Quincy 397 Posted May 7, 2023 Looking for a more modern Tamiya 4WD buggy, I came across the DB-01. Unfortunately, I missed out on getting a version of the DB-01RRR a couple of years ago and now these kits are no longer available anywhere. Also, most of the hop-ups are now out of stock and no longer available. So I started looking for a base that already contained some of the tuning parts and finally found what I was looking for, even though the condition was terrible. The first step is to disassemble and clean all the parts. Next is to inspect them and make a shopping list. I'm sure there will be one or two more parts to come, but this is a good way to start: The original DB-01R uses an additional motor heat sink under the motor. However, I decided to go for the tub of the DB-01RRR, as normal lipos can be used here and a fan will certainly provide better cooling than the aluminium part. All in all, I will not take any plastic parts from the original chassis, as fortunately they are still available for purchase. The blue motor mount looks so much better than the original silver one. Even if you won't see much of it later. The next step is to assemble the gear differentials and install the slipper. Unfortunately I couldn't find the original Tamiya carbon shock mounts anywhere. But I am so far pleased with the parts from 3racing. So far so good, next the double cardan shafts are waiting to be installed.... 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisRx718 4470 Posted May 7, 2023 DB01s totally passed me by (and we're out of my reach price-wise anyway) but for the totally uninformed - this looks a bit like a TA05 buggy-fied? Looks really smart. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quincy 397 Posted May 7, 2023 The DB-01 is based on the TRF-500er series. Like the TA-05 is based on TRF415. So low budget version of the TRF Offroad models. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThunderDragonCy 7881 Posted May 7, 2023 Such a lovely thing to drive. I had a DB01R with a Baldre shell a while back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quincy 397 Posted May 13, 2023 I have found a picture of my former TRF 501X. It's a pity that I sold it in the past. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quincy 397 Posted May 13, 2023 However, I have made good progress with the DB-01 and it is now more a DB-01RRR than an R. First of all, I have finished the rear end. The high-traction swingarms are installed here. I don't know if they are necessary, but as I got them I had to use them. The front end is also equipped with double cardans and the high-traction sway bars. So up to now everything has worked well. The shocks were next in line. I have such good experience with the Big Bore Aeration on my other buggies that no other dampers are worth considering. And they look simply stunning! For the electronics, I wanted something that would fit into the era of the DB-01. So I chose a LRP X11 10.5T motor with a Nosram Matrix ESC. This should have enough power and still not be too rough to the chassis. Since the LRP motors were already known for their heat emission and the chassis is very tightly sealed, I mounted a fan to dissipate the heat. The next step is to finish the body and I still have to think about the wheels. The rims of the Black Avante do not fit the wheel carriers of the DB-01. 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BuggyGuy 1106 Posted May 13, 2023 9 hours ago, Quincy said: However, I have made good progress with the DB-01 and it is now more a DB-01RRR than an R. First of all, I have finished the rear end. The high-traction swingarms are installed here. I don't know if they are necessary, but as I got them I had to use them. The front end is also equipped with double cardans and the high-traction sway bars. So up to now everything has worked well. The shocks were next in line. I have such good experience with the Big Bore Aeration on my other buggies that no other dampers are worth considering. And they look simply stunning! For the electronics, I wanted something that would fit into the era of the DB-01. So I chose a LRP X11 10.5T motor with a Nosram Matrix ESC. This should have enough power and still not be too rough to the chassis. Since the LRP motors were already known for their heat emission and the chassis is very tightly sealed, I mounted a fan to dissipate the heat. The next step is to finish the body and I still have to think about the wheels. The rims of the Black Avante do not fit the wheel carriers of the DB-01. At the rear at least I think the JConcepts Mono wheels should have the correct offset (though they are a race wheel - not a show wheel) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wtcc5 4896 Posted May 15, 2023 This chassis is a beauty with all these Hop-Ups Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quincy 397 Posted May 15, 2023 15 minutes ago, wtcc5 said: This chassis is a beauty with all these Hop-Ups Yes it is. Still missing the carbon steering link. Maybe a friend of mine could get one in japan next time Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quincy 397 Posted May 15, 2023 I painted the body next. Tamiya wants to use red window decals, but I decided to paint them in translucent red. As it is more difficult than I thought to find suitable wheels, I decided to use the Tamiya Dual Blocks. I still had them and visually they fit well to the body. Probably not the best choice for our sand pit, but we'll see. And here is the final result: 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Durgaboi 0 Posted May 16, 2023 Beautiful build!! I’m going to be putting a Durga together soon, did you buy the 3racing parts direct? All hop ups show as unavailable on their site. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quincy 397 Posted May 17, 2023 4 hours ago, Durgaboi said: Beautiful build!! I’m going to be putting a Durga together soon, did you buy the 3racing parts direct? All hop ups show as unavailable on their site. Unfortunately not, just bought a used Durga to get the 3racing parts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites