Tamiya and other R/C vehicles (not just for Christmas)

Some verrrryy nice models up the thread, thanks for the entertainment. Especially the Delta, looks awesome.

I’ve just ordered myself a Tamiya Unimog 425, really looking forward to getting stuck in over the Xmas hols. My last Tamiya was a second hand dune buggy when I was in my teens.

I ordered it based on the fact that it’s a Unimog (and I had a ride in one back in ’88 that was memorable) – but didn’t really understand what ‘crawler’ means. Does that mean that it’s slower than a slow thing? Or will it still do jumps??

Crawlers are generally low speed vehicles designed for challenging (scale) off road conditions. Will have things like locked diffs, good ground clearance and good articulation

Generally will only max out at around 10mph, maybe less. But will have good slow speed control and will climb very steep terrain (or get up tricky obstacles)

I have a 1/10 buggy and a 1/10 crawler. Latter is easier to use in the garden and sometimes more fun. Good for the kids too because it’s much slower

First outing with my crawler at the weekend. Very different experience from the buggy but in a good way. Down on the beach tackling big rock features the buggy would just bounce off the bottom of. Got up some amazing things. Not fast on the flat but I’ve a brushless buggy for that.

Ah, so no jumps. Boo. But still, Unimog. So on balance, yay!

I’m really looking forward to the build. Missed out on the Lego Unimog a couple of years ago and at least this one moves.

I don’t mean to hijack but any suggestions for an Rc car for a 3 year old?! He’s big into farm stuff but a lot of the RC tractors are all AA battery powered which puts be off. Considering he’s 3 maybe something cheap is better but would prefer something that might last

I finished the XV-01 Lancia last week and here it is:

It’s got the silver can and I tried it with a 7.2NiMH first. It was way too slow as in I struggle to slide it. Put in a 3S Lipo and I think it is quick enough for now. At least I think the suspension, diff etc needs setting up before it can handle any more power.

The handling is in a different league compared to anything I had before. It behaves like an actual 4WD car, as in if you just turn in, it will understeer quite badly but the back end comes out in quite a controlled way when you flick it. Exactly what you need for rally driving. I’m quite looking forward to taking it out properly.

I’ve just ordered myself a Tamiya Unimog 425, really looking forward to getting stuck in over the Xmas hols. My last Tamiya was a second hand dune buggy when I was in my teens.

That’s what I have, I think the stock silver can motor is too quick for it. Even with a slower motor, it’s still too easy to roll. Recommended upgrade would be full bearing (increase run time) and the metal steering linkage as the stock is so sloppy that it’s difficult to drive it in a straight line. It’s not really a crawler, more a rough trail chassis. Would also recommend locking the rear diff (comes with a locking block that you can put in) and putting some diff putty into the front diff to improve off road performance.

Excellent job on the XV-01! It will handle fine on a gravel or dusty surface with the standard motor, tarmac needs a lot more power to get it loose. Or get it out on some damp tarmac, drift city.

Just waiting on a can of paint to arrive before I do the second shell for my TT-02 Lancia, this one’s going to be a fast road one with just basic stickers. Two cars for the price of one then.

Been a nerdy gimp and done the tyre lettering in white now;

Excellent job on the XV-01! It will handle fine on a gravel or dusty surface with the standard motor, tarmac needs a lot more power to get it loose. Or get it out on some damp tarmac, drift city.

3s on silver can is enough to get it loose on dry Tarmac. I think I have the drive belt a bit loose as I can hear it slipping when I’m holding a drift so will need to give it a bit more tension. Not a good idea to drift on dry Tarmac though as the tyres will wear out in no time.

Also thinking about a new shell, really want the 99 Impreza she’ll but don’t think it’s available anymore. So might have to go Audi Quattro.

Never have just the 1 shell my cars.

Love the tyre lettering looks great. When I was a lad (very long time ago!) I used to sit and paint in the tyre brand on my old Escort tyres every Saturday with a little pot of white enamel paint 🙂

Took the Lancia for a spin round the local Asda carpark this evening. Properly good fun on the shiny tarmac with the semi-slick tyres on. Have also fitted a larger pinion gear (21t instead of 19t) and it properly rips along now! Also running it on 2s now instead of the standard NiMH batteries so it’s got a ridiculous amount of punch.

Thought I was going to get told off when two members of staff wandered along but no, they just wanted to talk about RC cars and planes!

Did have a little crash though when the battery voltage cut-off cut in halfway through a very fast drift, sent it into a kerb and did some damage…

Nothing a bit of glue and drywall tape won’t fix. Good job I have a spare shell to paint up and fit, this one can become the basher shell!

Not a good idea to drift on dry Tarmac though as the tyres will wear out in no time.

The standard cross tread tyres will, been through one set on mine already! Get some second wheels and fit some semi-slicks, they last ages.

love that Lancia, this thread inspired me to get another RC car. Got an FTX Outlaw brushed buggy this week. Got a spare battery and better charger aswell and happy with it so far. I’ll swap the motor to brushless later in the year. But happy with it for now. 

Great Lancias. Still very tempted. Watching a XV01T truck kit on eBay that ends tonight.

Finished my GS02 BOM crawler a couple of weeks ago. Only managed a couple of bashes do far but great fun. Had to rewire the led lights after the first run though as one of the wires got caught in the steering system. My own fault as I’d the wiring loose-ish incase I need to dismantle anything to fettle the drivetrain.

Ooof… That battle damage would make me weep!

Was tempted by the Lancia myself, but the thought of trashing it was too much.

I think shed time with RC’s and bikes is keeping me sane at the moment. Apart from riding of course.
Just modified an FTX mauler. Changed it to a Blackfoot body, shortened chassis. Stuck 3s lipo,55t motor and changed gearing. It now drives so much better. Feel like a kid building big features in the garden for it.
I think tamiya rally next and a rally course. It’s a powerful nerd addiction from my youth that has come back with added mindfulness and craft Ale.

A new shell is only £25 plus it’s an RC car, it’s meant to be used! Plus it means I get to do another shell 🙂

It’s the same as seeing a mountain bike that’s never been used, seems a waste. Much happier seeing a used one full of memories.

All repaired and ready to roll again:

Used super glue as a spot weld to hold the shell in place then reinforced it with drywall tape and E6000 glue (similar to Shoogoo but cheaper).

Have also reinforced the other bits of the shell too so it should take a lot of abuse now!

Advice, please!

The Boy has killed his Funtek MT4, and with Christmas fast approaching, thought I’d buy him* something new.

This looks pretty good, but is there anything else to look at? Similar, or slightly lower, budget. Weather/water proof, off road, tough, spares available, etc.

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/ftx-carnage-1-10-4wd-brushless-truggy-rtr-waterproof/rc-car-products/40397

*Yes. Only for him. I certainly won’t be having a go. Nope. Not at all. 😀

Plea for (small amount) of help!

Crawlers for an eight year old… we have birthday and Christmas approaching… any pointers from any in-the-know here?

I’ve got an FTX Bugsta which is essentially the same chassis and drivetrain, it’s proving relatively fragile. It also isn’t the best handling thing in the world. I’ve had issues with it chewing spur gears, the suspension mounts are pretty weak and the latest issue is the steering servo is getting very weak.

For that price I’d possibly look into the Absima AT3 or the Maverick Strada range.

For that price I’d possibly look into the Absima AT3 or the Maverick Strada range.

Thanks, will have a look.

Ah @mrmonkfinger we are in exactly the same situation so any help appreciated, and will start at looking at the Absima AT3 or the Maverick Strada range, thanks

My nephew had a Maverick rc truggy thing. I was pretty impressed with it.
He managed to break off the bumper in a high speed crash (which also broke the fixing holes on the chassis) but spares were readily available & reasonably priced.
I think the manual had a full spares list in the back with order numbers.

Well, bought a Impreza shell on back order thinking it will take months to arrive for the XV01. Turned up in 2 days.

Time to get busy again.

looking for recommendations

So both kids have decided they want an RC car for Christmas (thanks to Seths bikes hacks). I don’t know much other than trying to fix a guys at works nitro car a few years ago and a quick carpark play once it got going again. Will be mostly used on the local grass field (and quite probably the local state park as well). Their current demand is a Traxxas Rustler 4×4 as I told them I’m not buying them a Maxx.

Requirements.

must be electric
solidly built
easy to repair
Truggy / Baja truck design

Budget is around £350ish

I’d look at whatever Traxxas and Arrma offer in your budget and pick from that, those seem to be the toughest (which you’re going to need with the combination of kids + skate park!). I believe Traaxas parts are cheaper so that would probably tip me towards them.

Personally I’d avoid FTX stuff. It’s good stuff but not very robust, so if kids are going to drive it they’re not going to last. My mate is on his third or fourth bugsta now

I have an Axial SCX10ii, cracking bit of kit. Would definitely recommend getting the SCX24 for kids, well priced and definitely more than a toy. It’s quite small, but that just means you can make indoor courses for it!

Associated Rival MT10 – in budget including charger and battery from Modelsport. Brilliant fun!

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/search/rc-car-products/44604

A Tamiya Mad Bull and a couple of big batteries. Ours is an absolute hoot!

Link for the Rival MT10 sorted https://www.modelsport.co.uk/rc-electric-models/rc-car-categories/9900/990010&ManufacturerID=2&ChassisID=2032

SCX24 is an ace wee thing as is my scx10-2 but not really suitable for blackec’s job.

But ultimately, everything that you take to a skate park ends up broken. Except my Deadbolt, but that’s because it’s a) almost all metal and generally incredibly tough and b) too slow to really hurt itself.

Thanks for the recommendations. Talked to a guy at work whose son did the same a few years ago.

He said his son played with it for about a month then it went in the cupboard. He is going to loan me his to see if my kids interest lasts more than a week.

The loan car won’t be going on the skate park.

benp1
Full Member

Personally I’d avoid FTX stuff. It’s good stuff but not very robust, so if kids are going to drive it they’re not going to last.

This is good advice, have plenty of FTX stuff but kids will kill it.

my SCX24 recommendation wasn’t for blackec, it was for the posters above.

£350 budget is a solid amount, loads of good choice for that!

Rival MT10 looks good!

We’ve had a couple of mates races over summer, back garden + beer type events that have been a right laugh. Obviously the weather has gone rubbish and our occasional outside races are not likely to happen over winter. (If the weather’s nice we’ll be out on the mountain bikes instead!)

We’ve seen the little mardave v12 (or kamtec) cars that look ideal for a group buy and indoor races in the local village hall.

They look really simple, really robust and cheap to buy spares for so ideal to be honest.

Does anyone have any experience of them?

My main concerns are racing on hard wooden floors with foam tyres might not be ideal?

Thanks in advance for any wise words of wisdom! Ta

^ I need a couple of them!

Some of the videos of the banger racing look nuts!

They used to be branded as Mardave Mini Stox. I’ve still got one in the workshop somewhere. They are great fun and will be ideal for hard wooden floors in a local hall. We used to put silicone sealant on a board and run the tyres back and forth to give them extra grip on the dusty floor. They are quite difficult to control due to the short wheel base and a great laugh if you upgrade the motor, making them stupid fast.

Thanks diz, that sounds ideal. I was just a bit concerned that if the foam tyres are rubbish on hard floor, then we’d be screwed as it’s our only option for the moment. Looking through RC history on some of the forums it sounds like silicone on the wheels is one option that works, so thanks for confirming that.

I was amazed how simple the kits are and how many bodyshells there are! For only £6-7 each as well. We’ll probably only run stock 27t motors with 4 cell NiMH so they aren’t going to be mega fast, just enough to have a laugh, be sociable (socially distant obvs) and drink some beer while racing.