e42: MIP Tamiya Blackfoot and Monster Beetle Super Ball Differential

Thank you for watching my video! This is the information you will need to pre-order the MIP Super Ball Diff. Remember, we need to hit 250 to make this a success!
Part Page (where you will add to cart)
www.miponline.c...
Presales Page (where you will find the promo codes)
www.miponline.c...
Remember to type in promo codes before you check out to get the $42 USD cost. Continental USA gets free shipping, global is flat rate so if you order more than one, it is the same cost.
Just a reminder:
This is what you need to know about the diff:
1. Designed to work with the 2015 Monster Beetle and 2016 Blackfoot
a. This simply means it needs the new Tamiya universal axles 53908 Frog 2005 Assembly Univ axles
2. Will not work with the dog bone version
3. Will not work with the hex drive version
4. Requires Tamiya item number 9335026 “RC Diff Spur & C. Gear: 58060 - X9954” for Frog, Brat and Lancia Rally
a. Will also need a 16 tooth pinion
5. ZERO modification to anything on your vehicle, vintage or RERE
6. Completely independent of the transmission not needing alu. plates for support
Here is the compatibility information:
All compatible ORV Cars with 9335026 “RC Diff Spur & C. Gear: 58060 - X9954 and 53908 Frog 2005 Assembly Univ axles & 16 tooth Pinion
Subaru Brat : 58038 ( original ) & 58384 (rere)
Lancia Rally: 58040
Frog: 58041 ( original ) & 58354 (rere)
All compatible ORV Cars with only 53908 Frog 2005 Assembly Univ axles
Blackfoot: 58058
Monster Beetle: 58060
Mudblaster: 58077
Direct drop in:
2015 Monster Beetle: 58618
2016 Blackfoot: 58633
Week one: $42 + Free Shipping in Continental USA, Flat Rate worldwide with Code “oldskool30”
Week two: $48 + Free Shipping in Continental USA, Flat Rate worldwide with Code “vintage20”
Free shipping week 2 by also adding code "orvshipping"
Week three: $54 + Shipping in Continental USA, Flat Rate worldwide with Code “late10”
Retail price once in sale is $60 + Shipping
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I always enjoy constructive criticism and would love to know what you think about my designs.
Please subscribe as I have hundreds of other upgrades for many, many other cars, rc cars, toys, and anything else that I think needs upgrading!
**I have no tolerance for disrespectful posts, foul language, cyber-bullying, sexism, homophobia, racism and anything else that has no place in society. This is a family friendly channel so I have soap next to me for every time I say a bad word. Any foul or abusive post will be removed and you will be reported to KZbin.**

[@traceyclark6822]

My Blackfoot's been busted since 1991. Might have to dig it out and fix it.

[@AMPROEngineering]

So was mine...so many lost years

[@sorryociffer]

Please....more for the frog and hornet!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Trust me there is a lot for them. This will fit the frog with the gear set and universals.

[@martinneps9387]

How about for the older ones would this work for them too and how about a king's Blackfoot would it work for that please comment back definitely going to be ordering a few of these thank you for this video

[@AMPROEngineering]

Check out episode 44 and the information in the description. I have covered everything you need to know. this will not work the Super or King blackfoot in any way, shape or form.

[@garbageproductions1]

Awesomeness!!! The old Thorpe ball diff for Frog-Foot-Beetles also fit Fast Attack / Wild One. I'm going to assume the MIP will as well. Can they confirm if it will be drop in for those too? Nice to see companies making new product for vintage stuff. JCONCEPTS released some nice stuff for RC10-T and Clod Buster. Now all we need is for Parma to find the tools to produce again the blue nylon heavy duty steering knuckles that (virtually) eliminated bump steer, CRP to reissue the brass bushinged front arms, and someone to machine new counter gears!!!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Hmmm, really? I can check when I get home on sunday. I also have a couple FAV's that I can try it in but I suspect that the outdrive's won't work. How did the Thorp one work in the car? Aren't the outdrives in the FAV different?

[@garbageproductions1]

I actually haven't put one together, but there's a lot of comments on message boards about using the Thorp diff in the Wild One / Fast Attack. I looked at manuals on line and looks like they used same hex drive as Frog-Foot-Beetles. The rerelease uses the updated dog bones and axles as the Frog-Foot-Beetle rereleases. I don't see why the MIP diff wouldn't work, especially if the CVD axles were used in conjunction. If anyone can trial fit to find out for sure, this would be good news for Wild One owners and MIP can officially market the diff to a wider audience.

[@timbaker5353]

I was thinking the same thing, If you can make it work with a FAV or Wild One, Then i would love to see a video on that. If it does work with the Wild One i know id buy one!

[@AMPROEngineering]

I know their plans are to make versions of this for any cars that use something even similar to it. I just hope we get to 250!

[@ratchet6969]

Got my two Diffs for my Backfoot and Beetle today. They will be going straight in the build. Thanks for this information :)

[@AMPROEngineering]

Sure thing!

[@redeye7959]

Ball Diff's have just been received. Awesome! Looking very forward to starting the build. Good luck to every one on there project.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Same, mine came this morning.

[@donovangladden9074]

Very informative breakdown of everything involved. Ordering in 3, 2, 1....

[@AMPROEngineering]

So glad to hear it. I am amazed at the number of people that want this as much as I do. Tell your friends! Hahah!

[@captainchaos3053]

Having not owned a monster beetle or black foot may I ask. What is so wrong withe the standard differential and how does the ball different improve the issue? I have seen some videos of other model builders showing problems withe the half shafts and cv's. But surly the cure for that is a wider wheelbase or lower outputs at the gearbox. A clever person such as your self could easily engineer a solution.

[@AMPROEngineering]

The stock gears are made of awful pot metal first off. Secondly, they are compressed by a very flexible sheet aluminum plate and as you add power, the design of the bevel diff gears, they spread apart. A standard ORV with big wheels and a stock motor (Blackfoot, Monster Beetle) will go a few months before the diff dies. I have raced these years ago (and still race my Frog) and have had a diff grenade within a race. I was the person that developed this diff with MIP. I have some band-aids but they just help make a bad design less bad. This is indeed the solution you are talking about. As for the axles...they are a mess. I have developed a dual CVD telescopic axle that we may put into production. I have also made a rear suspension that eliminates the awful handling of the ORV. It is covered here on my channel.

[@johnwindsor9069]

Done deal! Ordered 2, hopefully MIP will get the 250 they need to go into full production.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Awesome man. I think it will happen. People out there are even more crazy than my about these cars.

[@nelsonapontejr.6793]

Xmas came early this year! Thanks for the info! Thanks MIP!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thank you! Order before the price goes up!

[@bertmcknarly]

That's awesome! gonna order a few for my Blackfoot and Beetle. Wish they made these for my old Tamiya Nissan King Cab.

[@turbodurbo666]

bertmcknarly I have created a kit for the king cab that allows you to use a team associated stealth transmission in the king cab. I've sold many on eBay. look for the kit to become available again soon.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh I just emailed you on ebay! I want one!

[@bertmcknarly]

Sweet I'll be watching!

[@j0hnnykn0xv1lle]

9335206 comes back as the Hummer body - this is what your onscreen part number was - it should be 9335026

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh crap. thanks man.

[@liamoconnor380]

Excellent video! I just installed the MIP diff in my classic Blackfoot, using all parts specified in the video. Unfortunately, I am now having huge oversteer problems. Just a touch of steering input results in the truck basically spinning out on its own. Installed a new servo and checked all steering components, no luck. How can I fix this w/o going back to the stock diff? Any help/ideas are appreciated! Thanks!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Wow really? I have no idea why this would have changed that at all. I mean both were open diffs but perhaps you have inadvertently over tightened it and there for it is behaving like it is locked?

[@liamoconnor380]

AMPRO Engineering thanks for the response. This is a head scratcher for sure. I thought tightness might be an issue, so I loosened in 1/8 increments and tested between adjustments to see if that would solve the problem. Still no luck. Then reset to tightness in accordance with your video. Maybe I’ve flattened the balls? Only option now may be to get a new MIP diff and try again.

[@garbageproductions1]

ok, I see now how this MIP diff won't work for the FAV & Wild One...the outdrives run on smaller bearings and the Thorp diff outdrives were separate pieces with undercuts to fit the bearings and then they plugged into the diff ring pressure plates from the outside. MIP'S design goes around this on the ORV by replacing the smaller bearings and plastic bearing support with just a larger bearing. The gearcase on the FAV and WO is molded to accept the smaller bearing without a separate support piece, so the MIP diff will not fit (sadly). Hopefully MIP will will have sales success with the ORV diff and engineer some type of hybrid outdrive / pressure plate that can be used for FAV & WO...the diff gear, rings, and balls would be common. On a different topic...my wish list for you would be 3D ORV steering knuckles similar to Parma's blue nylon heavy duty ones that eliminated bump steer. Also replacement knuckles for the Astute. They are made of brittle ABS and too thin where the ball stud attaches...a few hits to wall or crashes and they break. There are others that 'fit', but none have the axle trail behind the kingpin or multiple ball stud mounting locations and the track ends up being slightly narrow (using Super Astute knuckle) or you have to mod the knuckle carrier (using F1 / Grasshopper knuckle). Would be nice to have something that replicates the original, just a little thicker / beefier. Keep up the good work. Fingers crossed on the MIP diff...last I saw, preorders were around 80%.

[@AMPROEngineering]

They are working on new axles for it.

[@angelathrall3896]

Thanks for putting all this information together!

[@AMPROEngineering]

My pleasure!

[@dave2166]

ordered, in anticipation of santa claus delivering my blackfoot in around 6 weeks time, i'll also be doing a shapeways raid of the blackoot parts too you know these old vintage cars have been waiting 30 years for all the cool stuff that was around back then, and yes i'm old enough to remember them the first time around

[@AMPROEngineering]

Tell me about it! These cars are finally getting the attention that they deserve. I am so excited about the diff.

[@elsdp-4560]

THANK YOU...for sharing.

[@AMPROEngineering]

My pleasure.

[@stonecold6243]

Does the t nut have to go all the way down the shaft?

[@AMPROEngineering]

No, it Has to be adjusted tight enough to where there's no slipping but you do not want to over tighten it as it will prematurely wear out the silicon carbide balls

[@bertmcknarly]

My three just arrived in the mail today! I can't wait to install them. Merry Christmas!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Mine just came!

[@martinneps9387]

How much are these and do you need the dog bones to be different please let me know thank you

[@AMPROEngineering]

Check out the description. the build explains everything you need to install this, episode 44

[@leonridgewell7484]

Yea same thing happened to my Monster Beetle i had to open up my gear box and replace a cog really annoying lol

[@AMPROEngineering]

I hear you. My last rebuilt stock diff lasted 3 battery packs with a hot stock motor. Well done Tamiya.

[@MrStingraybernard]

So now I have to buy both for my brat 🤨,cheaper to just be a Waste of money as a shelf queen , mip is $60 plus on ebay

[@AMPROEngineering]

$60 is the cost of US made parts. If it was in china, it was be $5 but then all your money goes over seas. Unfortunate.

[@turbodurbo666]

fantastic work my friend!!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thank you and I hope we make it. I need me a diff!

[@quesnoy1342]

Just out of curiosity, do you know if any company has tried to design a Torsen style differential for the ORV platform? I'm guessing the stock transmission case would be too narrow, but if the case was redesigned, a torsen diff would be awesome. My background is in automotive journalism so scaling things down to 1:10 is where my vision gets cloudy. What are your thoughts?

[@AMPROEngineering]

No not at all but in terms of scale, you begin to lose durability with smaller components. These are silicon carbide diff balls and will last decades. Really no one makes anything for the ORV but Ampro and MIP in the case of the diff.

[@gda882002]

i,ll be ordering 2 tonight thanks !!!!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Awesome man, thank you for your support to make this happen!

[@gda882002]

we made it ,,,,thats great !!!! cant wait to get mine

[@efremkiel8798]

great plan from mip. i don't own an orv anymore or else I would order one to.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Not to late to buy one! Haha!

[@efremkiel8798]

I know but, other thing to spend money on unfortunately ;)

[@redeye7959]

Yesterday 12/21/16 received an email from MIP that my Ball Diff's have been shipped. The email has your tracking number plus estimated ship time. 3 Days!!! Let the FUN begin!!!

[@AMPROEngineering]

How you like it? I am loving mine!

[@redeye7959]

Same here. MIP has done a fantastic job. Hope everyone else is enjoying there new Diff's. Thanks again MIP. Job well done!

[@pattyofurniture5674]

I'm going to order at least one on thursday for now I hope this goes full production I wonder why tamiya has not address the issue with the differential when they did the re-release orv's

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thanks man. I have asked myself why Tamiya doesn't "______". Who knows? They ignore so much it is crazy.

[@AJ-oj4ib]

would this work with the Tamiya king cab

[@AMPROEngineering]

Nope, they are totally different. The KC solution is either the Associated Stealth upgrade that I did a video on but I have seen people mod a spool for it.

[@Maxx27099]

This was Super Confusing!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Wow really? I thought it helped.

[@THEKINGS001]

Excellent are they out now?

[@AMPROEngineering]

Well....yes....but I think they sold out! I believe they are talking about doing another run so I will post if they do. I think you can go to their site and get notifications so that when they come back you will know. Like I said, I will do a video when they do come out again.

[@saraspitefull32]

great only problem is important tax into Britain

[@AMPROEngineering]

How much is it? At least the pound is stronger than the dollar so that would help offset cost a bit.

[@saraspitefull32]

it's going to be around all in £2oo. that's a lot for me at the moment

[@AMPROEngineering]

For one!?!?

[@cmarshall4559]

spider H I'll send you one for half that!

[@1RacerXer]

I was thinking of getting a Frog re-release....maybe ill order this diff too. Loving this channel too!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Please do so! They are great cars and for $42 for the next few days, the diff is so worth it.

[@1RacerXer]

Just bought one! Since It doesn't actually ship until Jan, that gives me time to save up for a Frog kit. I just recently purchased a re-release Hornet and an RC10B6D so I need to wait for the Christmas money and tax return :P

[@1RacerXer]

At 40% sold!

[@matthewbuchanan3063]

I have an OG Blackfoot I just bought the shapeways orv suspension and pre ordered the mip hop up kit. Is their anything else I need to buy to make this work?

[@declanthiele]

this is exactly what I need...

[@AMPROEngineering]

You and me. I ordered 7.

[@NordicRC]

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing. But is this gonna solve the problems with the universal axles on the MB? I have a newly build shiny MB that is just sitting around. Actually just bought some Frog/Brat dogbones to solve the problem with the stock uni-axles so ... hmm ...

[@AMPROEngineering]

No it will not fix the universal issue but reducing shock travel helps. MIP has a solution for that coming up but first they are testing the water with a ball diff. If we can show them that there is a market, they are down for lots more Tamiya upgrades. I am trying to make that happen.

[@NordicRC]

AMPRO Engineering I know. The diff looks awesome, and even though I have no personal experience with MIP I've certainly heard a lot positive about their diffs. I will try to post some links to help.

[@NordicRC]

AMPRO Engineering A very helpful friend just placed an order for me. Tryin' to save some shipping fees. So two diffs ordered for overseas. Any news on the amount of orders to this date?

[@AMPROEngineering]

As of this morning, 180 units ordered with 2 weeks to go. Honestly I thought we would have 250 in a couple days but my posts either get pulled from forums or buried in the wrong sections. Weird thing is, zero sales to Japan!

[@redeye7959]

Fantastic!!! As a Tamiya builder and custom builder for over 30 years this is the best news in a very long time. Three will be order on Friday. AMPRO any idea if MIP will be posting updates on there site of how many have been pre-ordered? Or can you on yours? Very hopeful that MIP makes there quota. Fingers crossed!!!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Awesome! So MIP will not post any updates for a very good reason that I cannot mention but they have said I can give an approximation. As of day one, over 100!

[@matthewbuchanan3063]

Well just looked at my email and it looks like they made the quota. I am pretty excited

[@pintosnfiats]

Me too!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Me three!

[@ecto1a2003]

i just got 2, pay close attention to the free shipping code.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Nice. Production starts tomorrow!

[@geniusanthony]

i haven't ordered my blackout 2016 yet but, I know I will soon so ordering now maybe two because what if I get a monster beetle later on.

[@AMPROEngineering]

That is great to hear! I will have all of you to thank when we hit the 25 number!

[@j0hnnykn0xv1lle]

ordered my diff just now for the BRAT :d

[@AMPROEngineering]

It will be an amazing upgrade.

[@gda882002]

will this also work on the 2015 blackfoot?

[@pintosnfiats]

Yup!

[@AMPROEngineering]

It was designed for that

[@Civicsitec]

Is there anything like this for the Super Blackfoot?

[@AMPROEngineering]

Nah there isn't. I am designing a few things for it but mass producing a diff for that is not in the cards.

[@Civicsitec]

Thank you for the quick response. What other items might you have available for the Super Blackfoot? Suspension? I have a bad front tire hop when turning at higher speeds

[@AMPROEngineering]

I will be making a skid plate and new knuckles soon. I have working tail lamps and the antenna mount right now. The tail lamps are on this channel so you can see how you install them. As for your front end hop, the KBF is known for that. They have worse front suspension than the standard Blackfoot. How tamiya made a terrible front suspension worse I will never know.

[@Civicsitec]

I will be very interested in the knuckles! Thank you for responding!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Me too.

[@My2JZandMe]

That free shipping doesn't work :( It states that it is expired. Don't wanna miss out on that!

[@AMPROEngineering]

You know, it worked for me BUT it didn't for my friend who is in Texas. It is free shipping in the US but not globally. $10 worldwide. Where are you located? I'll email them.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Ok, potential issue, did you type in the 20% discount code? That needs to be in before shipping will be off. If you did there must be another problem.

[@AMPROEngineering]

ok I found out what the deal is. When checking out, add the 20% off coupon and then add the code "orvshipping" also. You will get free shipping and 20% off. I tried it and it worked.

[@My2JZandMe]

I'm in CALI as well! Let me try it again! I even emailed them but doubt they'll check it until after this madness of Thanksgiving/BF/CMonday!

[@My2JZandMe]

No luck! Anyone else having this problem? Still says coupon expired. Added item to cart, used 20% code, then free shipping code. Same deal :( small update: It worked! I changed the zip code and fiddled around and now it gave me free shippin' and cannot wait!

[@piratepete1475]

are they going to make a metal spur gear as well

[@AMPROEngineering]

Not metal, the plan is to go way beyond that. It will be changed but think bigger....lol, hate to be so vague.

[@donovangladden9074]

the code on MIP page says "oldskool30" , not oldschool30 like you have shown on the vid. Hope that saves someone else from bashing head repeatedly into desk trying to order :P

[@AMPROEngineering]

Ugh I know, the night I made the video it said old school, but then that morning it was changed to fit the code box. Sorry!

[@eddieleon5548]

I typed oldschool30...says coupon is invalid?.whoops never-mind..typo!..lol...... It's "oldskool30" People!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Holy crap really? OMG.

[@joecalavetta2180]

Will this work for the Wild One reissue?

[@AMPROEngineering]

That is a great question. I suspect not but it is one of the cars we did not test out. I have one at home and will test out my BF diff. If the FAV or WO diff and outdrive are identical to the big wheel ORV, then it should fit but I suspect the outdrives are different.

[@AMPROEngineering]

So it looks like the issue is the outdrives. Since the FAV and HS have the outdrives installed from the outside-in, the new MIP style will not work since it is a one piece unit. That is not to say that there isn't a way to mod it to work....I could not count the teeth as I was home very late from a trip and had to go to work today.

[@joecalavetta2180]

AMPRO Engineering Thanks for looking into it. That's too bad as the Wild One would really benefit from it. Oh well. Maybe next time, or with a few mods this could work.

[@brandonweller8226]

Will this work on the super hotshot?

[@AMPROEngineering]

Man, I cant answer that. I dont have one but if you ask someone familiar with the HS and SHS, they may know. Remember that this comes with dog bones so if the a-arms are different then it wont work. This was only designed for the RERE Hot Shot. Sorry about that!

[@brandonweller8226]

I actually picket up the kit and it works great with the super hotshot

[@ShenRC]

that's great more people should make hop ups for the classics and the re release cars!

[@AMPROEngineering]

I know. This was not an easy task to get them on board. There is really no way to know if they can actually sell them so we agreed on a presales system. This has been going great so far but I need the word spread all over!

[@AndresSalazararthub]

What is a "hop up"?

[@1RacerXer]

Anyone know how close we are? The last e-mail I received from them said it was around 80% 4+ days left of the last stage..

[@AMPROEngineering]

We are closer than that right now but I am losing the battles with many Tamiya forums. They threads are all getting pulled as "spam" so we are not getting any visibility on the sites. I think we will hit the number though.

[@dandole5490]

Don't bother! Just shim the gearbox.

[@AMPROEngineering]

I tried that 20 years ago. Didn't work. The gears are trash for the ORV cars.

[@dandole5490]

AMPRO Engineering mine works perfectly. I also upgraded to the king blackfoot gearbox today. Which bolted straight in and is much stronger.

[@AMPROEngineering]

I have never had one last more than a few runs with the shims. On top of that, I upgraded mine way back with a center bolt that I thought would solve the issue. It did, for about a year but then that noise came back..plus the new diff gears are worse than the originals thanks to the lesser quality Tamiya is using. So after 6 years of working with MIP, this has solved all the issues in all my ORV's. I race my Frog and my Mudblaster and that diff is utter perfection and i use ultra thick diff oil to make the rear end work more liek and LSD. I also like the KingBF transmission but the widened rear end on the early ORV isnt for me. I mean don't get me wrong, it's better in every way than the original but I like the old rear end style much more.

[@spllover]

Very tricky piece!!! There will came assembled waste of time and money

[@AMPROEngineering]

Can you clarify? It came assembled? If there is a problem, reach out to MIP. These ball diffs are a masterpiece and have resurrected my entire ORV fleet.

[@spllover]

AMPRO Engineering iI saw your video and other videos of this diff and repeat all the steps one by one and the diff is splitting a very bad expirience $60+ to the garbage can...

[@AMPROEngineering]

Sounds like you need to email MIP. These things are awesome so most likely there is an issue with the thrust bearing. Email them and they will take care of you. They have great customer service.

[@AndresSalazararthub]

$80 ain't cheap, man

[@AMPROEngineering]

True but it is cheaper than the used vintage thorp ones. I sold mine for $160. If it was made in china then the MFG costs would drop to around $30 but that is not an option. This is what it costs to be made in the USA.

[@b-manz]

Get to the point

[@AMPROEngineering]

I review how I review.

[@garbageproductions1]

ok, I see now how this MIP diff won't work for the FAV & Wild One...the outdrives run on smaller bearings and the Thorp diff outdrives were separate pieces with undercuts to fit the bearings and then they plugged into the diff ring pressure plates from the outside. MIP'S design goes around this on the ORV by replacing the smaller bearings and plastic bearing support with just a larger bearing. The gearcase on the FAV and WO is molded to accept the smaller bearing without a separate support piece, so the MIP diff will not fit (sadly). Hopefully MIP will will have sales success with the ORV diff and engineer some type of hybrid outdrive / pressure plate that can be used for FAV & WO...the diff gear, rings, and balls would be common. On a different topic...my wish list for you would be 3D ORV steering knuckles similar to Parma's blue nylon heavy duty ones that eliminated bump steer. Also replacement knuckles for the Astute. They are made of brittle ABS and too thin where the ball stud attaches...a few hits to wall or crashes and they break. There are others that 'fit', but none have the axle trail behind the kingpin or multiple ball stud mounting locations and the track ends up being slightly narrow (using Super Astute knuckle) or you have to mod the knuckle carrier (using F1 / Grasshopper knuckle). Would be nice to have something that replicates the original, just a little thicker / beefier. Keep up the good work. Fingers crossed on the MIP diff...last I saw, preorders were around 80%.

[@AMPROEngineering]

I didn't know parma made some! Darn, I thought I was being original . Well I do have new knuckles done. Just need to get tested and then you will see a review. It is funny you mention the Astute. My friend here at the office just bought a pristine one. I need to look at it now.