Which monster truck and buggy should I get ?

[Ultima Ratio]

Well, I have those brand new Hummer and Midnight Pumpkin, but I'm already looking forward to extend my collection...

I have checked the rides on the site, read the few comments, but still, I don't have a very clear image of the pros and cons of each models.

I'd like a big wheels truck and a Baja style buggy.

It seems that the following are available online (and in my price range !) :

Trucks:

- Blackfoot extreme

- King blackfoot

- Super clod buster

- Twin detonator

- Wild Dagger

Buggy:

- Baja king

- the hornet

- gravel hound

Can you help with your own experience ?

Are there any models that I should consider ?

What I'm basicaly looking for is FUN + good looking + quality of kit.

Performances are not "that much" important as I'll mainly run them in my garden.

Thanks in advance for your time and help !!!

Dom

[Stefan(2)]

I would go for a Blackfoot Xtreme,

hard body (mmmmm!) , and just about unbreakeble !

( the drivetrain, that is )

twin detonator, more power, but a lexan body <cry>

Or, be a real nutcase... just buy em all

Stefan

[TamiyaRC]

Hi

For fun, good looking and quality, they are all eligible.

But if you can only buy one from each category, get the Blackfoot extreme/Twin Detonator/Mighty Bull and the hornet.

Blackfoot Extreme/TD/MB, you can get a custom shock towers so you can put longer shock, then it become a kinda high performance truck, then you can use any truck body for that size. King Blackfoot, dont drive so good, kinda wobble (spelling right ?) a lot.

For the buggy I'll buy the hornet, because, for bashing, its kinda indestructible, very good looking, high build quality and FUN FUN FUN...

Good luck with your choice.

[Gilberto the great]

Hi Dom, I've got a Rising Storm (Virtually the same as the Gravel Hound) and I think its great. I prefer it loads more than my previous Baja Champ (Which dont get me wrong as I did like but I prefer the Storm better as it feels more solid and a better finished car). Its upgraded with a TT01 alu shaft, RS540 sport motor, ball raced and it goes like a bomb!

I can't really speak for the other apart from the Wild Dagger (WD)(Again, virtually the same as the Twin Detonator). I think this one is also great, it goes anywhere, great traction and high ground clearance. All the threads I've seen in the forums I've not heard anyone have a bad word to say.

I've actually got a WD to sell, which will shortly be put onto ebay (poss later today) so I'll send you the link when it goes on if you like. The only reason I'm selling is that I've got two and a just keeping the cleaner/newer one. Not sure of this helps or not but good luck with your choice.

(To run in the garden, if its on grass a WD/TD/BF etc would be better due to their higher ground clearance -the buggys can tend to have quite a low ground clearance and may struggle if the grass isnt too short or if its fairly bumpy)

[Ultima Ratio]

Yep, Blackfoot extreme is still kinda affordable. But what with the fact that it is 2WD ?

As for the lexan bodies, I'm also a bit reluctant... So my money will probably go into a "real hard" one.

They must be something with the Hornet I guess !

Thanks

[Ultima Ratio]

Gilberto, is your Wild Dagger NIB ? And where are you located ? (I'm thinking shipping costs...)

[Ultima Ratio]

Is there a big difference between the Blackfoot extreme and the Super clod Buster ? How do they compare ?

I also "found" a Juggernaut 2 on ebay. Is it any good ?

[modelmaniac]

hi, well i dont know about the Jugg but i have owned a Super Clod and Blackfoot extreme.

Theres huge differences, the Clod is 4wd and 4ws (4 wheel steer!) and can be a bit of a handful.

They look good, but as far as handling they are very top heavy and i found the rear steering didnt turn as much as you would expect.You can lock the rear steer though i believe.The other downer is that you have just the 1 battery to power 2 motors, i invested in a dual motor/dual battery ESC but the clod rolled over very very easily then!!! Id invest in a cheap poly shell and keep the hard body for best as the chrome rollbar,headlights and supercharger all take a hammering when you roll it. The blackfoot on the other hand is great, i have the Mighty Bull also which shares the same chassis. Its prety quick and the Blackfoot body is awsome, i found mine actually wheelied from the off, without even trying. Its not as top heavy either as the monochoque chassis keeps all "heavy" parts lower so not to cause upsets when turning quickly!

All in all, for practicallity(?) i would go for the blackfoot as its more "user friendly" There is also the MightyBull and Twin Detonator (same chassis but 4wd) Wilddagger(same chassis but 4wd)

But as i have owned the Clod and Bfoot i thought i would give my 2pennies worth!!!

Have fun!!!

[Ultima Ratio]

Very usefull info modelmaniac, thanks !

As I have just received my pumpkin, I'm also looking for a "complementary" model that is a bit different to run...

Can you tell the blackfoot is 2WD when you run it ?

[mymonsterbeetleisbroken]

the jugg2 is a good looking beast. tamiya went to town trying to make the drive unbreakable, because the original "juggernaut" had massive gearbox problems, so it was discontinued. tamiya sorted out all of the gearbox issues and re issued the kit and the juggernaut 2! the jugg2s drive is very strong, a big improvment from the jugg1, which would only last 1 run is some cases, before the gearboxes stripped!

its got shaft driven 4 wheel drive and a central gearbox with 2 motors attached to it. its almost the same size as a clod buster, and also has 4 wheel steering using a very similar setup.

the hard body is one of the nicest of tamiyas most recent kits (in my opinion), and the chassis uses nice aluminium side plates.

however the suspension, which has 8 coil friction shocks and 4 leaf springs, is very stiff - and causes the truck to roll over easily. so basicly allthough its big and powerfull, its not i high performance off road racer! but it is a very durable, good looking machine!

[jonpeck]

I would go for the baja kng or champ(exactly the same except shell).Once u get bearings esc and new shocks u have miles more clearence then rising storm.Its a pretty strong but starts to develop small cracks after numeros jumps and bashing sessions as does every tlo1 as it takes all impacts.But with one of the 25 pound orion motor in it it flies beats all other buggys no problem.Its offroadin is brilliant.BUY NOW

[dudlydigital]

I would go for A king blackfoot Rather than the Blackfoot extreme!

the KBF is now discontinued so you would be buying a (one day) little piece of Tamiya history!

It keeps with the original blackfoot theme by useing the same frame!

With ball races oil shocks nice 17T motor and the steering mod (see other posts about this) you will have a nice fast 2wd off roader!

The gearbox is tuff as old boots! it can really handle mad motors!

altho Parts my become harder to fined as it gets older and the friction shocks are not worth the time to build them! It also Handles like (in stock form) A drunk on A push bike! (go flat out in reverse and you will know what I am on about!)

[Sammy]

Yes dudlydigital,

I 100% agree with you.

My KBF is an excellent runner, and is very tough.

If you don't want to buy 2 more cars, how aboiut a Mad Bull... *I have one for sale []* but seriously, it's a truggy (truck / buggy). Look in my showroom for more info

Sam

[Gilberto the great]

quote:Originally posted by ultima Ratio

Gilberto, is your Wild Dagger NIB ? And where are you located ? (I'm thinking shipping costs...)

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Hi - no its in used but good condition, now listed on ebay - item no 5972656086. If you are interested let me know.

[lambo]

For the truck i recomend the KBF over Xtreme.I got both & the KBF is more fun to build & drive.The Xtreme looks way cool with that body but thats as bout as far as it goes.As for a bugy i'd stay clear of the Baja series.That clam shell layout is a real pain to work on especially if you have to open it up.And i don't think the chassis is up to it for off roading.I got hairline cracks on mine where the suspension bolts up(the proper word escapes me:)at 3 of the 4 points so i replaced the chassis & it did it again,even tho i made dam sure i didn't plow into anything.I recommend either the Gravel Hound,etc,or a Blitzer Beetle,Stadium Blitzer/Thunder,even more fun.

[jonpeck]

Sambo the baja seris takes a lot new suspension and its invinceble its gone off many ramps and only get scrapes.i am not aiming this at anyone but the driver has to treat it with some respect.No car is invinceble by miles.My king was my own first real offroad buggy and I have had many incidents with it seen in my other topic about stupid drivers.But i personally think its more inviceble than any other as its desighned as a begginer car.

As for the gravel hound COUGH Bath tub COUGH.Its very wide meaning that lots of gravel is a problem as when my friend says its goning to hit it a bit more.Which the name is deciving dont get me wrong its a ace car but isnt in my eyes the TRUE offroad monster other than the trucks.The hound is more of a road/gravel/sand buggy.There just dents in the king

I dread saying this but if you want a invincible thing go for the bull u break it aint gonna matter

But the king suits my need to a T