The RC Deep Dive

Pro-Line & CRP Bumpers: Improved Function & Fashion!

The Pro-Line and CRP iconic dyeable white nylon bumper hop-ups for the ORV (Off-Road Vehicle) R/C models not only improved the look of the Tamiya Frog (and sometimes the Subaru BRAT or Blackfoot) but also made for a better running radio controlled vehicle. How is this possible? We take a deep dive into the function and fashion of this popular mod in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

Beyond the Frog: Tamiya's Racing Championships

In the Golden Age of RC, Tamiya famously won the German national R/C buggy championship in a race where most of the cars that qualified for the finals were one model, the Frog. However since then, Tamiya radio controlled model vehicles have won many national and international races. We take a deep drive into all of them in this episode of the RC Deep Dive. 

The Importance of Getting the Frog's Front Arms Right

The Frog's distinctive double wishbone-type suspension assembly's durable steel radius arms joint serves as a crucial pivot and a primary locus for alignment that influences the front suspension's caster angle which must be assembled perfectly at 90° and kept square to prevent disaster. But why? We take a deep drive into the front arms of the Tamiya Frog in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

HOW-TO: Identify Causes and Fix Rear Axle Slop

In the Tamiya Grasshopper, Hornet, Grasshopper II, and Super Hornet, it is not unusual for rear axle slop to develop over time. We look into how to diagnose the performance draining conditions and most importantly how to fix it in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

The T-Tool: The Iconic 4-Way or Cross Box Wrench History

The four-way box wrench or cross wrench has become synonymous with ready controlled vehicles and most especially Tamiya. However this t-tool didn't even come with Tamiya's original RC cars. We take a deep drive into the origin and history of the legendary Tamiya cross box wrench tool in this episode of the RC Deep Dive. 

Are CVDs Necessary in the HotShot Family of RC Cars?

The HotShot family of radio controlled buggies comes with dog-bones, but are CVDs (constant velocity driveshafts) or UJs (Universal Joints) an appropriate hop-up on the HotShot, HotShot II, Super HotShot, Boomerang, etc. or are you better off staying stock? We dig into these questions in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

What is Binding and How to Fix it?

What causes hex drives, dog-bones, UJs (universal joints), and CVDs (constant velocity driveshafts) to bind in radio controlled vehicles? We take a deep dive into this problem and the solution in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

The Evolution of R/C Car Wheel Connectors

When the Tamiya HotShot radio controlled buggy debuted, it came with an all new type of wheel connector that stuck around for the entire line of the HotShot family (HotShot, HotShot II, Super HotShot, Boomerang, Bigwig, Super Sabre, HotShot 2 Blockhead Motors Edition, and SuperShot [Super HotShot rere]) of RC vehicles. We go over the evolution of wheel connectors from Tamiya from the beginning of the R/C Golden Age through the introduction of 4wd RC cars, trucks, and buggies.

Is the Vintage 3-Piece Wheel Actually Superior?

Why did Tamiya come out with three piece wheels with their vintage radio control vehicles? Are there any inherent advantages with these more complicated wheel designs compared to the standard one piece wheel? You might be surprised what we uncovered on this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

R/C Cars and their Place in Japanese Culture

Kyosho and Tamiya radio controlled vehicles like cars, trucks, buggies, vans, helicopters, boats, airplanes, etc. have had a unique influence on Japanese culture. Meanwhile, Japanese culture has, in turn, had a unique influence on R/C vehicle culture as well. We take a deep dive into these mutual influences in this episode of the RC Deep Dive.