Boothy

Great stuff, thanks for that. I have just managed to order up two sets from e-bay, quite a few sellers seem to have them here. I am just going to get some ball races and then I'll get the hex adapters How come the DB01 wheels wont work? what do I need to look for when looking at wheels? some wheels seem to suggest they fit the DB01 and DF03. Andy

Dragging this back to the top, I have found out the part numbers for the upper control arms, however I cannot work out if one kit is enough or do I need two kits? Also do any of the cheap hex adapters found on ebay under tamiya do the job for fitting DF03 wheels? Could I fit the dish type DB01 wheels using the same adapters rather than DF03? (there just seem to be more about) Any tips on a part number for the A5 part chassis brace? or pics of one in place? I dont have the kit yet so I am not sure what I am looking for. Andy

Interesting answers as always, so alot was down to testing different designs. I must say I do like the look of the mono shock cars (well vintage generally). The question was sparked having just picked up a fire dragon which obviously has the dual shocks fitted but sitting watching lots of thundershot videos

What are peoples thoughts on the mono shock set up used on quite a few of the vintage Tamiya buggys? I have been watching quite a few of the promo vids on youtube and it looks like the monoshock cars bounce around alot at the front compared to the dual shock versions. On the videos it seems to suggest the monoshock was a weight saving measure but then suggests that a hop up would be to change to dual shocks, so am I right in thinking it was more about cost? In reality do the dual shocks make much of a difference over the mono? I am just interested as so many cars seemed to use the mono and while it does look quite cool on the likes of the Boomer it did put me off a little when looking for a good basher. I also notice that no current cars seem to use a mono shock design. The only thing that did make me wonder was the thinking behind the Hotshot, as my understanding is that it was delevoped as a racer but uses mono at the front and rear. So am I missing something? Is there a way that the Mono can work as well as a dual set up? cheers Andy

Well I thought I would bring this back to the top to let you know which path I chose... After playing around in the street with my Hornet which I figure is going to be better suited to playing on grass, I wanted something that spends less time on its roof, handles well in stock form and is still good for bashing up and down the street without flipping over every time I hit a man hole. So I managed to find a NIB re re fire dragon in the trades on here and have ordered it off a fellow member I used to own a thunder shot so I will get a shot shell to swap with so it will be like old times. I am going to order an EZrun 9t set up as hopefully the fire dragon will be ok running brushless and I think the 9t looks like a good start point. This will then allow me to fit the included 101 esc in my monster beetle along with the GT tuned from the Hornet and return the Hornet to a 540 motor (probably powerful enough it seems). Also I think I should be able to mod the fire dragon at some point with DF03 wheels and TRF dampers and have a pretty nice handling buggy. Just a question on the EZ run, am I correct in thinking that you can alter how it runs, ie reduce the top end speed? I just dont want a missile for starting out with until I get used to it. Cheers Andy

I guess so? mine is a Ripmax pro peak delta 3, is that good or bad? I dont think it will charge LIpo sadly.

I think it might be an idea to swap out the GT tuned to the stock 540, this thing lights up the tyres when setting off due to the torque. I may also try adding a little weight. Just trying to make up my mind what to buy next a Boomer or a DB01 as the latter does look like a badword of a thing to drive. I just love the vintage stuff, so might try a boomer with mods like jkyamog Loving the green hornet btw, it looks pretty well planted. Andy

I have found this with my battery, its an Mtronics 3300nimh and has only been used three or four times from new. As I have only just bought my gear I dont really want to invest in a lipo and lipo charger.

Well today was the day I finally got to play with my GT tuned Hornet, I had two pretty full runs of the Battery and think I learned quite alot considering I was just in out cul de sac. Firstly the Hornet seems to like being on its roof (there goes the paint job) Its taken quite alot of getting used to and I think I need to learn the art of driving it. I also think I now understand bump steer The thing seems to bounce alot, the grid in the street sent it flying on its roof a couple of times so it seems that I need to be wary of things that make it leave the road when on tarmac. Also it may well just be my bad driving but I found that the brake on the ESC (tamiya 101) seemed to lock the wheels causing a spin followed by more roof time. I really was trying to be careful but the result of hitting the grid followed by a cart wheel has damaged the chassis on both sides around the front suspension mounts, it all still feels nice and solid so I will see how that goes and if needed at some point I'll get a spare chassis. So am I better keeping Hornet off tarmac? she still looks nice and clean and I bought this one for fun not a shelfer but at the same time I dont want to wreck it. Also I am now re thinking what to get next... I was planning a Boomerang but I am worried that might like its roof alot too so thinking a Durga/Baldre or a DI for messing in the street. Anyhow, I had fun and thought I would share with you all what its like to drive a Hornet again after being away for 20 years. Boothy

I have sent a couple this week but have not had anything back? Does it normally takle more than a day or am I better ringing?

If they are not sealed when they get dirty I am guessing you can spray them with a good quality lube and they should be fine, my 20yo Monster Beetle BB's got soaked in 3 in 1 PTFE lube and they work a treat.

Wow this one really took off, I must admit I have always liked the Lunchbox, I think it must be the different van looks So as a slight drift, what would be more fun as a basher, a lunchy or a super clod? Is that a can of worms I just opened?

There seems to be alot more love for the Lunchbox rather than the Midnight Pumpkin? Obviously they are the same chassis but when ever I see someone reccomend a car its always the Lunchbox. So is it just people prefer the looks of the LB? or is there something deeper I am missing? Boothy

There is lots of good advice on here I think I have now made up my mind, I think that as I really do intend to run it the Boomerang is going to be the best option. I really like the Hot Shot but the Boomer is nearly there looks wise and should hopefully be a little more forgiving as a runner for a newbie like me, I do like the Fire Dragon but I am not so sure on buying from Hong Kong and I think the Boomer just has the classic buggy looks and pips it in that way. Boothy

Ah ok I see what you mean So sorry for what may seem a daft question but for the hotter motor would I want the lower tooth pinion ie 13T or higher like the 17T? (sorry I am very new to this) Would the Boomer be a better bet? I just like the look of the older buggies from my childhood, although I do have a thing for the Durga... It looks like they have just had a price hike though, up to £195 in Modelsport now. Boothy

Photos as promised The only thing I have not done is painted the rears or the Spot lamps but I kinda like them white so leaving them as is. Hope you like it!

Whats the problem with running the 9t on the Hot Shot? (sorry newbie questions ) How do you mean about the suspension being indifferent? I think there is a guy on here running an Zrun 8.5t in a Boomer, is there much differnece with that and the 9t? Regards Andy p.s. I'll go look at royal rippers now

Well I have just finished off the Hornet today (I'll pop pics on the other thread) and I am starting to itch about what to build next I am having a good look around and I have narrowed it down to three car's, I do fancy another vintage but it will be a runner so hopefully I want something thats a nice build but also will be fun to run. Which ever I get I am looking at fitting an EZrun 9t system to it. I think the one I really want is the Hot Shot as imho its the best looking and also looks like a really good build, I am just a little bothered it might not be the most ideal of the three to run. Second is the Boomerang, I am guessing its a pretty good build and is slightly later in design than the Hot Shot so probably a better car to run. Third and the wildcard is the Fire Dragon, probably the best runner and I can still get one from Stella before they all run out however I am thinking its probably the most simple build... So what do the folks on here think?

Really nice pics

Cheers guys, The trim is the clicky type so maybe that is the problem. I found that winding the cups in and out does not get anything better than toe in as the cups will not wind in far enough to get the wheels straight. I did center the servo before fitting the servo saver Sadly its snowed here again so no more playing out today

Well this I am guessing is a total newbie question When I built my re re Hornet I must admit I found the adjustment for the steering seemed inadequate. I cannot seem to get the wheels to both point straight forwards they seem to toe in a little at the front. I have also found that I need to put in quite alot of trim on the controller to get the servo saver sitting as close to straight as possible as when the servo is central the saver will sit slightly left or right but never bang on the middle. (I am not sure if these things are normal). Anyway... I tried to do some indoor testing today but after ramming the cat up the backside by accident (GT motor slightly quicker than expected) I thought it better to go test in the street In a nutshell the car always pulls one way or the other, I have adjusted the trim but one click left and it pulls left and vice versa, so is there a black art to this? maybe a how to guide or is it a querk of the car? I seem to remember playing with trims alot as a kid. Boothy

Has anyone tried the Ansmann ones? My MB needs four new shocks and these seem to be quite cheap and look ok. Boothy

Well I have finally finished building her Just the driver and spot lamp rears to paint now. I'll get a few pictures up as soon as I get a chance too. Sat here feeling really proud after finishing building my first Tamiya buggy (my Dad built the MB way back when) Boothy

Oh and possibly a daft question but in the instructions for the ESC it clearly states that orange is the +ve for the motor however there is nothing in the motor instructions, on the GT tuned can there is a + symbol near the yellow cable but on the 540 nothing I can see? So am I missing something? do I have them correct or does it actually matter if you get them the wrong way round? Andy

Well I have been a little quiet as I have been run off my feet at work but every spare half hour I have had has gone into the Hornet and tonight I finally got a rolling chassis with fully installed radio gear Here are the pics to proove it I obviously tested it out on the living room floor and managed to totally flip it over, I think the GT tuned motor has quite alot of torque One thing I have found is that as you set off the gearbox flicks up at the front on the soft front springs, is that normal or have I done something wrong? I have taken a couple of photos t try and show how I have done it. The instructions are not that clear really but it looks as it should to me. Also I found out what the hardest and most frustrating thing in the world is whilst building the hornet... Trying to get the rear wheel inners into the tyres! I dont know if I am missing something but the air was blue!