Two TRX-4 Sport Builds to Inspire Your Own Trick Trail Truck Project

The Traxxas TRX-4 Sport is a huge hit with trail truckers in both kit and RTR form, and a massively popular platform for custom builds and comp rigs from mild to wild. For the two trucks featured here, we went to work with a TRX-4 Sport RTR and TRX-4 Sport Unassembled Kit to create a pair of stylish pickups that can be easily replicated with just a little bench time and zero custom work—it’s all bolt-on stuff. Even the paint jobs are easy! Part 1 will focus on the silver Sport Expedition, but be sure to check back next week for the red Competition Camper.
TRX-4 Sport Builds

Part 1: Silver Sport Expedition

The TRX-4 Sport Unassembled Kit is loaded with accessories right out of the box, and you can get most of the way to our silver truck’s look just by putting the kit together (if you’d like to see how a Sport kit assembled step by step, click here for our 6-part build up). We finished the truck off with same electronics package as the TRX-4 RTR models, and made the style transformation with LED lights, a wheel and tire swap, and a can of paint—plus a touch of Mercedes G 500.
TRX-4 Silver Sport Expedition


TRX-4 Sport Unassembled Kit
TRX-4 Sport Unassembled Kit
The TRX-4 Sport Unassembled Kit combines all the technical capability of the RTR truck, with the excitement of building your own kit. The TRX-4 Sport Kit assembles to form a roller chassis without electronics, battery, or charger. From mild to wild, enjoy ultimate build-it-yourself freedom to add your own motor, electronic speed control (ESC), servo, and radio system to the highly competent chassis. All the parts are organized neatly in labeled bags with pre-assembled shocks and suspension links. A fully illustrated color manual makes the kit as much fun to construct as it is to take off-road.

­
Silver Sport Expedition Parts List
­
  • 82010-4 TRX-4 Sport Unassembled Kit
  • 6507R TQi 4-channel radio system
  • 3025 XL-5 HV speed control
  • 2075X High-torque metal-gear servo
  • 3975R Titan 550 21T motor
  • 8080 Narrow inner fenders
  • 8819 Rock sliders for Mercedes-Benz G 500
  • 8818 Side exhaust pipes
  • 8085 TRX-4 Sport Light Kit
  • 8089 4-in-2 adapter
  • 8086 LED Scene Light Kit
  • 8026X LED Rock lights
  • 8087 LED Roof bar
  • 8088 LED Bumper bar
  • 8174 Canyon Trail 1.9® tires on Method 105 beadlock wheels (x2)
­

Add all accessories for this build to your cart with one click!



4-channel TQi radio

The Sport only needs a 2-channel radio system, but we chose the TQi 4-channel so we’d ready for the optional T-Lock differentials and High / Low transmission if we add them down the road. Plus, the TQi includes the Traxxas Link Wireless module to connect with your smart device and the free Traxxas Link app, which adds all kinds of amazing adjustability and telemetry functionality. That includes inclinometers, which are a lot of fun.


Completed TRX-4 chassis

The finished chassis looks stock, but savvy Sport fans will point out that the Sport doesn’t normally include inner fenders. We installed them so we could add the LED rock lights to the chassis.


Inner fenders
Rock lights

The 8080 inner fenders are narrower than other TRX-4 model’s fenders, so they tuck properly under the Sport body. The 8026X rock lights are daisy-chained together and simply string around the inner fenders at the molded-in mounting points. Traxxas makes LED lighting super easy.


8120 Expedition Rack
Expedition Rack

The Expedition Rack is included with the Sport kit, as well as the scale accessories that mount on it. You get traction boards, a fire extinguisher, jack, axe, shovel, and fuel canisters.

Finished Expedition Rack

Side pipes
Installed side pipes

Side pipes, nice! They’re stock parts on the Mercedes-Benz G 500 and TRX-6, and bolt right up to the Sport’s floor pans. We also installed the G 500’s rock sliders for extra body support. It’s all in the parts list.


TRX-4 Sport Light Kit
8089 4-in-2 harness
Installed power supply

We started off with the excellent 8085 TRX-4 Sport Light Kit which includes a hyper-realistic front grille and rear tailgate with colored lenses. The kit includes a distribution block and power supply along with all the necessary wiring and hardware. If you’re just running some rock lights and a light bar, the 3-in-1 adapter included with the lighting kit will do the trick. The additional lights for our build require the 8089 4-in-2 adapter for true comp-grade lighting performance.


Installed bumper lightThe 8088 light bar tucks neatly into the Sport’s front bumper after you remove the winch

LED light bar
Bumper light bar
LED scene lights

The silver Sport is outfitted with the 8087 roof light bar, 8088 bumper bar, and 8086 “scene lights,” which mount under the Expedition Rack. All Traxxas LED sets are waterproof to match the rest of the TRX-4’s electronics.


LED beams

We’re using a little artistic license here to show the beams. Rest assured, they’re bright! The Expedition Rack’s “scene lights” tilt and swivel so you can aim them any way you like.


Finished Sport Expedition

A shot of silver and this Sport is looking great! The fender flares can be blacked out with the kit-supplied decals, or you can paint them on the outside of the body using the overspray film as a mask—see how it’s done here.


That's marks the end to the first part of our TRX-4 Sport build series. Be sure to check out Part 2 to see the details on our competition-ready TRX-4 sport with a camper top!