I think you will be surprised at the performance of that buggy. I have one that is slightly upgraded with a brushless motor, steel pinion (19t) , crappy grease filled dampers and titanium drive axles. Oh and of course different wheels and tires. I have run this thing hard and very very often ( at least 500 battery packs) and it has almost all its original gears, all original suspension parts (minus the dampers) and body. Very tough buggy and my favorite car to run of my collection. I will admit that the chassis is getting pretty worn out at this point at the suspension mounts and arms but I just keep shimming everything up to keep it going. Enjoy!!
Great comment and inspiring to know this one is going to stand up to the Orchard Raceway!! It will be going up against my TT02B, DF03 and the XV01 which is a tough class 😁
Hi Craig and what a great job you've done on this rebuild! I think it's a fantastic thing to do, bringing life back to an un-loved Tamiya buggy, ready to be enjoyed again! Yes it's a very old and basic design but I think it might surprise us when you get it up and on it's first run. I've got some of those JK-RC shocks and like you, needed to give them a bit of TLC to get them working properly, I'm sure you'll sort 'em out! For what you paid this was a complete bargain and looks very cool with the new body fitted. Can't wait to see this one running mate! 😎👌👍
Cheers Mark! I have some JKRC shocks on my Lunchbox and they were great. I am going to swap out the oil and they will be fine. It is a lovely buggy and I am pleased with how it came out. It should look really good on the OR this summer.
I love these type of projects something that looks worse then it actually is! I have had a couple of these Baja Champs over time and they are a real solid platform and fun to drive! Not going to lie Craig that wing decal would have to be sorted! Would the wing not work the other way around? Iol l am OCD enough so l would have to get another that's just me though. looking great mate nice job!👌
Hey James, I was so gutted that I had made such a rookie mistake but when trying to correct it started to tear so I just have to roll with it. Tried swapping it round and it just didn’t work. I am pleased with how this chassis came back from the dead and I am sure it is going to give others a run for their money on the OR this season. Thanks for watching pal 🙌🏻
@theoagrc l love the friction suspension on the GH2 its so soft compared to the original! Don't bother with oil shocks its to stiff for this light weight chassis! The spring friction suspension actually works quite well on the Hopper 2 and its fun to drive! Yeah not quite the Legendary buggy as the OG hopper but the GH2 definitely deserves a lot of merit! Cheers Craig 👍
Superb video Craig..... So enjoyable to watch! (and don't apologise for the length mate, the longer the better!) Seeing old cars brought back to life is one of my favourite parts of this hobby. You done a great job with this one, and great to follow along! That old silver can looked as if the bushes on the rotor were well passed their best, I'm guessing the brushes would have been highly worn to. Unfortunately they are sealed motors, and non sevicable.... although some guys do manage to get into them for maintenance and repairs.... but in all honesty it isn't worth it. Those old acoms servos are bombproof, and go on forever.... I still use many to this day. Great to see non of the usual rebuild gremlins popping up (stripped screws, plastics shattering, perished tyres etc).... and those diffs still looked sweet for its age. As for the shocks- I've bought many of these JKRC dampers, they are very well built, but the springs are often too hard for many of the Tamiya range. They also often don't have enough oil in them from new. You will be able to transform their performance if you empty the oil and replace with a softer viscosity, and change the springs out to something substantially softer. I had to do this with my monster beetle, and they now work really well! Love the paint job, but that spoiler decal would highly distress my OCD! 😂 Exactly the kind of mistake I would make though! There's some brilliant paint markers on Ebay that would make a great job of the cabin framework if those silver stickers start lifting..... they are a lot easier than trying to paint on the details with a brush. All in all a great job Sir! 🙏 Saving the catalogue video for Saturday night dude! 👍 👍 👍
Hey James, thanks for watching as always my friend! You are right about the shocks and I am going to strip them down and go again with some different oil. No issues really with the build which was impressive. Everyone tells me this chassis is bullet proof so we’ll see when it hits the OR. Good advice on the pens for the frame decals (will have to look into that) and you will have to send me a link to them. As for the decal it really bothers me so I will be sure to flip this hard on the first run and need a new one 😉
@@theoagrc No worries mate, I will try and send you a link to the paint markers.... I use my chrone one regularly! Regarding the shocks- The main reason for the bounceyness is how hard the actual springs are on those JKRC..... they need much softer springs all round mate. 😊 👍 👍 👍
Excellent resto job Craig! Think those friction dampers are the only thing I’d be in a hirry to change. It must be a fun one to drive! What a looker though! I’d still run it with the modern stuff just to see where it stands! Great stuff buddy!👍🏻😎👍🏻
Hey Robbie, thanks for checking the build out fella! It is a looker for sure and I will get the dampers sorted before the season starts properly dude 🙌🏻
It looks good, I like the purple! The wing sticker did give me a little chuckle , I have come close but have not done that one yet! I think the springs on those shock are way to hard and that is what it causing some of the issues. See if you have any softer ones knocking around you can try and swap onto them. They look a bit bigger so might not work out but they seem way over sprung. I think it will be a fun driver out on the track. They were not the most popular buggies but I think the timing in which they came out was poor and the RC world was in the full bloom of RTRs and tons of companies so Tamiya sales slipped as interest in kits did. I think it is a decent one and should run well. Not going to be a turbo optima but still should scoot around nicely! Have fun with Craig!
Hey Addam, I have made the mistake twice on the wing but this one was too far to correct it! I was so annoyed! I agree with you that the timing was off for Tamiya but it does seem a really nice buggy and with the shocks tuned it will be worthy of some laps on the OR!
Some have told me it is going to surprise people. We’ll see Richard! I have put it in the Modern 4wd bracket for 2024 with the TT02B, DF03 and the XV01 so who knows!!!
The size of those diffs is crazy. I always like the Baja Buggy....it appears to share some TT02 parts? I had some issues with my MCI decals when I built my spare parts Ultima. They do not like to be pulled up and put down again. They curl up very badly and the printing gets messed up. Nice save on the Baja Buggy! Looking forward to seeing it on your track!
Hey Arky, yeah it is lovely to be able to get decals printed but you have to get use to the different quality. That rear wing just won’t lift without tearing so it is what it is. The TL-01 chassis was the for runner to the TT01 I think which is why there are some similarities. Thanks for watching pal 🙌🏻
Awesome Fu@king Job Dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As for the motor, I have an old Johnson with a lot of end play as well, However, yours is older and there is a strong possibility that the brushes are too far worn... Or, as you say, It just might need to be cleaned (loose screws, washers, grub screws & even staples I pulled out of motors). Don't forget to lube the bushings with a drop of light oil after cleaning..
Hey there Bob! Thanks for watching pal. I loved how this turned out (even with that decal being diff!!) and lots of people have told me it is a great chassis. The motor works on a AA after a clean with motor cleaner. However, I am not sure if it is going to be reliable so I might choose to can it anyway. Mark and Dom chucked me a load of silver cans the other day so I am well stocked for the future of the OR!!
These chassis are tanks, probably the strongest 4x4 chassis tamiya has ever made and massively underrated. Thw gearboxes can take massive power considering they are from the late 90s Use the mini CVA dampers with the original springs. Put on turnbuckles for the steering and upper arms. Probably the most stable Tamiya I've used because of it's wide wheel base.
Brilliant comment and thanks for letting me know how good this chassis is! I am pleased with it so far and might take your advice of some CVA shocks. I think I have some DF03 ones knocking about somewhere…. Wonder if they will work??
I have a boatload of parts not fitted / pulled off of resto cars.. and stop tempting me with a Rising Fighter.. I had an interesting idea for one, but have enough projects... Almost all the parts for my project DT-02... Carbon shock towers as recommended by you, custom decals by MCI.. and a project DT-01 AND project Hornet.... Too many projects !
That is sometimes the problem! Too many ideas turn into too many projects. This was my last restore project so I need to find a new one for next year! It is often part of the fun!!! Thanks for watching dude 🙌🏻
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I think you will be surprised at the performance of that buggy. I have one that is slightly upgraded with a brushless motor, steel pinion (19t) , crappy grease filled dampers and titanium drive axles. Oh and of course different wheels and tires.
I have run this thing hard and very very often ( at least 500 battery packs) and it has almost all its original gears, all original suspension parts (minus the dampers) and body.
Very tough buggy and my favorite car to run of my collection.
I will admit that the chassis is getting pretty worn out at this point at the suspension mounts and arms but I just keep shimming everything up to keep it going.
Enjoy!!
Great comment and inspiring to know this one is going to stand up to the Orchard Raceway!!
It will be going up against my TT02B, DF03 and the XV01 which is a tough class 😁
Hi Craig and what a great job you've done on this rebuild! I think it's a fantastic thing to do, bringing life back to an un-loved Tamiya buggy, ready to be enjoyed again! Yes it's a very old and basic design but I think it might surprise us when you get it up and on it's first run. I've got some of those JK-RC shocks and like you, needed to give them a bit of TLC to get them working properly, I'm sure you'll sort 'em out! For what you paid this was a complete bargain and looks very cool with the new body fitted. Can't wait to see this one running mate! 😎👌👍
Cheers Mark! I have some JKRC shocks on my Lunchbox and they were great. I am going to swap out the oil and they will be fine.
It is a lovely buggy and I am pleased with how it came out. It should look really good on the OR this summer.
Resto work is so much fun
Hey Brent, especially when it goes well! Thanks for for watching pal
Great find, Craig! Those buggies are becoming increasingly rare, what a great find! She cleaned up nicely, too. Great video pal!
Cheers Fil! It was a great find and a fun project. The colour is my new favourite Tamiya paint I think!! Thanks for watching buddy 🙌🏻
Cool project craig..
Thank Thad, I really enjoyed it
I love these type of projects something that looks worse then it actually is! I have had a couple of these Baja Champs over time and they are a real solid platform and fun to drive! Not going to lie Craig that wing decal would have to be sorted! Would the wing not work the other way around? Iol l am OCD enough so l would have to get another that's just me though. looking great mate nice job!👌
Hey James, I was so gutted that I had made such a rookie mistake but when trying to correct it started to tear so I just have to roll with it. Tried swapping it round and it just didn’t work.
I am pleased with how this chassis came back from the dead and I am sure it is going to give others a run for their money on the OR this season.
Thanks for watching pal 🙌🏻
@theoagrc yeah its very satisfying bringing an old buggy back to life for a second bite of the cherry! Just done the same with a Grasshopper 2!
@MadBeeRC I have one of those to build at some point. Can’t wait to see how it goes compared to the original
@theoagrc l love the friction suspension on the GH2 its so soft compared to the original! Don't bother with oil shocks its to stiff for this light weight chassis! The spring friction suspension actually works quite well on the Hopper 2 and its fun to drive!
Yeah not quite the Legendary buggy as the OG hopper but the GH2 definitely deserves a lot of merit! Cheers Craig 👍
What a great find! Look inside those new shocks. Sometimes they ship with no oil in them. The champ lives again!
Hey Joe, I think you are right. I am going to crack them open before she runs on the OR. Thanks for watching pal
Excellent rebuild there Craig! It looks fantastic my friend!
Looking forward to seeing it on the OR this summer!👍😊
Thanks Jeremy, it turned out ok didn’t it! Now let’s see how it gets on out on the OR!!
Awesome restoration job 👍
Many thanks Paul 🙌🏻
Superb video Craig..... So enjoyable to watch! (and don't apologise for the length mate, the longer the better!)
Seeing old cars brought back to life is one of my favourite parts of this hobby.
You done a great job with this one, and great to follow along!
That old silver can looked as if the bushes on the rotor were well passed their best, I'm guessing the brushes would have been highly worn to.
Unfortunately they are sealed motors, and non sevicable.... although some guys do manage to get into them for maintenance and repairs.... but in all honesty it isn't worth it.
Those old acoms servos are bombproof, and go on forever.... I still use many to this day.
Great to see non of the usual rebuild gremlins popping up (stripped screws, plastics shattering, perished tyres etc).... and those diffs still looked sweet for its age.
As for the shocks-
I've bought many of these JKRC dampers, they are very well built, but the springs are often too hard for many of the Tamiya range.
They also often don't have enough oil in them from new.
You will be able to transform their performance if you empty the oil and replace with a softer viscosity, and change the springs out to something substantially softer.
I had to do this with my monster beetle, and they now work really well!
Love the paint job, but that spoiler decal would highly distress my OCD! 😂 Exactly the kind of mistake I would make though!
There's some brilliant paint markers on Ebay that would make a great job of the cabin framework if those silver stickers start lifting..... they are a lot easier than trying to paint on the details with a brush.
All in all a great job Sir! 🙏
Saving the catalogue video for Saturday night dude!
👍 👍 👍
Hey James, thanks for watching as always my friend!
You are right about the shocks and I am going to strip them down and go again with some different oil.
No issues really with the build which was impressive. Everyone tells me this chassis is bullet proof so we’ll see when it hits the OR.
Good advice on the pens for the frame decals (will have to look into that) and you will have to send me a link to them. As for the decal it really bothers me so I will be sure to flip this hard on the first run and need a new one 😉
@@theoagrc
No worries mate, I will try and send you a link to the paint markers.... I use my chrone one regularly!
Regarding the shocks-
The main reason for the bounceyness is how hard the actual springs are on those JKRC..... they need much softer springs all round mate. 😊
👍 👍 👍
@yodadarksideGreenHawksRC I have plenty of stuff knocking about to help fella 😉
Excellent resto job Craig! Think those friction dampers are the only thing I’d be in a hirry to change. It must be a fun one to drive! What a looker though! I’d still run it with the modern stuff just to see where it stands! Great stuff buddy!👍🏻😎👍🏻
Hey Robbie, thanks for checking the build out fella! It is a looker for sure and I will get the dampers sorted before the season starts properly dude 🙌🏻
All the colors work well together
They are good together aren’t they! My gamble paid off!
Great project 👍
Thanks Mark 🙌🏻
This is an amazing buggy my friend. ❤
Cheers Luke! I was really happy with how it turned out dude!
fantastic job and it looks awesome. well done mate 👍 u can repair my cars now 😂👍
Anytime you need help dude just ask! Thanks for watching pal 🙌🏻
Cracking restoration, congrats 😊
Thanks dude! I really enjoyed this one. The colour came out so well!!
Nice restore. Too bad about those replacement dampers...I love the body color! Cheers
Hey Mauzy, I am going to pop them open and check the oil before we run her on the OR. I am sure they will be fine 🙌🏻
Ahhhh. I certainly want one of those.
They are really cool 😎
@@theoagrc do you know what the difference between the Baja Champ and the Baja King is because it's got me all mixed up.
It looks good, I like the purple! The wing sticker did give me a little chuckle , I have come close but have not done that one yet! I think the springs on those shock are way to hard and that is what it causing some of the issues. See if you have any softer ones knocking around you can try and swap onto them. They look a bit bigger so might not work out but they seem way over sprung. I think it will be a fun driver out on the track. They were not the most popular buggies but I think the timing in which they came out was poor and the RC world was in the full bloom of RTRs and tons of companies so Tamiya sales slipped as interest in kits did. I think it is a decent one and should run well. Not going to be a turbo optima but still should scoot around nicely! Have fun with Craig!
Hey Addam, I have made the mistake twice on the wing but this one was too far to correct it! I was so annoyed!
I agree with you that the timing was off for Tamiya but it does seem a really nice buggy and with the shocks tuned it will be worthy of some laps on the OR!
Nice find, could this supprise everyone and blitz the orchard raceway ? We’ll have to wait and see 😁
Some have told me it is going to surprise people. We’ll see Richard! I have put it in the Modern 4wd bracket for 2024 with the TT02B, DF03 and the XV01 so who knows!!!
@@theoagrc tough competition, but we all love an underdog 👍
@lo2713 oh yeah bud! The amount of support for the Frog last year!!
The size of those diffs is crazy. I always like the Baja Buggy....it appears to share some TT02 parts? I had some issues with my MCI decals when I built my spare parts Ultima. They do not like to be pulled up and put down again. They curl up very badly and the printing gets messed up. Nice save on the Baja Buggy! Looking forward to seeing it on your track!
Hey Arky, yeah it is lovely to be able to get decals printed but you have to get use to the different quality. That rear wing just won’t lift without tearing so it is what it is. The TL-01 chassis was the for runner to the TT01 I think which is why there are some similarities. Thanks for watching pal 🙌🏻
Awesome Fu@king Job Dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As for the motor, I have an old Johnson with a lot of end play as well, However, yours is older and there is a strong possibility that the brushes are too far worn... Or, as you say, It just might need to be cleaned (loose screws, washers, grub screws & even staples I pulled out of motors). Don't forget to lube the bushings with a drop of light oil after cleaning..
Hey there Bob! Thanks for watching pal. I loved how this turned out (even with that decal being diff!!) and lots of people have told me it is a great chassis.
The motor works on a AA after a clean with motor cleaner. However, I am not sure if it is going to be reliable so I might choose to can it anyway. Mark and Dom chucked me a load of silver cans the other day so I am well stocked for the future of the OR!!
@@theoagrc That's awesome, what a bunch of great guys... BTW, I'm always watching!!!!
These chassis are tanks, probably the strongest 4x4 chassis tamiya has ever made and massively underrated. Thw gearboxes can take massive power considering they are from the late 90s
Use the mini CVA dampers with the original springs. Put on turnbuckles for the steering and upper arms.
Probably the most stable Tamiya I've used because of it's wide wheel base.
Brilliant comment and thanks for letting me know how good this chassis is! I am pleased with it so far and might take your advice of some CVA shocks. I think I have some DF03 ones knocking about somewhere…. Wonder if they will work??
@@theoagrc almost forgot, a must upgrade is getting front cvd/universal joints fitted in place of the dog bones.
@bespincustompropsbombarta8300 need to find some of those then! Any specific type fit?
@@theoagrc I used the ones from a Thundershot, tt02b ones should fit too if you can find any.
@bespincustompropsbombarta8300 thanks pal 🙌🏻
Put thick oil in those shocks
I will give them a service 👍🏻
I have a boatload of parts not fitted / pulled off of resto cars.. and stop tempting me with a Rising Fighter.. I had an interesting idea for one, but have enough projects... Almost all the parts for my project DT-02... Carbon shock towers as recommended by you, custom decals by MCI.. and a project DT-01 AND project Hornet.... Too many projects !
That is sometimes the problem! Too many ideas turn into too many projects. This was my last restore project so I need to find a new one for next year! It is often part of the fun!!! Thanks for watching dude 🙌🏻
A perfectly good pair of friction shocks. Has probably never been said before from tamiya fans. 🤣🤣🤣
The Lunchbox gets away with it for a period of time 😂 Thanks for watching Alan 🙌🏻