I recently got a new battery and fixed up the radio-controlled car I built 18 years ago (a Tamiya Toyota Hilux/Nissan King Cab – 58086). My kids enjoyed watching me drive it up and down the street and around a parking lot. I gave them a few pointers and they started to learn to drive it. I did some research about new cars, and I was amazed at how much the technology has changed. My son and I decided to start a new project.

The majority of RC cars now seems to be sold as “ready to run” (RTR) rather than “build from a kit.” We were on the brink of buying a RTR Traxxas Stampede VXL 4×4, but we really had our hearts set on building. So, after about a month of research, design, various orders, shipping and finally assembly and customization, we now have our very own RC monster buggy.

(Photos: Picasa RC Car 2012)

(Video: YouTube Maiden Voyage New Tamiya Brushless DF-02 Plasma Edge)

The kit started as a Tamiya Plasma Edge, one of the three models Tamiya sells on their DF-02 chassis – all identical except for bodies and paint schemes. That didn’t matter to us because we weren’t going to follow their schemes anyway.

At a bare minimum we needed a new radio system and steering servo:

• Flysky FS-GT3B Digital 3ch 2.4ghz TX & RX LCD Transmitter & Receiver
• Futaba S3004 Standard Ball Bearing Servo

We replaced the stock electronic speed control (ESC) and motor that came with the kit with:

• EZRUN Brushless System Combo B5 w/ 60A ESC and 8.5T@4000KV 3650-Size Brushless Motor

Upgraded the wheels and tires:

• HPI GT-2 4″ Tires and 2.2″ Black Chrome Warlock Wheels (from a Savage XS Flux)

Because of the increase in the wheel diameter (from stock 3.5 to 4″) and the stress this would put on the drivetrain and motor, upgraded the following:

• Tamiya Metal Motor Mount
• Thunder Tiger 5X11X4 Ball Bearings Tomahawk
• Robinson Racing Metric Pinion Gear 16T (down from the stock 19T, kept the stock 70T spur)
• Tamiya Aluminum Propeller Shaft & Joint TT01 Type E
• All Aluminum Motor Heat Sink

For overall durability:

• Aluminum Front Shock Tower With Aluminum Collars & Screws
• Aluminum Rear Shock Tower With Aluminum & Bronze Collars & 3mm Lock Nuts & Screws
• I custom fabricated and painted a sheet metal rear hinge pin brace

To power all this we went with:

• 10 Pair T Plug Connectors Deans Style Male and Female Connectors
• DuraTrax Onyx 6C 7.2V 3000mAh NiMH Stick
• 7.2V Tenergy 3000mAh Flat NiMH High Power Battery Pack

And most importantly, gotta have some LED lights!

• Ultra Bright LED Light Bar Set – 1 Pair With Adapter Blue

To show off the LEDs, we painted the car black and translucent purple. The lights shine through the translucent paint, very cool.

• Tamiya PS-45 Polycarb Spray Trans Purple 3 oz
• Tamiya PS-5 Polycarbonate Spray Black 3 oz

For phase 2 we’ll be upgrading to a new charger and some 2C 5000mah Lipo batteries. The car is already too fast to control with just a 3000mah NiMH – need to practice driving! Also on the “next” list:

• Aluminum suspension arms
• Aluminum shocks
• Universal shafts to replace stock dogbones
• Higher power ESC fan
• Steering assist gyro
• Slipper clutch/spur or ball differentials
• Other size pinions
• GPS
• HD video camera

We’ll also be using some of our spare parts and some new parts to hop-up my old RC car, we don’t want it to feel left out.

Keep tuned in for more RC car updates, pictures and videos on both our new DF-02 and our old Hilux.