Rally Legends RC or Tamiya DF03ra

[Steve Hipsley]

Hey rally guys I need some advice. I've wanted a rally car for some time now and am ready to pull the plug and get one. I LOVE the look of the Tamiya Datsun 240z but am concerned about some of the issues that I have read about included battery fitment as I use block lipo packs.
Then I come across the rally legends cars. The chassis look cool. They look to ride lower than Tamiya but might be stronger. The "brushless ready" version comes with a gear diff and all the other RTRs come with ball diffs.
I just can't decide which one!!!
Does anyone have a Rally Legends car?
Does anyone have an opinion about the DF03?
Help me my wallet is on fire!!!!!

 

[MadForce]

On the legends chassis plastics look like carbon reinforced but I am no chemist. They are more durable than Tamiya plastics at least considering my driving. I have the readyset version with ball diffs and I have had no issues with brushless so far. I use a 5300 2 pole motor on 2S only and the turnigy 5K 20C packs whick are block type and they fit nicely.
On the other hand I haven't had a DF03Ra so I can't speak for this platform.

 

[Skeeno]

Two of my buddies have DF03 and I am not impressed. I liked the handling of my TT01 better. I like the Rally Legend, but would be concerned about parts, so I would go with a TT-01. TT-01 did require a bit of tuning. I dremeled the suspension stops to allow more downtravel and used the Tamiya oil shocks.

 

[nascarkeith]

Look in the rally thread here and on scale 4x4 I have posted some stuff comparing the rally legends and the exceed cars. They look to be the same but exceed is much cheaper. I haven't driven either but I have an exceed on the way. From what I have read the df03 has some durability issues with brushless.

 

[Steve Hipsley]

Wow the exceed cars do look similar. Wonder what the quality is like? Looks like one could easily turn that into a rally car. I can't wait to see what you think of the exceed. Which one did you get?

 

[TURTLE]

I had a DF03Ra for a couple of years, its a pretty solid platform after a few modifications, but it never really drove all that great IMO, at the time it was fantastic, but now there are more cars available and several better options.

I also have the Rally Legends car, for the money it is the best car out on the market IMO. The car is really well balanced and drives much better then the DF03Ra. the chassis layout is nice and simple and the body and wheel options are fantastic. Plus Rally legends has tons and tons of hop-up options, the same can not be said for the DF03Ra.

I love Tamiya, but the Rally legends car is better out of the box.

 

[Steve Hipsley]

I had a DF03Ra for a couple of years, its a pretty solid platform after a few modifications, but it never really drove all that great IMO, at the time it was fantastic, but now there are more cars available and several better options.

I also have the Rally Legends car, for the money it is the best car out on the market IMO. The car is really well balanced and drives much better then the DF03Ra. the chassis layout is nice and simple and the body and wheel options are fantastic. Plus Rally legends has tons and tons of hop-up options, the same can not be said for the DF03Ra.

I love Tamiya, but the Rally legends car is better out of the box.

How is the ride height? Also, are you running ball diff or gear diff? I'm kind of sold on Rally Legends but I love the Tamiya 240z Datsun body.

 

[TURTLE]

How is the ride height? Also, are you running ball diff or gear diff? I'm kind of sold on Rally Legends but I love the Tamiya 240z Datsun body.

Both are about 3/4" belly. I was running the ball diffs originally. Now I have a locked front end and upgraded ball diff rear. The Gear diffs look really solid though, Tamiya doesn't offer anything like that for the DF03Ra another thing to think about. Also Tamiya does offer the Datsun body separately.

 

[Steve Hipsley]

Both are about 3/4" belly. I was running the ball diffs originally. Now I have a locked front end and upgraded ball diff rear. The Gear diffs look really solid though, Tamiya doesn't offer anything like that for the DF03Ra another thing to think about. Also Tamiya does offer the Datsun body separately.

Do you think that the shorter wheelbase Nissan body would fit? Thanks for your input! I had myself convinced to get the Tamiya even with its shortcomings but if that Datsun body fits its a done deal I'll get the Rally Legends

 

[nascarkeith]

Wow the exceed cars do look similar. Wonder what the quality is like? Looks like one could easily turn that into a rally car. I can't wait to see what you think of the exceed. Which one did you get?

Madspeed. Check the 81 Puma car thread. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[alexchen86]

I have a DF-03Ra that I no longer bash anymore. Problem is with a conservative brushless load out (Sidewinder w/3800kv) even with a slipper clutch and only 2s I've gone through transmission gears and ball diffs like water! They just don't hold up...especially when racing it on our local dirt track for buggies and short course.

When it came out yes it was definitely a comeback for rally cars in the r/c world. Rally Legends have nicer looking bodies and chassis but they are a bit pricey and I don't know how readily available replacement/upgrade parts are.

I'd look into Tamiya's new XV-01 chassis...very nice and clean layout plus a front mounted motor should benefit. If you really want the 240z rally body set you can always buy that separately and mount it to that.

The CC-01, DF-03Ra, and XV-01 all make good choices for rally all coming from 1/10 4wd buggy inspired designs. Also all have great parts support/availability.

Of course there's still many popular conversions you can do for 1/10 tub based shafty touring cars like the TT-01, TB-02, TB-03, and TC3/TC4...

You really can't go wrong with any of them!

 

[Steve Hipsley]

I finally decided on the DF03ra!! I happen to look on Tower and they have the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X for 149.45. I really wanted the Datson 240z and they happen to have that body. I went ahead and got the bevel gear set which pushed my total to just over $200.00 which qualified me for $25.00 discount. Grand total $189.22 including shipping!! The cheapest I have found the Datsun was on the bay 223.00 shipped so I feel I got a great deal! I don't want the Mitsubishi body but im sure I can sell it. I like the wheels that it comes with compared to the black hummer wheels that come with the Datsun.
I am so excited to finally get a rally car!!!! I think I'll start my own build thread......

 

[TURTLE]

Got some electronics and a radio picked out?

 

[Steve Hipsley]

I was thinking about building it stock at first just for the heck of it. I have a Traxxas 2075 servo
MMP speed controller
Motor wise I have:
Tekin Redline 13.5
Traxxas velinion 3500
Castle 3800 4 pole

I'll probably go with the Tekin.
Spectrum radio

 

[TURTLE]

Definitely upgrade the rear diff. Check out my build thread for all that info. "thumbsup"
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/non-crawler-rcs/312726-turtles-modified-df03ra.html

 

[Steve Hipsley]

I also ordered the slipper clutch

 

[Steve Hipsley]

Has anybody used this 3racing graphite chassis for the df03? I wonder if it would accept larger battery packs?

 

[TURTLE]

I also ordered the slipper clutch

Thats not going to be enough to keep the rear diff from melting.

Has anybody used this 3racing graphite chassis for the df03? I wonder if it would accept larger battery packs?

If you are driving this car off road you don't want graphite anything.

The battery compartment can be modified check out my build thread."thumbsup"

 

[Steve Hipsley]

Your thread is awesome. Guess I'll pull out the dremel for that as my goal is to keep this project cheap. I will do the rear diff mod as well after I run it stock for a bit. I would imagine with the rear locked it slides pretty good on dirt. Are the diff out drive sleeves plastic?? I found the 3racing ones on EBay. My plan is to build it stock except for the battery mod if mine doesn't fit. Then drive it stock, not be satisfied, and start modding. You've also inspired me regarding covering the gaping hole in the steering.
Thanks!! Any advice or opinions will be appreciated!

 

[TURTLE]

Yeah the rear outdrives are plastic, well not the cups themselves, but the inside parts are. The front is all metal though. Some have had issues with the front, I never did though.