The RC Deep Dive

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The Tamiya Radio Controlled CC-01 Chassis Overview

2026-03-0406:261

What is the CC-01 (CC stand for Cross Country) chassis and what are the available updates for it? What made this radio-controlled model vehicle chassis unique and so desired due so long until the CC-02 came out much later? We dig into the unique specs and find so these answers for you on this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.

The Tamiya Rookie Rabbit: Why was it so Important?

2026-03-0306:091

The Tamiya Rookie Rabbit, the first RTR (Ready-To-Run) R/C buggy on the DT-01 (DT stands for Dirt Two-Wheel-Drive) chassis was a very important radio controlled buggy for Tamiya, but why? We drive into this question and let you know the must-have upgrades to make this beginner buggy matter in the modern day of radio control in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.

Why Size Matters When it Comes to Body Clips

2026-03-0206:581

Cotter pins or body clips used to be small and straight. However, over time the pull ring angle and the size of these clips or pins have increased. Why has the size changed and why is this important for not only keeping your body shell on your R/C model vehicle, but also protecting those sometimes fragile body mounts? We dive deep into the material science and physics of different sizes and different angles on body pins in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.

How Tamiya and Kyosho use (and Have Failed to Use) Lean and the TPS

2026-03-0105:021

Tamiya and Kyosho each use Lean and the TPS (Toyota Production System) in their R/C model vehicle factories. We explain how this helps get a perfect vehicle to you quickly and how a failure to have this system be part of the corporate, manufacturing, and marketing culture have lead to a number of disastrous recalls for Kyosho and why Tamiya has never had to suffer one of these very expensive recalls.

Which Oil Should be Used in Buggy Aeration Oil-Filled Dampers on the ORV Chassis?

2026-02-2806:121

While the TRF (Tamiya Racing Factory) Aeration Oil-Filled Dampers come with yellow #400 damper oil, if you upgrade them with softer shock springs when installing them on an R/C model vehicle like the Tamiya Lancia 037 Rally car, Subaru BRAT, or the Frog, you are going to want softer shock oil if you are taking your off-road vehicle to the natural environment it was made for. We help you dial down exactly which shock oils you should use in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.

HOW-TO: Mask the Hornet's Driver Window Antenna Bump

2026-02-2705:491

If you don't have the rere (re-release) Hornet decals packed with window masks; and honestly, even if you do; masking that window bump for the antenna can be tricky and leave unsightly paint lines on your window that is supposed to be clear. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we go over the options to make sure you don't have this problem.

What are the Differences Between the Wild Willy and the WW2?

2026-02-2606:111

The Wild Willy and the later WW2 (Wild Willy 2) may look similar at first glance, but they are actually very different radio controlled model vehicles. Let's jump in the jeep, go do some wheelies, and discover the many differences in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.

How Exactly Do Barrel Springs Improve Damping on the CC-01 Chassis?

2026-02-2505:161

Cross-country barrel shock springs work differently than your standard damper spring. Why are they so good for some TRF (Tamiya Racing Factory) aeration oil-filled dampers on Tamiya's CC-01 (Cross Country) chassis for R/C model vehicles like the Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero and also can surprisingly work (with some serious modifications) in the ORV (Off-Road Vehicle) chassis? We dig deep into the physics and material science on these CC-O1 barrel shock spring set in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.

Who has the Easiest to Cut Lexan Polycarbonate Body Shells?

2026-02-2407:131

In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we dig into the material measurements of Tamiya, Pro-Line, Parma PSE, and TBG (Team Blue Groove) Lexan polycarbonate bodies and tell you each ones strengths and weaknesses, and which ones are easier to cut, trim, and repair so that you can make the best R/C micro figure body shell choice for your skillet and radio-controlled model vehicles.

What Soft Shock Springs are Available for the TRF Aeration Oil-Filled Dampers?

2026-02-2307:301

If you upgraded to TRF (Tamiya Racing Factory) aeration oil-filled dampers for your radio-controlled car, truck, buggy, jeep, or van, but find that you want softer shock springs, what are your options? We look through Tamiya and 3rd party hop-up manufacturers catalogues and give you the various options for different chassis in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.

What's the Difference Between Willy's Wheeler and the Honda City Turbo?

2026-02-2205:371

The vintage Tamiya radio-controlled Willy's Wheeler was recently rereleased as the Honda City Turbo and while on the surface they look quite similar, there are actually a lot of changes under the hood in this rere (re-release) R/C model vehicle. We dig deep into the specs and detail ask the many changes in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.

Why Does it Matter: Genuine Deans Ultra Plugs vs. Generic T-Plug Clones

2026-02-2107:061

If you are using generic T-Plug Clones rather than the genuine Dean's Ultra Plugs, you could be setting yourself up for a major R/C electrical disaster. We explain why why and how of the electrical engineering and physics that makes this a potential money pit if you skip and don't buy the real thing in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.

Why Do R/C Hobbyists Choose Modern TRF Shocks on the Vintage and ReRe Frog?

2026-02-2005:101

A popular hop-up for the Tamiya Frog 1:10th scale R/C buggy are the TRF (Tamiya Racing Factory) Buggy Aeration Oil-Filled Dampers. Why is this combination of modern and vintage so popular and what does it do for the vintage stylings of the ORV (Off-Road Vehicle) chassis radio controlled vehicles. We spring for the truth about this unique restomod hop-up in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.

An Absolute Legend: The Tamiya Clodbuster and Super Clodbuster

2026-02-1905:371

The Clodbuster and the Super Clodbuster The monster truck of monster trucks, that would be called The King if it wasn't for the King Blackfoot. The radio controlled monster truck that has captivated both adults and youth for the last 4 decades. Why? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we dig over just exactly what made this R/C truck and it's rere (re-released) models so beloved and the hop-up industry that sprouted up around it.

HOW-TO: Mask Large Surfaces on R/C Lexan Body Shells

2026-02-1806:431

When you have a large amount of surface area to mask when painting your R/C model vehicle's Lexan polycarbonate body shell, it can be a pain to layer so many overlaying rows of masking tape. So in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we uncover better ways of masking large surface areas like the white part on a box art perfect Tamiya The Frog.

How Do the Right Tools and Ergonomics Reduce Wrenching Pain and Fatigue

2026-02-1706:541

What is the physical science between using the highest quality told with good ergonomic design and the reduction in wrenching pain, fatigue, and injuries? We research the ergonomic science behind top of the line R/C told like MIP and Vessel and explain how they can improve your life, both at the workbench and away from it too.

Why are There Multiple Lines on Lexan R/C Car Body Shells?

2026-02-1606:011

You've completed building your radio controlled model vehicle and are ready to cut your Lexan polycarbonate body shell so it will fit on your chassis. But there are multiple lines on your R/C car's body shell. Why? There's actually a really good reason and we take a deep dive into the reasons in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.

Are R/C Battery Plug Adapters Dangerous When Charging?

2026-02-1508:06

Using an adapter to charge your radio controlled model vehicle's battery is very convenient, but could it be destroying your battery and making your runtime decrease quickly! We breakdown the electrical engineering of these adapters and the chemistry of R/C batteries and explain why this common practice is actually a really bad idea in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.

A Saint Valentine's Day Automotive R/C Romance Story

2026-02-1405:291

I'm this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we combine something rarely connected, which we are calling R/C automotive romance: sainthood by martyrdom, legendary dark pacts of love that shook a church to its core when it was revealed, and the radio controlled model vehicles that connect them all together on this universal holiday of romantic love known as the Feast Day of St. Valentine or simply Saint Valentine's Day (also Singles Awareness Day).

What is the Best Trailing Arm Stiffener Material?

2026-02-1308:361

You can now get rear trailing arm stiffeners made it of plastic, nylon, carbon fiber, and a variety of metals. Which of these options is the best and which of then are the worst? It all depends on your radio control running style and not necessarily a single option that is right for everyone. We define why this is in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.

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