Tamiya DT02 vs DT03 Chassis Review - Which is Best? Plus, Hop-Up Options! 

Nice video on the two chassis Mark :) if anyone’s interested there’s a few notes below. The sand viper know as the tuned spec also came with Light weight gear shafts for the gearbox where the dt03 never did. If anyone’s looking for a bit extra stability on the dt02 you can flip the front arms around to increase the wheelbase length. There was a dt02ms version of the chassis and in the kit you got alloy shocks , alloy hard turnbuckles, alloy motor mount, wide df03 rear wheels, ball differential and possibly alloy rear hub carriers and cvd drive shafts included, unfortunately a discontinued kit now. Having raced both chassis the dt02 is good in tighter tracks and on carpet/Astro tracks where dt03 is better on grass/damp grass. For racing both buggy’s need better tyres all round for. The likes of Schumacher/ballistic buggy with inserts depending on track surface. Also so adding weight up front helps kelp the front end down and the tyres in touch with the ground, about 40g/50g on a dt02 and Up to 70g /80g on the 03 more so if using much more power motors. Anyway good for thought, and great video Mark :)

Great work Mark on two awesome buggies. DT03 was my first build back to the hobby in 2021 and I really enjoyed it and hopping it up. However, having now driven some DT02 buggies that chassis nips it for me!! The Sand Viper is a great value kit but the Holiday Buggy looks super retro cool! Nice work fella 🙌🏻

Another great video. The DT03 was such a surprise to me when I got mine. A really capable buggy at such a good price. It’s my go to easy runner.

The dt02 is so much more agile feeling, being shorter end wheelbase. With a quality, high speed steering servo, it feels very light, and with decent brushless, does wheelies on command. One of my dt02s does 82kmh and will flip at almost any speed with a stab of the throttle. Great video mark, you really covered the important points. I love my dt03 also, reminds me of being a kid with a 2wd Tamiya Fox bashing around, longer and more stable. You are right about them being rewarding to drive. Very good point!

Very good look on the two chassis :) There are two other variants that can be mentioned. The DT02 Nissan Titan, a stadium truck, it comes with CVAs, has a brace across the front shock tower and different tires with lots of really small spikes on dish rims. The DT03 Aqroshot, also a truck type body, CVAs and has wide onroad wheels on Stadium Blitzer/Blitzer Beetle rims. Ive put rere Sand Scorcher shells on both of the above. The DT02 has close to the correct wheelbase which i made exact with 3d printed front arms to fully correct it and also narrow it to look right. The DT03 is a bit long but as the Blitzer Beetle has a longer than Sand Scorcher wheelbase i was able to cut the chassi in the middle, take out enough and join it back together to make it correct for a Blitzer Beetle.

Great comparison mate. Same with me I do like both chassis but I do seem to control the DT03 easier. Lots of great stuff for people to think about before getting either one of them.

Thanks for another informative video Mark. You have a knack for answering my questions just as I think them. Very cool mate!

My favourite buggy is the holiday on the dt02 I also got the dt03 they drive completely different. Love the video

I had a DT03 that I converted to a DT02, and apart from bracing the front shock towers the DT02 handled way better, mainly due to the shorter wheelbase. Excellent video though mate!!

This is a real proper Mark Bryan video, I enjoy these videos! I now have both of these, but this is the kind of video that would help me make my decision were I to decide between the two. In fact, when I bought my first DT-03, I watched your videos beforehand and they were really helpful. Keep this content coming, mate, very enjoyable and lots of useful info! One thing to add to your video, I have actually destroyed a DT-03 chassis and a rear shock tower, ha ha... Some day I'll make a video about that... All the best, mate!

Very cool comparison Mark. I'm still happy to be in Team 03, but I like what you done to the 02.

Excellent comparison! I guess it is time to get a Tamiya 2WD Buggy again! 😀 Thanks for sharing!

Hi Mark, a fascinating in depth review here. Although I own the DT-02 Holiday Buggy & Sand Rover and have no complaints about the chassis, having had no breakages over the years, I must admit that I'm strangely drawn to the DT-03 chassis. I think the slimness of it just appeals to me and I do like the Racing Fighter as a buggy. Also I fully agree regarding those awful screw pins you mention. Although I've yet to bend one I have had one simply vanish after a run. Presumably it just unscrewed itself during running. Great video mate with some fascinating comparisons. Best wishes for the weekend my friend..👍🏻😀👍🏻😀.

Some good words there brother, I'll be making a reinforced shock plate for my dt02 after watching this, thanks dude 🤙

Fantastic stuff as always Mark, and loads of great info. Handy for me when I constantly forget if I've got a DT-02 or 03... 🙄 I don't think I will now! I missed this somehow when it appeared, but glad I finally caught it! 👍

Great video, Mark. It's nice to see these two chassis' laid out side by side. I didn't know they had as many similarities as they do, very cool!

Nice comparisons Mark! I don’t think you can go wrong with either one! 👍😊

Great video. Something to add for people running brushed motors. There is not much cooling with the motor being well covered and even the standard 540 will get quite hot. Hence a lot of people drill holes in the plastic shroud surrounding the motor to keep temps down.

dont have a dt 03 but i gotta tell ya i bought the holiday buggy kit just for fun because it was cheap....i was impressed by the dt02 chassis.

Good points Mark, I like both chassis, The front pin spikes are cool!

Thanks for sharing your great comparison video👍🦘🇦🇺

Hey there Mark! I totally dnjoyed this video, especially the snippets of video of those cars blasting around kicking dirt! I think this is the most comprehensive video I’ve seen on these to cars! Well done!!!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Quick question though! Are there alternative body options that will fit on the DT02, or is it just primarily the “Holiday style buggy “ and the one you show here in this video? Take care my friend and have a blissful weekend!👌🏼😃✌🏻

Excellent review mark . It’s tough to call between them . Thanks mate 😊👍

Very informative 👌

Great comparison and I agree both are terrific buggies and are a ton of fun for the money. I have enjoyed both of mine and they run great on the track. I do agree the front tires on the DT02 are not super but they are usable!

Great info dude very interesting 🤩🤩👍🏅

As someone who loves the look of the Astute, I was super excited when the Desert Gator came out. A few guys even built them with Astute livery and even Astute wheels. I have an Astute sticker set, but need a desert gator first haha

Great video

Very informative 👍🏻

loved this vid please do more chassis reviews im a proud owner off the viper just ordering a neo fighter plus bearings haha

Hello mate. Well that was a very comprehensive guide to these two. I can tell that you put some thought into this and I can't think of anything you missed. Obviously when you said there's no point going crazy with the motor speed I would respectfully disagree 😂 My thoughts on these are that I like the fact that you can get off the shelf shock tower upgrades for the DT-03 but I prefer the handling of the shorter wheelbase DT-02. Just easier to throw around. Good stuff mate and I hope it does well for you which I think it will. I'm going to do a bit of RC over the weekend so looking forward to that. Hope you've got a good one planned. Cheers for now 😁👍

Not had either chassis but prefer to body style of the DT03. If I recall from doing numerous TT02 chassis builds , the grey plastic shocks towers are a reinforced plastic compared to stock black plastic. Also the DT03 front tyres fit Wild one wheels nicely

Great comparison

Great comparison and a very informative video! I love my DT03. Glad I picked it as my first modern rc car whenI got back into the hobby. It has seen quite a lot of action and is still going strong.. now with silly brushless power.😂

I enjoyed this mate, I can recommend the Carson all terrain wheels and tyres, softer with greater grip and do look great, however they wear quite fast iam on my second set on my dt03, I have put in my traxxas 550 12 turn with minor adjustment and it really rips now, I really do like running it and think it's good value for the money and well built, as a tarmac runner the down side if it's wet they spin out on breaking big time, thanks for your upload mate 👍🙏🐱

Hey Mark, great informative video there mate. That's a splendid summary of a platform(s) that I didn't really know anything about. I have never built or driven either, but often hear its praises being sung.... Craig from OAG is another big fan I do believe. Got me intrigued now, to the point I've been on ebay checking them out! Most surprised at how much you get for your money, a great package for a lower end kit. Fellow Green hawks crew Taylor and moo moo have just bought a hornet and grass hopper, and I could do with a buggy to run with them.... There's no way I'm using my TRF top force or Avante driving with those 2 nutters! 🤣 Ive also got a spare TBLM brushless motor knocking about that was useless in some of my other cars, seem to remember being impressed with the performance in that sand viper in some of your previous videos.... maybe worth looking into? Cheers for sharing the knowledge bud, very useful for sure. 👍 👍 👍 P. S Love your aluminium home made hop ups, something I often do on my own runners. Something you don't see so much of these days! 👍

Great video I’ve never owned a holiday buggy love the look Was wondering any holiday buggy upgrade videos pls thanks 😊

I like the front wheels on your DT-02 !

DT03 front shock tower does break, my nephew broke his twice already. Thanks for the thorough comparison 👍

Nice comparison. I watched you DT02 video you did a while back where you showed the front shock brace. Thought it was a great idea but I never got round to making one. Had loads of crashed and jumped it loads and It has never broke (yet) but I probably just jinxed myself 😂 Never owned a DT-03 as I preferred the chassis layout of the DT-02 and a beetle shell fits it nicely. Those pins though, I totally agree, a cheap part that you need to keep an eye on. As you say, surface rust can occur easily. 👍🏻

Very comprehensive overview, Mark! Brilliant. I had planned to do one myself, for years. I agree with all the points, although the performance difference kind of escapes me. I know the DT-03, in theory, should have some advantages (balance, wheel base) but ... Hmm, maybe the difference is better felt when driving them at the same time. Well, remember the Neo Fighter Buggy comes with the wide formula 1 front tires too. It's only the Racing Fighter that has the "correct front tires". Some DT-02's also have them. But yeah, if I should choose between a Neo and Racing fighter kit, I would choose the Racing Fighter - due to the front tires. Well, enough said. Brilliant video, Mark.

Hi there Mark, a great comparison. (Although I think you mean 25mm, rather than cm) longer. Slight slip of the tongue. 😊😊😊. Great explanation of the tyres, camber, suspension options. I love the modifications to the DT02, especially that aluminium plate mods. Those screw pins are terrible. I’ve been entertaining myself with a DT-03 Neo Fighter that I pickup last year from Amazon for £76! Think I might get some road wheels and tyres though, as I wouldn’t Ming running mine on some streets around home, and those square spikes are not going to last long on tarmac, surfaces. Great details bud. Best wishes to you all 😊😊

I've got the Holiday buggy in the wings waiting to build... So a few upgrades needed. Cheers!

I've got both and love driving them both. I upgraded my Holiday Buggy to CVAs. I've also recently added lead weight to the front of the Neo Fighter to try and counteract the slight understeer. I didn't know the Sand Viper came with additions! Thanks for that Mark. I've also added Torque Tuned to the Holiday buggy, makes it more rail happy. I like driving them, though they're almost too competent, if you catch my drift. Driving my Rising Fighter (with CVAs and anti-gay mod) is more satisfying, bizarrely!!!! I am just a park basher, though. Life is competitive enough lol!

Another great video Mark.. i do you think you mean 25mm not cm.. :) also the Sand Viper DT-02 is a far superior kits. the included upgrade parts. Better motor, Bearings, CVA shocks, metal drive. TBLE-04S ESC line and adjustable top arms.

Awesome video on the two DT kits Mark!!!! Apples & Oranges. I never built an 03, maybe someday. Jen's Sand Viper is a bit of a handful to drive with the stock motor I put in it running on 2S with stock tires, but it was fun!!! I never looked hard for replacement tires for it, I did find front tires but they don't really fit (the tires I got are 2.2 inch). ATB my friend!!!!!

Never broke a DT02 front shock tower on the where the shock mounts ,I’ve broke a couple where that pin goes through to hold the bottom arm on though.😅I’ve narrowed mine now to the old holiday buggy width and run a rough rider body on it .with sand scorcher wheels and tyres on it so it looks like the old srb chassis cars .my others the same but with a sandrover body shell .just got to finish my Xmas pressie off me lad ,a sand scorcher..wanted one for years but couldn’t afford one …love rear wheel drive stuff more than 4wd ,that’s why I love my old classic cars all British and all rwd ….

Nice one Mark an entertaining comparison! Both are excellent and proven so l am calling it a draw! 😉👍 Useful mod also mate👍

I have the DT03 Neo Fighter and as you say for the money they are excellent fun. The DT02 Sand Viper is sitting patiently on the build pile ... Personally I love the look of the Sand Viper over either of the DT03s..

A completely overlooked upgrade for the dt03. ITEM# 54816 RC DT03 REINFORCED M PARTS It’s only 5 dollars US

i've been wondering how to get my DT02 GR super fighter back into action after giving up replacing the front shock towers, and i think I will have to try this aluminum support trick! thanks for showing this off :)

Hi Mark. Change the suspension hinge pins for tamiya Tl01 stainless pivot pins and use 3mm washers to shim as required

I think the DT-03 is better right out the box ..Stronger but I like the DT-02 more standard type tub chassis

Holiday Buggy wise I've been coming up with a project of sorts where i would be looking to replace the original wheels and tyres to something else.. after looking i was thinking the wheels and tyres from the comical grasshopper/hornet/frog would look closer to a dune buggy style.. I've also spotted a hex adaptor that has a bearing inside it on ebay.. just not 100% on the offsets of the rims to fit on the front and rear of the car.. .. debating as to just buying one of each and then trying it and if it works buy that bearing hex adaptor..

Great Video! Do you think the Dt02 Chassis can fit (replace) a dt03? They sell an aftermarket aluminum chassis for Dt02 and since both platforms (dt02-dt03) share many parts I was thinking If I could swap the dt03 with the Dt02 aluminum chassis?

i used your suspension pin upgrade and keep plenty on hand. Or I heat up the original pins with a lighter and I melt the plastic as I screw the pins in and they seat nicely and will not crack the plastic in `15yrs when we revisit these buggies to sell

😎👍

Mark what other Tamiya offroad spiked rear tyres fit the DT-03 stock wheels?

1 second in and I will say DT02 ALL DAY!

A drop of CA glue on the screw pin threads keeps them from backing out

Had both, the dt02 is far lighter than dt03 and it is far wilder, on the other hand the weight distribution and the longer chassis makes the dt02 a little slower but fare easier for me to handle, even on full throttle the dt03 still hold and goes straight where the dt02 often burnouts or goes offtrack. Steering is absolutely decent on dt03, not top noch but decent, on the dt02 not so easy to set and i had ofter problems, especially after bashing...

Great video👍 could you tell me what esc you used with the tblm motor thanks

Marc, what chassis does the wild one have? DT# thank you 😊

Can the stock esc handle lipo?

How do they compare with the tt02b