DB01 Questions/New Here

[Big Jon 684]

Hi, guys. I'm new here; long time enthusiast. I've got a few Tamiyas in my collection: XV01, MF01X, M07, a couple of Blackfeet, G601, WR02, a re-release Super Astute (still in the box), a Dancing Rider... Anyway, I scored a partially built DB01 yesterday, and I've got a few questions.

Will the Leonis DB02 body fit? I really prefer the styling over the Durga and Baldre bodies.

I've already got the gear diffs. Is there anything else required for light-to-moderate running with 13.5 brushless power, either driveline or chassis?

Is the RR/RRR chassis the only one setup for square lipo?

Once I get my bits together, I'll do a build thread.

[speedy_w_beans 4272]

If you're installing gear diffs I think installing the double slipper clutch and reinforced belts is a good idea as well.  That will pretty much bulletproof the drivetrain with a mild 13.5T motor.  If you can find a RR chassis that would be a nice upgrade for the LiPo tray, but then you might have to install the optional heatsink to plug the hole in the chassis; it mounts from the bottom.  The alternative to the RR chassis is to replace the plastic battery strap with a TA05 carbon battery strap so a LiPo rides on top of the NiMH ridges in the stock battery tray.

If you're only doing light to moderate running then the plastic suspension mounts should be ok; I ran mine on asphalt and dirt with the plastic suspension mounts and a 4200kV motor.  I did have one crash where a rear mount flexed and the arm came loose, but in general they're ok.  Aluminum suspension mounts are available as upgrades.

The kit CVAs and springs are fine for light use; TRF buggy dampers or big bore dampers make more sense for track use where landing bigger jumps is the norm.

The kit dog bones are ok; CVDs and wide-angle steering hopups are available but make more sense with more power and track use.

Replace any 850 brass bushings with ball bearings; that will help the stock steering a little bit.  There are aluminum steering upgrades available, but in my opinion they don't make sense for a light runner.

A fairly kit-stock DB01 Durga was my favorite runner when I got into the hobby 9 years ago; I ran it with the ball diffs, single slipper, and stock plastic parts in the street quite a bit and took it to a clay track several times.  The quiet belt drive is a real treat, and the kit springs and CVAs are perfect for street bashing.  Enjoy it!

[ThunderDragonCy 7881]

Welcome! I ran a DB01R last year forca while and its a great runner. I swapped to gear diff rear and a front one way so i would echo the above and say get at least the single slipper clutch, and better to get the double. 

I don't know if the Leonis body fits. A guy on TRF Off Road fitted a Team Azarashi Veloce to his. 

Unless racing i would just get a stick pack shaped lipo. I used a Core RC 4000mah stick lipo in mine and it was fun. 

The thing that transformed mine was stiffer front springs. I ended up with kit rear springs but the gold springs from the 53927 DF03 setting spring set on the front. They are about 4.5lb rate. On the black cva i would also recommend building with the 1 hole pistons and going for slightly heavier oil in the front shocks. After that, just some good tyres appropriate for the surface you run on. I run mainly on grass with the occasional astro track trip so used schumacher wide cut stagger front and mini spike rear. 

Let us know how you get on! 

[ThunderDragonCy 7881]

PS - check the manual and gear it for a little lower than 7 FDR for 13.5 motor. It will fly! 

[Big Jon 684]

I'm starting to think that I'll just find a DB01 RRR kit. Whoever assembled this one stripped out most of the screw holes, so a lot of the plastics will require replacement, and, by the time that I source the hop-ups that I want and replacement parts, the RRR starts to make sense. It's a shame, because this one had never been run (probably because everything was falling off). It's not a total bust, though. A cherry HPI Cup Racer was included in the deal, and I've been lusting after one of those for a while, too. 

There's a NIB Durga in stock at the hobby shop I work for, so that's an option too, although I really wish that they were higher spec out of the box. If I did the Durga, I'd still be looking at a $500 roller to make it the way I want it.