Miss the boat on TA-02 (T)?

[A-Baum]

Kinda digging the Chevy/Ford pickup/stadium trucks based on the TA-02 chassis and TA-02T (Desert Fielder).  Did I totally miss the boat on these kits?  All discontinued?  Are/were they decent runners?  I try to run everything I have.  Wondering how hard I should search for one.   

[TurnipJF]

1 hour ago, A-Baum said:

Kinda digging the Chevy/Ford pickup/stadium trucks based on the TA-02 chassis and TA-02T (Desert Fielder).  Did I totally miss the boat on these kits?  All discontinued?  Are/were they decent runners?  I try to run everything I have.  Wondering how hard I should search for one.   

Unless you are looking for those bodyshells specifically, I wouldn't search too hard. You can get much the same driving experience from a TT-02T.

[BuggyGuy]

You could buy a new resissue TA02 now and then add the parts to convert to TA02T (I think that would be CC-02/CC-02 wheels and the suspension from DF01).

Body shell would be a different story if you want an original Tamiya - but if your happy with a repro shell then plenty are available.

Maybe have a look here:

https://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?/topic/67157-ta-02-covert-to-truck/

[Busdriver]

Keep your eyes out for an Asterion. Not a TA02 but the right wheels and body. XV01 chassis is magic. 

[A-Baum]

4 hours ago, BuggyGuy said:

You could buy a new resissue TA02 now and then add the parts to convert to TA02T (I think that would be CC-02/CC-02 wheels and the suspension from DF01).

Body shell would be a different story if you want an original Tamiya - but if your happy with a repro shell then plenty are available.

Maybe have a look here:

https://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?/topic/67157-ta-02-covert-to-truck/

What TA02s are available out there?

[A-Baum]

5 hours ago, TurnipJF said:

Unless you are looking for those bodyshells specifically, I wouldn't search too hard. You can get much the same driving experience from a TT-02T.

What's better, a TT-02 truck or a DT-02?  I kinda dig the Titan. 

[TurnipJF]

5 hours ago, A-Baum said:

What's better, a TT-02 truck or a DT-02?  I kinda dig the Titan. 

Which would you prefer? 2-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive? Other than that, there isn't a great deal of difference. Both kits are of similar complexity, use similar quality materials, are aimed at a similar target market, benefit from similar upgrades, etc. 

[Mad Ax]

I'd second the Asterion - I have a couple of TA02Ts and the XV-01 Asterion, both are great in their own way but the XV-01 is streets ahead in terms of development, doesn't roll over so easily and has a very realistic driving characteristic (especially on low-grip surfaces where you can really get the tail to slide).  The wheelbase on the XV-01 is slightly longer so you have to cut the body in a weird way, but isn't noticeable on track.  The body is the same as the old Chevy S10 TA02T truck, you can get repro decals from MCI and build a replica if you like the old liveries.

You can convert some TA parts into the TA02T truck.  The entire TA01/02 range is based on swapping around different parts to get different wheelbases.  In theory you could get any TA01 or any TA02 and cut the S10 body arches the same as for the Asterion.  If you want to me more authentic, you need the short chassis tub from the TA02 with the front and rear arms from a TA01.  I don't think it really matters what uprights you use - I think the early TA02T F150 used TA01 hubs but I can't quite tell from the pics and don't have the details to hand (I can't even remember if there's a difference).  The TA02T has a different front skid to allow for bigger tyres, which are the ubiquitous 1.9" BF Goodrich all terrain tyre on the classis 5-spoke off-road wheel that has been around since the ark, there should be plenty available online.  I don't recommend fitting modern sticky crawler rubber to the TA02T (or even the XV-01T) because these narrow trucks roll over easily, you don't need more grip.  Plus crawler rubber tends to be heavy, and that will upset the already interesting handling.  IMO these trucks are at their best when they're racing on gravel and smooth dirt where they can be driven in a real scale fashion.

As has been said there are other options - the Asterion/S10 body can be cut to fit a regular 255mm wheelbase (as per Asterion instructions) and IIRC there was even a TT02T Sand Shaker (albeit with the same questionable body that the TL-01 Stadium Raider got) so there is precedent.

I don't know if anyone has made a repro of the F150 body yet, I'd love one to rebuild mine, my old body is in good shape but I painted it completely the wrong colour and I want a race replica now.

[Mad Ax]

this entry is really useful for early TA comparisons

https://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=48983

[Busdriver]

I have both Tt02-T Sandshaker and XV01-T Asterion. The latter is done in traditional style but with a colour change and the former is a Paris/Dakar Bowler Wildcat. I would agree with @Mad Ax on their best surfaces. Both are fun!!!

[Busdriver]

[Tbird232ci]

I was longing for a TA02T ever since I was young. I ended up tracking a few down rather recently. One of the ones I tracked down only needed a battery and receiver to run, so with my excitement, in went a battery and receiver, trimmed up the steering and I took it out.

The experience was...interesting. It handled like crud. On asphalt, quick steering inputs usually landed it on its roof. On packed gravel, it would bounce around and get tossed around. Where it was a blast was on dusty asphalt. I could get some really cool and realistic looking slides going.

While the handling was lackluster, getting to watch one of my childhood heroes blasting around my driveway was something that easily overcame every pitfall of its handling. Seeing the red gearboxes through the body, seeing those BFGoodrich tires flexing and hearing the iconic Tamiya gear noises just warmed my heart.

So did you miss the boat? If you were hoping to experience a very nice handling truck that would be able to make an impression at the local track, absolutely not. If you were trying to grasp a piece of nostalgia that was meant to fill a hole in your heart, it's not too late. There are currently a decent handful of them still floating around.

[kalsh]

With dirt thrasher arms etc etc they are much more stable and a lot of fun………