TRF501X Racing Buggy!!!

[kentech]

Check out what Tamiya are displaying at the Shizuoka show starting today!

pic source: http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/PredatorXharashu/diary/

[jimmy]

I heard about this a while back but im surprised how similar it looks to the Yokomo BX. Even the shocks look like they could be off the yoke. It doesn't appear to be on the list of releases so I guess its not coming out yet??

[craigosh]

:-O i hope this doesnt mean that they arent going to persue a TRF version of the DI (which i still say will be the trf406x).... Knowing Tamiya though they'll probably develop and release both... same way they have the 415 and the evo 5

[jimmy]

Lets hope so. :) Now if only I could get hold of one.. hmmm.

[DCM]

I know you won't get ANY sense if you contact hobby co in the UK (Tamiya's UK distributor) but there are ways and means.

[capellone24]

http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/SANY0106.JPG
http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/SANY0107.JPG
http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/SANY0110.JPG
http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/SANY0110.JPG
http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/SANY0111.JPG
http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/SANY0112.JPG
http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/SANY0113.JPG
http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/SANY0115.JPG
http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/SANY0116.JPG

[craigosh]

thats got to be the first belt drive i've been tempted by... only cause its a tamiya :-P

I found on the tamiya japan site a pic of the cheap 2wd (sand viper) and below it in the pic is the shell that i've seen related to the 406x, its a b4 shell, so looks like that was there, so maybe someone has some pics of it..

[DCM]

definately liking the new threaded shocks they got for off-road!!!

I beleive the pics 'rumoured' to be the trf406x is a dt-02 with some hand made mods....

[OldTimer]

Got to say the front wishbones and blue castor blocks look like they are BJ4 parts odd?

[kentech]

On several of the sites it says that the TRF501 will be available fall/end of the year.

Here's a pic of a full option DF03 from the show.

http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/SANY0139.JPG

[capellone24]

definately liking the new threaded shocks they got for off-road!!!

I beleive the pics 'rumoured' to be the trf406x is a dt-02 with some hand made mods....

there are also opt for the DI
http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/SANY0139.JPG
http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/SANY0140.JPG
http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/SANY0138.JPG
http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/SANY0133.JPG
http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/SANY0131.JPG

[kentech]

Got to say the front wishbones and blue castor blocks look like they are BJ4 parts odd?

And rear arms from the B4, right? The fact that it is displayed as the TRF501X most likely mean that it's still very much a prototype. When Tamiya first got back into competitive TC racing 7-8 years ago there first prototypes had the X after their name, i.e. TRF404X & TRF414X.

Also when I first heard the rumors about Tamiya definitely testing and developing a serious race buggy they apparently were running the BJ4WE. I have even seen pics of this around 2 months ago maybe.

So what I would guess they've done is that they have now decided on the general layout. Then they will start working with that with a suspension they know and will then develop their own during the next months.

Probably at the Japanese championships in September (I believe) a more production ready buggy will be used.

The current prototype was used by TRF driver Satoshi Maezumi at the recent GW buggy race at Yatabe Arena, finishing third.

http://yaggy.exblog.jp/

http://pds.exblog.jp/pds/1/200605/06/13/a0035013_12271864.jpg

[craigosh]

The 406x is listed on this page - http://www.h3.dion.ne.jp/~c-yellow/2005AllJapan_4WD.html - as a 4wd, only thing shown though is a b4 body painted in what looks to be Satoshi Maezumis' colors. I've seen references elsewere and always refered to as a 4wd buggy.

They cant possibly drop the development of a TRF offroad shaft drive, it's just not like tamiya. They've classically always been pro shaft drive. If they think it's still worth developing the TB Evo platform when the 415 is doing so well, then i'm sure they'll release a shaft offroad TRF car..

[DCM]

hate to spoil it.... but....

http://www.h3.dion.ne.jp/~c-yellow/050724017.jpg thats the same shell that they show in 4wd...

there is always this homebrew though....

http://www.interq.or.jp/horse/race/rc/P5220023.jpg

[craigosh]

Same paint, different sticker placment and the nose is cut shorter... also sides maybe a bit deeper, hard to tell that though.

http://www.h3.dion.ne.jp/~c-yellow/2005AllJapan_attention.html
Scroll down the page to were it says 406x and stick the text through babelfish, sounds like the df03 to me. Found this before the DI was announced...

[jimmy]

Hmmm, all looks great to me.. The Impact looks really nice with those hop ups, the shocks are tasty looking for sure.

[DCM]

I shall mostly be getting a set... and springs, they just look sweet, and after using the saloon TRF shocks, they are just so ubber simple to build and fill, will make running AE and Losi shocks pointless....

[kentech]

Some close up pictures here:

http://www.geocities.jp/hobbyshows/japan/shizuoka/rc/03.htm

[craigosh]

http://www.hobby-one.co.jp/hobby/abc-08.jpg

Found this linked on the Radio control zone site, made by same people who make that conversion for the zx5... looks good but the batteries should still go down the middle.

[OldTimer]

More photos here, also Jason @ Jconcepts ahs confirmed that he has supplied Tamiya with parts and bodyshells. http://www.mini-zone.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1580

[jimmy]

Ah! finally, at least the minizone guys have a decent camera!

The impact chassis looks interesting

[DCM]

I did see a Carbon conversion on one of the sites for the DF-03, but to be honest, it moves away from the whole point of the DF-03... all the mass down the centre and went back to saddle packs.

Jon, how hard would it be to make a chassis with central cells?

[OldTimer]

If the shaft or belts are not in the way of stick style center cells its not a major problem, really depends if you can mount the flat carbon fibre sheet to each gearbox ?.

[capellone24]

i think that a double deck CF chassis is not very important....i prefer a graphite chassis (like losi or AE) but idendtical to the original one ( tamiya has done the same with TA-05) ....and some carbon fiber and alu stuff........
the KM-rc chassis is far from the original layout of the car.....
ciao

[DCM]

Jon, I might have to get you some bits and peices to send you so you can assess it. The biggest issue is keeping the cells in the same place but making them accessible, and you either use the same(ish) system that there is now but make sure the Top deck is a serious part of the integrity of the chassis stiffness. It is definately crying out for it though, and that might mean being able to go across to having suspension blocks on the rear and not gearbox mounted wishbones.

[Jimbo]

Thought you guys would like to know the new tamiya car got 2nd at the Japanese nationals to an HB car.

Details were in the 2007 worlds warmup thread under australian racing in rctech's forum.

Only a shot of the podium finishers with their cars with bodys on, but the new body itself for the tamiya looks cooool.

Can't find any info on the HB buggy, I'm sure some pics will leak from japanese websites for both cars.

Loving all the interest in 4wd :D

[kentech]

http://www.tamiya.com/japan/info/060912trf501x/index.htm

http://www.tamiya.com/japan/info/060912trf501x/top.jpg

[jim76]

i'm liking that shell.

[bigred5765]

nice

[jimmy]

Quick someone give carl a warning for madness!

Carl you said "its a tamiya" in a thread about the Hot Bodies buggy!!!!! the hotbodies buggy which clearly ISNT a tamiya! lol - it might very well be a Yokomo BX disguised as a new HB buggy, but its NOT NOT NOT A TAMIYA !!! :flower:

[jimmy]

I have to say, I know that shell is insane, but I like it. Its......... ace.

having said that, when you get the clubmans style one can job on there, things might not look quite so spiffy.

I hope they are closer to making a buggy we can buy, I wont hold my breath though, tamiya seem able to get near final production and then forget all about it, like the neoshot.

[bigred5765]

Quick someone give carl a warning for madness!

Carl you said "its a tamiya" in a thread about the Hot Bodies buggy!!!!! the hotbodies buggy which clearly ISNT a tamiya! lol - it might very well be a Yokomo BX disguised as a new HB buggy, but its NOT NOT NOT A TAMIYA !!! :flower:

no no no i was talking about the buggy at the bottom left, which is a tamiya , i had realised u lot were talking about the other car, with hb on the wing honest lol

[jimmy]

*shakes head*

Yeah the tamiya is the same (or close) to the one they showed at the toyfair a while back, I think the shell is even the same or close, but there were no good shots of the shell at that time.

Anyways, how good is it to have all these new japanese buggys rearing their heads coming up to the worlds next year..

[bigred5765]

i do like the look of the shell but as usual its how it goes on the track,and well hmm tamiya. and off road well. ill say no more

[DCM]

I reckon you will have a certain Marc Rheinard driving it at the worlds, there will be a LOT at stake next year at the worlds, in what I reckon, is the most active creativity area in the RC World.

[dallasv8]

i would really like to see tamiya getting serious about offroad.

2wd is where i would like to see them show a bit of interest too.

[bert digler]

i would really like to see tamiya getting serious about offroad.

2wd is where i would like to see them show a bit of interest too.

its a yokomo which was copied from a tamiya so i suppose it is a tamiya how much where who from ?

[jimmy]

Yeah when you put it that way, it all comes around doesn't it!:p Either way, that shell is outrageous, and I want it.

[bert digler]

Yeah when you put it that way, it all comes around doesn't it!:p Either way, that shell is outrageous, and I want it.

so do i i had a trf 415 the finest engineered model car i ever owned awesome:D

[bert digler]

Yeah when you put it that way, it all comes around doesn't it!:p Either way, that shell is outrageous, and I want it.

the shell bit egress bit avante cool

[DCM]

I want it so I can share parts with me tourer (pulleys, layshaft gear, one-way etc.....

[dallasv8]

http://forums.radiocontrolzone.com/showthread.php?t=219895&page=2

theres a couple of video links here.one of the buggy at the hobby show and another of it running by itself on a track

[kentech]

http://www.team-td.net/frame.htm for more pics of the body.

[kentech]

Latest TRF501X from the Japan race.

[jimmy]

darn them and their tiny little photos!!!!

Car looks great though, I need one.

[craigosh]

Man i so want one, regardless of it being a belt drive.
If it goes as well as my BJ it'll be superb.

Hopefully these pics are a sign that Tamiya will release it, and then hopefully they'll turn their hand to a 2wd as i think thats what we are lacking at the mo.... Not enough choice in that class

[DCM]

darn them and their tiny little photos!!!!

Car looks great though, I need one.

I got my contacts out listening for rumblings on whether it goes into production Jim.... and if it does, and I am defo going to get one, haul your arse down to South Wales for a photoshoot and a grope (of the car of course, don't want Vicky getting jealous, heehee)

[jimmy]

theres now an English version of the tamiya 501x page, heres what it says:


At the 2006 IFMAR Pre-World Championships Race 1/10 Electric Off-Road held from September 8th-10th at the Ichirino RC Plaza Off-road Course in Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture, the prototype of our high-end 4WD racing buggy TRF501X took 2nd and 4th place in the overall standings.

TRF Satoshi Maezumi’s Comments
For 2006, Team TRF (Tamiya Racing Factory) entered the prototype 4WD buggy TRF501X in the IFMAR Pre-World Championships Race 1/10 Electric Off-Road.
The TRF501X is being developed and tested with the goal of winning the IFMAR Electric 1/10 Off-Road World Championship that will be held in Japan in 2007. The Ichirino RC Plaza Off-road Course has a particularly challenging layout that tests a machine’s reliability, jump stability, and whether it has the necessary setting flexibility to deal with a wide range of surface conditions. We were able to pass all of these tests and achieve consistent lap times for a convincing demonstration of the machine’s high performance. My teammate Shinichi Suzuki and I were able to achieve 4th and 2nd place respectively during the qualifying heats. We had high hopes for the Finals, but they were unfortunately cancelled due to rain, so the qualifying rankings became the official results. Many fans came to the Tamiya booth at the event to check out the TRF501X and we fielded many questions, which indicated how much the R/C community anticipates the machine’s release. We’ll work ever harder on development and testing, so everyone can look forward to more improvements to the TRF501X in the future!!

[dallasv8]

sounds promising,the more competition and variety in electric racing the better i say.

[Marco]

I just don't get it how ppl can totally flip out cuz of that 501x that is just copied from the yok bx? i really don't get it!:confused: :mad:

look @ Kyosho... they did a really nice job with the new lazer and they dident copie nothing! the car is amazing for it's costs, but i bet the 501x will cost the double of that and still will be buyed more. cuz it's a copie of the yokomo...

shame on tamiya

[DCM]

we are excited as this could be the verge of Tamiya making it's first competitive buggy in over a decade..... and then some

[jimmy]

hehe, dont hang about marco, say what you really think! :p

I know people will jump on the opposite and say its not a copy blah blah, well, personally you just have to look at it and you are hard-pressed to know it is a different car from the BX! At the moment it is just a prototype, so it has a lot way to go until production and could change quite drastically.

I think the shell is good enough that I don't care wether its a copy of the BX or influence-by or pure coincidence ! :p I still want it!

[Marco]

Influence is good, and for tamiya-fans its nice to have a competitive 4wd offroader since a decade, it just wasent mentioned that much (how i wanted it) that it is extrmemely "influenced".

my first buggies were tamiya too and i liked them, but when i started racing i just wasent that quick like the guys with the losis, yoke's and asso's. Thats why i also think that Tamiya does a Great job @ the touring-car's, but i would like them better to stay there and do the good job instead of getting to much influence, impulses and inspiration by other makes. it's just... "you can't get everything" And at the Moment it's like everyone is praising lord tamiya for having such a nice inspirated 4wd offroader. *burp*

[jimmy]

I'm not sure anyone really said it was unique or ground breaking, but it IS a tamiya - and that is special. The only unique thing about the car is the body, which I think you'll agree not many manufacturers would be as brave as Tamiya to make such a crazy shell.

But I would like to see things evolve and for the car to take on its own personality / be unlike others. You can understand why they might copy an existing design so they have a good basis - then hopefully grow it from there.

:jimmeh

[DCM]

you only got to look at Tamiya's commitment in the touring car scene, at the top of the game for years, and for a company like Tamiya, who make ALL their money from rehashing cheap kits, to sit, focus and make a competitive buggy is good, just like Kyosho coming back after years.

[Marco]

We could talk for hours about that... lets just wait and see how the buggy will lookalike and most important how it will handle.

and yeah its a tamiya:D

[dallasv8]

i think these days there is only so much you can do with a car to make it different.when you look at most touring cars and offroaders they all bear resemblence to one another in different areas.about the only one that is drastically different is the predator and maybe the durango

im totally stoked that Tamiya is heading into the competeive side of offroad.i think it could be the best thing to happen to offroad in years.

[Marco]

LOL! and the rest like losi, bj4, zx5, yoke are all the same?

i'm trough :)

[SCOTT DICKINSON]

Marco a man after my own heart:D
i totaly agree
the pred is the best 4wd money can buy its just the best and i do not care at all what everybody else reckons, i know as i trained as a chasis design engineer,and a good freind of mine is Richard weatherly and what he doesnt know aint worth knowing:)

another mate works as a chasis builder at lister storm and he agrees:D

and also i own the only DURANGO 2005 in private ownership and it realy is the ultimate

all those losi/bj4/zx5/schumacher/worst yoko ever,bigger than a xxx4/infact worst buggy ever,yoko bx that is/things are in my opinion made for profit alone! not passion

cheers
sorry to be so contravercial, but it is true

[jimmy]

Hold on which is better then, the pred or the durango ? :p

No matter what is "the best" choice is good and indeed the more the merrier!

[Southwell]

Pred is best :D
Jimmy don't you run one? Anything special i should do when building my X10? Glueing the prop etc.

Cheers dude!

[jimmy]

Yea mate!
I ran it at Oswestry, it was my worst ever national - NOT because of the predator though, that was ace. I just kept melting my motor, even in the final where I ran my B4 ! it still melted.
Gonna run it at bury over winter i think

[SCOTT DICKINSON]

Sorry cannot possibly say on a public forum:D
:D
but all i can say is all those people that havent tryed an x10 do so pronto with out childish uneducated prejudice

they are quicker ,and i dont care who says there not!:mad:
i had the first one out the factory ( check racechat,anyone got one yet! thread)

just look at the car side by side with any other 4wd!
its physics
and trust me theres nothing more fundamental than physics:jimmeh

[DCM]

For some, it isn't the car that is the issue Scott....

[SCOTT DICKINSON]

Please explain? PMSL haha
after all isnt this about racing the stupid things:D
if its not about the car then what possibly can it be?
if your talking any other aspect of racing eg-cells, speedo, radio gear these may help but put them in the correct chasis and they will allways be quicker

[SCOTT DICKINSON]

the only other thing i can possibly think your sugesting is that people do run cars for fun!
im talking racecars nothing else to go play with your WILD WILLY elsewhere!:smile: PMSL

[SCOTT DICKINSON]

im off to bed now :)
B4 I PMSL DCM

[DCM]

erm, I remember when the first car came out, then people finding faults, buying spares, only for an 'uprated' part to come out, so you had to go buy them, the other spares were obsolete, and it just seemed a sprialing circle of wallet emptying.

Now, I am not saying that is the car now, but that and other factors would stop me buying one.....

Like the propshaft, why charge people to assemble it if it such an important part of the transmission, should be assembled in the kit with no 'visible' charge.

[dallasv8]

from what ive read on various forums on the net, the pred is just as durable as the other 4wd offerings.if i ever went into the world of 4wd racing, whick i hope to,i will most probably go for one of the preds,unless tamiya drops a wicked 4wd on the market.....

at our track last meeting,one of the resident bj4we broke an arm a race,and that wasnt in crashes either.

[Marco]

um scott? hi there...

the driver must be quick... and if he is that, give him any chassis and he will win. offroad is more about driving, expierience and training than the material. even if you own the only durango in private ownership.

and no, the bx is not the worst yokomo ever made. it's the latest offroad flagship of a company wich developes that stuff since that sport had it's beginnings (1:12) and wich has some damn good drivers like billy easton and masami under contract. in fact it stands with the pred, zx5, xx-4, bj4 in the same line of the nicest electric offroad machines beeing currently produced and raced.

you should get one too :)

greets Marco

[Bathy]

all those losi/bj4/zx5/schumacher/worst yoko ever,bigger than a xxx4/infact worst buggy ever,yoko bx that is/things are in my opinion made for profit alone! not passion


Ummm... total bollox (my opinion)

[spenner]

I agree with you Bathy!!!
Not taking anything away from T-Tech or Durango but i have run T-Tech before (worst car i have ever driven in my own racing experience).
Yokomo MX4 another really bad car.
I ran the MR4 BX first time out at the Regional champs and put it in the A!!!
Can't be a bad car then surely. Oh and there was 4 Yoke's in the A!!!!
I have always said that a pred in capable hands with Mr Weatherly next to you is one of the quickest cars around without him well!!!
As for the Durango, it is a very nice car but how did it do at the worlds/Euro's????

[DCM]

I don't think there is such thing as a 'bad car' these days, and it all depends on what you want. I have said, since the X10 re-hit the tracks (as it realy is only a P8 or whatever variant was the last one with some shiny bits) has lots it's edge when it comes to performance. With the new cells we have, power is at an abundance, thats why, even the XX4 is competitive.

With that, you got to look at the bigger picture, if your not racing where there is a good LHS support, you got to have a 'race pack' with you. Now, you know with a Yoke, Losi etc, you can buy parts that will still be the same a year or two later, but you can't with the X10, that is the nature of the X10.

But as I say, for 'racing' they are ALL competent cars, just you got to pin your flag to a chassis camp and be done with it.

[DCM]

ANYHOOOOOOOOOOOOOWS.... back on topic now.

I think that if Tamiya are looking seriously into the off-road scene again, then they MUST be looking at 2wd as well, in the future.

[Bathy]

Bathy i am not impresst with your post .

yokomo at the minute= old hat touring car with bad offroad bits on it

If it helps, I'm never impressed with any of your posts!

"Yokomo at the minute", do you mean the BX?

"old hat touring car with bad offroad bits on it" You can’t be talking about the BX… can you, it's a worry....

If only someone made a car for passion only and not a profit :rolleyes: Scott you seem like a bright lad, why don't you go into business and sell us this none profit making 'wonder' car ;)

[jimmy]

Woha guys, calm down, its only a game! :p

Seriously, some opinions goin round on here, fair enough, but please remember guys everyone has a right to their opinion. Scott, your opinion is being challenged is part of expressing your opinion and challenging other peoples opinions.

By the way, this isn't a stupid forum, it's a clever one. ;)

[PaulRotheram]

ph0rum rox, tbh.

[Divefire]

I must be in a posting mood today…

Having checked out the video of the car in action, damn that thing can jump… Evidently a well balanced thing. I still think it’s a shame that Tamiya aren’t doing more with the Dark Impact concept but oh well, what can you do.

Be interesting to see if it develops more of a unique look as its developed.


Mat.

[Ewar]

Seems this post has a bit of an agro edge...

Surely everyones perception of the best car is going to be what works best for them..

Ive got an XRS purely cos i love the way its engineered and looks so GUCCI.....but thats not saying that when i run it ill be able to get on with it...

If the new Tamiya is a copy of the BX the Yoke cant be doing anything too wrong for them to be copying it..but obviously they think it can be improved on..

Again - just my opinion

[PaulRotheram]

There's always one Forum Idiot... pmsl....

:flower:


but yeah, cmon people back on topic.

[jimmy]

Scott is banned until he can be reasonable. :)

lets get this thread back on track. :)

[spenner]

Scott,

I was refering to off road!!!!
Oh forgot Durango and T-Tech don't do on road.

Just for your records:

2005 Worlds:
1st BJ4 WE
2nd Yokomo MR4 BX
3rd BJ4 WE

2006 Euro's
1st BJ4 WE
2nd MR4 BX
3rd MR4 BX

Worlds Warm up:
NO Durangos in A final, not that it matters at the warm up.
Im not saying the car is no good, quite the opposite. Think it is great car and so is the Pred.
What im saying is how can you turn around and say Yoke is bag of Sh*t, you may have driven them all and found some not to your liking, but there are many people out there that have driven one and prefer the opposite.
Another thing you say is BX is converted on roader?????????
There is no Yoke on road that looks anything like it, apart form the quality of material used!!!!!
I don't think people mind 'opinions' but only when they are valid and not utter crap!!!

[spenner]

Sorry Jimmy was writing above post while you posted yours, if you can delete off i will understand.


edit: Dont worry mate

[DCM]

I must be in a posting mood today…

Having checked out the video of the car in action, damn that thing can jump… Evidently a well balanced thing. I still think it’s a shame that Tamiya aren’t doing more with the Dark Impact concept but oh well, what can you do.

Be interesting to see if it develops more of a unique look as its developed.


Mat.

but 3Racing are, so the DF03 is safe, heehee

[Northy]

Reading this made me laugh! :D

I love my Pred, and I know many don't but that's their problem not mine. I run one because I think it's the best, others run what they run as they think that's the best. That's what its all about.

However, anyone who has not driven a Pred and would like to try one is more than welcome to have a go with mine and make your own mind up. I think the X10 is so good that most would be impressed.

G

[Ewar]

I with you Northy....even though my XRS hasnt actually turned a wheel yet ive just finished the extension with on-suite for it..

I wonder wether a lot of what puts people off Preds it the difficulty getting parts in the past.

I must say though - ive had a few phone calls to TTech since having the XRS and have to say they are extremely helpful and efficient and id recommend them to anyone...

That and the fact i hate having the same as everyone else..

[jimmy]

Right, everyone loves each other ! :)

This thread has gone very slightly off topic, no big deal, but lets use this to talk about the new Tamiya TRF501x please guys!.

:jimmeh

[Bathy]

lets use this to talk about the new Tamiya TRF501x

:jimmeh

What is a TRF501x then? :bom:

[jimmy]

lol, it's this one, and isn't it lovely.

http://www.tamiya.com/english/info/060912trf501x/top.jpg

[Southwell]

Looks like it has good aerodynamaics on the bodyshell, refering to my years in design and engineering!

[Southwell]

lol, it's this one, and isn't it lovely.

http://www.tamiya.com/english/info/060912trf501x/top.jpg

When are we getting a review them Jimmy? :D

[Bathy]

Looks like it has good aerodynamaics on the bodyshell, refering to my years in design and engineering!

Man that thing looks like it’s made purely for profit... where's the passion!!!


Sorry I’ll get my coat :flower:

[craigosh]

wonder if tamiya will make some sexy wheels to go with it that'll fit the bj4, or will they just use their good old hex fit?!?!

[DCM]

Hex fit, they got a good wheel now for the DF03, and it REALY allows the hub to be deep into the wheel.

[Bathy]

No joking this time, honest! It has a BX thing going on there; diff covers at the front remind me a lot of the current BX design. It looks like Tamiya have done a ‘proper job’ of their diff covers; looks like proper moulded tuff plastic has been use, good to see Tamiya taking off road as seriously as snoring cars finally. Is there a shot of it naked anywhere?

[kentech]

A few more pictures of the latest car from the Worlds warmup:

http://www.h3.dion.ne.jp/~c-yellow/2006AllJapan_2.htm

http://www.4wdrc.com/images/DSCF0058.JPG

http://www.4wdrc.com/images/DSCF0058.JPG

[jimmy]

Kentech, you dont happen to live in Japan by any chance do you ? you seem to be right on the ball when it comes to finding these shots of the worlds warmup.

[jim76]

some serious blue bling there for you Bathy!!

[Southwell]

He's prob gone to the bathroom....

[Bathy]

They’ve gone right over the top with the blue alloy!!! Not my style, even the steering arm are blue alloy, killer on the servo… maybe?

Looks nice, wonder how much they will be asking for one?

[jim76]

even the steering arm are blue alloy, killer on the servo… maybe?

Looks nice, wonder how much they will be asking for one?

the arms should be ballraced and free as anything, and would hopefully have a servo saver built in.

the price? well if the tourers are anything to go by......£$£$£$$£$£$£$£!!

[DCM]

Well, that is Tamiya for you, Bathy, the servo has a saver as a steering horn, so pretty safe.

As for price, they have had a complete rethink on their pricing structure in the Uk, and the TRF cars have come right down in price, plus, unfortunately, they are doing global release, so no more buying them from RC Champ and at half the price, boooohoooo

[dallasv8]

the F350 was sposed to be worldwide release too, but there are a lot popping up on the net already.and i have ordered from rc champ :)


the tamiya 4wd looks nice.the finished product will be interesting.i really hope the motor screws are easy to get to.

[kentech]

Kentech, you dont happen to live in Japan by any chance do you ? you seem to be right on the ball when it comes to finding these shots of the worlds warmup.

No no. I've lived in Finland all my life, except for 6 months in Burton on Trent...

Guess I just know where to look for stuff from Japan... :)

[jimmy]

haha, well you do a good job of it!
I used to know a lot more japanese sites but just dont have time to keep up with it any more. Just wish I could read the stuff!

[Marco]

Reading this made me laugh! :D


However, anyone who has not driven a Pred and would like to try one is more than welcome to have a go with mine and make your own mind up.
G

I would love to try your x10, right after i won against scott and his durango with my tamtech "the Frog":D

[DCM]

if someone can read and translate Japanese, I got a job for them to do, heehee

[dallasv8]

try the google translater,comes out kinda funny but it works

[BenG]

DCM, I have a special programme at work, I think it translates japense, it is mucho bette than google or babel fish;)

[kentech]

According to http://www.tamiya.com/japan/hobbyshow/index.htm the TRF501X will be unveiled at the All Japan Plamodel Radicon Show 2006 (:) ) held October 19-22 in Tokyo.

According to http://hobbyone.blog39.fc2.com/ the list price for the 501X is 79,800 yen. For reference the TRF415MSX MR (latest TC) has the same list price and is sold by Japanese shops for approx. 46,000 yen.

[jimmy]

Good stuff mate, works out at under 210, not sure that Tamiya UK would even bring something like that over here themselves so I guess overseas is the only option ? Have to see I guess.

I wouldn't really expect to see the car in the shops till well into next year, but hopefully we shall see some new spy shots (hopefully big ones) as soon as the show is on.

[DCM]

DCM, I have a special programme at work, I think it translates japense, it is mucho bette than google or babel fish;)

Only good if it will scan text in from a book and translate it dude. As it is a guide book I want translating, or partialy.

[dallasv8]

rainbow ten has the trf buggy for pre order and it is now on the tamiya usa site.just no pictures

[jimmy]

I saw that on the r10 site, I wonder if they made the price up!?!
I can't see it being out for a long time personally, but I could be wrong.

[kentech]

The TRF501X will be available December 2nd.

http://www.tamiya.com/japan/news/news0611/news1.htm#49401

[jimmy]

no way! I can't beleive it can be so soon, or even at all!. Thats great news.

The photo (of the prototype) still looks like it is using a lot of BJ4 parts so I wonder what the final car will look like ? or even if they will stick to using bj4 parts since the car will be a low volume seller maybe?

[BenG]

what bj4 parts are they using?

[DCM]

Wishbones, now, do I order one.....

[jimmy]

looks also like bj4 hub carriers, losi xx4 steering knuckles, associated shocks with the classic "too-short" front springs. possibly other stuff.
I cant really see Tamiya selling a car that uses anything from another manufacturer so maybe this will all be different on the final car.

[_sleigh_]

The price tag is a little steep too (79800yen = £358 ) or have I lost touch with reality?? :confused:

[telboy]

has anything come of the 'evo' prototype that ishy was running?

[jimmy]

I think they are still developing it - though with this beast possibly just around the corner who knows.

[andreasH]

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=49401

[barnyard]

i'm not sure about this description the prototypes all apear to use B4 & losi wheels the usa description states

Includes Tamiya wheels, transparent body, wing and TRF markings

i do hope this car and the new hot bodies will take yokomo as an example and adopt a wheel design that is compatible with the allready established losi front and losi/B4 rear design. This will mean many more people would have the option to change chassis without having to spend extra money on new wheels.

[Mike West]

Terry do you mean this car.

Hopefully you should see it running at the indoor series if not before.

The car has been going well on the testing we've done lately

[andreasH]

The wheels in the attached tumbnail look like the ones on the DarkImpakt.
In the US description i think they wrote that are dishwheels attached.

If the wheelsize is the same as the one from the DF03 chassis they won't fit on other cars.
But other wheels will fit on the Tamiya chassis. I have Kyosho wheels from my Lazer ZX-5 on an DarkImpact and they fit very well.

[jimmy]

The wheels do look like the same as impact wheels - I wasnt aware there were white versions avaialble - but then again ive utterly overlooked the impact and mine still sits untouched on the toyroom floor! :)

I don't think its very clear what the final 501X will look like, never mind what wheels it will have - I wouldn't mind losi style or tamiya/kyosho hex.

[DCM]

they will be DF03 wheels I beleive, and the Kyosho wheels will fit, but will make the car too wide.

Jim, what you doing with the DF03, and KM-RC have the conversion up on their site now.... I could always do a conversion reveiw for you...

[telboy]

mr west, will it be available in any sort of form?

I think if i had the choice, i'd rather have that to the 501.:o

is it based on the evo4 or 5?

[stefke]

Terry do you mean this car.

Hopefully you should see it running at the indoor series if not before.

The car has been going well on the testing we've done lately

Where did you get that pic ?

It seems like in that pic, not only are the wheels from a DI - suggesting Tamiya is going to use it's hexes - but the shocks look like genuine Tamiya TRF shocks, not some AE/Yokomo copies. I would prefer the TRF shocks (best shocks ever) so that's a good thing.

I also have the impression that the body differs from previous pics. Anone else noticed that ?

[jimmy]

Stefke - that pic of is mike (and pro-racings) own car, they are designing and building it themselves from mainly Tamiya components

[stefke]

That explains a lot. Looks good for a private project.

Shame about the shocks. I REALLY like those TRF shocks and I'm a bit fed up with Associated shocks.

Jimmy, looks like I'm going to be another early TRF501 owner. Thanks ;)

[jimmy]

nice one
Most of the photos show the 501x using Associated shocks, but the new Tamiya shocks (like those for the impact) look very similar but I would imagine are up to Tamiyas high standards. so I would guess those will be included with the car.


heres some large images of the prototype - I would imagine all the non-tamiya parts will be gone by now.
http://www.rc-champ.co.jp/49401_c.JPG
http://www.rc-champ.co.jp/49401_a.JPG

[Jimbo]

TRF501X and Rheinard could be a tough combination!
I wondered why all of a sudden he was racing buggies, and he has driven quite a few different cars in the past 2 years (Durango, BJ4) so I imagine it was actually R & D..

Hara was running a Durango also, now Hot Bodies have a shaft drive car out, go figure???

Dunno how many times I'm gonna say it, but it's great to see all these cars coming out. :afro:

[Bathy]

That car looks well solid, the motor mount and centre diff area looks really tough, I think someone bought a BX before they started work designing this car…

[jimmy]

Totally "inspired by" but nice all the same. I will test how strong it is, I will have to sell it after I review it but I'll give it some beating first.

[stefke]

Now that I've sold my ZX5 (I never got along with that car) I'm returning to a belter. As far as I know, I have the following options :

The XX4 : I never liked the layout of the drivetrain so no
the XXX4 : doesn't seem to work as it should on this side of the pond
The Yokomo : Looks VERY nice and could be tempted by it, but parts over here are as rare as a unicorn
So that leaves the new Tamiya. It looks very nice and Tamiya parts are in abundance in shops here or on the internet.


I think those are all the belters available, unless the new HB 4WD truns out to be belt driven, but I seriously doubt that.

[jimmy]

I like the XX4 for how it drives but I dislike working on the car. The X-5 is nicer in a lot of ways, maybe worth considering ?

I can't really see this Tamiya being more popular than the Yokomo, but you never know. I just don't think Tamiya UK will support the car in this country.

[stefke]

Right. I totally forgot the X-5. Looks like a nice car and since Losi is the only decently supported brand over here since we lost our AE importer, it's worth a look because of the shared components.

As our dealers here are rather cr*p when it comes to high end stuff, I mostly do my shopping over the net, and the cheap asian shops always support Tamiya stuff.

I wouldn't know where to buy an X-5 here in Belgium. I guess I could order one from Lesro Models in the UK ? I bought the ZX5 there and they seem good people to deal with. How much would an X5 set me back ?

It's just ...... : the TRF looks soooooooo damn good. :D

[cabbynate]

After seeing ALL Jimmy's photo's I would go with a X-5 or the XX4. The open belt/diff cars seem to exposed for most of you race tracks........
I have got about 30 runs on my BX with lots of crashes and so far all I have broken, well bent was a front shock eyelet. The car is tuff as nails......;) This all on a indoor,dry, hard pack, low grip track.

[xx4-nutter]

that looks very simlier to ryans RL-1, custom car he made . . . .

http://www.oople.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1042


hummm, cell lay out is different using the 2 -4 layout. i bet this ill be expensive tho

[kentech]

The production version TRF501X is currently displayed at the Hobby Show in Japan. All Tamiya now...suspension, dampers etc. Tamiya wheels with Losi front hex and Associated style rear.

Here are some pics.

http://www.tamiya.com/japan/hobbyshow/report/photo/49401.jpg (http://www.tamiya.com/japan/hobbyshow/report/photo/49401.jpg)
http://www.tamiya.com/japan/hobbyshow/report/photo/49401_3.jpg (http://www.tamiya.com/japan/hobbyshow/report/photo/49401_3.jpg)
http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/prs/SANY0112.JPGhttp://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/prs/SANY0108.JPG
http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/prs/SANY0120.JPGhttp://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/prs/SANY0111.JPG


More here:

http://www.tamiya.com/japan/hobbyshow/report/news1.htm#49401
http://www.pro-s-futaba.co.jp/hsphoto/prs-1.htm
http://www.hobby-one.co.jp/hobby/ta.html