Compiled by Dr. Doug, eHobbies' radio control technical and content advisor. 

(01) What is the TXT-1?

The TXT-1 (Tamiya Xtreme Truck) is a 1/10 scale radio-controlled (R/C) 4x4 electric monster truck produced by Tamiya Inc. Similar to full-scale monster trucks, the TXT-1 has a ladder type frame made of high quality machined aluminum. The suspension featuring a four-link solid axle suspension, which is just like the type found on full-scale monster trucks. The suspension links are made of high quality aluminum tubing with plastic ball cup ends for fully articulated movement and to reduce chassis roll. Dampening is provided by four high volume oil filled coil over shocks with a unique cantilever push rod design. This feature allows the axles to clear the most extreme angles and provides long travel. The TXT-1 is an awesome scale-realistic monster truck that is ideal for extreme pulling, climbing and driving over any off-road terrain!

Tamiya TXT-1 Key Features (Item 58280):

• Aluminum ladder type chassis
• Fully articulating aluminum four link and solid axle suspension with extreme angle, long travel cantilever system
• Ball bearings and metal bearings
• Dual 540 motor drive train
• Gearbox heat sink and bracing
• Dual set screw output shafts and propeller joints
• Standard dual stabilizers
• Four high volume oil filled coil over dampers
• Dual tie-rod steering with four wheel steering option
• High torque servo saver
• 3-step forward and reverse mechanical speed controller
• High quality nylon reinforced bumpers and hubs
• Pre-painted, pre-cut  Lexan truck body and a clear Lexan truck body
• Huge monster truck tires
• Chrome wheels

(02) Do I have to assemble the TXT-1? Yes, but you do not have to trim or cut the body.  The TXT-1 comes with a pre-painted, pre-cut Lexan truck body.

(03) Which battery packs should I buy and how do I charge them? There are so many battery packs available that it is hard to make specific brand recommendations. However, here are a few points to keep in mind about batteries and charging:

• The higher the mAh rating, the longer the battery run time. That is, a 3000 mAh battery pack will provide you with twice the run time of a 1500 mAh battery pack.
• Battery packs with 2400 or 3000 mAh ratings are expensive to purchase. If cost is an issue, 1500 mAh NiCD packs are very economical to purchase and work well in the TXT-1 (see photo below).  Battery Packs with 1500 mAh ratings can bought online for between $10 and $15 USD.
• The battery packs should be 7.2 volts and have a standard Tamiya connector.
• The battery packs should be assembled with 6 sub-C sized cells.
• Charge your 6-cell NiCD or NiMH battery packs between 3 and 5 amps on a peak detection charger designed for both NiCD and NiMH packs. For backyard bashing or general use, a 3 to 4 amp charge rate is recommended.
• Completely COOL DOWN your battery packs before recharging them or they will become damaged.
• NiCD battery packs should be completely discharged before they are recharged or stored to maintain optimum performance.
• NiMH battery packs DO NOT have to be completely discharged before they are recharged, but it is recommended that NiMH packs be fully discharged every 4 to 8 weeks.
• If you are not going to use your NiMH packs for more than 2 weeks they should be partially charged 30 to 50% of their maximum capacity. For long-term storage of NiMH packs it is suggested that you fully charge them.
• The easiest way to discharge a battery pack is to run it in your TXT-1 until the truck slows to a crawl.

(05) Should I buy NiCD or NiMH battery packs? Either NiCD or battery packs will work fine in the TXT-1; as such, it does not matter which type of packs you buy. However, people that have a low budget  NiCD charger with a timer should stick with NiCD packs because these timed chargers were not designed to properly charge NiMH packs.

(06) What battery charger should I buy? There are many good choices available, but below are some recommendations in different price ranges. These chargers are recommended because they can peak charge both NiCD and NiMH battery packs, are produced by companies that stand behind their products and are readily available. The Millennium requires an external DC power supply, but the other chargers include an integrated power supply. The Novak N-Power ($114.99) is an excellent DC Power Supply, which can be used with the Millennium. 

• DuraTrax IntelliPeak AC/DC Pulse Charger ($54.99)
• MRC Super Brain 959 AC/DC Charger ($65.98)
• Integy 16X3-Prov2.5 AC/DC VESC Charger ($109.95)
• Novak Millennium DC Charger ($139.99)
• For economical NiCD only chargers see point 27.

(07) Should I glue my tires? You don't have to glue your tires to run your TXT-1, but it is a good idea. If your tires are not glued it is a lot harder to climb hills and you will become stuck more easily in deep dirt or mud. The latter occurs because the tires slip on the wheels or rims and power is wasted. If you don't care about wasted power, don't glue your tires; however, gluing your tires is definitely the best way to obtain maximum power from your truck. 

NOTE: If you are worried about the getting glued tires off the rims later, don't be. To remove glued tires from rims simply drop them into a boiling pot of water for a few minutes. The glue will usually break down in the hot water and you can then take the tires off the rims. If all the glue doesn't come off the rims use a piece of course grit sandpaper or a small metal file to remove the excess glue.  This procedure is to remove worn out tires from the rims so that you can reuse the rims.  This procedure is not meant to remove tires so that the tires can be reused.  Throw your tires out after you boil them. 

(08) I want to optimize my TXT-1 for climbing or pulling. What should I do? Glue your tires, lock your differentials, install tire foams and consider changing the gear ratio of your TXT-1 to increase torque. An easy way to increase torque is to lower the number of teeth on the pinion gears. You can lock the front and/or rear TXT-1 differentials by applying silicone diff. lock to them.

--- Differential Lube and Locking Lube Link ---

(09) The noise from my TXT-1 transmission seems loud. Why does this happen and what can I do to make it quieter? The 32-pitch gear transmission of the TXT-1 is rather noisy by design and this is nothing to worry about. Nonetheless, if you wish to reduce the noise, put a bit of additional silicone grease on the transmission gears. Also, check the pinion/spur gear mesh - too loose will create excessive gear noise. See point 22 for photo of proper pinion/spur gear mesh. By the way, the transmission noise on the TXT-1 is somewhat quieter than on the Juggernaut 2.

NOTE: A bit of silicone grease that is designed for transmissions isn't going to hurt the gears, whether plastic or metal. 

(10) What ESC (electronic speed control) and motor upgrades do you recommend for the TXT-1 and how do I wire the system for maximum performance?

• ESC: Novak Super Rooster (SR) or LRP F1 Pro Reverse.
• Motors: Trinity Speed Gem Sapphires (17 turns, single wound) or Kyosho Atomic Force (17 turns, double wound). DO NOT use lower than 15-turn motors wired in parallel to either the Super Rooster or F1 Pro Reverse without additional cooling. See point 28 for information on how to mount a small fan above an ESC to provide additional cooling.
• Motor Wiring to the ESC: Wire the motors in parallel to the ESC for maximum performance (see diagram below).

• Battery Wiring to the ESC: Wire the cells so that 7.2 volts is going into the ESC. This is a standard or typical battery setup. For example, to obtain 7.2 volts you could simply attach one assembled 6-cell sub-C sized battery pack to the ESC.  Alternatively, you can run a flat 7-cell battery pack or even dual 6-cell packs in parallel with a Y-connector. To run dual packs, insert the packs side-by-side on end and use Velcro straps to hold them on the chassis. DuraTrax produces a Y-connector (Part # 2340) that easily allows you to attach two packs together in parallel.  By the way, Novak does not approve of wiring two packs together in parallel to the SR, but it works without any problems if the packs are of the same type and have similar voltage output. 

(11) Which steering servo should I buy?  Below are some high-torque steering servo recommendations:  

• Cirrus CS-80MG Pro: torque 129.80 oz/in at 6V; speed 0.25 sec/60 deg at 6V; cost ~ $23.00 (economical).
• Hitec/RCD HS-645MG: torque 133.31 oz/in at 6V; speed 0.20 sec/60 deg at 6V; cost ~ $50.00 (mid-range).
• Futaba S9402 High Speed Coreless BB: torque 111.10 oz/in; speed 0.09 sec/60 deg at 6V; cost ~ $100.00 (high-end).
• Airtronics 94358Z ERG-VR: torque 200 oz/in at 6V; speed: 0.10 sec/60 deg at 6V; cost ~ $110.00 (high-end).

(14) What are some average battery run times for the TXT-1? A stock TXT will run for about 20 minutes on a 2400 mAh NiCD battery pack. If you install 15 to 17 turn modified motors in your TXT the run time will be about half of this.

(15) How do I properly jump my TXT-1? Every jump is different, but try to hit the jump straight on and try to keep the throttle steady. More throttle tends to raise the front end. In contrast, if you tap the brakes it lowers the front end. 

(16) What is a good radio system for the TXT-1? There are many excellent radio system choices available, but below are some AM and FM recommendations:

AM Radio Systems

• Airtronics BL2PS 2 Channel AM/2 102Z Servos ($51.99).
• Futaba 2PC 2 Channel AM/2 S3003 Servos ($44.99).
• Hitec/RCD Lynx 2 Channel AM/2 HS-303 Servos ($54.99).

FM Radio Systems

• Airtronics M8 3 Channel FM/2 102Z Servos ($269.99).
• Futaba 2PEKA 2 Channel FM/2 S3003 Servos ($119.99).

(17) Where is the best place to purchase TXT-1 products online? eHobbies is an excellent place to purchase R/C products from because they typically have excellent prices, huge inventories and fast shipping.

(18) What is the average cost of the TXT-1 online? About $400 USD, but prices do vary at times.

(19) How do I gear my TXT-1 for more torque or speed?

• Torque: Drop the size of your pinion gears one tooth at a time until you find the right balance between speed and power that you desire.
• Speed: Raise the size of your pinion gears one tooth at a time. Remember that a faster top speed means less torque and less battery run time. Also, if you gear your TXT-1 for maximum top speed, the ESC, motors and battery packs might become too hot and could possibly become damaged; as such, be very careful when gearing your TXT-1 for speed. If you can't keep your finger on either motor for 3 seconds your electronics are running too hot!

(20) What are some good web sites for TXT-1 owners to visit?  Check out the links below!

Ballistic Stupidity 
Dr. Doug's E-Maxx FAQ ...
Duratrax
eHobbies
ESP Hobby 
Hardcore Racing
IMEX 
Integy Technologies
Hobby People
JPS Products
Novak Electronics
Parma
Pro-Line Racing
Radio Control Car Action
R/C Car
Robinson Racing Products
RPM RC Products
Stormer Hobbies
Tamiya Inc.
Trinity R/C Racing
Xtreme R/C Cars

(21) How many turns are the stock TXT-1 motors? The stock 540-sized motors are 30 turns each.

(22) What type of gearing does the TXT-1 come with?

The TXT-1 comes with 15-tooth, 32-pitch metric pinion gears, which rotate a 40-tooth spur gear (see photo below).

(23) Is the stock TXT-1 as fast as the stock E-Maxx? No. If you want more speed out of the TXT-1 install modified motors, an ESC and pinion gears with 1 to 4 more teeth than the stock pinions.

(24) I am thinking about upgrading my TXT-1. What should I do?  It is highly recommended that you install an electronic speed control or ESC into the TXT-1. An ESC provides a lot better performance than the mechanical speed control or MSC the TXT-1 comes with.  An ESC has a lot better throttle response, longer battery run times and improved steering response under low battery conditions in comparison to a MSC. Either the Novak Super Rooster or LRP F1 Pro Reverse is an excellent ESC choice for the TXT-1.  

--- How To Install An ESC Link ---

(25) What are some tire options for the TXT-1?

• DuraTrax Clod Buster V-Spike Tires (# 9112)
• IMEX Truck Pull (# 7595)
• IMEX Baja (# 7584)
• Kyosho USA-1/Clod Buster Tires (# DA029)
• Pro-Line AT56 Giant Traction Clod Buster Tires (# 1056-00)
• Tamiya Clod Buster / Bull Head Tires (# 9805226

(26) What are some good wheel or rim options for the TXT-1? Presently, there are no wheels that directly fit the TXT-1. However, if you install a few Tamiya parts on your TXT-1 you can run any wheel designed for the Clod Buster, Juggernaut or USA-1. JPS produces a large selection of outstanding CNC machined aluminum wheels for the Clod. Below are the parts you will need to run Clod-type wheels on your TXT-1:

• 2 x Tamiya Wheel Axle Bag (# 9805230) - from the wheel bags use parts SA6
• 2 x Tamiya Clod B Parts Tree (# 0005294) - from the tree use parts B5

(27) I don't care about charging NiMH battery packs. I need a reasonably priced NiCD battery charger. What NiCD charger should I buy? It is best to buy a peak detection NiCD battery charger. A peak charger allows your batteries to reach their full capacity when charging so you can get the most power and run time from your batteries. It achieves this by using peak detection circuitry that monitors the voltage of the battery pack while it's being charged and automatically shuts the charger off when the voltage of the packs peaks and then starts to drop. This is in contrast to a timed charger, where you often end up with a battery pack that's not fully charged. There are many outstanding NiCD peak detection battery chargers available, but here are some decent cost-effective recommendations: 

• MRC Super Brain Delta Peak Charger.
• DuraTrax AC/DC Piranha Peak Power Charger.
• Dynamite Vision Peak LED Peak Detection Charger.

(28) I want to cool down the ESC in my TXT-1 with a small fan. What fan should I use and how do I hook it up? A computer CPU fan works very well to cool down your ESC. Wire the fan directly to leads that come from the ESC to the battery connectors. Do not wire the fan to the leads that go to the motors because this would slow the fan down when the truck is going slow, which is when air cooling is needed most. In contrast to what some people think, the ESC heats up the most when driving your TXT-1 slow or partial throttle, not fast or full throttle.  

(29) What aftermarket body choices are available for the TXT-1? Parma and Pro-Line produce a number Lexan bodies that will fit the TXT-1.

(30) What are brushless motors and will they work in my TXT-1? A brushless motor is an electric motor without brushes and a commutator that  looks like a typical brush-based motor turned inside out. In a typical R/C brushless motor a shaft with a permanent magnet is mounted on two ball bearings and the windings are fixed to the case. Each winding is electronically switched by power transistors on the motor's electronic controller to make the motor run.  This design is commonly called a moving magnet design. 

Brushless motors provide many advantages over typical brush-based motors:

• no radio interference from brush/comm arcing.
• higher efficiency than brush-type motor.
• longer run times and greater power output.
• no brushes or commutator to wear out, which is a significant time and money savings.
• does not require motor capacitors or Schottky diodes.
• virtually no maintenance.

Brushless motor systems from Modeltech will work in the TXT-1.  The only disadvantages to brushless motors are that they cost a lot more than typical brush-based motor systems, they are presently in limited supply and they are not approved for ROAR or NORRCA sanctioned racing in the USA.

(31) I just bought a TXT-1 and what to know if I need to break-in the stock motors? You do not have to break-in the TXT-1 motors using a special procedure. I believe that the best way to break-in an electric motor, which means to seat the brushes on the commutator, is to simply install the motor in your vehicle and run it. The load of the vehicle on the motor causes high current to flow through the brushes. In a non-seated brush, the part making contact will heat up to a high temperature, and will quickly wear away, exposing fresh brush material behind it. This has the result of a minimal time for high spots on the brushes to wear the commutator, and causes the brushes to seat very quickly. Once the brush has seated, its wear returns to normal with minimal commutator damage. The only negative aspect about not breaking in the TXT-1 motors is that there is a slight reduction in performance during the first run until the brushes are full seated on the commutator.

--- How To Break-In Your R/C Motor Link ---

(32) What maintenance do I need to perform on my electric motors?  The easiest way to maintain your motors is to simply blow dirt and/or other debris off them after each day's use and rarely oil them. Too much oil is the quickest way to reduce the life of your motors because excessive oil attracts debris inside them. Do not excessively oil your motors!  However, if your motors become extremely clogged with dirt, remove them from the TXT-1 and clean them with electric motor spray. DuraTrax produces a decent electric motor cleaner that is reasonably priced (Part # S4240). After you use the motor cleaner place a tiny drop of oil on each bushing or bearing.  The bushings or bearings are located at the ends of the motors.  

NOTE: Whether or not you have to spray the motors with electric motor cleaner depends upon how dirty they are. There is no set number of runs after which you should spray cleaner on the motors. If you run your TXT-1 on packed dirt, pavement or grass you can get by for a long time with simply blowing this debris out of the motors after each days use. In contrast, if you run your TXT-1 in loose top soil, gravel or sand you might want to take the motors out of your truck and spray them with cleaner rather frequently. You have to use some common sense when it comes to motor maintenance.

(33) Is there a review that lists the pros and cons of the TXT-1 online?  Full review coming soon ...meanwhile, click here for the FAQs page. . .