Opinions on the wild one.

[Super ally]

I have just finished building my wild one that i got for christmas and really enjoyed the build.The scale looks of the buggy make it one of the best looking tamiya buggies ever,i have not run it yet because its been raining for days but looking forward to it.Would like to read other members opions on the wild one.

[Kowalski86]

I think they handle surprisingly well for being an old design and being more about "scale". Not quite as sturdy as a Frog, but much better on flat ground. Reasonably quick on a silver can motor.

My main gripe was finding replacement parts, especially one of the rear suspension arms. I snapped one going over a curb and had to pay a pretty $30 for a set from a kit breaker.

[Super ally]

Thanks for your reply and i dont think i will be jumping off kerbs.

[Saito2]

Great buggy. I've had the diff click on occasion but fixed it with a shim washer. Very planted with a low COG. They feel heavy-ish compared to a Frog but handle much better. Obviously they have rear weight bias. The front shocks seemed a bit over-damped for as light as the front end is. 

[Super ally]

I have heard the diff can click but i noticed when building the gearbox there was a washer i had to fit after the bevel gear.

[Saito2]

Yes, that along with the small bushing tucked in there is important. I've had to add another shim in time however. 

Oddly, the Wild One/FAV is the only vehicle to use that diff that I've gotten to click. I guess I've just been lucky with the ORV cars so far. Its pretty bulletproof in the Hotshot series.

[Willy iine]

@Super ally congrats on finishing your WildOne.   I love mine too.  I have one in my own Willy's Fast Time Attack Vehicle livery and the Blockhead Motors one.  The car drives super stiff.. like why Tamiya didn't give it softer springs, I have no idea..but, even with that stiff setting, the car actually drives well.  👍

 

[Super ally]

2 minutes ago, Willy iine said:

@Super ally congrats on finishing your WildOne.   I love mine too.  I have one in my own Willy's Fast Time Attack Vehicle livery and the Blockhead Motors one.  The car drives super stiff.. like why Tamiya didn't give it softer springs, I have no idea..but, even with that stiff setting, the car actually drives well.  👍

 

Thanks.Your cars always look top class and the attention to detail is superb.

[markbt73]

Great buggy. Personally I prefer the Fast Attack-style side guards and hood, but with the Wild One shocks and wheels (as per Willy's example above, though I prefer civilian paint jobs). Solid, fun to build, great to look at, and a surprisingly good runner for being how old of a design it is.

I've never had a single diff problem with my re-re FAV, but then, it has never had anything but the kit-supplied 540 in it. Power corrupts, as they say, and that seems to go double for Tamiya differentials.

[ad456]

It’s been my go to buggy since 2016 when I got it. I love it!! I haven’t really looked at getting another buggy as it’s exactly what I want. Great on most surfaces, beach, dirt, street etc and I don’t feel the need to hop it up. It’s on the bench getting a refresh at the moment though as it’s just getting cosmetically tired. 

[Super ally]

5 hours ago, ad456 said:

It’s been my go to buggy since 2016 when I got it. I love it!! I haven’t really looked at getting another buggy as it’s exactly what I want. Great on most surfaces, beach, dirt, street etc and I don’t feel the need to hop it up. It’s on the bench getting a refresh at the moment though as it’s just getting cosmetically tired. 

Any problems with the diff clicking?

[ad456]

Oh yes, replaced it once a couple of years ago, not had any further issues. I put it down to it being a mix between me being only just back into the hobby when I built it and loads of hard driving. I can’t imagine the included ceramic grease being very helpful with the situation. 
It’s spent most of its drive time on beaches with various grades of sand so it’s well worn but still drives fine. I drove 3-4 packs thought it one afternoon walking around Loch an Eilein when we were on holiday in Aviemore, no issues whatsoever. It’s been the “holiday car” for me, always in the car boot when we go away anywhere.