Tommy R's RC Art Jager RWD Drifter

[Tommy R]

Hey folks,

Several months ago I was looking for another drifter. No, not to replace my Yokomo DRB, but in addition to it. The DRB was still performing amazingly well, but I was looking for a new challenge. I wanted to build something with more of a rear motor setup this time. Maybe build it as more of a competition style car for higher speed tracks? I considered a new YD2+, of course. That proven to be a great chassis! But it's also really commonplace these days and I was hoping for something a bit different. That's when a friend mentioned he had an RC Art Jager RX-12J project that's never been run. He made me a deal that I definitely couldn't refuse and she was mine!

Here's how I received the chassis. Note that this car is sold in a minimal configuration leaving you to select your own suspension, dampers, etc. Mine came in silver and was equipped with Wrap Up Next rear suspension and upper arms. The also included MST lower arms. He had also purchased the aluminum battery mounts from RC Art. All that would be needed to be a roller would be knuckles/axles and shocks/springs.






First order of business was to pick up some silver WUN GX Version 3 knuckles/axles, as well as some Yokomo big bore dampers like those from the YD2+. We have a roller!


Tried playing around a ton with the stock steering setup. It was proving difficult to get the throw and Ackerman that I wanted.


I got things looking pretty good, but the steering didn't feel right. Keep in mind I had not yet powered up the car. I just mean that the steering linkage seemed to be binding up more than I'd like. It was also pretty......"sticky". You see, RC Art calls for the use of o-rings in the steering bellcranks. If you tighten them up, they grab and cause bind. Loosen them up and it introduces loads of play.


I ended up getting some different front bellcrank arms for the steering which helped eliminate some bind. I also replaced the o-rings with some carefully selected shims. Much better, but there's still more slop than I'd prefer. But in the meantime I also selected a Sanwa Type D Plus ESC with integrated receiver, KO Propo coreless servo, and an Acuvance 10.5 motor. An Onisiki gyro eventually found it's way in there, as well.

[CM9000]

all you drifters like using fancy stuff from japan but I never see a Keyence esc anymore. how come nobody uses Keyence stateside? they have sensored esc's nowadays.


nice slider, im working on turning my M-06 into a drifter.

[Tommy R]

Oh, they're around! We've got a couple guys running them locally, but Sanwa or Hobbywing stuff seems to be the most common. I like the Sanwa stuff because I wanted to be able to control my ESC's features through my transmitter.

[CM9000]

really? im highly surprised. last time ive seen one in person was when I had a brushed one in my old pro-4. where did you get those batt lead covers from???? looks so clean!

[STANG KILLA SS]

man that motor is up high.
pretty chassis though

[Tommy R]

Originally Posted by CM9000

really? im highly surprised. last time ive seen one in person was when I had a brushed one in my old pro-4. where did you get those batt lead covers from???? looks so clean!

Yep! Well, aren't Keyence and Acuvance pretty much the same thing these days? If not, then nevermind! LOL I forgot the name of those connectors, but they're a PITA to locate so I picked up enough to do both cars last time I found them.

Originally Posted by STANG KILLA SS

man that motor is up high.
pretty chassis though

Thanks... Yeah, it's a more subtle form of generating weight transfer, which some people like and some people don't. My other car does not have weight shift and it's slower, but transitions quicker. I'm not sure that's solely attributable to the higher cg, though.

[STANG KILLA SS]

arms looks to be adjustable width. cool feature.

[Tommy R]

Originally Posted by STANG KILLA SS

arms looks to be adjustable width. cool feature.

They are. I haven't changed them, but yes, they are.

I need to take some up-to-date photos of the chassis and with the new shell and post them...

[CM9000]

AE86? rx3? r31? what did ya get?

[MattyJ603]

How's the Ackerman angle handle when driven?

[Tommy R]

Originally Posted by MattyJ603

How's the Ackerman angle handle when driven?

Not as good as I'd like, but I'm working on it. That being said, the car drives very well, but I want it better. I'm researching putting a ball diff into it now.

[MattyJ603]

I always flip/flop on ball vs locked diff. I was driving my EA GRT with a ball diff and YD2's come standard with it. It seems like that is trending pretty hard. I am always feeling like I have more trust in a locked diff when getting sideways. What are your thoughts?

[JatoTheRipper]

That's a sweet looking chassis.

[Tommy R]

Thanks very much! Unfortunately, it's about to go up for sale in the next day or two. I'm wanting to get back into racing offroad buggies and a drifter needs to go in order to fund it. :(