Universal axle replacements for Manta Ray

[DanielSchenstrom]

I'm going to upgrade to a faster motor later in the year and looking in my manual it says to get hotshot universal shafts. Well, that isn't available anymore so I wonder if anyone knows which other universal shafts will work, like the 4wd ta02 Universal shaft set (53172) or the Skyline GT-R universal shafts (53115).

Any help is much appreciated.

[miramar]

Daniel,

I suppose you mean Thundershot and not Hotshot universal shafts? Tamiya never made universal shafts for the Hotshot and (53028) Thundershot universal shafts is the hop-up option for the Manta Ray (I suppose that's the car in question?).

53028 Thundershot universal shafts were still available from Tamiya in 2000 (when I got them for my Baja Champ), and I would be surprised if they no longer are, as they fit all DF-01 cars (Manta Ray, Top Force, Top Force Evo, Dirt Thrasher, Terra Conqueror and Blazing Star), TL01B (Baja Champ, Baja King) and Blitzer Beetle, Stadium Thunder, Stadium Blitzer and Bearhawk, some of which are still available.

Tamiya doesn't have any other universal shafts that will fit. (53172 TA02, 53115 TA01 are way too short.)

[DanielSchenstrom]

Yes, Thundershot, sorry. Got the names confused.

They don't seem to be made anymore, they're not in last year's catalog. And the places I know only have a very limited supply. Guess I'll have to grab them before someone else does.

And if I can't, how necessary are they, how much to they affect efficiency/handling?

[Jimbo]

I ve tried getting these drive shafts direct from Tamiya in Japan and they don't even have any[]

[aaronmihe(2)]

What about an aftermarket shaft? I mean they're availabe in heaps of sizes - if only I knoew what measurements were what

ie TL-01 is sedan 38mm... I've seen them up to 75mm in aftermarket brands... Anyone know or got one to measure?

[fasterthebetter]

I know the Blazing Star's dogbones are 42mm, rear and front

Just my 14 cents worth