DT-02 Hop ups Sand Rover

[wolfdogstinkus]

Do I have to change the differential to upgrade to the metal dog bones?

And is there anywhere I can buy the top links with the hardware/screws and ball joints needed to fit them?

[taliesin]

Yes and no: the outer diff gear/casing is the same, but the DG2 metal bevel gears on the inside are different. One is splined to accept the metal drive cups, the other is squared to accept the plastic drive cups. So you could buy the Sand Viper bevel gear set DG (#50602) and the Sand Viper drive cups/metal dogbones/outer wheel axles. (Part #9400262 'damper parts bag' gets you all the metal goodness other than the DG parts ).

Part # 53828 is a the DT-02 adjustable turnbuckle set that would convert the fixed top links to adjustable ones - all hardware included. I know it does the front ok, but can't remember if it does the rear top links as well. If memory is correct I think it does the whole buggy, but it has been a couple of years.

[wolfdogstinkus]

Thanks Taliesin, I remember now from VTRsp1?'s(I think it was his thread, apologies if I am wrong) narrowing thread. But it is handy to have all the part numbers here without having to search so thanks very much.

[wolfdogstinkus]

Part # 53828 is a the DT-02 adjustable turnbuckle set that would convert the fixed top links to adjustable ones - all hardware included. I know it does the front ok, but can't remember if it does the rear top links as well. If memory is correct I think it does the whole buggy, but it has been a couple of years.

Just had this reply from Antony, but this is a different part number to the one you gave,

Tamiya 53943 3x46mm Hard Turnbuckle Shaft (2 Pcs.) (DF03/DT02), NIP

Dear europro975,Does this item include the hardware needed to fit this to the car. screws and ball joints?

Hi,I'm afraid not. Tamiya just supply this as replacement shafts.Regards,Antony- europro975

[Thommo]

Tamiya 53943 3x46mm Hard Turnbuckle Shaft (2 Pcs.) (DF03/DT02), NIP

Dear europro975,Does this item include the hardware needed to fit this to the car. screws and ball joints?

You can get the 3 Racing DT02 turnbuckle set which has all six including the steering tie rods. In addition to this you need 12 black Tamiya 5mm ball adjusters (rod ends). If you can find the Tamiya DT02 turnbuckle set it does have the adjusters in the set.

The DT02 suspension is designed for screw pins so the holes are too big for threading in ball connectors and therefore you have to use 3mm threaded screws through each hole with a 5mm ball nut on the end of each.

The 3mm threaded screws that you need are as follows.

2 x 20mm long (front inner)

2 x 15mm long (front outer)

2 x 15mm long (rear inner)

2 x 12mm long (rear outer)

The 3 Racing turnbuckle set is available at Stella, the Tamiya flourine coated 5mm ball nuts are in stock at RCmart.

FYI, if you get the Tamiya DT02 ball diff this has the splined side gears also.

[taliesin]

I just dug one of the #53828 sets out of a box of spares in the basement - I thought I had another one somewhere, but this was good motivation to actually find it.

The set has all the hardware, ball studs/nuts, adjuster ends & rods and even a wrench. It does the front and back top links and steering rods too. Part #53828, "DT-02 Turnbuckle Suspension ARm & Tie-Rod Set" is what you want.

Here: http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=53828

[wolfdogstinkus]

Thanks Thommo, and thanks Taliesin, thats why I love this place.

[TA-Mark]

The Tamiya #53943 set is a hopup turnbuckle set (upper links only) for the Tamiya #53828 set. The DT02MS came with both the #53828 (basic DT02 adjustable upper link and tie-rod upgrade set) and also the #53943 (upgraded hardened turnbuckles). You need the #53828 set BEFORE you can fit the #53943 set.

The #53943 turnbuckles are heavier than those used in the #53828 set, but the #53943 ones are easier to adjust as the spanner doesn't fall off the turnbuckle as easily (and they look prettier with the touch of blue alloy in the centre).

The splined outdrive cups from the bevel gear diff centre are NOT interchangable with the splined ball diff outdrive cups. The splines are different lengths. Best idea is to just upgrade the stock diff to a #53863 DT02 ball diff. They get the power down to both wheels much more evenly.

[wolfdogstinkus]

Thanks TA-Mark, You really are a fountain of tamiya knowledge, have you ever considered writing a book on tamiya? serious question by the way, your answers are always very detailed and well worth reading. Thanks again.

[wolfdogstinkus]

I have only used my DT-02 a couple of times. I have been having to much fun with my brushless blitzer.

I do use it tarmac in the carpark with a 19T brushed motor, the tyres are starting to shread all the little nobbles off allready

I suppose I should keep these tyres for off-road only and find some decent on-road ones.

What are the new street rover tyres like? or is there any other tyres that are a direct fit that are hard wearing?

[bromvw]

I have only used my DT-02 a couple of times. I have been having to much fun with my brushless blitzer.

I do use it tarmac in the carpark with a 19T brushed motor, the tyres are starting to shread all the little nobbles off allready

I suppose I should keep these tyres for off-road only and find some decent on-road ones.

What are the new street rover tyres like? or is there any other tyres that are a direct fit that are hard wearing?

Proline Dirt Dawgs mate for tarmac . Still not worn out on a 9t brushless .

[wolfdogstinkus]

Proline Dirt Dawgs mate for tarmac . Still not worn out on a 9t brushless .

Are they 2.2's?, Thats quite a big jump up from whats on it now. I have the proline Dirt works on my blitzer and they are superb.

[bromvw]

Are they 2.2's?, Thats quite a big jump up from whats on it now. I have the proline Dirt works on my blitzer and they are superb.

2.2 'sif its 1.9 your after try rc4wd dirt grabbers - they wear well .

[wolfdogstinkus]

2.2 'sif its 1.9 your after try rc4wd dirt grabbers - they wear well .

Thanks bromvw, I will check them out, I have had the original blitzer rears on my DT-02 without any noticible ill effects so they might work?.

I might have to go through the showrooms and see what other people are fitting.

[TA-Mark]

The standard DT02 Sand Rover wheels are the Tamiya Star Dish 2.16" wheels (wide 4WD on rear, narrow 2WD on front - the medium Star Dish are front on 4WD buggys). Slightly smaller than 2.2's. 2.2" tyres will fit on them but be sure to glue them on well.

Increasing the overall diameter of the wheel/tyre (like fitting Blitzer offroad wheels) is not ideal with the limited DT02 gearing. It's a bit like comparing the Bear Hawk and the Blitzer wheel size and gearing differences. Same chassis, smaller pinions in the Blitzer gearbox to compensate for the larger wheels. There's no option to swap to 13T/15T pinion in the DT02 like you can with the Blitzer/Bear Hawk chassis.

The Street Rover wheels work fine with the DT02 available ratios and do wear pretty good onroad.

Another direct fit option is the Carson All Terrain 2WD wheel sets. These wear pretty good onroad too.

[wolfdogstinkus]

Good answer TA-Mark, I had forgotten about the Carson set.