Tamiya R/C Chassis
Discussion
I've been out of the R/C game for a little while, but recently decided to have a dabble again while the full size project is on hold!
Got my eye on a drift car now (among a few others!) but I can't figure out what all the chassis designations mean. Is there a wiki or similar somewhere. Seeing a lot of TT01 and 02's; TL01's but then there's M05 as well. Presumably there is some logic to all this? I figured out the FF ones though!
Got my eye on a drift car now (among a few others!) but I can't figure out what all the chassis designations mean. Is there a wiki or similar somewhere. Seeing a lot of TT01 and 02's; TL01's but then there's M05 as well. Presumably there is some logic to all this? I figured out the FF ones though!
MrBig said:
I've been out of the R/C game for a little while, but recently decided to have a dabble again while the full size project is on hold!
Got my eye on a drift car now (among a few others!) but I can't figure out what all the chassis designations mean. Is there a wiki or similar somewhere. Seeing a lot of TT01 and 02's; TL01's but then there's M05 as well. Presumably there is some logic to all this? I figured out the FF ones though!
TT-01 came after the TL-01, both shaft driven to 'ok' for drifting but ideally you'll want something belt driven so you can adjust the gearing on the rear to it's 'counter-steering'; basically overdriving the rear wheels to they are permanently spinning.Got my eye on a drift car now (among a few others!) but I can't figure out what all the chassis designations mean. Is there a wiki or similar somewhere. Seeing a lot of TT01 and 02's; TL01's but then there's M05 as well. Presumably there is some logic to all this? I figured out the FF ones though!
I picked up a cheap TL-01 and with a few cheap mods (rear diff 'locked' by packing it with toilet paper) and solid plastic tyres it did well enough. I've added a load more hop-ups since then (one-way front diff, camber adjustable upper arms, speed tuned ggears and 19T motor) and it does pretty well. Never raced it anyway outside of car park tarmac and never with any other cars around, so no idea how it compares.
Try Tamiyaclub.com - lots of helpful information there.
TL01 - Touring chassis, single-monocoque design. Spawned lots of off-road models too. Enclosed gearbox, very reliable, a little dated now.
TT01 - Replaced the TL01, has 'tub' chassis design with central propshaft and offset motor arrangement. Much more simple design, entry-level model with lots of (mostly pointless) option parts
TT02 - Replaced the TT01 (surprisingly). Very similar design philosophy and appearance, even easier to assemble, slightly better tolerance on parts (less steering 'slop' etc.). Still entry-level.
Above this you had the 'TA' series, which were a much higher-grade chassis with better tolerances and more of a racing pedigree. I'm a big fan of the vintage TA03 chassis for its' front-engine 4wd layout, but the latest iteration is the TA06. All are very accomplished chassis' and slightly more complex than the entry-level models and faster / better out of the box.
You will benefit from assembling any of these cars if you are looking to get into it. The satisfaction of the build completion together with the knowledge of how it goes together when you inevitably break something is priceless.
The M-chassis series is something else. M standing for 'mini' afaik. Odd numbers = front-wheel-drive, even numbers = rear wheel drive. Neither will be any good for drifting, where 4wd is the norm.
TL01 - Touring chassis, single-monocoque design. Spawned lots of off-road models too. Enclosed gearbox, very reliable, a little dated now.
TT01 - Replaced the TL01, has 'tub' chassis design with central propshaft and offset motor arrangement. Much more simple design, entry-level model with lots of (mostly pointless) option parts
TT02 - Replaced the TT01 (surprisingly). Very similar design philosophy and appearance, even easier to assemble, slightly better tolerance on parts (less steering 'slop' etc.). Still entry-level.
Above this you had the 'TA' series, which were a much higher-grade chassis with better tolerances and more of a racing pedigree. I'm a big fan of the vintage TA03 chassis for its' front-engine 4wd layout, but the latest iteration is the TA06. All are very accomplished chassis' and slightly more complex than the entry-level models and faster / better out of the box.
You will benefit from assembling any of these cars if you are looking to get into it. The satisfaction of the build completion together with the knowledge of how it goes together when you inevitably break something is priceless.
The M-chassis series is something else. M standing for 'mini' afaik. Odd numbers = front-wheel-drive, even numbers = rear wheel drive. Neither will be any good for drifting, where 4wd is the norm.
Ive recently rekindled my love for Rc cars due to a mate in the workshop next door turning up with his old HPI Savage 25 nitro... so had to go off to the bay and buy an HPI Bullet nitro 
On the worktop at work Ive a TL 01 chassis minus radio gear from a Subaru Imprezza build about 15 years ago. (Radio gear was donated to my Wild Willy 2 thats also there!)
The TL01 has the battery slotted through the middle hanging out each side.
Not got great ground clearance and do tend to crack the chassis in the odd crash. Saying that IIRC a replacement was £15 - if theyre still available that is!
On the worktop at work Ive a TL 01 chassis minus radio gear from a Subaru Imprezza build about 15 years ago. (Radio gear was donated to my Wild Willy 2 thats also there!)
The TL01 has the battery slotted through the middle hanging out each side.
Not got great ground clearance and do tend to crack the chassis in the odd crash. Saying that IIRC a replacement was £15 - if theyre still available that is!
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