This is actually something I ended up putting into all my cars (except my SCX - so far). My Off-Roaders get the full titanium screw sets and On-Roaders get aluminium/titanium sets (with the aluminium screws in the correct color (light blue for my Tamiyas and orange for my Xrays). Love the looks, and it reduces weight by quite a few grams, if you replace all screws (whether it's really worth the cost just for weight reduction...? Probably not. But that plus looks... for me it's totally worth it, even when made (good natured) fun of by my fellow club racers sometimes :nod:.)

I'll be honest; I'd be buying for looks haha. Weight reduction is a bonus!

Instead of just talking about it, I should maybe just show my TT-02 Type SR :lol::

https://i.ibb.co/gv1wM8w/20220128-184946.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/P62r32G/20220128-185005.jpg

🤣😂🤣😂

I had enough spares to make a basic TT02 for display purposes. It has now evolved into a house guest TT02 for my sons best friend. Pretty soon it will have some blue crack

That's a beauty, Dirk!!

That thing is beautiful!

So I guess those nylon bushings lasted long eh? LOL

LOL! They’re still on there lol.. but my sons type S is due for a bearing refresh after 6 years.. so I’ll toss those onto the guest TT 🤦🏻

Try this.

80% silicone bearing oil mixed with 20% PB Blaster Graphite spray. Soak for 24-48 hours and agitate the mixture every few hours, or when you remember.

Now you've got sealed bearings that clean themselves. So smoooooth.
When I was younger I used to use the Graphite lubes on my BMX bike bearings. I felt like it made me faster :lol:
It definitely made the bike coast a longer distance.

If you want to go full on, get a real TC. If you want to embarrass people with more money than skill, TT 02 is very capable in the right hands, just don't go down the rabbit hole with mods.

We race this class as a box stock +bearings class. All driver, car doesn't help you and you can't tune to win. Shows who can wheel and sharpens skills because it's all on the person who is driving it. That's the magic, crazy tight super fun racing chassis that comes nearly complete out of the box for the price of a TC ESC. We have more fun with this class and better racing for 1/4 the cost.

You forgot to add I’ll be high as a kite. Every time I use the PB blaster, my wife reads me the riot act.

Cycling products are awesome for RC.. I use Finish line ceramic dry wax lube on ring gears, suspension arms etc. works great!

Model train stuff too!
Labelle 106 kicks butt. Teflon lube. Use it in all my diffs and spur and pinion. Looks like new every time i check them.

The PB Graphite stuff isn't as bad as the PB Blaster, But I usually spray into a mostly closed container then let it outgas outside.

We are far, far down the rabbit hole already :lol:
For me, I like people to drool over my RC like I do LOL

I just cannot bear it, not tuning my cars (with useful parts, that is.) I look for (potential) performance or durability gains and also good looks - but the latter only, if they don't negatively affect performance. Do these parts really make my car measurably faster with me driving? I dare say: no. Does that change anything for me? Again, no. I just enjoy putting the parts in (usually during the build) and knowing that they are there, looking awesome :lol:. It's a hobby after all, it doesn't have to follow a business plan. :nod: The only car in my signature that isn't hopped much (actually barely at all) is my Xray SCX. Anything else is hopped up to the max (of what I consider useful, so no aluminium A-arms or such, sorry:D). Just because I want to. I know, driving in a spec, out of the box class would be fun as well - but even while the driving part is not, the building and owning part would be somewhat boring for me.

Also I'd like to debunk the myth that it's only about the driver in these spec-out-of-the-box classes. In my experience, in any stock or spec class it's also about the tinkerers who manage to get the maximum performance e.g. most free, most efficient drive train, etc.) out of the allowed components. And unfortunately that's often where cheating happens, or at least people acting in a grey zone. In open modified classes, everyone has (more than) enough power. That's where a driver actually makes the most difference, IMO.

There can be some truth to that depending on who and where you race. Mod does also showcase driver skill. But it also costs 4 times as much just to get into.

Our spec class as I mentioned also does that and we don't have too many cheaters, just a good group of racers. Hasn't been a problem and it's ALL driver still. True rewards when you can hit the perfect line and you know it was all you. Driving a slow car fast builds skill.

Again, apparently depends where you drive. I've never seen a modified driver spend 4 times as much money as a stock driver, not even close to that. On the contrary, in my experience - unless we're talking about a very strict spec class - normal stock classes can often become even more expensive than modified. Ok, you wear down tires more quickly in mod and you need a bigger ESC. But in mod there's not nearly as much super light, super low resistance parts, no motor of the month, no ultra-high grade batteries with 40A capable chargers, etc.

Which bumper and bumper support is that?

Who has tried the optional hard lower plate (54926) on black carpet? Any feedback?

Bumper support is from

TA05-TA08, TB03-TB05, TRF416-TRF419. You can find it on the body post parts tree.

Black chassis is stiffer and better for black carpet.

Hey, thanks for the reply. That's what I was assuming about the chassis, which works out well, as the standard was OOS on tamiyausa.

I just picked up another TT-02 from a local modeler that came with the Torque Tuned motor, a Power HD steering servo, full bearings, kit rims and tires with the Mustang GT body. It was used to drift but I will return the car to box stock setup for the TTGT class we run. The kit included a Tamiya TBLE-04s speed control which surprised, and when I Googled it seems this ESC has replaced the TBLE-02s version. Has anyone else found this new model ESC in their Tamiya kits?

My Ford GT kit came with the same one.

My kit is the Ford GT Mustang as well, good to know.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rct...d854ad11de.jpg

My dad and I both picked up the '91 Audi V8 kits around Christmas, and both came w/TBLE-04S.

Steve,

kits started to ship last year with the updated TBLE-04S. The battery cut off now has 2 settings. The higher is actually sufficient for LiPo even though Tamiya still claims both are LIFe only.

New Tamiya kits are currently shipping with HW 1060 ESC. Tamiya has not officially offered a reason, but I believe this is due to chip shortage. These kits have an A at the end of the 5 digit part code.. eg 58695-A

Thanks, good to know. :-)

Is anyone sitting on an extra diff + input gear or a full set of the G parts? Can't seem to find anything that isn't shipping outta HK, and I'd rather not wait that long.

You can buy parts directly from TamiyaUSA.com. Free ground shipping on orders over $50+ USD. If you need it faster, you should contact them over the phone to make other shipping arrangements (that will most likely cost more). Here is a link...
https://www.tamiyausa.com/shop/spare...-tt02-g-parts/

Amazon also has this part listed from a seller in London UK...

I've placed a few orders through there, and they seem to take forever to process and ship. I would likely receive parts ordered from HK first. I ended up ordering the YR sealed diff instead, so the point is moot now. But thank you for the reply.

Yup, Last TamiyaUSA order seemed to take longer to notify me that it had been shipped/proccessed. On the other hand my orders have been well packaged when I do get them.

Last 5 orders, I receive them and 2 days later arrives the ship notification from Tamiya warehouse. It’s a new covid functionality they have added 😂

It's called "time travel"...your shipping notifications were sent to the future. 'Marty says "You're welcome".

On a separate, sorta-kinda semi-related, note ("semi-related", because it has to do with Tamiya), while I greatly enjoy the two TT-02s I've built (one completely stock, the other to racing spec), I'm looking for my next Tamiya kit...and, I could really use some input from those shove built different Tamiya kits.

What I'm looking-for/interested-in is something complex & time consuming. I'm on a long-term assignment hours away from home, living/based out of a hotel (driving nurses for FEMA). Originally, or was supposed to only be a 5 week assignment, through the end of February. However, I just found out yesterday that the FEMA contract has a strong possibility of being extended to and if could be in Fresno until the end of March.

The actual driving portion is only in the mornings & evenings, leaving me with 9-10 hours every day (yes, I'm working 7 days/week, for 9 consecutive weeks) of my 'own' time...and, I'm not the type of person to sit around all day binge-watching movies & TV shows. At the same time, I can't exactly drive anyplace I want...few places have parking for a 46 foot, 56-passenger, motorcoach. This is why, when driving into town, I came up with the idea of building a few RC kits while I was on assignment (I was smart enough to bring my tools, and other building 'accessories' with me). Since I arrived, I've almost finished building an IFS-converted Element Enduro Gatekeeper, and an Associated B74.1...and, am now looking for 1-2 kits to "hold me over" for the next 5 weeks.

I've decided that, of I get 2 kits, one of them should be another Tamiya (and, if I only get one more kit, it might still be a Tamiya). The problem/question is, "which?" This is where all of those reading this come into play. Sooner, or later, I WILL get a tank...but, I can't afford to spend that much right now. Whether I get 1 kit, or 2, I want the total (pre-tax/shipping) cost to be less than $600. The longer and/or more complicated the build, the better. I'm open to (almost) any suggestions/recommendations. A pre-cut pre-painted body would be considered a huge "plus" (that way, I could truly complete the build before heading home in a little over a month).

I'm open to (almost) anything. A big-rig is a possibility, as is a drift car. Maybe a 'tall' truck (Hilux, Tundra, etc), or a "high-end" buggy (ie. Super Avanta, Top Force Evo, etc). So...what suggestions/recommendations have y'all got?

You know what, I take back what I said about TamiyaUSA. The order I placed on 2/11 showed up just now. I just didn't receive any advanced shipping notification. It simply says "sent to warehouse" as the order status. This happened with my last order too, but I thought that order took much longer to arrive. I double checked the timeframe, and that was just over a week between order and delivery. Must have been a long week mentally...

If your into Tamiya then the Super Avante is a very interesting build, and I really enjoyed the CC-02 as well - I believe both are available pre-painted.

Panther6834

For complicated a time consuming, definitely one of the trucks, bruiser, highlift etc.. but they’re pricey. Next, Avante / Egress are very unique as well. Also look at Kyosho Optima / Turbo Optima.. 30+ year old belt / chain drive design is a fun build and fairly intricate.

I was looking at the Super Avante (as well as the Top Force Evo), and an checking out the CC-02 right now. While I like the (somewhat) "complexity" of the Super Avante, I'm not so keen on the pre-painted colors. As for the CC-02, I'm actually liking it more than I thought I would...plus, they're are a few pre-painted options (Unimog, G500, Land Rover 90). Too bad the Hilux version is not available as a kit - body only, and unpainted. I like the blue Defender 90...unfortunately, it won't be shipping until "sometime" between March & June (based on info from multiple sites). While it won't 'work' for right this moment, I will DEFINITELY keep it in mind for the future (I REALLY like that blue)...as in, there's a 90+% chance I'll get one.

As BuggyFan21 also suggested...and, as I also replied (above), I am considering the Super Avante...but, not-so-sure about the yellow-blue pre-painted body. Just curious, but, does anyone know if the non-pre-painted body is pre-cut? I did check out the Turbo Optima, and I was liking it...except for a few "problems". ESPECIALLY the chain drive...they shouldn't fever to that as 'vintage'...more like 'archaic'...lol
You've both given me a few ideas to consider. I'd say there's a high probability I'll get the blue CC-02 Defender 90, once released...and, I'm also considering the Avente Black Special Edition (less likely that I'll get, but also not released yet). Another "oddity" that just came to mind...getting the CC-02 Unimog, and adding a couple of the Track Unit Sets, turning it into a "snow rescue" vehicle. I like "oddities"...I was one of, if not THE...first people/person to build a 4WS Axial Capra, and I recently built (from the Builder's Kit) an Element Gatekeeper using the IFS Conversion Kit.

Optima can be built as a chain or belt drive. It includes both. I believe the body is pre-cut. Also you can paint the body a single colour and the decals will create the box art, if that’s what your going for.

I just double-checked...and (of course) you're right. The only "problem" is that I'd be afraid to scratch up the bottom of that gorgeous gold chassis. Of course, I could always give the buggy a Las Vegas Golden Knights theme, and give it to my step-dad.

First, thank you to those who 'entertained' my "Tamiya talk" having to do with non-TT02 stuff. In the end, I decided to go with the TD4 Super Avante, plus a host of Hop-Up parts. As for any thoughts of building one of the Tamiya Semi Truck kits, I'm now in communication with Joe, from "Semi Joe's R/C Truck Shop", about working up a list of parts to build a completely custom (and VERY scale) Knight Hauler...which I am fully expecting will take at least 2 years to finish. Getting back to the TT-02, turns out it has a connection to the TD4 - they both use the same Hop-Up shocks - 54993.

I won Tamiya’s instagram giveway and got a brand new TT02 I’m looking to race in blinky 21.5 class and TCS 2022 pro spec with it.

What are some recommended modifications/hop-ups that aren’t in the TCS rules but are important to have in order to be competitive?

also I’m looking for a TT02 Type-S if anyone is looking to sell theirs.

TCS rules are pretty class specific. ProSpec.. you can use any TT02 hop up (non from S/SR), with the exception of
1. aluminium shocks
2. carbon shock towers
3. Diff lock for front

Check the parts list for the TT02 R and RR.. those are all you need for ProScpec