Anyone interesting in seeing any updates on this:

I am.

I am for sure (I mentioned it briefly a few posts ago). Tower is taking orders for the Jimmy now.

Maybe you guys can help me with this. I'm in the middle of replacing the chassis on my M-03. Regular maintenance I can handle. At the 2012 TCS race in Jackson, NJ I stripped out the ball diff. Another racer there gave me his completely built up M03 gear diff (his M03 was long gone, replaced by an M05, but he still had the diff). Problem is I have no idea how to set up the gear diff. I'm not sore what thicker or thinner oil will do for handling, and I have no idea what's in it now. Any recommendations?

I could also use help with shock oil. Springs are easy, but it's been so long since I built the shocks I forgot what I have in them.

Let me know what you want to know.

This car is pretty much a mini-TL01 with the motor behind the rear wheels and adjustable wheelbase (center section of chassis is shorter or longer and different length prop shaft comes depending on the body in kit).

Most curious about parts shared with other models and final drive ratio.

Thank you for supporting local suppliers and families. It shouldnt always be about price.

Mainly the suspension arms and hubs/carriers part trees are from the M05ra kit (and the F Parts are molded in red plastic). Chassis, gears and all that jazz are different... aaaaand it uses TL01 gears #50738

Here's something I posted on a local forum recently

"Four trips to PM (LHS) this month. Looking for parts for Tamiya, Traxxas, Associated and Axial. Total purchases, $1.56. What does this tell us?"

Were you running the Manta Ray ball diff? Mine stripped out in like 5months too. The splines just completely broke on the left side.

I'm currently using the factory gear diff since I am on the fence not sure what to do with my M03 (to put more $ into it, or just let it be). I've read people doubled up on the shims and put AW grease inside to keep it snug. AW grease turns into liquid after a while in the diff so I am not sure if I recommend that approach or not. I would try the shim approach though.

In the mean time, I just gave my M03 some rake and it handles coming out of the turns fairly well for now. I need to order another ball diff soon.

sickboy - I wish my local brick and mortar hobby store carried more Tamiya stuff too. But I am okay with ordering online from USA stores.

You keep forgetting your wallet? (disclaimer: this is a joke)

I noticed OmniModels is also taking orders. ETA Late July it says. I'm going to pass for now. Maybe you guys can make a tutorial on how to convert it into a road machine and I will consider it in the Fall and run my.. you guessed it.. Rover Mini body.

I went another route recently and got 2 Mini-Z (MR03-S) and bearings, tires, etc. AWESOME!

No real easy answers to your questions.

Setting up the gear diff really depends on the conditions of your track, what you're looking for out of your car, and how you like to drive. The short answer would be to use some anti-wear grease, more or less, and maybe shimming.

Same goes for your shocks. Put in a fair amount of testing to find out how your car reacts to changes. Try 3 hole, 40wt to get you started.

YGPM'd dude

Thanks for all the tips guys. I'll keep practicing and experimenting.

+1/Me!

...also, what is that tool set you have in the back ground of the photo? I like how it has what looks like a case and cut outs for each tool. More info on that please.

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Buying from a local store,
I live near San Francisco, CA. You'd think w/ a million people we'd have at least 1 decent hobby store. Sadly the closest stores are at least an hour plus drive away w/o traffic. ...2 hours w/ traffic. Hard to get time away from wife/kids/work to always get to a store. Our best store is primarily a doll house store w/ a corner dedicated to RC stuff ...mostly Traxxas and RTR stuff. All very generic. So I order 99% of my parts. I try to order from USA stores primarily ...AMain Hobbies and TQRRacing are my fav's lately.