Traxxas TXC-4M Extreme Crawler: A Competition-Style 1/18 Scale 3S Crawler
Traxxas has announced the TXC-4M Extreme Crawler, a 1/18 scale 4X4 rock crawler that Traxxas calls a clean-sheet design. It leans toward competition-style crawling, with a monocoque chassis, portal axles, and a 3S brushless power system — a different approach from the company's scale-trail TRX-4M line.
A purpose-built crawler
The TXC-4M's all-new monocoque chassis is lighter and stiffer than a traditional ladder frame, which Traxxas says keeps the truck tracking straight under heavy articulation. The design shifts weight forward to a 60/40 front-to-rear balance, adding front grip for climbing and steering, and the shocks are mounted horizontally to allow more wheel articulation.
Traxxas quotes a 56.3-degree driving incline angle and a 79.8-degree static incline angle, with a 60-degree steering angle and a tight turning radius. Steering comes from a laterally mounted 2265 metal-gear servo rated at 75 oz-in of torque.
Power and drivetrain
Power is a 3S brushless outrunner motor running on 11.1 volts, paired with a high-reduction driveline for precise throttle control and crawling speeds Traxxas describes as so slow the truck appears motionless. Portal axles lift the truck at the wheels for more ground clearance under the differentials and cut down on torque twist, and the transmission, differential spools, and portal axles use metal gears.
The truck rolls on 1.3-by-2.8-inch Stone Claw beadlock tires in a soft rubber compound, with oil-filled GTM Pro aluminum shocks and a lightweight tube-frame body with removable panels and a full interior.
What's in the box and what's sold separately
It's a fully assembled Ready-To-Drive model with waterproof electronics and the TQ Compact 2.4GHz 2-channel transmitter. Traxxas says it includes a 3-cell LiPo battery and a USB charger with iD auto-balancing. Three LED lighting options (headlights with a roof light bar, plus rock lights) are available separately.
Price and availability
Traxxas's product page currently shows the TXC-4M as coming soon, with no price or release date posted yet. We'll update this post when that changes. For now, the link below goes to Traxxas through our affiliate link; it lands on their homepage, so search TXC-4M or part number 120074-1 once you're there.