DF-03 MS Just got one

[twisted]

Hey all, I just recently recievied a Tamiya DF-03 MS for an article iam writing. "Can it compete" The whole idea of the article is to see if this car can compete on a fun club level.

I have always been one for odd and out of date or not typically used rc cars/parts. I have come across a lot of info on this car but none of its up to date so alot of the hot parts to have are either not sold anymore or hard to find.

My biggest worry with this car is the fitment of lipos. I can get a "stick" style pack but the "C" rating on those arent very high.

So my questions to you guys are:

what parts do you recomend or are a must?

what type of lipos will fit?

any mods?

Thanks, Geo

[Percymon]

The weakness in this chassis is the aluminium gears, which wear at a phenomenal rate with anything beyond a mild motor. There were steel replacements available, rare at the time and nigh on impossible to find now - I think they were made by five star but a forum search should find the info; I dare say TA-Mark posted the info several times. Great looking buggy, good value since you get lots of blue hop ups and the TRF shocks.

[RS2RSR]

The mount for the rear tower is also a weak spot.

[Percymon]

Found the main shaft gear info..

"Only one DF03 hopup needed, if you can find it. Five Stars all steel mainshaft FS7038 for standard mainshaft, FS7039 for slipper mainshaft "

Pinion gears are 0.5mod , rather unusual size but at least Tamiya ones are steel.

[qatmix]

I never had any issue with the shaft when running a 5.5t brushless in mine. The big thing is to fit metal rear diff out drives. My lad still has one that he drives with a 9t brushless and its still going strong.

[super gripper]

I agree with max, I have raced my mega hoped up DF03 Avante. Just use lots of good quality grease on all the gears.

There are quite a few 'must have' hop ups if you want to race this car even at club level.

See my Avante Mk2 in my showroom.

All learned from actually 'racing' the car .......

[RS2RSR]

If you use a Team Durango spur with the slipper you can use 48p pinions.

[twisted]

thanks for all the replies. right now im rounding up electronics.

[twisted]

just bought a duratrax DE10 with program box and an Associated xp (good ones) servo. Lipo suggestestions?

[super gripper]

Not heard of the duratrax before.

As long as its 100amp plus it should be ok, I never use any esc lower than 100amps, waste of time.

This Turnigy lipo pack is ROAR approved.

http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__32707__Turnigy_nano_tech_5600mah_2S2P_50_100C_Hardcase_Lipo_Pack_ROAR_APPROVED_EU_warehouse_.html

[kontemax]

You only need two hop up on this car. The first is the 5 Stars steel shaft gear and the second are the steel rear diff cups.

Anyway excellent car, I like it too much.

Max

[Wooders28]

A slipper clutch should be first on the list.I couldnt find the 5 star hardened shaft,so made one.A hardened helicopter pinion pressed onto the slipper shaft.Had to grind down the pinion slightly though as they are a bit long.I am running a 3s lipo and the Orion rocket pack fits,but you have to trim some of the chassis for the leads.I guess if you are racing it will be 2s though.

[Wooders28]

If i remember right,(off the top of my head,so check sizes)

www.readyheli.com/HO-0600LH-18T-RevCo-Hard-One-06M-Hardened-Pinion-Gear-5mm-Shaft-Diameter-18T-p-33786.html

[kontemax]

Hi, can we see the picture of your modification please?

Max

If i remember right,(off the top of my head,so check sizes)

www.readyheli.com/HO-0600LH-18T-RevCo-Hard-One-06M-Hardened-Pinion-Gear-5mm-Shaft-Diameter-18T-p-33786.html

[Wooders28]

When i get a chance to strip it out i will.Although it looks exactly the same as the standard slipper shaft.

The ally gear is only pressed on anyway.

Once i had measured the distances I used a hydraulic press but you could use a vice with soft grips.

Used an angle grinder to cut the none geared end off the new pinion and cut it to size.

I drilled out some round bar to the measured depth,used that to press the hardened pinion on.

Used a diamond file to take off the burr on the teeth.

Job done!

[super gripper]

A slipper clutch comes in the MS kit. The 5 stars main shaft you will never find apart from a lucky find on ebay. They have been put of production for years !!

And you don't need it anyway, just use a lot of grease - I have never had any problems and I ran a Checkpoint 10 double !

The alloy front gearbox mount is one thing you will definately need.

Alloy front C hunbs and alloy rear hubs too, the plastic in the DF03 kits is not of the TRF kits quality.

The steering needs modifying to get more throw and the car has no rear anti squat.

The kit shock towers are pants and twist more than a twisty thing, get carbon fibre ones straight away.

Even though the car is an MS kit it still needs these basic mods.

Racing this chassis which I have I know it needs these mods, the car is a wibley wobbly plastic mess without these alloy and carbon parts.

The alloy battery tray is a very good hop up too, stiffens up the chassis nicely.

[twisted]

thanks for all the replies, it helps out greatly. ive read that the rear diff shreads the plastic part (mx4 in the manual) that the diff rings sit on. is this a problem i should look further into?

once again thank you for all the help. i will give a big shout out to ya in the article once written up.

[twisted]

Not heard of the duratrax before.

As long as its 100amp plus it should be ok, I never use any esc lower than 100amps, waste of time.

This Turnigy lipo pack is ROAR approved.

http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__32707__Turnigy_nano_tech_5600mah_2S2P_50_100C_Hardcase_Lipo_Pack_ROAR_APPROVED_EU_warehouse_.html

i have the 5.3 version of this pack and its to large.

[super gripper]

I have six of these lipo packs and they fit perfectly.

http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__20998__ZIPPY_Flightmax_4000mAh_2S1P_25C_Car_Lipoly_ROAR_APPROVED_.html

I have never had any problems with the rear gearbox, I always use tungsten carbide diff balls in a DF03. Seam to be better than ceramic for some reason.

My DF03 with its race hop ups. Is in my showroom.#

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=114956&id=16126

It now has a Turnigy 100amp esc and a Turnigy 8.5 motor.

[twisted]

how do they perform? the lipos..

[super gripper]

They perform very well considering they are only 4000mah.

I have used them for racing in my DB01R with a Losi xcelorin 6.5 combo for four seasons and never had any issues with them. No swelling but then I balance charged them every single time.

[twisted]

i ended up getting the peak shotgun style packs for it. they are 4200 at 45c.

[super gripper]

Never heard of them before

as long as they are hard case and do not have wires coming out of the pack they will fit.

[twisted]

its a hard case, ill let ya know.

[twisted]

this is the pack i bought. the wires exit the front and iam going to have to dremmel some where for the wires to exit. the driveshaft and servo arm are going to give me some problems as they are right above where i wanted to relieve some of the plastic. all doing this while taking care not to weaken the chassis.

http://www.losipartshouse.com/catalog/PEK00571.jpg