MIP Super Ball Diff for Tamiya Blackfoot and Monster Beetle

Here it is!  The MIP Super Ball Diff (#16210) for the Tamiya Blackfoot (58633) and Monster Beetle (58618).  Here are the pictures of the final product as I received it yesterday.

48 tooth diff gear

Two kinds of grease: clear silicone and MIP

I have not built one of these diffs to try yet, mostly because I do not have a Blackfoot or Monster Beetle to put it in.  My plan is to use them in the Frog and Subaru Brat by switching the internal gears to Blackfoot ones and using the Frog universal joints as I mentioned in the compatibility section of a previous post.

Since the overall design is based on MIP's tried and true ball diff layout used in their other products, the strength and durability of these diffs is not in question.  Over on TamiyaClub, initial testing results from one member indicate that it is indeed tough and has none of the problems found in the stock gear diff (clicking, grinding) even from a backward rolling start at full throttle.  With the MIP ball diff there is no longer a need to have bracing on the outside of the gearbox side plates or a bolt going through the gearbox to try to stop the plates from bending outward under high acceleration.

These diffs are available now by going to this link: http://www.miponline.com/store/miptamiyainfo.html
MSRP is US $60+ shipping.  Not exactly cheap (it's made in the USA), but certainly less than a vintage Thorp diff from eBay.

Note: I am not affiliated with MIP in any way.  I'm just happy that they made this product.

Update: MIP Ball Diff for Tamiya ORV Chassis Pre-Order Campaign is a Success!

According to the latest email newsletter from MIP, the Tamiya ORV chassis ball differential pre-order campaign has met the minimum quantity needed for production to start! 

Congratulations to all that pre-ordered to make this happen!

Production of the differentials will begin almost immediately according to Alberto (Pintopower on Tamiyclub) who contacted MIP directly and received a reply that manufacturing will start on Dec 2, 2016 at 8am.  The first shipments of the new diffs are expected some time in January, 2017.

If you are reading this post before Dec 5, 2016, there is still time to pre-order now and save 10% off the $60 retail price.  See details below.

While nothing specific has been said about retail production for these diffs, I think it is reasonable to assume that MIP will manufacturer a certain quantity of units that will reach the normal retail and distributor outlets and see how they sell.  

If you missed out on the pre-order campaign and want to purchase one of these differentials, keep an eye out for them at your MIP dealer starting in early 2017.  Also, be sure to ask for them so your dealer knows there is a demand. Part #16210 MIP Super Ball Diff.

When I first saw the MIP newsletter email, my eyes immediately focused on the chart showing only 82.4% sold with 4 days left before the end of the campaign (Dec 5, 2016).  Some quick math told me that there were still 44 units left to reach the minimum pre-order quantity of 250.  I was disappointed.  There was no way 44 units would be sold in 4 days.

But, a sharp-eyed reader on TamiyaClub (thanks, Dangerseeker!) noticed that there was this sentence hiding in the text above the chart: "MIP goal has been reached, so production has now started."   I totally overlooked that sentence, and so did others.

So, while the goal was to have 250 units pre-ordered, the actual minimum "go" quantity must have been 200 (just guessing here).  (250 x 82.4% = 206)

Here is the email:

WEB ONLY
NEW DISCOUNTED PRE-PURCHASE CAMPAIGN

#16210 MIP Super Ball Diff,

(click image to purchase)

 

MIP is honored to offer the Tamiya Vintage Community our

MIP Super Ball Diff for the Tamiya Blackfoot, Monster Beetle,
Subaru Brat, Lancia Rally  and Frog series of cars. 

MIP goal has been reached, so production has now started .
Buy now thru 12/5/16 and save $6

This is your last week to save 10% off the MIP Super Diff 

Only 5 more days to SAVE 10% off
of MIP Super Ball Diff
Ends Monday 12/5/16 at midnight 

Blackfoot
Monster Beetle
Brat 
 Frog 
(re-release kits)
MSRP: $60.00

---

LAST WEEK TO SAVE 10%

(NO FREE SHIPPING THIS WEEK)

WITH CODE - "late10" FROM 11/29/16 TO 12/5/16

   

---

(click image to purchase)

Disclaimer:  I am not affiliated with MIP or Tamiya or TamiyaUSA in any way.  All logos are copyrighted and/or trademarked by their respective owners.

Moore's Ideal Products Tamiya ORV Ball Differential Pre-Order Announcement

Moore's Ideal Products, commonly known as MIP to most RCer's, is testing the waters of vintage upgrades with the announcement of a special pre-order for a ball differential for the Tamiya ORV chassis.

Unfortunately I missed the original announcement of this product on November 14th, 2016 so I missed out on the deepest pre-order discount, however there are still a couple days left (as of Nov 26, 2016) to save 20% and get free shipping in continental US.  Details are below.

What is the Tamiya ORV chassis and why would you care?  Rather than repeat everything that has been said before, I'll post some of what Alberto (Pintopower on TamiyaClub) posted on the TamiyaClub forum and add some of my own comments.

Original TamiyaClub forum link from Pintopower: http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?/topic/81019-mip-super-ball-diff-for-tamiya-orv-cars-now-on-sale/&page=1

MIP Part Page (where you will add to cart)
http://www.miponline.com/store/mip16210.html

MIP Pre-sales Page (where you will find the promo codes)
http://www.miponline.com/store/miptamiyainfo.html

The following video from AMPRO Engineering (also from Alberto/Pintopower) explains everything:

Here is some information from Alberto:
This is how it is going to work. The pre-sale will go on for 3 weeks [starting Nov 15th, 2016]. In those 3 weeks, a minimum order quantity of 250 must be reached. You will place your order with MIP and your credit card will be charged. When that happens, the diff goes on to full on production as soon as they reach their goal. It will be manufactured in house and then mailed from their facility in Covina, California to you directly. Shipping is estimated to start early January 2017. Once this milestone has been hit, MIP has many more upgrades planned for Tamiya cars. This diff is just the start.

If we do not hit 250 in 3 weeks, the project is cancelled. Your credit cards will be completely refunded and there will continue to be nothing for the ORV.

I [Alberto/Pintopower] have been working with them for years to try and convince them of the market for these vintage cars. You may recall my early post about this and sadly, a number of “patches” for the ORV as well as early production cost estimates made the project lose steam. With the advent of the 2016 BF and many, many nagging meetings with them, they decided to create the single greatest needed part for any RC car ever.

Compatibility Information 

Find your ORV chassis below to see what required parts are needed to use this new MIP differential.

Subaru Brat: 58038 (original) & 58384 (rere)

• Requires Tamiya 53908 RC Frog 2005 Assem Univ. Shaft.
• Requires Tamiya 9335026 RC Diff Spur & C. Gear: 58060 - X9954.
• Requires 16 tooth pinion.

Lancia Rally: 58040 (original)

• Requires Tamiya 53908 RC Frog 2005 Assem Univ. Shaft.
• Requires Tamiya 9335026 RC Diff Spur & C. Gear: 58060 - X9954.
• Requires 16 tooth pinion.

Frog: 58041 (original) & 58354 (rere)

• Requires Tamiya 53908 RC Frog 2005 Assem Univ. Shaft.
• Requires Tamiya 9335026 RC Diff Spur & C. Gear: 58060 - X9954.
• Requires 16 tooth pinion.

 Blackfoot: 58058 (original)

• Requires Tamiya 53908 RC Frog 2005 Assem Univ. Shaft.

Monster Beetle: 58060 (original)

• Requires Tamiya 53908 RC Frog 2005 Assem Univ. Shaft.

Mudblaster: 58077 (original)

• Requires Tamiya 53908 RC Frog 2005 Assem Univ. Shaft.

Monster Beetle: 58618 (rere)

• Direct drop-in.  No additional parts required.

Blackfoot: 58633 (rere)

• Direct drop-in.  No additional parts required.

Pricing:

Week one: $42 + Free Shipping in Continental USA, Flat Rate worldwide with Code “oldskool30”.  This discount has now expired.
Week two: $48 + Free Shipping in Continental USA, Flat Rate worldwide with Code “vintage20”.  Continental US buyers can enter Code "orvshipping" to get free shipping.
Week three: $54 + Shipping in Continental USA, Flat Rate worldwide with Code “late10”

If this pre-order succeeds with over 250 orders, then the normal production retail price will be $60 + shipping.

Remember to type in promo codes before you check out to get the discounts.
Continental USA gets free shipping for weeks 1 and 2 (Enter Code "orvshipping" after entering Code "vintage20").  Continental US shipping is not free for week 3.
Global shipping is flat rate so if you order more than one, it is the same cost.

Some more information from Alberto:
You might be asking who is this “MIP”?. Moores Innovative Products was founded in 1978 and is no stranger to upgraded Tamiya parts. Anyone remember the 4WD SRB? That was them. They were around through the golden age of RC, survived the late 90’s and is one of the last companies that designs, engineers, tests, manufactures and ships from their facility in Southern California. They make upgraded and OEM parts for buggies as large as 1/5th for many of the manufacturer of high end RC cars today. In summary, they make the best stuff you can get and it is all made in the USA.

As you can imagine, I am very excited about this and I hope you are as well. I really need your help getting the word out so that we can make this an unmitigated success. I will post links to the info page as well as the presales page as soon as they are finished. I also requested some updated model pictures from them and will post soon. Please let me know if you have any questions and I know we will hit our minimum goal.

I don’t know about you but I have been wanting a solution to this diff since I put my monster beetle away in 1996 with a ruined gearbox. 

Just so you know, I do not work for them, I have simply been working to have them better understand the vintage RC car owners better and create a solution that would benefit the most people while giving them the best options for the driveline on the ORV. Remember, this is just the beginning. I know what is next, and it is awesome.

Alberto 

Many thanks to Alberto for pursuing this project with MIP and dogging them into offering this pre-order. I am hopeful that it will be successful and lead to many more hop-ups for both vintage and re-re Tamiya vehicles.