501X Bling

[TRF_Tastic]

Some of the new parts are for sale on the Ebay if you do a little search, the front castor blocks and roll bars.

[usagi]

yep...and the alloy belt tensioners ;)
Can't wait for the alloy steering and rear hubs....bling bling

[Dunc]

Well spotted!

Definitely interested in the castor blocks.....

[TRF_Tastic]

I've got some on order and Ill let you all know what they are like, when they arrive.

[jimmy]

Do the alloy ones (cant see them on ebay) have vertical ball studs like the BJ4 ones? or are they an alloy version of the originals?
I've not seen any weak point here, so unless they have vertical studs they won't be worth it for me I don't think.
The steering would be nice though.


Post some photos up if you can find any and part numbers! :)

[usagi]

The ebay link is:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/53961-Tamiya-TRF501X-Aluminum-Castor-Block_W0QQitemZ250090461728QQihZ015QQcategoryZ3406 3QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

The photo of the parts isn't fantastic, but you can make out the design of the blocks.

[jimmy]

yeah - basically bj4 parts by the looks of it.

[PaulRotheram]

a worthwhile hop up that one - if its the same as a bj4.. the front camber link changes the handeling quite noticeably when raised or lowered.

[jimmy]

yeah, I know stu wood mentioned that was one drawback of the kit setup - the lack of vertical ball stud on the front hub. Will have to look at getting that one (even tho I have 3 sets of the kit plastic items! arg)

[PaulRotheram]

use the plastic ones for now jim, the vertical makes a difference.. and is a very nice addition.. but you've been estatic with it's handeling.. keep it that way dood!

Don't fix it if it isnt broke.. as it were!

[jimmy]

true, true.
Some bj4 driver asked me about the plastic ones anyway since he wanted to try them on his bj4 to reduce unsprung weight.

[Fabs]

You already have vertical ball stud adjustment... on the inner side of the link. :p

[jimmy]

Yeah thats what I said! :D I guess the big lads want this tuning option though.

[TRF_Tastic]

Jimmy I have two sets coming if you want to borrow a set to see how they run and what options they give? Drop me a pm if your interested.

Cheers

[usagi]

More bling parts...this time from Tech Racing.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/501040-Tech-Racing-Aluminum-Guide-Cap-Tamiya-TRF501X_W0QQitemZ250092219878QQihZ015QQcategoryZ34 063QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They are also selling front and rear shock towers. :D

[Alan1467]

Just fitted the new alloy front caster blocks and the car now appears to have a lot of bump steer!! Anyone else found this?
Alan

[usagi]

No bumpsteer on mine...have you mounted the ballstub in the correct hole?

[Alan1467]

The ball stud is behind the king pin sure looking at the diagram that is where it goes

[usagi]

The ballstud should be inline with the kingpin so the camberlink runs parrallel with the driveshaft ...if you have the ballstud behind the kingpin then it sounds like you have the casterblocks on the the wrong way around (left block on right hand side of car and visa versa) and you have mounted it in the wrong hole.
The ball stud is behind the king pin sure looking at the diagram that is where it goes

[Alan1467]

Opps miss read the instructions :confused: left and right mixed up silly me :wtf:

[usagi]

No probs....if you think the casterblocks are good, wait until you fit the adjustable belt tensioners.
You will have a fit trying to work out how to adjust the lower bearing post. :o

[HairySteve]

More bling parts...this time from Tech Racing.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/501040-Tech-Racing-Aluminum-Guide-Cap-Tamiya-TRF501X_W0QQitemZ250092219878QQihZ015QQcategoryZ34 063QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Where on earth does that bit go??? :o Pardon me if I'm being thick, just had an 11 hour stint at work... :rolleyes:
-Steve

[usagi]

I think it's an alloy o-ring cartridge (V2 parts in manual)...i have just spotted an alloy shock cap on ebay aswell (V1 cylinder cap)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/501030-Tech-Racing-Aluminum-Cylinder-Cap-Tamiya-TRF501X_W0QQitemZ250092221144QQihZ015QQcategoryZ34 063QQcmdZViewItem

[GRIFF55]

Those look Sweeeeeeeeeet!!! Might have to get me some of them. (oh, and shock towers.)

[HairySteve]

Can't see the point of those alloy shock caps as they are missing the holes for the bleed screws...
-Steve

[TRF_Tastic]

Let me get this straight 'O' hairy one, you cant see the point of shiney blue stuff.......

Damn there are some wierd people of these forums!!!

[stefke]

There are some really nice looking parts coming our way, but the fact reamains that the TRF is heavy as it is so I'll be avoiding adding to much aluminium.

[GRIFF55]

Yeh, the alloy looks the nuts! Any one know where i can get a ti screw set yet?

[BORMAC]

I just got my 501X 2 days ago and I was blown away with the amount of bling this car has.Every bit as good as OOPLE's write up/review done on this Tamiya.

[HairySteve]

TRF Tastic, I like blue blingy stuff as much as the next man :D but if said blue blingy stuff means my shocks don't work as well as they do now I think I'll pass on them ;) I've not had a problem with the bottom seals on the shocks so far, replacing the shock shafts with Yokomo titanium nitride ones and filling the bottom cartridges with green slime (associated stuff, not the product of a cronic cold I had at the time... :wtf:) they seem absolutely fine. Not leaked at all. :cool: I fitted a Nosram 6.5 brushless to mine today, eventually managed to crowbar the speedo in but I need a smaller spur gear cos at the moment it's geared with a 19 tooth pinion and it accelerates up to about 3/4 throttle while standing still then the tyres grip and off it goes :D It's quick...
-Steve

[usagi]

New bling...
It's the rear blocks this time. :)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=015&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=250095224476&rd=1&rd=1

[Dunc]

Well spotted, again :D

I'm too weak to resist, so I've just ordered a pair :)

[TRF_Tastic]

I couldnt resist the loverly blueness of them Mmmmmmmmmmmm

[HairySteve]

I got home today to find 2 jiffy bags containing a set of eccentric tensioners, a set of anti roll bars, 2 sets of wheels and 2 spare belts, which was nice. :) I'm tempted to try dyeing one set of wheels bright orange, they looked proper nice on my mockup DFR when I was in the planning stages of that... ;)
-Steve

[TRF_Tastic]

Well this evening, I had a top surpirse, I had the ceramic balls from Kanzen turn up and the rear Alloy uprights, so I will be a very busy boy sorting those out.

[TRF_Tastic]

A few piccies for your delictation gents, 501 very blinged up:


http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/Fast_as_a/Shells/blingtop.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/Fast_as_a/Shells/blingfront.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/Fast_as_a/Shells/blingfront2.jpg

Full list of extras
Alloy front uprights
Alloy rear uprights
Alloy steering arms
Alloy steering bridge
Alloy servo mounts TB EVO 4
Associated springs
Associated 87t spur
Associated Ti Turnbuckles
3 Racing Ti Screw kit
Ceramic bearings
Kanzen ceramic diff balls

[AaronR]

The black wheels look sweet! I have not gotten off my lazy ass and try to dye wheels for any of my vehicles yet. :( How did you do yours? What rear wheels do you have on it? Are the Associated Ti turnbuckles the standard 6 that come with a Factory Team B4? What does the body look like? Ok, I'll stop now ... me = :mad: <--- icon is more motor-mouth than mad! :)

[TRF_Tastic]

Hey Aaron cool down man your gonna blow a gasket!!

The Wheels started out as a set of Losi 5 spokes, dyed black using dylon. the associated turnbuckles I got from microtech adn I think they are shorter than the b4 items, and they are a couple of mm shorter than the standard Tamiya items, but still good to use on the 501. As for the body...

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/Fast_as_a/Shells/Yellow501.jpg

[BORMAC]

Im wondering about the height of the inner pivot balls on the tops of these alloy uprights both front and rear?I have been setting them up as per the little instruction sheet that they come packaged with.Has anyone tried different heights on these yet?

[dtech]

TRF Tastic - Buggy looks great w/ the alum. steering parts. Do you notice the difference (aside from the obvious BLING factor)? Also, what servo saver is that? If it happens to be a Kimbrough is it the full size or mid, a part # would be greatly appreciated. Does it clear the underside of the top deck w/ no problem.

Thanks in advance for the info. Seems Im full of Q's tonite.

(Why is the) sky blue, grass green, do birds fly, earth round etc etc etc.....:D

Edit: read AaronR's post after and seems I should of used the :mad: (unofficial motormouth) thingy!

[dtech]

TRF_Tastic, please come on help me out w/ an answer to the servo saver question above. I need to buy one asap and dont really want to buy three different ones to see what fits. I would really, really, really appreciate it. However if you dont want to give out your secrets I understand :( . Thanks in advance

[TRF_Tastic]

OK then dude,

The servo saver is of the Kimborough variety, and it is the mid size one. I have not had any problems with the spring in it however I tend to replace the servo saver every month anyway as a precaution. I didnt get on with the stock Tamiya one, just seemed too sloppy for me, even with the tie wrap mod on it. You could however run a stock alloy steering arm on the servo if you have a good metal geared servo, but seeing as Im paranoid about stripping gears on servos I dont do it, although I could get away with it if I wanted. Of course the other servo saver that works is the Losi one that is designed for the xxx4, I have run these in an emergency and they seem fine, and I know plenty of guys that run these week in week out with no worries what so ever.

As for the alloy steering parts, the alloy base is a waste of time as the stock plastic item is more than adequate and as it is not prone to wear I wouldnt worry. The arms I think are a welcome addition just takes a little more flex out of the steering and the car somehow feels more positive. The steering bridge looks to be a good option as it provides different ball stud mounting holes so that Acerman angle changes can be made, I have not put the bridge on the race car, its just on the bling machine for now, as Jimmy has the other one I ordered for testing with Woody.

[dtech]

As the title states you are the man:cool: . Sorry to seem a bit pushy but am dying to get back in the dirt. Well actually, be able to steer properly while im in the dirt. Been running the stock servo saver w/ a tie band around it and cant seem to ever get it to center properly. If i turned down the servos throw it worked better but couldnt get full steering. It just wasnt cutting it. I was going to the hobby shop tonite and figured I would give it one last shot and stress my sense of urgency before coming home w/ a bag full of servo savers. So many thanks to you.

Keep me posted on the race worthyness of the bridge very interesed to see what the changes bring.

[TRF_Tastic]

Pleased to help there dude.