Desert Fielder TA-02T

[glancyguy]

Team,

Looking to get another kit. Many of you were helpful with the selection of the Mad Bull. We have had a great time with it and it is indestructible with the stock 540. I am itching for a 4x4 again and the boys want a truck. I was looking at this model. I wanted to get input from everyone. We will be running it with stock motor and get some ball bearings.

Questions:

1. Does Tamiya always have a TA-02T kit available? Lots of parts available? If this model is discontinued, will they spin up a new one with a new shell?

2. Can it take the same punishment as a DT-02 or DF-02, especially with a stock silver can?

3. Any weird design issues that make aftermarket parts (like wheels and tires) difficult to find?

4. Any other hassles to be aware of? Screws falling out? Weird battery trays? etc?

Thanks!

[mongoose1983]

The TA-02 is such an excellent on and off-road chassis. An excellent choice in stock fashion. I had a F-150 and it simply was the most precise RC car I've ever used. A very resistant and hassle-free piece of RC, highly recommended.

Here's some of the off-roaders on that chassis:

| X | X | X |

And a perennial favorite, the Hummer:

Another excellent 4x4 chassis is the XC-01. The most scale RC vehicles available in the market today.

Good luck with the choice you make, and don't forget to share with us some pictures of your new 4x4 when you get it

[GregM]

There's a review of the Ford F-150 Baja TA-02T on Blaclholesun's site with insights of the build and driving:

http://www.blackholesun.fr/RC_F150_US.php

@mongoose: please try to upload the embedded pics on a different host, thanks in advance.

[speedy_w_beans]

For a 4WD truck that the kids will enjoy and give you minimal to zero maintenance/parts headaches, consider a Dual Hunter. It shares parts with four other trucks currently on sale. The general consensus is these models (Blackfoot Extreme, Blackfoot III, Mud Blaster II, Bush Devil II -- note these are 2WD) are very durable and perfect for bashing around, which I imagine is what the kids are thinking. As a fellow dad I have many of the same concerns you do.

I'd avoid the TA-02T for kids, as it has a rear ball diff (regular maintenance required) and wiry prop shaft. When the suspension is compressed the tires rub on the body.

I'd avoid the CC-01 for kids, just because these have all sorts of nice scale details (side mirrors, chrome parts, hard shells) that are destroyed under hard running.

The CR-01 is a crawler chassis and not really meant for high speed driving / bashing around.

The XV-01T intrigues me as it is very new design and part of an overall family of chassis (rally car, touring car, truck) and has gear diffs instead of ball diffs. The price is higher, but the kit is also a cut above entry level with belt drive, oil-filled gear diffs, oil dampers, turnbuckles, improved steering rack, etc. I'm not sure how well the XV01 family is selling; only a few people have posted about them on here.

For some low-maintenance, guilt-free, low-cost bashing around, I'd look at the Dual Hunter or one of the other 2WD versions of the same chassis... Upgrade the pinion(s) to steel and upgrade the bushings to bearings to start. After driving it, consider upgrading the dampers to oil. After that, consider adding a servo to the rear axle and making it 4WS in addition to 4WD. Consider locking one or both diffs for some mud and sand driving. You and your kids will have fun driving it and tinkering with it over time.

[ChrisRx718]

I'd go for a CC01, personally. But that's probably just because I have a strange affection for them!

If it's a truck you want, go for something common like a Blackfoot. I've personally never owned a TA02, but they are getting on a bit now. I've got lots of TA03 road chassis and finding parts for these is starting to prove difficult already.

Stick with something newer to avoid disappointment/frustration. The Blackfoot is simple but fun, and the bodyshell looks great. I wouldn't recommend a twin-motor option in the form of Twin Detonator / Double Blaze / Dual Hunter, as these drain batteries rather quickly and whilst they have plenty of traction are ultimately not very fun to drive - unless you want a lesson in understeer, which they're very good at. There's also less scope for upgrades and you're limited by the ESC which is a costly part to upgrade should you wish to.

[bromvw]

The Blackfoot family are well worth consideration . So is the CC-01 but use a lexan CR-01 body or similar for a kids runner to avoid damage to the detailed hard body that you could sell on to re cope some funds . Twin Detonator / Wild Dagger ect is where I do disagree . These are great trucks . Virtually indestructible , easy to get parts for and hop up . As for battery drain - easy. Just fit a suitable lipo and low voltage cut off device . No need to go insane over pricey ESC either . Any one with say a 20T limit will do the job . Keep in mind that its powering two motors so even two 20T is only effectively a 40T .

[Scouser]

I have a TA-02 for just bashing about and I love it. Got the Desert Fielder from Fusion with an aluminum motor mount and a set of bearings and it runs great for what I want.

I did move the ball diff to the front and lock the gear diff for a bit of scale crawling and the only issues so far are with the large screws that fix the front knuckles to the c-hubs. They cannot be fully tightened down and as a result can work themselves loose and drop out. Although this has only happened once I am finding myself regularly checking on them during a run so I think an aluminum upgrade might be in order (£10.99).

Other thing to consider is the battery tray which has rounded edges so square profile lipo's won't fit. No big deal, I just got a load of round edge NiMh's which fit like a glove and are cheap to boot!

Wheels use a 12mm hex so upgrade wheels and tyres are everywhere. To keep the scale look it seems better to keep the diameter below 4" but there are loads of wheel/tyre combos that look great.

I am looking for a better body as the Fielder shell is just a touch too narrow for the chassis but again, loads of shell options out there.

All in all I am very happy with the choice I made. The car can be a truck, rally car, drifter, touring car all with the change of the body and wheels. Winner in my book.

[mr crispy]

CC01 is a good chassis, can be fast or slow depending on your motor choice. Remove the prop and its 2wd FWD if you like that thing. Comes with locker for the rear diff. Battery compartment will take large square 2s lipos if you do 5 mins of easy plastic filing. Go for the lexan Landcruiser or the new Land Freeder kit (£130) and it'll be tough robust and light but still have good scale looks. Loads of parts and upgrades available as its been around a long time and doesn't look like its going to be dropped anytime soon. Chassis can be made to fit pretty much any bodyshell quite easily.

By comparison I thought the TA02 was ok but showing its age now.

[glancyguy]

As always, great reviews here. I did not know the TA-02T had a ball diff. I was hoping for something more simple. May do more research on Blackfoot and Dual Hunter. Really wanted 4x4 as we don't have decent places to bash and all our 2wd cars sometimes get stuck in high grass. Our Rising Storm can drive through everything, but its ground clearance is too low.

I had a LunchBox, but sold it after the wheelie thrill wore off in favor of something with a little more stability. Have not owned any kind of truck since. Mad Bull the closest and I love the trade off of simplicity of design vs handling vs durability.

[mr crispy]

If you get the 2wd versions of the Dual Hunter/Wild Dagger chassis such as Blackfoot 3 you can easily make it 4x4 by adding a 2nd gearbox, dog bones and drive cups. With all new parts it'd cost £30 and is a simple swap over of parts.

[bromvw]

If you get the 2wd versions of the Dual Hunter/Wild Dagger chassis such as Blackfoot 3 you can easily make it 4x4 by adding a 2nd gearbox, dog bones and drive cups. With all new parts it'd cost £30 and is a simple swap over of parts.

Agreed and if you want to go all in by making it 4x4x4 even that is a fairly cheap job . The sky really is the limit when it comes to this chassis . My own personal Wild Dagger is running 6 inch tall monster wheels/tyres , 4x4x4 , twin 35T motors ,100mm dampers and a Blackfoot body . Just one example of how adaptable it is .

[SteveU30]

No need to go insane over pricey ESC either . Any one with say a 20T limit will do the job . Keep in mind that its powering two motors so even two 20T is only effectively a 40T .

Other way round dude, 2x 20T motors are effectively 1x 10T so you need a decent ESC if you go that low.

[bromvw]

Other way round dude, 2x 20T motors are effectively 1x 10T so you need a decent ESC if you go that low.

it was late , I was on my 4th beer , I got that a bit wrong lol . Your correct . However most decent brushed ESC seem ok to use . Avoid the no brand China e-bay junk and its all good .

[Grumpy pants]

We run an old Blackfoot Xtreme with uprated motor.

It goes really well and gets a lot of use/abuse, as parent I can recommend this model for durability, fun and it is cheap to fix.

I did consider a twin motor set up, but I decided it was less maintaince as it is. And the longer running times suit us better.

We use it on the beach, golf course, etc, etc.

[ChrisRx718]

My 'basher' is a Blackfoot Extreme with a lexan HPI body, takes lots of abuse. I found it a little tame in stock form so I have locked the rear diff which has made it a bit more entertaining, it will wheelie if it has enough grip!

[SteveU30]

I have Twin Detonator which is great fun but for kids I'd probably go with what others are saying and get a Blackfoot Xtreme or Blackfoot III due to the RWD being less hassle than the 4WD with not much less grip. You get better run times and pace with the RWD too. Plus if you do decide you want it to be 4WD it's a simple case of buying an axle off eBay (usually about £20).

You should also consider the Overlander and/or Mighty Bull which run on the same chassis again, are 2WD but more importantly have polycarbonate shells making them ideal for bashing and help reduce weight/lower centre of gravity (the Blackfoot bodies make these a bit top heavy).

[dyahipfakta]

With silver cans and a 4000mah battery I get way over 20 minutes flat out running with a wild dagger. The battery issue isn't what it used to be with old nicds and 1400 mah. Get a wild dagger. I haven't done the 4ws thing on mine it rolls too easily for my liking as I have skinner tyres and a narrower track.

[mr crispy]

Oh yeah, 4 wheel steering is mental even with just a 2wd Blackfoot 3! You'd want a TX that can adjust the steering rate on the go.