Shows / The RC Deep Dive
The RC Deep Dive
Welcome to The RC Deep Dive podcast, your daily masterclass in the world of Tamiya radio-controlled model vehicles in under 30 minutes.
This is the ultimate anti-fluff resource for Tamiya RC builders, bashers, crawlers, collectors, drifters, racers, and speed runners. We publish a new, concise episode every day, focusing on the vintage, classic, and rere (re-release) models that have defined the radio control hobby.
We go beyond the RC hobby workbench. One day we're detailing HOW-TO guides for…
Episodes
The RC Deep DiveWhy is the Tamiya Frog Called The Mighty Frog in Japan?
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…
The RC Deep DiveIs a Frog with a MIP Super Ball Diff Slower?
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…
The RC Deep DiveThe RC Deep Dive Podcast Theme/Intro song
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.
The RC Deep DiveUpside Down Shock Dampers?
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…
The RC Deep DiveHOW-TO: Lower the CoG on the Lunchbox & other R/C Monster Trucks
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…
The RC Deep DiveAftermarket Third Party Hop-Up Option Makers
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…
The RC Deep DiveHOW-TO: Solve Servo Woes
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…
The RC Deep DiveHOW-TO: Fix Broken Shock Towers
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…
The RC Deep DiveIs Using Marine Grease in RC Cars a Good Idea?
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…
The RC Deep DiveHOW-TO: Easily Fixing R/C Steering Issues
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…
The RC Deep DiveWhat is the Best Shock Damper Oil for ORV Chassis Based Tamiya RC Vehicles?
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…
The RC Deep DiveWhich Shock Oil is Best for the Grasshopper/Hornet Family of R/C Buggies?
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…
The RC Deep DiveWhat do Shock Damper Oil Colors and Numbers Mean?
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…
The RC Deep DiveWhat is that Cardboard Disk that goes on your 540 Motor?
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…
The RC Deep DiveBrat Attack! Why those Subaru Brat Wheels & Tires are so popular in R/C Buggies
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…
The RC Deep DiveHOW-TO: Fix Common Throttle and Transmitter Issues
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…
The RC Deep DiveCutting, Sanding, Masking, & Painting Lexan (Polycarbonate) RC Vehicle Bodies
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…
The RC Deep DiveRC Cars and Trucks in Pop Culture
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.
The RC Deep DiveThe Flysky and DSServos Takeover of RC
Flysky Radio Transmitters & Receivers and DS Servos (often errantly identified as their distributor, Annimos) have taken over a good chunk of the remote…
The RC Deep DiveTamiya vs HobbyWing: Which ESC is Best for You?
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.
The RC Deep DiveSticks or Pistol Grips: Which is best for your RC Vehicles?
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 RC Deep DiveThe Cera Grease HG Mystery
[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…
The RC Deep DiveWhat are the Best Tools to Build your RC Vehicle? You Might be Surprised!
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…
The RC Deep DiveDo Low Profile Servos Allow you to use Large Batteries in your Hornet, Grasshopper, Rising Fighter, Super Hornet, and Grasshopper II
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…
The RC Deep DiveWhich Cements, Glues, and Solvents to Use on your RC Cars?
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…
The RC Deep DiveA Simple 3-D Printed ORV Trailing Shock Arm Can Save your RC Car!
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…
The RC Deep DiveWhat are the Top 10 Selling R/C Vehicles of all Time?
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…
The RC Deep DiveWhat Causes Grubscrew Issues in the Grasshopper 2 with a 380 Sport Tuned Motor?
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…
The RC Deep DiveThe Elusive Super G Tamiya R/C Buggies
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…
The RC Deep DiveLet's Get into Traxxas!
Tamiya was the king of RC, making kits that need to be built, until a new company from McKinney, Texas, USA came up with a whole new kind of RC car. These…
The RC Deep DiveWho Really Owns your Local Hobby Shop and RC Car Brands?
Horizon Hobbies had been accused by some of being a monopoly after owning at least 23 different hobby brands. But are they really? And how did they come to own…
The RC Deep DiveSpecial Color Edition R/C Cars
Do you like the Special Black Edition Tamiya RC vehicles? Do you like the Candy Green Edition Grasshopper? Did you know that there was a Special Blue Edition…
The RC Deep Dive380 Tuned Motors vs 540 Motors: What's the right choice?
Recently it was revealed that a 380 Sport Tuned motor can outperform a silver can 540 motor in certain conditions. We deep dive into why this could happen and…
The RC Deep DiveHOW-TO: Upgrade your Tamiya Grasshopper to a Hornet and your Grasshopper II to a Super Hornet
Tamiya's classic starter hobby grade RC car can be upgraded to its racing basher, the Hornet or a Super Dragon. Likewise, the Grasshopper 2 can likewise be…
The RC Deep DiveThe MIP Super Ball Diff for Tamiya ORV RC Vehicles, including the Frog, Brat, Blackfoot, and Super Beetle
Clicking Gearboxes, differential gears going bad, dog bones popping out. These are dinner if the issues that Tamiya's classic RC cars with the ORV (Off-Road…
The RC Deep DiveStabilizing Gearboxes in the Tamiya Grasshopper, Hornet, Grasshopper 2, and other RC Vehicles
A quick acceleration or braking can cause the gearbox to pivot and over-extend your shock dampers causing a loss of control and an annoying clicking noise…
The RC Deep DiveHop-Up Tyres and Wheels for Tamiya R/C Buggies, Cars, Trucks, and Vans
What are the best options for upgrading your remote control vehicle's wheels and tires? It all depends on what you are looking for, but you need to know how to…
The RC Deep DiveWhich Battery Should I Use in my RC car?
RC cars used to use NiCd batteries, and Tamiya later recommended LiFe batteries, but most of the discussion in the RC car community of whether you should use…
The RC Deep DiveWhich Grease to Use? Moly vs. AWG vs. Cera HG
Different greases do different things and go in different places. Tamiya has advice for which grease to use, but the community does not always agree. We'll…
The RC Deep DiveHidden Upgrades for the Grasshopper II from the Rising Fighter
We were asked if you could upgrade a GH2 (Grasshopper II) with Rising Fighter Parts and if it was a good idea. Then, we inquired if these same parts could also…
The RC Deep DiveThe Tamiya Grasshopper Hop-Ups: Oil-Filled CVA Shock Dampers using Grasshopper II (or Rising Fighter / Super Hornet) Parts
We review a popular hop-up for the Tamiya Grasshopper: front CVA oil shocks via parts from the GH2 (Grasshopper II) or the Rising Fighter or Super Hornet, and…
The RC Deep DiveThe Tamiya Frog Hop-Ups: CVD (Continuous Velocity Driveshafts) or UJ (Universal Joint) Drive Shafts over the Dog Bones or Hex Drive
We review a popular hop-up for the Tamiya Frog, the Xtra Speed G45 Steel CVD (Continuous Velocity Drive) Drive Shaft a.k.a. UJ (Universal Drive Shaft) and talk…