights, brass, aluminum, beadlocks … the Bronco build has it all.
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Fresh Style
The TRX-4M Bronco is loaded with detail right out of the box, and is available in black, blue, red, or white. Optional accessory bodies add three more color options: Cactus Gray, Area 51, and Ford’s original launch color for the Bronco: Cyber Orange. We chose the latter for our project build-up and added the Pro Scale LED light set for off-road adventure after dark. Like all Traxxas light kits, it’s custom fit to install neatly and easily. The front bumper with replica winch adds an extra dose of toughness up front, while Method 105 replica wheels shod with Mickey Thompson Baja Pro X tires give even more aggressive grip than the stock BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A treads. These wheels’ functional beadlock system clamps the rubber tightly in place no matter how challenging the terrain. and they accept brass weights—more on that in a bit.
Body, Wheels, and Tires
9711-CYBER Complete Ford Bronco body, Cyber Orange
9735A Bumper Set with Replica Winch
9782 Mickey Thompson Baja Pro X replica tires (pair)
9781 Method 105 beadlock wheels
9783 TRX-4M Bronco Pro Scale Light Set
9784 TRX-4M Defender Pro Scale Light Set
The Bronco body for TRX-4M is available in six colors: Black, Blue, Cactus Gray, Cyber Orange, Red, Area 51, and White.
The Bronco and Defender bodies are also available unassembled in white to paint any color you like.
The TRX-4M Pro Scale LED light set for the Bronco is custom fit for easy installation and operates realistically. You can switch between headlights and daytime lights and the tail lights feature automatic reverse lights. You can even switch on hazard signals!
Method Race Wheels clamp the tires in place using a 3-piece beadlock design. We chose the Black Chrome/Blue wheels for our build.
The Baja Pro X tires replicate the full-size Mickey Thompson tread’s aggressive design to give our Bronco even more bite.
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Metal-Fortified Suspension & Steering
Traxxas offers the TRX-4M’s composite suspension links and shocks in high-strength T6 aluminum versions for even greater durability, and you can choose from four colors to personalize your machine. We went with blue for a nice contrast with the brass parts that we’ll cover in the next section. Our TRX-4M is also fortified with the optional metal-gear servo and aluminum servo mount, as well as an aluminum steering link and metal servo horn. It’s one bomb-proof Bronco!
2065R Sub-micro servo with metal gears, waterproof
9739-BLUE 6061-T6 aluminum servo mount
9748-BLUE 6061-T6 aluminum steering link & metal servo horn
9749-BLUE 6061-T6 aluminum suspension link set
9764-BLUE 6061-T6 aluminum shock set
9751-BLUE 6061-T6 aluminum center driveshaft
Our TRX-4M shows off a full complement of anodized aluminum, including shocks, suspension links, driveshafts, and steering link.
You can also get the anodized parts in red, green, orange, and titanium finishes. Note that the steering link includes a metal servo horn.
The optional 2065R metal-gear servo is a smart upgrade if you give your TRX-4M the full brass treatment. Install it using the stock servo mount, or upgrade to the aluminum version to eliminate flex. Added bonus: the aluminum mount adds a little more weight up front for even more climbing and crawling capability.
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Beefing Up With Brass
Adding weight improves trail performance by pressing the tires more firmly into the terrain, and if that weight is concentrated low on the chassis, it also improves stability by lowering the center of gravity. The TRX-4M’s brass options tick both those boxes, and bonus, they look fantastic. Well, most of them do; the wheel weights are invisible once installed, but you’ll definitely see the difference they make on the trail.
9761A Brass lower spring retainers
9733 Brass caster blocks
9737 Brass steering blocks
9750X Brass wheel hubs
9780 Brass wheel weights
9787 Brass axle cover
The machined brass components look fantastic and add weight to help press your TRX-4M against terrain more firmly.
The wheel weights are a stealth upgrade and concentrate extra mass low on the front axle for peak climbing grip. The stock wheel inserts weigh 7 grams per pair—the brass versions weigh 62 grams!
More heft and great looks here with brass caster blocks, steering blocks, wheel hubs, and axle cover.
The rear axle also gets a brass cover and hex hubs, and you can just see the brass lower spring retainers behind the axle.
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High-Durability Drivetrain
The TRX-4M is built Traxxas Tough for multi-terrain adventure. Since our Bronco buildup is carrying extra weight with all its brass upgrades and will roll into action as an extreme-terrain crawler, we’ve installed the optional low-range crawling transmission. The ultra-low 40.3:1 ratio will dramatically increases torque to push the Bronco over or through anything it encounters. To transfer all that wheel-turning power efficiently and resist the twist, the axles are outfitted with high-strength metal gears and hardened steel shafts.
9745X Ball bearing set
9791R Low-range crawl transmission (40.3:1 ratio)
9779 Metal axle gears
9756 Hardened steel axle shafts
9793-BLUE Titan 87T aluminum heatsink
Our Bronco is ready for marathon crawling sessions with its low-range transmission, motor heatsink, metal axle gears, and hardened steel shafts. We may never need to pick up a hex driver again!
Three transmissions are available for the TRX-4M. The truck’s included #9791 trans is equipped with “high range” gears delivering a 16:6:1 ratio for all-around driving in all types of terrain. The optional #9791R unit has a 40.3:1 ratio for maximum climbing and crawling torque. For higher speed on open trails and hard surfaces, the #9791X gearbox with 9.7:1 gearing is the way to go. The Low Range and Speed Gearing transmissions are sold fully assembled and ready to install, complete with Titan 87-turn motor.
That’s one sharp TRX-4M, and the upgrades combine to give our Bronco greater performance, durability, and versatility.
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PARTS LIST
Body, Wheels, and Tires
9711-CYBER Complete Ford Bronco body, Cyber Orange
9782 Mickey Thompson Baja Pro X replica tires (pair)
9781 Method 105 beadlock wheels
9783 TRX-4M Bronco Pro Scale Light Set
9784 TRX-4M Defender Pro Scale Light Set
Suspension & Steering
2065R Sub-micro servo with metal gears, waterproof
9739-BLUE 6061-T6 aluminum servo mount
9748-BLUE 6061-T6 aluminum steering link & metal servo horn
9749-BLUE 6061-T6 aluminum suspension link set
9764-BLUE 6061-T6 aluminum shock set
9751-BLUE 6061-T6 aluminum center driveshafts
Brass Components
9761A Brass lower spring retainers
9733 Brass caster blocks
9737 Brass steering blocks
9750X Brass wheel hubs
9780 Brass wheel weights
9787 Brass axle cover
Drivetrain
9745X Ball bearing set
9791R Low-range crawl transmission (40.3:1 ratio)
9779 Metal axle gears
9756 Hardened steel axle shafts
9793-BLUE Titan 87T aluminum heatsink
