Diff Options in a DF01

[Butler]

I am converting a TA01 to a DF01 for Racing Lancer Dakar shell.

I have a selection of Diffs I could put in it. It will be running EZRUN 4300 with 16 pinion.

I was thinking

Gear Diff Front - Ball Rear (Standard TA01)

or

Ball Front - Locked Rear

I want to get plenty of grip, but without inducing loads of under steer.

Any thoughts?

[digitrc]

I am converting a TA01 to a DF01 for Racing Lancer Dakar shell.

I have a selection of Diffs I could put in it. It will be running EZRUN 4300 with 16 pinion.

I was thinking

Gear Diff Front - Ball Rear (Standard TA01)

or

Ball Front - Locked Rear

I want to get plenty of grip, but without inducing loads of under steer.

Any thoughts?

Generally you want a looser diff setting in the rear, and I wouldn't run a locked diff on a car that might go off-road.

Ball diff front and gear diff rear would be my choice.

[TA-Mark]

I'd use gear diffs front and rear and pack them with thick Tamiya AW grease.

The splines on the ball diff outdrives are very short and they shear off easily with brushless power. The only way I've been able to stop them shearing the spline off when running a ball diff is to put the bearing on, then loctite the outdrive into the diff plate. Never had an issue with gear diffs shearing splines off.

I reckon you could use a larger pinion too. I use 17/18/19 with the 5700Kv motor.

[taliesin]

If I had the TA-02 version I'd swap to a gear diff in the back and lock it, and use the standard ball diff in the front.

On a straight DF-01 [which usually comes with 2x gear diffs anyway] I'd lock the rear gear diff but leave the front gear diff open.

On the CC-01 I really, really prefer the front gear diff locked, but with the DF-01 I just don't like the way it handles if the front diff is locked. I think maybe it's the independent front suspension on the DF-01 that just makes it seem hokey to me if you lock the front?

[Butler]

Thanks guys.

I think I have a spare gear diff from a M03, so I might, use 2 gear diffs and see how it runs. Then try the ball diff in the back later if I keep getting it stuck. I didn't want to lock the front diff because I thought it might effect the steering.

The reason I was thinking 16T pinion is because I am running the larger tyres from the Racing Lancer also. I might just order a selection of steel ones and experiment. I need to order a TA02 plastic gear set also.

[taliesin]

I run 16t pinions in both my DF-01s and I really like it. One has a stock silver can motor and the other has a 55t crawler motor that I really prefer. It seems a much more realistic scale speed and will run for ages on a 3300 mah pack. Both have open front gear diffs and locked rear gear diffs. I tried various combos and that was my favorite.

PS: the DF-01 turns like a pig if you lock the front diff, so unless you are serious about having all 4 wheels locked up I wouldn't do it. Didn't work out well for me and I had to undo it.

I run my DF-01 in mixed terrain like dirt alleys, grass, pavement, and a bit of forest or trail. Seems to work well enough for what I ask of it without having it all locked up.

The CC-01 steers like a pig anyway and I think it hugely benefits from having the front locked up, but I drive it differently too, so where/when/how plays a big role in your choice.

Hope that helps.

[Butler]

That helps. Thanks

[TA-Mark]

Are you building a scaler (crawler) or a racer from the TA01/DF01?

When I seen 4300Kv I immediately thought fast (because it will be), and the DF01 with CC01 wheels and a ~4500Kv brushless runs best with a 19 tooth pinion (Blazing Star). The 17 tooth is too much wheelspin and on it's top speed very quickly. I use the 16 tooth pinion when I have the larger 2.2" HPI MT2 wheels fitted.

If you are going for the scaler type DF01 and driving it like a CC01, why not look at the 1900Kv 60A EZ-Run (17.5T/SL-3650)? This combined with the 16 tooth pinion will give scale speeds.

[Butler]

Racer, not crawler. Its too use on a real mix of surface though...cricket pitch, gravel, some longer grass, tarmac. I'll get some large pinions in that case. Thanks for that Mark.

I can see why they still make the TA01 chassis in some form. I haven't had one since I was kid, and didn't appreciate how good it is. I love the weight distribution. I love the way you can access the gearboxes with them in place. its really strong too.