Tamiya Subaru Rally Build TT01E Chassis

Tamiya Subaru Rally Build TT01E Chassis

Warning, this is a long one, so grab a drink and a snack and enjoy!
So, I finally broke down and bought a rally car. It turned out fantastic but there were some mistakes and learning curves that slowed it down a little but, in the end, it is a fantastic car!
You guys are all awesome and I appreciate all the great comments and questions from everyone. Really enjoying talking to you all in the comments section.
Links –
Interested in doing something good with RC? Check out Operation 11 Charlie and donate to those guys. They are working to prevent veteran suicide by getting veterans into the RC hobby and out having fun with others. I am not affiliated with them directly; it is just a great thing they are doing and I want to help spread the word!

The folks at Axial and Horizon Hobby made a tremendous video and you really need to watch it and give those guys some love!

[FastFreddyRC]

That battery idea is seriously a great tip!! Thanks for that!

[curtisgalbraith]

Subbed! Great channel!
TT-01 can rally quite well with the suspension modified for more travel. I've had mine for years and it works great! There are great vids on how to do this and it doesn't take much. Here is a quick rundown:
1- Cut away the part of the skid plates that are stopping the lower arm travel.
2- Cut away the notches on the inside drive hubs so they don't catch on the newly drooping upper suspension arms.
3- CVA mini shocks built to around 60mm eye to eye. Mine came with softer springs than the kit.
4- Buy adjustable steering rods or raise the non-adjustable ones on the outer side with spacers/longer screws.
5- Optional- Buy adjustable upper suspension arms.
6- Use window screen material over motor vents (My motor is brushless with no vents).
You could use window screen under the battery tray and to make a top cover but I never bothered.
My controller is a cheap one from Banggood and has a gyro that's set to about 25%. Really helps.
My Wheels are 3mm offset and have tires that are softer rubber and slightly higher profile (from ebay).
I have just over 1" ground clearance and the car squats, dives, and rolls beautifully!

Try it!

[MauzyrockRC]

Hey! great tip with the AA battery. As for you, I don't see it as negativity so much as an experienced critique. Nice following along!
Thanks!👍👍👍👍

[AdventureTimeRC]

nice kit looks like a fun one I like rally cars myself tons of fun

[npdf]

Very nice Addam needs Colin McRae driver 🤩👍

[rexrcs]

My crunched twice, a tt-02 and a tt-01, the reason was a slightly crooked motor mount. My wheels dont look that bad but I think we are suppose to paint them maybe, not sure. Its a TT-01, it was designed before brushless and made to be the cheapest touring car tamiya could make back then. Now its a type e it has the brace and a few changes, but still the original chassis from a decade ago.
Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn, but we never really lose. Glad you caught up on touring car wheelbases, youre a very influential rc youtuber so im glad you learned what wheelbases are what. Shocks will depend on your surface and the way you drive but I went 2 hole with stock tamiya soft fluid. The important part is the springs, factory springs far too hard, I went with much softet springs. The TT-01 is best suited for on road conditions from my experience, the TT-02 gas an extra 1 to 1.5 centimeters more clearance. Im excited to see you rip this on some flat dirt! 😍

[RCDEPENDANT]

I watched the whole video and was really looking forward to the running video at the end! But that didn't happen! 🤣😔 looks great 💯👍🏻

[nomusicrc]

Thank you for saying I'm awesome at the end of the video I always watch till the end of the video just like I do in movies in case there's any extras lol

[JF-RC]

Hi Addam, I hope you are keeping well. Hope you get the shocks resolved. The Scoobie looks terrific! Hopefully when you get it outside and driving it, you’ll fall in love with it. It’s a Tamiya, they are masters in disguise 🥸. Enjoy and take care and best wishes 😊😉😊

[dustyw]

Just finished a TT-02R, only problem was the ball cups were 2mm to long causing inward toe on the front end. Other than that it's a freaking rocket with the Orion 6.5T 😎 also the yeah racing shocks are the bizz... 30 bucks for a great shock

[RCBirds]

Cool car, Addam. And somehow a building adventure. Glad you find the solutions👍. Looks as if the modelers have to study these chassis first.😉 I really curious too see it run.

[michaeldorich]

The car looks great. The TT01E is not the easiest build. It's more durable that the original TT01. The front uprights don't break as easily. Unfortunately, they didn't carry over the uprights to the TT02. I have watched other videos and there seems to be complaints about the wheels not being the correct color. Thanks for sharing your insights.

[ThompsonRc]

Great build looking forward to seeing it out ripping

[CarminesRCTipsandTricks]

Never had a TT-01... Still want one. I'd fill in the Battery slots. They were made back when balanced NiMH packs were still a thing. Still a good, sturdy Chassis! 👍👍 You'll end up liking it, from the many I've talked to. The Steering needs HELP! But there's lots of Videos out there, because there's lots of ideas on how to improve it, from cheap to OMG.

Get a Shim Kit. There's just enough slop in the center Driveshaft to bind the Gears. I've NEVER seen that in Tamiya Wheels before!! 😲 That's an odd one.

[RCsoandso]

We have this and I will say that the chassis gets full of gravel and dirt after a run, I would really consider a chassis bag for it, as we have had the drive shaft fail because of a bloomin' big bit of stone that worked its way into it

[MaxxPainII]

I really like how you did the windows. Looks better then all black.

[UncleBobsRC]

Looks outstanding Addam!!!! Some of my Tamiya grey/silver wheels have that same "tiger eye" look to them, it's like the plastic wasn't fully melted/mixed before the injection. Great tip with the AA cell, I do that too but never thought of sharing it, I thought it was something we all do. Ah, a never ending tuning feature. Great job man!!!! Maybe a school near by?

[HaydadRC]

Despite the issues, the car looks great Addam! I hope you get the shocks sorted.
I put some tape over the battery area to try and prevent a lot junk from getting in there.
👍😊

[Toystheyrenot]

Excellent build and great work on the body! Looks amazing!🙌 I have a tt01 too but that one’s set up for drifting with locked diffs. Mine came with friction shocks so I swapped that out for oil filled ones. It’s a good handling chassis and I look forward to seeing it attack your track.👍😊

[BangForYourBuckRc]

Really sweet car Addam! I really like this! All the discrepancies you mentioned though are valid.. the main things to me would be suspension and wheels. I love the style of the wheels, but the plastics used and the way it was melted are what cause the “tiger Stripes”. I’d either take a scotch brite pad to them and plasti dip the wheels or buy or print some new ones. Still overall I think I like this set up. Thanks for sharing brother. Great video!✌🏻🍻👊🏼