What to do with a DF-03 chassis?

[Percymon]

This morning the dreaded disease that is eBay saw me acquire a used (probably WELL used) DF-03. Its currently wearing an Avante MkII shell, that at the very least needs a repaint.

As with all my projects, I fully expect to have to buy some new parts, whether they be drivetrain or plastic sprues, so

1. rebuild as a buggy (I already have the orange DF-03 wheels and tyres in the spares box new) ?

2. rebuild as a rally car - the chassis parts required are ca $50 delivered (incl CVA shocks) ?

3. rebuild as a drift car - cost as 2 ?

Whilst option one is probably the lowest cost I have more buggies than anyone could possibly need

Option 2 would keep true to Tamiya, and give me a tourer/rally car for the stable

Option 3 might be good for a change, but the DF-03 chassis looks to be rear weight biased, and I'm not sure the drivetrain is the best example to be locking the rear diff .

So your thoughts, suggestions and a sense check please !

Thanks

[Theibault]

I would go with option 2. I have a DF03RA, and it's a great little runner. It doesn't see much action now that I have an XV01 as my dedicated rally, but I still take my DF03RA to work sometimes and run it during lunch. There are just so many cool bodies that work for it in rally trim. I'm thinking of making it the short wheelbase just to get the Datsun 240 body for it.

[Percymon]

Thanks - i hadn't realised about the different wheelbases but i can see now in the manual the use of E2 or E3 arms to adjust it

Do you know what the non buggy wheelbases are ? - i think the buggy is 272mm.

[Theibault]

I'm just going off memory so I could be wrong, but I believe they are 251 and 257. Don't quote me on that lol.

[bromvw]

David can I chuck this into the mix ? How about using one of Antony's excellent rally body's to create a very nice Rally car to add to your fleet ?

[GregM]

Percymon, you might find these articles interesting to help with your decision:

Ultimate Tamiya: DF-03Ra Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X review

Ultimate Tamiya: DF-03 Dark Impact review

[Percymon]

Percymon, you might find these articles interesting to help with your decision:

Ultimate Tamiya: DF-03Ra Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X review

Ultimate Tamiya: DF-03 Dark Impact review

Thanks for the links - bit strange running a rally car round a dirt track but at least it gives a comparison to the buggy. Maybe it was some poor driving but the rally version looked pretty uninspiring to my eyes.

David can I chuck this into the mix ? How about using one of Antony's excellent rally body's to create a very nice Rally car to add to your fleet ?

That'll be option 2 then

I'm still open to persuasion but I'm erring more towards running it as a buggy initially, and then converting it ata later date; that way i get to experience it in two forms and better value.

Should arrive Thursday so let's see what wreckage i've bought before i start spending more mooney

[SteveU30]

David can I chuck this into the mix ? How about  using one of Antony's excellent rally body's to create a  very nice   Rally car to add to your fleet ?

Modelsport do the same shells for a lot less, I think Anthony is asking a bit much TBH.

http://www.modelsport.co.uk/index.php?search=1&search_string=Rally+legends

[bromvw]

A fair point well made Sir - so Buy one from Modelsport David