Looking for monster truck with personality

[skinned]

throw a 12 turn or something in a Vanessa's lunch box.....

[steelo]

LOL...that would be insane =)

[Prescient]

19 minutes ago, steelo said:

I do like the ClodBuster and it definitely fits the niche…I am looking for something a little bit quicker (20-25mph) and agile though.

Not Tamiya then

Although a 4600KV Brushless castle creations combo equipped lunchbox has to be pure win.

[NameUnchanged]

Get yourself a custom Cpe barbarian 

[Juggular]

I didn't think of Terra Crusher until Nitomor mentioned it.  That is an idea.  It can certainly do 20-25mph. 

As Prescient said, if you don't mind the slower speed, Juggernaut 2 would work too.  Used Jugg is pricey, but used Terra could be found on ebay at a relatively reasonable price. 

TXT-2 is new, so that's available.  Though not quite "retro."   

 

 

WT-01 is in the shot for size comparison.  

 

[berman]

Kyosho. Mad crusher looks great and is an evolution of the mad force. 

I also wonder what the new monster tracker 2wd thing is like?

 

[ThunderDragonCy]

If you are looking for speed and handling then my feeling is that a custom build based around one of the buggies might be your best bet from tamiya. Someone already posted a DT03T as an idea if you want 2wd. It has multiple body post positions and options so mounting whatever body you like shouldn't be too hard. Mine on SCT wheels is much more fj  that the buggy because it has decent groun clearance now but still gas pretty proper handling. Go up a wheel size again to monster and you are away. A few people have done it. The other option is 4wd and do a TT02B. There are a couple on The Builds too. They have more gearing options that the DT03 so might be a better bet for really big wheels. Would have all the personality you can put in it.

[novicelad]

Great thanks guys, now I want a TNX to convert to brushless! 

[kwkenuf]

Completely agree with the custom build.  I have two Traxxas Stampedes, and they will get boring like your Granite did.  I blew one of them apart and am almost done with my custom build of it.  It is more of a stadium truck now.  The only reason I am keeping them is because they will be good for my kids to learn on.  Having said that, I am also wondering if I could sell one of them and be able to buy a couple of Tamiyas... 

[steelo]

Agreed. After the initial, “oooooh’s and aaaaahs” I’ll probably grow bored with it. The traxxas’ really aren’t much to look at. They just look like very generic monster trucks….

[Kingfisher]

No opinion on the Konghead?

 

Are there any so far that have caught your interest?

[Prescient]

36 minutes ago, steelo said:

Agreed. After the initial, “oooooh’s and aaaaahs” I’ll probably grow bored with it. The traxxas’ really aren’t much to look at. They just look like very generic monster trucks….

I still reckon a Super Clod is the way forward for you. Great fun stock or with the light mods I mentioned above. You also have the option to go full mod clod if desired or even a bit modded with suspension and links.

As you are in the USA you have easy access to the main suppliers for it including CPE and JConcepts historic Bigfoot / Monster Jam bodies, wheels and tyres. 

[steelo]

I do love the Clod =) Do they have Lexan bodies for it? I would have to install hop up oil shocks…the ‘pogo sticks’ aren’t going to cut it!

[Prescient]

4 minutes ago, steelo said:

I do love the Clod =) Do they have Lexan bodies for it? I would have to install hop up oil shocks…the ‘pogo sticks’ aren’t going to cut it!

Yes mate, a lot of the JConcepts bodies are lexan and specifically designed for clod scale and wheelbases. 

http://www.jconcepts.net/shop/bodies/110th-offroad/monster-truck

They have a nice YouTube channel too.

Other option is the Axial Grave Digger and JConcepts offer the scale wheel/tyre upgrade to a more realistic size as stock it a tad small.

[steelo]

Excellent, thanks for the info!

 

I think it's between the Clod and the Kyosho Mad Crusher.

[berman]

Parma did a pop of the clod body too, if you wanted a 'square body' Chevy.

I like that mad crusher, the body is nice to look at and the wheels better than the second and third gen mad force. The only thing about Kyosho is their polycarbonate is brittle IMO. Made from recycled chinese takeaway containers

[Prescient]

I think the Mad Crusher more like a mud bogger than proper monster truck. 

Decent performance though.

[steelo]

I’m thinking too that after buying a set of 8 shocks for the Clodbuster and upgrading the chassis parts, it will be as much as a nitro Mad Crusher anyways…

[berman]

Only because the wheel tyre combo is a bit narrower than its predecessors.

Most real mud boggers nowadays run tractor tyres.

While we are on about proper monster trucks, half the recommendations in this thread have wishbone suspension instead of solid axle, so 'proper' is a moot point.

I love my mad force, but even then, they are not indestructible.

Haven't driven my CF Terminator in who knows how long, put a esc in my txt-1 and forgot about it, only time I touch my clod or bullhead is to rotate the tyres every 2 weeks, dont touch my usa-1's, sold my Juggernaut.

Only really drive my konghead and dump truck nowadays. 

 

[Prescient]

TXT-2 which is based on Bigfoot 18 Chassis and 18/19 Body is still my preference on the modern scale front but very expensive in the USA. Scale even down to the side panels and sponsor decals + with the piggyback hop up shocks it looks awesome.

Standard body with arches cut higher and grill cut out makes a big difference. 

[Aleblanc]

21 hours ago, steelo said:

I just checked out the Wheelie King and it says it's 1/12 scale? How big is it compared to your average 1/10 scale?

its about the same size as a Blackfoot.

[smirk-racing]

21 hours ago, Prescient said:

Not Tamiya then

Although a 4600KV Brushless castle creations combo equipped lunchbox has to be pure win.

Here you go:

 

I agree with OP’s feeling about “personality”. I like overpowering vintage models. The motor in this Lunchbox is roughly 15 times more powerful than stock. It is also fun to get these models to drive well without sacrificing their character. 

[steelo]

I have a buddy who keeps telling me, “Get a traxxas, get a traxxas”

 

I’m sorry, but I just can’t justify paying 3-$400 for a hunk of plastic that can go 40-50 mph. I already see myself getting bored with it because it looks like something a bunch of marketing people thought of in 15 minutes to sell to 12 year olds.

 

I’d rather build something that I can put on the shelf after I’m done bashing and be proud of. I also have a re re Optima which took me a few weeks to build and around 10 hours to paint to match the box art (man, what a pain it was to paint!)...it brings a smile to my face every time I look at it =)

[novicelad]

This topic has inspired me I have been working out how much it would cost to get a decent TNX chassis and a brushless setup, it seems you can get plenty of universal brackets to mount the motors on.

I think it will cost somewhere in the region of £200 which isn't bad for a truck that no one else will have.

There is a Chassis on Ebay at the moment but they want alot for postage and I cant justify it at the moment  

[steelo]

Here is a pic of my Optima...it brings a smile to my face every time I look at it. My dad had one when I was growing up in the 80'-90's and I absolutely cherished watching it run, so it brings back a lot of great memories! Lots of hard work went into it! (btw, my wife thought it would complete the 80's nostalgia by adding gummi bear figurines...LOL. They're 'bouncing here and there and everywhere' =)

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R1gmH7kAhMDsQpcF5LyK5inJ5PFn5epq/view?usp=sharing