Question about 3-Speed Trucks

[Rabiedmushroom]

Reading posts here & looking at photos uploaded onto the Showroom, I see that 3-speed truck owners are devoted to their beasties. They are pretty impressive with regard to where they can drive (especially through deep water!). But I've never seen one in real life, or driven.

Now I know this is going to open the floodgates with enthusiastic replies [] but how exactly does their ability differ from other buggies and trucks? I'm just interested because everyone gets so wonderfully excited about them!

[RA1028]

Not much difference except they are heavier, slower, and more expensive!

[mobias]

Its all about scale looks and scale performance. Also the transmission takes extra skill to work which only adds to the enjoyment. The F350 will open all this enjoyment to you when it comes out, in fact it will undoubtably handle a lot better than the older 3 speeds, it'll be more nimble and I'm sure Tamiya will have engineered more torque into it which was a big issue with the likes of the Bruiser.

[BiggusDitchus]

Hmm, not sure how they have engineered more torque into it?  I have made my own 3 speed using a 1/14 gearbox and a 540 truck puller motor and the Bruiser I used to own had a  700 size motor.. i believe that had much more pulling power.

[Cul-Tech]

I just put together a Hilux runner so this is the first 3 speeder I

have driven more than just putting around the basement since I was

about 12 years old, or about 20 years ago. I am not talented with

computer keyboards so it will be difficult for me to convey the

pleasure these bring but I can say that these trucks have a certain

"uniqe" driving experience that you don't get anywhere else.

My truck is a Hilux and has the working hubs up front, and is powered

by a 540 motor. The truck is modified and running on larger tires but

still clunky and lacks any real suspension just like the original. In

one battery the truck will cover a broad range of terrain thanks to the

three speed trans. I usually begin in the backyard climbing hills and

rocks in the in 4WD with the hubs locked. The weight of these

trucks make them great climbers I suppose because the traction the

added weight gives them. I am constantly amazed at how steep an incline

they can go up.

Usually at this point I will tire and want some faster driving so I

will go towards the front of the house where I can shift to 3rd gear

and make some speed. These trucks do move and are unstable, on my truck

a hard turn in 3rd will give you a barrel roll nobody wants to

see.[:'(] After awhile I will realize that it's not turning very tight

and remember that the hubs are still locked, so I'll drive over to

myself...bend over and disengage the hubs....this will give you

differential type action in front and suddenly it will make tighter

turns.[] Just that in itself is enough to love these little wonders.

While all this is happening there is the bouncing around, the squeeks

and rattles, and of course the wonderful gear grinding.[]

"How exactly does their ability differ from other buggies and trucks?"

They are so old, clunky, and vintage that they are just in a category

of themselves for a driving experience. It's like comparing a new

Mercedes to an old WWII army deuce and a half, the Merc would be nice

but wouldn't it be fun to drive that Deuce through the mud...[H]

Mike

[WILD WILLY]

Well i think imo that due to the realisum of build and well i think the movies from the likes of moosey,volksrod and others say it all ![]

[eek!]

Similar to Cul-Tech's description, my vintage 3-speeds (particularly

the Hi-Lux) are slow, noisy and stiff.  With fully locked hubs, they have the turning radius of a 18

wheeler rig (i.e. King Hauler with trailer).  To me the experience is more like driving a tank[:|] 

compared to the "very" unrealistic monster trucks today that can reach

1:1 speeds equivalent to 300+mph and jump nearly ten times their body

lengths.

It's also the most scale looking and handling vehicle I've ever

placed my grubby paws on.  In a word "fantastic!!".[]

Nothing comes close to the scale realism these offer that run on 4

wheels.  These are all about scale experience.  Put simply, even getting

stuck in mud or snow is scale...and fun!  Where's my 1/10 shovel?

If you had a magic shrink ray and zapped a 1:1 vehicle, these would be

the closest end product (my opinion). The static appeal

is obvious.  To me their scale capability is just as fullfilling and quite difficult to

accurately describe in words.  It really needs to be experienced to

fully understand.  Watch the movies here on TC, some give a pretty

good "feel" for the experience.

Sure you can jump these vintage models a height equal to it's full length or jump them

a length equal to two or three of them lined up end for end, but when

was the last time you saw a 1:1 do this and survive?  Even

Ivan Stewart in the Baja 1000 races rarely jumped his truck more than a

few meters off the ground.  I think some may forget when a 1/10

monster 4x4 jumps 1 meter off the ground that's similar to jumping a 1:1 F-150

or Tacoma/Hilux over a 2-3 story house!

Watch the movies as they're about as close as you can get without breaking the bank (or needing to rob one).[]

Best,

Note:  Just noticed the site is down...aieeeeeeeeeee!!  I need my TC fix![:'(]

[HunterZero]

I just received my first 3-speed, a Bruiser, a couple of weeks ago, after only ever seeing them in catalogues and on TamiyaClub, and I can say this - nothing will describe the awe I felt when I first held this model. The scale details in the chassis and suspension are incredible, and the transmission is very impressive. The fact that it's all made from metal makes it all more impressive - the size and weight of a three speeder is the first thing that will grab you when you pick one up.

The attention to detail is impressive - scale copies of the ladder chassis, leaf springs, the axle cases, the u-bolt shackles... even the attempt at the realistic placement of the gearbox and motor in the car. It just looks better the closer you look at it.

And, of course the fact that they have hard plastic bodies, not lexan shells. I need to finish painting the body on mine, but this one's going to need some extra care. Loads of little details on the bodywork to pick out, like the rain gutters, door handles and badges.

- James

[Mad Ax]

I sold my Hilux 2 weeks ago, owing to it having been in my posession

(given to me free!!) for over 10 years and never really used (apart

from once when I broke a swivel hub).

They are so impressive, in terms of weight and apparent quality. 

I'd really love to have owned one from new, had the joy of taking the

bits out of the box and putting them all together, then taking it

outside for some scale driving.

I was looking forward to the new 3speeder, but money problems will

probably make me put thoughts of ownership aside for several months -

maybe even to next year, especially considering that for the cost of a

new 3speeder I could buy 2 or 3 NIB kits and radios...

[Rabiedmushroom]

You guys adore these vehicles don't you? Bless. [] They sound fun.