Build tips and mods for your Tamiya Grasshopper
Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2023 8:42 pm
Here are great tips I have learned along the way to get the most out of your stock grasshopper!
1. Ball bearings.
2. Secure the battery cover with a plastic servo saver horn. (Simple way to prevent your battery from flying out)
3. Use very fine grit sandpaper, steel wool, etc. to polish the metal pogo stick suspension parts front and rear. A dremel or drill could be easier. (This will remove binding in your suspension—a common problem in a new build. Or, they will bind with accumulated dirt and dust and mud).
4. Consider a softer front spring option. I got mine at a hardware store for some different application, the progressive spring action was a nice bonus. You can cut a ring or two off of the front springs for a less elegant solution. (It handles more predictably, with a more forgiving bounce).
5. The white nylon gears can be greased (every so lightly) with the Tamiya Ceramic Grease being preferable.
6. For better diff performance. Lock the diff (see below). Or, for a limited diff action, consider putting the lightest coat of Anti-wear thick grease on the metal gear cavities and other parts circled in red in the manual picture. This heavy grease helps to reduce the ease in which one wheel spins like crazy when you are stuck. It gives you a little more traction. Warning: don't put any of this thick silver grease on the nylon white gears (or near it). Since the diff is an open type the lightest coating of grease on the metal gears is recommended. Definitely don't mix greases. White grease on the nylon and silver/grey grease on the metal parts. Did I mention light coating?
Bonus:
6. Super glue the servo saver. . The stock servo saver is flexible and forgiving. However, you might appreciate the responsiveness that comes from supergluing or using a zip tie on the servo saver to prevent flex.
7. LOCK the differential. I always prefer the driving performance of a LOCKED diff. More traction, more control, more sliding, and more fun. I agree with AMPRO that the grasshopper and hornet are so light that having a working differential is not necessary for turning effectively. Beach, grass, and pavement locked is always my preference. It doesn’t make sense now, but try it yourself...you might be a believer. Light rc cars and basic suspension designs are favorable to locking the diff IMO. You can lock it by purchasing something online, or by gluing, or some other method.
8. Softer tires can make up for the stiff ride of the grasshopper. The larger hornet tires are better for absorbing bumps, and the Kyosho tires from the Scorpion/Tomahawk are among the best (you might need a rear hub conversion to use Kyosho wheels however) for traction and softness.
9. Finally if you like to go to the beach and want a little more sand protection. You might want to put a bead of silicone or Goop along the seam of the gearbox case. It will keep out the debris and water to some degree, and is removable next time (depending on what you use).
1. Ball bearings.
2. Secure the battery cover with a plastic servo saver horn. (Simple way to prevent your battery from flying out)
3. Use very fine grit sandpaper, steel wool, etc. to polish the metal pogo stick suspension parts front and rear. A dremel or drill could be easier. (This will remove binding in your suspension—a common problem in a new build. Or, they will bind with accumulated dirt and dust and mud).
4. Consider a softer front spring option. I got mine at a hardware store for some different application, the progressive spring action was a nice bonus. You can cut a ring or two off of the front springs for a less elegant solution. (It handles more predictably, with a more forgiving bounce).
5. The white nylon gears can be greased (every so lightly) with the Tamiya Ceramic Grease being preferable.
6. For better diff performance. Lock the diff (see below). Or, for a limited diff action, consider putting the lightest coat of Anti-wear thick grease on the metal gear cavities and other parts circled in red in the manual picture. This heavy grease helps to reduce the ease in which one wheel spins like crazy when you are stuck. It gives you a little more traction. Warning: don't put any of this thick silver grease on the nylon white gears (or near it). Since the diff is an open type the lightest coating of grease on the metal gears is recommended. Definitely don't mix greases. White grease on the nylon and silver/grey grease on the metal parts. Did I mention light coating?
Bonus:
6. Super glue the servo saver. . The stock servo saver is flexible and forgiving. However, you might appreciate the responsiveness that comes from supergluing or using a zip tie on the servo saver to prevent flex.
7. LOCK the differential. I always prefer the driving performance of a LOCKED diff. More traction, more control, more sliding, and more fun. I agree with AMPRO that the grasshopper and hornet are so light that having a working differential is not necessary for turning effectively. Beach, grass, and pavement locked is always my preference. It doesn’t make sense now, but try it yourself...you might be a believer. Light rc cars and basic suspension designs are favorable to locking the diff IMO. You can lock it by purchasing something online, or by gluing, or some other method.
8. Softer tires can make up for the stiff ride of the grasshopper. The larger hornet tires are better for absorbing bumps, and the Kyosho tires from the Scorpion/Tomahawk are among the best (you might need a rear hub conversion to use Kyosho wheels however) for traction and softness.
9. Finally if you like to go to the beach and want a little more sand protection. You might want to put a bead of silicone or Goop along the seam of the gearbox case. It will keep out the debris and water to some degree, and is removable next time (depending on what you use).
