7 replies to this topic

[Dr.Robotnik]

Hi guys,

Sorry this is barely Tamiya related but I am trying to use Tamiya TRF415 parts and I thought I'd liven up the forum with a project topic.

I recently checked out the Japanese website Time Tunnel on http://www93.sakura....l/06-9-3-1.html. I was super impressed by how they ran all their old vintage racers, some models of which I own.



I was particularly stoked on how they had, modernised, modified and improved their Yokomo Dog Fighter cars. With amongst other things modern electronics and larger wheels.



I have been trying to sell a large number of Yokomo parts without much success and have also been in need of a vintage runner too, so with the great Time Tunnel Yokomo's as inspiration I would like to turn this (the black chassis Wonder Dog Fighter car)



Into a runner/racer, like this
 


I have managed to get a couple of cheap repro bodies (though wrong style for this car) from barrypops and after pestering shodog (cheers mate) a whole bunch of new and used spares.



So now that I have (they are in the post somewhere [] ) most of the parts to restore them, I just need to sort out the missing kingpins, front hub carriers and front wheel hubs. I bought on ebay a set of Yokomo MR-4TC-SD front steering blocks as an experiment to see if they can be adapted to fit the older Yokomo.



I am still in need of kingpins (though I can probably make some) and also the front 2 bolt square hubs (I could only find a pic of the rears [:$] ) if anyone has any.



Now onto the exciting part of the project. I would like to change the chain drive to a belt drive if possible. I studied these pics of a guy called Aku san's Yokomo which he has converted to a belt drive.



I managed to translate the captions to the pictures, which mentioned that the belt and pulley were from a Tamiya. The site has since been updated and the Japanese captions are lost so that's all the info. I have apart from some other pics.



I did some ebay searching and tried to find a belt and pulley combination that was available, Tamiya and looked similar to the belt and pulley in the pictures.



I found on the ebay shop (dinball) that I bought the front hubs, that they also sold Tamiya TRF415 front belts and centre pulleys which looked remarkably like the ones on Aku san's Yokomo.



So there you go that's my latest project. I don't know if any of it will work and I still need to determine a way to attach the belt to the front drive system. I ideally wanted another TRF415 centre pulley but the ebay shop dinball seems to be some sort of robot and is not replying to my emails. I was thinking perhaps of buying an HPI One-Way Pulley 15T RS4 Mini (BK), for HPI MT, Mini Pro, Mini, Rally, Sport2, Sport, Pro2, Pro.



but it would be 15T not 16T like the other pulley, is that a problem? Also I don't know if the TRF415 belt would be compatible (tooth shape) with the HPI pulley. Can anyone tell me more about the TRF415? I haven't found much on it other than pictures and its a belt drive on road chassis. I was hoping this site would have the manual but I can't find it, is it here?

So after all that, does anyone have any thoughts on my project or the compatibility/suitability of the parts I suggested? Any ideas on alternatives?

Anyone know someone selling front Yokomo two bolt square wheel hubs?

I guess that's it really.

Thanks for any comments [H]  Good or bad I'd love to hear some comments or criticism.

Ed.
P.S. I forgot to add, does anyone know how the MR4TC hubs attach to the hub carriers (c-mount)? I assume by some kind of kingpin, but I can't find any info. on the web or any king pins. Any help much appreciated.
 

[peejay]

You can get a TRF415 manual from Tamiyas manual download page: http://www.tamiya.co.../rc/manuals.htm  There are 5 versions to choose from [H]
 

[Dr.Robotnik]

Hey thanks peejay that really helps, I have found the right manual now and its really informative. []

I haven't been able to find another centre pulley for the TRF415 but a friend says he might have a pulley for the TGX, would it be compatible with the TRF belt? [:S]

Thanks a lot.
Ed
 

[Dr.Robotnik]

Hi guys,

Here's a quick update for peejay, Lol []. I am busy sourcing a second pulley and am waiting for parts too so its kind of stalled before its started while I await on the post. Some screws, the repro bodies (thanks barrypops) and bearings arrived yesterday so thats a start. I have also been stripping and rebuilding the chassis too. Here's some new pics :-)

Project 'belt drive' Wonder Dog fighter chassis;



Chassis above shot



Bodies and wings



Decals, screws and bearings



Terry.sc thanks for your email on chassis materials and manufacture, that will come in great help a little down the line.

Cheers 

Ed

[peejay]

Hey thanks peejay that really helps, I have found the right manual now and its really informative. []

I haven't been able to find another centre pulley for the TRF415 but a friend says he might have a pulley for the TGX, would it be compatible with the TRF belt? [:S]

Thanks a lot.
Ed
 

Is it another fixed centre pulley you're after?
http://shopping.rcmo...roducts_id=4172
Rainbow Ten has it on their stock list also
http://www.rainbowte...lish/index.html
Know nothing about Tamiya nitros so can't comment on the TGX pulley / TRF belt scenario.
HTH
 

[Dr.Robotnik]

Hi peejay,

Another mini update. I am glad I put in that last update just for you. [] Lol. Thanks to your tips [H] I have put in an order, I believe for the final parts for my project (bar a chassis plate if needed for an extended chassis).

King pins for the front MR4TC hub carriers experiment. [8-|]



MR4TC roll bar set. I thought I might try and make a roll bar too.



and finally I have another matching TRF415 centre pulley [:o]



So now I just need to wait on the postman and sell parts so I can afford some electronics for this car [:D]

Cheers

Ed

[Bad Maxx]

First I just wanted to say that your "Roll Bars" are actually "Anti-Roll Bars" that mount to the suspension horizontally in the front and back of the car.
Anyway this info may or may not help but
 My second comment is a question. Are you aware that Yokomo still has NOS for even the Yokomo Super Dog Fighter from 1987 ? The parts they carry for the older stuff of course is sold on a first come first serve basis but the have ooodles of some of the parts for different models including the old MR4. You will need part numbers to order as the newer guys do not seem able to cross reference like Peter did, maybe they lost the books? lol
Like I mentioned maybe none of this will help but I ordered a complete drive system for a Dog Fighter including diffs front and back, drive cups, belts also front and back, Spur gear, universal drive shafts, etc. for a project similar to yours using the manual from my Super Dog Fighter (for part numbers).
Here is the link I used for the most part: http://www.yokomousa...artslist1_3.htm
and here is the link to the whole parts section (more old parts lists to come as they inventory) http://www.yokomousa...lpartslist1.htm
Well, good luck!

[Dr.Robotnik]

First I just wanted to say that your "Roll Bars" are actually "Anti-Roll Bars" that mount to the suspension horizontally in the front and back of the car.
Anyway this info may or may not help but
 My second comment is a question. Are you aware that Yokomo still has NOS for even the Yokomo Super Dog Fighter from 1987 ? The parts they carry for the older stuff of course is sold on a first come first serve basis but the have ooodles of some of the parts for different models including the old MR4. You will need part numbers to order as the newer guys do not seem able to cross reference like Peter did, maybe they lost the books? lol
Like I mentioned maybe none of this will help but I ordered a complete drive system for a Dog Fighter including diffs front and back, drive cups, belts also front and back, Spur gear, universal drive shafts, etc. for a project similar to yours using the manual from my Super Dog Fighter (for part numbers).
Here is the link I used for the most part: http://www.yokomousa...artslist1_3.htm
and here is the link to the whole parts section (more old parts lists to come as they inventory) http://www.yokomousa...lpartslist1.htm
Well, good luck!

Thanks for pointing out my typo mate [] Lol.
But serously thanks for the tips on Yokomo USA I will break out the old manual and get an email off to them as I need 3 sets of front hubs and another couple of sets of steering knuckles. Hope my manual has the part numbers [8-|]
Anyway thanks a lot for your interest, fancy posting pictures of your conversion project you mentioned, to liven up this thread while I wait for parts? 
Cheers