What's Tamiya Rally Chassis are available now?

[Jason1145]

If I was looking for an off road rally Chassis with maximum ground clearance whilst running a Rally type body shell ( think Lancia Delta or Nissan 240z) what options are there out now?

So far I can think of the TT02 and Xv01 although that is hard to find these days ( 2 on EBay UK), I just sold a DF03ra so not looking for that chassis again.

Any help welcome, the cheaper the better, purely to mount some rally shells I have and for some gravel off road driving.

Heck, are there even some cheap other non Tamiya 1/10 cars with the 257mm wheelbase?

[Effigy3]

I strolled down the rally chassis lane about 6 months ago.  I landed on the two you've listed, a CC-01 and modifying a TC chassis to rally as the Tamiya options.  I'm sure X-Ray makes a rally chassis but I don't recall what it is.  Traxxas and Losi make some too I think.  If you're looking for lowest cost though I think your best bet is the TT-02.

[WillyChang]

TT02 is best if you're using standard length touring shells (257-259mm wheelbase).   (yeah they're strangely not easy to find, don't understand why. They've been around for 2-3yrs now!!)

CC01 is better for odd size shells as its 242mm, M 252mm & L 267mm, very flexible chassis layout. You can DIY a 257mm variant.

MF01X is short (210mm), middle (225mm), and long (239mm) wheelbases but you'll need to either widen with TL01 arms or use 10-13mm offset deepdish wheels. Inflexible chassis lengths. 

[njmlondon]

XV01 is the best rally chassis out there by Tamiya IMHO and they are re-releasing the long damper version right now. Fits the Lancia Delta like a glove.

TT02 is cheaper and still a decent chassis though so don't rule it out.

 

[Prescient]

The XV01 Lancia is the best by far.

I have a spare new one you can have for £150+UK shipping. I can't keep collecting everything in triplicate. 

 

[GregM]

I don't own a XV-01, but I think it is best suited thanks to the driveline and electric components being sealed against dirt.

I've got a TT-01E, which is very similar to the TT-02. It has proven great to collect all kinds of small pebbles and dirt into the open bathtub chassis, scratching against the central propshaft. Eww. Should better stay onroad.

If I want to go on a really cheap rally, I'd rather use an old TL-01 than the TT-01/TT-02. Electric components aren't sealed, but the below the steering links there's a hole for pebbles to fall through (instead of getting collected) and the central propshaft is at the sidewall of the chassis. Structural weak points are the shock towers and suspension mounts, though, since they are integrated into the chassis molding.

[Jason1145]

5 hours ago, njmlondon said:

XV01 is the best rally chassis out there by Tamiya IMHO and they are re-releasing the long damper version right now. Fits the Lancia Delta like a glove.

TT02 is cheaper and still a decent chassis though so don't rule it out.

 

Any idea NJM when the long damper version is coming, does this give more ride height aswell as longer damper stroke?

[njmlondon]

I saw it in the recent list of re-re's including the Avante so think it may be available.

Long Damper is a bit of a misnomer. I believe the shocks are longer but the shock towers are taller, therefore ending up with the same ride height. Ride height is restricted by the shape of the arms which have little teeth that stop them moving too far.

I think the only benefit is you get a longer damper stroke and can build in more droop.

TBH not 100% sure it makes a huge difference over the stock XV which is awesome. I only mentioned it because when first released it was very good value and if you already have suitable bodies, it is the most affordable way to get one.

Edit...

Just found this... Long Damper Spec in Germany apparently arriving in 4-6 weeks.

If you are in the UK, you can get the kit with the Lancia Integrale body for about the same amount as the chassis kit on its own and you can get it today from Jadlam Racing.

I would go for that if I were you.

[njmlondon]

5 hours ago, Prescient said:

The XV01 Lancia is the best by far.

I have a spare new one you can have for £150+UK shipping. I can't keep collecting everything in triplicate. 

 

In fact I would buy that if I were you!

[Prescient]

Jadlam don't have the lancia in stock. The XV01 Lancia is now out of stock at the UK distributor as far as I am aware. 

[Jason1145]

If I had the time for a build I would buys Prescients XV01 but I'm after a ready built model I can just sit a Rally shell on, someone else should jump on that great offer though.

Thanks for the input guys it's been very helpful.

[Jason1145]

On 12/04/2017 at 10:15 AM, GregM said:

 

If I want to go on a really cheap rally, I'd rather use an old TL-01 than the TT-01/TT-02. Electric components aren't sealed, but the below the steering links there's a hole for pebbles to fall through (instead of getting collected) and the central propshaft is at the sidewall of the chassis. Structural weak points are the shock towers and suspension mounts, though, since they are integrated into the chassis molding.

Greg O saw you had a TL01 for many years and made a rally effort too, how did it perform and was the ground clearance ok compared to a TT02?

You mounted the TL01B front bumper didn't you? Did that mate easily and was it worth it?

[GregM]

Sorry, my Rally TL-01 is still in an untested rolling chassis state, since I haven't finished painting the body. The TL-01B front bumper fits fine, one could add some foam to cushion the bodyshell against frontal impacts.

It will take some time until I'll continue building the car, it is still in some cardboard box from the recent move last year.

[Prescient]

22 hours ago, Jason1145 said:

If I had the time for a build I would buys Prescients XV01 but I'm after a ready built model I can just sit a Rally shell on, someone else should jump on that great offer though.

Thanks for the input guys it's been very helpful.

£150 and I will build it for you??

Meh....worth a try..😀

[El Dougo]

To stir the pot  and not a Tamiya but my rally car project.  A super cheap Basher Rz-4 from Hobbyking (about £60) mine has a Killerbody shell with HPI wheels and tyres. 

[Jason1145]

5 hours ago, GregM said:

Sorry, my Rally TL-01 is still in an untested rolling chassis state, since I haven't finished painting the body. The TL-01B front bumper fits fine, one could add some foam to cushion the bodyshell against frontal impacts.

It will take some time until I'll continue building the car, it is still in some cardboard box from the recent move last year.

No worries pal good luck with it when the projects starts up again!

[Jason1145]

58 minutes ago, El Dougo said:

To stir the pot  and not a Tamiya but my rally car project.  A super cheap Basher Rz-4 from Hobbyking (about £60) mine has a Killerbody shell with HPI wheels and tyres. 

Looks top drawer Dougo!

RZ-4 Pre assembled kit costs £110 plus shipping from USA only ( import fees and charges etc)

 

Then there's a V2 of it but that pre assembled version still costs £85 from USA ( or £95 from Australia!) plus shipping and import fees etc, I'll pass as it's more expensive now, cool looking Chassis though, your version looks nice.

 

[Jason1145]

3 hours ago, Prescient said:

£150 and I will build it for you??

Meh....worth a try..😀

Ahhh so tempting, going to pm you about this.

[Badcrumble]

On 12/04/2017 at 6:07 PM, Jason1145 said:

If I had the time for a build I would buys Prescients XV01 but I'm after a ready built model I can just sit a Rally shell on, someone else should jump on that great offer though.

Thanks for the input guys it's been very helpful.

It isn't a current model but I have a TB01 chassis in a box under my desk at work that deserves a home and some running.

Would free me up to get Prescient's XV01. 

If it wasn't the fact that you want pre-assembled, I'd look at the MF01X,  there was a great Skoda rally car on here a while back.

[Jason1145]

4 minutes ago, Badcrumble said:

It isn't a current model but I have a TB01 chassis in a box under my desk at work that deserves a home and some running.

Would free me up to get Prescient's XV01. 

If it wasn't the fact that you want pre-assembled, I'd look at the MF01X,  there was a great Skoda rally car on here a while back.

I'm just checking Prescient status on his offer but I might go for that deal he offered, if it falls through though Crumble I'll  start looking into what that TB01 is all about.

[Raman36]

On 12/04/2017 at 6:15 AM, njmlondon said:

I saw it in the recent list of re-re's including the Avante so think it may be available.

Long Damper is a bit of a misnomer. I believe the shocks are longer but the shock towers are taller, therefore ending up with the same ride height. Ride height is restricted by the shape of the arms which have little teeth that stop them moving too far.

I think the only benefit is you get a longer damper stroke and can build in more droop.

TBH not 100% sure it makes a huge difference over the stock XV which is awesome. I only mentioned it because when first released it was very good value and if you already have suitable bodies, it is the most affordable way to get one.

Edit...

Just found this... Long Damper Spec in Germany apparently arriving in 4-6 weeks.

If you are in the UK, you can get the kit with the Lancia Integrale body for about the same amount as the chassis kit on its own and you can get it today from Jadlam Racing.

I would go for that if I were you.

You are correct. The purpose of the long damper spec is to allow usage of longer / softer springs, this way the suspension is not as rigid over bumps 

[Jason1145]

On 12/04/2017 at 10:15 AM, GregM said:

 

If I want to go on a really cheap rally, I'd rather use an old TL-01 than the TT-01/TT-02. Electric components aren't sealed, but the below the steering links there's a hole for pebbles to fall through (instead of getting collected) and the central propshaft is at the sidewall of the chassis. Structural weak points are the shock towers and suspension mounts, though, since they are integrated into the chassis molding.

Greg are there any mods to fix those weak points, or rather, are they easy to break or still quite durable, I see many TL01's for sale from old cars so they have lasted all this time without breaking by the looks of it.

How bad does the battery get hit from front tyre debris in that exposed position, do you have to run hard case batteries because if this running in gravelly off road stuff?

[WillyChang]

TL01 only fits round batteries. Yes they'll get gravel rash, I protect my packs with either gaffertape or a 2nd layer of shrinkwrap.

If you're really hamfisted smashing into everything then yes, hits to front suspension can rip a whole corner off. Haven't seen shock tower break off, don't run naked without body. Both cases you'll need to rebuild into new chassis part.

Drivetrain is plenty strong. As long as it's fully ball raced from new; cars run with bushings have odd issues... bronze bushings on spur can seize, from builders putting on too much grease 

 

[TurnipJF]

Using the U-shaped front hinge pin thing from the TL-01B in conjunction with the TL-01B front bumper is said to significantly increase the resilience of the front end, as the metal U-shaped pin thing takes a lot of stress off the plastic parts.

[Badcrumble]

No love for the TB-01? 

I took my TL01 and made it 'rally spec' for my still unfinished Bowler build. Longer bottom eyes on the CVAs and rally block tyres to give it ground clearance (for the Bowler I have given it some nice big wheels too). 

I picked up the TB01 as it needed no mods to be a rally chassis and everything I read suggested that it was pretty indestructible for a basher.  Good for when my boy is a bit older. 

They are knocking on a bit now though! Plenty of parts around for the TL01 when you break it!