DF-03 MS Just got one

[twisted]

i got the pack to fit. i just had to do some slight dremiling for the wheels. i also bought a lower aluminum front gear box and some proline rubber for the track. i have a duratrax DE10 ESC with programer as well. im debating on what motor to put in at the moment, oh and i have a nice associated XP servo to go in for steering duties.

this will be all in the article series iam doing but im not sure if its ok to talk about it here or put links up?

this is how the car sits now:

[kontemax]

Dark Impact is a really nice car.

It has some limitations but it's fast enough on the track for my tastes.

I never had problem with it, just replaced the main gear shaft with 5Star one and just broke the rear gearbox one time due a massive and multiple crash (but who never broke a part in a crash?).

I will suggest you carbon shock towers and center one way.

I reversed the rear shock tower to have the rear dampers behind the axles. Somebosy said that was better.

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=62405&id=24

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=62406&id=24

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=116262&sid=24

Max

[twisted]

MAx, this is the MS kit. it comes with the one way. The top gear shaft is no longer available so ill just grease it up.we have some towers coming for it.

[Boothy]

So how come when tamiya are still selling this buggy are half the parts no longer available?

[kontemax]

The part we are speaking about is not original Tamiya.

Max

[CoolJetta3]

I use a TrakPower Lipo and it fits, just. I did have to Dremel a notch so the lead could plug in to the battery, also I needed to solder one lead to a 90 degree angle to clear the prop shaft.

The only upgrades on mine are 3Racing graphite shock towers front and rear, front graphite brace, rear aluminum brace for the gear box and one for the suspension.

I tried the 3Racing steering knuckles but they bent literally on the first tumble, 30 seconds into use.

Novak Havoc 3s/Ballistic 8.5T stuffed in there

Picked up this Tamiya smoke parts tree, gives you the spur cover, body posts, front skid and wing mounts

[twisted]

nice! thanks for posting the pics. where did you get the front carbon hinge pin prace? the towers i have coming are not my 1st choice but we will test and see how they hold up. they are aluminum ones.

[CoolJetta3]

I think I got it from rcMart but its listed as out of stock there.

Here it is on integy.com

https://www.integy.com/st_prod.html?p_prodid=11850&p_catid=331

[twisted]

thanks, ill have to get one of them. i installed the ESC, man not alot of room.

[CoolJetta3]

yes its a tight fit in there for electronics!

I forgot another hop up I added was Acer ceramic diff balls

[twisted]

did you have to dremel a little to get the motor to fit?

[CoolJetta3]

No, the Novak motor just fits. Had to rotate it around a few times to figure where the wiring would best work, that's about it.

[twisted]

i had to dremel a little to get the solder tabs to fit.its in the same position yours is in. do you have any idea on gearing for an 8.5?

[CoolJetta3]

As far as the pinion I used a 26T with the black spur gear (can't recall what tooth count that was) and I can say the motor nor the ESC has run too hot

[twisted]

thats what i have in it now. i read some where yout can use b4 spurs. ill prolly try that.

[twisted]

well i took the DF-03 to the track with me while i went racing last night. i didnt race it but i did take it out for some practice laps. the car has potential. it bottemed out pretty bad with 45 and 40wt in the shocks so i need to go up in wt. i dont know if i like the oneway or not. i also managed to pop out a dog bone and i blame that on flex in the shock tower where the camber link attaches. some hop ups are needed.

well heres a blurry cell phone pic of it after practice.

[twisted]

Hey guys,we at RCSOUP are doing a series of articles on the DF-03 ms like i mentioned earlier in this thread..

http://www.rcsoup.com/2014/01/tamiya-df03-ms-can-it-compete-part-1-the-build/

If linking to another site is not allowed I will remove this.(note Tamiya has shared this article also)

Thanks, Geo

[CoolJetta3]

Nice write up. Makes me want to build another one!

[twisted]

Nice write up. Makes me want to build another one!

thank you

[super gripper]

The DF03 is an 'ok' car.

I still would not be without one though. Mine is completely hop'd up with race parts.

One tip though, never ever use anti wear grease on the UJ's. It just attracts the dirts and turns in to a very effective grinding paste.

always run your UJ's dry.

[twisted]

The DF03 is an 'ok' car.

I still would not be without one though. Mine is completely hop'd up with race parts.

One tip though, never ever use anti wear grease on the UJ's. It just attracts the dirts and turns in to a very effective grinding paste.

always run your UJ's dry.

good tip

[BigSteve]

Looking for a new runner. I can't make my mind up between the df03 ms, neo scorcher or a re re egress. Help me make the decision lol.

Steve.

[kiasukid]

Looking for a new runner. I can't make my mind up between the df03 ms, neo scorcher or a re re egress. Help me make the decision lol.

Steve.

Those are very different choices! For a runner, I think most people would actually suggest the DB01, which is cheaper and more robust than both the DF03 MS and Egress, and you will probably spend the price of the Neo Scorcher on upgrades alone. The MS's decals do look great however.

[Percymon]

Looking for a new runner. I can't make my mind up between the df03 ms, neo scorcher or a re re egress. Help me make the decision lol.

Steve.

My opinion..

Neo Scorcher - capable runner for the price and hop ups will slowly be released so you can keep it fresh if you want

DF03MS - more complex and interesting build. Better spec and some quality parts (TRF dampers etc) . Makes a great runner and capable if you want a little club racing

Egress - iconic. Great build experience. Best visuals of any tamiya ever. Capable runner but it's a vintage design so not going to be competitive cf modern racers

Currently I would look to buy the NS from fusion with forum dicsount - add the paint and its free shipping too ! At current Banzai prices I'd risk the import duty on the DF03MS over the Neo Scorcher - you get so much more for your money, better quality items and a more involved build (not what everyone wants though). You'll need to add electrics so need to factor that into the overall cost of the DF-03,

The Egress is higher priced than both Neo and the DF03 combined - and needs electics too - realistically you'd be looking at £400 for an Egress by the time you add paint, decent servo and a Tamiya brushed or Speed Passion brushless motor/ESC combo

[twisted]

I really can not give to much opinion on this matter as this is the only tamiya i have plans to race. The build was fun and the few practice laps i did on the track the cat showed alot of potential. I will be racing the car tomorrow night so look for a small recape later on.