oodboo's Tamiya VQS

[oodboo]

I still haven't cut out or painted the body for my DT03 yet but I've made a start on this anyway.

 

Rear gearbox goes together first.

 

I've never built a diff like this before.

 

Kit supplied bearings

 

Diff in along with another gear. The kit supplies metal bushings for somethings rather than full bearings which I think is a bit of a jip on such an expensive kit but hey ho, that's the Tamiya way. I had aleady ordered the additional few bearings recommended as hopups so my build has full bearings. The shaft the gear closest to the plate (not the diff) is the first place these bearings are used.

 

I put the cover on but didn't get a photo so that's it for now. I didn't have a lot of time, might get a bit more done later when the kids are in bed.

[oodboo]

Next thing to build is another diff, the centre diff this time. I've not had a good experience with ball diffs in the past but this one seemed to go together pretty easily.

 

 

That then goes in the gearbox.

 

Plastic bushings? No thanks, I'll use the bearings I had to buy separately.

 

They support the last gear in the rear.

 

Cover up job then into the chassis.

 

 

Tune in next time for another thrilling instalment of the VQS Build!

[oodboo]

This time we complete the back end starting with the rear shock tower. 

 

Next assemble and add the lower arms.

 

 

The kit comes with universals so build them and add them to the uprights.

 

Attach these to the car.

 

I must've done the upper arms as well at some point but missed the photo as I'm now building the shocks. The holes in the chassis over the battery compartment is ideal for resting the shocks while the air bubbles dissipate.

 

Shocks complete the attach to car. 

 

 

Ah, then the upper arms went on.

 

The rear bumper went on as well, that may appear in the next episode.

[oodboo]

Now it's time to start on the front end. Unfortunately it looks like I forgot to take photos while assembling the gearbox, here it is with the lower arms attached.

 

More universals for the front.

 

Into the uprights.

 

Attach to the gearbox.

 

And see if you can spot the mistake. I couldn't, I had help from a Tamiya facebook group.

[oodboo]

Another day, another few steps.

 

Upper arms.

 

Shocks.

 

Fit the shocks and front bumper.

 

Front swap bar.

 

Attach the front gearbox to the chassis.

 

I'm getting somewhere now but there's still a few more steps to go.

[oodboo]

Coming up in this episode, I finally finish the chassis!

 

Upper deck goes on.

 

Steering linkage.

 

 

 

Electronics. All of them, I missed the photos of the servo install. Also, first glimpse of the rear bumper.

 

Wheels and tyres!

 

Finally I get to put the body on. This is where I found out about the mistake I made earlier. I'd put the front shock tower on too high up and the body couldn't reach the post. A little help from the Tamiya Legends and I soon had it sorted.

 

The body and wing still have the protective film over them. This gets removed and decals applied for the next thrilling instalment.

Edited December 28, 2020 by oodboo

[Stormbringer]

Really coming on well now mate and looks a good build 🍻

[Derka]

Love it!

 

Are the shocks oil filled? Looks like they are, do they feel good like a modern shock?

Edited December 28, 2020 by Derka

[oodboo]

15 minutes ago, Derka said:

Love it!

 

Are the shocks oil filled? Looks like they are, do they feel good like a modern shock?

Yes, they're oil filled, they feel pretty good to me but I do have the hicaps on order. I think as soon as they came available loads of people were buying them up, I don't think Tamiya anticipated there would be so much demand for them from people who weren't buying them just for the VQS. Anyway, mine are on back order and it could be a few months before they arrive.

[oodboo]

Finished this last night but couldn't upload photos. Well, I still haven't done the driver yet but I'm going to need some more paints for that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've since taken the numbers off as the wonky 2 on the wing was annoying me, there's some number 3s left on the decal sheet I could put on in their place but I'm happy enough without the numbers for now.

[Stormbringer]

Looks stunning mate