Tamiya wheel swapping options? Anybody? Bueller?

[Daniel Peterson]

I picked up a Tamiya Mustang GT coupe/convertible kit (94-ish model, me thinks) that has the 3 spoke factory mags.

Not having built many Tamiya kits, I was wondering if anybody can steer me toward some cool aftermarket/other kit wheels that will attach without modification? There are scads of wheels out there, but I'm wondering if there are any that attach in a similar manner to the Tamiya wheels.

Ideas are all I'm looking for at this point. Maybe there's an eventual trade in my future, but for now just seeking some schooling.

Thanks!!

[Zoom Zoom]

Your options are very limited; most aftermarket wheels are designed with the polycap in the wheel, with the axle portion part of the model, vs. the Tamiya method w/the axle pin on the wheel. I don't think anyone has a list either. XS Tuning's wheels would work, but they seem to have mostly vanished from the face of the planet.

Other than getting another Tamiya kit, I'd suggest learning how to modify other wheels to fit. Once you've done it once, it's not a big issue. Half thet time I have to do surgery on the mounting (even using stock wheels) because the ride height is off. Just look at a Tamiya rim and how it fits the hub, and look at how to make a pin fit the hub, and fit into the polycap of the aftermarket wheel. Due to that area being basically invisible when the kit is assembled, you can be pretty crude with the actual gluing of the wheel to the model. Study, measure, be relaxed, have Dremel and glue, and you can make any basic wheel fit any basic model :wink:

Another hint: whatever wheel you use, attach the brake directly to the wheel. Then attach the wheel/brake assembly to the model. Set the model on "jack stands"; could be business cards, so that the wheels slip into place exactly where you want them to, exactly at the ride height. Then glue the assemblies to the model after making sure everything fits (you might have to do a snip, cut, or add a spacer). The car will then have the right look, both in custom rim and ride height. Again, I learned this a few years back and it makes a world of difference without being constrained by what the mfg's. give us.

[Tonioseven]

Your options are very limited; most aftermarket wheels are designed with the polycap in the wheel, with the axle portion part of the model, vs. the Tamiya method w/the axle pin on the wheel. I don't think anyone has a list either. XS Tuning's wheels would work, but they seem to have mostly vanished from the face of the planet.

Other than getting another Tamiya kit, I'd suggest learning how to modify other wheels to fit. Once you've done it once, it's not a big issue. Half thet time I have to do surgery on the mounting (even using stock wheels) because the ride height is off. Just look at a Tamiya rim and how it fits the hub, and look at how to make a pin fit the hub, and fit into the polycap of the aftermarket wheel. Due to that area being basically invisible when the kit is assembled, you can be pretty crude with the actual gluing of the wheel to the model. Study, measure, be relaxed, have Dremel and glue, and you can make any basic wheel fit any basic model :wink:

Another hint: whatever wheel you use, attach the brake directly to the wheel. Then attach the wheel/brake assembly to the model. Set the model on "jack stands"; could be business cards, so that the wheels slip into place exactly where you want them to, exactly at the ride height. Then glue the assemblies to the model after making sure everything fits (you might have to do a snip, cut, or add a spacer). The car will then have the right look, both in custom rim and ride height. Again, I learned this a few years back and it makes a world of difference without being constrained by what the mfg's. give us.

That's exactly the technique I use!

[Ron L]

I also use the business cards for stands (got 1000s of them from a previous job) but I use 5-minute epoxy for the wheels. That gives me time to align the wheels as the epoxy dries.