I purchased one of the defenders for my son for Christmas. We had lots of fun with the truck in stock form(until he blew the plastic gear servo replaced with a mg traxxas servo since they had one at the hobby store) We had so much fun that I went and bought a bronco for myself so we could drive together. This is our first "trail" type rig. I have have had many rc's in the past. I think you saying that the stock esc and stock gearing is trash is a little unfair. The only thing I notice is the approach and departure angles aren't great but can be rectified by easily removing the bumpers like you have done. We have taken them on some walking trails in our county parks and have had a blast with them. I think expecting this truck to be much more than a scale trail rig is..silly. As far as a comparison to scx24s I have never touched a 24 but my buddy has a few of them in stock form and he thought the 4m was better. These trucks can be enjoyed in stock form. We have been playing with these inside and outside every day since christmas in stock form and really enjoying them. I'd be interested in you comparing a stock 4m to a stock scx24. Also the comment on not having many parts for it..the model has only been out for less than two months at this time. Nice video otherwise. I will be checking out your other stuff.
I’m with you man. I got the injora Servo and some better wheels/tires so my kid can run it with my built up Scx24. Dropping $300+ on brushless electronics (more than that since your driveline will blow out) is not worth it at this scale to me. Even 10th scale I run brushed on my trail trucks. I don’t do comps so I really don’t see the need to dump all that money. Maybe when there are more affordable options like Holmes hobby that is a lot more reliable than furitek
I am so glad I found this video and someone who finally agrees with me! I was very disappointed with my whole trx4m build with the stock motor (and an injora 180 motor I put in also) it really does struggle as soon as you add any upgrades, just hammering on the throttle to drive over anything and sometimes it just stalls out completely on relatively narrow angles, whereas my scx24 with an injora brushed motor, stock esc, a much better servo, as well plenty of brass upgrades, the scx24 simply well outperforms it--night and day. Another thing that really irritated me is that the pro light kit started to flicker constantly after i installed a mid-range but necessary servo upgrade for it. Well, I bit the bullet and ordered a furitek python pro and a cedar motor w/stellar transmission after seeing how well these perform.
It’ll be a night and day difference with the brushless kit man. Some brass down low to mitigate the hard body raising the center of gravity helps a bunch too. Just keep in mind if you see the front tires in a bind after you go brushless. Just manually pull the truck out or you’ll break front driveshafts. Besides that now this has been one of my favorite trucks still
@@midwestern_rc I will definitely keep that in mind, I hate to break something and tear down so many parts to replace one small thing....then decide to do a whole cleaning and regreasing and I'm there half the day 😬 I really appreciate the tip! And by the way, the brushless system is far better, dude no kidding you completely changed my opinion of my trx4m. Even with the metal crawler gears this thing zips along very well while having a smooth and slow low end crawl. Such a tiny motor, too, I'm surprised! But yeah thank you for posting this, made my day after I went for this kit you showed, just a slightly different esc from furitek, got it the next day and it's running amazingly....that is, until I get some metal gears on Friday as a replacement since I've stripped the stock plastic axle gears quite a bit already lol. I had a feeling something might happen but I really had to try out the brushless motor and python pro esc since the gears were already on the way. I appreciate you, man! 👍
The stock electronics are fine. Ive got the k10 high trail and only done the following. Alloy diff conversion Crawl gear conversion Holmes hobby 66t motor Fast eddy bearings Hobby park shocks, no springs Injora 7kg servo and aluminum mount Traxxas trailer Its a great truck out of the box. The only shortfall i saw is the servo and the lack of the tqi radio.
Could you zoom the camera in just slightly. also the audio sounds slightly echoey. Not trying to be picky just giving constructive feedback. Its not bad by any means just could be better.
I appreciate the feedback. Yeah the mic I use is iffy. Sometimes it’s good sometimes it’s not it’s just an Amazon one. I should’ve done B roll footage too for when I was trying to feature the parts. But I’m trying to get better each video and always open to feedback man 🤝🤝
Are you using the stock Traxxas remote controller? I thought you had to change that when going to a brushless setup? If not, that’s a money saver. I got a little lost when you talked about the receivers as I’m new to RC.
I used a different Traxxas remote and receiver that I just had lying around. Something like this would work though jennysrc.com/collections/33-hotrod-coupe-93044-4/products/33-hotrod-coupe-tq-radio-set-2-4-ghz-2ch-transmitter-receiver-6516-6519-traxxas-93044-4
I’d really like to see a comparison between a modded scx/fcx vs a modded 4M!…. Maybe just throw on beadlocks, tires, and a little brass? Keep it even for both rigs and compare? 🤔 nobody seems to have done it… it’s always a $600 scx24 vs a bone stock 4M, then they’re surprised it doesn’t perform….😑
Still is way better than something like the scx24 and at that price point idk how much you can really expect. For the price, what do you think would be better?
An scx24 to be honest. Way more capable and the size difference isn’t that notable. And as of right now the scx24 has so much aftermarket support there are many cheap ways to improve the scx24.
I ended up using the crawler gears. But tbh I feel like the furitek system crawls slow enough there are some moments I did wish I had more wheel speed from the stock gears.
@@dua4436 yeah I think this system would be really good with the stock gears. Just keep in mind the gears are plastic and the furitek brushless system is a lot of power so if the tires are in a bind just pick it up and move the RC so you don’t strip the gears.
@@midwestern_rcgonna put putting metal driveshaft/metal diff gears… got this system on the way…. Wish it came with a transmission in the kit tho. As I slowly upgrade ima be putting all the original stuff together and give it to someone lol. Probably could’ve built one from scratch and not by the trx4m and save money but oh well. Was nice slowly upgrading it while enjoying it along the way vs completely upgrading everything at once.
These trucks haven’t been out long enough to be dumping that much cash into the one option available imo. Your comments about the stock performance don’t really line up with reality. This thing is way more capable out of the box than comparable brands besides the fcx. Low speed gearing and a $20 upgraded motor will give you 95% of that control and save you hundreds. I don’t see the need to go brushless at this scale especially without slipper clutches you are just going to blow out your driveline. I’d like to see some better options than furitek, I’ve seen way too many issues with their stuff and seeing as these have only been out for a month or two and not even available online yet the market is going to explode with options this summer.
The fcx24 in stock form out performs a stock TRX4M by a landslide. I have other cars with furitek systems too never had an issue. And for everyone that’s breaking drivelines with brushless set ups they need to learn how to drive. If the truck is in an obvious bind just pick it up instead of trying to throttle out of it. That simple.
@@midwestern_rc which is why I said it outperforms comparable brands out of the box besides the fcx. You may not have had issues but others have and it’s well documented within the community. For the price of these brushless systems it shouldn’t be happening period. Hell I have some Holmes hobbies and traxxas brushless systems that have been going for a decade. Again I just think it’s too early with these to be saying the one option available is a must have upgrade. Brushless in general seems like a luxury item if you’re not doing comps. And with the limited options it doesn’t seem worth the risk of blowing your driveline because we don’t have other safety options in case of a mishap.
Great video! I did a very similar setup in my M. Glad I left the crawler gears with the brushless setup. It's a great combo!
Seriously! I think this set up is my slowest crawler. Can’t wait to get some 20-30% OD gears for this thing 😬
I purchased one of the defenders for my son for Christmas. We had lots of fun with the truck in stock form(until he blew the plastic gear servo replaced with a mg traxxas servo since they had one at the hobby store) We had so much fun that I went and bought a bronco for myself so we could drive together. This is our first "trail" type rig. I have have had many rc's in the past. I think you saying that the stock esc and stock gearing is trash is a little unfair. The only thing I notice is the approach and departure angles aren't great but can be rectified by easily removing the bumpers like you have done. We have taken them on some walking trails in our county parks and have had a blast with them. I think expecting this truck to be much more than a scale trail rig is..silly. As far as a comparison to scx24s I have never touched a 24 but my buddy has a few of them in stock form and he thought the 4m was better. These trucks can be enjoyed in stock form. We have been playing with these inside and outside every day since christmas in stock form and really enjoying them. I'd be interested in you comparing a stock 4m to a stock scx24. Also the comment on not having many parts for it..the model has only been out for less than two months at this time. Nice video otherwise. I will be checking out your other stuff.
I’m with you man. I got the injora Servo and some better wheels/tires so my kid can run it with my built up Scx24. Dropping $300+ on brushless electronics (more than that since your driveline will blow out) is not worth it at this scale to me. Even 10th scale I run brushed on my trail trucks. I don’t do comps so I really don’t see the need to dump all that money. Maybe when there are more affordable options like Holmes hobby that is a lot more reliable than furitek
Great video man! Crazy how slow that thing can actual crawl! thinking about throwing one in my bronco
Worth it. And not too pricey either! You can really finesse lines now and control the truck so much better
I am so glad I found this video and someone who finally agrees with me! I was very disappointed with my whole trx4m build with the stock motor (and an injora 180 motor I put in also) it really does struggle as soon as you add any upgrades, just hammering on the throttle to drive over anything and sometimes it just stalls out completely on relatively narrow angles, whereas my scx24 with an injora brushed motor, stock esc, a much better servo, as well plenty of brass upgrades, the scx24 simply well outperforms it--night and day.
Another thing that really irritated me is that the pro light kit started to flicker constantly after i installed a mid-range but necessary servo upgrade for it.
Well, I bit the bullet and ordered a furitek python pro and a cedar motor w/stellar transmission after seeing how well these perform.
It’ll be a night and day difference with the brushless kit man. Some brass down low to mitigate the hard body raising the center of gravity helps a bunch too. Just keep in mind if you see the front tires in a bind after you go brushless. Just manually pull the truck out or you’ll break front driveshafts. Besides that now this has been one of my favorite trucks still
@@midwestern_rc I will definitely keep that in mind, I hate to break something and tear down so many parts to replace one small thing....then decide to do a whole cleaning and regreasing and I'm there half the day 😬 I really appreciate the tip!
And by the way, the brushless system is far better, dude no kidding you completely changed my opinion of my trx4m. Even with the metal crawler gears this thing zips along very well while having a smooth and slow low end crawl. Such a tiny motor, too, I'm surprised!
But yeah thank you for posting this, made my day after I went for this kit you showed, just a slightly different esc from furitek, got it the next day and it's running amazingly....that is, until I get some metal gears on Friday as a replacement since I've stripped the stock plastic axle gears quite a bit already lol. I had a feeling something might happen but I really had to try out the brushless motor and python pro esc since the gears were already on the way. I appreciate you, man! 👍
The stock electronics are fine. Ive got the k10 high trail and only done the following.
Alloy diff conversion
Crawl gear conversion
Holmes hobby 66t motor
Fast eddy bearings
Hobby park shocks, no springs
Injora 7kg servo and aluminum mount
Traxxas trailer
Its a great truck out of the box. The only shortfall i saw is the servo and the lack of the tqi radio.
If the stock electronics are fine why did you change them
Could you zoom the camera in just slightly. also the audio sounds slightly echoey. Not trying to be picky just giving constructive feedback. Its not bad by any means just could be better.
I appreciate the feedback. Yeah the mic I use is iffy. Sometimes it’s good sometimes it’s not it’s just an Amazon one. I should’ve done B roll footage too for when I was trying to feature the parts. But I’m trying to get better each video and always open to feedback man 🤝🤝
Great content, and I have adhd and your explanations helped me a while lot, just got a new sub 🤙👊
🤝🤝🏄♂️🏄♂️
Are you using the stock Traxxas remote controller? I thought you had to change that when going to a brushless setup? If not, that’s a money saver. I got a little lost when you talked about the receivers as I’m new to RC.
I used a different Traxxas remote and receiver that I just had lying around. Something like this would work though jennysrc.com/collections/33-hotrod-coupe-93044-4/products/33-hotrod-coupe-tq-radio-set-2-4-ghz-2ch-transmitter-receiver-6516-6519-traxxas-93044-4
I got rid of the bumpers and trimmed the wheel wells and lifted it 5mm to fit 64mm tires. I’m like you, not concerned with the scale looks
Such a big change even with removing the bumper. No ragerts 🤝
I thought it was more like lower intestine mountain 🤣
“Too much cheese mountain” 😂😂🤝🤝
Furitek has a external Bec I seen a kin ago on there site
I didn’t know this! Thanks for the tip I’m gonna order one right now I want this servo at 8.4V
I might be wrong but u did a back side feeble grind
LMAO
I’d really like to see a comparison between a modded scx/fcx vs a modded 4M!…. Maybe just throw on beadlocks, tires, and a little brass? Keep it even for both rigs and compare? 🤔 nobody seems to have done it… it’s always a $600 scx24 vs a bone stock 4M, then they’re surprised it doesn’t perform….😑
That’s a good idea and I have a FCX24 and scx24 as well. Expect the video up within a week or so 🤝
Question? Are you on 2 cell or 3 cell? Love to see it on 3 cell as a second test of it is only on 2 cell!
2 cell. With Traxxas having the unique to them hypertificial branding the plug is very specific.
Can l use my stock remote control transmitter for furitek?
Nope. But Google jennys RC you can find a cheap combo from an arrma car transmitter receiver for really cheap
Still is way better than something like the scx24 and at that price point idk how much you can really expect. For the price, what do you think would be better?
An scx24 to be honest. Way more capable and the size difference isn’t that notable. And as of right now the scx24 has so much aftermarket support there are many cheap ways to improve the scx24.
That motor seems very slick, but does it throw lots of water or mud inside the chassis because that motor looks like it spins?
I’m not sure I don’t ever run my RCs in mud or water. It is not a waterproof system though I do know that.
Wow low blow there
What servo horn are you using on this with the Reefs servo?
Their reefs rc micro horn
Enjora has a flat skid plate
Right on! Thanks for the tip 😬😬🤝🤝
Did you use the stock gears?
I ended up using the crawler gears. But tbh I feel like the furitek system crawls slow enough there are some moments I did wish I had more wheel speed from the stock gears.
On stock gears can l crawl with furitek?
@@dua4436 yeah I think this system would be really good with the stock gears. Just keep in mind the gears are plastic and the furitek brushless system is a lot of power so if the tires are in a bind just pick it up and move the RC so you don’t strip the gears.
@@midwestern_rcgonna put putting metal driveshaft/metal diff gears… got this system on the way…. Wish it came with a transmission in the kit tho. As I slowly upgrade ima be putting all the original stuff together and give it to someone lol. Probably could’ve built one from scratch and not by the trx4m and save money but oh well. Was nice slowly upgrading it while enjoying it along the way vs completely upgrading everything at once.
What radio/reciever are you running?
It’s just a Traxxas TQi that I had lying around. Anything would work though
These trucks haven’t been out long enough to be dumping that much cash into the one option available imo. Your comments about the stock performance don’t really line up with reality. This thing is way more capable out of the box than comparable brands besides the fcx. Low speed gearing and a $20 upgraded motor will give you 95% of that control and save you hundreds. I don’t see the need to go brushless at this scale especially without slipper clutches you are just going to blow out your driveline. I’d like to see some better options than furitek, I’ve seen way too many issues with their stuff and seeing as these have only been out for a month or two and not even available online yet the market is going to explode with options this summer.
The fcx24 in stock form out performs a stock TRX4M by a landslide. I have other cars with furitek systems too never had an issue. And for everyone that’s breaking drivelines with brushless set ups they need to learn how to drive. If the truck is in an obvious bind just pick it up instead of trying to throttle out of it. That simple.
@@midwestern_rc which is why I said it outperforms comparable brands out of the box besides the fcx. You may not have had issues but others have and it’s well documented within the community. For the price of these brushless systems it shouldn’t be happening period. Hell I have some Holmes hobbies and traxxas brushless systems that have been going for a decade. Again I just think it’s too early with these to be saying the one option available is a must have upgrade. Brushless in general seems like a luxury item if you’re not doing comps. And with the limited options it doesn’t seem worth the risk of blowing your driveline because we don’t have other safety options in case of a mishap.
Yeah they’re trash stock sold mine
That’s why when everyone was glorifying them over the cheap price I was like yo don’t expect them to perform well without a slew of upgrades