Posted: 8/24/2025 11:39:59 AM EDT
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Because nostalgia, I now have a Rising Fighter and a Grasshopper II. Got the RF assembled and running, and I've been playing around with better shocks. Obviously the ones that it comes with are ubercrap, and yes, I know, the whole chassis sucks, but I'm not racing it. I got a set of Toomod (also sold under the Option1 brand) oil shocks for it. The fronts seem pretty good, decent spring rate, and the stock oil seems decent, may make a change there. The rear shocks have a spring rate WAY too stiff for the chassis. I've replaced the stock oil with 100cst oil, the thinnest I have. Since a lot of the weight is unsprung (the motor, gears, axles, tires, wheels, etc) there's a lot less weight on the rear springs. Anyone still messing around with this type of chassis, and have any suggestions for wire diameter for the rear springs? I found sellers on ebay that sell coil springs in various wire and coil diameters. They come in 1 foot lengths that I can cut down to the proper size. I have a Bambu A1 Mini on its way, so I'll be printing myself a rear axle stabilizer that will prevent the axle slap on acceleration. |
Award: 24/365 Most likely to be an appendix.
"Dealing with Congress is like trying to have an adult conversation about the credit card with your alcoholic bi-polar Ukranian import wife."
"Dealing with Congress is like trying to have an adult conversation about the credit card with your alcoholic bi-polar Ukranian import wife."
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I have a couple Grasshoppers and hornets I mess with. Never loked into springs for them though. Maybe try some of the tamiya forums for info. Tamiyabase.com has a bunch of info on the older cars. |
I WILL NOT COMPLY
This post may contain factually correct misinformation
This post may contain factually correct misinformation
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Yeah, it's an archaic vehicle with horrible suspension, but the challenge is getting it workable so it's at least pretty fun to drive on bumpy surfaces, like grass. The rear tires are off the ground as much as they are on the ground, which really leads to a loss of forward momentum. I should make an account on one of the Tamiya forums, tho. I've got 4 cars by them. |
Award: 24/365 Most likely to be an appendix.
"Dealing with Congress is like trying to have an adult conversation about the credit card with your alcoholic bi-polar Ukranian import wife."
"Dealing with Congress is like trying to have an adult conversation about the credit card with your alcoholic bi-polar Ukranian import wife."
| Over 20 here if I count the tanks and big trucks. My first was a Grasshopper, got it back when they first came out. Still have it although not much is still original, maybe some of the screws. |
I WILL NOT COMPLY
This post may contain factually correct misinformation
This post may contain factually correct misinformation
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So here's what I've done that seems to work the best of the worst for the Rising Fighter. Toomod Grasshopper II shocks. Kyosho Optima springs. Rear: KYOOTW124B (soft silver springs), Front: KYOOTW123 (mid gold springs). 200cst oil in the front shocks, 50cst oil in the rear shocks with the piston holes drilled out ever so slightly. I printed out the rear transmission pivot brace, and found that it was interfering with the movement of the transmission, so I used a dremel and file to modify it, and the transmission, so that they no longer make contact thru the full cycle of movement. I'll have to post pics later. I'm learning how to use FreeCAD to modify the part, and then I'll upload it to Thingiverse for others to use. I should probably check with the author of this one, to see if they mind. It still hops a bunch on the lawn, but that's a function of the torque being applied to the whole rear end while under power, it doesn't let the springs compress. This guy does some fantastic parts design, with good videos on the installation. I like the idea of a multilink rear suspension to prevent the torque flex. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6547279 Might be adaptable to this one, the rear end is slightly different than a grasshopper/hornet. |
Award: 24/365 Most likely to be an appendix.
"Dealing with Congress is like trying to have an adult conversation about the credit card with your alcoholic bi-polar Ukranian import wife."
"Dealing with Congress is like trying to have an adult conversation about the credit card with your alcoholic bi-polar Ukranian import wife."
 The WORLD'S FASTEST Tamiya Grasshopper (EVO) |
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Sure, if you wanna throw the evo gearbox on it. I'm trying to get as much out of this solid rear axle setup. I may consider doing the 3d printed trailing arm setup, too. It uses TT02 axles, which is nice.
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Award: 24/365 Most likely to be an appendix.
"Dealing with Congress is like trying to have an adult conversation about the credit card with your alcoholic bi-polar Ukranian import wife."
"Dealing with Congress is like trying to have an adult conversation about the credit card with your alcoholic bi-polar Ukranian import wife."