This is a time lapse build of a Tamiya DB01RRR. The completed build results are shown at the end of the video.
The DB01RRR was a limited production kit from Tamiya. It was released in 2015 and was the last chassis evolution of the DB01 line. It was designed primarily for the race enthusiasts (non professional racer) and serious hobbyists. It was one of the non-TRF (Tamiya Racing Factory) cars with the most potential in terms of track performance and tunability.
The DB01RRR has an interesting lineage and it all starts in 2006 when Tamiya’s racing division, TRF, decided to develop their first race chassis for the 2007 Off-Road IFMAR World Championship. That pursuit led to the production of the TRF501X, which was Tamiya’s first true race grade off-road 4WD chassis. As with Tamiya, experience from TRF trickles down to hobby and race enthusiasts products, and as a result, the DB01 was created as the everyday enthusiast’s or layman’s version of a TRF501X-as the DB01 inherited some of the TRF501X’s engineering and design. In 2007 and 2008 Tamiya released the DB01 under the Durga (58395) and Baldre (58404) kits. [Side note: the Durga name is from the major deity in Hinduism and Baldre I assume is the god from Norse mythology.]
The first DB01 variant inherited a simpler version of 2-belt 4WD drivetrain from the TRF501X and instead of an exposed drivetrain it was covered to protect from debris (since most enthusiasts will run the car on unpredictable surfaces-outside of a controlled race track). The suspension geometry in some ways was similar and uses a detuned version of the front and rear ball differentials. And with most of the materials on the DB01, it was downgraded to plastic compared to the TRF501X’s carbon fiber, carbon-reinforced, and aluminum parts. This was to keep the cost down and make accessibility to parts easier.
In 2009 the first R version came out, the DB01R. Some of the upgrades included high traction fiber-glass reinforced nylon resin frame, high traction lower arms, aluminum damper bushings, reinforced drive belts, carbon reinforced damper stay, motor heat sink, aeration dampers, aluminum suspension mount and blocks, slipper clutch, universal shafts, and full ball bearings.
In 2013 DB01RR was released. Some of the upgrades included high traction fiber-glass reinforced nylon resin frame compatible with square-shaped batteries (LiPo), high traction lower arms, big bore aeration dampers, aluminum suspension blocks and suspension mounts, slipper clutch, universal shafts, motor heat sink, carbon reinforced damper stay, reinforced drive belts, and full ball bearings.
And finally in 2015 the last evolution was released, the DB01RRR. Instead of the signature aluminum anodized blue hop ups from Tamiya, everything was anodized black (a rare thing for Tamiya to do especially when it comes to their top of the line variations). Upgrades included aluminum front suspension mount with a skid angle of 12°, aluminum rear suspension mount with a toe-in of 3°, motor heat sink, 12mm alloy hex wheel hubs, hex hub-compatible dish wheels, 39T pulleys, gear differential units, big bore aeration dampers, carbon reinforced rear uprights and damper stays, wide operating (WO) angle universal shafts and assembly, slipper clutch (different slipper plate), fluorine-coated ball bearings, hex screws, high traction lower arms, high traction fiber-glass reinforced nylon resin frame compatible with square-shaped batteries (LiPo).
The DB01RRR was suited for low or high traction surfaces depending on the setup. The belt drive provides very smooth acceleration and braking, and excellent cornering and handling. And the gear diffs allowed a more powerful setup and better durability.
I acquired this kit still in box (but beat up) some time ago from another enthusiast. For the longest time I debated if I should build it-because I already have a modified DB01 runner. In the end I decided to have two different setups-my first DB01 has a brushless setup and meant for abuse while the DB01RRR has a more nostalgic setup and meant more for the shelf. I installed a vintage brushed 11T 40K rpm motor and displayed Trinity race batteries. There are only a few aftermarket modifications like the underbody protector, stabilizers, wheels, and rear wing end plates as I wanted to keep it true to the original (and since it already comes with tons of upgrades). The DB01/TRF501X line is one my favorite chassis from Tamiya and I think every Tamiya enthusiasts should at least experience some form of DB01.
Additional Upgrades:
KO Propo BSx3-one 10 Grasper servo and KR-241FH 4-channel receiver
KO Propo carbon fiber servo horn
Tech Racing Japan 11T 40K RPM Super Cobra motor
MST XB60 ESC
Dual cooling fans
Pro-Line Racing Positron tires
Schumacher Honeycomb tires
Tamiya aluminum suspension balls, f/r stabilizers, f/r carbon damper stays
Square Japan aluminum spacers
Custom wheels, decals, endplates, under guard