DF-02 hop-ups

[Percymon]

This afternoon my son managed to bend/snap the front shock mount tower, so i'm about to fire an order off for the GPM alloy version, with similar for the rear to balance the visual look of the car.

Now i realise there's no point going all out with alloy bits because they'd cost as much as the Tamiya basic kit, if not more, but what else is a worthwhile upgrade ??

I'm figuring that by swapping out plastic parts for alloy all that happens is that any excess load is just transmitted to the next weakest component, so is there really much else worth buying (lower/upper wishbone arms, steering kit, C hubs, hubs etc etc) ?

[taliesin]

Frankly I'd stick with the plastic shock towers. They are pretty hard to break but dirt cheap to replace if you do. The aluminum will bend eventually and as you said the shock gets xfr'd to a different part that is harder to replace and generally more expensive.

I've broken only one front shock tower on my DF-02 despite landing on the hood who knows how many times. Easy fix.

Other than a steel pinion, and maybe a faster motor there isn't much left to upgrade on this buggy. The DF-03 shocks aren't a bad investment though - it helps with the bottoming out problem. I went the cheap route and used Land Cruiser wheels/tires and that fixed the bottoming out and added a bit of top-end speed since they are taller. Looks like a modern Blazing Star now. Gravel Star? Blazing Hound?

[TA-Mark]

Other than a steel pinion, and maybe a faster motor there isn't much left to upgrade on this buggy.

The DF02 is one buggy that already has a 19 tooth steel pinion in the kit!

I must agree with the towers though. The plastic ones are flexible and alot more forgiving in a roll over than any other type.

Must have upgrades to the basic DF02 is the 8x 1150 (5x11) bearings in the wheels knuckles (the rest of the buggy is supplied with beaings in the kit).

If you fit longer dampers to get some more ground clearence you also need to fit turnbuckle upper links to keep the camber in check. The Tamiya DF02 assembly universal shaft set (#53791) and the Tamiya Cup Joint set (#53790) get rid of the plastic driveshaft pieces. Replace the plastic link between the servo horn and steering drag link with ball cups and a treaded rod (the plastic link bends too easily). Alloy steering draglink and bellcranks are a worthwhile upgrade (GPM #DF2048B).

[taliesin]

The DF02 is one buggy that already has a 19 tooth steel pinion in the kit!

I'm so used to binning the crummy stock ones that I forgot this one came with it, but of course you're absolutely right!!!

Ironically, since posting this about the DF-02 shock towers today, I managed to break two front shock towers on this buggy's predecessor the DF-01 in less than 30 minutes.

Just a freak day I guess. Let the parts hunt begin....

[qatmix]

I'm so used to binning the crummy stock ones that I forgot this one came with it, but of course you're absolutely right!!!

Ironically, since posting this about the DF-02 shock towers today, I managed to break two front shock towers on this buggy's predecessor the DF-01 in less than 30 minutes.

Just a freak day I guess. Let the parts hunt begin....

I am not a fan of aluminium towers on any car... Apart from the front of a df02. The gpm one is small so really adverse from bending (my lad has tried trust me).

Front universals, steering link and rear toe in hop up hubs make the car handle much better.. Ahem I have a full set of these for sale on the main tamiyaclub page. (they were bought for a spare df02 which was sold)

[Percymon]

Well a new a parts tree is 50% more than the alloy front tower so haveopted for the alloy route.

Thanks guys

[Percymon]

Well parts are fitted, and despite having to go for silver as blue wasn't in stock they look fine, and more importantly the car is up n running again..

[kalsh]

I picked up one of these second hand and in tha box was about 5 parts trees that use to have the front shock mount on it. There were two broken front mounts in the box so it appears to be a weak point on this chassis. It was interesting that it wasn't the shock mounting point which was broken but the arm link mounting point. I also opted for a GPM part to see what happens - I am awaiting delivery.

[beefmuffin]

like the color scheme better than the orange one!

[Percymon]

like the color scheme better than the orange one!

I think so too - the can of cherry red that i bought with the kit finally found a use on the lower half of a Frog, 2 years after the Rising Storm was bought !

[MadInventor]

I think so too - the can of cherry red that i bought with the kit finally found a use on the lower half of a Frog, 2 years after the Rising Storm was bought !

I'm still using pots of brush on tamiya Polycarb paint I bought back in the late eighties / early nineties . Clearly no best before date on tamiya PC paint, and it shows that the bottles are properly airtight !