Thoughts on Quadtrack (GF-01FT)

[Losi XXT-CR 469]

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/product/tamiya-1-12-r-c-toyota-land-cruiser-40-pick-up-quadtrack-gf-01ft--1342014

Quite fancy getting one of these. Anything to watch out for or upgrade?

I know there is the TT-02 based LandFreeder too, but feel the Gf-01FT has more clearance and more suited to off road terrain. The Tamiya kits are also significantly cheaper than the Traxxas traxx setups.

 

[scoobybooster 342]

Keep in mind that the turning cicle becomes ridiculous with these. Not so much an issue with the shorter Land Cruiser  though, but the Land Freeder suffers very much of a poor maneuverability

[Mad Ax 10586]

To add to @scoobybooster's point - I took my TT02-FT out for its first test-run in my garden at the weekend and the turning circle was so bad it would barely turn around in my garden's width - and it's not the world's smallest garden.  The TT02 version definitely needs mods to increase the steering angle, and probably 4WS too.

I would expect the shorter GF-01 version will be better, but it's something to bear in mind.  Maybe someone who owns one will comment?

What are you intending to do with it?  I've always thought this model was a bit odd, since the GF-01 is generally more of a wheelie-happy stunt vehicle than a proper off-road truck, and these tracks will only worsen the already top-heavy chassis.  I think if you want one for a talking point, a fun build (the tracks are a great build, although a bit repetitive), or just because you want to own something cool and different then by all means do it - and I think it would probably be OK for general trailing too, but I doubt it will be any good at steep climbs or side-hills.

FWIW I tested my TT02-FT over my 1:10 scale mountain, which gives my class 2 crawlers a serious challenge.  With a claw part installed on every 3rd track, it got up the first climb very easily - where my crawlers can struggle for traction.  However once I had to add some steering, it was useless - the tracks are just too heavy and non-compliant to turn when they're pressed up against a rock.  Plus the grippy part of the track is in the middle, but in a rock crawling course it's often the side of the tyre that's biting the rocks.  I realised pretty soon that I was more likely to damage my tracks than get over a rocky section, so I aborted.

I think it'll really come into its own over snow or very soft mud, but I definitely see the tracks as much more of a fun gimmick than a genuinely useful tool for off-road action.

[Losi XXT-CR 469]

57 minutes ago, Mad Ax said:

To add to @scoobybooster's point - I took my TT02-FT out for its first test-run in my garden at the weekend and the turning circle was so bad it would barely turn around in my garden's width - and it's not the world's smallest garden.  The TT02 version definitely needs mods to increase the steering angle, and probably 4WS too.

I would expect the shorter GF-01 version will be better, but it's something to bear in mind.  Maybe someone who owns one will comment?

What are you intending to do with it?  I've always thought this model was a bit odd, since the GF-01 is generally more of a wheelie-happy stunt vehicle than a proper off-road truck, and these tracks will only worsen the already top-heavy chassis.  I think if you want one for a talking point, a fun build (the tracks are a great build, although a bit repetitive), or just because you want to own something cool and different then by all means do it - and I think it would probably be OK for general trailing too, but I doubt it will be any good at steep climbs or side-hills.

FWIW I tested my TT02-FT over my 1:10 scale mountain, which gives my class 2 crawlers a serious challenge.  With a claw part installed on every 3rd track, it got up the first climb very easily - where my crawlers can struggle for traction.  However once I had to add some steering, it was useless - the tracks are just too heavy and non-compliant to turn when they're pressed up against a rock.  Plus the grippy part of the track is in the middle, but in a rock crawling course it's often the side of the tyre that's biting the rocks.  I realised pretty soon that I was more likely to damage my tracks than get over a rocky section, so I aborted.

I think it'll really come into its own over snow or very soft mud, but I definitely see the tracks as much more of a fun gimmick than a genuinely useful tool for off-road action.

Thanks. Mostly interested in it for the fun and build. Would probably run it on mud/grass and maybe a beach if I get to one. No real practical purpose other than it looks cool.

[alvinlwh 7227]

Oh thanks for the tip. I was planning to buy this (and maybe the TT-02FT too) from RCM next year when I am in HK where they are selling for ~£153 which will be quite a saving over the original >£260 UK price but this price drop makes the savings much less. This frees up space for me to buy more of something else instead! Now just need to source the tons of bearings required for this thing. 

[alvinlwh 7227]

Wife approved and order placed. 😁

 

[Nikko85 3851]

Interesting. I quite fancy a GF01 chassis for something else - do Tamiya sell the tracks separately? I'm wondering if picking one up and selling the body and tracks might mean a cheap GF01 chassis, but not sure what price they could go for.

 

 

[alvinlwh 7227]

18 minutes ago, Nikko85 said:

Interesting. I quite fancy a GF01 chassis for something else - do Tamiya sell the tracks separately? I'm wondering if picking one up and selling the body and tracks might mean a cheap GF01 chassis, but not sure what price they could go for.

54948 sells for a lot.

RCM list them at USD82 per pair.

[Rinskie 1024]

I bought one last winter for indoor bashing. I put a full set of bearings in it so I am a little reluctant to run it in wet stuff for fear of rusting 9 million bearings in the tracks. It is a blast to run and the turning radius is not an issue at all. I like the putty diff stuff as it works more like a limited slip than a locker which works out better for me because it helps the tun radius. I run it every day, for some reason my dog likes to bark at it before he eats. Weird I know but that's the cards I am dealt. I think the biggest issue with it is the complete lack of speed. It's fast enough for me as I mostly run it indoors but when it's outside, it's ridiculously slow. I mean the drive cogs on it are about an inch in diameter so the final roll out is not that much. What's cool is the absurd traction and on the GF, the foot print is perfectly square so it runs side slopes like a monster. All is all it's my favorite Tamiya at the moment so much so that I really would like to pick up another GF with wheels just to round out the collection. Since I didn't really like the FJ body I searched high and low for a Jimny body which I feels fits the personality of the vehicle better somehow. Oh and I almost forgot, it was a BLAST to build. 

 

[alvinlwh 7227]

@Losi XXT-CR I just remembered I asked a similar question a few months ago. 

 

 

[alvinlwh 7227]

It is here! Just 3 days to get to a northern Scottish island, impressed. 

[Rinskie 1024]

You are going to love the build. The tracks were a bit involved and kept me busy for a couple days. Are you doing bearings? 

[svenb 4240]

I've looked at the this thread about 20 times... 

I don't need a Quadtrack I don't need a Quadtrack I don't need a Quadtrack....

 

 

 

I want a Quadtrack 😳

[alvinlwh 7227]

2 hours ago, Rinskie said:

You are going to love the build. The tracks were a bit involved and kept me busy for a couple days. Are you doing bearings? 

I will be starting the build over the Christmas break, probably with the tracks first, but it will only be completed after I returned from picking up hopups for it from RCMart in February next year. Might even get the TT-02FT to complete my tracked collection. 

Yes, I will be using bearings, making orders from Aliexpress as we speak. 

Will you be able to advise on other hopups? I mentioned a few in my thread here. 

 

 

[Rinskie 1024]

8 hours ago, alvinlwh said:

Will you be able to advise on other hopups? I mentioned a few in my thread here. 

I didn't hop mine up at all besides the bearings. I wanted to keep it stock besides bearings. I didn't want to get all serious with it as my serious focus was on my M08 at the time. I do have a set of adjustable tie rods for it but I haven't put them on yet. If I were to do anything else it would be the lowered aluminum servo mount as it strengthens the side of the chassis that flexes a little. My ultimate goal with he kit is to build some indoor obstacles such as a "mud box" filled with chunks of foam to blast through.What I do mostly with it now is blast over piles of dog toys. It's super relaxing. 

 

 

[alvinlwh 7227]

Just realised that the TT-02FT is also on sale at the same price! Going to order that as well to scratch another item from my RCM visit next year. 

[urban warrior 495]

On 10/22/2024 at 4:43 PM, alvinlwh said:

54948 sells for a lot.

RCM list them at USD82 per pair.

Here in Germany Seidel and Tamico sell the pairs for 130€ and 100€. In that case it is "much cheaper" to buy a kit with a chassis and two pairs, instead of two pairs separate. The Land Cruiser QT costs 220€ and after also building the Land Freeder FT, I would clearly recommend the Land Cruiser kit, since you get the complete track set with all necessary parts to swap the tracks on other chassis like CC-01/02. The Land Freeder kit is missing some sprues from the track set. You may decide wether to sell the chassis, if you only want the tracks, or build something different with it.

Although I know that there are "normal" off road vehicles with so called Mattracks in the real world, I find the car bodies on that track system not quite fitting for my personal imagination. I build a 6x6 conversion, which I already mentioned here, but due to my new full time employment, things got a little bit "stuck in gears" in the last time, so I did not proceed very much yet. In addition we had my spouses mother here for three weeks in our flat, which added some restrictions on my side. But tomorrow she's going back home and things will turn to normal here.

I don't think these need much hop ups apart from ballraces. And it's no racing car.

[alvinlwh 7227]

2 hours ago, urban warrior said:

I don't think these need much hop ups apart from ballraces. And it's no racing car. 

I know that, but for me, it is a case of why not? RCM sells the YR suspension set in store for ~£57 instead of the mail order price of USD99 + shipping + VAT. I am also planning to throw a ton of YR parts at the TT-02FT if I do get it, just to bling it right up. 

[Mad Ax 10586]

I really like the idea of a 6x6.  I have an unbuilt Volvo A60H kit which is crying out for tracks, but it's an expensive way to build!

[Rinskie 1024]

9 minutes ago, Mad Ax said:

I really like the idea of a 6x6.  I have an unbuilt Volvo A60H kit which is crying out for tracks, but it's an expensive way to build!

Expensive sure but it's crying remember. How can you put a price on the Volvo's happiness? 

[JimBear 1024]

5 hours ago, Mad Ax said:

I really like the idea of a 6x6.  I have an unbuilt Volvo A60H kit which is crying out for tracks, but it's an expensive way to build!

You could make it a half-track with some nice big tyres up front, perhaps?

[Rinskie 1024]

4 hours ago, JimBear said:

You could make it a half-track with some nice big tyres up front, perhaps?

Only if the front wheels aren't driven. 

[Mad Ax 10586]

On 10/27/2024 at 8:01 PM, JimBear said:

You could make it a half-track with some nice big tyres up front, perhaps?

I think we discussed this in another "what to do with tracks" thread - if the gear ratio and height increase of the tracks is equal to the gear ratio and height increase of the portal axles used on the G6-01TR (when used with a suitably-sized wheel), then you could do that.  But I haven't done any investigation into that.  Or as @Rinskie says, the front wheels would have to be undriven.

[JimBear 1024]

I had no idea that the front wheels need to be undriven - all the stuff one learns ... :)

[Losi XXT-CR 469]

Well I couldn't pass up on the price, so I'll be joining the Quadtrack club it seems...  Went for the GF-01FT. Be awesome if we get some snow this winter.