Hopups only build

[alvinlwh]

Thinking of my next challenge, to build a chassis out of hopup parts only. I had already done such "leftover build" of a complete SW-01, and  partial one of a TT-02 (can easily be complete as we all know every single part of a TT is upgradable). 

So what other chassis can be built out of hopup parts only, making the original kit unnecessary? 

Requirements:

1. Every single parts have to be a hopup/aftermarket part, not a spare part. 

Not allowed 

Allowed 

Color variations of a stock part is not allowed. Color variation of a hop up part is allowed (like the white hard deck). 

2. Generally, I will prefer not to go down the screw bags route, so avoid things like step screws or screw pins if possible. I will consider using the TL shafts in place of them a success. Also. AFAIK, there are no hopup stepped screws. 

3. The parts can be from Tamiya or YR, or 3R, or RCJaz, or GPM Racing, or Aliexpress "special". Basically, the general consideration of "aluminium is better than plastic" rules here. I do not care if you think YR/GPM/Ali parts sucks more than stock parts. The point is not to use the stock parts at all (but does not mean you can cast a replacement out of plaster). 

4.NO 3D printing! That is cheating. 

5. No need to consider for tyres or electronics. There had been enough rants about them recently. 

6. Bodies are also not considered here. 

7. Parts have to be still avaliable commercially at or below MRP. Ebay is not consideres a valid source, especially if bidding or high markup is involved. 

At this moment this is just a thought exercise but may develop into a slow burning project. So any suggestions forum? 

[kevinb120]

Probably could do it with an F104

[skom25]

Not 100% sure about all parts, but maybe DB-01. You can use some parts from TRF501X too.

However, it sounds like really expensive idea.

[TurnipJF]

Could definitely do that with a Clod.

[svenb]

A TL01 is possible 

Only non hop up on mine is the kit bumper everything else is a Tamiya hop up or upgrade.

Aftermarket bumper are available 

[Wooders28]

The only thing I CAN'T think of for the Lunchbox, is a hop up diff ?

There's a 3D printed spool, but that breaks #4 rule...🙄

Kamtec have the lexan lunchbox body, if that's classed as an upgrade? Although not required in the rules (and wheels/tyres , alloy body mounts are available too ..)

(Aliexpress have the aluminium chassis quite cheap atm, around £30).

 

[Thommo]

 

2 hours ago, skom25 said:

Not 100% sure about all parts, but maybe DB-01. You can use some parts from TRF501X too.

However, it sounds like really expensive idea.

Nice one !   I was thinking about this recently and around 2013 you could build an entire DB01 from hop-ups.  Practically not possible now of course.  From memory, I think the B parts tree with the bumpers, body mounts and wing stay was the only part that wasn't offered as a carbon reinforced Hop-Up.  You could replace the battery stay from the B parts with TA05 carbon battery stay.  I have the DB01 low mount wing so yes.... there was even a Hop-Up for the wing.

[skom25]

24 minutes ago, Thommo said:

From memory, I think the B parts tree with the bumpers, body mounts and wing stay was the only part that wasn't offered as a carbon reinforced Hop-Up.

I built DB-01 few months ago and this is exactly what I had in mind, when I wrote that I am not sure if everything can be replaced.

XV-01 is probably also very close to Hop Ups build. Chassis and only few parts cannot be replaced for upgraded ( you can use carbon chassis from EmbieRacing).

[alvinlwh]

Thanks for all the ideas. I will look (and price) them up once I get back from my LHS. 

38 minutes ago, Thommo said:

carbon reinforced Hop-Up

It was when building the TT-02 (and to a certain extent, the FF-03) that when I hit upon this idea. They are selling entire trees as hopup, what is the use of the original? 

35 minutes ago, skom25 said:

Chassis

This is usually the main problem for some. Again, when I replaced the chassis of the TT-02, I decided the base kit is worthless (except for maybe a few step screws). 

[jonboy1]

54 minutes ago, Thommo said:

 

Nice one !   I was thinking about this recently and around 2013 you could build an entire DB01 from hop-ups.  Practically not possible now of course.  From memory, I think the B parts tree with the bumpers, body mounts and wing stay was the only part that wasn't offered as a carbon reinforced Hop-Up.  You could replace the battery stay from the B parts with TA05 carbon battery stay.  I have the DB01 low mount wing so yes.... there was even a Hop-Up for the wing.

10 points to @Thommo, everything was available as a carbon filled upgrade apart from the B parts. Same applies to the DN-01, you can build that into a TRF201 with no common parts, and to prove the point I did exactly that with mine and sold a complete DN-01and DB-01 with the left over parts! Man, they were expensive builds, but boy oh boy are they amazing......

I got close to satisfying this criteria with my M-03RR but there isn't a chassis parts tree alternative, everything else can be replaced though.

I think I need to stop reading this topic, I can see it costing me a lot of money - looking for hop ups is my most favouritist past time......

[Thommo]

 

@jonboy1     Yes Mate they are indeed amazing builds.... among my favourites !    I keep all the Hop-Up cards from each build in a zip lock bag and I know others that do that too.   I think it's time to sit down and count all the cards in the Durga box.  My guess is it's going to be between 30 and 50.... 

 

[Gebbly]

This would be an interesting build to see progress.

2 hours ago, alvinlwh said:

This is usually the main problem

Regarding the chassis you could go on ebay and search for "Tamiya carbon chassis" and "Tamiya aluminium chassis". There are a selection of chassis on there for various cars including aluminium grasshopper and CW-01 and carbon TA-02 and DF-03

[andi4x4]

You used to be able to get a complete 'replacement' chassis kit for a TT-01 from 3Racing - when I say complete, I mean, a complete rolling chassis minus wheels and body, and electrics/motor, of course. All the parts were available separately as upgrades, or you could get them as a complete kit. I have one I bought maybe 10 or 12 years ago. Obviously, I didn't build it for this challenge, so it does have one Tamiya part -  the main drive gear, which was itself an upgrade part from the 'High Speed Gear Set' - everything else, however, is non-Tamiya.   Some (very poor, sorry!) pics in my gallery ....

 

https://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=70916&id=22157

[ad456]

7 hours ago, TurnipJF said:

Clod

This.

It would be a money pit of awesomeness. But I’m not sure where you’d put it as your space is getting pretty full. 

[alvinlwh]

2 hours ago, andi4x4 said:

complete 'replacement' chassis kit for a TT-01

The TT's are the ones with the most aftermarket parts I believe. One can even change the geared main drive to belt. 

[alvinlwh]

3 hours ago, Gebbly said:

carbon TA-02

Yah, I replaced the chassis on mine with a RCJ carbon copy of the Tamiya equivalent and ran into a few problems needing things like steering posts, screws and so on. However, it was an interesting challenge which is why I am thinking of pulling together a car without even buying a kit. 

[Big Jon]

My DB-01 is 100% hop ups except for the bumper, wing mount and the one carbon reinforced belt cover tree. The Lipo-compatible RR/RRR chassis took forever to find, but I got very lucky with some other parts. 
 

I built a 2WD Slash years ago using the Anza chassis and hop-ups as a base, with Pro-Line long arms and aftermarket everything else. I believe that the only Traxxas parts were the transmission layshaft and hop up axles.

It’s a fun way to build, even if it is expensive. The Slash was a fun project that I used as a sales aid at the shop, and the DB-01 was because I missed out on the RRR. I still haven’t put a body on the DB, and, at this point, I doubt that I’ll ever drive it.

[Wooders28]

7 hours ago, Gebbly said:

DF-03

Can't think of any aftermarket gearbox cases ..🤔

[monark192]

Super Astute 

[alvinlwh]

5 hours ago, Big Jon said:

it is expensive

Still cheaper than buying a base kit and then upgrading everything and leaving (almost) every single stock parts unused. I did it with 2 cars and realised that I have 2 extra cars (that I did not really need) out of the kit. Which is why I am thinking of this challenge. Just forget about the kit. 

[njmlondon]

I love this thread. 
The time spent in research alone makes this a fascinating challenge, let alone sourcing rarndom parts from around the world.
As a 2wd buggy fan what are my options?

&monark192 mentioned the Super Astute. What is the deal there? 

[Thommo]

2 hours ago, monark192 said:

Super Astute 

Mostly doable but you still need bumpers, wing mount and stat, rear bulkhead and entire gearbox from the kit.  Home made and 3D prints don’t count for this thread.  

[Wystan Withers]

Do the 'clone' (cough cough) TRF416's count? Technically if you're allowing aftermarket brands, every part of those is essentially no different than a 3Racing replacement part/hop up. 

 

 

 

 

[alvinlwh]

On 4/17/2025 at 10:04 PM, njmlondon said:

The time spent in research alone makes this a fascinating challenge, let alone sourcing rarndom parts from around the world.

Yeap. It maybe expensive, but the time spread out spending that money helps. 

4 hours ago, Wystan Withers said:

Do the 'clone' (cough cough) TRF416's count? Technically if you're allowing aftermarket brands, every part of those is essentially no different than a 3Racing replacement part/hop up. 

I will say yes. I had used Aliexpress parts on some of my builds. If it fits, I will say it is allowed. 

[Wystan Withers]

 

Well then there's the 416 and a TT01 (carbon) clone kit. Pretty sure if they they're on epay they'll be on AliExpress or equivalent (don't do much with Aliexpress myself). There's also the carbon chassis kits for TT02 which would get you 80% of the way there and the rest of the bits would be easy as hop ups.

Might still be possible to get enough closeout parts from Exotech (or old stock at retailers) to build an ExoSix.2... maybe.