Saito2

Oddly enough Speedy, I also wanted to be an engineer (automotive, of course) since elementary school. Back in those days, kids thought I meant I planned on driving a train . Math didn't "come easy" to me like history, literature and writing did, but I worked hard and doubled up on my math courses trying to squeeze calculus in before my senior year. Then I got "misplaced" in an advanced trig class and just hit a wall. The teacher more or less told me to give up on my dreams of being an engineer. Being still an impressionable kid, I did. Your idea of mentoring is gold. It's really great to see younger folks progress and bring a new kind of joy to the table. Sadly, a lot of the "millennials" (for lack of a better term) are in such a rush to "climb the ladder" and sport a know-it-all attitude, they have little time for an "old-timer" (at 40, lol) like me. They rarely stay long. I think, in time, the right one will come along though. My daughter already show great interest in whats under the hood of daddy's cars. Guitar is a hobby I was heavily involved in too Mark. I still build one occasionally but finding time to play is tough. Family comes first. You reminded me another question I've had. Do I take a break as you suggest and wait for it to return or do I begin to liquidate a portion (not all) of all the car stuff I've hoarded over the last 25 years? On one hand, its burden to have all that stuff, on the other, I'm a miser and hate buying things twice. Thanks again for all of your thoughtful replies.

Good topic. I've actually been steadily plugging away at my list and finishing up some projects. My Mountaineer is done as is my Scorpion re-do in red. I just finished up painting the shell for my Monster Racer too. But there's always more to do... Decide if I should finish my Bennett Mod Clod or disassemble it for a more stock-ish build Try to gather up the parts for a Monster Mack 6x6 Clod. I've had the body for years now. Finish my original RC10 boxart body Finally develop an IRS system for my Lunch Box Put my ORV spares together to make a Mud Blaster or Brat (or ORV-based Ranger, can't decide) Get my Sand Viper body painted (just finished masking it) Of course all these projects will get swept aside when I get my greedy paws on the Egress coming in the post. Can't wait!

It looks like I'll be welcoming a re-re Egress into the fold shortly. I plan to make it a runner. I'm aware Tamiya left out the BF8 and BF9 brackets and altered the shock tower. I prefer the looks of the original, more upright dampers. The brackets I can make. I see Fiberlyte offers a front tower. Is it the same shape as the original? Also what was the reasoning behind Tamiya making this damper angle change? Does it perform a lot better than the original setup? Thanks.

I agree with kontemax. That is a beautiful piece. Keep it and buy a runner.

Thank you Jason. Other than my wife, you're the first person to say that. Those are some great points Hibernaculum and Nitomor and the connection to Star Wars fits well surprisingly. Though on a smaller scale, I've had much the same thoughts about Star Wars. I will sit and happily watch the originals but just can't generate any interest in seeing the new stuff (the possible "cash grab" prequels did not do me any favors). Interestingly, I did try what you suggested Hib. As current "Hot Rod" trends began to disinterest me more and more, I retreated back into what I originally liked. I put my cars together to suit me and mimic the builds I did in my early 20's. Unfortunately, "retro" became hot. The flame still went out, but perhaps it's for the best. My coworkers all think I'm crazy, but they're all 10 years younger. They spend a lot of time talking about cars (and arguing about them on the interweb) and living the "lifestyle" but really don't accomplish anything. They also don't have kids. Thanks to you guys, I realize I might not be crazy but just evolving.

Has anybody utterly lost interest in a life long passion? I have and I'm searching to see from where it stemmed. I loved cars from the time I was born. My first TV memory was Speed Racer. I even pushed my own stroller as a toddler because I wanted to "drive". I read about cars. I drew nothing but cars. The older I got, the more and more broad my interest grew. Muscle cars, antique cars, German cars, Italian cars Japanese cars, Jeeps, Pick-ups, monster trucks, rally cars...anything on wheels with a combustion engine. When I got to college, I couldn't get them out of my head. I left after the first year and attended a technical college and became a mechanic. I worked my way into the restoration field where I wanted to be. I've been doing that more or less since. Now that I'm almost 40, the flame inside me went out. I still have a passing interest and I can still tolerate my job but I don't work on my own things anymore (except to maintain or fix as necessary). I've begun to hate all the garbage posing and big-mouth bragging that goes with a lot of American car culture currently. I've stopped driving my personal classic cars because I'm tired of people coming up to me at gas stations like it's some kind of celebrity. It's just a car. 20 years ago those people would have sneered at me for being a "gear-head" with an old car, but now everybody thinks its cool. They're not all that special, just what a blue collar guy put together in his spare time. I'm totally burnt out and I feel I kind of threw away my life somewhat because I have no other skills other than fixing and fabbing things for obsolete old cars that cost 4-8 times what my house does. The bright side in all this is that around the time the interest began to start to fade, my daughter (now 4) was born. I have no distractions now from what is the most important thing in my life (my wife and child). Sorry to be such a downer, but I really am perplexed as to what happened and wonder if it will ever return.

In stock condition, the Madbull is more stable than the Monster Beetle, no doubt. The Monster Beetle's chassis certainly has it's flaws, but there was a LOT of modification work done to these trucks back in the day for monster truck racing. I still feel a fully modded Monster Beetle would be more competitive than a modded Madbull on a track. But this is just my opinion. Technically, I suppose the Monster Beetle is a truggy of sorts too as it has mostly Frog DNA. Now, the WT-01 is likely better than both. It's durable without any extreme glaring flaws and quite stable too with it's wide stance. All of the vehicles listed are great depending on what you are precisely after.

It depends on what you want to modify them to do. The Lunch Box is basic and durable. It's the most unstable of the group, but can pull wheelies (though less wheelie-prone than the Wild Willy in my opinion). It's simple design means that while there are mods to be done (third shock mod, braces, oil shocks, etc.) it has limited potential without major redesigns. The Madbull is also simple and durable. Pretty much the same applies to modding it as the Lunch Box. Unlike the Lunch Box, it's not wheelie-prone and is actually very stable. The Monster Beetle has the most performance-mods possibilities. The chassis it's built on was the core of the racing truck class before converted buggies took over. Its the oldest design of the three and could use sorting out in a few areas but will perform the best. The build is more engaging and the 4 wheel independent suspension gives it an edge in handling.

I have the middle one. I put little sticky labels on the drawers to help me organize them and find parts quicker. For screws, I have them in muffin tins so I can have them spread out and can paw through them to find specific ones easier. One tin has machine screws/nuts, the other self tappers.

Wow! This thread certainly went in some interesting directions. Thanks for all the great points. When I first started it, I initially began thinking about how highly interactive RC models are. You want them. You acquire them. You Build them. You paint them, You run them. You customize/repair/maintain them. That's all pretty interactive for a material possession. Take my first, a Lunch Box. I ran or wrenched on that little van almost everyday as a kid. I knew its weak points. I knew exactly how it handled. Because it was unstable yet took effort to buy/build/paint, I was very cautious with it. I slowly probed its limits without flipping/crashing it until I understood it's dynamics inside and out. I could, to this day, tear it down and reassemble it blindfolded. While I like the little GF-01 I picked up last year. I'll never have that kind of connection with it simply because I have so many other runners competing for my time and interest on any given day.

As a kid, I often sat pouring over all the images in in the Tamiya Guidebooks, studying all the models. I worked long hard for my first Tamiya Lunch Box. I had it for years before I was able to add to my collection. By the age of 18 I had added several more to the collection before taking the break from the hobby we all seem to take around that age. I was very familiar and close to those initial models. I knew them inside and out. For material objects, I was quite "connected" to them. Now, with the collection well over 50 as still going, it seems almost surreal at times. I can take any of the first Tamiya monster trucks out for a spin instead of just looking at them in pictures. A dream come true, honestly. The downside is the connection is no where near as tight with these newer acquired models. Lack of time and sheer number mean I'll never quite feel the same about say, a Blackfoot, as I do a Lunch Box. Just random some thoughts...

Being sheltered in the world of Tamiya and vintage RC in general means I don't typically even glance at modern stuff (unless it's scaler-type stuff). Unfortunately, I did poke around some other manufacturers offerings this weekend. Now I know it's probably not the newest thing around, but these new "cab forward" bodies are absolutely awful. The RC10B5 (and the stadium truck version), Ultima RB6 plus what ever Losi's selling these days don't look like anything remotely akin to a buggy or a vehicle period. I know cab forward has it's benefits but there comes a point where enough is enough. I remember when folks complained about the loss of driver figures or the influx of "spaceship" buggies (i.e. Avante, Thundershot, etc.) but those are works of art compared to what's currently available. Good cab forward to me is the Vanquish or Terra Scorcher. Current body offerings look like they got stepped on or run over. Sorry if I'm coming off a bit harsh. It's just my opinion. I just hope body design gets reigned in a little.

Sorry for the late reply. Thanks for showing me the RC Snowcat forum!

Good question. The Vanquish promo, here in the States, featured the old-style voice-over guy. There are promos for the King Cab, Madcap and Saint Dragon (which were introduced around the time of the Egress) but they are the newer style ones with no voice-over. I've never seen an Egress one either and wonder which type it would be.

Thanks for all the replies. I can see how having others to run with would certainly add to the excitement. Unfortunately, tracks in my area are all long closed and the nearest TC member is about 1.5 hours from me. It's simply not a possibility for me as a father of a 3.5 year old. If I got a car, I'd be solo.

I've never had an on-roader before. Can someone explain their allure? I've been eyeing a couple for months now (Willy's Wheeler and TT02 Porsche 911), but just can't pull the trigger yet. I have no one to race with, so that aspect is out. How does one have fun with an on-roader? I'm honestly interested as I'd like to give it a go. Thanks.

Yeah, mine does that too. I had a dog that did that. I think it likes its belly rubbed or something.

I never thought of it that way. The Wild Willy and Pajero both had "stunt" in their description. I always took "show" to mean the Lunch Box's customizable nature (bodywork-wise) that was pushed in the ads and promos. However, I totally see how "show" could mean "showing off" (stunts) or "putting on a show".

I still question if it was originally intended to be a stunt vehicle. When Tamiya bulked up the Mitsu Pajero for monster truck duty (as monster trucks were quite the rage during the Lunch Box's inception), they re-positioned the battery low and to the middle of the vehicle. They make no mention of it being a stunt vehicle in original US ads or MRC/Tamiya booklets unlike the earlier Pajero or Wild Willy. I theorize when they test drove the completed prototype, it still wheelied too much so a wheelie bar was added out of necessity. By this time, all the ad copy had been written so it was too late to plug it as a stunt machine. Even the box says "for racing and show". These are all just my theories and in no way guaranteed truth.

I bought a Madbull awhile back just to see/experience the rear suspension in action. It works pretty well for what it is, certainly better than a Hornet or Lunch Box. At this point my Lunch Box had the 3rd shock mod. After I got the Madbull, I modified my Lunch Box to mimic the pivot arrangement fount on the DT-01, essentially holding the rear pivot point locked in mid-slot location. It basically does what Pintopower's mod does. I always ran soft springs in the Lunchie's rear, soft enough that they were slightly compressed sitting still (if memory serves they came from the back of my departed Super G). Even with the new pivot, I would hear a slight slapping noise. Closer inspection revealed the shocks were slapping outward, to full extension when power was applied. So, in my mind, the pivot was only half the fix. This has led me to consider moving the dampers totally out of axis of the rotating rear assembly, like the DT-01 Madbull.

I've been studying the age old problem of the bound up Lunch Box rear suspension. Despite all the neat ways of properly locating the rear axle (3rd shock mod, etc.), the shocks are still on the "wrong" side of the axle. Motor acceleration simply pulls them to full extension, effectively locking them. The only way I've seen true improvement on this situation is by combining the better ways of axle location with a nearly horizontal rear shock like the DT-01 (Madbull, etc.). So, is it possible a more horizontal shock setup would at least bring the Lunchie up to par with the DT-01?

I cannot truly express how sorry I am for you and your loved ones. I lost my father to cancer several years ago. All I can say is, keep fighting.

I've been wanting to try a tracked RC vehicle for years. As much as I lust after a Tamiya Sherman, I just can't pull the trigger on spending that kind of money. I've been looking at the latest version of the Kyosho Blizzard, the FR. The idea of playing in the snow interest me as well. Now from what little I've read, folks are happy Kyosho went back to the twin motor drive. The transmission however seems not so great. Does anybody have any experience with one of these? How bad is it? I don't intend on modding it for speed or anything. If it works ok in stock form, I'm happy. I just don't want to get into anything that's going to break immediately under normal driving. Any insight would be helpful. Thanks.

In answer to the Blitzer vs King Cab question, I have both. The King Cab was arguably the first racing truck "kit", coming out before the Losi JRX-T. Though flawed, the transmission is a competition-style 3 main gear unit similar to those of the era. Despite the slipping ball diff, the trans is quite efficient otherwise. The steering uses a true bellcrank system. The suspension is a work of art with very long travel, adjustable camber and sway bars. This suspension means the King Cab eats up rough terrain and takes high jumps with ease. The truck was built with racing in mind. It sits rather high, like a truck, as that was the style at the time, but its not top heavy. The Blitzer mimics the lower, wider stadium-truggy style that came after the King Cab, akin to the original RC10T. However, the Blitzer was not designed for racing, rather just the look of it. It's mostly a re-tooled Bear Hawk (itself a mid-range, leisure oriented buggy). The transmission is big and bulky with tough chunky gears. Not the stuff of racing (especially with only 2 available ratios) but very bulletproof. The steering is direct and suffers from bumpsteer. The suspension is simple upper and lower fixed arm stuff (though turnbuckles could certainly be added for camber adjustments) The arms are tough and rubberery adding to the Blitzer's durability. The whole package works surprisingly well and is quite strong, but will never have the competition pedigree the King Cab had (or was at least aiming for). I've been kicking the idea of really going to town on a Blitzer for years. The chassis would need to be a longer double-deck 'glass or carbon fiber piece. The Blitzer is too short and the battery sits the wrong way. A bellcrank steering system would be in order and likely taller, stiffer shock towers. I never got around to it, as bolting the Blitzer's simplistic plasticy front and rear assemblies to carbon fiber just seemed odd. The Futaba FXT kind of went this route back in the day. A joint venture between Futaba and Tamiya, the truck had a black anodized aluminum tub chassis (similar to the RC10T), a special motor mount allowing 4 pinion selections and a ball diff added to Blitzer package. Its a fairly rare truck that most have forgotten.

Despite being a far earlier release, the King Cab is much more sophisticated than the Dagger. It seems very purebred and elegant in it's performance. The Dagger on the other hand is more clunky and less graceful. Daggers are tough, bulletproof trucks but would never match a King Cab in performance.