School Me On The Fox!

[OldSchoolRunner]

I have always wanted one and I bought one today. What are the possitives and negatives of this buggy. Thanks OSR

[TA-Mark]

I've had my runner one for a while now (Avatar pic). Only upgrades I've needed after restoring back to good condition has been a steel pinion (14T 32dp), the swaybar kit (shoulda been a factory part), Thorpe dogbone kit, and a set of alloy wheels. The centres of the rear plastic wheels started to crack out after some use and hard cornering. Some 7075 alloy wheels stopped that from happening again.

I wouldn't want to jump it too high as the suspension parts are rare and expensive. The eyes of the arms like to crack out.

The original hex type rear driveshafts tend to wear, they are expensive to replace.

Original gold plated wheels are mega expensive. If you have a good set without any flaked plating then don't use them and get a set of re-release Wild One wheels to run with, and put the gold ones back on for when it's on the shelf.

Other than those few things I haven't had any other problems. I wouldn't say I drive my Fox really hard but I do get the dirt flying with it.

[OldSchoolRunner]

Sounds good Mark! When it comes I will post some pics and we can disect this thing a little more. By the way. How much is a Throp Drit Burner set Up for one of these things? Are there any fixes with the A arm problems? Are there any after market parts or parts that could be used instead of the stock ones?

OSR

[LOVE THE FOX]

Sounds good Mark! When it comes I will post some pics and we can disect this thing a little more. By the way. How much is a Throp Drit Burner set Up for one of these things? Are there any fixes with the A arm problems? Are there any after market parts or parts that could be used instead of the stock ones?

OSR

Old School the Thorp set up is really tough to find. I was actually looking for it a little while ago but was unable to locate one. I'm sure they will pop up from time to time though. I have been measuring what I have for Dog Bones and Axles to see if I an get something that will work but I only have a few cars to choose from. I know that the Super Shot DOES not work :-) I have wondered if the Falcon or Wild One would work concerning the Dog Bone aftermarket Dirt Burner Kit. BadWagon sent me some really cool stuff regarding the Dirt Burner kit. However I wasn't able to find one BUT he measured out all of the components. As a machinist I believe I can make some of the parts but the gearing..... that's a tough one

Parma made an adjustable front A arm but again tough to find. The stock A arms are always on Ebay though so that will fairly easy to get.

[OldSchoolRunner]

I would really like to run this thing but obviously with the A arms being fragile... Will have to not beat on it too hard I guess. I know that the A arms are not broken and are in good condition. Maybe I can re-enforce them with JB weld somehow?? Hmmmm?

OSR

[LOVE THE FOX]

School they will be fine for normal running. I think we mean that over time you may have a problem with them. For normal everyday running around you should be fine.

Just something to keep an eye on.

Run it like you stole it Old School!

[MAD RACER]

I have run my Fox"s for the past 10 yrs.

The chassis break up the front near the servo. The bumper mounts break and the rear arms are a problem due to the age.

I replaced the rear arms with these nylon arms .

So much better & run it even more with a bullet proof rear arms.

[matman]

I have run my Fox"s for the past 10 yrs.

The chassis break up the front near the servo. The bumper mounts break and the rear arms are a problem due to the age.

I replaced the rear arms with these nylon arms .

So much better & run it even more with a bullet proof rear arms.

Mate , i have a set of them as well & put them on . But ONE hole was too big

to put the screw into the bottom shock . Wished i had got some more .

Should see if he would get some more made .

I did get to use the arms , but had to put in a longer screw etc to fix it .

[Origineelreclamebord]

Mate , i have a set of them as well & put them on . But ONE hole was too big

to put the screw into the bottom shock . Wished i had got some more .

Should see if he would get some more made .

I did get to use the arms , but had to put in a longer screw etc to fix it .

If this happens again you might be able to solve it with a Helicoil (or the cheaper brand, V-coil) - they are thread inserts, in case your original thread has given up on life. All you need to do is drill up the hole slightly with the included drill, thread that hole with a tap that has the same thread pitch as the insert and screw you'll be using. After that, screw the insert in. When the insert is completely in, take out the thread installation tool and break of the small piece with which you grip on the insert (a small shaft is included for this) and you're done!

This is how one a set of this looks:

http://www.minisport...epair-5a8c2.jpg

It's a little off topic but I though I'd let you know As for (other) weak or unavailable components, some 3D printing methods will also work to make parts stronger than the originals (though if I'm to make a guess the Rogue Element Components are the way to go, if the Fox was completely in Nylon you'd probably be able to jump it into trees without breakage ).

[BadWagon]

I beat the **** out of my fox runner. I break parts. The Parma adjustable front arm set up is one of the best mods I've put on my fox. I only have ever seen one for sale,I bought it and love it. I did break one of the ends, but they were flimsy to begin with. I replaced them with revo ends, and all is good to go.

I searched for a long time and finally pieced together a thorpe dog one set up, but I need to shorten my rear shocks as they are too long, and the dog bones fall out.

On the rear arm issue, I'm going to JB Weld a set, and see how that works. Should be a simple, easy, durable fix.

Don't waste your money on the $6 Parma/CRP stabilizer. It's ****, does nothing except to make your fox steering even worse. The front sway set up has worked well for many, others says don't need it. I personally like the car with a bit of camber on all corners. Very stable, no snap oversteer (from the rear letting go). But as I stated earlier, I need to shorten my rear shocks, so I going top install the Parma rear sway bar kit and see if that helps, since I'm loosing my rear camber.

Other items.... Don't put a Parma bumper on it. Keep the stock bumper. It's flexible and absorbs energy on impact, where the stiffer Parma bumper will transfer the energy to the chassis, and will damage the chassis.

The rear drive hubs are very fragile. If you don't line them up to the wheels, and then tighten the wheel nuts, you'll break the hubs. I recommend the aluminum hubs off of eBay. They are about the same price as the parts tree the hubs come on (if not cheaper) and that tree is hard to find.

I also put revo ends on the outer steering linkage.

Steel pinion has been covered, but you also need to make sure you have all of the brass spacers in the gearbox, or it'll bind, resulting in stripped gears.

Take your time setting up your shocks and suspension. It'll be worth it. If you dial in your Fox, you'll be amazed at how well it handles. If not, you'll be very disappointed, thinking the car sucks.

Oh, last note. The stock motor is horrible. Get a decent motor, and you'll see that the Fox is one zippy little buggy, stick with the stock motor, and a Hornet could eat your lunch.

How's that? Good enough to get you started?

[OldSchoolRunner]

Thanks so far for the info guys. As soon as I see it I will post pics. Does anyone have pics of the Parama adjustable arms and pics of the Thorp set -Up that goes into goes into the Fox?

OSR

[BadWagon]

Thanks so far for the info guys. As soon as I see it I will post pics. Does anyone have pics of the Parama adjustable arms and pics of the Thorp set -Up that goes into goes into the Fox?

OSR

OSR- I've got a ton of pics on my personal site.

Here's a few links for ya. Ill take more pics of the Parma front arms soon.

http://johnburleson.com/1985-rewind-tamiya-fox-restoration/

http://johnburleson.com/fox-thorpe-axles/

If you want/need any other pics or measurements, just lemme know.

[OldSchoolRunner]

Nice pieces Bandwagon! I am almost sure that those Parma arms could be made again. They look so simple. It is almost one of those things that someone could repop out of aluminum... Hmm....

OSR

[BadWagon]

Nice pieces Bandwagon! I am almost sure that those Parma arms could be made again. They look so simple. It is almost one of those things that someone could repop out of aluminum... Hmm....

OSR

If you get them made I want a set (maybe two). I'm seriously considering getting some made, but want to try the jb weld first. Plus aluminum wheels are higher up on my list of needs.

[MAD RACER]

Yeah Matt.

Mine were tight but no really issues. I had to were them in a little as they were biding .

Interesting points BadWagon. I dislike any sway bar. It does stiffen the front end in side to side slop but does take away steering like what a front roll bar is intended to do. A rear bar will give more on power steering .

I love my Fox and has a few FMI mods on it ( Fox Man Industries at Boondal) I just wish Tamiya would Re re it. Pic of a non box art FOX.. lol

[BadWagon]

Yeah Matt.

Mine were tight but no really issues. I had to were them in a little as they were biding .

Interesting points BadWagon. I dislike any sway bar. It does stiffen the front end in side to side slop but does take away steering like what a front roll bar is intended to do. A rear bar will give more on power steering .

I love my Fox and has a few FMI mods on it ( Fox Man Industries at Boondal) I just wish Tamiya would Re re it. Pic of a non box art FOX.. lol

The adjustable front arms are spot on. You're the reason I held off on the front sway. I think you'd dig the adjustable front arm set up. I'm bummed on my rear camber issue, but it's nothing a little test n tune won't sort out.

Love that red fox runner. Looks great!! What are those red wheels? Looks good and I like the tires too.

I do have a Parma front sway kit (not the crappy black bar) which I've never seen before. Doubt I'll use it, but I'll take pics of it to share.

Can ya give me some info on how you have your shocks set up? Oil weight, preload, piston choice?

[MAD RACER]

No worries BadWagon .

Will send you a PM when i finish my shift in 2 more days & get back home. Will have to quickly check it over to give you all the info.

If I havent I just forgot and remind me.

Yes would like the camber kit to try but they aren't cheap i think.

[OldSchoolRunner]

If you get them made I want a set (maybe two). I'm seriously considering getting some made, but want to try the jb weld first. Plus aluminum wheels are higher up on my list of needs.

To get them made I would need a set! So since you have a set when you get them made always have me in the back of your mind!

OSR

[TA-Mark]

Interesting points BadWagon. I dislike any sway bar. It does stiffen the front end in side to side slop but does take away steering like what a front roll bar is intended to do. A rear bar will give more on power steering .

Adding a swaybar did not take away that much steering, no more than modifying and using two front dampers. It still oversteers all over the place. What it did stop was the front suspension tipping over into a corner and allowing the inside rear wheel to lift off the ground, then it stops mid corner and then the guy behind you runs up the rear of your buggy. With the front swaybar, fitted both rear wheels stay planted on the ground and you don't loose drive through a corner.

Quick Fox cornering video with swaybar fitted. Without the swaybar the Fox would stop twice in these corners.

[BadWagon]

I can't see the movie on my phone but I'll check it out tonight.

I'm gonna stay with my camber theory, and see if it holds water after I shorten the rears. Now I'm wishing I had the CRP rear shock tower so I could just move them up a few holes. Lol.

If the steering is better, we'll have to see about getting a few sets made.

[BadWagon]

To get them made I would need a set! So since you have a set when you get them made always have me in the back of your mind!

OSR

I thought you meant the rear arms lol. Yep guess its time to call in a few favors.