AlexB Posted October 28, 2023 Share Posted October 28, 2023 Hi all, I've been out of the hobby for a very long time, but spent a lot of my misspent youth building Tamiya buggies and racing Mardave mini stocks and bashing up the local woods with a couple of early IC buggies. I've got the itch again and am torn between three choices. Either modify a TT02R chassis for rallying and build up something for a bit of fun. Go the safe choice and buy an XV01 or an MF01x Or do something daft like modify an M08 concept. For me, the build experience is a major attraction and I'm assuming anything modern will be a night and day experience compared to what I was running in the 1980s, so I suspect any of these cars will drive much better than anything I've experienced before. There's a few open spaces with light gravel near to me, so the really route appeals more than the full off road buggy choices. What would you suggest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone-wolf Posted October 28, 2023 Share Posted October 28, 2023 If you like building, and have a suitable spot to drive rc rally cars go for Tamiya build in fact i would be tempted to steer you toward the MF-01x Fiat 131 super (cant spell last part ha ha) the MF-01 is a nice build and you can build it raised clearance for rally, stick a 1060 HW esc in and maybe run it 3s stock motor should be quick and darn good fun 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexB Posted October 28, 2023 Author Share Posted October 28, 2023 (edited) My only fear with the MXF01x is that it's not looking like a very challenging build. The chassis looks very toy like. The Fiat body is lovely though. I guess that's the attraction of the M08, it looks like a complex build and there are lots of lovely bodies out there. I've seen the RC tracks video where he rebuild the M08 into a Ford Escort MK2. The TT02 appeals because there are so many options for bodies, tyres wheels etc. I don't want to follow the hop up trail especially. I like the idea of the M08 as it's smaller, but I'm not sure how easily I would understand how to get the right wheels, tyres etc. I have access to things like a vacuum forming machine, so I'm tempted by the idea of making up a buck and creating a vac formed under tray to protect the chassis and other components as well. Edited October 28, 2023 by AlexB Forgot stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone-wolf Posted October 28, 2023 Share Posted October 28, 2023 TT02 is popular and not bad but seems it does need the hop ups to work well, but most tamiya need things like oil shocks to work well, a mate rallies an xv01 and makes it look fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexB Posted October 28, 2023 Author Share Posted October 28, 2023 Yes, by the time you've added a body, tyres and motor to the TT02r you're in the same ballpark as the XV01. It's just a shame that the Lancia body is so ugly! I fancy a nice MK1 Escort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex97 Posted October 28, 2023 Share Posted October 28, 2023 I'd avoid the MF01X, very tail happy and not one of Tamiyas best designs IMO. Most tamiays are going to be a pretty easy build, of you want a rally car then look at the LC racing PTG-2R or tamiya xv-02 What's your budget andare you starting from scratch? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexB Posted October 28, 2023 Author Share Posted October 28, 2023 I have radio gear, but I'll need a new servo. I have an ESC, it's old, but will do. I'll stick with NiMH and brushed motors. I've got a 3000mAh battery and charger. I guess I want to stick to about £200. I have a fondness for Tamiya, even if they are infuriating about not including ball bearings and decent shocks in most of their models. That's why the M-08 and TT02r chassis appeals. The XV01 looks like a very sound bet I guess. I'm just a bit bothered about compatibility with bodies. Will it take the Kamtec MK1 Escort body for example? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone-wolf Posted October 28, 2023 Share Posted October 28, 2023 The M08 is a nice looking chassis and can be built in 3 wheelbase options so increasing the body options, but i do wonder how it would cope off road, maybe look on youtube to see if people run this off road Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex97 Posted October 28, 2023 Share Posted October 28, 2023 It's slightly over £200 however this will get you going. The TT02-S has a nice range of upgrades over the standard tt02. The body shell is personal taste. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexB Posted October 28, 2023 Author Share Posted October 28, 2023 I never thought about looking at the type S chassis. Thanks for that suggestion. I've just been watching Mark Bryan's videos where he concerts the chai for rallying and it looks like an excellent way to do this. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyUK Posted October 28, 2023 Share Posted October 28, 2023 10 hours ago, AlexB said: .... I'm assuming anything modern will be a night and day experience compared to what I was running in the 1980s, so I suspect any of these cars will drive much better than anything I've experienced before.... You will find that, other than lipo batteries, nothing has changed with Tamiyas since the 1980s. They are the same design, same kit moulds and the same crappy snappy plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexB Posted October 28, 2023 Author Share Posted October 28, 2023 (edited) Well my original Hotshot is still in more or less one piece after years of abuse, so it can't be that bad! Edited October 28, 2023 by AlexB 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SWF Posted October 28, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted October 28, 2023 Hi Interested in this post, more as it revolves around rally bodies vs chassis, rather what might perform best off-road? If you prefer the Escort, being a child of the ‘70’s, leaves it with a short wheelbase vs overall length, when compared to ‘90’s and later hatchback and 4wd vehicles. This, my opinion of course, means that an Escort shell on a 257mm wheelbase like the TT02/XV0x etc is not in correct proportion to look right. I’d guess that is why Tamiya stick to M chassis for Escort models. The MB01, M06 or M08 chassis with the Tamiya Mk2 shell if I was building an Escort. Again, just my opinion and sorry if speaking out of turn! Cheers Steve 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexB Posted October 30, 2023 Author Share Posted October 30, 2023 On 28/10/2023 at 23:40, SWF said: If you prefer the Escort, being a child of the ‘70’s, leaves it with a short wheelbase vs overall length, when compared to ‘90’s and later hatchback and 4wd vehicles. This, my opinion of course, means that an Escort shell on a 257mm wheelbase like the TT02/XV0x etc is not in correct proportion to look right. I’d guess that is why Tamiya stick to M chassis for Escort models. You're probably right, but I've seen a few Kamtec Escort shells on TT02 chassis and think it looks quite cool. Perhaps I yearn back to my days as a teenager driving a 2nd-hand PB Alpha modified for Off-Road using the Mustang's Escort bodyshell. That thing was an absolute beast, legitimately terrifying in its ability to cross a playing field at full throttle in just a few seconds leaving a trail of smoke and that screaming 3.5cc engine.... I'm still slightly addicted to the smell of 2-stroke engines! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex97 Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 2 hours ago, AlexB said: You're probably right, but I've seen a few Kamtec Escort shells on TT02 chassis and think it looks quite cool. Perhaps I yearn back to my days as a teenager driving a 2nd-hand PB Alpha modified for Off-Road using the Mustang's Escort bodyshell. That thing was an absolute beast, legitimately terrifying in its ability to cross a playing field at full throttle in just a few seconds leaving a trail of smoke and that screaming 3.5cc engine.... I'm still slightly addicted to the smell of 2-stroke engines! If you want a "proper" Escort then really the M08 with the phat bodies shell is your best best. You'll need to try and jack the suspension and allow more travel. The M08 doesn't really need any upgrades out of the box but officially being 1/12 will struggle a bit more compared to a standard 1/10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone-wolf Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 I still think MF-01x escort or fiat 131, the chassis can be built for rally off road but only really needs GOOD shocks, its a reliable chassis pretty tough and the escort dimensions work well, i can see me building the 131 fiat soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexB Posted November 1, 2023 Author Share Posted November 1, 2023 On 30/10/2023 at 18:58, Lone-wolf said: I still think MF-01x escort or fiat 131, the chassis can be built for rally off road but only really needs GOOD shocks, its a reliable chassis pretty tough and the escort dimensions work well, i can see me building the 131 fiat soon I agree, they look like great cars, but by the time you've added in decent shocks and bearings, then you are very close to the price of the XV01... I guess it comes down to what I want. I think I can sacrifice scale accuracy for a bit more flexibility with regards to spares, upgrades and parts. I like to tinker, so I think the TT02 is the best solution. Time to bite the bullet and put in an order. Thanks for all the useful discussion and ideas. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexB Posted November 7, 2023 Author Share Posted November 7, 2023 OK, the chassis has arrived, together with a new servo, another battery, tyres and various other bits and pieces. Officially this is a birthday present, so building it will have to wait, but for now a growing pile of bits and pieces is accumulating. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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