Qatmix, How do we shim the steering posts? In your article it said you were going to write an article on how to do so.

I used a couple of 0.3mm thick 3mm shims on the arms that connect to the steering bridge to take out slop.

I'm a little bit obsessive about slop so I would not be too bothered about it at first when building the assembly. (I've updated the article now)

http://www.tamiyausa.com/items/radio...ndshaker-58608

Cool new addition for any off-road lovers like myself

Would be tempted to convert my standard tt02 to this, would need to get that exact shell and give it an awesome livery, longer shocks, and race grade tyres.

Who's with me?

Crouch?

Haven't heard much about the truck version, but I've been enjoying my tt-02B quite a bit since I completed it a few weeks ago. Threw a 17T brushed motor in for fun the other day, along with different gearing with the high speed adapter, and it handled it just fine. Even survived a transmitter mishap with a full throttle runaway car that went straight into a curb, 7 ft. in the air and into a tree while it ran in full throttle for a while, wheels all caught up in gravel. That should break the diffs in. Doesn't appear that they are leaking by much, but I use a LOT of green slime. I've built 6 of these diffs so far in various forms for the TT-02s. Went 5k f 3k r and am really happy so far with that combo. If you love the TT-02 platform, you gotta get one for bashing. Definitely one of my favorite cars to just grab and go. Handles a lot like a touring car, but without the worry of messing it up as much. It can take a beating compared to what I thought would be the case when building it. I just wouldn't jump it much. It loves to romp in short cut grass, non-rocky dirt, and any kind of pavement. Only hop ups on it are bearings, aluminum shaft, and motor adapter, along with some shims here and there. Doesn't appear as if there was any damage to the driveline from the extra power, so maybe save your money on universals and whatnot for the touring cars. I'd say that power level was about the limit for bashing (responsibly) without a slipper clutch anyways.

You're right about the touring car handing. My TT started in rally form and it handled too much how you described it for off road. Also due to the short shocks. On second thoughts, too much money to convert to truck mode.

Pretty sure my Neo Scorcher was $100 shipped from overseas. Well worth it in my opinion (if you like Tamiyas.) $100 could probably be better spent on a Chinese brand basher, but like I said, if you're a fan, it's a fantastic car.

Still debating whether I want to get a TT02, TC4, or a Spec-R S2. Hayling, you said the TT02 does alright on dirt/clay? I've got a couple baseball fields around me that I'd love to rally through.

The variety I'm taking about is the "B" version, which is for buggy. The thing seems practically designed for baseball fields. If you want to rally through those without an "off road" car, then the tt-02 rally, or better yet, an XV-01 is probably what you are looking for. The XV-01 is one of the best chassis kits they have, and are a good value - even the non-pro version. If you want something more controllable than the TT-02, then that's the ticket, because for rough surfaces, touring cars just aren't up to the task (besides that and a few other ones more aimed at higher ride heights). It's more durable too.

Hey thanks. The XV-01 is definitely out of my price range. Is there a separate "rally" version of the TT02 chassis?

I started with the rally version of the tt02. What it is consists of the Lancia Delta Integrale Body, it allows you to flip the hubs for increased right height, 19t pinion and rally block tires.

Getting this allows you to easily convert to on road later if you prefer but getting the Buggy version would be better if you had an "offroad" track. I took my rally car on an off road track and it loved nose diving off jumps (going off the gas, and then full punch helped jumping - nearly landed a triple!) and it stayed undamaged for possibly 10-15cartwheels amazingly..

I don't have an actual off road track. Just a bunch of places to bash around. Including asphalt parking lots, which is why I also want the touring aspect. Not really planning on hitting any big jumps.

Is the rally version the TT02R?

If you get a rally, with the body, I think they might all be base kits at the moment. The best TT-02 for on-road on a budget is the type D version, but you will need a body and some different non-drift tires. For rally, Tamiya's own rally block tires are great. You'd just flip over the hubs and follow the rally instructions when building the D from any rally kit with a standard wheelbase (or short, if you have a body that fits.) They can be downloaded online.

For overall fun, on road and off - the buggy version is hard to beat, but have not tried configuring a rally setup on the standard on-road chassis. It turns great! Maybe even better than my associated B5 at high speed radius, but it's 2wd.

The folks who get into the B platform seem to emphasize getting rid of the steering slop, but I've found that unless you are keeping it on asphalt, it won't be the easiest thing to keep in a straight line anyways.

For the record, I have an on-road TT-02D, with over $200 in hop ups. The B is just more fun for everyday bashing, but it certainly doesn't look like a car, which may be a deal breaker.

They make an adjustable turnbuckle kit that replaces all the links, that did not cost very much. Wish the TT-02 touring car had that!! I paid just as much for a pair of heavy rear camber adjuster from 3racing or the like.

I finally got around to building my TT02. My one and only upgrade? Bearings! I just noticed that steering angles are limited by stoppers on the knuckles and the upper links. Did anybody try trimming/cutting them to get more angle?

Front dogbones will probably bind or come out with increased steering angle. If the dogbones won't stay in you could try something like this:
.

Noted sir. Assuming that I have DCJs installed, will trimming the stoppers increase steering angle? Has anybody tried this?