Tamiya GrassHopper Forum !

[TRX250]

Hey guys I just bought Another RC. This time its a Mint Condition Tamiya GrassHopper that I picked up for $3 .

Its slow compared to my RC10L30, Bolink pan car , and Nitro Rush.
But its fun. And a collectible.

Can some please tell me what a GrassHopper with only a little rust on the springs is worth ?

I also got some servo's with it that say Cox/Sanwa on them. Are these rare ?

[Fred Sambo]

my first car was a grasshopper!

i don't think they are worth much these days.

:(

[Nutter]

Sanwa is just another name for Airtronics.. I don't know why, but they sell under Sanwa here in Australia.


-Nutter

[r.c.dealer]

Its probably worth 60-70 US dollars. If it doens't have any scratches or scuffs on the body or under the chassis you could get more.

I have a hoppedup Rockbuster kit that I haven't built yet. The Rockbuster is basically a clone of the Grasshopper made in the '80s. The Rockbuster was made by a company called World Engines. I have a few other hoppups for it such as front aluminum shock tower and aluminum oil filled shock kit, aluminum nerf bars, rear stabilizer, front stabilizer(came with kit), aluminum rear shocks(came with kit),rear suspension upgrade(came with kit), and an aluminum heat sink.

[RichieRich]

Grasshoppers really aren't worth that much unless they are new in box. If it still has the original RS380 motor then you definitely are a step ahead.

[Fred Sambo]

i have an original motor... anyone want it? i only ran the car for one summer, then i got my rc10
:)

[TRX250]

Just the motor or the whole car? If its the whole car I want it. I need a Transmission Case for it !

[Fred Sambo]

email me.

fred_sambo@hotmail.com

[mustangman79]

When did they orginally make the grasshopper? My brother has one but I think the gears in the trans are striped, I still don't now how he could have done that with the orginal 380 motor.

Joe

[TRX250]

I just need a Transmission case for mine. Unless I could find one in better condition. I think they are like 20 yrs old now. Right ?

[Jaket]

How excellent - my first R/C was a Grasshopper I picked up off a friend! How much fun that was. I remember working with bent wire for steering arms. that thing was near indestructible as we flew it off mbx style jumps in the lot near my house... Ahhh... the memories.. :D

-jlt

[adim_x]

hey there guys, i have access to lots of nib tamiya parts, i beleive they are for grasshoppers, and other cars from that time frame, i work at a hobby store that just reopened, and we have lots of old tamiya stuff lots of it still new from a long time ago, if anybody is interested i can go to work tomorrow, and find out what all we still got, i also have probably 20 or more old cars there, many of them are just about complete chassis, im not sure which particular brands they are, but im sure there is some grasshoppers in there, i can take some pics, drop me a line if anyone is interested, we have some old hopups from a company called trick stuff, the parts appear to be red carbon fiber looking stuff, and some red anodized stuff

[RichieRich]

adim_x - Let me know what you find. I'd be very interested in any parts and/or kits. I'm real interested in Tamiya Grasshoppers, Blackfoots and Frogs. Anything Kyosho would be good too. :D

[adim_x]

i will take my camera there and take some pics and some notes, there is lots of old stuff, some kyosho parts too

[ryan jennings]

i have 1 of them...got it off my dad when i was 9. I have got the original motor. But where the chasis and everything is puzzles me....it must be somewhere in the garage!

[ryan jennings]

I also have an old kyosho...what model it is i dont know...it is still in perfect running order though...My dad also gave me that when i was 10. I still play with it today actually. Gonna do some research on what model it is...

[nitrodemon2500]

I have no clue what that is!!!!!!!!!

[fabolousRC]

adim_X

If there is any Top Force/TF Evo, Porsche 959 parts, and MIB Tamiya Egress, let me know

Merdy's e-mail (merdyutan@hotmail.com)

Thanks

[fabolousRC]

Ryan..

I'm quite an Expert on old Kyoshos...if you can take a picture using your webcam I will mostly be able to help you out

TRX250

Get Super Hornet's gearbox, they're the same thing. Eventhough Tamiya claimed that their car had been redesigned, they are mostly limited to chassis and suspension work but they leave what's working behind. the difference now is that you are going to be able to fit 540 or better motor with the new gearbox without sacrificing the look. Just don't get those clear ones. Otherwise your Hopper will be as good as new.

Merdy

[TRX250]

I dont have my GrassHopper any more, I just traded it for a Losi XX4 thats fully equiped for Racing ! Wahoo!

[SteelCityWheels]

I still have my GrassHopper. It was my first R/C, Its going on 17 years old. Still runs. :D

I would love to put it back to "out of the box" condition. I'm in need of rims, tires, and a body. May need the shocks as well. Its been tweaked and changed so many times over the years...


Andy

[SteelCityWheels]

I started restoring my Grasshopper last night. I can't believe how many of the original parts I still have. I found the motor w/o pinion and wires :( . I think I found most of the suspention but I'm not sure... this is gonna be harder than I thought.


Andy

[BAC5.2]

if he has a bruiser, ive got dibs on it! seriously, i want it if he has one......

that thing is so cool.....

[Doomed]

I know this post is older than dirt, but adim_x if you have a Grasshopper I want it! Post if you do.
Thanks Dana

[mike80corvette]

i just got a grasshopper and it came with the factory motor but with out the spur that goes on the motor does anybody know of one that will fit and also can i put a 540 motor on it

[Doomed]

I don't the size but it should be a Tamiya standard. And yes you can run a 540, its fun.

[rccowboy181]

HELP,
I just rescued a grasshopper and two super blackfoots from the local dump (flaged down the tractor driver about 10 seconds max before he would have unknowingly crushed three perfect tamiya vehicles!) I have started restoring the grasshopper and It has a team CRP upgrade it the one where you saw off the factory shock mounts and screw on an aluminum one with bottom loader aluminum shocks but the shocks need to be rebuilt what weight oil should I use? The piston don't have any holes in them but they seem to go up and down and they are oil shocks I tore one apart and drained the oil but now have no idea what weight oil to put back in them?:confused:

any help would be great!

rccowboy181

[Doomed]

I would just put any Tamiya or other brand shock oil you get at your LHS. That suspension is horrible anyways, not going to make it any worse! :D

[rccowboy181]

i will try that

[mustangman79]

Someone earlier in this thread mentioned that the super hornet uses the same gearbox as the grasshopper. Basically what I'm wondering is I could get the trans parts, motor mount, and pinion for for the super hornet and use those on a grasshopper? Also does any companies make sand paddle tires that fit the original rear rims? If not is there any other rims that can fit on it, that have sand paddles made for it? I need to know before I start a project using a grasshopper transmission. Thanks for any help.

[howielong]

Hehe I resurected (sp) this thread. Anyway were can i get some new tires for this great car. I found it in the attic not to long ago and the tires were shot. but i still ran it. what fun it was with the old le mans 240st the grasshopper was doing wheelies some what. thanks for any info.

[syms33]

Hi to all .

found this site and remebered about my first rc offroad car.It was about 15 years ago i got the tamiya grasshopper 2. I got all the upgrades for it including oil filled shocks(front and back), 540 motor(to replace the slow 380 that came with it), had to replace the chassis, body and bumper on it (tough little devil is that car) think I got a spare driver sumwhere and the original shocks (incase anything happens). An i I've still got it and it still goes although i'm using the rc gear out it for my alfa romeo.
the rc gear is the original that i got when i bought the car, its an acomms techniplus mark 5 an guess what that still works too. I use it more than the modern futaba i got recently.that still has the original reciever and servo'sand the chargers to go with it and the car.
Havent played with it in ages though, (to scared to cause its an old car. lol)but have it out when i can be bothered putting the rc gear back in it.
I never felt the need to join a club so mabye thats why it's lasted so long.

happy rc motoring

syms33



Why me!!!!!???

[drc35ca]

Hi! The Hornet has been re released and is basically the same old car except it has a electronic speed controller included!

Looks like lots of spare hornet,grasshopper,pumpkin parts for quite some time to come?

I wonder when tamiya will just leave a good selling kit alone?? Half the fun was making them faster or better handling ,new bodies etc?

[FESTER2004]

hey if u need resto parts for yr grasshopper try ebay, i got some pretty good deals off there

[ILuvMyB4]

i cant seem to picture one of these grasshoppers. some one please send a pic.

[bakabaka]

i cant seem to picture one of these grasshoppers. some one please send a pic.

Looks like The Grasshopper is going to be re-released as well, it will be kit #58346 according to Tamiya Japan's website. Here's a website that has a picture of the buggy on the top:

http://classictamiyarc.com/tamcars02.html

Although I never had the chance to own one, this car was singlehandedly responsible for getting me interested in RC vehicles many years ago. It may not hold a candle to modern buggies, but I may yet end up getting one once it's been re-released...

Have fun! :)

[Doomed]

Sweet, sign me up! Thanks for the info.

[cambodian tire]

It was back in '86 and my friend introduced me to his grasshopper, later I got a hornet. I turned it into a monster truck with a blackfoot body and tires. things I added: a pumkin motor spacer/long pinion, sees aluminum rims, modified panda constant camber fr. A-arms w. upper links, 4 cva long shocks custom front/rear shock mounts bearings etc......Anyway it's now a 1/6th scale truck with a 4 LINK rear here's an early shot of the chassis w/o bottom glued on....BTW I've made chassis like this before I assure you it's quite bullet proof!!

[cambodian tire]

pic of partial chassis - while still recogniseable ...sorry guys my pic wont upload - timingout, will try again later :(

[jocktheglide165]

whooo hooo released the grasshopper (old news yes) and just put 3 on back order at towerhobbies

[edinrc]

My first car was the grasshopper. :) 21 years ago. still have it minus the body.Oh that was a blast. Would take all the abuse I could give it .I bought it used, came with a complete 2nd rear end. stick radio, charger, lots of rear gears,probably enough gears for 2 more rears.4 sets of tires and wheels.and oddly enough, just came back from the basement,oddly enough what I can only assume is an ESC I would like it if someone knew what I was talking about here. But anyway it has battery wires (no connectors) Motor Wires,On off switch and the box part has reset button, screwdriver pots (t) throttle,(b)brake, (n) nuetral. oh heck here is a pic. Can someone help with this.Here is one pic

[edinrc]

and here is another. I can't get it to work.if anyone is wanting to ask it says FP-MC6B Futaba

[hoppertopper]

Who out there in e-land can tell me how to get larger (not monster) tires on a Tamiya Grasshopper without messing with it's original equipment. I don't want to modify it in any way. I thought I saw slightly larger tires that would fit on the existing wheels on e-bay but didn't pay too much attention to it at the time.
If anyone knows a trick or aftermarket company that would carry something like this I would appreciate a reply.
Thanks,
HT

[nomad1]

If you can get wheels for a blackffot or super blackfoot, they will bolt on the rear. The fronts though require some work, but can be made to fit. I did it to the original Grasshopper around 1990. I had a lot of fun running it around in grass and sand. But one warning, the car nose dives even off small bumps and jumps, more so with the bigger wheels and tires.

[ClodzillaIIIMan]

Here is my brand new Tamiya Grasshopper kit rtr w tamiya esc and airtronics blazer sport radio set and new stock can motor. It was a christmas gift to me from my girlfriend.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v502/maximumrcforum/DSC02062.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v502/maximumrcforum/DSC02063.jpg


This will never leave my sight!! :)

[dhutch]

Wow, its... .... the same!

My second car was a grass hopper off my uncal, my first one being the fast-attack vehical.

http://img432.imageshack.us/img432/2590/s8bo.jpg

Im not sure where the F.A.V. is, i gave that back to my uncal for his kid when i got my next car.
- But i binned the GrassHopper :(

I loved that car, but one of the gears in the diff cracked, so the hex just turned in it, and my then it was that old i couldnt find any spares anywhere (i rang about 6places, and the ago of about 10, nothing)
- So very reluctantly it had to go.
- If i had any idea they where going to re-release it!!

Man thats annoying.
- I still have the RS-540SD "Black motor sprint" out of it tho...


Daniel

[dhutch]

Also, if you take the 'H' and replace it with the 'GR' of Grass, you get....

(yeah well, my uncal has that sort of mind...)

[SpinDatBeast]

Hello, Does any one know of a conversion kit enabling me to run a more common wheel (Hex Type) for my Grasshopper 2. Thanks for any help.

[BloodClod]

I had a bunch of these specially made to fun on my frog and other re-release items.

http://www.cool.per.sg/external_links/forsale/adaptors_01.jpg

And a pic of my frog with the newer Tamiya Desert Gator wheels which are 12mm... and running proline tires.

http://www.cool.per.sg/external_links/forsale/adaptors_02.jpg

Drop me an email at bloodclod@hotmail.com if you want more info.

Sure helps to save the stockers for the shelf... they'll work on grasshoppers, lunchboxes, frogs, etc...

[Vato Loco]

I was rifleing through some old photos I Had and found this:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f266/CMHCMH/100_0558.jpg
I thought you guy might like this, It's my old hornet I built back in 86/87. I stole the front shocks and shock mounts out of my old bolink invader and put them in the front of my hornet, It also had a after market antirole bar up front to along with imex slicks in the rear and a 1.7" front tires. i had a homemade msc and a triniy black majic motor to power it. the body was a parma 63' corvette shell! and yes I raced it on road and those behind it were some of it trophys! My mom made me get rid of the rest! hope you enjoy! Btw: I sold it back in 89. haven't seen it since! Chris

[FESTER2004]

I put this together today.it a re issue grasshopper kiti aslo had a old team crp monster truck conversion kit i got off ebay!i put the car togethr in about 3 hrs but the conversion kit was a eadache,i had to jury rig the set up but it works,i have a radio for it all it real needs is a esc.the hex drives for the newer tamiya tires n i have a pick up body for it i will airbrush soon.i am gonna put a stock mottor in ti the 380 motor loks whimmpy n plus moven the big tires.enjoy!

[fabolousRC]

I put this together today.it a re issue grasshopper kiti aslo had a old team crp monster truck conversion kit i got off ebay!i put the car togethr in about 3 hrs but the conversion kit was a eadache,i had to jury rig the set up but it works,i have a radio for it all it real needs is a esc.the hex drives for the newer tamiya tires n i have a pick up body for it i will airbrush soon.i am gonna put a stock mottor in ti the 380 motor loks whimmpy n plus moven the big tires.enjoy!

One question:

WHY?????

[FESTER2004]

why not?LOL-i have a big tuberware tote full of parts n stuff.

oh btw- i also have a re issue hornet i plan on doing the smae thing to as soon as i complete this 1!

[FESTER2004]

did it again,i also converted my new reissue hornet into a monster truggy!i still have to finish it.it has rear mad bull shocks(i couldnt assemble the rears due to arthritis in my wrists!)it also has stadium blitzer rims n tires.enjoy!

[FESTER2004]

the 2 together

[XXWoodmanXX]

I dunno, man. I think those bodymounts are too small. Do ya have anything bigger? :rolleyes:

J/K Plan on mounting a BF/MB body on them?

[FESTER2004]

lol-they r old team crp monster truck conversion kits.no i have no bf/mb bodies 4 them but i have a couple of bolink truck bodies i will spray up soon.

[XXWoodmanXX]

Awesome. I'm exactly like you. I see a buggy frame and just wanna toss away the narrow fronts, and replace'em w/ stadium truck fronts. Unless I'm runnin' thru the sand @ the beach, I never run narrows. :)

[FESTER2004]

i did it cuz i seen a couple of converted buggies on ebay n i thought it was cool lookn so i did it myself,lol-its a pretty cool idea if ya think about it.its something different.i have a radio for one truck but i have to get 2 escs n another radio to make them run!i am gonna use them to bash around in front of my house!as u can see i couldnt use the bumpers so i will have to fabricate my own some time soon!the stock bumpers wouldnt clear the bigger tires.
i am also waiting on the hex drives in the mail from a fellow member here.i need them to mount the rear tires :cool:

[zueslilbuddy]

Just got this back from my my old friend. had bought it for him back in 1987 to get him into racing with me. been boxed since track closed in 1990 only thing i have done to it is clean and beat its new paint job up oh and the 12x2 turn motor. it flys hitting what i'd say close to 35mph

[zueslilbuddy]

lol one more

[zueslilbuddy]

I dont know about you but this thing with a 12x2 motor and a 18tooth pinion is crazy fast. I can hardly take off without blasting around sidewards. When i get it to hook up its flying and dont try to turn it lol.

[Black Lia]

I just dusted off my hornet that I had left in my parents garage. It has to have been sitting for at least 14 years. On a whim I charged a battery put fresh AA's in my controler and.. .**** the darn thing worked like it was last run yesterday! I am now in the process of ripping it apart to clean and re-oil the shocks. I had purchased customized front oil dampened shocks years ago (from whom? I havn't a clue). I am afraid to play around with the electronics since it works fine. I would like to get an electronic speed controler however. I remember how cost prohibitive they were in 1988. Anybody know what they run these days?

Anyway just wanted to chime in. I hope this thread isn't dead.

[toonz]

how's the reissue Frog and Hornet doing? or even the rtr?

has anyone tried?

[tamiYEAH]

I just purchased a grasshopper off of ebay. I really need some aftermarket buggy wheels for it. Does anyone have any suggestions as to which ones will fit? I know that HPI has adapters, but they don't have any buggy front wheels that I can locate, even on their website.

Thanks!
Chris