oodboo Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 (edited) Got myslef a DF03 Dark Impact the other day and I’ve started putting it together. Thought I’d share some info from the build as there doesn’t seem to be much about the DF03 on here. That is the first time I’ve put together a Tamiya ball diff. Was a new experience and I’m not sure I’ve done a good job of it. I think I may have over tightened to screw that holds it together but it’s together now. If it breaks it’s a problem for another day. A read somewhere about running it in a bit with a drill, so I done that as well. Just put one end in the drill, held on to the middle and spun it. Tightened it up again, repeated this a few times as the balls weren’t seated correctly when I first put it together. Hopefully I’ll make a better job of the other one. I’ve got the motor on now but I’ve only taken one photo so far. I’ll get some more before I move detailed photos before I go any further. Edited June 6, 2020 by oodboo Corrected title 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oodboo Posted June 4, 2020 Author Share Posted June 4, 2020 I like the way the covers can be removed easily to inspect or replace the gears. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormbringer Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 looks good that 🍻 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oodboo Posted June 5, 2020 Author Share Posted June 5, 2020 Made some more progress last night. I was surprised how much play there is in the pins for the rear arms. Feels like they could be almost 2mm shorter. Those little e-clips are a PITA, never been a fan of them and these seem to be in a vulnerable position. I’ll see if they’re problematic before worrying about an alternate. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oodboo Posted June 5, 2020 Author Share Posted June 5, 2020 (edited) Rear end goes on the chassis then it’s on with the front diff. This went together a lot better than the first one. Would be good if you got a spare to practice on lol. I pushed the balls into place before assembling the diff this time and everything went a lot smoother. The diff then goes in the front gearbox which attaches to the chassis and some steering parts go in as well. I feel like I’m missing a few things here compared to how long I spent building this last night but the point is, it’s coming together. Edited June 5, 2020 by oodboo Re-order content 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisT Posted June 5, 2020 Share Posted June 5, 2020 Coming together nicely. Enjoy the build Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oodboo Posted June 5, 2020 Author Share Posted June 5, 2020 Front arms are on now. Again, there seems to be a lot of unneeded length on the hinge pins. Again, I’ll wait to see if it causes any problems before looking for a fix. Not point fixing something that isn’t broke right. Front turny bits went on without a hitch and then I got the rear shocks built and fitted. First tamiya kit I’ve built that comes with hard shock oil, everything else has come with the yellow soft stuff. All the parts are now laid out ready to build the front shocks but I got called away. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisT Posted June 5, 2020 Share Posted June 5, 2020 I like the idea of using body pins to stop the bearings falling out? never thought of that. I've always left them til last when the wheels go on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oodboo Posted June 5, 2020 Author Share Posted June 5, 2020 4 minutes ago, ChrisT said: I like the idea of using body pins to stop the bearings falling out? never thought of that. I've always left them til last when the wheels go on. I haven’t put those bearings in yet, it was just to hold them together while I was putting it together. Helps a lot with the front. They’re not really serving any purpose now so I’lol put the bearings in a put them back to work 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oodboo Posted June 5, 2020 Author Share Posted June 5, 2020 Got the front shocks built and fitted then instead the servo and steering gubbins. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oodboo Posted June 5, 2020 Author Share Posted June 5, 2020 Not much left do do but fit the front and rear bumpers, wheels and tires and get all the electrics in. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oodboo Posted June 5, 2020 Author Share Posted June 5, 2020 Only thing left to do is there shell so it needs a quick run in the house to make sure everything works as it should. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oodboo Posted June 6, 2020 Author Share Posted June 6, 2020 Ok, so it's broken already. I managed to strip the threads out the first nut I put in. The tiny little m2 but that holds the rear diff together. Fortunately the rear diff is very easy to access, unfortunately I don't think I have any spares. At least it gives me some time to get the body done while I sort the diff. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oodboo Posted June 10, 2020 Author Share Posted June 10, 2020 I hate masking, when they don't supply window masks can you use the window stickers as masks? Anyway, got the body painted last night 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post oodboo Posted June 10, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 10, 2020 Added a few stickers this morning. All done but waiting for a screw to fix the rear diff and better weather to run it. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisT Posted June 10, 2020 Share Posted June 10, 2020 Very nice you can use window stickers as masks, they're a perfect size. Or as I have done in the past use them as templates to draw round on masking sheets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oodboo Posted June 13, 2020 Author Share Posted June 13, 2020 Still struggling to get the diff set up correctly. Too tight feels wrong, too lose and you loose drive to those wheels. In stock set up it’s getting slaughtered by my son’s TT02B. Hope I can get this set up correctly as I like the buggy and I’d rather not shelf it and buy a TT02B. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No brains Posted June 13, 2020 Share Posted June 13, 2020 2 hours ago, oodboo said: Still struggling to get the diff set up correctly. Too tight feels wrong, too lose and you loose drive to those wheels. In stock set up it’s getting slaughtered by my son’s TT02B. Hope I can get this set up correctly as I like the buggy and I’d rather not shelf it and buy a TT02B. It is a nice car and putting it on the shelf is not what you want , but ball diffs I hate them they are most of the time a pain to adjust and do not like brushless power, If I can not put a gear diff in a car I am not buying it, I have put a kyosho gear diff in my zahhak with some mods because of the ball diff, I have looked at the df-03 to but there are nog gear diffs for it so it is not for me, but you have a great looking car😃 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davemk Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 Really like this. Would have got one if there had been stock. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yrkoon Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 (edited) On 13/06/2020 at 16:43, oodboo said: Still struggling to get the diff set up correctly. Too tight feels wrong, too lose and you loose drive to those wheels. In stock set up it’s getting slaughtered by my son’s TT02B. Hope I can get this set up correctly as I like the buggy and I’d rather not shelf it and buy a TT02B. glad im not the only one that struggles with the tamiya ball diffs, got a db-01 durga and i still struggle with it, very high maintenance, sticks to the ground like glue though the durga has very expensive optional gear diffs maybe your one has the same option, on the plus side you have a proper drive shaft instead of ball diffs and belts like the durga lol Edited July 23, 2020 by Yrkoon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oodboo Posted July 24, 2020 Author Share Posted July 24, 2020 I don't think there is a ball diff option for the df03, got it working now though. Bit if an update. Everything was running well so I thought I'd take it out the house for it's first proper run. Within about 30 seconds it slipped off the side of a small table top ramp at a skate park. Fell about 18" onto the back wheel and broke the shock mount, the bit the hold the upper arm. I've got a replacement part on order but until that arrives I've cut out a piece of 3mm aluminium and screwed it in place. It's not pretty but it works. With all the problems I've had with this car I'm reluctant to take it out. Replacement parts are scarce, the parts I've ordered are on the slow boat from Japan. Upgrade parts are no longer in production. I'm ready to cut my losses and shelf it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davemk Posted July 24, 2020 Share Posted July 24, 2020 Good work on that repair 👍. I didn't realise that getting spares for this model was a problem. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yrkoon Posted July 25, 2020 Share Posted July 25, 2020 17 hours ago, oodboo said: I don't think there is a ball diff option for the df03, got it working now though. Bit if an update. Everything was running well so I thought I'd take it out the house for it's first proper run. Within about 30 seconds it slipped off the side of a small table top ramp at a skate park. Fell about 18" onto the back wheel and broke the shock mount, the bit the hold the upper arm. I've got a replacement part on order but until that arrives I've cut out a piece of 3mm aluminium and screwed it in place. It's not pretty but it works. With all the problems I've had with this car I'm reluctant to take it out. Replacement parts are scarce, the parts I've ordered are on the slow boat from Japan. Upgrade parts are no longer in production. I'm ready to cut my losses and shelf it. dang pity to hear that, it is a really good looking model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oodboo Posted July 25, 2020 Author Share Posted July 25, 2020 These just arrived so might not give up on it just yet. Some other parts are on the way as well, I can't remember what though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oodboo Posted July 25, 2020 Author Share Posted July 25, 2020 Can't see most parts but I do like those shocks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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