Tamiya DF03 Dark Impact Build Guide & Tips Part 3 - Chassis Complete + YEAH Racing upgrades!

[@paulgarwood192]

I’m a fan of the DF-03 The alloy hop ups, what a bonus! Cheers Mark 👍🤓🇦🇺

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hi Paul, I must say that I'm a fan, too, after this build! Yes, the alloy bits are a nice addition, I like the way the silver contrasts with the black plastics. Soon be finished, hope we are allowed out for a run with the new buggy soon. All the best, my good friend... :)

[@fencenaoghen3569]

Super Mark! As usual you made a perfect building video. This DF-03 is a real beauty. Thank you for having accompanied me on this Sunday morning! I look forward to the rest. In the hope that all goes well for you and yours, I wish you a good Sunday mon ami.

[@MarkBryanRC]

Merci beaucoup, mon ami! Your comments always cheer me up! I'm so glad that you enjoyed the build, I must say that I'm very satisfied with the work and the finished chassis. Another wonderful Tamiya for my collection. The bodywork and first run went very well, thank goodness. We are doing the best we can over here, hope you are safe and well too, my very great friend. Take care, and as always, love and peace to you and yours.

[@catcancrunch7260]

Just ordered one today! Here I am 54 yrs old and excited like iam 7 again lol

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hi Cat! Oooh, great news, it's good that you managed to get one, these days it's hard to find any new Tamiyas! Haha - I know exactly what you mean, the excitement of getting a new kit never goes away, enjoy the build, my friend! :)

[@rccrawlersmid-wales645]

Looks awesome with those alloy parts, love it. It's strangely relaxing watching you build these things... watching them come together without actually having to run self-tappers into hard plastic myself surely helps, too! Hope you've got the sunny weekend over there. 👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks a bunch, Steve! 👍 Hehe, yeah, it's nice to watch someone else doing a build, I know exactly what you mean. TBH, I cheat with those screws off-camera and use an electric screwdriver! Yes, lovely and sunny here in the Midlands this weekend, I might try to get a run with an RC under the radar! Hope all is going well with you, mate. 😀

[@NordicRC]

Loooking very very sharp that DF-03! Congrats for the finished chassis. Well done, Mark. And good instructions. Uhh, yeah, not much room for the wires on the 03 🙂 Happy Saturday to you Mark. A little sunshine ☀️ here

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks as always my good mate! Yeah, this is a very tightly packed little buggy, looking forward to giving it a good bashing as soon as we are let out! And a lovely, sunny Saturday it was, we enjoyed a nice walk in the sun today. Hope all is good with you and yours, Mikael. 👍

[@NordicRC]

@@MarkBryanRC All's good! We enjoyed a little family trip out in the sunshine today too :-)

[@MarkBryanRC]

@@NordicRC Lovely to hear - family fun in the sun for both of us! 🥰👍

[@HaydadRC]

Great continuation of this build Mark! She’s a beautiful, fancy looking buggy! Have a great weekend my friend! 👍😊

[@MarkBryanRC]

Many thanks, Jeremy, my good friend! Oh yes, I'm loving this buggy, can't wait to run her as soon as we are let out! All the best to you and your family, take it easy, buddy! 😎👍

[@stephenheggie4573]

Just wanted to say thank you for the build videos. I bought the dark impact kit as a Christmas present to myself. Referring to your videos along with the instruction manual made the process a fair bit easier!

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hi Stephen and thank you too! Great to hear that the videos were of a little help. It's very good of you to take the time to let me know, I really appreciate it as it gives me a reason to keep doing these build guides! Have fun with your DF03! :)

[@mikeymike3240]

Hi Mark, really great tips on the shocks for keeping the air out of them, niiiiiiice one. Very enjoyable build series, loving the blingy bits and pieces, they really look 👀 good. She will be a wee ripper when she’s finished. Great video Mark. 😎👍👍👍🇬🇧

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks as always for the great comment, Mikey! 👍 Yeah, that way of building the shocks sure works for me, all good so far! It does look good the way the silver alloy contrasts with the black plastics. I hope you will like my non-box-art paint job, coming soon, mate! Take care! 😀

[@3TRCGarage]

Hi Mark, the chassis came together very nicely. The mix of aluminum and black plastic has a great look to it. Looking forward to the body and run😀

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hiya Paul - I hope this message finds you well, my good friend. Thanks for the fantastic support, I'm really glad you enjoyed the long build video. Hopefully the body video will be a little shorter. I'm very happy with my little paint experiment. I snuck out to the golf course (that is currently abandoned) and got in the first run today, thankfully all went well. Hopefully coming soon. Best wishes to you and your lovely family, Take care, Bro. :)

[@3TRCGarage]

I always make time for all your vids! I was watching the baby and making breakfast for Sebs. Finally sat down with some coffee and watched. Really still amazed at the quality of the instructions and parts. The body portion is the fan favorite👍🏾

[@MarkBryanRC]

@@3TRCGarage Thanks a ton, Paul! And doing the body really is my favourite part! :)

[@peternielsen7932]

Nice build! I have just had my first run with my DF-03 today, really pleased with the buggy! Have been looking for the hot ups you are using but without any luck. Thanks for the tips!

[@MarkBryanRC]

Nice - great to hear you are enjoying your new buggy, Peter! 👍 The alloy parts were sent to me by a friend who had the parts for a long time, I don't know where he got them from! Thanks for the nice comment and for watching - take care! :)

[@brendandeuby]

Thank you for making this! I realized I made a mistake on the steering that is illustrated very well in the instructions lol

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks very much and I'm glad it helped! It's a great buggy, have fun with it! :)

[@UncleBobsRC]

Great stuff as always Mark, Great Job my friend.

[@MarkBryanRC]

Glad you enjoyed it, Bob! Thanks for the comment, hope all is good with you my friend. :)

[@tiborvon]

Nice work Marky Mark. Coming on nice buddy 👍👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks very much Tibster - sure is a nice Tamiya to build! Have a great weekend, mate. 👍

[@madsrcbuggy]

Very nice, Mark! I'm so excited for you, putting that kit together, I know I loved working on mine. Especially that steering, I am sure you will find it is really precise and smooth, I think your aluminium parts make it even nicer! Looking forward to seeing your paint job!

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks very much, Mads! Well, I can tell you I have loved building this buggy, it all goes together so perfectly. Yeah, the steering is very tight, no slop and very smooth. Looking forward so much to the first run. I really hope you like the paint, it's not as good as yours, but it ain't bad! Have a lovely weekend, my friend! :O)

[@mathewbailey1004]

Great stuff Mark as always 👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks very much, Mathew! Always a pleasure to see that thumbs up! Cheers! 👍

[@catcancrunch7260]

Gota say Mark I’ve been itching to get one of these buggies they really are cool and a little sinister looking, very good upload 👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Cheers, Cat! Yeah, I think you hit the nail on the head, it does look sinister - and I've given it a sinister paint job, too - I think you will like it! Have a great weekend. 👍😊

[@SpeccyMan]

It looks really nice and I am really liking those wheels. I may get some of them, dye them blue and fit them to my FTX Vantage.

[@MarkBryanRC]

Right on, Nick - yes the wheels are excellent and would look fantastic on your Vantage! Thanks for the nice comment, take care! 😎👍

[@JF-RC]

Hi Mark, hope you're keeping well. Another great step by step guide and those alloy hop ups will certain produce great results. All the best my friend 😉👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks for the great comment as always, John! Much appreciated. I'm hoping this will be a great runner, fingers crossed, my good friend! Have a smashing weekend. 👍

[@forzahorizon5_xpert_1]

big like from Xpertboost. keep it up. love your video

[@MarkBryanRC]

Big thanks my friend, much appreciated! :))

[@fonswalma3574]

Nice car mark, even the alu parts, much better mate, go on👍👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks a ton, as always, Fons! Yes, these alloy parts make it feel a bit "special". I hope it runs as good as it looks! All the best to you, my friend. 👍

[@ShenRC]

👍Looking super Mark!! I actually like the plastic tamiya uses on those A arms they should use that stuff more often in the kits.

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hiya Steve - I totally agree my friend, and I may just be putting those plastic A arms back on soon, hope the alloy ones don't snap the plastic pivots! All the best, Steve! :O)

[@MaxeeOffroadRC]

Great work keep it up👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thank you so much 😀

[@dynamicrcworld748]

lovely review!! great!

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks so much!

[@frankschmitz3341]

Super work.

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thank you very much, Frank! Cheers! 👍😊

[@outsidethepyramid]

Really nice I love the engineering of all this along with the metal parts and I like the way you've explained it all. BUT..... ...those metal bits look four times as heavy as the plastic versions. Power to weight ratio and all that. Or perhaps more weight equals more grip and traction?

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks very much! Yeah, the design of this kit is so good. You are correct, the metal parts do add a lot of weight... It may slow it down a little, but running against a stock DF03, I think mine does handle a little better and has more traction on the dirt. A little trade-off, but still good! Cheers! 😎👍

[@giovanniraebiger2354]

on the surface of the bearing is grease good because, if you want to deinstalling old bearing and there is rust and dirt it's easyer to procede, older plasic will break much easyer

[@MarkBryanRC]

I think you have a good point, a very thin layer of grease may be a good idea. I don't use my cars in water, so I have not had any issues with rust on any of my Tamiyas! :O)

[@thecontractor365]

Wow Mark, that chassis looks like it's wearing it's Sunday Best with all those gleaming aluminium hop-ups added. It looks like a proper competition racer. Although in practice it would probably loose a race to an Associated RC10 or Schumacher Cat. But who cares - this one is a Tamiya and that means bags of character and charm. Good call in using velcro as body mounts, a great idea. As well as being unsightly on light coloured shells, body clips are always ( for me a least ) a total ball-ache to put in place, and often ping away into neverland when removing them. How many of those have I lost ? Looking forward to the next instalment, my favourite part in seeing you tackle the shell. As always have a great weekend bud and stay safe..👍🏻😀.

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hiya mate - how's it hanging? I hope all is well with you. Ah, yes I am really happy with the way this came out, the silver alloy contrasts very nicely with the black plastics. I'm sure it would be lagging behind in any form of real competition, too - but as you say, who cares? It'd still look the best, even at the back! The velcro works well, I think I'll use it on all buggies in the future. And yeah, no R-clips to ping off into oblivion! I've also had to buy many replacements in the past! I had a bit of an experiment with the paint - it ain't too bad. Was naughty and took it for a spin in the park today - I'll post a teaser pic on my community page in a few minutes! Hope you can take a look! Stay safe and take it easy too my friend. :)

[@thecontractor365]

@@MarkBryanRC Hi man, unfortunately I don't have the KZbin community tab on this device so I can't see your teaser pics, but I'll look forward to your next instalment with increased interest. Have a good week...👍🏻🙂. Today ( 1st ) we were naughty also..🤫.

[@PeteWylieRC]

Hiya matey. I finally got round to watching the rest of this. Looks amazing with all those hop up parts. You really need some shiny alu shocks to finish it off but they are expensive I know. I've decided that it is ok to do a little RC'ing on my own as it's just like walking a dog so I took the pretend Blitzer out today. So my bit of alu that stops the front shock tower breaking worked perfectly apart from it's now broken at the point that the front upper suspension arm attaches. Arrghh! Could really do with that whole bit being made of alu like the bits you have here. There was one with an alu block and carbon shock towers but be better to have the whole bit in metal. Anyway, top work on the vid with lots of top tips. Hope you've had a great weekend. What's going on with school and the kids going back? Bet that will be interesting! Cheers for now matey 😁

[@MarkBryanRC]

Cheers, Pete! Thanks for the great support my good friend. The shocks will have to wait, we are running out of money in the Midlands - poor old Lou has run out of sick pay! I hope my views pick up and KZbin pays for my beer!!! Funny, but I too snuck out in the sunshine today and ran this buggy - all is well and I didn't infect anyone or get arrested! I have to do 2 Covid tests a week, so I know I am clear. Sorry to hear of the breakage. Yeah, a solid metal shock tower is what is needed. Oh well, back to the workbench for you, young man! I'm not even thinking about what it will be like after next week at school - AAARRRRGGGHH is all I can think! Thanks again for watching this and commenting twice - you are a good friend, Pete Wylie! Cheers! :O)

[@firemustang6678]

Sir that was awesome to me... Would you please give me the noted to required, what should I buy to make my dark impact to able run...

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thank you very much, glad you liked it! Assuming that your Dark Impact kit comes with the ESC in the box, you will also need to buy a radio system (transmitter and receiver) and a standard size servo. You will also need a 7.2v NiMh battery. I hope this helps! :O)

[@firemustang6678]

@@MarkBryanRC thank you sir for the suggestion... I hope my dark impact will rock n roll sooner🙏

[@MarkBryanRC]

You are welcome, Sir! Fingers crossed for you! :O)

[@PeteWylieRC]

Hiya matey. Just a quick note to wish you a happy Friday. Haven't had a chance to watch all of this and just getting the tea on so will watch it tomorrow. I did see a bit where you were putting something in the bottom hole which made me titter. Ooh I've got a webcam so I need to work out doing that chat thing. Anyway, like I say I'm just cooking so have a good evening and catch ya soon 😁🍺🍺🍺🍺

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hiya Pete! Thanks for the good wishes, mate! Good to have a rest and a lie-in after the working week. Glad you had a titter, always happy to raise a smile! Hope you had a good evening, too. Oh, a new gizmo? Sounds cool, not we'll have to get our thinking caps on! All the best, matey. 👍😊

[@enricomiceli5517]

Love the build but i would jave done mrtal for the servo sarver and linkage parts rather than fot the shock absorbing parts

[@MarkBryanRC]

That's a great point, Enrico! Those parts would be great in metal, but I was sent the metal parts by a good friend and the linkage parts weren't included. I'm mighty grateful for all those parts all the same!

[@stepheneynon7495]

Hi, can you please let me know where I can get the aluminium conversion parts you have used in the Dark Impact DF03 build? Also a link where to purchase the stainless Steel 3x10mm allen screws! Video excellent by the way, cheers Stevie 👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hi Stevie - I'm really sorry, but the alloy parts were sent to me by a good friend in Europe, and I think they are unavailable now - I have no idea where he got them. But the good news is I can give you a link to the stainless screws on eBay: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221107048515?var=520105244831&hash=item337b01d043:g:A98AAMXQeW5Tbj7q

[@stepheneynon7495]

@@MarkBryanRC Thanks so much Mark, really appreciated, will certainly look out for more of your builds 👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

No problem, Stevie - and thank you too!

[@coryn1980]

Hello there Mark how you doing quick question what esc did you use 😊

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hi mate, OK ta! If I remember correctly it was an Mtroniks Viper 20T brushed waterproof ESC, pretty good actually! Cheers!

[@coryn1980]

@MarkBryanRC thanks mate I had a feeling it wos 👍

[@giovanniraebiger2354]

do you use grease before you install the bearing?

[@MarkBryanRC]

No my friend, the grease is inside the bearings. :)

[@mad-beerc3818]

Nice bling impact mate😉 How are your shocks? My springs seem a little stiff on my shocks they are the standard ones l think but its given the buggy a little bit of bounce especially on the back end! I have been trying different oils but not a lot better! its those springs! Maybe they are not the kit ones as l did get my dark impact used! Let me know how you get on? Great vid👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks very much, mate! Yeah, gotta sat that the spring rate on the rear feels about right with the kit supplied springs. But I did use the valve with 2 holes rather than the specified 3 holes, so it must be slightly stiffer damping. On a drop test, it lands flat with no bounce. I sure will let you know how I get on! All the best, my friend. :)

[@mad-beerc3818]

@@MarkBryanRC Thanks lol l should of tried a different value! Sometimes can't see the wood for the trees!!😄 You going boxart? Can't wait to see it finished!👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

@@mad-beerc3818 No worries, mate - I'm exactly the same! Already painted it, definitely not boxart - I experimented with a mix of 2 metallic colours. I really hope you like it when you see it! :)

[@mad-beerc3818]

@@MarkBryanRC sounds great already 👍

[@CarminesRCTipsandTricks]

Me Mukka! That's looking NICE!!! 🍺🍻👋👋👋👋👋 I may really want one. Even a DF-02. I'm not sure how much difference there is between the two Buggies..... And LOVE the Yeah Racing Alumininium Bling!!! 😁 The CVA Shocks are surprisingly smooth. BTW, your Shock filling trick really works a treat for longer Shocks! 😉 At least in my experience. I've struggled lately, with the 55 and 60mm Shocks I've been building for On-Road Cars. I'm sure there's a knack, and I'll get it eventually. But on 75mm and larger Shocks, it's been a great, non-sloppy solution. 😊 Question though.... You splurged on all that cool Suspension - but didn't at least fit CVDs on the Front. 😲 Did you have a reason, or just couldn't do it at this time?? ..... AND one observation! That Servo is quite far back in the Chassis. Considering that this should be a quick Off-Road Buggy, I'd seriously consider replacing that 2mm NOODLE pushing on the Steering Rack - with a 4mm Rod with SLOP FREE Ball Ends, off of an Axial SCX10 II or similar grade Crawler. 👍👍😉 Also on that subject... ANY reason you can think of WHY Tamiya (and some other Chinese Brands) - call the Steering Rack (also properly known as a Bellcrank), a BRIDGE 🌉!!???? 😖😲😧 I never really got THAT! I've no idea whatsoever. Hey my Brother... I HOPE that you and your WHOLE Family are doing better. 😷 You're such a good Man, you don't deserve this MESS!! Carmine ✈🚂🚙

[@CarminesRCTipsandTricks]

OH, and I found DF-02/03 Front CVDs - $17.95/Pair, USD.

[@MarkBryanRC]

Cheers, mate, and thanks for the always thoughtful comments! A bit of advice, steer away from the DF-02, they have a tendency to snap off the wishbone mounts, and they are a part of the main chassis!!! Yeah, the shock filling trick sure works better on longer shocks my friend. Well, as for adding CVD's, I just can't afford it (all the alloy parts were donated to the channel). I have so many Tamiyas (about 25) that I can't hop them all up as much as I would ideally like. That's the trouble with running a channel, I need to keep adding cars or the viewers will get bored of seeing the same Tamiya in every video! All in the name of KZbin! Same goes for the steering, we will have to put up with a tiny bit of slop! As for the "bridge" I think it's called that as the part bridges between the left and right side of the steering cranks! Still a very strange name to call it though. We are getting by, thank you. A bit of a struggle at the moment though, for sure. I appreciate the sentiments very much though, thank you tons! Hope you and yours are prospering, my good friend. :)

[@CarminesRCTipsandTricks]

I was shopping..... DF-03s are PRICEY!! 😲 I'm sure I can find a deal somewhere if I try hard enough. Hey, I did find a FF-03 for only $175!!! Which these days, is practically a MIRACLE! 😲 ~ I figured that even if you bought those Upgrades, it wasn't any time recently. Don't fret... If I can bounce back from the brink - ANYONE can!! You'll carry on fine. I feel it! .... STILL no Wild One for under $500 - ANYWHERE! 😭😭😭😭 I want one of those SO bad - I'll get one. I'm just NOT paying DOUBLE what it's worth though. Thanks for the Tip on the DF-02! 👊😉 I've never seen one up close. I know Rob has one, and he's had to rebuild it - twice! I guess that should have been evidence enough. I want to fill my 4WD Buggy Gap! I was even looking at TT-02B. 😳 It's half decent... and I already know a TON about TT-02 Chassis mods. IF I can figure out how to get another 15-18mm of Ground Clearance (that Buggy's MAIN fault!!), I'll build one of those - with the Yeah Racing Sealed Gear Diffs. I'm HOOKED on those! YR also makes a complete TT-02B Aluminium Suspension Kit, that they claim drops the Arms more..... But I can't get any facts of how MUCH. So I may end up getting the DF-03. Yours really impressed me!! Looks like a well sorted Chassis. If I do, I WILL be getting the 4mm Axial Rods. If so, I'd be happy to send you the other Rod, with Rod Ends!! NOT Charity or anything like that, just because I WANT to!! 😉✌🍻 We're NOT in prosperity YET! 😖 The Buyer is having trouble with closing on such a large Mortgage. Our Attorney says that he's a Sound Buyer... There's just political turmoil and Administrative nightmares in New York City these days! He was granted ANOTHER 30 day extension - on the condition that HE pays the Monthly expenses that have been rapidly rising. We agreed to that, because at first we thought that money was coming out of OUR Inheritance!! It's only fair. He wants the House.... But since He's been in Escrow, we can't even look at other Offers. ........ At least I know that the nightmare will be over soon!! Cindi SHOCKED me yesterday... I've been nonstop Internet Window Shopping, and I found a COOL Option for my upcoming Semi Truck Build... It makes the Front of the Cab tilt forward - just like the real thing!! Well, he only had ONE Kit left, unknown when he would get more..... So Cindi BOUGHT IT!!! 😲😳😁😁 For a Truck I don't even HAVE yet! That was a very big deal - considering how she always balked at my Hobby spending. I swear we will NEVER figure Women out!!! 😜😖 And I'm an Old Fart Mechanic.... I'll always call those things "Steering Racks"!! I understand your explanation as to why they call it a BRIDGE... But those carry Cars over Rivers - in my mind! Take good care my Friend and have a good Weekend Brother!

[@gnsukmaofficial]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼💪🏻

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks very much! 😎👍