Eagle Model GF-02: five aluminium options to stiffen the Tamiya chassis

Photo: Eagle Model (source)

Eagle Model keeps dressing up Tamiya‘s GF-02 chassis. The Japanese aluminium option specialist confirms the availability of five machined parts for this 1/10 centre-motor 4WD off-road platform, the one that underpins the Squash Van and Quirkhopper among others. All of them are cut from 60-61 hard aluminium and bolt on to the stock chassis without modification.

Eagle Model GF-02: two braces that free up the shocks

The first two references tackle the GF-02’s main weak point, its plastic shock towers. The front brace #GF-02-03 and the rear brace #GF-02-04 back up the stock part to increase its stiffness, so that the shocks actually do the work instead of absorbing tower flex. Extensive lightening holes keep the weight in check despite the added rigidity. Each of the two braces is listed at ¥1,180 (¥1,298 incl. tax).

A bumper that holds and a battery that stays cool

The bumper mount #GF-02-05 is shared between front and rear. Machined on a precision CNC machine, it firmly holds a bumper that by definition takes the biggest hits, and contributes to overall chassis rigidity along the way. It is priced at ¥2,080 (¥2,288 incl. tax).

The battery heat sink plate #GF-02-08 also works on two fronts: it stiffens the chassis plate while preventing the battery pack from working loose on the move, a classic issue on hobby chassis pushed hard off-road. It sells for ¥2,480 (¥2,728 incl. tax).

A wheel hex that no longer goes missing

The last part in the series, the wheel adapter #GF-02-09, replaces the stock hex with a 9.5 mm aluminium version. Its trick lies in how it is retained: a 2 mm pin combined with a C-clamp hub, so the hex stays attached to the upright when the wheel comes off. No more hexes lost in the grass at trackside. It is offered at ¥1,180 (¥1,298 incl. tax).

All five references are available now from the Eagle Model online shop, which is clearly still expanding its GF-02 range.