Castrol Celica body on a Subaru p-type
Status: New built
Date: 6-Feb-2010
Comments: 20
After being really dissapointed with my DF-03RA, filling with dirt, battery packs hard to remove, ball diffs, rear wheels locking up from gravel constantly, steering not working in dirt etc etc. I sold it cheap and went back to the TB-01 of which I now have 3 with various shells on them. I bought a bunch of Suabru P-types last summer NIB for $89 each from Tamiya USA, I sold the Subi shells and now have been fitting my favorite rally car shells to them as I get time for quick fun projects. I actually did this one a few months back when they re-re'd the body shell. I still haven't gotten this one fitted up to run but since I already have two TB-01 runners this one has been a low priority. I run a 35t Lathe motor for nice safe runs with very long run times. ;)
Re-re shell on TB-01 from 01 P-type Subaru
I hate doing these decals so much
Trusty old TB-01 chassis, keeps the gunk out
close up, could use more weathering
Comments
Old Skool
Looks great Seth
def4x4
Looks nice and shiney, not one of your special builds but it looks great, very nice details on the drivers!
tuff bug
really nice detail Im thinking about getting one of those chassis they look perfect for fun backyard rallying.
scollins
I was wondering if the DF-03 RA was any good, I was suspicious also,, you just confirmed that for me-
Wyoming
Thanks guys, The DF-03ra is a really a good chassis Steve on the dry pavement and it handles great but I got sick of it very very fast in the dirt, battery packs would seize in place requiring use of my Leatherman pliers to remove the hinge pin and a screwdriver to pry open battery tray door after each dirt run, then the batteries themselves would be stuck fast by dirt or ice in chassis, the rear wheels would trap every little rock and then the car spun out with rear wheel locked up fast...etc. It just wasn't a good choice for a rally chassis in my opinon, the TB-01 is heavy and simple but they seem to run forever and very little if anything ever gets into the battery or electrics areas. So my battery comes out clean and undamaged after each run. Sometimes older is better, the trusty old TA-01/02 also work much better but do fill up with dirt
OCD
100% dead on, as usual, Seth
Really it's unfortunate that Tamiya has been unable to best their earlier rally offerings. I haven't had a chance to run the DF chassis yet, but I've heard of similar experiences to yours. I use my TB01 Celica more than most of my runners, and the TA02 gets a fair bit of use too, although the latter is a bit easier to find parts for. What impresses me so much about these cars is the the fact that they've remained interesting to me in spite of being several generations old. Yup, the TB01 is heavy, but much of that weight is made up of SOUL, something which many of the new models often seem to lack!
flux density
I agree with you, the DF03s are not good for dirt. I had the same problem with my Dark Impact (essentially the same except in buggy form - I hate stuck batts ). The TB01 is heavy , but works very well. Very nice matching body and drivers. Tom
Wyoming
Thanks Tom And Steve, I don't like being negative about anything Tamiya but being honest about what we find good and bad is so important to the company and future products if they actually look through any of this that is lol!
_miga_
Too bad to read about the poor dust performance of the df03ra.i never had problems with mine, when using a dust cabe, but i didn't run him on really rough surfaces yet. - Your car is an excellent version of the Celica, and as we all know you, there will be fine action pics of it.
technical.burP
I agree that the TB-01 is a fine rally chassis. A bit too heavy but the inner body does really help to keep moisture, debris and dirt out of the car.
supergreg
AFter having the same trouble with my Dark Impact (which was sold due to these issues), I decided to stay with my old HPI RS4 Rally car instead of buying a DF03-RA. Your post makes me feel I did the right thing.
RallyeBaz
Stunning
stevepi
I think this is one of the best bodies for a true rally car!! Nice paint and decal job!
svibrc
I run a Dark Impact shell as inner cover in my DF-03RA (also the Celica). No dirt gets in the chassis now however I agree on the battery cover issue. I rarely remove my battery though so not a big issue for me.
Tizer
came out pretty good!
CASE1
Thanks for the advice on the DF-03RA. I will definitely stick to the TA-02 now. Still making covers for it though... Nice ralllycar with great painted interior. But it is missing one thing actually: outside lighting....
you know what I mean but nu rush, mate 
amigamad
I think i will forget the DF-03RA chassis cars tb-01 is one i have not had, but i have had many ta-01,s love the castrol celica body .
Goldnest
Thx for sharing the inside info, Seth! Up till now, I'm quite content with how my DF-03Ra performs on (wet and icy) tarmac. Unfortunately, I never had the pleasure of owning a TB-01. Are they that good as you claim? If so, I must source me one... because there's something about gravel hunting, isn’t it?
Wyoming
The TB-01 isn't a race winning machine and it has a rear shock issue which if you follow the directions it will sit lower in back but that is easy to fix with longer shock ends. Overall It is just a super durable long lasting chassis that is very scale to drive but it can't compare at all to the stable road holding abilities of the DF-03RA but off road its in its element going through mud and snow, gravel, and dirt with very little fuss aside from the odd rock in the steering which plagues nearly all 'touring' cars driven off road
Goldnest
Thx, Seth! Sounds like just the right machine for me
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