TONGDE TANKS

**Rubicon99** · Sep 13, 2024, 06:51 PM

Originally posted by dai phan

Hi all

Just ordered the TD M60A3 Professional version. Dai

No doubt you will absolutely hate it. The base tank is just too elementary for your discerning taste.

But if you use some of your 47 years of modeling experience and are willing to add a few aftermarket detailing parts, like those sold by RichJonson or DKLM you might just end up loving it.

**dai phan** · Sep 13, 2024, 06:57 PM

Originally posted by Rubicon99

No doubt you will absolutely hate it. The base tank is just too elementary for your discerning taste.

But if you use some of your 47 years of modeling experience and are willing to add a few aftermarket detailing parts, like those sold by RichJonson or DKLM you might just end up loving it.

Can you give me a link to his site? Thanks Dai

**Rubicon99** · Sep 13, 2024, 07:49 PM

Originally posted by dai phan

Can you give me a link to his site? Thanks Dai

You can contact him through this forum. He is very active here. His user name in RichJohnson. Send him a PM and he can get you squared away with great detail parts. He is very well respected in the RC tank world and many of us have purchased from him.

Or you can search: RichJohnson Models N Stuff, his site should pop right up. Not everything he offers in on his website.

DKLMRC.com is another great source for M60 detailing parts.

**dai phan** · Sep 13, 2024, 07:50 PM

Originally posted by Rubicon99

No doubt you will absolutely hate it. The base tank is just too elementary for your discerning taste.

But if you use some of your 47 years of modeling experience and are willing to add a few aftermarket detailing parts, like those sold by RichJonson or DKLM you might just end up loving it.

I saw some of your paint jobs and modelling modification skills. Quite impressive to say the very least! Dai

**tank_me** · Sep 14, 2024, 03:24 AM

Originally posted by dai phan

I saw some of your paint jobs and modelling modification skills. Quite impressive to say the very least! Dai

It is amazing what some detail parts and a paint job can do for a TongDE M60. I initially passed on buying one because it was toyish, but then I built this after seeing all the nice TongDE builds:

**RichJohnson** · Sep 14, 2024, 09:01 AM

Nice desert Merdec. Not enough of these cammo jobs out there.

Thats is DKLM A2 starship turret. He and I are the only ones making after market stuff for the m60. His are turret kits and my stuff is all detail parts.
link to my site is below.

**dai phan** · Sep 14, 2024, 01:06 PM

The Israel is too cool so I just ordered it too. Dai

Attached Files

**dai phan** · Sep 15, 2024, 06:15 AM

Hi,

Does anyone know if the Admiral 2 cell 7000 mAh Li-ion will fit into the hatch of these 2 tanks (M60 and M60 ERA) ? Dai

**keilau** · Sep 15, 2024, 08:10 AM

Originally posted by dai phan

Hi,
Does anyone know if the Admiral 2 cell 7000 mAh Li-ion will fit into the hatch of these 2 tanks (M60 and M60 ERA) ? Dai

The Admiral 7000 mAh Lithium Ion pack is a 4-cell, 2S2P battery. There is no chance in the hatch, but the lower chassis has plenty of room for it. I use DIY 2S26650 LiIon pack on my TD M60A1.

**Rubicon99** · Sep 15, 2024, 08:29 AM

Originally posted by dai phan

Hi,

Does anyone know if the Admiral 2 cell 7000 mAh Li-ion will fit into the hatch of these 2 tanks (M60 and M60 ERA) ? Dai

The space inside the hull can easily accommodate a 7000 battery.

There is no bottom battery hatch / access point on the M60 like you find on the typical HL tank because of the full width torsion bar set up. The battery is only accessible by completely removing the top hull of the tank. This is common to how the most of the Tamiya tank are.

There are no easy fast work arounds for quick removal of the battery at this time so best to plan on leaving the battery inside the tank for both charging and storage.

**dai phan** · Sep 15, 2024, 01:10 PM

Originally posted by Rubicon99

The space inside the hull can easily accommodate a 7000 battery.

There is no bottom battery hatch / access point on the M60 like you find on the typical HL tank because of the full width torsion bar set up. The battery is only accessible by completely removing the top hull of the tank. This is common to how the most of the Tamiya tank are.

There are no easy fast work arounds for quick removal of the battery at this time so best to plan on leaving the battery inside the tank for both charging and storage.

How does the stock battery perform? Adequate run time? Dai

**Rubicon99** · Sep 15, 2024, 01:31 PM

Originally posted by dai phan

How does the stock battery perform? Adequate run time? Dai

Nope! The stock battery matched with the heavy metal tracks drains quickly IMO. What is quickly?, ~15 minutes depending on terrain type. I use at least 5000 mah NIMH batteries in my M60s. Older style of battery but safer to charge and store in tanks. I routinely see 35-45 minutes of run time from my 5000+ mah batteries when running the metal tracks.

You can get a longer run time ~25 minutes from the stock battery by switching over to the plastic TD tracks. The plastic tracks are equal in strength to the major of Tamiya tracks which are far superior to HL plastic track. RichJohnson stocks the plastic tracks on his website.

**keilau** · Sep 15, 2024, 02:19 PM

Originally posted by dai phan

How does the stock battery perform? Adequate run time? Dai

Stock Tongde and Heng Long Li-Ion battery use similar, very low quality 18650 cells in 2S configuration. They typically measure 900-1100 mAh which can provide 20-30 minutes of continuous run time. The Admiral 2S2P 7000mAh LiIon battery you mentioned earlier is very good. It uses high quality LiIon 18650 cells from Taiwan that have built-in protection circuit and true to its capacity rating. Many of these battery topic were discussed recently. You can easily find them doing a search.

**dai phan** · Sep 17, 2024, 05:53 AM

Originally posted by Rubicon99

Nope! The stock battery matched with the heavy metal tracks drains quickly IMO. What is quickly?, ~15 minutes depending on terrain type. I use at least 5000 mah NIMH batteries in my M60s. Older style of battery but safer to charge and store in tanks. I routinely see 35-45 minutes of run time from my 5000+ mah batteries when running the metal tracks.

You can get a longer run time ~25 minutes from the stock battery by switching over to the plastic TD tracks. The plastic tracks are equal in strength to the major of Tamiya tracks which are far superior to HL plastic track. RichJohnson stocks the plastic tracks on his website.

So if I buy the 7000 mAh I can easily place it in the hull of the A60 and I still can charge from outside? The charger that comes with the tank has Tamiya connector right? Dai

**dai phan** · Sep 17, 2024, 06:23 AM

Greetings,

I watched YT video post by Rich Johnson and he brought up some flaws with the M60 and how to address them. I will need to order the plastic track as the metal is too heavy for use. He also mentioned about the attachment points that tend to break and will need to be reinforced. However those parts are back order at this time. That means when I get the tanks, I must be very careful until these are addressed. I will run gently on carpet only. I hope Tongde will note of the metal track issue and offer the version with metal gears, wheels but with plastic tracks. Dai

**keilau** · Sep 17, 2024, 08:14 AM

Originally posted by dai phan

Greetings,

I watched YT video post by Rich Johnson and he brought up some flaws with the M60 and how to address them. I will need to order the plastic track as the metal is too heavy for use. He also mentioned about the attachment points that tend to break and will need to be reinforced. However those parts are back order at this time. That means when I get the tanks, I must be very careful until these are addressed. I will run gently on carpet only. I hope Tongde will note of the metal track issue and offer the version with metal gears, wheels but with plastic tracks. Dai

The Tongde metal tracks are the best all round performer for the TD M60 and the only one that can run well on grass lawn. It is heavy but NOT TOO heavy. You just need to pair it with the correct gearbox and drive motor. @Robincon99 had detail description of it in his M60 review.

Full Metal PDSGB Gearbox for 1/16 RC tanks

https://www.dklmrc.com/product/dk-fmpdsgb

# Existing stock all sold, we are making the new batch now and targeting back in stock in Nov. You are welcome to place a preorder for reservation. # # NEW # in full metal! No more plastic housing versions! # Same design as the plastic version but now in full metal CNC housing! The plastic housing version has been stopped production due to tooling issues. The newPropulsion dynamics steel gearbox (we called: PDSGB) is Now available for your RC tanks! come with powerful torque and desired speed for your RC tanks! Dimension : Approx W=95, L=110, H=45 (mm), not count the shaft length. Features; 1. Straight running - as moving forward and backward are driving from 1 motor, both sides of the output shaft are rotated synchronously, there will be no speed difference and it will keep the tank running straight, and will not cause by the resistance of different gearbox, and track then made the tank cannot run straight in traditional dual mixing gearbox system. 2. Good steering linearity, it wi...

If you are mechanically handy, you can also do what I did at 1/3 of the cost pairing the 390 motor with the TD metal gearbox.

Optimize the Tongde M60A1 to run on grass lawn with 390 motor and metal tracks - Hobby Squawk RC Forum for Airplanes, Boats, Cars, Helicopters, Tanks, and Trucks

https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc-cars-tanks-trucks-and-more/rc-tanks/410297-optimize-the-tongde-m60a1-to-run-on-grass-lawn-with-390-motor-and-metal-tracks

My left hand neighbor and I both have 1/3 arca lots. The builder made our open space adjacent to each other creating a good space for tank running. The lawn has fairly uneven terrain. The lawn is well manicured and kept to 2" high. The lawn is too slippery for tank battle or sharp turning of the tank, but ideal for buggy

**keilau** · Sep 17, 2024, 08:19 AM

Your actual upgrade cost is only $15 for the 390 motor since you already have the TD metal gearbox. Toucan Hobby direct website has the lowest price for the pair of 390.

**dai phan** · Sep 17, 2024, 09:40 AM

Originally posted by keilau

Your actual upgrade cost is only $15 for the 390 motor since you already have the TD metal gearbox. Toucan Hobby direct website has the lowest price for the pair of 390.

So just keep the metal and buy a pair of RED motors? And the Admiral 7000 mAh will fit inside the hull? This apply to BOTH the M60A3 and M60 ERA Israel? Dai

US Stock 1/16 Henglong Red Motors Spare Part DIY for Metal Driving Gea

https://www.toucanhobby.com/products/th16464-dzn1?_pos=2&_psq=henglong+red&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Henglong 1/16 Red Motors for Metal Driving Gearbox 6.0 Tank DIY Spare Parts The package includes: 1pair motor

**keilau** · Sep 17, 2024, 09:44 AM

Originally posted by dai phan

So just keep the metal and buy a pair of RED motors? And the Admiral 7000 mAh will fit inside the hull? Dai

Yes and yes. I PM you @Robicon99 comment on that.

However, if your pocket allows and you want the ultimate in performance, the PDSGB gearbox from DKLMRC is the way to go.

**Rubicon99** · Sep 17, 2024, 10:02 AM

Originally posted by dai phan

So if I buy the 7000 mAh I can easily place it in the hull of the A60 and I still can charge from outside? The charger that comes with the tank has Tamiya connector right? Dai

The charger provided with the TD is completely inadequate to charge a 7000 mah battery. If you don't already have a quality aftermarket charger it would be money well spent to acquire one. Also expect to have to change batteries and charging leads to ones you prefer to use.

Will the battery fit? It should but you might need to move a few internal items around to make room as they are spread widely throughout the hull.

TONGDE TANKS

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