Tamiya Rising Fighter - It's Good; Really!

[tundragumski]

Hi,

I've noticed a lot of people saying that the Tamiya Rising Fighter is a **** buggy.

Well, I'd like to say that it's a good buggy; for children, beginners and/or anyone really.

Yes, having no oil dampers is a bit **** but otherwise it's a decent car for less than £60 including ESC.

I've got a sport tuned motor in mine and it is great fun to drive, it is very solid and well made and I think it looks cool in an unusal way.

Also easy to fix, service and build, with ABS body and pre-cut decals. Parts are readily available and cheap(ish).

My young son and I love driving this car so I'll give it some support on this forum. Surely the enjoyment of driving a Tamiya buggy in the key thing.

Cheers

[30cms]

it's a 21st century grasshopper

in 25 years time people will be posting on forums saying "my first rc was a rising fighter" . . . . .

[TA-Mark]

The DT01 (weird name for ths chassis as it's like an update to the Hornet/Hornet 2 chassis) is a shocker for handling (Should be called Hornet 3). It bounces all over the place and is near impossible to control on any surface other than tarmac in it's standard form.

Replacing the pogo-sticks for some DF03 dampers (CVA or alloy hopup) does little to help the handling. It's still painful to attempt to get around a set course without it spinning out. It has the most bumpsteer I've ever seen on any Tamiya model. The rolling rear diff has nothing but the dampers to prevent it from 'rolling'. This allows one rear wheel to lift off the ground easily so it looses rear end grip.

It is however, not a lost cause!

On my Rookie Rabbit I cut the ends off the front lower arms and fitted modified Bear Hawk C-hubs and DT02 turnbuckles for the upper links. This fixed the camber issues. I fitted a set of DF03 alloy hopup dampers which took care of the bouncing (Used the DT01 springs on these which are the right weight for the chassis). Cut the steering boss from the chassis and made up an alloy plate so it could be reposition to remove the bumpsteer (moved rearward and up a little) Used DT02 long turnbuckles for the steering links, this took care of the front end. It now has no bumpsteer and no strange camber angles through the travel of the front suspension.

On the rear I made a TA02 style swaybar mount and fitted a custom made swaybar (bicycle spoke cut and bent to shape) to the rolling rear diff. This helps keep both rear wheels planted on the ground. I then added lead weights to the rear of the main chassis just infront of the pivot blocks to add some rear weight so the rear suspension would work.

To help in the grip department I fitted Star Dish rims and Super Astute tyres.

MambaMax 4600Kv brushless with a Li-Po IP4000 round edge stick pack for power. Must have Robinson Racing 32dp steel pinion (Threw the alloy one where it belongs).

Now it handles and goes just fine

My 'Rabid' Rabbit is currently in pieces getting the usual 'hurt your eyes' yellow paintjob and some custom decals.

[TamiyaDan]

.

[tundragumski]

it's a 21st century grasshopper

in 25 years time people will be posting on forums saying "my first rc was a rising fighter" . . . . .

Yes, my son will be one of those people!

He has the Rising Fighter and I drive the DF-03 (I'm sure that very soon it'll be the other way round!)

[B.M.T.]

I want one for old time's sake. How does that work?

[knotty]

i had its predecessor,the fighterbuggy rx and for a fun basher you coudnt knock it

[jkyamog]

I just noticed the Rising Figher upper front shock mount. Its a U clamp where you can mount traditional shocks. Can someone w/ a Rising Fighter please give us the part tree and number? I wish to use the front shock mount to modify my son's Hornet instead of getting the CRP FX10 front suspension.