Tammy Leo 2 questions

[billpe]

Hey, I'm looking for some answers on the Tamiya Leopard 2A6. Its going to be my next tank and I've read that out of the box its the best runner but needs a few vital replacements if its to be used allot:

I understand it needs metal tension adjuster, which is the best one? The shumo or Impact?
The bogey wheel arms also need replacement with metal ones, but again which is the better one? Impact, DKLM or Shumo or are they much of a muchness?
Any particular set of sealed bearings I should go for?
Which set of metal tracks? Impact, Mato, DKLM or try and find a set of Tamiya own brand metal tracks? Or at the plastic ones fine given the rubber pads?
Is the plastic idler wheel sufficient or is it worth the upgrade ?
The stabiliser doesn't look very good when watching videos, is it actually worth the additional cost?
Is there any value in the hull brace, torsion bar mount upgrades or anything else?

Cheers!

[tomhugill]

The only must have upgrade is the schumo idler adjuster. Everything else is pointless. If you start cracking suspension arms consider the metal swing arms. Until then I'd save your money.

[forgebear]

you could try AFV they do one for the leo 2a6 try this ling
http://www.afv-model.com/4711shop/index.php?cPath=2_4_8


dave

[billpe]

AFV are is my shortcut list already

Tom, do you drive yours around much? Have your cracked at all?

[TKcommander]

AFV are is my shortcut list already

Tom, do you drive yours around much? Have your cracked at all?

I now own Tom's Leo ... It's now getting close to nine years old and although it has had a gear box refurb and Idler adjusters it is still running fine on the original plastic tracks and suspension arms.

It has been very well used and is still going strong.

I'm with Tom, use what you have in the original kit 'till something breaks then replace.

[tomhugill]

What that man said!

[ruben2005]

my leo is all standard and gets used by my 8yr old son and nothing has gone wrong very strong tamiya tank lots of fun

[billpe]

Thanks for the input.

One last question - the hull and some parts are ABS plastic so which is the best glue to use on it to hold the shock absorbers? Straight two part epoxy or something stronger like a plastic welder with epoxy plus solvent?

[billpe]

So I've ordered:

Impact Idlers
Impact bogey arms
Impact bearings
AFV MG3 and mount
Shumo Metal side skirt steps (I just know from the look of them, I'll break the plastic ones!)
AFV resin smoke dischargers

I've read lots of other stories about over tightening the arms will crack them and metal tracks require a complete replacement of the running gear or they'll wear them out and possibly parts of the gear box, so I'll steer well clear of them! I was a little confused by this as its one of the tanks Tamiya actually make metal tracks themselves for. Might be something for the future to investigate.

Since this is my first modern tank I've also got a 1:35 Leopard 2 to experiment with painting. I think I'll do a standard NATO finish but with a winter white wash similar to some of the German 2A6's I've seen around the internet. Just need to find some good references from all angles now with that kind of finish.