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Reduction gearset and upgrades for Tamiya M4.

Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2015 9:44 pm
by Clunkmeister
Hey folks, I'm building my first 1/16 scale R/C tank, but have been an R/C airplane guy for 40+ years.

I want to make a hardcore scale runner that won't be stripping stuff and bending stuff everytime I go out to play.

I'm looking for suggestions on upgrades to the running gear. A reduction gear transmission is number one on my hitlist, and I'm looking for suggestions there.

Also, I've heard the upgraded sideplates for the drive axles work well.

I'll source bearings for the bogies from somewhere, and hopefully, metal tracks as well.

Thoughts?

Suggestions?

Feedback?

What would YOU do if you wanted to build a super reliable hardcore runner that still is "In Scale"?

Re: Reduction gearset and upgrades for Tamiya M4.

Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2015 10:05 pm
by greengiant
I bought mine used with no electronics in it but whoever originally worked on it fitted a 3/1 metal with bushings gearbox meant for a HL tank and it runs great. Can't tell you what the gearbox was originally meant for as HL hadn't released their Sherman at that time. All he did was put some shims under it then drilled holes for the HL gearbox to be screwed onto and ground off a bit of the gearboxes front metal plates until the Tamiya tranny cover fit on right.

Re: Reduction gearset and upgrades for Tamiya M4.

Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2015 7:17 am
by tomhugill
Clunkmeister wrote:Hey folks, I'm building my first 1/16 scale R/C tank, but have been an R/C airplane guy for 40+ years.

I want to make a hardcore scale runner that won't be stripping stuff and bending stuff everytime I go out to play.

I'm looking for suggestions on upgrades to the running gear. A reduction gear transmission is number one on my hitlist, and I'm looking for suggestions there.

Also, I've heard the upgraded sideplates for the drive axles work well.

I'll source bearings for the bogies from somewhere, and hopefully, metal tracks as well.

Thoughts?

Suggestions?

Feedback?

What would YOU do if you wanted to build a super reliable hardcore runner that still is "In Scale"?
Honestly leave it stock, the sherman runs great out the box, grass is no trouble either. There are a couple of things you can do like a gearbox brace and bearings for the wheels but mines run fine without them.

Re: Reduction gearset and upgrades for Tamiya M4.

Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2015 12:17 am
by Clunkmeister
tomhugill wrote:
Clunkmeister wrote:Hey folks, I'm building my first 1/16 scale R/C tank, but have been an R/C airplane guy for 40+ years.

I want to make a hardcore scale runner that won't be stripping stuff and bending stuff everytime I go out to play.

I'm looking for suggestions on upgrades to the running gear. A reduction gear transmission is number one on my hitlist, and I'm looking for suggestions there.

Also, I've heard the upgraded sideplates for the drive axles work well.

I'll source bearings for the bogies from somewhere, and hopefully, metal tracks as well.

Thoughts?

Suggestions?

Feedback?

What would YOU do if you wanted to build a super reliable hardcore runner that still is "In Scale"?
Honestly leave it stock, the sherman runs great out the box, grass is no trouble either. There are a couple of things you can do like a gearbox brace and bearings for the wheels but mines run fine without them.

Huh.

You don't think it's too fast out of the box? And not too fragile? What about the toy plastic tracks?