e112: Replacement Tamiya Falcon Front Suspension!

[@RCKickschannel]

I'm looking forward to getting my replacement Falcon parts. The quality looks great as I do want to use my car. Great vid.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thank you!

[@modelcarjedi]

Sweet! I love those falcons and I’ve had a few over the years. Now I’m on the hunt for another falcon !

[@AMPROEngineering]

They aren't too hard to find. It is a pretty solid performer too, I was pleasantly surprised.

[@DeadnCold]

Yes! I can't wait to see that brace! That's the problem I always had with my Falcon as a kid. I replaced that tub three times and epoxyed it and drilled it out countless times between the replacements before I finally gave up on it. The only thing back then that made any difference was to drill straight through the tub between the top and bottom mounting screws and put a single long machine screw and nut to hold both bulkhead tabs. It was a bit stronger then but ultimately it still broke and usually ended up splitting the bulkhead tabs as well.

[@AMPROEngineering]

I thought the same thing but like you said, it doesn't fix it. This is a tough thing to remedy but I have a plan.

[@Chapperion]

The machine screw drill trick worked great on my old Falcon as well.

[@danrkelly]

Great news that you've designed and built these. Big thanks.

[@AMPROEngineering]

My pleasure.

[@ocularcavity8412]

those new suspension parts look GREAT and seem very durable, i am glad to see quality replacement parts for these Awesome classics

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thank you!

[@NordicRC]

Looking good! Just finished cleaning and running an old original Falcon that had been lying in the attic since the late 1980s according to it’s original owner. Was fun. Original electronics. Worked great. A lot faster than expected. Good suspension arms. Mine started to crack. But worked fine without jumps.

[@AMPROEngineering]

I have to agree, they are really great runners (provided you hit nothing or jump anything) and they are way faster than I thought. As I could tell, the main gears are hornet?

[@NordicRC]

AMPRO Engineering Are they? Definitely not the diff of the Falcon Stadium Trucks, but I can’t remember the Falcon. But they are definitely as tough and durable as a Hornet’s :-)

[@AMPROEngineering]

No not the Stadium blitzer. I have one of those too and they are completely different. The reason I think they are the same is the counter gear in my Falcon was chewed up. I opened it, compared it to a counter from the Hornet, installed it and now, well, it works!

[@weldenmad7197]

That's cool I love seeing how you fix the problem and make it available for us. Can't wait for more king cab stuff. And after the holiday I'll be ordering everything for the king cab..

[@AMPROEngineering]

I do have a lot more for that truck soon!

[@pacbeltrr38]

AMPRO Engineering - SWEET!!!

[@ChapsUnlimited]

“It’s your fault this car got abused!” Lol!! As always a great video. As a fallen Falcon owner myself; I can truly say you made me happy. Love the Ford pinto btw!!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thank you for that. I was cringing every landing. Oh and thanks, I have had that car for 15 years!

[@modelnutty6503]

had fun with stuffing a 2300cc from a Pinto wagon into a 1500cc MPG model (real bare bones non hatchback). little thing would do 50 in 2nd. we did a lot of little Frankenstein's like that back when

[@youfixitatvutv]

Awesome! I'm restoring a Falcon now and am patiently waiting on parts to be available on Ebay. These look nice.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Hey Anthony, I am slowly pulling everything from ebay. Thanks to the 20% kickback they want plus shipping to me and then shipping to you, they end up costing $15 more then buying them from Shapeways directly! Such a rip off! Your best bet is to go to my shapeways store and get them from there. You can also choose your colors. Link in the description and part numbers there too!

[@youfixitatvutv]

AMPRO Engineering thanks i checked out the site. How is the durability of the material compared to the original?

[@AMPROEngineering]

In the case of the falcon with its hard plastics, I would say slightly better. I am trying a new type of printed material which will be much stronger but also cost more.

[@youfixitatvutv]

AMPRO Engineering great. As for the upper chassis brace, are you revising to work with the msc mount that the Falcon uses as oppossed to the Blitzer?

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yes I need to but I do not have a part to use as a reference.

[@ValleyRC]

Looking forward to the brace. I picked up a Falcon in a job lot last year when I got back into RC and it's in fairly nice shape apart from front end being snapped off! I definitely need a brace before I attempt to rebuild it!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Haha! Yeah seems that many are this way.

[@wally197220]

This is awesome! I wish knew about, or wish you were around 2 years ago when I restored an old falcon. I ended up welding steel shock towers out of frustration from not obtaining originals. (I'm a welder fitter) I unfortunately sold it, but hope to get another someday. I'm subscribed and look forward to seeing more!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yeah these cars are so badly designed. I mean even if they RERE this car, the towers are so easy to break given the upper shock mount flanges.

[@walterroosels2939]

Oh Waw! Your videos really got me back into RC. After seeing your first announcement about this Falcon front suspension a started thinking/dreaming of something simular for the Tamiya Fox

[@AMPROEngineering]

I am glad I could help!

[@seanf12012]

I use to have a falcon. It was my first rc i owned. The cat funny

[@AMPROEngineering]

It is a very composed car for what it is, considering what it replaced.

[@marsgoufwang7869]

Finally, the new episode comes! So enjoy watching your video, good job dude! ps: nice music

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yeah sorry, I was in Korea and then China so I had no way to make videos!

[@pacbeltrr38]

NICE Alberto!! Looks like I may have to dig up my old, quite Broken Falcon. My front end pretty much looks like yours. Thanks for taking one for the team! That front end looks nearly dialed in! The rear, looked light and bouncy... I can definitely see where a chassis brace for the underframe would be a great add-on. I suppose that the top doesn't need one, because if the bottom is secure, the top will be held in by compression. Again, loved the music!! Carmine 🚂

[@AMPROEngineering]

I would have agreed with you until I have seen images of the top mounts shoved back when under compression. I could not believe that the cars geometry is that bad that even under compression it collapses. This may be the worst designed Tamiya ever.

[@pacbeltrr38]

Sadly, I'd have to agree.... Maybe a cross brace between the towers? Or, do you see this just becoming a large sinkhole.?? I haven't ran mine since it broke in 1992. Maybe there's a reason! Carmine 🚂

[@AMPROEngineering]

I don't know at this point. There is so much that could go wrong!

[@GisforGraphico]

Absolutely. I remember any impact to the front bumper would break top screw mounts on the tub chassis. Incredibly week bulkhead to tub attachment. I was so disappointed as a kid and it being my first car. Yup, tried epoxy glue and a host of crappy fixings, nothing worked. I was so jealous of the kids with Hornets that just kept going. That's your challenge Alberto! I wan't to see the falcon take a frontal assault and not crap itself. Oh and occasionally it would spit out a dogbone. You know, just in case a kid was actually getting too much run time with it.

[@AMPROEngineering]

I totally agree, the Hornet is a tank and the Falcon is in no way as durable. I think I have some ideas that would work to beef it up but we shall see.

[@MrCaprinut]

Hurrah, another great video! Have not owned or driven a Falcon, but I do want one. Keep up the good work sir! Greetings from Norway :-)

[@AMPROEngineering]

Glad you liked it! The car runs very well but it seems that every inch of the car is plagued with problems.

[@ShenRC]

nice work! the braces should be great for this one!

[@AMPROEngineering]

I sure hope so!

[@edwardlucarini7430]

I had to check the post date when I saw the Ford Pinto!

[@AMPROEngineering]

hahah! Yeah I love those things.

[@stevenyoung3075]

Was that a Ford Pinto in the background?

[@AMPROEngineering]

Sure is.

[@AlexiaVon]

When you going to work on the bandit?

[@AMPROEngineering]

I have been. The front end design is complete but it needs refinement. Right now I am trying to finish the blackfoot interior. Man that is a giant pain!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Haha! I am currently. I do a lot of work on different cars all at the same time.

[@pattyofurniture5674]

awesome

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thanks!

[@ss9c1]

Holy crap! FX-10 wheels! Sadly, I need fronts, my FX-10 came with Falcon [Striker] front wheels...lol. I am a little surprised you didn't design a thick shock mount or a spacer, for widening the track. It is a neat mod I had seen on either Tamiya Club or Tamiya Base. Very, very good job Alberto!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yeah they are but in terrible shape. I had thought about modifying the front end but I had no baseline with this car. It was all broken when I started so I needed to see how the car was to start. I am thinking of ways to fix the bump steer and add upper links.

[@modelnutty6503]

not a Falcon fan but taller shock towers would take out a lot of that, or just install shorter shocks (that have long-ish travel). same as Hornet how the tie rods hang downward so far, soon as it compresses with tie rods flat you get massive toe-in. you can also pop 1/8" to 3/16" tubing to the inside rod of the stock shocks (or section of pen spring) to MAKE it sit a bit lower, less travel but bump steer diminished a bunch. same as what we did with hornets using on road springs on the top side of the pogo sticks. not as sweet as your upper linked front end, it was "down and dirty" good fix for the stock hornet A arm problem.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Exactly, I wanted to start stock and see how good (cough) the car was. I think now I can do a little more design upgrades.

[@twisteds2fast4u]

Thumbs up! I had one of these for a very short time. I remember it didnt have the battery holder so i made one out of.... ready?? LEATHER lol. Off topic but do you do anything for the Kyoshos?

[@AMPROEngineering]

Nice! Gotta do what you gotta do! As for the Kyosho's, man, I have to say that not only don't I have one but I haven't even seen one in real life! Shame as there are some amazing ones too.

[@twisteds2fast4u]

i never had one either but i may buy a re release...

[@steffie.morris]

Just started rebuilding my Falcon after being in a box for over 20years since my childhood :) Do any of you know where i can get replacement rims? Looks like most rims you find now don't have the 4 'take a long studs' inside?

[@AMPROEngineering]

Not in yellow but you should be able to get the rere grasshopper 2 ones. They are the same but in white.

[@steffie.morris]

@@AMPROEngineering I have managed to get original yellow rear rim's and a set white ones. So if anyone is extremely interested in the yellow ones for restoration to original, let me know.

[@rc_action_]

Saw the notification, had to click!

[@AMPROEngineering]

I hope you liked it!

[@Pablo668]

Great work. Nice upgrade? Mod? I have a tool for whisking out 3mm A-arm hinge holes. Looks like a hex driver. It does a good job.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thanks Pablo. Do you have a link? I would like to see it.

[@MrCaprinut]

Here are a 3mm reamer for arms etc ;-) hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy-3mm-arm-reamer.html?___store=en_us

[@AMPROEngineering]

Nice! I ordered it!

[@Pablo668]

Sorry I didn't get back to you. Yeah they are good, you'd probably still need to drill out the arms and such that you get from Shapeways, but you can whisk them out once you've done that for a good fit. Possibly you could do a review on them.

[@jamesswift4641]

Can you put the falcon front suspension on a stadium truck?

[@AMPROEngineering]

Like the stadium blitzer? Um...I dont know if the front end is the same. Sorry man I wish I had a better answer.

[@aequo5729]

Afther this parts i will buy all falcon parts in this shop ;-)

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thanks! I am doing rear arms next.

[@aequo5729]

Hi i need the D1 and D4 Parts, have you an idee? Thx for an answer!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Sorry man, all I have are the parts I designed.

[@astridsactionrc545]

My falcon definitely needs rear arms!!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Seems that every one needs those too. I may need too look into those also.

[@frankiechow39]

When will you release the front suspension for Frog??

[@AMPROEngineering]

I need to start it first! Haha! I am planning on a cantilever set up so it will be a while.

[@frankiechow39]

Cantilever Suspension?? Does it look like the one you made for the Tamiya Hornet "SuperFly II"?

[@AMPROEngineering]

Frankie Chow no it will be hidden under the body

[@frankiechow39]

Hidden under the chassis? Interesting?

[@AMPROEngineering]

More like in the chassis or on top of.

[@vintageschumacher]

Guy 🤔 have you thought of a new product line for the falcon? I.e a wider front end? Just extend the wishes bones to make the front more stable? Call it an upgraded race falcon 🤫 I would say add between 5 and 10mm to the length of each wishes bone or more depending how it works.

[@AMPROEngineering]

The issue with a wider track is the structural integrity of the plastic. It would be much more likely to break. Something of this age with plastic this terrible should be kept slower.

[@paulwesthoff9807]

I forsee a large shapeways order this week.. I need to send you a set of Waffle Rears for your Falcon 🤣

[@AMPROEngineering]

Waffle rears?

[@paulwesthoff9807]

@@AMPROEngineering ill send you a pick

[@aequo5729]

for 30 vears ago i believe we put a 10 turn motor in it and he was a rocket!

[@AMPROEngineering]

I can imagine!

[@marsgoufwang7869]

it's surely the problem that shared with Titanic !

[@AMPROEngineering]

Haha! Yeah it seems like it.

[@pattyofurniture5674]

show us the two transformers

[@AMPROEngineering]

Haha! Jeez do I need to make a new channel? They are masterpiece versions from Takara and one 3rd Party

[@gamerdadvsdaughtersvs]

Please just make a Falcon full kit and put us falconers out of our misery...

[@AMPROEngineering]

Like the front end? It is currently on Shapeways for the the towers as a pair, upper and lower arms and the uprights. This was the cheapest way I could get them printed since all of them together exceeded a couple of the minimum size constraints by Shapeways. Let me know if you have any issue finding them all!

[@nomusicrc]

I wish you didn't have music playing while you were driving it I got one of these for free I put about $100 into it getting it working not including the receiver that I already had

[@AMPROEngineering]

Often times music is played due to music playing in the background where I am driving or construction so I need to cover that up. I do not like music in the background either.

[@afrog2666]

Yep, cats are assholes lol..

[@AMPROEngineering]

Haha!

[@0117ization]

3d Plastics looks bad

[@AMPROEngineering]

Well these are Nylon and much better than the ABS that tamiya used. They have a rougher finish with this material but you can get other finishes. This one is cheaper and very strong. There are ployjet printers that will have details that look molded. Really amazing stuff.