Originally posted by Rich Derry on October 17, 2016
Been wanting to get deeper into the scale RC scene for a while now and with winter coming I really needed a nice project for KrawlZoneRC. RC4WD was one of our first sponsors and have shown amazing support from the beginning so I contracted Tom and he made me an offer on a TF2 that I couldn’t pass up so now I have it and can’t wait to begin…
Once you open the shipping box you’ll be greeted with another box containing your new red Trail Finder 2. Inside the TF2 RTR’s box, there is a 3 channel controller, a bag with the manual and various spare parts (bed hooks, front tube bumper, full truck cab back if you want to run it without the bed).
One look at the TF2 and you’ll understand why these trucks have such a huge following. They are so realistic from the hard plastic body, to the ladder frame chassis, to the leaf springs holding the scale looking solid axles.
These trucks are so photogenic right out of the box. I also really like seeing those leafs peering out from underneath the chassis.
Now, you’ll notice once you start driving/handling the truck that the leafs really limit the suspension (this is no SCX10 nor was it designed to be like one). Also, the front leaf shackles hit the bottom of the bumper valance which hindered the suspension travel, if you look at a full-size 1983 Toyota Hilux, which the TF2 is modeled after, you’ll see that the front suspension on the TF2 is opposite than it’s full-size counterpart.
These trucks are so photogenic right out of the box. I also really like seeing those leafs peering out from underneath the chassis.
Now, you’ll notice once you start driving/handling the truck that the leafs really limit the suspension (this is no SCX10 nor was it designed to be like one). Also, the front leaf shackles hit the bottom of the bumper valance which hindered the suspension travel, if you look at a full-size 1983 Toyota Hilux, which the TF2 is modeled after, you’ll see that the front suspension on the TF2 is opposite than it’s full-size counterpart.
stiff leafs, I removed the 2 helper leafs in the back and only shortest one in the front, it seems to have helped with the articulation. Although, I might have to put the medium length helper back in after the leafs break in just in case of it starting to sag.
My first run went pretty smooth and only rolled it once in the beginning on a line that my SCX10 usually does pretty well. After that I paid more attention to the trucks limits and it began to be so much more fun than most of my other crawler type rc’s
I did notice that the leafs got quite a bit softer towards the end so I will be putting back the medium helper in the rear.
I’m Also going to need a new servo horn, the plastic one stripped out right as I wrapping up my evening.
First of all, the molded in red paint had to go…I removed all of the chrome/black/clear parts, sanded, then shot it with some cheap yet durable primer from good ‘ol WalMart.
Then I went on the hunt for some color at Home Depot and found some Rustoleum Satin Paprika that fit with what I had in mind…
Since the punisher skull basically says I’m going to destroy anything in my path, I found a vinyl decal stencil, sprayed the hood flat black and did 2 light coats of flat white on the skull.
Also, since the Tamiya Bruiser/Mountaineer is basically the same body, the interior from said models fits perfectly .
Then threw on a set of Proline BFG K02’s to help with ground clearance.
Next Suspension Performance…
The leaf springs are quite stiff and limit the TF2’s articulation ability, even after a few hours of driving it still can’t quite do some of the things I want it to so…
I did a little researching and found out that if you install some little rubber o-rings on top and bottom of the leafs it almost triples your articulation…
Now that I have you caught up, here’s where I am now…
Boom Racing makes Gelande 2 front shock hoops that work perfectly with the TF2’s chassis and will allow you to ditch the short 70mm shocks up front and allow you to mount up some longer 90mm’s to assist you with some better performance.
To be continued…