TT-02 Chassis build tips/advice..

[RC_Hobbyist]

As mentioned in this thread, I ordered a TT-02 chassis.

I was wondering if anyone has any tips/tricks/anything I should watch out for while assembling the chassis.

[skom25]

TT-02 is really simple and only thing you should check twice is position of diffs in chassis.

In my opinion, do not use grease on suspension hinges and dog bones. It will only collect a lot of dirt.

I suggest few upgrades in priority as below, but first three positions are almost "must have":

- Bearings

- CVA shocks

- Steel pinion

- High Torque Servo Saver

- Metal suspension balls

- Ball connectors with turnbuckles in steering

Big problem is that kit uses self tappers, but most of the Hop Ups have M3 machine threads. Think about modifications first and then start build.

[RC_Hobbyist]

Since this my first on road kit, I want to keep modifications to a minimum and upgrade once I get some experience running this chassis.

Only upgrade I purchased is the Tamiya bearing kit for this chassis.

[skom25]

I really recommend to buy CVA shocks.

You can live with aluminium pinion, but once you find that gearing is fine, I think you should go for steel or hard coated version.

Unfortunately TT-02 straight from the box is rather poor car and needs some upgrades.

[JimBear]

@skom25 is on the right track I think.

I have changed my mind on this from where I started out, and now I think a standard build is a good idea, to get a feel for what needs to be done for you personally. And then you can go to town with whatever hopups and extra you might fancy.

But ... given that, and having gotten a TT-02 for my kid, and seeing him build it, I think ball bearings and a steel pinion is a minimum (the cheesium original lasted about three meters since the mesh between the gear and pinion was too tight, which might not be easy to figure out when you're nine and on your third build).

The shocks... well, their "construction" shocked me, to be honest. They work, but they are almost NSFW-worthy, construction-wise. But put them in, run it and see what it feels like. Juniors' car is still running on them, and he's having fun with his Ford. That's what matters to me.

As for the diffs, I now remember that the kid put them in wrong way around somehow. But that's how one learns, right?

Whatever you do, have fun with the TT-02.

 

[RC_Hobbyist]

1 hour ago, JimBear said:

But ... given that, and having gotten a TT-02 for my kid, and seeing him build it, I think ball bearings and a steel pinion is a minimum (the cheesium original lasted about three meters since the mesh between the gear and pinion was too tight, which might not be easy to figure out when you're nine and on your third build).

The shocks... well, their "construction" shocked me, to be honest. They work, but they are almost NSFW-worthy, construction-wise. But put them in, run it and see what it feels like. Juniors' car is still running on them, and he's having fun with his Ford. That's what matters to me.

This will be my second build, first on road chassis.

I am not sure if the TT-02 kit now comes with a steel pinion, like my Hornet Evo kit did. 
I may wait to get the kit and see and if not, I will get a set of steel pinions from amazon.

I might consider getting the CVA shocks, since the Hornet Evo Kit came with them.

[skom25]

28 minutes ago, RC_Hobbyist said:

I am not sure if the TT-02 kit now comes with a steel pinion, like my Hornet Evo kit did. 

I am sure that for 99,999% kit will come with aluminium pinion.

Steel pinions are included in higher grade kits.

[RC_Hobbyist]

27 minutes ago, skom25 said:

I am sure that for 99,999% kit will come with aluminium pinion.

Steel pinions are included in higher grade kits.

in this thread, user Pylon80 states:
"Note that the TT-02 rally kits come with a smaller pinion, well 2 actually, a 17 and a 19 and they're steel already."

Since I got the Toyota Yaris WRT/WRC kit, it may come with steel pinions already. Will have to wait until I get the kit to find out

[skom25]

I would be really surprised. I think all TT-02s come with 22T aluminium pinion in kit.

There is only one manual for all versions, despite different bodies.

17T or even 19T with TT motor will be SUPER slow. You will quickly find, that even with 22T top speed is way below any expectations.

[RC_Hobbyist]

20 minutes ago, skom25 said:

I would be really surprised. I think all TT-02s come with 22T aluminium pinion in kit.

There is only one manual for all versions, despite different bodies.

17T or even 19T with TT motor will be SUPER slow. You will quickly find, that even with 22T top speed is way below any expectations.

I like to start things slow and work my way up speed wise.
I have a sport tuned motor which I purchased for my Hornet Evo, but have not put it in yet, due to the fact that I want to get familiar with the handling on the stock motor before upgrading.

Like I said we'll have to wait and see

[alvinlwh]

The TT chassis are really simple. Just build it as it is, but throw in bearings and a better pinion. Anything else can come later as you feel the need/as they break. You can throw so much upgrades at it that you will end up with a second car. 

[Elbowloh]

I think you're doing the right thing by only going with bearings to start with. Build it, see if you actually enjoy the process of building and running the car before spending loads more.

Just enjoy it!

[Rinskie]

OK here is my advice, have fun learning the car and its limitations and what it's good at. The TT02 is in my humble opinion one of the best cars on the market if you understand it is a very versatile car but it will never be a TRF. It's fun to build, fun to work on and once you get a few little things sorted out like the steering then it's a fantastic car to run in parking lots or even race if you find a TT class. Mine is just for looking good running the body of my choice in any parking lot near me. When I was a kid, I would have killed for a kit like the TT02 with an almost unlimited range or stock body choices. I had to make do with a buggy, some Dubro body mounts and a nappy Parma shell...man those were the days. 

 

 

[RC_Hobbyist]

8 hours ago, Elbowloh said:

I think you're doing the right thing by only going with bearings to start with. Build it, see if you actually enjoy the process of building and running the car before spending loads more.

Just enjoy it!

I am going to go with CVA shocks as well. My Hornet Evo has them and they work well.
I already have a lot of spare parts & shock oil from my Hornet Evo build, except the rears on the Hornet Evo were slightly longer in comparison to the front due to the large diameter wheels.

Oh I know I will enjoy the building process.
I built the Hornet Evo 2WD buggy, so I have some experience

And I am looking forward to running it once I am done.

[Pylon80]

11 hours ago, skom25 said:

I would be really surprised. I think all TT-02s come with 22T aluminium pinion in kit.

There is only one manual for all versions, despite different bodies.

17T or even 19T with TT motor will be SUPER slow. You will quickly find, that even with 22T top speed is way below any expectations.

Nope. Rally kits do come with 17 and 19 steel pinion. These kits have larger diameter Rally Block tires. The 17t makes the car very punchy with the kit included Torque Tuned motor. Not slow by any means.

[skom25]

4 hours ago, Pylon80 said:

Nope. Rally kits do come with 17 and 19 steel pinion. These kits have larger diameter Rally Block tires. The 17t makes the car very punchy with the kit included Torque Tuned motor. Not slow by any means.

I am more than surprised!

Is this also mentioned in manual? I mean pinion.

[Crucial]

19 hours ago, RC_Hobbyist said:

in this thread, user Pylon80 states:
"Note that the TT-02 rally kits come with a smaller pinion, well 2 actually, a 17 and a 19 and they're steel already."

Since I got the Toyota Yaris WRT/WRC kit, it may come with steel pinions already. Will have to wait until I get the kit to find out

Yeah my integrale came with a 19t steel pinion, but my rakirirririri GT came with the cheesium aluminium 22t

[RC_Hobbyist]

5 hours ago, skom25 said:

I am more than surprised!

Is this also mentioned in manual? I mean pinion.

Just downloaded the manual and checked.
It just says pinion gear, no indication as to if it is steel or aluminum.

[skom25]

31 minutes ago, RC_Hobbyist said:

Just downloaded the manual and checked.
It just says pinion gear, no indication as to if it is steel or aluminum.

Check once again

On page 19 you can find information about gearing options, with information about included pinion.

On page 23 you can see pinion with catalogue number ( set of 22/23T aluminium pinions).

This is why I am so surprised. I have never seen different manual for TT-02.

[RC_Hobbyist]

1 hour ago, skom25 said:

Check once again

On page 19 you can find information about gearing options, with information about included pinion.

On page 23 you can see pinion with catalogue number ( set of 22/23T aluminium pinions).

This is why I am so surprised. I have never seen different manual for TT-02.

I wonder why that person said the tt-02 rally kits, who I quoted said the rally kits cone with steel pinion gears? 

Only thing I can think of is he mistakenly said steel instead of aluminium.

[TurnipJF]

1 minute ago, RC_Hobbyist said:

I wonder why that person said the tt-02 rally kits, who I quoted said the rally kits cone with steel pinion gears? 

Only thing I can think of is he mistakenly said steel instead of aluminium.

It is also possible that he said rally instead of buggy, as the TT-02B buggy comes with a steel pinion as standard. (I know this as I have one.)

It could also be that kits for different markets come with different pinions.

Or he may be quite correct, and know something we don't. 

I'd be interested to know what your kit comes with when it arrives. Please keep us posted!

[RC_Hobbyist]

1 minute ago, TurnipJF said:

I'd be interested to know what your kit comes with when it arrives. Please keep us posted!

Will do.

The hobby shop I ordered the kit from places their orders on Thursdays, so it should be here sometime next week.

[skom25]

11 minutes ago, RC_Hobbyist said:

I wonder why that person said the tt-02 rally kits, who I quoted said the rally kits cone with steel pinion gears? 

Only thing I can think of is he mistakenly said steel instead of aluminium.

@Pylon80 do you have manual from Rally TT-02?

TT-02B comes with 17T steel pinion as @TurnipJF wrote.

I am really curious now! Let us know when kit will arrive.

There is also one thing: if Rally kits come with smaller pinion, is manual different and shows high suspension settings as default?

[RC_Hobbyist]

On another note, I did buy the CVA shocks yesterday and paid for overnight shipping, should be here sometime this morning.

I plan on building the stock spring shocks that come with the kit and keeping them as spares.

I also ordered steel bearing kit with my tt-02 order, which should be here sometime next week (The hobby shop places orders on Thursdays).

Note: CVA shocks have already been delivered.

[skom25]

50 minutes ago, RC_Hobbyist said:

plan on building the stock spring shocks that come with the kit and keeping them as spares.

Bad idea.

As I wrote, kit comes with self tappers. CVA shocks comes with ball connectors, which are only and proper way to mount shocks to chassis.

If you use Self Tappers first and then try to use ball connectors, it will not be possible*, because they have M3 machine threads. 

*ok, it will be possible, but threads in chassis parts will be totally weak.

Summarizing: if you already bought Hop Ups, there is really no sense to not using them.

BTW: I think it is discontinued, but TT-02D was much better option. It was not much more expensive ( more or less cost of bearings bought for standard TT-02), but kit contained ball bearings, CVA shocks, Sport Tuned motor and motor heat sink. If iI remember correctly, also screws were much better. Standard TT-02 uses soft grey screws, TT-02D black which are much harder and a lot better. Only Hop Ups needed were standard tires and steel pinion.

I think TT-02 kit should contain all parts from TT-02D, which can be called basic but good kit. Standard TT-02 is really poor.