Buggy Basher For My Son - 2wd Vs 4wd

[OnceAGrasshopper]

Guys-

So my 5-yr old son has been having a ball with his Grasshopper. I have been enjoying my role as Chief Mechanic ;-). We even put the 540 back in it, along with some bigger rear tires and front oil filled shocks and took it to an outdoor dirt RC track. Hilarious! - here was my little guy driving his small, relatively slow, antiquated GH while the older folks were ripping by in their nitro trucks. He was a moving chicane for them but it was all good fun.

So anyway I'm thinking about an upgrade for him - especially since his little sister has eyes for the Grasshopper - so maybe this summer I'll paint the body pink for her and get my son a new car... So to my question - a buggy basher for a young kid - I've been eyeing the 2WD Sand Viper and 4WD Dark Impact. Any input appreciated about the pros and cons of each - and 2WD vs 4Wd for a kids basher. Use will primarily be ripping around in dirt fields - but ocassionally, as with the GH, taking it on a "field trip" to a real track for some fun. No real racing plans. Not looking to mod - so want something good, durable, out of the box.

thanks!

Brandon

[Power Surge]

Guys-

So my 5-yr old son has been having a ball with his Grasshopper. I have been enjoying my role as Chief Mechanic ;-). We even put the 540 back in it, along with some bigger rear tires and front oil filled shocks and took it to an outdoor dirt RC track. Hilarious! - here was my little guy driving his small, relatively slow, antiquated GH while the older folks were ripping by in their nitro trucks. He was a moving chicane for them but it was all good fun.

So anyway I'm thinking about an upgrade for him - especially since his little sister has eyes for the Grasshopper - so maybe this summer I'll paint the body pink for her and get my son a new car... So to my question - a buggy basher for a young kid - I've been eyeing the 2WD Sand Viper and 4WD Dark Impact. Any input appreciated about the pros and cons of each - and 2WD vs 4Wd for a kids basher. Use will primarily be ripping around in dirt fields - but ocassionally, as with the GH, taking it on a "field trip" to a real track for some fun. No real racing plans. Not looking to mod - so want something good, durable, out of the box.

thanks!

Brandon

Well, how much are you looking to spend? If you want a pretty much bulletproof 4WD out of the box, then go with a DB01 (Durga or Baldre). They aren't the cheapest kits, but they are tough as nails. And they are also top performers, so the performance level of the car can grow as he gets older.

Now for the shameless plug: I have a nice Durga for sale, painted up like an old Hotshot, if you are interested. It's in the classified section. I'll also sell it minus electronics if you just want to run a stock type motor.

[SuperHornet]

The DT-02 is great fun, Love my Sand viper which I painted to look like a next gen hornet. They are 2wd, cheap, easy to build and comes with the esc. Ive been bashing this bad boy hard for months with no issue.

The DF-03 is also awesome, I purchased a dark impact 3 months ago I prefer it exclusively to my DF-02.

if I were you I would go for the DT-02 unless you are looking for a more challenging build then go for the DF-02 or Db-01, neither come with a stock esc though so youll need to do some research.

These new 2wd cars also handle sooooooo much better than the vintage chassis of the hornet, grasshopper or frogs. Huge difference.

OR

GET A LUNCHBOX, cheap, and possibly the coolest tamiya model out there. 2wd Monster truck.

[Origineelreclamebord]

I agree with Power Surge, I would pass on the DF03, the additional money you pay for a DB01 makes it worth getting that. The DF03 occasionally has problems with the main shaft, which is made of aluminum. It can wear down, the plastic gears will then also wear down and for replacing all gears on the rear you have to buy several gear bags, making it more expensive than it should be to replace it. TA-Mark can tell you a lot about this, he experienced this time after time with a fully sealed (with silicon sealent) car.

The DT02 would be a fun car, but I don't know what the driving skills of your son are and how stable the DT02 is regarding oversteer.

What you could also do is get a Traxxas E-Revo 1/16 or something like a Traxxas Slash. It's not a Tamiya, but I was so impressed with the reliability of my 1/16 E-Revo that it's worth mentioning, even to hardcore Tamiya fans. What I do recommend with the E-Revo 1/16 (and probably applies to all Traxxas' cars) is to get a brushless version - the brushed motor can handle water and dirt, but when the commutator gets too dirty the motor can be thrown in the bin as it's not rebuildable. The brushless motors of traxxas are sealed to be waterproof and won't have these problems.

[Zak001]

I think the db01,df03 is over kill, what about a tamiya mad bull (2wd), great fun, hard as nails, very simply to repair and great for a 5 year old, my mates 11 year old son has one and he let me put a 4600kv in it I was so shocked how well it worked out and the gearing can handle it fine, Im not in anyway suggesting you do this but a tamiya super stock 23t BZ motor would be more than enough for him and your son would love it. The Mad Bull is the one to get, well thats what Id get my son, you will need to get a set of metal bearings for it, you can buy all this off bay and quite cheap too. I would also upgrade the shocks but you can always do that at a later date, Im sure the df03 dampers would be a direct fit.

Just a side note. A 4wd is more of a point and go and has more traction, with 2wd they are alot of fun to drive, I love them both, but for bashing I do like my 2wd buggies.

[Mighty flex]

I would say its worth going for somthing a bit modern - the better handling means you will be able to run circles around the nitros in corners, and you will be able to focus on driving the right lines instead of controlling the **** dytnamics of the car... i have a df02 and i find it fine, very tough (apart from the rear suspension mount on the chassis, though this takes a sepcial sort of collision to break, and only happend when my friend crashed mine into a wall) and relatively simple build. The dt02 is basically a 2wd equivelent. neither are extremely quick in the ocrners compared to the DB01 durga, which i would get if i actually used my rc cars much (or raced)

[Zak001]

I would say its worth going for somthing a bit modern - the better handling means you will be able to run circles around the nitros in corners, and you will be able to focus on driving the right lines instead of controlling the **** dytnamics of the car... i have a df02 and i find it fine, very tough (apart from the rear suspension mount on the chassis, though this takes a sepcial sort of collision to break, and only happend when my friend crashed mine into a wall) and relatively simple build. The dt02 is basically a 2wd equivelent. neither are extremely quick in the ocrners compared to the DB01 durga, which i would get if i actually used my rc cars much (or raced)

Somehow I dont think his 5 year old will be interested in driving the right lines, the mad bull is just plain fun but yes I have a brushless sand viper and its a very good chassis and would be a good choice too,the df02 looks to low to me, I just think the mad bull s more ideal for his age group, maybe even a tamiya midnight pumpkin,again would be fun with a super stock motor in, my son saw one at a model shop and he loved it and he's only 3 lol

[Corpse Thrower]

Dark impact is a fine choice. I ran mine for ages with a 4.5 Novak in it and it never missed a beat. Perfect for the young bloke, and will handle more power when he gets the urge....which will be soon I'm guessing!

4WD is also much easier to control.

[SteelRat]

+1 for Mad Bull love.

Whether you're 5 or 65 they're superb cars. Easy to mend, and drive, go more or less anywhere, and are easily upgraded so they can grow with you.

I'll be upgrading mine to an 8.5 EZRun brushless next month. Can't wait

[T. Smith]

The Madbull is a fun buggy but is little more than a redesigned Grasshopper chassis with some larger wheels bolted on. The suspension can be upgraded to use modern oil filled dampers without any modifications, unlike the Grasshopper which needs to use the Hornet dampers as modern equivalents won't fit without additional modification or parts - look at the Grasshopper 2, but that still uses a slightly redesigned chassis to accommodate modern parts. Anyway, if you are just after another car in the name of fun, the Madbull will certainly bring something new to the table.

If progression is the name of the game, I would recommend a more sophisticated chassis and one that introduces some new elements. The DT02 or similar will have independent wishbone suspension, can be fitted with adjustable arms and has a gearbox that can use a ball differential.

I think this would be the natural next step and will be enough to learn from without bringing 4wd in to the mix. That can come later if you choose.

Pure fun = Madbull

Fun and progression = DT02

Just my 2 pennies worth.

[c_a_r_t_e_r]

It's blasphemy I know, but for the money you can't beat an 2WD Ansmann Mad Rat for £50...

I've just built one for my cousin and was testing it out this weekend - it's great fun straight out of the box! I only added a £7.50 ball bearing set, drivetrain is very simple and robust. Comes with oil shocks all round, universal joint drive shafts, metal outdrives - simple and functional.

I'd get your son a Mad Rat for £50, and buy yourself one too with the money you save on any Tamiya buggy kit!

PS: Just to note, I am a massive Tamiya fan, but if I didn't already have a DF03-MS then I would definitely go straight out and buy the Mad Rat..!

Cheers,

Tim.

[igbandy]

Another vote here for the Mad Rat, its almost a copy of the Associated B4 buggy (could be the B3) and the upgrades fit the mad rat. I have been concidering getting a mad rat for a while, to compliment my vintage 2wd racers. Also going for a 2wd will further enhance his driving as they are more of a challenge to drive than a 4wd. Then you can maybe go 4wd later on, and further increase power/speed etc and you know he will be able to handle the upturn in speed.

[taliesin]

+1 for either Mad Bull or DT-02 [Desert Gator, Sand Viper, etc.] Great buggies - simple, reliable and fun.

My other suggestion is a DF-02 like the Gravel Hound, Plasma Edge or Rising Storm. Its 4wd - very simple & durable. Easy to drive - basically it goes where you point it. Unlike the 2wd buggies recommended above which are more like point & squirt, but then that's the fun of 2wd too.

Personally, for a child who isn't going to want/need/understand all the bells and whistles of a premium buggy, I would recommend the simple reliable fun models over the technically superior and more expensive models. Wait, I think I qualify under that category because that's exactly how I buy my cars.

[pwalthuis]

The Mad Rat is a nice choice i think. Its a neat, simple, slick looking 2wd that wont bust your wallet and is nicely upgradable.

Furthermore, because its so simple its will be easier to involve your son in the build/maintenance. If not now then perhaps when he is a bit older.

Also, should he just get tired of the whole rc thing from one day to the other you dont have a expensive rc just sitting there gathering dust.

And if he does not get tired of it all then you can always upgrade to something fancier later.

Fun factor is also high with a nimble 2wd.

[SteelRat]

Just had another look at a Mad Rat. It has a 260mm wheelbase... which means it'd make a great Beetle project

Might have to buy one now

[skinner2]

Well i have a DF03 ,I have a ezrun 9.5T ,I have used it for about a month now , Every weekend, Me and my son go out for about five hours on a Saturday and Sunday. Non stop . And no wear Yet ,too Main shaft . Not saying it dose not happen but , I check mine every time we come back , And all been fine . You watch now iv said this . It will start too wear. But i do know that TAmark has had a lot of problems . But i think if you don't use brushless motors , it could well last for ages . What ever you go for , Im sure your son will love it

[qatmix]

Well i have a DF03 ,I have a ezrun 9.5T ,I have used it for about a month now , Every weekend, Me and my son go out for about five hours on a Saturday and Sunday. Non stop . And no wear Yet ,too Main shaft . Not saying it dose not happen but , I check mine every time we come back , And all been fine . You watch now iv said this . It will start too wear. But i do know that TAmark has had a lot of problems . But i think if you don't use brushless motors , it could well last for ages . What ever you go for , Im sure your son will love it

I ran mine with a 5t brushless, as does my mate. Loads of packs have been through them and they were raced in anger and the gears have no wear at all.

As to what to buy, I would say a madrat or a Lunchbox or a df03

[OnceAGrasshopper]

Thanks for all the great replies so far! I think I'm leaning towards a 4WD car - it should be easier to control for a young kid. Then as he gets older and if he continues to enjoy RC we can get him a car that is more "rewarding" to drive well. As I sit here I htink $150 is about as high as I'd want to go - so the Dark Impact at $160 seems fine - I have radio stuff I can transfer...

That said I will check out the suggestions made - thanks.

But here is a thought I had at lunch today. I have a nearly mint TA-02 with new rally block tires at home. I have never run it - it just needs an aluminum motor mount, a body, and an ESC (assuming I don't rob the one from the Grasshopper) to be ready to run. Would it be a bad idea to run that car as a basher? Ground clearance seems to only be about 10-15mm - not sure what current buggies usually run... I was thinking TA-02 are really road cars that some people run rally's with (that is why I got the chassis actually) - and by rally I mean fairly smooth dirt tracks not big bumps n jumps and such like you might do at a buggy track. Problem is, for the money I'd still need to spend to get it going Lancia Delta Integrale body $50, ESC $30 , not inlcuding any mods I'd have to do plus the fact I (well my son) would be wearing out the chassis I actually did buy for me to run as a rally car, I'd be well on my way to a whole new car. All thoughts appreciated.

If the TA-02 is actually a decent idea (I'm assuming it's not) - please let me know what the "mandatory" mods would be - besides alum motor mount. It has a stock shaft and don't know which travel setup since I bought it used.

Thanks again

Brandon

[Gruntfuggly]

I wouldn't run the TA-02 if it's in nice condition...

+1 for the Dark Impact... but if you want another cheap option, why not look at a Stadium Thunder? Bulletproof, and the kids love the monster truck look...

[Power Surge]

As I sit here I htink $150 is about as high as I'd want to go - so the Dark Impact at $160 seems fine - I have radio stuff I can transfer...

Well keep in mind, for $175 you could buy my Durga minus electronics. Not trying to be my own salesman here, but for a few dollars difference I think everyone would agree that a Durga with slipper clutch, CVDs, and alloy front suspension mounts is a no brainer over a stock Dark Impact.

Just food for thought :-)

[bfst24]

how about a step up stinger ?

http://www.cmldistribution.co.uk/cml_produ...ctId=0000004664

[highflyer]

Leave the mint TA02 alone, go with a 2WD Sand Viper or a (cringing) RTR Traxxas Slash (I actually typed that). You can also find many of the models suggested previously in good used condition...

[DirtyBlackfoot]

How about Blackfoot Xtreme?....

[steponit!]

.....what about 'The FROG'?

[Prescient]

How about Blackfoot Xtreme?....

This would be ideal for what you want. Seriously robust to, my nephew had one at 7 and only managed to break a body post in last three years of running. I have a 4100kv brushless in my one now after running a Reedy 19T brushed for 4 years and still not had any problems. It is fully ball raced and handles really well.