TT01&2 rage!

[Lebowski]

Is it just me or is anyone else getting annoyed at the amount of new releases with decent and interesting body shells that are on these fit-for-a-6-year-old-only chassis?! Even in the shops no one stocks challenging, interesting Tamiya chassis. Yesterday I completed an eBay purchase, a TB03 and it was a pleasure to build. Some similarities to a TA05 but with more than enough to give it it's own identity. Surely some stores, especially Modelsport and the like could stock TA06', TB04's, TRF's and so forth! 

If anyone knows of stores that have these and the like available then please let me know! I enjoy making good looking and challenging bodyshells but I refuse to put it on a clunker! 😂

[Fuijo]

While the UK is still in the EU, then ordering from Tamico.de is not really any different to the end user than ordering from a UK-based shop. (I'm guessing you're in the UK here)

The TT-02R is pretty darn fast on indoor carpet tracks. Hardly just fit for 6-year-olds.

[Jonathon Gillham]

I agree with you about the TT02, it is everywhere and while fun it doesn't perform that well and the build is straightforward.  At least onroad there is the TA07 which can be had for a reasonable price. Buggies are more my thing and its frustrating that there isn't something better from Tamiya. The DB01 is nearly impossible to find, and when you can find them costs a fortune. The rereleases are cool though, really fun builds and perform better than the TT02B except on road

[Lebowski]

8 minutes ago, Fuijo said:

While the UK is still in the EU, then ordering from Tamico.de is not really any different to the end user than ordering from a UK-based shop. (I'm guessing you're in the UK here)

The TT-02R is pretty darn fast on indoor carpet tracks. Hardly just fit for 6-year-olds.

 

It may be fast, but it's just a hateful, uninspiring build. If my cat had thumbs, he could build it! Anyway, that store - WOW! Exactly what I had in mind and now my only problem is what to choose, what an incredible choice! Thanks for that 😎

[Lebowski]

13 minutes ago, Jonathon Gillham said:

I agree with you about the TT02, it is everywhere and while fun it doesn't perform that well and the build is straightforward.  At least onroad there is the TA07 which can be had for a reasonable price. Buggies are more my thing and its frustrating that there isn't something better from Tamiya. The DB01 is nearly impossible to find, and when you can find them costs a fortune. The rereleases are cool though, really fun builds and perform better than the TT02B except on road

Yeah, for me re-release buggies are where it is currently. Just like with the touring cars, the current buggies chassis are dull and uninspiring things where as the re-release are far more interesting and complex to build. 

 

Just to clarify to others on this matter - this isn't about performance, durability, availability of tuning parts etc, etc. It's purely about a challenging, interesting and memorable chassis to build! I was actually a bit gutted when I completed the TB03 ( much like with the tank that is the TB01 !) as I wanted to carry on!

[GregM]

The reason for having so many releases on the TT-01 and TT-02 platform might be caused by the existence of Tamiya's Euro cup racing series in Germany and similar racing cups in Japan. That's fine with me, since it allows beginners to take first steps into R/C car racing without having to spend a fortune on expensive gear.

The same goes for the DT-02/DT-03, which is covered by the Fighter cup racing series.

[Effigy3]

9 hours ago, Lebowski said:

Yeah, for me re-release buggies are where it is currently. Just like with the touring cars, the current buggies chassis are dull and uninspiring things where as the re-release are far more interesting and complex to build.

Just to clarify to others on this matter - this isn't about performance, durability, availability of tuning parts etc, etc. It's purely about a challenging, interesting and memorable chassis to build! I was actually a bit gutted when I completed the TB03 ( much like with the tank that is the TB01 !) as I wanted to carry on!

I think for the most part the market is pushing for more simplistic builds.  The beauty of Tamiya is that you can (sometimes must?) mod them with official and unofficial hop-ups.  This takes them out of the "boring" box-stock build and elevates them more into the works of art that you aspire to build.  If you're keen on buggies, look at the TRF 201 w/ upgrade kit #42203. It's selling for just $199 at Tamiya USA so I'm sure you can find a similar price where you're located.  "Box stock" it's a wonderful build and like most Tamiya offerings there's plenty of official hop-ups to make it your own.

Just a consideration.

[Jason1145]

To make the TT02 a challenging build you could:

Attempt it blind folded

Underwater

While watching an adult movie (this will distract you)

I take your point though, but you can always put those awesome shells on better chassis .

 

[GooneyBird]

Anyone can build a TT. But that's part of the charm. I run an 01E on a tight indoor carpet track (same as the one @Fuijo referenced) and having a simple car with low maintenance overhead is a blessing. Build one, bring it out to us, and we'll race you all day long. See if you still feel the same about them after that!

[Lebowski]

33 minutes ago, Jason1145 said:

 

I take your point though, but you can always put those awesome shells on better chassis .

 

Which is exactly my point of the whole thread! 😂😂

[Lebowski]

14 minutes ago, GooneyBird said:

Anyone can build a TT. But that's part of the charm. I run an 01E on a tight indoor carpet track (same as the one @Fuijo referenced) and having a simple car with low maintenance overhead is a blessing. Build one, bring it out to us, and we'll race you all day long. See if you still feel the same about them after that!

Hmm, as previously stated - this is nothing to do with performance, tuning, racing etc, etc!! It's about an interesting out of the box build! I really can't make it much clearer! 😉

[svenb]

I too found the tt02 build boring but hopping it up was fun, I must of had it apart about 6 times😖 and looks pretty smart now.

My best builds probably are the TA03 TRF and TA06 MS, loads of shims,screws and pins = Great👍

The TA06 came with some nice bodies as part of a kit.

Biggest issue for me is that most of the older bodies that I like such as the Escort Cosworth and Mercedes clk gtr all have predrilled mounting holes to suit the(lesser) chassis's☹

sven

[Lebowski]

Yes that's something I've found too, I really wish they wouldn't pre-drill at all! I understand they need to simplify so that it appeals to an audience without a large variety of tools readily available but then equally they don't consider the more discerning assembler who builds for aesthetics too!

[qatmix]

Tamiya makes its profit on mass market kits. These tt02's with great bodies are priced well and appeal to the everyman in the street.

The other more advanced builds such as the TA07 are available to buy separately without a shell so you can combine it with the shell you want (If you want to spend an extra £140 or so). Obviously Tamiya know that charging £250 for an Fxx on a TA07 and providing an involved long build is not going to appeal to the majority of people so they pop it on a capable, cheap and easy to build chassis.

i am lucky enough to have built and owned most of the Tamiya chassis including the TRF cars and I have a soft spot for the TT02 as there is quite a lot of speed to get out of it if you tune it up which adds to the length of the build process )the shakedown phase). I know they are simple to build, but tuning is a fun challenge. 

If you want a fun build get a TA07. Its kits like that that make you realise that Tamiya is still innovative in the rc world.

[Truck Norris]

I always buy the bodies separate to the chassis and this is one reason why (the others being shared chassis and bodies without pre-drilled holes).

Pretty much all the recent bodies are available as body sets or spare parts so you can pick and mix to your heart's content.

I've got a Golf 24 on a TB Evo.6, a TA-05MS Porsche 934, an FF-04 Evo Peugeot 306 Maxi and a Xsara WRC on a long arm, Hopped-up TT-02 Type-S:

[Lebowski]

I've seen and admired your work on here and Facebook, Truck Norris. If my builds could be even 50% as good as yours then I would feel extremely proud. Some serious talent you have there!

[speedy_w_beans]

You can make a TT01/TT02 build as interesting as you want, even with the kit stock parts.  It's a question of how much attention you want to pay to mechanical detail.

• There are mods for removing the slop from most of the suspension parts to make it a tighter, more responsive chassis (screws, shims, hinge pins, grub screws, etc.)
• The TT01 B6 bumper parts can be trimmed to give the lower suspension arms more clearance, providing more droop for a rally conversion.
• The spring holders / friction dampers can be tuned somewhat with different greases.
• There are opportunities to shim the drivetrain gears and get some of the excess lash out of it.
• Of course all the bronze bushings and plastic bushings can be replaced with ball bearings to reduce friction.
• The steering can be improved with ball bearings and better adjusters on the TT01.
• With the TT01 you can even reverse the chassis and make a front-motor drift car out of it with some careful planning.
• With the TT01 you can use flush cutters and/or a Dremel rotary tool to modify the battery tray to accept hard case LiPo batteries.

Some of the base TT01/TT02 kit deficiencies are good challenges for problem solvers with limited resources.  M3 screws, Scotch tape, food-safe greases, flush cutters, a Dremel tool -- you can do a lot with these to improve a TT01/TT02.

 

[Lebowski]

Again, and I really don't know how many times I have to repeat it, Speedy - this is NOT about modifying, speed, etc etc, it's about an OUT OF THE BOX build !! I'm sorry if my clear English is not precise enough on the 3rd repeat but beyond that I'm really not sure what I can do or say to make it any clearer! 😂😂

[GregM]

If there's one thing I really don't like about a stock TT-01/-02, it is the hinge pins being plastic and integrated into the suspension arms. From off road buggies like the Hornet and Mad Bull, there's dirt entering into the hinges and create slop over time.

[Kingfisher]

15 hours ago, Lebowski said:

Again, and I really don't know how many times I have to repeat it, Speedy - this is NOT about modifying, speed, etc etc, it's about an OUT OF THE BOX build !! I'm sorry if my clear English is not precise enough on the 3rd repeat but beyond that I'm really not sure what I can do or say to make it any clearer! 😂😂

Which chassis' have you built? Maybe someone can offer suggestions on a challenging build that may interest you.

What happens if/after you build them all and the challenge is gone?

[wilsonian]

I have an old TT-01 which I converted into a rally slag. Good little basher but I'm surprised they still sell it,,,,

[TurnipJF]

On 2017-5-14 at 1:41 AM, Lebowski said:

Again, and I really don't know how many times I have to repeat it, Speedy - this is NOT about modifying, speed, etc etc, it's about an OUT OF THE BOX build !! I'm sorry if my clear English is not precise enough on the 3rd repeat but beyond that I'm really not sure what I can do or say to make it any clearer! 😂😂

I don't think anybody misunderstood you. You find a box-stock TT boring. We get it.

 

The point being made by multiple posters is that while a box stock build might be boring, that doesn't mean that the chassis is boring. Many would argue that it is more satisfying to take an entry level chassis and make it great, rather than simply building a more capable one box-stock.

 

So yes, you could go out and find a chassis with extra interestingness already included in the box, or you could be creative with the build and add your own interestingness, either during the build or afterwards. Or both for that matter.

 

(It  might also be worth pointing out that calling a TT "fit-for-a-6-year-old-only" could be seen as somewhat insulting to the many skilled and responsible adult modellers who own them, race them and love them.)

[firefoxussr]

On 5/14/2017 at 8:45 AM, GregM said:

If there's one thing I really don't like about a stock TT-01/-02, it is the hinge pins being plastic and integrated into the suspension arms. 

The only durability upgrade that I made was replacing these.  I even got the alloy version, but gave away the chassis before upgrading them.