The RC Deep Dive

Many radio controlled cars, trucks, buggies, and van have a different in the Japanese market vs the rest of the world. However, sometimes when Tamiya has re-released vintage and classic R/C cars, sometimes the Japanese names became the global name. We take a deep dive into which RC vehicles have different names and which reres have changed their RotW names to the JDM names.

You hit a big mud puddle at a super fast speed, and it looks epic, but how are you going to get all of the dirt out of the nooks and crannies of your radio controlled car, truck, buggy, or van? We go over what to use and what not to use for maintaining each part of your R/C vehicle in this episode of the RC Deep Dive.

Shock springs come in different colors, lengths, hardnesses, and more, but what does it all mean? We take a deep dive into the world of remote control vehicle (R/C cars, buggies, trucks, vans, etc.) shock springs in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.

We want your feedback. Please vote yes or no. Do you like this for our new theme song, to go along with the new longer episodes of the RC Deep Dive? We had to adjust the lyrics after feedback said that you, the listeners, would prefer longer episodes instead of the 5 to 10 minute episodes that we had during our first 40 RC Deep Dive podcast episodes.

What was the Radio Controlled Car Golden Age and why did we call it that? What years did it range and why? Did it lead to a similarly impressive Silver Age for R/C vehicles? We take a deep dive into this and more in this episode of the RC Deep Dive.

Radio control hobby models often require thread lock, even though many Tamiya reres (re-releases) say they aren't required, while the original vintage and classic models specifically required it. What is thread lock, when and where should you use it, and which color? We take a deep dive into this and more in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.

Ball bearings are usually the first hop-up option that people install in their radio controlled vehicles. But what are the best bearings? Are steel balls or ceramic bearings better for RC cars, trucks, buggies, and vans? Are metal or rubber seals the best in the gearbox and axles? We answer these questions and more in this episode of the RC Deep Dive.

The Tamiya FAV (Fast Attack Vehicle) and many SRB (Special Racing Buggy) based Chassis RC cars need CVA (Constant Volume Adjustable) oil shock dampers to reach their full potential. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we teach you multiple ways to get this done right on each RC model.

What Tamiya Hornet parts can you use to upgrade your 1/10 scale Grasshopper RC Buggy without turning it into a Hornet? Likewise what Rising Fighter and Super Hornet parts can you use to upgrade your Grasshopper II RC car without turning it into either a Rising Fighter or a Super Hornet ? We take a deep dive into these highly recommended hop-ups in this episode of the RC Deep Dive.

What is a square setup for RC buggies? Is it better for 4wd buggies like the Super HotShot or 2wd biggies like the Frog? We take a deep dive into this popular tire and wheel setup in this episode of the RC Deep Dive.

Pinion gears are available in both steel and aluminum. Usually aluminum comes in the kit, and both metal types are available as hop-up options. Steel is harder, heavier, and stronger, but did that always make it a better option than aluminum, or is aluminum sometimes a better option? We take a deep dive into pinions on this episode of the RC Deep Dive.

The classic Tamiya promo videos for their 1/10th and 1/12th scale radio controlled cars, buggies, trucks, and vans have a special place in the heart of many in the RC vehicle community. Why is that so? Where could these videos be seen? Who narrated them and who created the music for them? We take a deep dive into these questions and now in this episode of the RC Deep Dive.

Some R/C (radio-controlled) cars oversteer and some understeer. But what do those terms mean? And even now importantly, how can you fix it? We answer all those questions and more in this episode of the RC Deep Dive. Let's Go!

Your Supershot/Super HotShot came with some beautiful gold wheels and great spiked tires, but are they really the best option off-road or on-road? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive out team looks at the best off-road, on-road, and all-around best wheels, tires, and foam inserts for your 4WD RC buggy, truck, van, or car.

What was the CPR Unit in radio controlled vehicles? Why did they become so popular and why did they seemingly disappear? How was the receiver and the ESC convinced in these Control Processing Receivers? We take a deep dive into these questions in this episode of the RC Deep Dive.

Did you know that each part of your radio control vehicle has different heat and cold tolerances? Even different battery types need different temperatures. Whether you use NiCad, NiMH, LiPo, or LiFe RC batteries, we've got the right temperature range to store them in, both in Celsius and Fahrenheit in this episode of the RC Deep Dive.

While Tamiya is known for it's Ready to Build, assembly required RC Model Kits, it does have some pre-built radio controlled vehicles for this age of demanding instant satisfaction and no patients for the build process. We take a deep dive into Tamiya's ready to run, expert built options giving their advantages and disadvantages over build yourself models.

LiFe is a battery type popularized by Tamiya in the radio control vehicle world, especially in Japan, and seems to be a middle ground between MiNH and LiPo RC batteries. Is it really even safer and more flexible than MiNHs? Is it really safer and lasts longer than LiPos? Is it worth the Tamiya Tax of purchasing one of their LiFes from them, or is it better to buy from the third party aftermarket instead?

The first R/C cars were made in the 1960s. In today's episode of the RC Deep Dive, we drive into the highlights and important moments in the last 60 years of radio controlled cars and how not only the technology has evolved, but how the community has changed too.

Imagine a street with 10-20 radio controlled vehicle and model stores all on one street and many more within walking distance. This is the reality of RC Street in Hong Kong. We take a deep dive into this street and the surrounding RC stores as well in this episode of the RC Deep Dive.

There was a popular manga called RC Boy/RadiCon Boy (Wild RC Boy) that was influenced by radio controlled car culture and also was an influencer on R/C culture, itself. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive, we dig into the manga and the many buggies, trucks, cars, and vans that took center stage such as the Wild Willis (Wild Willy), Mighty Frog (The Frog), the Dragon series, and more!

We take a deep drive into the mystery of 2 different names for the wildly popular Frog/the Mighty Frog 1/10th scale reason controlled buggy and discover why Japan calls it the Mighty Frog, while the rest of the world calls it, simply, the Frog.

Since the MIP Super Ball Differential requires the higher torque, lower speed 16t pinion gear, rather than the default 18t or the high-speed 19t pinion gear, does this mean that it's going to be slower? Perhaps not. We take a deep dive into how this must-have Hop-Up upgrade affects your Frog (and other Tamiya OVR Chassis RC Vehicles) with each of the most popular 540 motors.

Just in time for our 40th episode of the podcast, we just mixed up a new intro/theme song for the RC Deep Dive. Let us know what you think of this mix.

If your shocks don't fit perfectly, is it a good idea to mount your dampers upsidedown, or is this a really bad idea for a radio controlled vehicle? We take a deep dive on this question and find out the possible pros and cons of this solution.

Does your Tamiya Lunchbox 1/12 scale R/C Van constantly fall over, especially while turning? This could be because your CoG (Center of Gravity) is too high. On this episode of the RC Deep Dive, we dive down deep to see the menu ways how you can lower your Lunchbox CoG and make your radio controlled monster truck more stable.

Who manufacturers third party aftermarket hop-ups for Tamiya and other brands of train controlled vehicles? We take a deep dive into AmPro Engineering, CRP, MiP, OC Racing Hobby Marking, RcAidong, Xpress High Performance RC Products, Xtra Speed, Yeah Racing, and many more in this episode of the RC Deep Dive.

Have you broken your servo saver? How can you prevent that from happening again? Do you want to know what the best servo saver is for your radio controlled vehicle? Do you know the difference between a servo saver and a servo horn? We take a deep dive into all of this in this episode of the RC Deep Dive.

Crashes can lead to broken damper shock towers. But do you need to buy a whole new chassis? We go over the many options available to you in this episode of the RC Deep Dive.

With Tamiya not having Cera-Grease HG available until August, is Marine Grease a good substitute, or does it contain additives that may damage your gears in your radio controlled vehicle? Join us in our deep dive on this greasy subject in this episode of the RC Deep Dive.

With a few tweaks on your radio transmitter, you can fix most of your steering issues and have a more enjoyable and controlled experience driving your radio controlled vehicles. We teach you how in this episode of the RC Deep Dive.

Which of the many shock damper oils from Tamiya should be used in the shocks of the Tamiya ORV Chassis vehicles like the Lancia 037 Rally, Subaru BRAT, the (Mighty) Frog, the Blackfoot, Mud Blaster, Monster Beetle, Midnight Pumpkin, etc.

In a previous episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast, we explained the numbers and colors of a Tamiya's R/C Shock Damper Oil. Now we take a deep dive into the right oil for the following Tamiya radio controlled model buggies: The Grasshopper, Hornet, GH2, Super Hornet, Super G, Rising Fighter, Mad Bull, and more!

There's lots of colors and numbers to Tamiya's shock damper oils, but what do they mean and when should they be used? I'm this episode of the RC Deep Dive we review the following choices: Red 200, Orange 300, Yellow 400, Green 500, Blue 600, Purple 700, Pink 800, White 900, & Light Blue 1000.

What is that cardboard disk? Is it necessary? What is is purpose! Do you need to use it when you upgrade to a different motor? Are there better options than this included motor mount? We answer these questions and more in this episode of the RC Deep Dive!

A popular Hop-Up for vintage R/C buggies like the Frog, Grasshopper, and Hornet is using Subaru BRAT Wheels and tires. Why is this? Is it a good option? And how do you get them to fit your radio controlled cars, trucks, and buggies? We find out on this episode of the RC Deep Dive!

You pull your trigger and your RC car goes backwards! You make sure your motor is plugged in the right way, but the problem persists. What happened? How can you fix it? We will teach you in this episode of the RC Deep Dive!

It's not easy, but we have some pro tips on cutting out, sanding, cleaning, masking, and painting your polycarbonate (Lexan) radio controlled vehicle bodies. Safety is job number one in this episode of the RC Deep Dive.

RC cars have taken the main stage in a number of movies and tv shows, and we review them all in this episode of the RC Deep Dive.

Flysky Radio Transmitters & Receivers and DS Servos (often errantly identified as their distributor, Annimos) have taken over a good chunk of the remote controlled vehicle market in the last decade. We look into why this happened on this episode of the RC Deep Dive.

Which ESC is best for your RC car? We take a deep dive into ESCs and see what ESC is the best for you, based on your vehicle and motor type.

In the 1970s and 80s the dual stick radio was king, but the pistol grip controller took over as the popular way to run cars in North America and Japan, with the rest of the world following this trend later on. Why the change and are pistol grips really the superior radio controlled transmitter?

[NOTE: this was recorded before May 2025, when the expected date of restock was changed to an August 2025 anticipated restock date on some sites.] Why do the majority of hobby shops and Tamiya itself no longer have any Cera-Grease left in stock? We take a deep dive into this persistent issue. If you are in need of this product, currently Hearns Hobbies has plenty in stock and will ship it anywhere in the world!

Many people are surprised that Tamiya RC Model Cars didn't use Phillips Head screws which are made to can out. Instead they use JIS screws which are made not to cam out. Using the wrong tool can strip out your allen wrench, screws, nuts, Allen tool, screwdriver, and nut driver. So let's take a deep dive into the best tools to build your remote controlled vehicles!

Servos are one of the things that make fitting a larger battery into your Hornet and Grasshopper family of Tamiya remote control buggies. But can a low profile servo help you use a bigger battery? We take a deep drive into your battery case and servos in this episode of the RC Deep Dive!

Tamiya and other radio control model hobby companies make a lot of different cements, puttys, solvents, and glues for your radio controlled vehicle. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive we look at which ones you should use where, and how to use them!

The ORV chassis has a weakness, especially in the re-release models that use a shock plastic in the shock arms. This can lead to breakage or knocking the dog-bones out out the rear wheels. This simple piece of plastic can help prevent these two run-ending problems. We take a deep drive into why and how to install them on your Frog, Brat, or other ORV chassis RC vehicle.

What radio controlled vehicle is the best selling one of all time? Is it the Frog, the Hornet, the Blackfoot, the Lunchbox, the HotShot, or the Grasshopper? We will go over the ten most popular RC cars and what sold the most over the last 50+ years. The rankings may surprise you!

The Grasshopper II (GH2) likes to kick out grub or set screws from that required Lunchbox pinion gear when upgrading the stock silver can 380 motor to a speedy 380 sport tuned motor. But why? The original Grasshopper (GH1) doesn't have this have issue. We dig into why this happens and possible fixes beyond thread lock.

What are the Tamiya Super G RC Buggies and what made them so special? How can we use the modern re-release of the Grasshopper II and Tamiya's it third party aftermarket Hop-Up options to recreate this super-popular limited edition classic RC buggy? We'll find out today in the RC Deep Dive!