My Tamiya TT-02 Journey
I bought the Tamiya TT-02 to build a dirt-friendly rally car, starting with the Celica GT-Four ST165 Base Kit. Follow along as I build, modify, test, and drive it, and see what I learned along the way.
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Why I Chose the TT-02 Base Kit
I wanted to try the TT-02 without spending too much upfront, so I started with the Celica GT-Four ST165 Base Kit. Here’s why I chose it and what I’d pick if I were buying one again. Read More…
What I Used to Build the TT-02
The tools, supplies, and electronics I used to build my TT-02, plus what I recommend if you’re starting your own build. Read More…
Building The TT-02
The TT-02 was an easy build overall, but a few parts were worth paying attention to. I cover the friction shocks, motor mounting, differentials, JIS screwdrivers, and the biggest challenge for me — painting and applying 80+ decals to the Celica body. Read More…
Painting & 80+ Decals
Painting the Celica ST165 body turned out to be harder than building the TT-02. I went with a custom black and gold paint scheme and tackled more than 80 decals along the way. Read More…
Rally Tires — My First Upgrade
The first upgrade for my TT-02 was rally tires. See why I chose them, how they compared with the stock tires, and how they performed on my dirt track. Read More..
High vs. Low Ground Clearance
I tested both high and low ground clearance on the same backyard dirt track to see which setup worked best for my TT-02. Read More…
Pinion & Spur Gear Problems
I ran into problems with the TT-02’s pinion, spur gear, and gear mesh, including a damaged 22T aluminum pinion. Here’s what happened and what I changed. Read More…
DIY Body Washers — Less Noise & Paint Damage
I added simple rubber washers around the body clips to reduce body rattle and help protect the Celica ST165’s paint. Read More…
I Tried the TT-02 in 2WD
I bought the Tamiya TT-02 Celica GT-Four ST165 to build a dirt-friendly rally car. Follow along as I build, modify, test, break, fix, and drive it—and see what I learn along the way. Read More…
TT-02 2WD vs. Mini-T 2.0 2WD
I put the 2WD TT-02 up against my Losi Mini-T 2.0 2WD on the same dirt tracks to see which handled the loose dirt better. Read More…
TT-02 at a 1/8 Buggy Track
I took the TT-02 to a local 1/8 buggy track to see how my dirt rally setup would handle bigger jumps, different tires, and a much tougher track. Read More…
Three Upgrades: Shocks, Pinion & Front Locker
I tried three upgrades on the TT-02: Losi JRX-S oil shocks, a hardened-steel pinion, and a front locker to see what actually made the car better on dirt. Read More…
Let’s Drive: TT-02 on the Trails
I took the TT-02 off the track and onto nature trails, bike trails, and a bike skills course. Sometimes you just have to Let’s Drive. Read More…
Did a Locked Front Diff Make My TT-02 Worse?
Did a locked front diff make my Tamiya TT-02 worse? I put it through turning, slalom, and driving tests to see what really changed. Read more…
TT-02 Let’s Drive
Watch the Tamiya TT-02 Celica GT-Four rip around a dirt track in slow motion, throwing up dirt and showing off its rally-style handling. Read More…
TT-02 Let’s Drive — Back to the Buggy Track
Watch the Tamiya TT-02 Celica GT-Four take on a new 1/8 buggy track layout, with slow-motion jumps, crashes, and different driving views. Read More…
