Tamiya DT-02 Thread

[toonz]

the moderators could've just left us alone hahaha....

the white DI rims are the same as the black ones, oh i ever thought of installing the rear ones onto my viper but too bad the front ones are for 4WD and its going to look strange with 2 different types of rims in one car. i wonder why in the world tamiya listed the front rims as a hop-up for DT02 since its meant for 4WD. strange..... :confused:

scroll all the way down....
http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/rcpss.php?command=hopups&chassis_id=A56

sooner or later we are going to showcase our mini here woohoo! :) :driving: :driving: :driving:

[Metla]

Anyone notice Pug_Speed has a Tamtech From on trademe for $250?

If you didn't know Pug_Speed is the owner of Speedi Models in auckland, Very good to deal with, I have purchased a number of items from his store.

http://www.speedimodels.co.nz/speedi/index.htm

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: Metla,
Had a look, couldn't see it. Maybe someone's snapped it up already. :(

Had a quick blast with the DT02 tonight, forgot how quick it was (haven't run it for a while) and drove straight into the fence. Luckily the fence was a little rusty near the bottom where I hit, and the `ol Gator ended up poking his little nosey nose into the neighbours yard. :D If there was anyone there it would have looked kinda crazy, this little car stuck there, twicthing it's wheels trying to get out. :cool: :D
Set-up my home jump afterwards did a couple of long'ish jumps. Hoping to set up the trailer with the ramp in front of it, just to see if the Gator will clear it. Maybe I'll try tomorrow, I'll try for some pics to. :D

[toonz]

had my run tonight too and the more i fun the GT tuned, the smoother it gets :) really wonderful! and i like the sound of it....zeeee zeeeeeee zeeeeeeeee!!!

del, how's the long jump? be careful of your chasis :)

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: toonz,
Yeah mate the GT Tuned is the best motor I've had in a while. :D Currently looking at Sport Tuned on my local trading site, for one of my Blitzer Beetles.

Jump is about 8 foot long, should be sweet though. It's a hard a*se chassis, if I can jump it 6 or so feet like in that lastest movie of mine, then I'm sure 8 foot will be okay. Only one way to find out. :eek: :D

[Super Chump]

:wave: Metla,
Had a look, couldn't see it. Maybe someone's snapped it up already. :(

Had a quick blast with the DT02 tonight, forgot how quick it was (haven't run it for a while) and drove straight into the fence. Luckily the fence was a little rusty near the bottom where I hit, and the `ol Gator ended up poking his little nosey nose into the neighbours yard. :D If there was anyone there it would have looked kinda crazy, this little car stuck there, twicthing it's wheels trying to get out. :cool: :D
Set-up my home jump afterwards did a couple of long'ish jumps. Hoping to set up the trailer with the ramp in front of it, just to see if the Gator will clear it. Maybe I'll try tomorrow, I'll try for some pics to. :D

Looks like the Tamtech car has gone from TM cos I can't see it either.

I got the Dark Impact out on the road for a spin yesterday after buying some new radio gear for it (as the mixed bag of R/C gear I had intially for it didn't seem to want to work together :confused: ) and it goes pretty well. It's a bit slow though, so when I get around to buying the Tamiya RZ Super Stock motor for it it should hopefully shift quite well :) I like the suspension, it seems to soak up every bump without really moving the car around a lot and it sorta looks like a 1/8th nitro buggy when on the move which is kinda cool ;) Quite looking forward to getting it on a proper track though.

Hope you didn't break anything Del when you ran your DG into the fence!

[Metla]

Ya, That Tamtech disapeared quick smart, Though he may have more in stock..

I was considering snapping one up for my son, then thought bugger it, I'll get him a 1/10th :D

And I just snaffu'd four 0.5 pitch pinions for $16 off trademe, what a steal, so now I can go ahead and bolt my 19T motor into my Dark Impact.

Actually, seeing as Im writing a post already, In this thread their has been a bit of talk about the 19 tooth pinion and faster motors, The idea is to gear the car down when you install a hotter motor.

The standard 540 motor is all tourqe but low revs, meaning it can pull a very high gearing and get the car upto a reasonable speed.

A faster engine has less winds which equates to less tourqe and higher revs, To get the performance from them you need them to spin up-to their rev limit, a high gearing not only slows the process but can stop the motor getting into its best performance range completely. (this will manifest as piss-poor performance, an extremly hot motor, and most probally motor destruction.)

Anyhow, The motors being used (25t) maybe able to pull a 19 tooth pinion as they are pretty close to stock specs, It cant hurt to try but I would definitly keep the 17 tooth pinion if using anything faster.

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: everyone.
Mike : Hope you didn't break anything Del when you ran your DG into the fence! Nah mate, as hard as nails the DT. Should have heard the noises it make when I got the approach to the jump I set-up today wrong. :p See following pics.
Ingrediants;
1 x trailer
2 x Off-cuts of custom board
2 x Off-cuts of a tree I cut down, (stumps for height)
1 x Desert Gator :cool: :cool: (too cool)
1 x Not too scared to do things like this (incase I break it),
R/C owner :driving:
1 x Digital camera on self-timer and multishot

I hit the trailer about three times more than I actually made it over :confused:
Bottom left pic, is how "NOT" to do it, and what happens when you catch the side of the trailer. :D My favorite pic, middle right. AWESOME!!!! :D

[toonz]

nice jump...looks risky with all the metals though...i hope your car did not slam on the other side of the trailer with that giant A-shape thing.... :)

where did you get your rear tire from? they look interesting....

[TamiyaRacer69]

Cheers mate,
Yeah it was a bit off putting driving towards a solid steel object, but I got a couple of good jumps in. Tires are just from a box of bits I've got lying about, they're almost slicks now. Don't last very long.
Here's something interesting. I just got back from the LHS with the Gator, and the owner, (been owner of the shop for ages and has a couple of New Built really 'Old School" Tamiyas) said to me "What you got there? An old Astute or Mad Cap" now that just gave me hope for my 'upcoming project' :D Now I just wish they'd hurry up and get my new body in. :mad:

[toonz]

tamiya breed astute and madcap together to form the DT02 :D who knows :o :confused:

yeah these spikes don't last that long, especially when you run them on tarmac. give it a few skids and slides there they go....

i've been trying to search for the blazing star rear tire but no shops seems to have them. i believe they should last longer than spikes on tarmac....oh well.....

hmmm maybe you can stuff in some cushions around that trailer just for more protection :)

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: toonz.
Reckon you're right about that. Think those spikes are made just for indoor racing, all they're good for now is drifting. Not that the DT02 is a good drifter. :(

Yeah, but why put on-road tires on a buggy. They're not much fun on the road, give me mud, drit, and gravel any time.
Not doing the trailer any more, had to give it back to my father-in-law. Besides, I've done what I wanted to do with the Gator and the trailer. :D Have to think of something else now. Going away this xmas, so guess what's going with me. Yep, the Gator and my Monster Beetle. Might throw one of the Blitzer Beetles in there too, just for good measure. :D

Saw a Tam Tech Gear in the flesh yesterday. They're so cool. Definatley gonna get me one, just waiting for the Desert Gator to be released here in New Zealand. :cool: :D

[toonz]

hihi del, you know what, you can a few people to lie down on the ground and then use your gator to pass above them. woohoo!

yes the tamtechs are really cool. soon there will be a tamtech mini truck
http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=56704

i wonder how it performs.....

my girlfriend wants to get a wild willy 2 :)

do you happen to know anything about the might bull rtr? i'm quite interested cos i've never played with a truck before :)

[toonz]

mike, how's your dark impact?
have you gotten your mini foxy yet :)?

[Super Chump]

Hi Guys :wave:

Toonz, the DI's sitting around at the moment. I have only run it twice. It's painfully slow in stock form which to be honest I'm quite disappointed about! :( Sucks that I'll have to spend yet more money on it to go faster - it seems slower than a DT-02 with a normal 540, but then again I never really ran my Gator with the stock 540 more than once so I can't remember how fast it was. I promptly threw in the trusty ol' Sport Tuned ;) My brother-in-law's got a Technigold he doesn't use so I may grab that off him and see how it goes. I'll have to check that link you gave me about the specs of Tamiya motors and see how many turns it has. Plus the weather's been crazy here, I haven't seen so much pouring rain in years so that's put a damper on messing about with R/C cars.

Del, where are you going for Xmas? Not coming up my way are you? Could do with someone else around to bash some R/C's around with, lol :cool: 13 "runners" is too much for one person! You should take my BB out for a quick run sometime & blow the cobwebs off :D

Kinda neat the little Tamtech truck. Body looks rubbish though - seems to be the case with most new cars these days. I was waiting for Tamiya to make a truck version of the same chassis.

Mini Fox hasn't arrived yet, I'm hoping it'll be this week sometime :huh:

[Super Chump]

do you happen to know anything about the might bull rtr? i'm quite interested cos i've never played with a truck before :)

The Mighty Bull is just a Blackfoot Extreme, or a 2-wheel drive Wild Dagger. The gearbox is the same as what's on the WW2 as well. I'd say a Wild Dagger (or Twin Detonator) would be better to buy as they're 4WD and look a bit better, plus you get to build it and add ball bearings etc at the same time. I doubt the Mighty Bull would come standard with oil shocks, but I could be wrong about that though.

I'm still stuck in the 80's when it comes to trucks :)

I still run my Tamiya King Cab first released in 1989: http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=21446&sid=1085

[toonz]

hihi mike
yes i've read that the DI isn't that fast we thought a 4WD would be in stock condition. actually the DT02 is pretty fast in its silver 540 already. putting in a sport tuned/GT/TZ is simply to enhance and boost up the potential of it :) i'm sure your DI will shoot faster with the technigold (21T, 19000 rpm)

that little tamtech truck does look interesting but like you said the body is just BLEH! i wonder why is it that all truggies looks identical nowadays....

i'm still evetually going to get the mini fox and will throw in a mini sport tuned :)

the mightbull rtr comes with friction shocks. your king cab looks really good with a nice clean layout of electronic gears. that TZ sure send it like a rocket!

[TamiyaRacer69]

it seems slower than a DT-02 with a normal 540 That's exactly what I said about the Gravel Hound, "Stupid 4WD's" ;) Nah mate, we're heading up to the Marlborough Sounds, close, but not close enough. Sorry.

toonz, can't say I like the Tam Tech truck, looks kinda stupid. I wish Tamiya would get back to their roots, with their car designs.

[toonz]

tamiya tamtech gear has covered frog, hornet, fox and a gator in which first 3 are the big brothers of tamiya 2WD.

soon i know the big brothers of 4WD in tamtech will come....hotshot, boomerang, manta ray....

shivers~~~~~~~~~~

[Super Chump]

I don't think that the fact that it's 4WD really means anything, it's probably to do more with the gearing and because it's sposed to be a "high end" racer & they just give you a stock 540 just because, lol. Apparently the DI's been designed with "data gathered from actual racing competitions." That's what it says on the box :teacher: :rolleyes: Will try the Technigold. Besides the disappointing stock speed it handles great, it has a decent turning circle and has nice smooth suspension. I think it will be wicked on a dirt track.

Malborough Sounds, awesome place. Yet another place in NZ I have a lot of family besides Canterbury & Northland... :roll2: Think I'll be in Melbourne around that time of year anyway aweating my nuts off.

I hate the body on that Tamtech truck actually, it looks like they're trying to appeal to the people who like the mini Associated trucks and all those other R/C companies who design the body last based on plastic bottle or somethin . The word "truggy" bugs me as well. Didn't stadium truck used to mean the same thing? I'm living in the past :p

[toonz]

hi mike, actually before i made up my mind on the DT02, the DI was the first to hit me :) but somehow still love the fun of a 2WD and seeing the neat layout of the DT02 made me want it more.

i tend to read a little here and there on the other thread about the DI and it seems quite complicated. is it really that complicated? all the gear ratios etc? i'm still hoping to get this 4WD one day cos i've never had a 4WD before and i don't want to mess things up....

the owner of my hobby here has a fully built DI and he uses electrical tape to tape around the 4 tires and somehow it became a touring DI and then he was having fun drifting round and round and round on marble floor hahahaha.....quite cool i must say!

and speaking about the word truggy. i scratched my head too when i first heard it. oh well, truck+buggy=truggy that's what they mean i guess. i still prefer stadium truck cos that's where they preform.

del, what's your next gator stunt going to be? :)

[Super Chump]

I actually just got the DI from looking at others at the Tamiya Club site. I saw some there painted non box art colours and thought "Yep, I'll get me one of those!" Same deal with me getting the Gator. Usually I'm not all that interested in getting newly released cars cos they always look crappy with the way they seem to be painted and decal'd these days.

The DI's chassis isn't complicated I think, they only problems I had really was getting little things mixed up and trying to tighten screws when putting it together - some were damn near impossible to turn with a screwdriver! I got there in the end, lol :cool: I'd recommend a DI if you wanna get one in the future, just get a better motor for it. Awesome buggy otherwise.

"Truggy" does make sense for what it's describing, still sounds stupid though :p

The mini Fox turned up today :D Neat little thing, I'm quite impressed with it. I also got a battery which I wasn't expecting as I didn't think I was supposed to. It's not a Tamiya one, but it'll do fine.

More info about it here:

http://www.tcphotos.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=2223&sid=1085&secid=228&t=

And here:

http://www.tcphotos.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=2222&sid=1085&secid=228&t=

[toonz]

yup i agree that the DI is a pretty good 4WD, with a good motor and turnbuckles, you can have loads of fun. even Xtreme RC Cars Magazine gave good credits to it.

what a coincidence! i'm looking at tamiyaclub and i saw a new mini fox up and its yours! woot! nice one! don't jump too high unless you've some oil shocks or some good springs, this little devil bounces like crazy with the stock spring :)

well congrats and have fun with it. chase a cat!

[Metla]

It only stands to reason that weight and moving parts will slow a car down, I wouldn't expect the DI to keep with with a Gator straight out of the box. Though the DI will beat it around a track due to...well, being 4WD. Much easier to drive fast.

Or perhaps you got a duff 540 with your kit, wouldn't be the first time, Those suckers are churned out by the millions.











Having said all that, I never even installed the 540 that came with my DI, Imo they are too slow to bother with no matter what sort of kit anyone may have.

[toonz]

mike, regarding the white star rims that you are using on your DI, are they the same as those used by baja and top force? how do the DI tires hold up on it? is it a nice fit?

just want to confirm cos i plan on using the DI tires on my viper rear dish wheels....

thanks :)

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: all,

Mike. Mini Fox looks cool mate. Can't wait `till the Mini Gator is released.

Mike can you recall saying to me, (when I thought about putting a driver in the Gator) "there wouldn't be enough room in there would there?". Well I'm pleased to say, "Yes there is" It's the other driver you sent down to me.

What do you guys reckon?????

toonz, Next Gator stunt? Don't know. I'm sure something will come to mind. The front Astute tires I bought a few days ago arrived today, almost there. Still waiting on the new body. At least I'll have a driver for the Des'D'Tute

[toonz]

i want a driver too!!!!

[Super Chump]

Hey guys :wave:

Metla you could be right there, I may have a dodgy 540. I could try chucking in another silver can in the DI but I'm lazy and don't see the point really. All I know is that it's slower than the Gator from what I recall with a stock 540 so I'll try my luck with something with a bit more kick. You're a Kiwi, right?

Toonz, small world eh? :cool: I need to buy me a battery charger for the battery before I can give it a run. I'm going to have to do something about the shocks as well, they're pretty crappy and way too springy! :eek:
The white star rims on my DI are what's on the Top Force and tons of other 4WD Tamiya's. The tires fit okay, I had a bit of a harder time getting them to sit on the rims properly mainly because the DI tires come with inner foams. If you get a DI make sure you put some washers on the hex hubs or the rims will rub on the suspension arms. I think the white rims suit it much better :)
Won't be chasing any cats with the Mini Fox for a while, girlfriend's cat died today :( She was 14 years old, which is ancient for a cat.

Lol, Del I knew that old Fox driver would end up not in the Beetle body or on Shakira's Hornet. I have another of the same driver if she's still after one. Looks alright in there, and he looks like he can see between the front shock towers ok :p How did you manage to hold it in place anyway?
Looking forward to seeing the Astute styled Gator. Hope the body kit hurries up!

[toonz]

great! if the DI rear tires fit into the topforce rims, that means it will go into my viper dish as well woohoo! now i have something new to try on :) thanks mike!

i thought the tamtech comes with a charger? yes you got to have oil shocks or replace those horrid springs with tamtech hop-up springs...they really make the car bounce like a mad man driving in there...

i'm sorry for your girlfriend's catty....poor cat...14 years is really long....

[Super Chump]

Hey Toonz,

I'm pretty sure most Tamiya tires/rims are the same size these days, they'll also fit other tires by other makers too :)

I didn't get a charger, and from what I've read you only get a charger in Japan. If I did get a charger I don't think it would've worked here in NZ. The wall socket connection & voltage would've been different anyways. I'm going to have to track one down through a local hobby store. I'm still surprised I got a battery though!

Thanks. The g/f's pretty upset, but the cat had some kidney problems & was on a special diet. Poor wee thing. No more suffering for it now.

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: yo!!!!!!
How did you manage to hold it in place anyway? Double sided servo tape, attached to the battery holder strap. When I priced up the Mini Gator, the price included a charger. Fully RTR.
Pass on my reguards to your missus. :(

Yeah mate, me too. Just wish Acorn would hurry the #$*^ up. Don't know wether to cut out the windows, and put some type of mesh in their place , or just leave them clear. :confused:

[toonz]

don't cut out the windows. try finding some mesh window stickers to paste them on cos you don't want dust or sand to fly into your car. :)

[Super Chump]

Ha ha, yeah, I'm pretty thick :rolleyes: I haven't used the Gator that much for a while so I forgot about the battery holder thing. That would be the best place to stick in a driver...!
I guess it is one of the best prices for one that I've been quoted here in NZ. Still cheaper to by online though. I dunno how much a charger's going to cost me, might ring around one of these days.

Thanks Del.

I think you should leave the windows clear, not that you would be worried about dust and what-not getting inside the chassis. You don't know the meaning of a "clean" car now do ya? :D :p

Some pix of DT-02's (mainly Gators) racing at the Tamiya factory track in Shizuoka Japan: http://tuyosi.ath.cx/nic/shizuoka/02.html - some of these got me interested in the car last year. They're near the bottom of the page.

[toonz]

nice link with all great cars! and WOOZA to our DT02! those superfighterG and gators are simply a sight to behold :) and some of them even have the DF02 aluminium shocks on!

bought the DI rear tires tonight and they do fit well into my dish rims. i shall have a run tomorrow night and see how it goes :) thanks mike!

[TamiyaRacer69]

You don't know the meaning of a "clean" car now do ya? :D :D :D

Only needs to be clean if it's a Shelf Queen, and mine aint no 'Queens'. :mad: :mad:
Great link too mate, 'might' tape one of Shakira's soft toys to the top of my Gator, and go racin`. Went past my local R/C club today, looks like they're doing up the off-road track. Would like to take the DT down there and give it a blast, when there's no-one there of course. :D

[Metla]

Is Harewood your local?

I do believe they are holding the NZ off road champs shortly....Though it may only be for the gas cars.

[toonz]

HELP!

i ran my viper tonight with the new DI rear tire fitted onto my viper grey dish rims. it was alright in the beginning but after a few turns, the rear tires are popping out of my rims! ewwww.....! what a dissapointment! i thought the tires will actually fit but the widths don't. does it mean that i have to buy the rear DI rims? or is there any solution for me to get the tires to stay in place?

mike, does it happen to your DI tires on your star rims? :(

[Super Chump]

Hi Toonz,

Bit of a bummer about your tires. I'm not having any issues with my tires slipping off or anything so far (have only run the DI twice though & that was on grass, tarmac and a wee bit of rough gravel/dirt stuff). I did have some problems intially trying to get the tires to seat properly into the star rims, but as I said in an earlier post it was mainly due to the inner foams. They do make star rims for 2WD cars - well I think they still make them! If you manage to get some of those you should be okay :cool:

[Super Chump]

Yeah I heard about the off road track down there last year. If you go there make sure to snap some pix eh Del? ;)

[toonz]

i'm not sure if my shop still has the star rims. :( i think i will just get the actual DI white rims with the correct dimension (62/35) to install it. my grey dish is measuring at (60/29) i guess its the width that is too small to hold the tire...

this is really a good tire though :)

[Metla]

Did you glue them??

[toonz]

no i did not glue them....... maybe thats why they keep popping out....

[TamiyaRacer69]

Though it may only be for the gas cars. Stupid Gas powered cars. Yeah Harewood is my local track, not that I've belonged to that club for about 10years. Fricken rules and regulations :mad:
Yeah I'll try and get some pics. :D

no i did not glue them....... maybe thats why they keep popping out.... Dont glue them whatever you do, what if you want to take them off and keep them. The rubber rips, and your tires are stuffed then. I use rubber bands, I use them on all my tires now, (thanks to Mike. aka Super Chump) Just sit a rubber band in each of the ribs where the tires fit into the rim. Obviously you use a rubber band that's smaller than the diameter of the rim, problem solved.

[toonz]

just called my shop to get them to help me to measure the dimension of the star wheels. the width is very close to the DI. my wheels are 6mm less! ewww no wonder they pop! i will get the DI wheels tonight....

del, what kind of rubber band should i use to secure the tires? thin or thick ones?

[Super Chump]

Thin rubber bands will do the job on small rims like what your car has, unless you can see or hear the tires slipping on the rims it's not really a big deal to use rubber bands or glue on your tires. I've been using rubber bands if the rims slip inside the tires for years cos I'm cheap. Once you glue tires onto rims and the tires wear out, it's a real pain to remove 'em! If you can't get the tires off you've gotta buy new rims, and tires... :mad:

[Super Chump]

Hey Del,

I had a look at the Harewood track's website down your way and it doesn't look too bad really, better than my closest one. Definitely going to be down your way at the end of Nov. so I'm keen to bash a few cars around the track if you're keen to :)

[toonz]

ok i gave in and bought the DI rear rims. had my run and its all perfect. no glueing and no popping :)

[TamiyaRacer69]

Hey Mike.
Yeah I just checked it out too, looks a s*#^ load better than what it was when I was a member. We should be able to get in when there's no-one there. All we'll need is some side cutters. :D :D

Hey toonz,
Show us a pic of the Viper with the DI rims on it. Not my style of rim to be honest, but I'd like to see what it looks like. :D :D

[Super Chump]

Side cutters? Well the track's gotta be better than that BMX one was. Those guys, what a bunch of wankers :huh: How long would it take to get to Harewood from your place?

I like the white DI rims, I'd get some of those but I'm cheap and too impatient to wait for things to turn up at my LHS... The set of tires I ordered 2 months ago finally turned up the other day :roll2:

[TamiyaRacer69]

Side cutters? Yeah mate, to cut through the wire fence. :D :D About 10-15mins from here to Harewood. Is you LHS run by the same people as Acorn???? :eek: :D

[toonz]

here it is, the viper with the DI rear rims and the original front grey dish :)

del, did i mount my GT motor correctly? (3rd pic) the electronic chip is facing outwards and the air vents faces down at the end bell. is this how you mount yours too? or should i turn it the other way round?

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/4470/viper2uu4.jpg
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/9589/viper1ob0.jpg
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/4750/viper3za1.jpg

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: toonz,
I didn't even know there was a chip on it, shows how much I notice. :huh: I've mounted my with the chip down, but I reckon the way you've done it is probaly better. Your way the chip is a little more protected, nothing can flick up and damage it. I'm off to change mine around now. :D :cool: Rims look ok, but I reckon some spoked rims siut the DTs better. But that's just my opinion.

[toonz]

the spikes will make the car look better. i'm running on tarmac most of the time here and it eats up my spikes very quickly after about 5 runs. these pins last longer somehow and it will save me some cost from tires all the time :) the DI wheels are larger in width and diameter too and i like the foam inside the tires too. they help to reduce bottoming out :)

[Metla]

Hopefully the pic is attached, These are what Im going to source for all my off-road cars, seen some on a kit a few days ago, Looks like just the right balance for traction and durability.

[toonz]

proline dirt hawg. i love this tire when i first saw it but unfortunately my shop doesn't carry it :(

[Metla]

Well, I dont even have a local shop, There are two an hours drive away, They carry nothing, wont get me aything and lie about what they do have to make a sale.Bastards.

One even took an order off me by phone then when I arrived to pick it up they told me as I didn't pay a desposit they hadn't bothered to order it, Damn I got angry, told them they were a pack of ^&**$#.

Anyway, Im just going to order 8 sets from the states, along with a bunch of deans plugs and hopefully the HPI E-Savage ATV....

[toonz]

that shop really got you con %*%*^(&(%^$. i hate it when these shop lie to people and that lower themselves down.

ah HPI wheels...huge and blinky :)

[toonz]

guys, i have a question about charger here.

i'm using a Ansmann ACX2 Delta Peak charger for my 2400mAh and i want to get a 4200mAh for a longer runtime but i'm not sure if my charger will work with a 4200.

here's a quick spec for my charger:
For use with: NiCd/NiMH (7.2V) Capacity 1400mAh to 3500mAh
Charging current: Fast charging 900mA, trickle charge 100mAh
Safety time: 6 hours

With these specs, can i still use my charger to charge a 4200mAh battery pack? i called up a few shops, some of them say i can still use my charger but to charge it longer (about 6 hours) and some say that my charger will only charge to about 50%-70% full.

should i just settle for a 3300mAh instead?

what do you guys think? what charger do you use?

[Super Chump]

Oooh, I'm no expert on batteries. I just use a 12v car battery charger with those crappy charging leads you hook up to a full sized 12v car battery :p I don't even own NiMH packs, the highest rated pack I have is 1700mah, lol.

I'd just get the 3300 pack, but that's just me. How much run time are you getting at the moment anyway?

[toonz]

with my 2400 pack, i'm getting 20min run time on the GT motor.
i hope the 3300 will last me for 30min so i play for 50min altogether...ok i'm greedy :)

[TamiyaRacer69]

guys,
I'm using a 3300mah with the GT Tuned, charged batery for 20mins and I'm not getting 30min run time. (mind you, I've never timed the run-time) So toonz, I think you might be expecting a little too much, but I could be wrong. I charge mine the same way Mike does, infact I got the idea from Mike.
Here's a pic::
White thing on the right, Timer (plugs into wall socket)
Red thing in the middle, 12Volt car battery charger, (plugs into timer)
$10 leads on left, (clip onto 12 volt charger)
Set the timer for 20mins, once battery is charged timer shuts down power supply. Result = Batteries charged safe.

[Metla]

Ansmann ACX2 2 Hour Delta Peak Charger


Product Overview


Features:

* Delta peak detection
* Microprocessor controlled
* Charges 7.2v Nicad or NiMh packs
* 1400 - 3500 mAh
* Charges a 1500 mAh in 2 hours
* Compact plug-in charger.

Google knows all.



Anyhow, I use an Apex peak charger and 3700 batteries, Never timed how long they run for with my RZ motor, But I almost get bored waiting for them to run down.

[toonz]

seems like you all have a better and faster charger...
i've to charge for 3hrs 15min on my 2400 and only get to run 20min :(

just made an order for a new GP3300 a while ago......

[Metla]

Well, a peak charger gives a much better charge then any timed setup, Which will be why you get decent runtimes, Its pretty much a must-have for modern batteries.

The only down-side for yours is that it takes over 3 hours.

I get a full charge in about a half an hour (not that I have timed it) for my 3700's, depending n how many amps I pump into em.

[toonz]

half an hour with full charge? thats fast!
metla, what is the model and brand of your charger?
do you have a pic of it for my reference? :)

[toonz]

:wave: del, how's your GT doing so far? :)

:wave: mike, how's your mini fox? have u run it yet? :)

i bought a XB rtr wild willy 2 for my girlfriend tonight as a surprise. i'm going to race with her this weekend! lets see who will win :D :driving: :driving:

[Super Chump]

Side cutters? Yeah mate, to cut through the wire fence. :D :D About 10-15mins from here to Harewood. Is you LHS run by the same people as Acorn???? :eek: :D

Ah, I thought as much. Would rather just go somewhere else, I hate how clubs do that, but I understand why they fence up their tracks. The one that was here a couple of years ago ended up with a bunch of idiots riding their quad bikes around on it which totally ruined it.

Toonz, haven't yet run the mini Fox, have to buy a charger for it. Dunno when that'll be, lol. It'll probably have a thick layer of dust on it before that happens, lol...

So are these BZ motors any good? Saw one at the LHS today for a whopping $70 (okay, I am a cheap R/Cer & I'm aware other brand motors cost more). They had a bunch of TZ/RZ motors there too. Damn I was tempted to buy an RZ for the DI... :( :huh:

[toonz]

the rz/tz/bz are going at 23T and i think all 3 are just as good

but the DI deserves a RZ at 27,500 rpm! :)

the bz and tz are going at 26,500 rpm

[TamiyaRacer69]

Had a quick spin with my Gator tonight, Man! it's a wicked buggy. Pulling wheelies on the grass with the GT Tuned motor in it, landing rear end first off the ramp I set-up, tuning on a dime, soaking up the bumps in the back yard. Best buggy I own. :D


P.S Never mind the rest. DT02 is the best. :D

[toonz]

del, when was the last time you clean your GT motor?

i played with the wild willy last night and it makes me laugh all the time hahhaha

[Super Chump]

P.S Never mind the rest. DT02 is the best. :D

Jeez, what are you, an infomercial? ;)

How well do Tamiya paint the Wild Willy bodies, Toonz? The only reason why I'd buy an XB RTR Tamiya would be to get a decent paint job, lol. Are you going to put any ball bearings in it? It'll run a lot better if you do. Still prefer the original WW though, it's the second oldest car I own.

BTW Del doesn't clean anything, all his cars are always dusty, muddy or otherwise :rolleyes: ;)

Made an aluminium SRB chassis for the 'Chump recently.

[Super Chump]

Hungry?! :)

[toonz]

mike, the WW2 comes moulded in green body and i must seriously say that all the stickers are very very well applied. no finger prints and no peeling at any corners at all. the face and eyeballs and the helmet of the driver is very nice. no paint smerge. they even pasted the ON OFF switch sticker hahahaha.... :D

yes, what you see is what you get from this pic. blinky rims and long bumper. the radio is cheesy but who cares, its all fun play. :p
http://www.tamiyausa.com/images/product/290/57743/header_1.jpg

i just bought the TA03 super low friction damper for her and will install them this weekend. those stock ones are really too bumpy. at this moment it is still running the silver can. i will change the bearings once i get her a sport tuned motor. this is her first buggy so i will let her get use to driving it before putting in more power :) :driving:

actually tamiya has really done a good job with their xb rtr. not just the body paint and stickers, even the cars are beautifully built and the wires are tied neatly. very good deal if you don't feel like building one especially those vintage ones that have gone in xbrtr. grasshopper, hornet, frog (i'm tempted), mighty bull (i'm tempted as well), M03, TT01 etc etc etc etc

are you rebuilding a new chump? looking good!

del, your cars must be sent for a car wash :rolleyes: :p

[toonz]

where can i get those bread? can our DT02 run faster with those?

[Super Chump]

What about the headlights and stuff, they look painted to me! Surprised that it's just the moulded colour, I thought they'd have put some paint on the main part of the body. I'd agree with the way they keep it tidy with the wiring though. My Mini Fox has been well made :)

I never saw the point in changing the dampers when I had a WW2. It's all over the place as it is with the stock set-up so I doubt oil shocks would do much better! They run really well with the trusty ol' Sport Tuned however :cool:

I like building any new cars I get, especially if it's something I haven't had an experience with before as it gives you an idea of how it works just incase you need to repair it or something. Grab a Frog, I have the original version and they're great cars. Quite quick in stock form, too :driving: :)

Nah, not really building a new Tamiya Super Champ, just revising my old one. Am getting another hard plastic Tamiya Beetle shell soon so I'm going to make a nice Baja racer out of it. Got the paint all sorted and how I want it too look, but the guy who I bought the body off is taking his time about posting it. Sending a body from Australia to here in NZ isn't that much of a big ask but oh well, lol.

[Super Chump]

where can i get those bread? can our DT02 run faster with those?

Lol, think it's only available in Japan. Would love to track some of it down. I'm sure it'd make us DT-02 drivers run better :D

BTW, I like the look of the DI rims on your buggy, pity there's no 2WD front rims to match them or I'd have bought them already!

[toonz]

thanks :) i think the closes match will be the gator astral wheels or the star dish wheels. i might want to spary it white cos i still prefer the front to be flat without holes. cuts through the wind better :)

those bread those DT-lious? heehee.....

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: guys,
Took the Gator out for a family outting today, down to the local Botanical Gardens while my Daughter played on the swings. Had 7 or 8 kids chasing it around trying to catch it, no show. Go the GT Tuned. Only thing is, I chewed out the rear tires a little running it in an empty swimming pool. Mind you, rather the pool be empty than full. :D :D :roll2: :p Gonna have to put the inserts back in I think.
Hope to get my new Gator shell this week. Bring on 'Des "D" Tute' Can't wait to show you all.

Later :wave:

[toonz]

hahahaaha chase those little kids away!
its a good thing that the pool is empty otherwise there goes the gator :)

well as for me. i bought new grease to rebuild my gear box. geee those gears were really dirty! this grease that's recommended by my shop here is very good. makes whole transmission all smooth and so much quieter. DT02 is a healthy happy car :)

[TamiyaRacer69]

Yeah it was great, stupid kids. lol What grease did you get toonz?

[toonz]

the name of the grease is called Extralube ZX1 Supergrease Friction Eliminator. made in UK. the grease is red in color and it looks like strawberry jam :) but smells horrid!

bought my GP3300 tonight. charging now and will try it tomorrow and see how long it runs :)

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: toonz.
Might try and track some of that grease down, the grease I bought a while back doesn't seem to be doing what I want it to. My Gator gearbox is sounding a little upset. Might just pack it with what I've got and see what happens.
Let me know how long the battery lasts, and I'll compare it with my 3300.

[toonz]

hihi del
ok ran my GP3300 and you know what, it gives me 40min of runtime! unbelievable! it appears to me that its somehow faster and the speed in the first 30min is quite consistent. the last 10min will begin to slow down and then it goes POOF!

:)

oh my rear DI tires are still surviving till today :)

[Super Chump]

:wave: What's up guys?

Got me some Gatorade decals! Lol :p All I need now is a new bodyshell to paint it in "Gatorade Green." I think the decals I got are pretty old as the font is slightly different to what I've seen, but apart from that it should look pretty funny.

Running a car in a pool would be a laugh Del, where exactly was it in the Gardens? I don't remember seeing any pools there, lol. Don't go nuts with the grease you've got, too much won't do you any good. It'll just clog up your gearbox - but hey you probably know that already. You'd think a Gator would be at home in a pool, Gator...get it? Heh :cool: :roll2:

Good to read that those DI tires are holding out Toonz. I haven't run my DI in a couple of weeks - mainly cos it's just too slow and I'm too cheap to fork out $60 for a RZ motor right now :(

[toonz]

mike, maybe you can take out one of your sport tuned motors to run the DI for the time being. it is still faster than the silver can :) yeah those DI tires are really good and they do help to save some cost too :)

Gator Gatorate! (try to say it as fast as you can, its fun!) you must line up 2 rows of gatorate drinks to welcome your new gatorate shell heehee....

have you got a charger for the mini foxy yet?

can't wait to see your new gatorate paint scheme and del, when is your Des T Tute coming?

[Super Chump]

I could do that Toonz, but I'm patient. I can wait 'til I bother to get a RZ motor, lol.

Here's a pic of the decals. They're old Parma ones. No charger for the Mini Fox yet either...oh well.

Hey Del, how much was that new gator shell again? really should order one in now.

[toonz]

Go Gatorate GO! woohoo! cool stickers!

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: lads.

Mike. Gator should look good, hope you get another shell before you come down. Make a good pic, your Gatorade and my Des'D'Tute. :D I think it was about $23.50 or something like that. Can't remember, it was so f*#@*n long ago. :mad: :mad: Still haven't got it, useless b*****ds. :mad: :mad: Hope you get yours quicker than me. The pool is right in the middle of the park, there's a kiddies playground there too. No dirt though, all that artificial grass which is great for traction. So was buying the DI a bad call???

Toonz. Ran my 3300 yesterday, got about 30-40mins of quick jump action off my little ramp. Even my daughter had a go with her Hornet. What a laugh. :D Hope to get her a "real" buggy soon. Got an old Kyosho buggy which I'm doing up for her, gonna mount my old Gator shell on it. (When-ever the new one shows up) Put the old Gator wheels and tires on it too. :rolleyes:

[toonz]

yeah a 3300 really gives good run and playtime :)

i'm hooked up with my girlfriend's willy this weekend. bought a set of ball bearings to replace those plastic ones, painted the driver in a gold suit and fit it with a red antenna tube. we shall race later! heehee....

and speaking of hornet. i'm still thinking whether i should restore mine or not....
these are the things involve....
1. a 101bk ESC
2. a radio (a simple one, futaba MJ will do)
3. rear wheel adapter
4. new set of wheels and tires for front and back
5. i have a spare silver can from viper
5. body is old but useable

well, is it worth it? hmmmm.......

[Super Chump]

I think it'll be a good laugh, sorta like an inside joke car with the Gatorade stickers on it. Besides I've always thought "Desert Gator" was a stupid name for the car anyways :D A Desert Gator with Gatorade decals on it, now that's taking the piss outta it, lol.

I might look into getting a body online. The 5 week slump that you're in Del is something I can't be bothered waiting through, I could wait 'til you get yours so I know there's some in the country and it should (hopefully) turn up at the LHS in a day or two. Would like to have it ready before my next visit to the Brick City, ha. Don't think I've seen all the Park then, I'd like to drive on that artificial grass :)
I think the DI was a good buy, I just need to get the RZ motor and bust a few packs through it. It's had less than 20 mins driving time and I've nearly had it a month!

Toonz, I'd restore your Hornet. Sounds like you don't need all that much. You could always get a new body kit for it from the re-release. Hornets are great cars though, it also takes a lot to really damage them :driving: ;) :cool: You got any pictures of it in its current state?

[toonz]

here...my old time hornet :)
http://img332.imageshack.us/img332/9725/hornetcv2.jpg
the body.....er.....well....heehee.....
i tried to run it the other day and its not running straight anymore no matter how i adjust it. i think the steering servo is really old and my rear wheels crack cos the plastic has corroded hahaha.....not sure if i should change it to full ball bearing though. somehow the plastic bearings in this car are quite tough. they don't die and i wonder why hahaha.....

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: alright lads.

Toonz, Hornet looks pretty damn good to me. Just go ahead and restore it, I wouldn't go with ball-bearings unless your going to use it alot. But, it's up to you.

Mike. If I were you I'd order a shell now. Then let me know how long it took to get to you from ordering to arrival. Then I'll go down to that f****n :mad: Acorn Models and give the a right royal mouth full of f****n :mad: abuse. They have got to be the dumbest bunch of fat-f**k-heads :mad: that I've ever had to deal with. Even the hobby shop in Perth (when I was there) were quicker at getting stuff than f****n :mad: Acorn f****n :mad: -dumb :mad: -arse :mad: -d**kheads :mad: Models. :mad: And you know what they say about Perths go-slow attitude towards everything. Perth (as you know) is in Western Austraila, even the people in Perth give themselves a hard time. They say that WA means Wait Awhile.

Anyways, I've had my daily gripe about my "local hobby shop".

Gonna take the Gator out for it's weekly family outting today. Going out to the local main river to get some rocks for my rock garden, so Gator's commin` too. Should be a blast.

[Super Chump]

Toonz, that is one of the tidiest old Hornets I've seen! The body isn't that bad except for the red paint on the windows or whatever. It's definitely old too, can tell by the fuse next to the speedo! I'm so tempted to buy those tires off you, pity there really isn't a way I could pay you unless I did a money order thing... I'd restore it, just take it apart and give it a good clean. New wheels/tires and a body would probably make it look brand new again (and I know photos lie so your one could be scratched and stuff than it looks in your photo) :) I'm thinking maybe your steering servo isn't in its neutral position so messing about with the "trim" levers on the remote isn't moving it enough to make it run straight. Or the steering rods could be bent, that's a pretty common problem on those old things.
You can see that Hornets aren't indestructable... (see bottom of photo) ;) Oh and my Gator is also in this pic, so this post is sorta on topic for this thread :p

Yeah Del, I may give that a try. I think the people (idiots) at Acorn like their trains and that stuff more - not saying that's bad - but the shop is full of that crap. Could be their main priority in my view... :roll2: Hope you snapped some Gator action pics matey :driving:

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: lads.

Didn't get to go out today, ran outta time. Going to a family BBQ today/tonight, so I'll probaly take it with me. Ah yes, the famous group photo. :cool: Wont be as many this time `round, just the "Gatorade" Gator, and (hopefully) :roll2: the "Des'D'Tute", and maybe the Blitzers. :confused:

Toonz, go for it mate and restore that beauty. :D

[toonz]

ok, i shall do it. Wil restore it :)

as for the steering servo, both the rods are straight and the servo is in neutral position. i guess the servo is just old. heehee.....

i will be getting the aluminium frog wheel adapter and probably another rear DI rims and tires. hahaha i have a fetish over this DI tires! i hope i can find a second hand 101bk esc. trying to keep the cost as low as i can :)

[toonz]

some little update....(not about DT02)
i just bought a pair of alu adapter and desert gator front and rear wheels for my hornet restoration :) the star design on the gator wheels does resemble the original hornet wheels, only bigger :)

i'm torn between and Futaba MJ and a Sanwa Blazer2. what do you guys think?

[Royal Male]

Hi guys,

Great to find a dedicated DT- 02 forum. I've had a gator for 3 weeks and ran it tonight for the first time, I'm in London by the way.

Ran it on new tarmac carpark but still managed to scuff its bottom! So your previous chats will help solve that problem. I loved the build..... my first since a grasshopper back in 1984 (which I am restoring).

The Gator looks good too BUT I was a bit disappointed with top speed....maybe a new motor is required....for some reason my ol grasshopper seemed faster!!! can it be true??

Look forward to lots a DT -02 chat.

Cheers RM

[Metla]

Personally, I think the older kits felt "faster" simply due to shithouse handling.

I have run my Gator and Hornet around my back yard, The gator is smoooth, Dont have to slow down for corners, handles bumps and jumps.

The Hornet tends to roll whenever its built up speed unless handled with care.








Of course, The answer is to put in a faster motor, and get an edgier drive from the gator.






And your 540 should increase in speed after you have put a few batteries through, not by much, but its better then getting slower....

[Royal Male]

Hi Metla,

......always half full. I like your thinking. There is a chance the 540 in my grasshopper could have less turns....it always melted the solder on the msc so thats when I stopped using it. It works ok now with the standard tamiya esc, might pop the old motor into the gator, failing that get a GT tuned.

RM

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: RM
Firstly, welcome. Secondly your Gator looks sweet. :cool:
Yeah I'm running the GT Tuned in my Gator with a 3300mah battery to power it along. Get about 30mins run time out of it, depending on what I'm doing. Scuffing the bottom is what it's all about, not a big fan of those few out there who buy a R/C and don't use it. What's the point in having `em.

Lots of good chat on here, so enjoy.

[toonz]

:wave: RM and welcome welcome welcome :D
nice gator and very new so please do enjoy your stay and keep the DT02 alive :)

guys...here it is...Hornet reborn.......
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/3330/hornetrebornxj6.jpg
tamiya 101bk esc
sanwa airtronics blazer2 (i love that micro receiver!)
high torque servo saver
desert gator rims and spike tires
oil shocks clean up with fresh oil
motor from my viper and still quite fresh new
gearbox, can't be bothered to rebuild :p and retaining those fat plastic bearings inside except for front wheels that have metal bearings installed
18T pinion stock

my first trial run......this car runs like a mad man! hahahaha...i will compare it with my viper this weekend and see who wins at top speed.

three's a company :D i manage to fix up the hornet's wing.
http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/4702/buggyfamilywa9.jpg

[Royal Male]

Hi Guys,
Took my gator out again tonight and it was defo running faster, I think it may have been a battery issue slowing it down yesterday, so I'm quite chuffed now (but still planning to buy a GT tuned on payday!) Want to get the DT-02 spring set too as it seems those blue springs are popular on here.

Quick question: did any of you guys have a problem keeping the servo saver screwed to your servo? I'm using an acoms radio set up so used a BC1 screw as directed in the manual but the thread would not bite properly so I used a B1 screw (bigger dia) from my old Grasshopper and all seems ok....anyoneelse have this problem?

Also, is it cool to keep unscrewing the self tappers on the Gator? mine seem to refuse to tighten down firmly....but they hold ok.

One more I'm afraid.....do you have any play (movement) in the drive shafts (rear wheels) is this normal?

Ps can you recommend some rear tires to fit gator rims that are suitable for tarmac because my spikes are wearing after 2 runs!!

cheers guys

RM

[TamiyaRacer69]

Quick question: did any of you guys have a problem keeping the servo saver screwed to your servo? I'm using an acoms radio set up so used a BC1 screw as directed in the manual but the thread would not bite properly so I used a B1 screw (bigger dia) from my old Grasshopper and all seems ok....anyoneelse have this problem?

Also, is it cool to keep unscrewing the self tappers on the Gator? mine seem to refuse to tighten down firmly....but they hold ok.

One more I'm afraid.....do you have any play (movement) in the drive shafts (rear wheels) is this normal?

Hiya RM. All typical questions with typical answers. ;)
About the servo screw, just use a slightly longer bigger diameter screw.

Use some loc-tite. Not the highest grade loc-tite, just one that's strong enough to hold the screws tight, but not that tight that you can't get them undone.
As for the drive-shafts. Play is normal, if you want do cut down the play. Use some of those little rubber o-rings that are used in the shocks. Put one in each of the drive cups, (from the gearbox) or in the cups in the rear hubs. That'll stop most of the play. :D

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: toonz.
Man that was a quick job on the Hornet, looks sweet-as. How did you get the bits you needed so quickly? You must have one great model shop close by, and a money tree in your garden. :D :D
Try setting the steering servo a little lower, it'll push the rods out and give you a straighter foward run. Even if you have to cut the bottom of the 'servo mounting posts' off to make them shorter, the servo will sit lower. You may (if you do that) have to cut some extra out of the chassis where the rods go through. Just have a fiddle about. :D

Del

[toonz]

i have shops nearby in the town area but i don't have a money tree (i wish i have one though)

as for the servo, i can't set any lower cos that's how it was designed to fit. at first i thought that it's going to obstruct and limit the steering but i'm surprise that it doesn't. the two rods don't hit the chassis at all when i turn and i still have some space left to further increase the EPA L/R adjustment from the radio for more steering :) and yes it runs super straight :) and very fast!

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: toonz.
Yeah I know that's how they fit, but I've put smaller 'servo mounting posts' on my daughters Hornet and it give me alot more steering ajustment. But each to their own.
Viper looks good mate, my new Gator body's going to be red. Not metallic though. Still no f**ken sign of it, model shop reckons this week. But I've heard that for the last two weeks. Should have just got one off the net, would have been finished by now. GGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[toonz]

smaller servo mounting post? how do they look like? maybe you can point on my pic so that i will know the part that you are refering to?

[Super Chump]

G'day RM,

I have had that happen to my steering servo, think it was after some abuse at a BMX track. I lost all the steering all of a sudden. All I did to fix it was use a longer screw. Not too familar with their names, but one longer than the self tapping black looking screws contained in the kit will be fine. I too use a self tapper like what's used on a Grasshopper (and a million other 80's Tamiya kits) and haven't had any trouble since. You won't need Loctite, it's only going into plastic, unless you've got metal geared servos.

What screws are you unscrewing all the time? A few times should be fine but don't go nuts, lol. A lot of the plastic used on new Tamiy's seems to be the rubbery plastic type so for some reason the screws don't tighten up fully. I reckon your car will be fine.

Also, the driveshafts like that are normal. If they were too tight in the cups the suspension wouldn't work properly I reckon. Hope you didn't grease the ends of the shafts, causes them to wear out quicker though you'd need to do a helluva lot of driving for that to happen! :driving: :cool:

Just noticed Del answered most of this...d'oh... :o

Toonz/Del, what's this about adjusting the servo mounts on a Hornet? Never heard or thought that doing that would allow you to adjust the steering more. I like the Hornet there Toonz, and you did get it sorted out quick! I like the rear wheels on it, I don't think the fronts suit it, they look far too wide - just my opinion! ;) I have a Blazer 2 set on my DI, not a bad radio. I like the reciever, it's bloody tiny! :)

Catcha :p

[toonz]

yeah the blazer2 receiver is real tiny and cute and it sits nicely on my hornet and almost weightless heehee.....

oh i went nuts with the tires and i thought since i'm going to resurrect it, i might as well make more fun. one day i will put wild willy tires on it and turn it into a truck woohoo!

what's going on with the servo screw in your gators? i still can't catch the meaning behind the screw thing. how can i tell whether mine is going well or not?

[Super Chump]

what's going on with the servo screw in your gators? i still can't catch the meaning behind the screw thing. how can i tell whether mine is going well or not?

When you have no steering & it's all floppy, lol. The servo saver, the bit that screws into the servo, can come loose when the screw holding it on unwinds itself. I thought I'd ruined the actual servo itself when it happened to me! :o

I noticed you've got the wrong servo saver thing on your hornet too, that's why the wheels have lots of toe-out. Is it the Tamiya high torque set? Here's my old 'made outta old parts' Hornet. It's the nastiest sounding one I've ever heard. Full plastic bearings throughout, booya! :rolleyes:

[toonz]

yes its the tamiya high torque set but it has nothing to do with my wheels being toe-out. i don't want to follow the manual here and i purposely give it a toe-out myself simply by screwing the cups in :)

[TamiyaRacer69]

I only use Loctite as a xtra precaution. And "YES" I have used smaller 'servo mounting posts" in some of my R/C's. Gets them lower, therefor creating a little more steering lock.

[toonz]

ran my hornet last night and its a crazy car hahahaaha!

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: toonz
Handle well don't they, the `ol Hornet. :D :D What's it like for steering with those tires up front?

[toonz]

hey del, steering is fantastic and it can almost zoom 90 degrees with high speed. i guess the high torque servo saver is really sensitive :) this car is rough and agressive! looking forward to compare the speed with my viper this weekend... :)

[Royal Male]

Hey guys,

Just purchased a GT tuned motor from e bay......seems toonz would recommend it? But is it not designed for on road?? Maybe it don't matter or maybe I should have asked the question before buying..but you know what its like when you get the urge to spend!!

Took my gator to my work carpark today: loose gravel, mud, grass and a few curbs and I must say it brought the car alive..no more tarmac for me.

Managed to turn it over at one point which has really scuffed the front arms??? (part c3 the bit the shocks are screwd to). That never happend to my grassshopper....the plastic is harder, even after 24 years see below for my restoration project. I was 12 years old, it was 1984 I had saved up £50 and my parents would put up the remaining £50 to buy my first Tamiya. I was even allowed a day off school for our family visit to GK models in Bournemouth to buy my Grasshopper.....I think it took me and my dad a week of evenings to build it.....about the same time it took me to build the gator BUT I did drag it out as long as possible...soaking up the nostalgia.

Gone a bit of track I'm afraid but I guess you guys understand. http://forums.radiocontrolzone.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=2113273#

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: RM.
I too have the GT Tuned. Yeah it is for on road, but "Gators alive" it works well in the Gator. Faster than a Sport Tuned I reckon.
The reason the Grasshopper probaly never turned over is, (you just weren't driving it hard enough) it's not really the best handling or quickiest buggy in the world. Sounds strange, you'd think being unstable it would roll over at any oppertunity. Mind you, I was the same when I got my Grasshopper at 13 for getting an "A" in my school report. I didn't want to scratch it, but after I put a Tecnigold in it all that 'no scratches' went out the window. :eek:
I've had my Gator upside down more than I'd want to, but that's how it goes I suppose. :D
You'll be impressed with the GT Tuned, quick and a fair bit of longer play time. Get yourself a 3300MaH battery too, if you can. Even more play-time.

Took my gator to my work carpark today: loose gravel, mud, grass and a few curbs and I must say it brought the car alive..no more tarmac for me. It is an Off-Roader after-all, I've always got my Gator in the boot of the car over the weekends. There's always some patch of dirt, gravel, or some non-tarmac area about. :D

[Royal Male]

Hi racer69,

I rolled my Grasshopper hundreds of times butr it didin't scratch as such because the plastic was harder BUT brittle so it eventualy broke apart!! I think the modern plastics are softer and less brittle...a development I suppose. ;)

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: all.
I think you're right there RM. Softer plastic these days. Still, the Gator takes a beating without the breaking.
Have you got yourself a GT Tuned yet?

[Royal Male]

:wave: racer 69,

received the GT on Saturday morning BUT I've been working on my flat all weekend so haven't had chance to put it in...must say It looks the business and the box is V cool so am happy tpo keep it NIB for a day or two!

Bit annoyed because I have just been outbid on a stadium raider on ebay...was winning for ages then at 30 sec to go a flood of bids come in...I think there is software out there that will put on last min bids?? Bloody annoying. It had a 19 turn motor included and i nearly got it for £25.

Oh well.

enjoy the rest of your weekend mate

RM

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: RM Don't leave it in the box for too long, you'll be missing a-whole-lotta-fun. :wow: Make suer than when you put the GT in, that the little circuit-board is to the top. Save it getting ripped out while you're :driving: about the place
Yeah I hate that being out bid in the last few minutes. I was bidding on some laminated Tamiya posters, was leading from day one, get home tonight and.......well you know. Might have been for the better, hadn't told the wife yet. :p

[Super Chump]

I should be getting a GT tuned motor for my Gator within the next week or so. I'm trying to find one cheaper than what's at the LHS. $65 is a bit much I reckon for a 25 turn motor :eek:

RM, I think the software you're refering to for Ebay is called 'Snipe' or something similar. Basically I think you can set it to a certain amount of money and if someone places a bid you'll automatically put another bid in without having to watch the auction. It's a lazy way of doing it, but it works out sometimes as long as the other people who are bidding against you don't beat the maximum amount you've set up the snipe to go to. On a local trading site us Kiwis use it's called Auto-Bidding.

Figured I'd burnt out an old Sport Tuned motor tonight. For about 3 months a car I was running one in was all jippy, like it had a loose connection somewhere or I was getting radio interference and was running slower than usual. I swapped the motor over to a stock 540 and the car goes sweet. Guess there's a first for everything, lol :driving: :p Never ruined a motor before, but buying second had stuff I guess has it's drawbacks. The motor had obviously had a lot of use before I got it with the amount of scratches all over it.

[toonz]

heehaaarrrrr i'm back :)
have been having crazy fun with my hornet these few days. just two nights ago i ran it with my 3300 batt and i had one long hour of fun with this bomb-proof car. thanks to the silver can that draws little power. i drove it real hard, sharp full throttle turn, jump, skid, flip a few 360 turns and there goes my wing again hahaha.... at one point it hit the pillar at full speed and i broke the cup adjuster infront and bend the rod and the whole front right arm came off hahahaha!!! go thing my shop here gave me a pair of cups to replace for free :) i see small crack on the arm and some very thin hairline cracks appearing on the gearbox. nah! its healing now with super strong epoxy and after that i will abuse it again. as for speed, its almost close to my viper that's running on the GT tuned! gee almost catching up!

RM, you must run your GT tuned soon. wait no more.....

[Royal Male]

Hi Toonz,

I'm not waiting by choice!! The box sat on my Tv from early sat morning right through to this morning......DIY is to blame AND the worst part is I got to continue with the decorating tonight too. I brought the motor to work today but there is no way I have time to pop it in!

GRR GRR :(

Can I ask did you do the 3volt run in? as recommended in the motors instructions??

[toonz]

3V run in? nah i didn't bother much. all i did was, take the whole gearbox apart, clean up all the gears and bearings, apply new grease, attach motor. then i held the car in my hand and spin it slow to warm it up a bit for a while and on the road it goes :)

but of course its good to still run a 3V for a start. just connect it to a dry cell and watch it spin. its nice to even listen to the spinning sound :) gets you excited!

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: all.
Thread's been quite for a coulpe of days, so I thought I'd "keep it alive".
As mentioned in previous posts, my Desert Gator project is being held up by my LHS :mad: :mad: . Absolutely hopeless. So my good friend Mike (aka Super Chump) and I have decided that 'the net' is the best way to go for new Desert Gator bodies. Being that the Gator is (according to my LHS, "a newish release". Well Duh!!! :roll2: :rolleyes: ) parts aren't as available as some other kits. Although I've seen Desert Gator body and wing sets on 'the net', it just goes to show that LHS are only interested in what they've got in stock, and don't really want to put themselves out. LOSERS!!!!!
Anyways, Mike and I are hoping that we can source a couple of new bodies before the first weekend of December when Mike comes down to see me for a few days. We've both got some brilliant ideas for paint schemes. Should (if all goes well) make for some great photos.

[Royal Male]

Hi racer 69,

I have had a go at making my own bodies for the Gator, I am a technician at a Uni in London so have access to lots of machinery, I made a plaster cast of the original body from my kit and then vacuum formed plastic over the plaster the results are perfect BUT I haven't used polycarbonate, they are made from an alternative plastic which is tougher.

I will put some shots on here for you to look at, it's a shame you live in NZ (I think) 'cause I could have sorted you out> I have also made a black pvc one.

[Super Chump]

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=1825363 - Only place I've found bodies online. Decent enough price tho. Will let you know if an American TCer I know can get them for us cos only Yankees can buy direct from Tamiya USA... Even Tower Hobbies is outta stock. And the DG is over a year old, i's not really "new-ish" anymore, heh... :p

[toonz]

hi guys
last night i bought the DF-02 aluminium damper set for my viper. the plastic shocks are great but i thought since i've given the car the essential hop-ups, it does deserve a set of good shocks. not just for the appearance, but also for handling as well.

so i fill it up with Tornado 500 oil (medium) and got all of them fix up. here's the difference compared to the plastic ones.

the 4 alu shocks are longer than the plastic ones by 5mm for both front and rear. therefore now the ride height is 30mm for front and rear (with battery weight) :)

front shock position, stock as per manual.
rear shock position, previously i mounted the plastic ones at the inner hole on the arms, now i move out to the other hole (as per manual) due to the length, yet retaining a good ride height :)

went to the carpark to try out all the various humps and the car landed without a single "PIAK!". not single chance of the chasis touching the ground. these shocks are fantastic and they work so well with the DT-02!

guys, you got to consider these DF-02 alu shocks if you want your car to perform great stunts without hurting its bottom :)

i'll post pic of the viper with new shocks later tonight :)

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: guys

Hey Mike, is that for the body only, no wing??? I think it is "body only" Probaly be better off buying another Gator. :D

RM. Would like to see some pics. Wouldn't cost much to send overseas would it. Wouldn't weigh alot. I'd find some way of buying one off you. :)

Toonz. I've seen on the internet, that DF02 aluminium shocks are the way to go. But trying to get those through my LHS would be like getting blood out of a stone. :eek:

[toonz]

yes they are the way to go and the way of the future. del, i hope you can get a set too. likewise for mike and RM :)

here it is...the viper with new dampers :)
http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/2706/viper1vn8.jpg

a good gain in the ride height and traction with stock set up of the preload.
opps gator and DI rims :p i saw a guy in a japanese RC mag has his viper with that same rims too :)
http://img429.imageshack.us/img429/4225/viper2yy9.jpg

jump and land without fear! :)

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: all
Looking good toonz. :D Might have to "accidently" purchase some off ebay. ;) Mike found a couple of Gator shells on the TamiyaUSA site, so now we can get on with the "Des'D'Tute" and the "Gatorade" yahoo. Apparently my LHS can't seem to source one, yet Mike found two. Go figure. Go the "BAY!!!!!"

How much did those DF02 shocks set you back?? No more loud "thud" when it touches down from outer-space. :D :D

[toonz]

i think maybe your shop over there is not even trying to get the body for you...its such a long wait.

those shocks cost SGD85. yes no more chassis touching the ground. the car lands, say hi to the ground and bye it goes :) you must get a set cos the DT02 deserves it.

i will play my hornet tonight....crazy car.....hahhahhaaa

boong.

[Royal Male]

Hi Guys,

Quick post before I start work>>>>>>ran the Gator with GT tuned for the first time last night and all I will say is.....Wheelies, the front end lifts off the ground on full throttle!!

It's awsome, such good advice guys, cheers.

RM (next the shocks)

[toonz]

i have a question as i see the word "wheelies..."
del, your gator whilly with a GT
rm, yours too.
all with full throttle.....

why is it that mine doesn't? :(
is it because of gearing?
i'm using a DT02 ball-diff instead of a stock diff-gear. and i know that a ball-diff gives a smoother ride but a diff-gear will give off more power. could this be the reason?
or is it because i'm running on tarmac that has high grip instead of sand or short grass that has lesser grip?


~strange~......

[Super Chump]

Hey Toonz,

It might be the gearing, if you use the lowest pinion possible (think it's the 17t) it should maybe do it. It'd be best to use that pinion anyway cos of the motor you're running. I don't have a GT in my Gator so I'm no expert! It also could be cos of your ball diff, they can slip if they're not tightened enough or low on ball diff grease like a slipper clutch. Personally I don't really like ball diffs (bad times with the ol' King Cab, lol) so you could chuck in the geared diff and see if that make any difference. Running on tarmac should make it wanna wheelie more I would think cos there should be more traction. Then again I'm surprised how worn out your tires are already! Didn't you just get the DI ones last week? LOL :D :driving:

Mike.

[toonz]

ah ha...i bought my DI tires on the 8th October and its close to a month old already :) still kicking good you know :) yes i'm using 17t pinion cos i cant find 18t :( but like you said, its better to keep it down than to burn it out. as for the ball-diff, yes they are tighten with only about half-turn loose as per manual. i guess its too smooth to willy up. i will try on other surface when i get a chance.

boong

[Royal Male]

Hi Super, toonz

Yeah my gator pulls wheelies on tarmac not loose surfaces (gravel etc) BUT it doesn't happen every time I pull off, just every now and again, ace when it happens!!

As for pinion I'm using the stock which is 17 right? and the stock gears too.

RM (damn I won't them shocks)

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: all
I'm just running the standard 17tooth, standard gearing. Generally my Gator lifts the front on grass, and sometimes on dirt.
Got this video clip last night. Check out the beating that the DT02 gets, :D
http://www.tamiyaclub.com/moviecomment.asp?id=2074&uid=

Mike knows another great Tamiya for bashing, we both have one. The Blitzer Beetle, here's a link to a thread on this site...........http://forums.radiocontrolzone.com/showthread.php?t=97847
go check it out. Blitzers are as robust as the DT02 I reckon.

[Royal Male]

Hi Guys,

Here are some quick shots of the bodies I have made including the plaster "master" I made to enable the forming. I need to test the durability of the black body, The clear is made from the same plastic as riot shields so Its gunna be hard as nails!!

[toonz]

WOW! rm, cool bodies!
how much are you going to sell them?

great videos del!

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: all
Yeah great job on those bodies RM, the black one (at a quick glance) looked like carbon fibre. Now that would look wicked, a carbon fibre Gator. :D

[geist_darkblade]

Hey Royal Male can you make some Super fighter g bodies ?

[toonz]

guys, do you all know how to disassemble the GT Tuned motor for cleaning? i only know how to unscrew the brushes. how do i pull out the entire motor?

[Royal Male]

Hi Guys,

I haven't tested these bodys for strength so I would not like to sell them yet BUT as soon as I have done some field tests (yep try to do damage!!) and the results are pleasing I would be happy to make some for anyone interested.

Getting carried away>>>>there is potential to make adaptions to the standard shape, think about that!

Darkblade I need an original body before I can produce replicas, if there was enough interest then I might start to produce a selection of bodies, its all early days.

Toonz, can I ask how much you paid for ur DF -02 shocks, they are £70 over here in the uk ( no joke ) and did you use the springs from the kit?

Cheers

RM

PS decorating over so back to some play time!

[toonz]

rm, i paid SGD85 for the df02 shocks, happen to be the last set in the shop and so the owner gave me a good price :) springs from the kit? you mean those stock silver springs from the viper? yes when i first built it, i use them. after that i bought the hop-up dt02 blue/red and until recently i bought the df02 shocks and i like those yellow springs. they're longer and stronger :)

i went to my usual hobby shop today and bought some stuff.....
motor spray for motor cleaning
lub oil for bearings and motors
.....then....
i was walking and chatting away in the shop....and....i.....
can't.....resist....the.....urge......and pick up....a....





RZ MOTOR!

had my first run......when i came back home.....

WWWWAAAAAHHHHHH ZZZZZZZOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!

its fast! hohohoho.....makes the car jump higher and further and spins the tire off the rims! hahhahaha.....got a shock of my life :)

del i have to adapt your method of putting rubber bands inside the wheels now....

GT tuned------20min on 2400 batt
RZ-------------10 on 2400 batt!!! madness......

tomorrow i try out the 3300 batt.....

[Royal Male]

Hi Toonz,

Cheers for info, I see you are using the yellow shock springs you get with the df-02 shocks so no extra cost of buying more springs.

RZ motor hey....bet its fast....much faster than GT But what ESC you using with it??

Just run my Gator on a local road... turned it over at medium speed and managed to split the tail, VERY annoying I thought lexan was tough?

[Royal Male]

So.......any suggestion for mending split lexan? :confused:

[Metla]

Tape it on the underside with strong tape, glue it on the topside.

[Metla]

Oh yeah, Tamiya will sue your backside for selling replica bodies.

[Royal Male]

Hi Metla,

Cheers for the tip on mending lexan.

As for my DIY bodies, I have no intention of selliing them.

RM

[Metla]

Pity, I wanted to buy one.......

[toonz]

Hi Toonz,

Cheers for info, I see you are using the yellow shock springs you get with the df-02 shocks so no extra cost of buying more springs.

RZ motor hey....bet its fast....much faster than GT But what ESC you using with it??

Just run my Gator on a local road... turned it over at medium speed and managed to split the tail, VERY annoying I thought lexan was tough?

yeah, the yellow springs are pretty good so far :) :)
yes you are right, the RZ is much faster than the GT and it keeps you alert when you are driving it, you don't want to crash onto anything :eek:

here's a page on the tamiya motors, check it out
http://home19.inet.tele.dk/martinjordt/ressources/motors/motors.htm

[Super Chump]

Just a quick note, make sure your motor is screwed in securely, just about lost mine, lol.

I'm currently running my Gator still with the Sport Tuned but I put an 18t pinion in (yes it fits and meshes fine) and it sorta almost wheelies. Might be as quick as the GT now...? :confused:

Been having a laugh with it too, I think I've driven the Gator 'round more recently than I have since I've owned it (nearly 12 months) and it can take a beating :) I've forgotten how many times its flipped end over end recently :driving: :cool:

RM, I doubt Tamiya would "sue" you for making, or even selling your DIY bodies if you did. Lots of companies have made copies of bodies over the years, and I doubt Tamiya would even know about it.

[toonz]

yes its screwed tight :) and fun....

mike do u remember the part number for the 18T pinion that you're using? or pitch? i can't seem to find on tamiya site....

[toonz]

ran the RZ again last night with 3300 and it ran about 30mins. not bad for a playtime :) and it does wheelie up upon landing with a throttle punch hoohoo..! but the rear DI tires keep popping out whenever i do a jump and those rubber bands don't seem to work somehow :( running around is ok but they pop out after 1-2 jumps. i may have to glue them somehow......geeeee!

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: lads.
Mike, an 18tooth. hhhmmm sounds like a plan :D . Have to have a serch `round see if I can find one.

Toonz. What did I tell you when you first came on board. "Trial and Error" sounds like you're doing fine with the choices you're making.

RM. Mike's right. How many other rip-offs have other companies done. You don't hear of them closing down just because Tamiya 'put their foot down'

Keep on :driving: & bashin`
Del

[Super Chump]

yes its screwed tight :) and fun....

mike do u remember the part number for the 18T pinion that you're using? or pitch? i can't seem to find on tamiya site....

It's the same pinion as what on the Hornet. Dunno the pitch, I dunno the pitch of any of the gearboxes I have in my cars, lol.

[Super Chump]

[QUOTE=Royal Male]RZ motor hey....bet its fast....much faster than GT But what ESC you using with it??
QUOTE]

The Tamiya ESC will run a RZ/TZ/BZ motor fine. It'll even run a 19 turn motor okay.

[toonz]

the concept "Trial and Error" has been a fun process :) and i'm really happy with the result now :)

same pinion as the hornet? does that mean that i can also take out the hornet's pinion and use it on the DT02?

[Super Chump]

the concept "Trial and Error" has been a fun process :) and i'm really happy with the result now :)

same pinion as the hornet? does that mean that i can also take out the hornet's pinion and use it on the DT02?

Yep, that's right. I used the holes for the 19t pinion.

[toonz]

woot! maybe i will give a try some time :) thanks mike!

oh and i've finally decided to let my old hornet rest in peace for the rest of its life. something always happen everytime i play it; cracks appearing here and there and just two nights ago the rear shock tower broke. i've cememted the cracks areas and i don't want to end up cementing it everytime i play. i guess the plastic has degraded.

considering getting a XB hornet as this is my first buggy.....those factory works are nice especially on the body shell :)

[TamiyaRacer69]

Haven't found an 18 tooth yet, sure I've got one though. Might have to "borrow" the pinion out of my daughters Hornet. :D
It'll give me a reason to use the Gator, as I haven't for the last couple of days. Weather's been sh** here.

Mike. Any sign of those DG shells yet???? Can't wait to get the "Des'D'Tute" done.

[toonz]

actually i wonder how it will really perform with a 19T pinion..... :)

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: all
Great news. :D I was running a 18 tooth the whole time. I knew I had one somewhere. :confused: I think I put it in `cause I didn't have a 19 tooth. :D Now to see how toonz's performs once he throws a 19 tooth in it.

[toonz]

i called the shop and they told me that i've to do a special order for the 19T for DT02......hmmmm how tempting!

19T+RZ+3300......oh my gaaawwwwddddd......heehee....... :)

[Nenzi]

Hi all,

First of all nice work keeping this forum on top! I have a couple of questions for you DT-02 gurus.
1. What length are the front and back shocks? It seems the Hi-caps are impossible to get, so I'm wanting to weigh up some alternatives before I take the plunge on a desert gator or sand viper.
2. Would a carbon chassis offer any improvement for racing other than reduced weight??
3. Does anyone know if an Astute body would fit a DT-02 chassis. I've been having a hard time deciding on whether I prefer the gator or viper, and I realised it's because I still love the look of an Asute!
I could just buy an Astute from TC or ebay, but I want to build my own kit, and I've heard too many things go wrong with the old astutes, whereas the DT-02 seems to be bullet proof.

Thanks for any help

[Royal Male]

Hi Super,

Yeah I agree, the guy who knocks out those box art mugs on ebay does a happy untroubled trade. And little old me making some diy shells ain't a threat to Tamiya in any shape or form.

[Super Chump]

Welcome Nenzi :)

Since I have an Astute (to be correct it's a Super Astute) I can tell you that the body doesn't really fit. It's also a lot wider than the Gator shell. I took some photos, I had trouble trying to shove the Astute body onto my Gator chassis in the second pic, and my Astute shell is a bit damaged anyway. As for the oil shocks, the optional DF-02 ones will fit, they're the hop-up ones for the Tamiya Gravel Hound. Toonz has those on his Viper, and he posted a few pix a few posts back. Personally I prefer the Gator, cos it looks more like the Astute (no offence Toonz ;) ).

Crap Del, I was hoping my Gator would keep up with yours with the Sport Tuned and 18t pinion. We'll see come December I guess, lol. I'm too cheap at the moment to buy another motor for it. As far as I know the bodies are still on their way to Chris's home in Texas. He sent me a link to UPS's site to keep track of it, so I'll have to look at it sometime or wait 'til he gets back to me. I'm confident that we'll have our new body designs done by the end of November though :D :cool:

RM I'd buy one of those shells if you were to sell one, nice work BTW! :cool: I don't think people from Tamiya would look at this site anyway, there's hundreds of forums all over the 'net anyways.

Mike.

[toonz]

no problem mike :) tamiya has an itchy backside spinning off bodies on a same chasis all the time...and i like both the bodies :)

just something about the hornet 18t. the DT02 gearbox says 17t or 19t. so how does a 18t actually fit in the drivetrain? wouldn't it hurt the other gears when fitted onto the 19t position? i'm not sure if my question is making any sense. its just a thought that came by.....

[Metla]

Hi Super,
And little old me making some diy shells ain't a threat to Tamiya in any shape or form.

I had assumed that Tamiya would be all over people producing unlicensed replica's of their gear, After a bit of lookin around here and there and asking a question or two about whats "out there" and it seems I was speaking from a hole in my arse.

So, My apologies for rattling your cage over nothing.

[Nenzi]

Hey Mike,

Thanks for that. On the pics it looks to fit ok? I think it's the tapered windows that make the astute look so sweet, as well as the curved sides.
Is the height of the front rims the same? I understand the original atute black rims were a bit smaller. The Super Astute was meant to address a lot of the problems (complexity) with the original Astute.
How do find the handling compared to your gator??
p.s. If you ever want to get rid of that Super, give me a hoy I might be interested! I'm in OZ so postage shouldn't kill me.
Thanks again.

[Super Chump]

just something about the hornet 18t. the DT02 gearbox says 17t or 19t. so how does a 18t actually fit in the drivetrain? wouldn't it hurt the other gears when fitted onto the 19t position? i'm not sure if my question is making any sense. its just a thought that came by.....

It just fits, stick one in there and you'll see. I got the idea of using an 18t pinion from the Fox (not the mini one) as the manual says that the same motor mounting holes that use a 19t pinion can also be used with an 18t one. It's only one tooth different, if you were thinking of putting in a 20 or 21 tooth I doubt that would work out well as it'd probably rip the teeth up on the spur gear or create a very tight mesh.

[Super Chump]

No problem Nenzi. I dunno about the rim height, I think they're roughly the same size as what's on the Gator but the front gator rims are a lot wider. If you get a Gator you could always fit it out with different rims and paint the body up better than what's on the kit box (personally I don't like the origianl look). The Astute body is a tight fit, if you managed to find a body to stick on a Gator chassis trust me it wouldn't look right. The sides of the shell would stick out an inch or so each side of the chassis and it's also too long. The Super Astute is a better design, and it has a way better gearbox. The Astute handles better, the gator tends to understeer a lot but from what I've read on here it's due to the front tires not gripping too well. I haven't had my Gator on a proper track yet, but saying that I'm not a racer or anything! Would be interesting to see how it goes.

Lol, I hear that a lot, but I won't be selling it sorry. It was one of my biggest bargains. I got it with the old school Tamiya Adspec radio gear and a Dynatech 02H motor for $200 a few years back :) Where in Oz are you from? My missus is from Melbourne.

Mike.

[toonz]

just called up the shop and they have the 19T in stock :) will get it tomorrow! :) :) i think i'm going nuts over this buggy hehehehehe....

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: all
Firstly. Welcome Nenzi. You'll find all you need to know about the DT-02 here. The Astute is an awesome looking buggy, and the DT-02 (weather it be Gator or Viper) looks along the same lines. That's one of the reasons I bought mine. Now i've got Astute wheels on mine and it looks sweet. I too would like to put some of those yellow Hi-caps on mine, just to give it the Astute look. Keep an eye on this thread, I'll be posting some pics of something you'll appreciate.
BTW I've tried to get Mike to sell his Super Astute too. But he's a stubborn lad. :D

Took the Gator to work today (well next door to the panel shop) to give it a blast with the water blaster, it had two weeks of dried mud on it. I couldn't be bothered stripping it down for cleaning. And yes, before you ask, I took all the electrics out. :roll2: Now it's all nice 'n' pretty again.
As you can tell by toonz's last post. Going nuts over this buggy is something we're all going to have to deal with. :eek: :p :p

[toonz]

had fun last night and here's the time that the RZ took me.....

previously on the GT Tuned+3300---->~40min
and now on the RZ+3300-------------->~20-25min

HALF the playtime! #@%#&%*^(^%$$ oh well....its all fun anyway hahahaha.... :D

[TamiyaRacer69]

previously on the GT Tuned+3300---->~40min
and now on the RZ+3300-------------->~20-25min AHHH The R/Cer's delemah. Faster with smaller playtime, and a higher risk of major damage or fast enough with longer playtime and minimal risk of major damage? Something each of us battles with each and every day. I'll just stick with the GT Tuned........for now. :D

[toonz]

careful driving and more careful driving.....makes me more alert now.... :)

i can't imagine smashing onto the wall with that speed....hahahaha

[toonz]

here's a pic of the RZ :driving: :rolleyes: :p :flame:
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/6725/rzyd1.jpg

[Royal Male]

Toonz...you show off!!

The red of that RZ and the viper body look A1 mate...V cool.

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: all.
Nice one toonz, looks primo. Are you running the 19tooth yet? Just put my Gator back together after work. Still runnin` sweet, and still liftin` the front on the grass. WICKED!!!! :eek: :eek: I've put my order in for Xmas. Told Santa I want another Gator, fingers crossed. May have sold one of my other R/C's, so I might use the money from that to get another Gator, if Santa doesn't come to the party. :D

[toonz]

thanks, indeed it does look good with that color :)

just picked up the 19T and will have a go this weekend :) don't know how it will turn out but fingers crossed :)

del, why do you want another gator again :confused:

[toonz]

OH by the way, the MINI-GATOR has arrived here! looks so yummy!

[TamiyaRacer69]

del, why do you want another gator again :confused:
`Cause it's cool. :cool: :cool: Wouldn't mind one in almost "Box Art" colours, and I'm getting the TamTech Gear one too. Gonna sell my mountain bike to get that. :eek:
Just goes to show how much I like, nah love this buggy. It can take the beating of it's life and still keep going, the amount of times I've been :driving: about and smacked it into something harder and less moveable than plastic and it's just shurgged it off and kept goin` :D :D You don't get that very often.
How much praise can you give this buggy. GOOD ON YA TAMIYA!!!!!

Did you order one?? or do you mean it's available now?????

[toonz]

its true that sometimes i just can't figure out why is the DT02 so strong. i over turned 360 while running that freaking RZ and it still look happy running hahaha....

no i didn't order. so far there is only one in the shop but more will be coming in and they won't run out.

just a thought. if you and mike were to come down to singapore, i'm going to bring you all to some of these shops and you can grab whatever you need. :)

[Super Chump]

its true that sometimes i just can't figure out why is the DT02 so strong. i over turned 360 while running that freaking RZ and it still look happy running hahaha....

no i didn't order. so far there is only one in the shop but more will be coming in and they won't run out.

just a thought. if you and mike were to come down to singapore, i'm going to bring you all to some of these shops and you can grab whatever you need. :)

What ya mean you've had it doing 360 rolls? Just kidding, your Viper still looks brand new :cool: I think mine looks halfway between yours and Del's in regards to its condition, lol.

From what you said those alloy shocks on your Viper are worth in Singapore dollars your currency is pretty similar to what we have here in NZ. Would make for some good R/C shopping I reckon :)

Hey Del, these new shells should be about a week away. The Destitute will soon be a reality. ;)

And totally unrelated...the tree that's fallen over in the attached pic happened while I was at work on Thursday due to the strong winds and rain we'd been having. I was standing about 2 metres away from the tree when I heard a big 'crack' and it fell over. If I was on the other side of it, it would've landed on me! About 5 seconds after that happened a big branch off a nearby tree got blown off. Never under estimate the power of nature, lol :wow:

[toonz]

OMG! that tree! :eek: thank God that you are away from it eventhough its still pretty near. nature...HMMMM! :huh:

ok, tonight i've tested the RZ+19T pinion and here's the pros and cons.

Pros:
-top end speed was fantastic
-sounds like a touring RC
-beautiful jump and landing

Cons:
-the buggy STOPS running after 5mins!
-too much rpm coming from the 19T
-motor and esc were way too hot and the esc cut the power off.
-the esc says: "i can't run any longer with the RZ+19T, spare me."

so i deduced that the 101bk is not going well with this combination and i switched back to the 17T which i must say that it's quick enough with the RZ. i won't recommend RZ+19T unless you are curious to see how it runs but that only last for a couple of mins.

RZ+17T is absolutely fine.

i will try out the GT Tuned+19T tomorrow which i believe that it should run well since del and mike, both of you are running GT+18T and SportTuned+18T.

i shall see tomorrow and will share the result with you all. :)

[toonz]

tested the GT Tuned+19T.
the result was amazing and its fast!

when i compared and time it with the RZ+17T, the GT is 1-2 second slower, given the 19T. i consider it pretty fast.

the GT+19T gives a even more smoother ride and lower noise at top speed and as a touring car motor, i feel like i'm driving a touring buggy. hahaha that was fun!

but the RZ is obviously more aggressive. :)

i've already changed back to the RZ keeping at 17T. as for the GT, it will go with the 19T and will reserve for a new 2WD buggy. considering.....FROG!

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: all
Good on ya toonz, now I'll know what to run if I wanna beat Mike. hehe

Just a quick thing.
IT'S OFFICIAL!!!!!!! I'm famous world-wide. http://forums.radiocontrolzone.com/showthread.php?p=2123507#post2123507Well I will be come January 2007. Can't even remember which tip it was. Guess I'll find out next Febuary. (Once the magizine finally gets to New Zealand.) Got some free stickers too.
Thanks to all involved with the magizine.

[toonz]

WOOOOZZAAAAA! congrats! now you have more stickers :)

[toonz]

bought a japanese RC magazine and there's a page on some modification for the DT-02. here's some pic that i took.

they use the sandviper body but a different color scheme
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/1181/1lp3.jpg
(not a mod, just different color)

first mod
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/7320/2qu8.jpg
DI tires/pro-line bold-tie tires for the rear.
(geeee they are using the same DI and gator rims as me :p )

second mod (if anyone of you can read japanese. i can't)
http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/9263/3tk1.jpg
front arm was attached upside down to move the front wheels to 15mm more to the front end. front tie-rods/turnbuckles are mounted to the front and the wing is cut higher.

close up
http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/5213/4zo6.jpg
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/7647/5ub4.jpg

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: all
Cheers toonz. I'll have to get the magizine, when it gets to NZ. Which should be about Febuary 2007. :( So have you tried the front arms around the other way yet toonz. I'm sure you will, and then let us know how it works out.

[toonz]

actually heeheee...i didn't try cos i'm lazy. the only thing that i've upgraded for the front is using high torque servo saver instead of the stock one.

i somehow feel that the above mod is risky cos IF you happen to slam the front on the wall, the front rod is going to bend :)

[Royal Male]

Hi Guys,
Toonz you are officially the "DT-02 test operative" all your experimenting makes good reading and is V helpfull, and as I am running the GT tuned I now want a 19tooth pinion can i ask which one is suitable?

cheers

RM

[toonz]

thanks rm. this dt02 is simply fun to experiment with and its full of potential eventhough the options are limited. but its fun. :D

as for the 19T, the part number is 3515007
RC Pinion 19T (http://www.tamiyausa.com/search.php?q=3515007&image.x=0&image.y=0)

[Super Chump]

Will be quite interested in seeing this magazine "tip" you've been lucky enough to have published Del. When did submit it anyway? save me some of those decals, might stick a couple on the BB to make it a rolling billboard, heh...

Toonz, interesting pics there from that *** magazine. Don't see the point in sticking the front arms on backwards though. Looks a bit funny and I don't think it could really serve any purpose other than making it more likely to get damaged, oh, but it would make the wheelbase longer, still no point really in changing that I reckon however. I'm actually quite glad that the DT-02 chassis *has* a bumper! Most of those new buggies that have be brought out over the last decade or so seem to lack what most normal people would called a bumper, lol. Body looks good on that Viper though, I may have to cut my new out so its bigger when my new "Gatorade" Gator body arrives :cool: I've gotta think of some way to fit the big Gatorade decal on it anyway and if I cut it so the wing is big like that it might just fit :p

My GT motor should hopefully be here tomorrow, will you y'all know what I think :driving:

[Super Chump]

considering.....FROG!

Buy the Frog, great cars those. I have an original and it's still going strong, even though it looks like a total dog, lol. They're pretty quick outta the box, and very strong too :)

[Royal Male]

as for the 19T, the part number is 3515007
RC Pinion 19T (http://www.tamiyausa.com/search.php?q=3515007&image.x=0&image.y=0)[/QUOTE][I]

Cheers Toonz, I wil hunt a 19th tooth down BUT in the mean time I have just checked the pinion on my 22 yr old grasshopper and there connected up to the 540 was an 18t !! The grasshopper manual recommended the Suburu Brat pinion and as a kid I always did what the manual said so I'm guessing thats what it is....who would guess all this time later that little gear woould come in so usefull ;)

I have just hooked it up to my GT tuned and using the 19t motor position all seems fine, trouble is I'm going to a gig tonight so I won't test it till tommorow, cant wait.

RM

[toonz]

yeah i'm just too lazy to flip the arms unless if i have another dt02 heehee......oh well i'm happy with it now :) nice frog you got there mike. do you remember what gear ratio you built in your frog? standard 50Tx18T? high speed 49Tx19T? or torque 52Tx16T? i'm not sure if the original frog came with 3 gears set cos the reissue kit does come with these 3 options to build from. i'm not even sure if it comes with metal bearings.......

[toonz]

and speaking of bumper, i'm still wondering, even till this moment as i'm typing, that why didn't tamiya include one for a good car such as the DI. the DI was one of those in my list before i made up my mind on the viper. it needs a bumper......why tamiya why???????

[toonz]

besides the Frog, i'm also thinking about some other reissues like another Hornet, ThunderShot, TopForce, Lunchbox, Midnight Pumpkin. Too bad i don't see DynaStorm in stores anymore. i can only affort one of these reissues.

guys, any suggestions? what's your vote? :)

[toonz]

rm, yes, stick in that 18T till you get the 19T. you'll be having fun!

[Super Chump]

rm, yes, stick in that 18T till you get the 19T. you'll be having fun!

The Frog I have has the 18t pinion and 50T spur get set up. I bought it used, so I didn't get the other gears with it unortunately. Still goes fine though. I'm pretty sure the new one has full ball bearings, the front shafts might not though, just like the original. Its g/box and rear axles were ball raced.

Okay, I'm gonna burst everyone's bubble...

The GT Tuned, waste of money! Using a Sport Tuned and an 18t pinion produces the same overall speed! The GT has a bit more torque off the mark (noticed the back end dipping down when I hit the gas - looks kinda cool, heh heh), but it dodn't seem any faster at all and I even did the "run in" procedure that Tamiya say you should do :huh: I'll leave it in there though, cos it just looks better, lol, and I've already put the ST into my old Thunder Dragon. Strangely enough the run time seemed a lot better, and I got a few small wheelies on grass. Ah well :rolleyes:

[toonz]

congrats mike! another racer with the GT! woohoo!

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: all

I wouldn't mind a re-release Lunchbox, love that crazy van. I find the Gt good, not too fast but just right. (sounds like a line from a nusery ryhme) Could be something that we test out when you're here Mike. Two Gators, one of us running a GT & 18tooth and the other running a SP & 18tooth. Just to compare. :D

[toonz]

aaarrgggg....if only i can run with you guys :(

[Royal Male]

I agree toonz, I wish I had REAL friends to drive with!!
Tonight I will wait till everyone has left work and test the 18t in the staff car park.....if I run it in the day I get far too many stupid remarks.....maybe I should join RCers annonymous?? (check spelling!)

[Nenzi]

Hey Toonz, I couldn't view those mod pics you posted. Other thread pictures seem to be comming up fine. Any ideas??

TamiyaRacer69, any chance of seeing a pic of your gator with the astute rims??? i didn't know those yellow shocks were hi-caps!

Someone asked where in Australia i'm from, well Adelaide. :wave:

[Super Chump]

Sounds like a plan Del, would prove it once an for all that the GT is or isn't as fast as a Sport Tuned with an 18t pinion. Oh well, at least the GT didn't cost me an arm & a leg. Still a bit disappointed though :(

I know what it's like to have no mates to run cars with, even though I do know a few people within a half hour's drive of me, but getting them all together to have a laugh at the local track (yet another 20 minute drive away) isn't always easy. Strangely enough I've spent more time bashing R/Cs with Del and he lives in the other end of the country. Spose an hour & a half flight to do that ain't too bad I guess, lol.

Get the re-re cars while you can I reckon, I don't think they'll be making 'em for too much longer! The Hornets & Lunchboes can be had for cheap :D

Hey Nenzi, you should go over to Melbourne sometime as when I'm over there I usually get together with some of the Melbourne based Tamiya Club members I know. www.tamiyaclub.com - in case you haven't seen this place yet ;) As usual it's nothing serious, we just bash cars :driving: :cool:

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: all
Mike. For sure mate. Put the arguement to sleep for good.
Nenzi. See attached pics. Hopefully another body will be here soon, and I can show you all what I've been planning for the last 6 or so weeks. :p

Here's my problem. :eek:
I just sold one of my 'other' toyz last-night, and now I've got a couple of hundred dollars sitting in my Blitzer box. As some of you will know, I absolutley love the Tamiya Wild One, and I want another one. But as we all know not as easy to come by. I also like the DT-02 chassis, I can get my hands on a (toonz, you'll jump into action on this one) Sand Viper for $229.00 from my local hobby shop. Or order another Desert Gator. Or wait forever for a Wild One to come up. Or put the money aside for a Mini Desert Gator, of which I ordered yesterday. WHAT TO DO, WHAT TO DO????????? :huh:

[toonz]

del, for one moment there, i thought you've converted your gator into a des•DTute!

is that yours?

maybe you can take a 'break' from the DT02 for a while and hunt down a Wild1 so you can play something new :) i wonder if tamiya will develop a DT03.......hmmmm

[TamiyaRacer69]

Not quite yet toonz. Nah it aint mine. I wish it was. Just a pic I got from tamiyaclub. That could be another to hunt down too, I like the look of the Astute.

[toonz]

hmmm i can't wait to see your gatorTute.....
:)

[Super Chump]

Yep Del, and have a laugh doing so :) No sign of the bodies yet, should be here by early next week at the latest I reckon. Chris is a reliable guy :)

My opinion if you're looking into getting another DT-02 (in this case the Sand Viper) would be to not get it from your LHS, but from Stellamodels for NZ$ 121. Add the postage cost and it's about $166 if you can wait a week and a bit that is, lol. Then you can stick the new Destitute shell on that and still have your original "basher," though the Destitute would soon become just another basher of yours I reckon, lol. Oh, I'll have to grab say $15 to cover the costs of the new Gator body BTW ;)

My sis and her husband (bro-in-law) were over tonight and he saw the box for the GT tuned motor on my dining room table and asked what car it was in. I then brought out the Gator and he thought at first it was an Astute (he used to have one as well as about 4 other Tamiyas. He currently has a cruddy Super Hornet, lol). Goes to show that the Gator does look a lot like the old Astute. Since I actually have one I sometimes think it doesn't really :confused: :o I reckon you could almost say Del that your Destitute is a real Astute, lol :p

Anyways, since I've been running my Gator a lot lately I thought I'd stick up a little "tip" for the rest of you. The front screw pins on the bottom suspension arms have tended to work loose on my car, so what I've done is screw them in from the rear. Turns out that there's actually a lip of plastic there that'll stop the screw pin working loose. I never had a problem with it coming out all the way and therefore making the front arm fly off, but threadlock didn't seem to want to hold it in. Being plastic that's understandable I suppose. Check out the pic :teacher: That's the only prob I've had so far with this otherwise brilliant little buggy :cool:

Thought I'd also add a pic of my Tamiya SRB runner "Super Chump" with the recently added Wild Willy driver. Sorry it's unrelated to this threads topic ;) I think it looks kinda funny :D It's not just a head in there, even though it looks that way.

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: all.
Thinking, maybe a beach run too, with all the toys. As long as I'm not waiting for another 6 weeks for the body. lol
No worries on the cash thing mate, easily sorted. Yeah I don't know what to do. :confused: Stella sounds like the cheaper option, but the Visa ain't working. Probaly `cause there ain't no money in it. :roll2: Just checked out Stella Models, the Gator ain't even listed. I would buy one if I could, but you could garantee that as soon as I buy it, something I like would come up on Trade Me cheap as chips. :eek: :confused: ROCK----------me--------HARD PLACE. And, I've got a TamTech Gear Gator coming too!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH :confused:
Yeah even 'big fat Gary" at Acorn Models thought it was an Astute
Good tip on the screw pin, mine is done already. Just read what you'd done and did the same. One of my pins was bent, not any more though. Just gave it a tap with a hammer.
If I do get the 'Viper", sorry toonz but I might just paint it Metallic Red. :D ;)
Can you take a pic of the whole driver mate. Love to see what it looks like sitting in there. Wonder how cool a Willy driver would look in a Blitzer.

[toonz]

thanks for the tip mike, good one! i'm having that problem too and thread lock is not staying long there. i will swap it.

del, the viper has to be in metallic red if you ask me. i don't know why tamiya paint it in yellow. there are red and yellow vipers but as a buggy, this has to be red, Metalic Red. so go for it man :) and there will be two red vipers.

just a little off topic here.
i bought it. yes. Frog :D have removed all electronics from my old hornet to put into the frog for he must take his rest already. old hornet has had his heyday. :)

this re-frog comes with 4 ball bearings for the gearbox and i've also added 8 more bearings to replace those nylon one. it will be built with 49T/19T gearing and frog universal. (no more wobbling dogbones and dirt getting stuck in o-rings)) i'll run it with the silver can first and my spare GT Tuned will be up eventually.

this beauty will sport a full finish metallic gold color with black headlights and my driver will wear a black helmet and a red suit :cool:

why gold? because i'm inspired by this poisonous Golden Frog
http://www.guyana.org/Guyana_Photo_Gallery/animals/golden%20frog.jpg

looking forward to start building this weekend! :roll2:

[Super Chump]

Yeah, gotta get the ol' bugs out of the beach, and Brighton/Sumner has decent sand too. Won't ben another six weeks, maybe just another or two :P Depends on how motivated I am to get down to the post office, lol.

I've got no more crappy "tips," but it's good that the one I stuck up here was something we all could use. I'm not surprised that you bent a screw pin Del, least they're easy to bend back eh? :p Oh, regarding Stellamodels I knew that they didn't have the Gator listed, just the Viper. They do have the Tamtech Gator body parts though. Still cheaper to buy through them than elsewhere, I think they're even cheaper than Tower. I did a international money order when I bought the mini Fox thru them as I don't have a credit card.

You could check this out if you want to see the whole WW driver in there:
http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=25327&sid=1085 - I had to chop his legs and one hand off so it wouldn't get in the way of the battery. I also chopped off his legs so you wouldn't see them through the front left wheel arch. You could do it in a BB, you'd have to make a bracket to hold it like I did, and there's more room on a BB chassis too, there's just not all that much in a bug body. Mr. Willy is pretty big, as dodgy as that sounds :rolleyes:

Heh, most of this post is off topic Toonz, don't worry about it for now...
Looking forward to seeing this Frog of yours, not sure about gold for the colour, but it's your car after all! A GT tuned would go well in one of those :) You should stick up some step-by-step assembly pics :cool:

[Royal Male]

Hey super chump, cheers for the tip. I hadn't checked those screws until I read your post and when I did lo and behold they has worked loose, so cheers.

I also noticed my GT tuned had worked loose too but i mangaed to spot it in time and no damage had been done to the spur gear. thankfully. (should i chuck some thread lock on the 2 screws??)

Just to let you guys know where my new expediture for my gator lies:

1, DF-02 ally shocks on way from the states bought from a tamiya club member for 48 usd which is under half the price they are in the uk so I can't wait to get them, will inspire me to clean up the gator first, have been running it in wet conditions so it's looking PROPER Buggy'ish. LOL

2, have also just got a set of viper wheels of e bay, just 'cause I have always loved the look of them......can any of you guys recommend some alternative tires to put on them?? Something suitable for a bit of tarmac/ gravel work.

My original rear spikes are wearing down well fast>

Cheers

rm

[Super Chump]

G'day RM,

Got no real idea on what other tires you could put on your car, but someone else may know of something. You could maybe try Dark Impact tires, but you'll need to get the rear rims to fit those as Toonz found out, whether they'd fit on the stock Gator rims I dunno. Since I have a DI I might try it out. My Gator rear tires are just about gone, not too bad as I've had the car a year now. As far as those front screw pins are concerned I don't know why Tamiya didn't just say to put them on like that in the first place :confused:

New Gator shells arrived today, so here's some pics for you Del. Already started on mine, lol... Got the wing outta the way as it was going to be the hardest part with the huge Gatorade decal. Many expletives were spoken putting that sticker on :mad: Turned out okay.

[toonz]

cheers to new bodies! del, mike, i'm looking forward to see new desTute and Gatorate :)

rm, the sandviper rear rim measures at 60/29 and that's the tamiya spike tire that you can use. unless you want to try to other 1/10 scale 2.2" tires from Proline. most of them will fit into 2.2" rims but the downside is you have to CA those tires on your rims and you'll have to get new rims once you're done running them. you may spend slightly more in this case but on the other hand, proline tires last longer than that tamiya spikey ones and you spend your $$ slower on tires and rims in that sense.

as for the rear DI tires, yes you must use the DI rims because the rear DI tires measure at 62/35 and that's 6mm wider than the viper/gator rear rims. it will still fit in BUT it will pop once you run it. i've tried inserting rubber bands (tip from del), and it still pop out. the DI tires are good and quite lasting but you must use the DI rims. no CA needed here as its able to take the strength of GT tuned. should you change to a RZ/TZ one day, CA is needed. my DI tires pop the moment i run it with the RZ. hahaha its funny to see it popping out....and that leads me to CA it.

hope this helps :)

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: all.

RM. Most 2WD rears will fit, as far as I know. For the fronts, bit different. Front wheels on the Gator are slightly bigger than most.

Mike. Ya-f***en-hoo. Can't wait now. Fast post please. :D :D Nah just as soon as you can...................yesterday thanks.

Toonz. Should look good mate.

[Super Chump]

Not shoving it in your face Del since you don't have your body yet, but I finished mine tonight. Not really perfect, but who cares as it's gonna get thrashed anyway! Already had it out for a run, and on its roof :cool:

Need to take some better pics now with a bottle of Gatorade, heh...

Anyways, I hope to have your one to you before next w/end - if you can hold out that long.

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave:
Lookin` good mate. What colour did you end up using???? I'ts okay, I'm fine with it. :( :( :(
See what you mean about the sticker on the wing. :D :D

[Super Chump]

:wave:
Lookin` good mate. What colour did you end up using???? I'ts okay, I'm fine with it. :( :( :(
See what you mean about the sticker on the wing. :D :D

Cheers ;) The colour is Tamiya Camel Yellow leftover from when I painted my King Cab body. The sticker on the wing isn't on there that good, but it's good enough for me, lol.

[toonz]

Wwwwoooowwwww!!!!!!! Looks Gatorlicious!

[TamiyaRacer69]

Cheers ;) The colour is Tamiya Camel Yellow leftover from when I painted my King Cab body. The sticker on the wing isn't on there that good, but it's good enough for me, lol.

Thought it looked familiar. :cool: :D

[toonz]

ok here it is....my poisonous Golden Frog :D
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4638/frogbackwz8.jpg
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/1066/frogfrontti0.jpg
http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/5808/frogleftou1.jpg
http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/410/frogrightwl2.jpg
http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/7461/frogtopvq4.jpg

this fellow is not easy to drive. but its fun! :D

[TamiyaRacer69]

:wave: toonz
Looks good mate, nice choice of colour too. You should paint the chassis as well, black I reckon. Or maybe the same colour as the underside of the real frog in that pic you put up.
Hopefully my new Gator shell will arrive this week, "Come on Mike, don't let me down"

Also ordered a TamTech Gator last week. Should be in the country first week of December, can't wait.

[toonz]

thanks del :)
i did thought about a black frame chasis but i was too lazy to dye it and i can't wait to build this beauty. and so the grey chasis remains :) but here's what i'm going to do, i will put my sandviper grey dish wheels to replace all 4 wheels so that the bottom half of the car will be grey and the top, gold :) in addition, i will also install the GT Tuned onto it. will post pics on that.

you've ordered the mini gator? cheers to mini gator! for your info, the box of the mini gator is orange in color :)

[toonz]

a little update....

sandviper wheels and GT Tuned back in action :D
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/2285/froggtpp7.jpg

[Royal Male]

hey toonz, the frog looks cool...with it's grey lower section with sand viper wheels, have you heard the rumour that tamiya are re releasing the BRAT in march??

I would defo get me one of them...when I was a kid it was a toss up between the grasshopper or the bratt and the bratt came a very close secound.

Quick question regarding the DF-02 alu shocks...I got mine today and I'm fixing them up right now and I was wondering which pistons you went for...?

I'm trying the 3 hole on the front and the 2 hole on the rear and I'm trying the soft oil supplied 'cause those springs seem mighty hard....does your set up cause your viper to bounce much??

Cheers mate

Rm

[toonz]

thanks rm :)
yes i've read that the brat is coming and i'm quite surprise that tamiya is continuing with their reissue. how about a boomerang? woohoo!

i was torn between hornet and frog when i was small and now i finally have it :)

as for the df02 alu shocks, i use 2 piston holes for both front and back. as for oil, i use medium oil 500 and its just right to play around. my chasis hasn't touch the ground on basic jumps ever since :)

i can't notice whether it bounces or not because the RZ is pushing the car so much that its not visible. but the front does come up whenever it feels like and it does wheelie up upon a full throttle when it lands :) there was once it wheelie up 45 degrees and caused my gearbox to give a rub on the ground! scare the hell out of me heehee.... :)

[u4ia]

About the pinion size of DT-02, is it 48p, 64p or tamiya AV pinion size ?

[toonz]

race video. there are gator, viper, DI and mini :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aNc2QvYG2A

[Royal Male]

cheers toonz,

will try the shocks out tonight.........and.. how the hell did you spot the particular cars on that vid?? I do like the close up, side view jump shots.

RM

[Nenzi]

Question for all you DT-02 gurus. Are there any aftermarket hop-ups apart from the Tamiya ones?? i haven't been able to find any.
Reading this forum is like reading everyones comments on the TC forums about the old Madcap, i.e. very simple car, very robust, easy to make quick, etc etc. Hypothetically, if Tamiya did a re-issue of the madcap, with oil shocks, full bearings, and esc of course, what would be the better buggy?? Madcap or Gator? I'm thinking gator due to it's battery mounting and low centre of gravity, but I have read that the Madcap gearbox is very good.

Has anyone tried the reversing of the front arms mod? I'm hoping to get a buggy as a Christmas present, so I can join in all the bashing!!

[toonz]

cheers toonz,

will try the shocks out tonight.........and.. how the hell did you spot the particular cars on that vid?? I do like the close up, side view jump shots.

RM


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and you must click it fast :p :D

[toonz]

Question for all you DT-02 gurus. Are there any aftermarket hop-ups apart from the Tamiya ones?? i haven't been able to find any.
Reading this forum is like reading everyones comments on the TC forums about the old Madcap, i.e. very simple car, very robust, easy to make quick, etc etc. Hypothetically, if Tamiya did a re-issue of the madcap, with oil shocks, full bearings, and esc of course, what would be the better buggy?? Madcap or Gator? I'm thinking gator due to it's battery mounting and low centre of gravity, but I have read that the Madcap gearbox is very good.

Has anyone tried the reversing of the front arms mod? I'm hoping to get a buggy as a Christmas present, so I can join in all the bashing!!

i'm haven't seen aftermarket parts but the one thing that i will say about the DT02 is that it does not require too many hop-ups to get it started. it's great out of the box. check out tamiya.com, it shows you some essential hop-ups for the DT02 and you're good to go with a good motor :)

not sure about madcap as i've not seen it run before. but i sure would like to have a dynastorm if i can find it :)

so far non of us have tried to reverse the front arms, i'm lazy too :p

well go get a DT02, and with a handful of us here sharing tips, you won't go wrong :) drive with courage! :cool:

[Royal Male]

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Love your dedication toonz! ;)

Drove the Gator tonight....no jumps though so I didn't test the shocks much...however I think I need to remove the plastic spring tension spacers cause the front end was bouncing about a bit.....those yellow springs are hard for such a light buggy. Trouble is I managed to roll the car and scuff the nice blue anodizing,,,,bugger!! :mad:

RM

[Royal Male]

hi again,

Thought I would put up some new images of my gator with GT tuned and DF-02 shocks....as you can see the car has seen a bit of action since I put up the New Build shots a few months ago.

Really need to find some where to jump this buggy now I got some stiffer shocks.....seems they are built for it. ;)

RM

[toonz]

the blue shocks match the blue body, nice! and nice dirt too :)
i see that you are using the blue ball connectors that came with the shocks kit on the shock towers. i suggest that you change back to screws because there will come to a time when the dampers will pop out of the connectors if you happen to land hard.

have fun!

[u4ia]

I see at JMRCA EP, TRF driver Satoshi M, running RC10B4 for 2WD class ...

Will there be DT-03 chassis for 2007, based on RC10B4 (RC10B4 with metric nuts and bolts :roll2: :roll2: :roll2: ).
Rumour said it will since Kyosho has made one already .....

Think I better wait and see for next year .....

2 bad things from DT-02 (IMO) :
1. Limited pinion and spur gear.
2. No slipper Clutch ...

I hope they (Tamiya) will go back to drawing table and done their homework for more competitive chassis, the way they did with 4WD EP off road... (Dark Impact and TRF501X) ...

Good luck all DT-02 owner ....

cheers,

[TamiyaRacer69]

:( all

Nice looking Gator you got there RM, blue shocks suit it. :cool:
Well it seems that I'm losing interest in my Gator, I keep seeing all these nice Gator/Vipers on here and I just think "I should have just bought a new Gator shell off the net 8 weeks ago" I'm not as excited about my "Des'D'Tute" now, infact I'm pi**ed off that it's taken so long to even getting close to getting it started. It's been over 8+ weeks since I came up with the idea, and I'm over the whole thing now. So don't be surprized if you don't even get to see it. If my new body arrives before the end of the week, then you might get to see it, and I may just stay on this thread. Otherwise, oh who knows :mad: :mad:

[toonz]

stay cool del :)
your body wil arrive soon, be patient :) for good things come to those who wait...

[Royal Male]

check the link and spot the mega hopped Gator:

http://www93.sakura.ne.jp/~time-tunnel/06-11-19-1.html

[toonz]

a very nice mini gator indeed.
is that a rough rider reissue?
and what's that pic with all the hotshot parts?? reissue?

oooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh....................

[toonz]

where is the mega hop gator? i cant find it.....

[Royal Male]

toonz

Soory....the Mega Hop gator must be the mini gator your seeing??
rm

[toonz]

ah....look through the entire site and found this DT02 race! woot!

http://www93.sakura.ne.jp/~time-tunnel/06-5-21-1.html