A love letter to a CC01

[markbt73 5316]

Back when the XC chassis first came out, I bought and built an Isuzu Mu. It turned out so nice, I never got around to driving it, and sold it as new-built. And I always regretted doing that.

So when Tamiya re-released the Pajero and the Jeep, I jumped at the chance to have another one. I ordered two 49490 Pajero kits from Stellamodels, built one, and immediately fell in love with how it drove.

I seem to have lost a lot of the early photos I had of it, but this one is when it was fairly new:

But it didn't stay that way for long.

So then I needed a new body.

I discovered early on how good these are in the snow.

Then I stole the Jeep body for another project, so I robbed the unbuilt kit of its Pajero body, and painted it.

Don't remember why I wasn't happy with this, but it didn't stay this way for long. I ended up hacking it up and re-painting it in the baby blue it still wears.

Eventually, I built the other kit, bought a new body for it, but ended up selling it not long after. I usually just don't keep more than one example of a chassis around. It did turn out really nice, though.

Still awesome in the snow...

...not to mention the woods.

And so now, with winter here in earnest (I called in from work today because we have an inch of ice covering everything), I find myself turning to the trusty old CC01 for fun in the dark season. Here it is, as it sits right now, re-invigorated with wheels and tires recently removed from a Trailfinder 2 (which has a makeover coming), and an Axial AE-5 waterproof ESC.

Used, abused, stripped down, rebuilt, hacked up, and beat half to death, but still ticking (and I do mean ticking - there's a gear noise that wasn't there before), despite stripped out screws and wobbly suspension components. It has more "miles" on it than any RC vehicle I own, and probably more than any since my original Grasshopper. I keep thinking about just getting a new CC01 to replace it, but I'd probably end up still driving this one. It's just so good.

Going out for a drive, as soon as I find that $#@!! battery retainer. I swear it was right here...

[berman 5315]

Lol awesome thread. They are pretty cool to trundle along the trails with. I got a smirk going when I saw the roof chop on the green one as it reminds me of mine.

Like you, I am thinking of selling it, but I reckon I would just end up buying another one. Should probably just reshell this one.

[markbt73 5316]

Oh, I would never sell it. But I keep thinking about one of the newer cheaper CC01 kits, a Landfreeder or something, just to start fresh, maybe try some new ideas.

[Mad Ax 9329]

Yes, another CC01 lover here. My first came to me many years ago in a deal from TC. I can't remember who I bought it from, but it was also a chopped green Pajero. I was really pleased with it. Well, to start with, anyway.

It turned out to have been very well used. The chassis had been slightly modded for better clearance, it had long shocks with very soft springs, big soft tyres, and home-brew four-links, but most if it was long overdue for a rebuild. On my first run the rear diff chewed itself to pieces.

For a long time it was my "budget bruiser" - I extended the chassis with aluminium L-section and ran a cheap, battered Bruiser body on it. It looked great, probably the best-looking scale car I've ever had. But even with upgraded steering components, it still felt like an old car. It wasn't long before the rear axle died a second time and the whole sorry thing got shelved.

In the meantime, I managed to buy an NIB Tuareg for a great deal, which remained NIB for a long time before I eventually build it. It got made from new with metal steering tube, and was fitted with a new re-re Brat body. It didn't actually get a lot of use - I was never really happy with a Brat on the wrong suspension layout.

About two years ago I tore off the Brat body and began fitting up a new King Blackfoot F150 body that I'd originally intended to go over a custom TLT scaler. At the same time I "cut the brick" and went with custom four-links at the rear. The plan was to make a great-looking scale truck that would also handle light trailing duties. The project stalled when I lost the rear tailgate (I guess it never made it out of my old flat, or got organised into the "trash" pile rather than the "keep" pile) and although I've since found a suitable used tailgate, I've never really picked it up again. I'll try to get it done this year.

Last winter the old Pajero chassis got properly cut up into pieces. The front end was chopped down to just the upper and lower arms, hubs and lower arm mounting point from the tub. This, along with the rear axle (still with its dodgy diff) and the stock links from my Tuareg chassis, made it onto my ongoing '57 Chevy Bel Air project. The rest of it is in the parts bin somewhere.

I also scored an NIB Landfreeder for a good price at a local model expo about 2 years back. The plan was to build it from the ground up as a hardcore crawler, but later that year I got an NIB SCX-10 G6 Edition which has taken over all trail and crawling duties since I built it last winter. The Landfreeder is still on the shelf in the garage waiting for an idea.

So what's my long-term CC01 plans?

I really don't know. Right now I have three CC01s in various states, but none running. The '57 will never run and will certainly never hit the trails, as it's a street rod. The F150 will probably get some light duties but it was built to look scale on 1.55 wheels, with Mickey Thompson tyres small enough to fit in the stock arches. Without some serious smoothing of the underside it will probably get hung up on roots and twigs and for that reason is probably best left on the shelf.

So what of the NIB? I'm trying to thin down my collection, both runners, shelfers and long-term projects as I really don't have time for everything. But I can't see a future without a really good CC01 crawler in it. The real problem for me is the double-wishbone front suspension, which, if we're being totally realistic, is only suitable for a small number of shells. I'd like to build a Blackfoot over a CC01, but shells are expensive. I still have the hacked Pajero, which could look great with the right mods, maybe even cut into a bobber. Mark's bobber pics are truly inspiring me. I've even got a detailed Jeep shell from a special offer last year, although again, not sure the suspension is right for it. Whatever I do, it's unlikely the chassis will be built stock - I'll probably even cut the brick and mount a direct steering servo, something I've not done before. I think it could be a serious piece of trail kit with a custom undertray, rock sliders, and the right shocks and tyres to jack it up out of the debris.

No doubt I'll forget to do a build thread when I finally get around to this

[XV Pilot 1936]

As one who enjoys the build just as much if not more than the drive, I too find myself strongly drawn to the CC-01. There are so many options for them, and approaches to building them - a single kit can literally give years of building and modding fun. Mine arrived as a birthday present from my wife in 2011, and while it has been finished to the point of drivability for years now, the process of modding and customising continues to this day.

So far it has:

GPM alloy upper shock mounts

GPM alloy servo mounts

GPM alloy lower wishbones

GPM alloy front hubs

GPM alloy ballraced steering set

GPM alloy hexes

GPM alloy motor mount

GPM steel universals

RW Racing steel pinion

Junfac steel propshaft

Junfac steel undertray

Junfac steel and alloy 4-link set

Junfac steel and alloy side bars

Junfac alloy front bash plate

Junfac alloy spare wheel mount

Radshape steel bullbar

Rubber-sealed bearings

Fastrax Kong tyres

Fastrax red alloy wheel nuts

Ansmann alloy shocks with Tamiya seals

Futaba waterproof servos (it has a servo winch)

Spektrum waterproof RX

Etronix 60t motor

Proline roof rack

Numerous small scale accessories in said roof rack

Long screw mod to upper gear cover

... and probably a few other bits and mods I have forgotten about.

Here are some pics of it:

They are oldish pics showing my runner shell - these days my Pajero also has a display shell with a larger, more detailed roof rack, roof lighting, scale license plates, etc. I really should take some pictures of it...

[berman 5315]

Oh, I would never sell it.

Sorry I read the original post as you sold two of the three you owned.

I might just stick it to the side and get a new body for mine eventually. This pajero as been to badword and back, the a pillars are toast and I dont feel like stripping the paint again as it has thicker paint than styrene.

I feel like I would be ridding of the family dog because he's too old and been around the block and cost me a bunch at the vets lol. Might as well let the ol begger wade it out haha.

[Mad Ax 9329]

I prefer to make my own mods for the CC01 rather than buy things ready made, but I have to admit XV Pilot's Pajero looks awesome- those tyres fit perfect under the arches and that undertray is spot on. Sure I could knock one of those up in a few hours

[XV Pilot 1936]

I like the idea of making my own mods, but sadly my lack of tools and skill have meant that my past efforts have fallen well short of the desired outcome. These days I acknowledge my limitations, and would rather pay for a professionally-made part than bodge one myself and have it sitting there as an annoying eyesore on an otherwise-tidy model.

That said, one of these days I would very much like to get hold of something old, cheap, broken and not of historical significance, and rebuild it with a post-apocalyptic theme where home-bodged eyesores are part of the plan...

[Mad Ax 9329]

I like the idea of making my own mods, but sadly my lack of tools and skill have meant that my past efforts have fallen well short of the desired outcome.

You don't need a lot in the way of specialist tools - I made my CC01 front skid plate using a hacksaw, a metal file, a sharpie, a hammer and an old desk vice that doubles as an anvil for hammering in the bends (my wife actually has a miniature jewelers anvil but I'm not allowed to use it for heavy things in case I mark it).

I'll admit that I did use a drill press to drill the holes, but could have been done with any drill (power or hand), and besides, my drill press is about 60 years old, hideously out of balance and desperately in need of a new belt. I used also a bench polisher to clean up but if I wanted a real tidy finish I'd have used regular abrasive, filler primer and paint.

For material, I used some sheet aluminium that I blagged from the back door of a local hydro cutting firm. I just poked my head through the door and asked if they had any offcuts, that was about 4 years ago and I'm still working through what they gave me. (Having a wander around your local trading estate is definitely worth doing - I've picked up some great things over the years just by asking if I can nose around in skips).

To be honest I'd never get my finish as good as your aftermarket parts, but I wanted to cut the brick to increase ground clearance and scale looks, and most of the aftermarket skid plates fit over the brick rather than replace it altogether.

(I'm now really excited about finishing my F150...)

[markbt73 5316]

Yep, still love it.

Spot the truck:

(That's my back yard: roughly 1/4 acre of woods, on a steep hill that drops off into a ravine at the edge of the property. The test of a good crawler/scaler is that I can stand at the top, drive down to the level clearing, turn around, and drive back up, without having to climb down and rescue the truck. "Ol' Blue" passes that test easily.)

[mr crispy 2293]

Yep, still love it.

Spot the truck:

(That's my back yard: roughly 1/4 acre of woods, on a steep hill that drops off into a ravine at the edge of the property. The test of a good crawler/scaler is that I can stand at the top, drive down to the level clearing, turn around, and drive back up, without having to climb down and rescue the truck. "Ol' Blue" passes that test easily.)

Ok, when are you inviting us trail lovers over to your place then Mark? That sounds like crawler heaven 😋

[volvotech 101]

This thread made me buy my first CC01. FJ40 kit on the way! Thanks for tipping the scales guys!

[Percymon 2184]

Well I blame XVP build/improvement thread - it got me buying one even though my first encounter with the chassis was during modelzones bankruptcy sale, and at the time I thought it a bit plastic and cheap!

Well it took me three hours tonight to get a roller with a few upgrades...

Still think it's s pretty plastic model build, and not sure I'll throw another £45 at it for s Junfac link kit, but it went together easily and quickly. Just waiting for the 55T motor and ESC.

I have a load of wheel options so those two piece ones might not be staying

[ChrisRx718 4470]

Just seen this thread.

I don't know what it is exactly about the CC01, but I have a bit of a soft spot for them like many others in this thread.

I have 3 in my current fleet, but have built and sold a couple in the past too. My latest build is a long wheelbase variant, a first for me and a first for some of the parts I'm trying out. My Pajero has swallowed up more cash than I care to think, weighs about as much as a small child and is as capable and stable off road as a chimpanzee on a skateboard - but I love it.

The other CC01 is also incomplete, with me avoiding painting the driver figure for the last two years. It has lights, operating winch and is even more hopeless off road than the Pajero above, but I'm still really happy with it. One day someone will tell me of a decent 3ch radio with 3-position switch on the 3Rd channel so I can bring this out of the dark ages of 40mhz radio...

[Wez-li 1790]

Nice trucks in this thread!

I've always wanted a cc01, I really should pick one up

[Percymon 2184]

You should Wes !

despite my initial negativity I have to say on reflection it's actually a very good chassis and ideal for some low grade trail crawling - the scale looks are pretty good, even on the lexan bodied examples - buy a Pajero Rally at £100, simple build then spend years tinkering from time to time with upgrades and body iterations.

OMG - I've been brain washed by Mr. T

[XV Pilot 1936]

Aye, that's the spirit! The years of tinkering is where the real fun lies IMNSHO!

[volvotech 101]

I will say this though, there is a real lack of Toyota bodies in this thread. I need some inspiration for my FJ40!

[Percymon 2184]

I will say this though, there is a real lack of Toyota bodies in this thread. I need some inspiration for my FJ40!

Right body, wrong chassis but you get the idea..

[volvotech 101]

That looks great! There's a small part of me that wonders if I should've sprung for a CR01, but I am nevertheless happy with my choice.

[Jeepy2013 575]

Another CC-01 fan here as well.....

This is one of mine, it is setup with a Tamiya ESC, RC4WD 55t motor, Traxxas 2075 servo, Tamiya stroke extension kit, Junfac 4-link kit with skid plate, Hot Racing aluminum steering bellcrank kit, RC4WD 1.55" wheels with Mudslinger tires and working LED lights.

[mongoose1983 3335]

I'm a huge fan of the XC-01, too. For the money it's indeed a fantastic runner and most of all EYE CANDY. My favorite variation is the 1995 RC car of the year, the Jeep Wrangler.

Here's my Jeep :

It is all stock, except for my custom leatherette wheel cover, custom antenna mount, black HPI wheel nuts, and obviously the brown color. I also removed the Japanese side blinkers off of the bodyshell, and used a gold Pactra stripe decal instead of the stock one.

I painted black the coilsprings as you can see. I just don't like the toyish look of the chromed ones.

Oh, and I also removed the front fog lights mounts as you can see here.

I love it!

If you would like to see the detail of what I did to get the shell ready: http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=119511&sid=23692

You all have a fantastic weekend!

[Mannyp1980 49]

I have been wrestling with the idea of getting a CC01 for a couple of months.The problem is that I just don't have any nice trails to run where I live. So it would just be a shelf queen.

[SpZero 10]

I love all three of mine (two belong to the children but they are a bit young and get bored after 10 minutes so I do get to drive all three)

Long Live the CC-01

But Please tamiya make a CC- 02 asap

[XV Pilot 1936]

I have been wrestling with the idea of getting a CC01 for a couple of months.The problem is that I just don't have any nice trails to run where I live. So it would just be a shelf queen.

Sounds like a CC-01 lowrider would be just the thing then!

The Pajero and Landfreeder shells lend themselves particularly well to this approach.