Overview
The Traxxas TRX-4 Chassis Conversion Kit (Short to Long Wheelbase) is the essential upgrade for any TRX-4 owner looking to extend their crawler's wheelbase and enhance its performance characteristics. This conversion kit transforms your TRX-4 from a compact 12.3-inch (312 mm) wheelbase configuration into an extended 12.8-inch (324 mm) wheelbase setup, offering improved stability, better weight distribution, and enhanced off-road capabilities. Whether you're a dedicated RC enthusiast in the UK seeking to customise your trail crawler, or someone looking to optimise your TRX-4's handling characteristics for different terrain, this genuine Traxxas conversion represents a straightforward and effective solution.
As a professional-grade chassis modification, this conversion kit allows you to tailor your TRX-4's geometry without purchasing an entirely new vehicle. The extended wheelbase configuration is particularly valuable for serious RC crawler builders and competition drivers who demand precision engineering and factory-backed compatibility. This is genuine Traxxas engineering, manufactured to the same exacting standards as the original TRX-4 platform, ensuring seamless integration with your existing chassis and drivetrain components.
The TRX-4 platform has become the gold standard for 1/10 scale electric RC crawlers in the UK RC hobby community, trusted by bashers, weekend drivers, and competitive racers alike. This conversion kit represents Traxxas's commitment to modularity and customisation, allowing enthusiasts to adapt their vehicles to specific driving styles, terrain conditions, and personal preferences without compromise.
Key Features
- Extended Wheelbase Configuration — Increases your TRX-4's wheelbase from 312 mm to 324 mm, providing improved stability on uneven terrain and better weight distribution across the chassis, which directly translates to superior traction and control in challenging off-road conditions.
- Longer Suspension Links — The kit includes extended rear upper and lower suspension links that are engineered to work seamlessly with the longer wheelbase, maintaining proper suspension geometry and ensuring that your TRX-4's articulation and flex remain optimised for rock crawling and trail driving.
- Extended Half Shaft — A long female half shaft is included to accommodate the increased wheelbase distance, ensuring smooth power delivery to the wheels without binding, stress, or component failure, maintaining the mechanical reliability Traxxas is known for.
- Revised Shock Towers — Both front and rear shock towers are redesigned and included in this kit to properly position dampers at the correct angle and height for the extended wheelbase geometry, critical for maintaining suspension performance and vehicle stability.
- Genuine Traxxas Engineering — As an official Traxxas conversion kit, every component has been tested and validated by the manufacturer to ensure perfect compatibility with your TRX-4, eliminating guesswork and ensuring a flawless installation without fitment issues or compatibility concerns.
- Complete Conversion Package — This is not a partial solution requiring additional purchases; the kit includes everything necessary to perform the full conversion from short to long wheelbase in one comprehensive package, saving you time researching individual components.
- Modular Design Philosophy — The TRX-4 platform's modular construction means this conversion can be reversed if desired, allowing you to switch between wheelbase configurations depending on your driving conditions, terrain type, or competitive requirements.
Technical Performance
The Traxxas TRX-4 Chassis Conversion Kit represents precision engineering at the 1/10 scale RC crawler level. The extended wheelbase of 12.8 inches (324 mm) provides measurable improvements in stability and weight distribution compared to the standard 12.3-inch (312 mm) configuration. This additional 5 mm of wheelbase extension may seem modest, but in the physics of RC crawling, it creates a longer lever arm for weight distribution, reducing the tendency for the vehicle to pitch or roll excessively during extreme articulation. The rear suspension links included in this kit are specifically engineered to maintain proper suspension geometry across the extended platform, ensuring that wheel travel remains optimal and that the vehicle's centre of gravity behaves predictably during climbing and descending manoeuvres. The extended half shaft has been precision-manufactured to eliminate runout and binding, critical factors in maintaining smooth power delivery to the rear axles without introducing vibration or mechanical stress. The front and rear shock towers supplied in this conversion have been revised to position the dampers at the correct working angles for the longer wheelbase, maintaining the suspension's spring rate effectiveness and damping characteristics. All components are manufactured from Traxxas's proven materials and construction methods, ensuring durability and longevity even under the extreme stresses of serious off-road crawling and competition use.
What's in the Box
- Rear upper suspension links (extended length)
- Rear lower suspension links (extended length)
- Front shock tower (revised for extended wheelbase)
- Rear shock tower (revised for extended wheelbase)
- Long female half shaft
- All necessary hardware and fasteners for installation
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which TRX-4 models is this conversion kit compatible with? — This conversion kit is compatible with a wide range of TRX-4 models, including the Chevrolet K10 Cheyenne High Trail Edition (available in Black, Metallic Silver, Metallic Blue, Red, and Metallic Copper), the Ford F-150 Ranger XLT High Trail Edition (available in Brown, Blue, and Black), the 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer High Trail Edition (available in Blue and Red), the 1979 Chevy Blazer with Clipless Body (available in Black and Red), the Nissan Pathfinder SE-V6 3S 4x4 RTR (available in Red and Silver), and the unassembled TRX-4 Chassis Kit. If you own any TRX-4 variant, this conversion should be compatible, but always verify your specific model against the comprehensive compatibility list before purchasing.
- How difficult is it to install this conversion kit on my TRX-4? — The conversion requires intermediate mechanical knowledge and basic RC tools such as hex drivers, pliers, and socket wrenches. You will need to partially disassemble your TRX-4's suspension and drivetrain to remove the existing components and install the new extended links, shock towers, and half shaft. Traxxas provides detailed assembly instructions with the kit, and there is substantial community documentation available online from RC forums and YouTube channels that walk through the installation process step-by-step. If you are uncomfortable performing this work yourself, many UK RC hobby shops and specialist RC mechanics offer installation services.
- Will this conversion affect my TRX-4's performance on different terrain types? — The extended wheelbase primarily benefits performance on rocky, technical terrain and during extreme articulation scenarios where stability is critical. The longer wheelbase reduces pitch sensitivity and improves weight distribution, which translates to better traction when climbing steep rock faces and improved control when navigating obstacles. However, in tight, twisty courses or areas requiring quick directional changes, some drivers report that the longer wheelbase requires slightly more input and has a fractionally larger turning radius compared to the standard configuration. Many serious competition crawlers and trail enthusiasts prefer the extended wheelbase because the stability advantages outweigh any agility considerations in real-world crawling scenarios.
- Can I reverse this conversion and switch back to the short wheelbase configuration? — Yes, one of the advantages of the TRX-4's modular design is that conversions can typically be reversed. By retaining your original short-wheelbase suspension links, shock towers, and half shaft, you can swap between configurations depending on your driving conditions or preferences. However, you must carefully store the original components and ensure you have all the necessary hardware when switching between configurations.
- What other TRX-4 upgrades work well with this conversion kit? — Many enthusiasts pair this wheelbase conversion with suspension upgrades, tyre modifications, body kit changes, and lighting additions. Since the conversion alters the vehicle's geometry and weight distribution, some drivers prefer to upgrade shock absorbers simultaneously to re-tune damping characteristics. Larger, more aggressive tyres often complement the extended wheelbase's improved stability. This conversion is particularly popular among builders who are customising their TRX-4 for specific competition formats or terrain-specific driving where the extended wheelbase provides measurable advantages.
- Is this a cost-effective upgrade compared to purchasing a different TRX-4 model? — Absolutely. Rather than investing in an entirely new TRX-4 chassis or model variant, this conversion kit allows you to adapt your existing vehicle for a fraction of the cost. At just £22.75, this represents exceptional value for a complete factory-engineered wheelbase conversion, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to modify your TRX-4's handling characteristics and performance profile without a major financial outlay.
- Are all components included, or will I need to purchase additional parts? — This conversion kit is a comprehensive package designed to be the only purchase necessary to complete the short-to-long wheelbase conversion. All suspension links, shock towers, the extended half shaft, and fasteners are included. You will not require any additional Traxxas parts to complete this modification, though you may choose to upgrade other components (such as shock absorbers) simultaneously if you prefer.
Why Buy from RC Model Shop?
RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the Traxxas Chassis conversion kit, TRX-4 (Short to Long wheelbase) (includes Rear upper & lower suspension links, Front & Rear shock towers, Long female half shaft) TRX8057 today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.
