Thundershot chassis, mono shock vs dual front

[Saito2 8497]

For those familiar with the Thundershot family of buggies, do you prefer the front mono shock arrangement or dual front shocks and why?

[Twinfan 2472]

I prefer a dual setup for true independent suspension on all four corners.  Mono shock is a compromise that doesn't need to be made.

Just my personal opinion of course, others are available!

[taffer 958]

I prefer the mono shock, I think this particular chassis drives nicer with one, also if anyone is yet to drive their dual shock model, put a small dab of threadlock on the shock screws, they seem to work loose.

A lot of pictures/yt I have seen seem to put a lot of spacers on the shocks forcing the ride height up and the shafts at an angle.

I feel that that no spacers are best on the thundershot.

Still to build the 2022 tshot with the cva2 shocks so can't yet comment on the setup

[Saito2 8497]

5 minutes ago, taffer said:

also if anyone is yet to drive their dual shock model, put a small dab of threadlock on the shock screws, they seem to work loose.

I can vouch for this.

I know the dual set-up should be technically better in most respects but for some reason I think I prefer the mono overall, at least for bashing. It really seems to float over rough terrain that causes the twin front shocks to hop about. I might feel differently driving on a track though.

[alvinlwh 8066]

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[taffer 958]

I've only experienced traction roll on carpet (astro turf) at a tamiyaclub event.

Most of my running is on tarmac, loose dirt/dusty conditions where it has been fine

The dual shock setup does seem stiffer and to me is less enjoyable driving feel after driving straight after mono shock version

[Saito2 8497]

I've experienced traction roll on grass with both front suspension setups but not on other surfaces. My Terra Scorcher tens to oversteer a bit on loose dry dirt. I've played with the dampening and removed the rear sway bar to help with this. I think, in the end, I'll be reverting this back to a Thunder Dragon though. 

As for the original Hotshot, it is an example of how not to do a front mono shock. Don't get me wrong, I love the buggy, but Tamiya's inexperience shows in their first 4wd buggy. Unlike the buggies that followed it, the Hotshot's mono shock's mounting/compression points are below and inboard the ends of the shock. Not only does this make the shock want to bend in half, but it creates some weird, almost non-linear feeling compression characteristics. Halfway through the compression cycle, the resistance seems to fall away. Perhaps that's just how it feels to me but the front spring, despite being fairly stiff, never seems stiff enough to properly suspend the frontend. 

[wolfdogstinkus 2065]

Must resist buying fire dragon. 

Is there a way to ignore threads of a particular chassis type?.

No?, I'm going to have to buy a fire dragon, aren't I?

Easily persuaded I guess.

[Hobbimaster 222]

+1 Mono shock. I've owned the Terra Scorcher, Fire Dragon, Thunder Dragon, now Thunder Shot. Just on driving impressions alone the mono versions just seem to be more agile, and steer a bit better on a grass surface. However, jumping would have to go to the 4 shock variants.

[Hobbimaster 222]

2 hours ago, wolfdogstinkus said:

Must resist buying fire dragon. 

Is there a way to ignore threads of a particular chassis type?.

No?, I'm going to have to buy a fire dragon, aren't I?

Easily persuaded I guess.

Yes, you must buy before Tamiya decides to end this run of kits for another 10 years.

[StueyS 52]

Hi all. I have noticed watching my son's TS at my local astro track that the rear of the car doesn't really roll. That's with the kit springs and the roll bar removed. I have modded the rear hubs to lengthen the top link, which will hopefully let the rear of the car roll more. It has also reduced the amount of camber change to a less excessive amount. Hopefully will try it out this weekend.

[Sogogi 3363]

Mono shock movement is fun to watch

[CRC505 234]

+1 Mono shock.I even changed my mini hotshot to a Mono shock（only front）

[alvinlwh 8066]

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[Chest Rockwell 34]

I've got a Re-Re Terra Scorcher and Thunder Dragon. Not sure if it's down to the mono shock but the Dragon flips over much more easily. Scorcher sits lower as well. Both stock in chassis set up.

[ThunderDragonCy 9113]

I prefer the monoshock for looks, and after a lot of tweaking I found a setup that works well too. I found changing the oil to 800cst in the front damper, but leaving the kit 2 hole piston in there was best for me. That plus much stiffer front spring. I ended up using either the stiffest front silver spring from the DF03 spring set, or the softest red spring from the rally 53163 spring set. 

Changing the kit wheels to something where you can fit a narrower, less aggressive front tyre also massively helps the Thunder chassis generally. 

 

[magnumb 259]

On 10/20/2023 at 12:40 AM, ThunderDragonCy said:

I prefer the monoshock for looks, and after a lot of tweaking I found a setup that works well too. I found changing the oil to 800cst in the front damper, but leaving the kit 2 hole piston in there was best for me. That plus much stiffer front spring. I ended up using either the stiffest front silver spring from the DF03 spring set, or the softest red spring from the rally 53163 spring set. 

Changing the kit wheels to something where you can fit a narrower, less aggressive front tyre also massively helps the Thunder chassis generally. 

Any suggestions on a "less aggressive" front tire? 

On 10/20/2023 at 12:40 AM, ThunderDragonCy said:

 

 

[ThunderDragonCy 9113]

41 minutes ago, magnumb said:

Any suggestions on a "less aggressive" front tire? 

 

I use 2.2" wheels and schumacher wide cut stagger. There aren't any options for the kit wheels because they are randomly 1.9", even after Hotshot series had more usual 2". What wheels are you thinking of using? JC Racing Products do some 2.2" Hotshot style wheels that fit directly onto the three spoke wheel hubs on the Thundershot series

[magnumb 259]

58 minutes ago, ThunderDragonCy said:

I use 2.2" wheels and schumacher wide cut stagger. There aren't any options for the kit wheels because they are randomly 1.9", even after Hotshot series had more usual 2". What wheels are you thinking of using? JC Racing Products do some 2.2" Hotshot style wheels that fit directly onto the three spoke wheel hubs on the Thundershot series

Ideally i'd like to use the same rear tire and just use a slightly narrower front tire(1.9) while trying to keep the same look.

Or maybe just cutting off the nubs would be best to reduce oversteer?? 

[ThunderDragonCy 9113]

57 minutes ago, magnumb said:

Ideally i'd like to use the same rear tire and just use a slightly narrower front tire(1.9) while trying to keep the same look.

Or maybe just cutting off the nubs would be best to reduce oversteer?? 

There are no buggy tyres for those wheels at all, apart from the kit ones. Cutting the inner and outer rows of spikes off would definitely help.