Blackfoot or Pumpkin

[Krankster82]

Hey guys, so my birthday is coming up and I’m looking to get a classic Tamiya truck...re-release rather than vintage...

I think I’ve narrowed it down to a Blackfoot or Midnight Pumpkin Black Edition (has to be the original colour way right?!)...but which one do you think I should go for???

I know the Blackfoot chassis is more advanced and better spec (by classic standards) as I also have a Monster Beetle...but are there some benefits in going for the Pumpkin???

Also, on these models, I believe they both come with black moulded bodies now - do people recommend spraying them as normal or is the finish good enough as is? I’m presuming both would benefit from spraying but just thought I’d check that too! 

Cheers guys...

 

[Juggular]

If you already have a Monster Beetle, why not go with the Midnight Pumpkin?  (Unless you really like the Blackfoot body) 

But I must tell you, the wisdom I've been getting from Tamiya Club is; "when in doubt, get both."   

My Pumpkin was white (I got it long ago), so I sprayed black.  The spray can sputtered, so I'm sanding it down to re-do it.  But my re-re Blackfoot came in shiny black.  Even though I got better at spraying, I don't think I'll spray it.  

 

[Krankster82]

Thanks for the input Juggular...

I wish I had the free cash to just go for a couple of sets but I don’t really...it would certainly lead to some tricky questions from the Mrs.. : ) lol! 

I really like the bodies on both the MP and Blackfoot, obviously both being modelled on classic Fords and Tamiya doing an immense job on the styling...

I guess my concern on the MP is that it may seem inferior in its construction and drive compared to my Monster Beetle...but then, on the plus side it will give me something different! : / 

Difficult decision!!! : )

[Frog Jumper]

Get the Pumpy, and a BF body for your MB...

Terry

 

[markbt73]

Pumpkin, for sure. It's too cool to not own.

[Kingfisher]

You need both. Not want. NEED. You have to have both. It's the only way. 

 

j/k- I vote for the Pumpkin. I also vote for the metallic special with getting a spare black body to run. It's going to flip and tumble. Use the black body for bashing and the metallic for show. Or vise versa if that's your thing.

 

[Juggular]

Oh, the things we want...  (Excuse me, NEED)  On my list are XV-01, DT03, M06, (or M05), even a non-Tamiya MST CFX.  And probably half the things TC guys put on my list...  

The only thing that's stopping me is the anemic state of my wallet.  And my wife does not like the RC influence.  She is very worried that she knows what a "ball-bearing" is.  She loves our 4 legged dog shedding hair all over the place, but she does not like 4 wheeled Sand Rover on our kitchen floor.  (Maybe I should put some fur on my cars. But if I did that, they won't look beautiful to me)  

So, I sell my muscle-power to my wife, like fixing the siding.  The secret is not being a "willing" husband.  I let her find out how much things would cost for her project.  Only after that, I step in; "why Madam, I believe I could be of assistance. At a cost, of course!"  The plaster copies of a tile cost only $20 to make, instead of $200.  I do it for $100.  She saves $100 too.  I get my a Tamiya and she gets her tiles.  And she tolerates my RC better.  I'll come up with every deviant scheme (I mean, an honest bargain) for another Tamiya.  

 

Except, she keeps sabotaging her own projects... I told her it looks like "red-brown."  I have enough tank kits, I know NATO brown when I see it.  And I painted the raised portion with a silver Sharpie, and she doodles with copper.  ...I'm used to her being a child...  

Anyway... Midnight Pumpkin has the simple axle from the Grasshopper.  Not the most advanced chassis.  But it's not horrendous.  It all depends on the terrain.  If you have tree roots and rocks sticking out of the ground, the Pumpkin's axle can get caught.  But a lot less than the Grasshopper would, because the tires are bigger.  If you drive on a grassy or sandy field, it won't matter at all.  It is quite fun to drive.  A good mechanical design doesn't necessarily translate into "fun."  

And if you get bored, you can upgrade the front suspension with something better like CRP or AMPro design.  (I can't find ball ends to make upper arms... I know I have them!)  That reminds me that I need to get an axle brace from AMPro.   https://www.shapeways.com/product/G72GAY3NL/w01002-01-cw01-lunchbox-pumpkin-trans-brace?optionId=59473027 

CW01 chassis is not advanced by any means. But it's enjoyable to drive.  

 

 

[Krankster82]

7 hours ago, Kingfisher said:

You need both. Not want. NEED. You have to have both. It's the only way. 

 

j/k- I vote for the Pumpkin. I also vote for the metallic special with getting a spare black body to run. It's going to flip and tumble. Use the black body for bashing and the metallic for show. Or vise versa if that's your thing.

 

Haha, wish I could just go ahead and buy both! 😂

That’s a great looking Pumpkin by the way - simple design but really effective! 

[Jonathon Gillham]

Do you/can you run your Monster Beetle? If you can, then get the Pumpkin. I assume the Blackfoot needs the MIP ball diff like the Monster Beetle? That adds a lot to the cost.

I'm confused though, you have the best Tamiya monster truck already in the Monster Beetle, why do you need another that isn't as good?

[wolfdogstinkus]

How about the VW Wheelie?, more stable than your choices and still Retro cool.

[Krankster82]

1 hour ago, Jonathon Gillham said:

Do you/can you run your Monster Beetle? If you can, then get the Pumpkin. I assume the Blackfoot needs the MIP ball diff like the Monster Beetle? That adds a lot to the cost.

I'm confused though, you have the best Tamiya monster truck already in the Monster Beetle, why do you need another that isn't as good?

Yeah, I run my Monster Beetle but try not to bash it around too much! Absolutely love it. It’s just standard out of the box spec which is fine with me! With that in mind, if I went for the Blackfoot, I’m not sure I’d need the MIP ball diff? 

Why another monster truck? Well, I’m wanting to get a collection going and I like their driving capability off road and I love the body styling of both the Blackfoot and Pumpkin, not to mention their retro appeal which is a big draw for me! 😄

Out of interest, is there something else you’d recommend for similar money that isn’t a monster truck? I was considering more of a buggy style earlier in the year but have kind of moved towards the trucks mentioned! 

[Krankster82]

1 hour ago, wolfdogstinkus said:

How about the VW Wheelie?, more stable than your choices and still Retro cool.

Haha, do you mean the Camper Wheelie? I’m a big fan of VW Campers but I think this model looks awful to be honest! Is it really more stable than the ones I mentioned? 

[Krankster82]

Ps. Here’s a pic of my Monster Beetle...

[wolfdogstinkus]

15 minutes ago, Krankster82 said:

Haha, do you mean the Camper Wheelie? I’m a big fan of VW Campers but I think this model looks awful to be honest! Is it really more stable than the ones I mentioned? 

It is more predictable than the pumpkin anyway, that's definite.

What about this? This is THE monster truck of the 80's. It eats Lunchboxes.

 

 

 

[Krankster82]

26 minutes ago, wolfdogstinkus said:

It is more predictable than the pumpkin anyway, that's definite.

What about this? This is THE monster truck of the 80's. It eats Lunchboxes.

 

 

 

Yes! The Clod is very cool! A fair whack more though cost wise...although I realise it has more powerful features like 4WD, 4 wheel steering etc...

An absolute monster! 😁👍🏼

[wolfdogstinkus]

Soon you will learn never to ask buying advice on this forum,  as you originally want one model, soon you will want 5,  then you NEED another 5 for spares just in case they stop making them again. Then just as you are about to make your purchase, they produce something new which you want more. 

May I suggest the Blackfoot 3? +3

[Krankster82]

28 minutes ago, wolfdogstinkus said:

Soon you will learn never to ask buying advice on this forum,  as you originally want one model, soon you will want 5,  then you NEED another 5 for spares just in case they stop making them again. Then just as you are about to make your purchase, they produce something new which you want more. 

May I suggest the Blackfoot 3? +3

This looks a bit mental! How does it look with the body on? What body do you use?! 😂

[wolfdogstinkus]

It;'s not finished yet.

 

[Kingfisher]

Which Blackfoot were you originally considering? Same chassis as the Monster Beetle, or the WT01 chassis? If the WT01 chassis, I change my vote to that. You can make it dual motor, 4WD with 4 wheel steering if you wanted.

 

 

 

Edited October 7, 2018 by Kingfisher
said engine instead of motor, lol

[wolfdogstinkus]

^^^^Thats the truck my 6x6 started out as.

[Krankster82]

2 hours ago, wolfdogstinkus said:

It;'s not finished yet.

 

That’s cool! Looks quite futuristic - like a moon buggy or something?!

[Krankster82]

1 hour ago, Kingfisher said:

Which Blackfoot were you originally considering? Same chassis as the Monster Beetle, or the WT01 chassis? If the WT01 chassis, I change my vote to that. You can make it dual engine, 4WD with 4 wheel steering if you wanted.

 

 

 

Ah! This is interesting...I was considering the 2016 Blackfoot Re-release though 😄 not to say I wouldn’t consider the WT01! 

Is that your yellow truck? Looks awesome! Great work! 👍🏼

[wolfdogstinkus]

The Blackfoot 3 decals aren't as nice as the originals,

#Buy a blackfoot 3, original decals and spare gearbox for later 4wd upgrade.

Or just look out for 2nd hand Wild dagger, twin detonator, cheap source of 4wd upgrade parts.

[Jonathon Gillham]

8 hours ago, Krankster82 said:

Yeah, I run my Monster Beetle but try not to bash it around too much! Absolutely love it. It’s just standard out of the box spec which is fine with me! With that in mind, if I went for the Blackfoot, I’m not sure I’d need the MIP ball diff? 

Why another monster truck? Well, I’m wanting to get a collection going and I like their driving capability off road and I love the body styling of both the Blackfoot and Pumpkin, not to mention their retro appeal which is a big draw for me! 😄

Out of interest, is there something else you’d recommend for similar money that isn’t a monster truck? I was considering more of a buggy style earlier in the year but have kind of moved towards the trucks mentioned! 

Thats a great reason, everyone needs a collection. I have 7 buggies (honest, they're all different and serve a purpose!) I want to add some more too, just because.

I found with the Monster beetle it needed the MIP diff after about 15 packs through it, and thats just with a silvercan and NiMH. You may be lucky though and it may be fine. It costs about USD80 I think.

Best bet for a good buggy is a rere at the moment. The TT02B isn't great, although they do take a beating (I have 2 which are run by kids a lot and they don't break). Unfortunately Tamiya don't have a mid range buggy.  The Top Force would be the best performer and still a proper buggy, or the Boomerang or Bigwig are cheaper and good fun. And the Boomerang is the coolest one. You may be able to pick up a DB01 for similar money to the Blackfoot.

A WT01 monster truck would be a great option too since you have an ORV, I like the Mud Blaster II with the Brat body if you can find them, it avoids the dodgy rear diff.

[Kevin_Mc]

On 10/6/2018 at 1:16 AM, Kingfisher said:

You need both. Not want. NEED. You have to have both. It's the only way. 

 

j/k- I vote for the Pumpkin. I also vote for the metallic special with getting a spare black body to run. It's going to flip and tumble. Use the black body for bashing and the metallic for show. Or vise versa if that's your thing.

 

Why does that Pumpkin look so good?! Is it as simple as the lack of decals and the chrome wheels or is there something else going on too?