Tamiya Double Blaze--good beginner build

[PeterV]

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/Dblaze_box.jpg

The Double Blaze is Tamiya's latest spin on the Wild Dagger formula. Two separate gearboxes, each with 540 power, give the DB full-time 4WD. The same gearbox is used for the 2WD Wild Willy 2 and Blackfoot Extreme. The Blackfoot also uses the same chassis, wheels and tires.

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/Dblaze_open.jpg

Typical Tamiya packaging, nice and neat--makes you wanna build.

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/Dblaze_wheels.jpg

The tires are already mounted for you. They aren't glued, but they don't need to be. In fact, the manual warns not to glue them!

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/Dblaze_well.jpg

Tamiya even trims the front wheel wells for you.

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/Dblaze_contents.jpg

Here's everything you get, minus the body. Time to start wrenching.

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/Dblaze_manual.jpg

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/Dblaze_bags.jpg

Building a kit isn't difficult at all; the manual makes it easy, and the parts are organized according to the steps in the manual.

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/Dblaze_tray.jpg

I use a desk organizer tray to keep the hardware sorted.

[PeterV]

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/Dblaze_gearboxes.jpg

The gearboxes are assembled for you, each with its own motor. The gearboxes' geartrains are not linked, they operate independently.

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/Dblaze_shocks.jpg

The shocks are simple friction units. Rubber sleeves are provided to act as dampers, but I left them out. I also left off the external travel limiters that leave the shocks with about 2mm of travel.

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/Dblaze_frontend.jpg

Front suspension/gearbox assembly complete. The shock tower and arm mounts are integral with the gearbox, which speeds assembly time and keeps the parts count low.

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/Dblaze_steering.jpg

The Double Blaze doesn't use steering bellcranks; instead, the tie rods attach directly to the servo saver.

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/Dblaze_corner.jpg

First-gen TL-01 owners will recognize the steering gear. One-piece camber links are bombproof and convenient. And non-adjustable, but who cares?

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/Dblaze_chassis.jpg

The chassis halves are assembled clamshell-style, ready for the gearbox/suspension assemblies.

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/Dblaze_chassis_gboxes.jpg

...Like so. I'll finish the electronics install later, using an electronic speed control. Tamiya supplies a mechanical unit.

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/Dblaze_roller.jpg

Add wheels and tires, and this thing is starting to look like a truck. The wheels are deeply offset to give the Double Blaze its width; the suspension arms are shared with Tamiya's Baja Champ/King buggies, and are shorter than typical truck arms.

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/Dblaze_bumpsteer_1.jpg

Here's the front suspension at full ride height...

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/Dblaze_bumpsteer_2.jpg

...and fully compressed. Note that the front tires toe in as the suspension is compressed, a condition called "bump steer." You regulars already new that, that's one for the noobs.

http://209.2.68.15:8011/pics/Dblaze_bodyon.jpg

Now all I have to do is paint and decal the body, which will probably take longer than building the truck!

[seth556]

Thats a neat kit, I'm thinking about buying a Tamiya execpt theres no part support around where I live.

[skylineTT]

does it use 12mm Hexes?if so, will normal 2.2's fit on it. maybe give it a narrower,scalish look?

[ministerOFfire]

...there are a ton of hop-ups for this truck...(wild dagger / twin detonator)....fun stuff.

[Racer Rob]

You don't really need parts support, Tamiyas are tough. And there's lots you can do to them. Yes, hex's are 12mm.

[skylineTT]

k. if i were to try to pick this kit up, do you think running dual 19 turns and a super rooster would be a nice set-up? im thinkin so, with some oil-filled shocks and a different wheel/tire set-up

[GT Freak]

looks like fun....where can i get one at :confused:

[xxRyanTxx]

Hobby shop......

[Combatcm]

You can also get CVD's to fit it using the DF-02 optional UJ's

[ElectricThunder]

Twin brushless, oh yes :cool: ...(which I know someone has already done on a wild dagger).

[desfjr1300]

Thanks Peter! I've built a ton of Tamiya kits and even the most basic ones are just plain fun to build-cool to see it laid out like that. Curious though about the tires. Does the manual mention why they shouldn't be glued?

[awnelson]

Thanks Peter! I've built a ton of Tamiya kits and even the most basic ones are just plain fun to build-cool to see it laid out like that. Curious though about the tires. Does the manual mention why they shouldn't be glued?

Not to butt in, but the reason for most tires not being glued is so that they will slip instead of having a complicated slipper clutch setup for a beginner truck... especially with two independent drivetrains. If one motor is more efficient than the other and the tires are glued, there will be a binding issue in the drivetrain on hard packed surfaces and asphalt.

[ministerOFfire]

k. if i were to try to pick this kit up, do you think running dual 19 turns and a super rooster would be a nice set-up? im thinkin so, with some oil-filled shocks and a different wheel/tire set-up

...I've got a very similar set up, only with twin 17 turns on my wild dagger...plus a carbon fiber xtreme chassi and varius alumn goodies... :cool:

[SeerHawk]

...I've got a very similar set up, only with twin 17 turns on my wild dagger...plus a carbon fiber xtreme chassi and varius alumn goodies... :cool:

Yea I run 10 cells on a SR with Dual Speed Gems Rubys on my Tamiya Wild Dagger. I think they are 16T Triples.. Very Fast!

[skylineTT]

awesome. im thinking about picking one up as soon as i can. SR with dual 17's and a hitec 645. im sure it will be a blast. someone has to know this, so i shall ask! if i were to put 2.2's with masher 2K's, is that too big or what? what would be a good set up?

[Jayboy]

...I've got a very similar set up, only with twin 17 turns on my wild dagger...plus a carbon fiber xtreme chassi and varius alumn goodies... :cool:
how fast is it and is it any good at landing jumps?

[Dagger Thrasher]

Just to clear some things up...

First off, you will *need* to glue the tyres to the rims. After a few runs they will slip. I don't know why Tamiya tell you not to glue them, but the gearboxes on the Blaze/Dagger/Detonator are near-indestructible; gluing the tyres will cause no problems at all. So tough, that I have never heard of anyone *ever* stripping a gear. The diffs are also very, very strong; after owning my drastically modded Dagger for 3 years, I only damaged the rear diff once, while running Maxx-sized meats, a stretched aluminium chassis (plus numerous other mods) and twin Magnetic Mayhems on 7 cells...and that was only because I had been pulling reverse-forward wheelies all day! It's tough.

Also, the stock tyres/rims are 2.2" already...so Masher 2K's will only be very slightly taller, if any at all. They will offer much better traction though. The stockers are hard-wearing, but traction is not the best.

Hope that helps...and nice write-up on the Blaze, Pete. Now ya need to get down to work modifying her! :D

[jocktheglide165]

Twin brushless, oh yes :cool: ...(which I know someone has already done on a wild dagger).
how did they reverse the rotation? or are the cases based on one rotation so you can put a brushless in it?

[EvaderRacer76]

good question jock, and what about gearing? Can you adjust the gear ratios in this truck? and how does this truck run with one battery and two motor setup, doesn't that kill the battery really fast and make the truck slow?

I wanna get one of these, but I think I will only run one motor and a Orion lipo, so I will prolly get a blackfoot. I will need to adjust the ratio for the motor because it will be a hot motor, and as for the lipo, I know i will prolly have to file the corners of the battery slot. Any suggestions for adjusting gearing?

[GT Freak]

any updates yet?? want to c the final product

[sportsracer-5]

What's the difference between this and the Twin Detonator, other than $5 at Tower? It seems to be cosmetic... any mechanical differences?

[Dagger Thrasher]

Nope, no mechanical differences. The Blaze has chrome wheels and obviously a different (IMO awful) bodyshell, but other than that they're identical. :)

[Chevy Tech]

looks like a nice clean easy-to-assemble kit, would love to see the painted body.

[xxRyanTxx]

How many gearing choices does Tamiya give you ? And what are they ?

[4wdmt]

You only have 2 gearing choices. 18T (stock) and 20T.

[Badmuthatrucker]

Does the manual mention why they shouldn't be glued?

As Daggerthrasher already mentioned,

That has been a Tamiya "thing" with all thier trucks, since the issue with the origonal Juggernaugt, in '99, or when ever...when some very tiny bevel gears failed... I guess they are being over cautious!.

Dagger gearboxes pack more "Arnie" than just about any other trucks in production.... The gears are not a weak point... At all!. I have heard of dogbones failing, but, I have never done one, and I have been abusing a couple of Dag' based models since 2000

[FESTER2004]

i disagree with tamiya saying not to glue the tires!i had slipping issues with my midnight pumpkin and blackfoot extreme with unglued tires.i lost traction but as soon a si glue them i was good to go!

[TT-01 Mamba]

try putting a double mamba into that thing it'll go wild