Tamiya DF01 Trail Rig

[K.O.M.]

I've decided to do a quick and dirty build (more like an assembly) of a Tamiya DF01 kit to see it's capability as a scale/bash vehicle. I've originally decided to get a CC01, but it seems that it's been a well worn path. I wanted to see for myself how a fully independent suspension trail rig will work out.



Just got the kit in today and started opening boxes. I'm still deciding on wether to use the stock body or something else.



I've decided that I will use the Tamiya Hummer wheels and tires as a start.



That's the start for now, we'll see how it fares later.

[K.O.M.]

I finished the kit. I'm not sure I want the differentials completely locked for this trail rig. For the first trial, I'll just pack them with thick bearing grease to slow the diff action down and have sort of a limited slip effect.



A sneak peak at the body.

[K.O.M.]

As some of you know from the PM's I got, the rig is completed and I have already ran a couple of packs through it.

The grease packed diffs are only OK, but for even some rudimentary crawling, they need to be locked. So out came the gease, cleaned everything, and used high viscosity Loctite Red on the gear shafts and the gears themselves.






More body and pics and some static poser shots:







I'm really happy about how the locked diffs are working out, I'm not so happy about the body and I how I have it mounted. Mainly, it seems that it sits really high up and that the wheelbase is off that I had to do a "fenderectomy" to get the tires not to rub.

Short video of the Suby in action with locked diffs is here:
Tamiya DF-01 Subaru Brat

[Grasshopper]

You can reverse the rear control arms and make the whole thing shorter.
Turn the control arm upside down and it will take 1/2 inch off the wheel base.