Frog vs Wild One

[Saito2]

I don't know if this was just true in my area, but the Frog was a fairly popular car in competition back in the day (particularly before the RC10). I know it was a big step up from the earlier SRBs before it. Alot of folks heavily modded them. On the other hand, I don't know if I ever saw a single Wild One or FAV at the track. Having both now, the Wild One seems to be the better of the two. True, its heavier, but in every other respect seems to drive better than the Frog. Frogs seem bouncey, top heavy at times and appears to nose dive on jumps. The Wild One has a lower COG, stays very planted and jumps perfectly. It also looks the part. So why were folks so head over heels for the Frog but not the Wild One? Perhaps it was just timing as the RC10 might have been out around the Wild One. 

[racer1]

I completely agree. The Frog is top heavy but you can do a lot to reduce that by mounting everything down low in the chassis. With mine the receiver was mounted on the top side of the front skid plate and the ESC just behind it on that funky "H" shaped plastic piece. It made a difference but there was never a way to get around the high motor placement so it would roll pretty easy if you caught a rut or a bump the wrong way. 

Back in the day I raced a FAV with a Wild One lexan body and shocks. It was miles ahead in terms of stability and drivability. I feel the Wild One was one of the better Tamiya track toys of the day with the Fox being slightly better. 

It wasn't until we saw the Astute that things really changed. I think the Astute was the first real 2wd car that was capable of running with the JRX2 and RC10's of the day, 

Quote

 

 

[mongoose1983]

More than any of the specs, I believe the Frog being released a little over one year before the Wild One was the reason it was (and still is) one of the most popular RC buggies ever. By 1985 -release year for the Wild One-- many of those kids who got Frogs and Hornets turned to RC10 Asso buggies. If you go back in memory you'll remember 1985 was one huge year for those Asso buggies.

[chevelle]

I have 6 frog/brat chassis cars and 4 (currently ) Wild One/FAV Chassis cars, For sure the WO/FAV cars handle better With the Wide track and LCG . I obviously love both but the Wild One is definitely my FAV  (pun intended )

[Gruntfuggly]

I would imagine that the Frog is a lot more robust than the Wild One...? The WO front end always feels a bit flimsy to me...

[MAD RACER]

The problem with the Frog is most owners build it up with 0 degree in the Castor block.

Instructions aren't that clear in the vintage manual . As soon as you add a few degrees ( Very little angle) in the castor block like what the Wild one has in it's trailing arms makes the Frog so much better and not edgy in steering inputs.

Don't think I'm all for the Frog as my W/One is a awesome performer once softer rear shocks were put on. The front end on the W/O flogs out quickly as Gruntyfuggly said. But is awesome to drive.

Just a big flaw by Tamiya on the Frog /Brat that they didn't explain this. I think a little in the back pages in the vintage manual if memory serves me correct? . Maybe someone can confirm this. No info in the re re Manual. Just checked.

[Frog Jumper]

16 minutes ago, MAD RACER said:

Instructions aren't that clear in the vintage manual . As soon as you add a few degrees ( Very little angle) in the castor block like what the Wild one has in it's trailing arms makes the Frog so much better and not edgy in steering inputs.

 

Got a photo of where/what angle the Blocks should sit???  I'll look in my vitange manual when I get home to see if there is any info...

Terry

 

[Saito2]

I always liked the unique caster adjustment of the Frog. On a tight track, with proper adjustment, you could really get the Frog to "hook" around hairpin corners. The Wild One is definately rear-heavy and the front end will wash out sooner as a result. In every other measure, I find the Wild One a better drive. I've never broken the front end on either car but I find the Frog's front end gets sloppier with wear quicker.