Building The TT-02

The TT-02 was an easy build overall, and I think it’s a great entry-level kit. Tamiya’s instructions are excellent, and everything worked when I finished.

Need Help?
If you have a question about this post or anything else on the site, leave a comment on any of my YouTube videos. I’m much more likely to see it there and get back to you. RCGuided-YouTube

This site contains affiliate links. When you click these links, you help the site grow. The site may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases and as an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.

A few things were worth paying attention to:

Friction Shocks

They’re a little hard to figure out since they don’t work like a typical oil-filled RC shock. I made a quick Short showing how they go together.

Motor Mounting

The motor needs to go into the correct mounting holes on the motor plate for the gearing you’re using. Tamiya shows you which mounting position to use in the instructions.

Differentials

You still have to assemble the diffs yourself, and this can be a little tricky if you’re new to RC cars. The good news is that the TT-02’s stock differentials are not sealed, so you don’t have to worry about filling them with differential fluid or dealing with leaks. The gears are also plastic, but mine have held up well so far.

JIS Screwdrivers

I didn’t have the proper JIS drivers when I built mine, so I used a Phillips screwdriver. It worked, but it made the build harder than it needed to be. I have the proper tools now.

Recommended Driver Setup:

1/4″ Ratcheting Screwdriver
Vessel Torsion Bit : use #1 & #2 JIS for TT-02
ProTek “TruTorque” Power Drill Tip – only for motor gear (1.5mm) or if you upgrade to hex screws
You can also use a Drill for faster speed with this list, but make sure it has a clutch so you don’t strip things

Body

The hardest part for me was actually the body. My Celica had 80+ decals, and they weren’t pre-cut. You also have to paint the body yourself, which gave me the chance to customize the ST165 in gold and black. The video below shows the painting and decal process from start to finish.

Want To Skip This Part? Tamiya also offers kits with pre-painted and pre-decorated bodies, so you don’t necessarily have to tackle all those decals yourself.

Bottom Line: The TT-02 is a very straightforward first kit. The instructions are excellent, and I had no major problems getting it built and running.