PanzerCmdr

I'm FINALLY getting around to building my Tamiya Tiger I. I thought I'd post the upgrades I'm thinking about for now, for any comments.

1) Bolt-on Gear Down. http://www.etoarmour.com/product_det...roductID=ZUH19

For a more realistic tank speed.

2) The following items from Daryl Turner at http://www.customrcmodels.com/shop/d...ade_parts.htm:

Idler Kit/spring loaded

Metal Elevation Arm

Gear Box Brace

Steel Idler Arm

What do you think? Anything further or alternatives you'd suggest? As I mentioned, I'm interested in having a Tiger that'll operate at a realistic speed. The other items are mainly for "beefing-up" and addressing some deficiencies. Thanks!

sevoblast

Etoarmor has all the Daryl Turner upgrades in stock also.

Idler Kit/spring loaded http://www.etoarmour.com/product_det...productID=DP02

Metal Elevation Arm http://www.etoarmour.com/product_det...productID=DP21

Gear Box Brace http://www.etoarmour.com/product_det...roductID=DPE08

Steel Idler Arm DP11 has been out of stock for a while. All others are in stock in multiples.

PanzerCmdr

Thanks, Robert. I thought that was the case but thanks for confirming it. Does the Bolt-on Gear Down just completely swap-out with the Tamiya gear-box?

sevoblast

No, the gear reduction is a bolt on to the existing transmission. You remove toe motor, screw the unit on the transmission, one for each side, then install the motor again. Pretty simple, and the instructions are included, with illustrations.

tomhugill

A word of caution, be careful when using the geardowns. If you get anything stuck in the tracks you will easily break the tus. I learnt the hard way and went with the impact tus. If you end up trashing one set then they sorta pay for them selves!

sevoblast

Tom, I never broke a Tamiya TU with stock gears, but I had a young lad here sure as heck broke two 50 dollar gears in 2 Tammy Type 1's, in our famous mud. These were English made gears, by the by.

PanzerCmdr

Does the Daryl Turner Idler Kit help any with not stressing out the Tamiya transmission/gear-down combination as much, as far as getting anything stuck in the tracks?

Thanks for the input, guys. Just trying to figure-out a way to get a more realistic speed without putting more things at risk.

sevoblast

Small stones can be a problem with or without the gear downs. Try to avoid areas with them and you should be OK. Of course, the spring loaded idlers help a very great deal with kicking out the odd stone without damage to either the tracks or transmissions. That's why Daryl developed the system, and it works grand.

tomhugill

The tamiya tus without the increased torque from the geardowns have always been fine. Ive had all sorts jammed in my KT with impact tus and not really had a problem, also Impact are very good at replacing broken gears (for free if within a year of purchace). Not trying to flog the horse or anything but just sharing what Ive learnt through some rather costly lessons!

ksoc

I've run the gear downs in my Tiger for years and have not damage the transmissions. Thrown tracks were and issues, which Daryl's track tensioner has helped to minimize. The only transmissions that I have had issues in my Sherman. Damaged the gears two different times.

The aluminum main gun helps. The seamed plastic will work, you just need to be very diligent about sanding and not applying too much paint. Had intermittent problems with the recoil until I upgrade to the alum. barrel.

PanzerCmdr

Thanks for the input, guys. What about this DT bushing upgrade for the Tamiya gear box? Anybody done this mod?

http://www.customrcmodels.com/files/...HNGUPGRADE.pdf

sevoblast

Not needed. Tamiya transmissions work fine stock.