mongoose1983

Wow! And I thought I was spending big... Anyway, I think one that has serious chances to go up as high as the Willy is the NIB Bruiser that's running up to $2225 (and there are still three days of pushing! ) Cheers, EB --

The Hilux is, to my taste, much better looking than the F-350. The Hilux in the boxcover is horrible and pretty depressing, but if you change the wheels and do some proper paint work, you'll see nothing is better than a Hilux High-Lift. I got one this week and used 2.2 wheels and BlackFoot tires to make an early 80's Californian Mudbogger out of it. No further modifications required! It's not 100% ready yet, but the picture perhaps will give you some ideas. Have a nice weekend! EB --

I was a big fan of Monster trucking in the 80's. Never saw a Black Foot and I believe that name just doesn't exist. The truck must have been inpired by some Mudbogger or maybe it was only a way to give extra use to the F-150 body. I've seen them tires used on Mudbogging races though, but never on a F-150 ranger truck. Anyway, apart of this one (which is the most impotant, BTW), most of the other large Tamiya trucks were inspired on a real one. Enjoy your weekend! EB --

Scorcher, Bruiser, all great R/C models. I wonder how many of you gives the BlackFoot the place it deserves in the history not only of Tamiya, but in that one of the Hobby itself. The greatest R/C model in the history is The BlackFoot. And I guess it doesn't have the recognition it deserves because it isn't a hard to find, but we must be fair to it. Please note I'm not saying I wouldn't like to own a Scorcher or a Bruiser, cause I really do!!! Have a great weekend! EB --

The first R/C car I had was a Taiyo red buggy. It wasn't cheap back in the day. Everyone's dream here was the Tyco Bandit. By the way, anybody remember's Nikko model HAWG?? It was a 4x4 double motor Toyota Hilux, with the same tires (and body) of the Bruiser, but with an horrible mammoth bumper. My first Tamiya was the Midnight Pumpkin. The day I saw the box I fell in love with it. I remember selling a lot of things until I raised the money to pay for it. I was ecstatic. To date I only have Tamiyas. I know some Kyosho trucks are much better if you look closely at the mechanics, but no one can compete with the looks of Tamiya. And, just like someone pointed out a a while ago, I never look other RC threads because these kids, they only want the fastest piece of sh*t that comes out. So what if you have the fastest car but it looks like a piece of plastic garbage? Tamiya is different. And I believe that has a lot to do with the fact that they were, right from the start, a model company. In fact, they still do the best scale models in the world. Y'all have a great day! EB --

Well, that's great news. BTW, have you run it over rocks yet, or just street runs? Have a great day. EB --

Actually, I got the kit just yesterday. so I will start the building proccess tonight. I don't have a servo for it yet, but judging from what I been told, S-3003 or S-148 servos just won't do for doing the steering here. I asked the same questions a while ago. See the thread and the input from them now fellow 3-speeders: http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=42107 Good luck with the truck and please share some pictures of it when you can! Regards, EB --

As far as I understand the High Lift requires a high-torque servo to do proper steering, so seemingly you'll need to get another one. Regards, EB --

As far as I know, any old Futaba 3 channel will do. The shift gate cover will do on 4 channel units, but if you find some old three-chan there is a third stick control at the top right corner of the radio that will allow to control the transmission. Further than that, the old radios looks much better than any of the newer Futabas! Have a great weekend y'all! EB --

I recently sold my collection of old Off-Road magazines. While browsing thru some of them last week I found a couple of pictures that really surprised me. I have never seen before a Toyota Hilux Pick-Up with the very same bed cab as the Bruiser. Too bad it isn't a side picture but there you have it! Also, a couple of pictures of the F-150 and the Ranger that became the BlackFoot truck. Have a great Saturday, Y'All! EB --

Thanks so much, Terry. What a great new! I got two old Futaba radios just yesterday in exchange for a ten-dollar watch. Now I'll ty to find a receiver for it. You have a great weekend, pal. EB --

Thanks, Terry. Just one more Q. If I get me a new receiver, will this thing be able to control the High Lift truck? Have a great Friday night! EB --

Hi everybody. I got this old japanese Futaba radio just yesterday. I searched for the manual at the Futaba site, but it was not available. Furthermore, I got their e-mail saying that this model never made it to the States. Here's the picture of it. What is this thing at the top right corner, a third channel or what? If so, do you believe it would work with a newer 3-channel Futaba receiver? Please help me with any info. Thanks in advance and y'all have a great weekend! EB --

I've just got a new Frog/Brat transmission to replace some pieces of my Monster Beetle's. There are parts I think I won't use. Are you interested in trading? I'd take pictures of them bit and pieces tonight if you're interested. Have a nice day. EB --

Yes, mymonsterbeetleisbroken's right. The metal bevel gears are worn out. These gears wear easily specially when you like to do wheelies. Fortunately, a new set of bevel gears isn't expensive. Just be sure to grab a hold of two or three sets of them, 'because if you like to go out and run your Tamiya models you might be in need of them one way or another. By the time you get the replacements, open the gearbox and be sure to clean it very well. Then place the gears and use plenty of Tamiya grease. That will prolong the life of the gears. Have fun with the Brat! EB --

I was reading the .PDF available of the Toyota Manual. Its all there. Sadly, according to the manual my ESC won't work. Furthermore, the thing says you can't get the High-Lift in the mud, gravel nor water because of short circuits (and heat in the case of gravel) and it's no-way about mounting larger tires. Still makes me wonder about many of these trucks I've seen on YouTube doing some serious water/mud runs... So what is it about the instruction manual. Are these mere exaggerations or what?

Thank you Shodog! Still a couple more questions... Well, the ESC I have is the regular Tamiya TEU-101. Do you think this can do with the High-Lift truck? As for the servos, I only have S148 and S3003. Will they work or do I need something more expensive? Is this the reason they didn't include a MSC with this truck? Mmmm... That Toyota truck is really a complicated model, isn't it! ("Dirt cheap" on eBay!!?? Man, I'm just a mid-to-low class man living a drastic life in a poor Country. What may be a dirt cheap radio could really mean 'something' to a guy like me...)

Thanks for the info, WillyChang! So the cheap Futaba 3channel I mentioned will do. That's good to know. Anyway, what about the ESC? Will it run with any ESC I used with my other Tamiyas (BF, MB, MP, etc..)?? Thanks again! EB --

I know it isn't vintage, and I know some of you don't even believe this truck will ever be a classic, but decided to write this here one to find some info on this new Tamiya truck. In spite of my very limited budget, I'm nowadays considering to buy one of these kits. I know none of my two channels radios will do, and I've heard this one runs exclusively with a special Futaba 4channel radio. Does that means that I can't use no other 3 or 4 channel radios with it? I recently saw an old Futaba 3channel radio over here with a three step silver switch on the top right corner. It's an old model, those with larger receivers. I was wondering if that one would work ok with this new truck. It was just like them ussual two-channel radios, I mean the sticks automatically go back to the center after you pull or push them. Will that be OK? I don't know if that kind of radio would ruin the transmission. So what do you think about it? Or how about some old aircraft 4-channel radios? Those are much cheaper, and besides I know I'll never run the truck near radio controlled aircrafts. Other question is about the ESC. Rumour has it that this truck won't run with an ordinary ESC. I have a regular Tamiya ESC here I thought would do OK but now I'm in the doubt. I frankly don't see much chance to ever get the complete sound system if I ever got this truck, but there are still lots of questions surrounding me as to what to expect of such a high priced purchase. You see I've never had a 3 speed before! So if someone out there can shed some light over these doubts I have then that would be a big help to me. Thanks and Happy Easter to Y'All!! EB -- PD. Sorry to post this one here -this is the forum I look at the most.

Welcome aboard Oatmeister! Some pictures of your Wild Willy restoration sure would be great. No problem, seemeingly we're all here just for the badword of it... Cheers, EB --

If you check the Tamiya color chart that's at the end of most official Tamiya catalogues perhaps you'll be able to find the exact colour you're looking for. There are downloadable Tamiya catalogues in many sources over the net. Best of luck! EB --

Thank you! Cool site! Regards, EB --

Still, the Clod Buster truck is WAY faster than the real monster truck. Those days those trucks were so heavy and slow that I'm sure most kids would say they're a total bore if watching them videos! Have a great Sunday! EB --

Let's cool off, guys! There is space for diff opinions here... (and besides, everybody knows I'd take the Bruiser over the Hi-Lux anytime...) The video comparison I saw on youtube (link in the first post) shows a faster Bruiser, so I was surprised to see a truck that supposedly should have been slower beating a hopped-up High-lift! have you seen the vid? What do y'all think about it? Have a good one, EB --

OK, thanks for all the info guys! Now, all I want to know is what if I get them Blackfoot wheels onto this HiLux. Will they hit the body of this truck while landing from a jump? Alright, I know this isn't the truck you'd make jump all over the place like a Grasshopper, but I'm curious as to how much one can make a High lift look like a Bruiser. You see, the more possible such thing is, the more excited I'd get on buying one of these newer trucks! Cheers! EB --