TA03F Drift Car Build Thread

[C.A.R.]

Shamelessly I'm going to copy and paste this from Tamiyaclub where I originally started writing it -

 

So I have a bit of a love affair with the TA03 chassis design, which has led me onto my latest project.

I love the diverse ways the chassis can be configured - front or rear-engined and long and short wheelbases. I already have 3 different chassis in different configurations, but have amassed so many spare parts over the years that I took a look at my big kit box and decided I wouldn't need to add too much to it to build a runner, allowing me to keep my other 3 chassis pristine, with very light use. I needed something I could abuse again!

So what is a TA03?
Naturally it followed the shaft-driven TA01 & TA02, it was (correct me if I'm wrong) the first Tamiya touring chassis to utilise a belt-driven drivetrain. With sealed gearboxes at either end, one containing the spur / pinion and the other just containing the rear counter gear and differential, a single belt runs the length of the chassis on gearbox-mounted pulleys. This effectively makes both gearboxes kind of 'planetary' and separate from the chassis. The aforementioned usually comprising a plastic tub, not dissimilar to a TA02, albeit without any drivetrain attachments, merely mounting points for the gearboxes.

The more desirable 'Pro' & TRF models got FRP or CF twin-deck chassis which vastly simplifies the appearance and layout. The double-wishbone suspension on all 4 corners (mirrored front to back) with vertical shock absorbers closely mimics a design seen in road cars (part of the reasoning for my affections).

Whilst I have never personally raced a TA03 the chassis did have success at a high level during its prime, but ultimately it was far too complex and a bit heavy, which is the difference you see when comparing it to its successor the TA04, which exhibits a much more conventional mid-rear mounted motor with two belts directly driven from the central spur shaft.

The weight distribution of the TA03F (F denoting 'front') which placed the motor in front of the steering axle was looked upon fondly in the mid 00's when the drifting craze took over, prompting a TA03F Pro Drift Spec chassis kit. It was this arena where my history with the TA03 started.

With the weight in the front and a correctly set up car the TA03F could get aggressive steering angles effectively swinging itself around the heavy nose weight, like a pendulum. I witnessed a couple at a UK event and they put the TT01D I was building to shame!

Sadly the following season the TA03F chassis was outlawed from the UK championship as it was felt there was an unfair advantage, still a source of many bitter feelings on my part after I spent a lot of time and money pre-season building a TA03F! I was allowed to participate in practice events but could not compete I still have that same TA03F chassis today.

So on to my project...

I want a drift car I'm not afraid to use. It would be cheaper and probably more fruitful to pursue a Sakura D3 or more widely-supported Yokomo drift chassis, but where's the fun in that?!

So below are some pictures of the parts I have gathered, starting with the NIP Hop-Ups, the Spare Parts and finally some loose parts I've sourced:






 

Whilst not on-par with the likes of a Woodst0ck build thread, I thought I'd put a little more effort into my project and make it a bit easier to follow. I'll update daily (hopefully) until it is complete. Apologies for the photograph quality, I was only armed with a (not-so) trusty iPhone!
 

 

 

 

 

[C.A.R.]

[kiza1208]

Looks like a lot of thought and money have gone into this build bud looking good

[C.A.R.]

Looks like a lot of thought and money have gone into this build bud looking good

 

It did! And even more time making it a project thread worth reading with decent pictures!

 

Time for another installment...

Almost finished Metal Bag A now...