Considering 6 wheels, or 3

[markbt73]

I'm contemplating getting a kit for a winter build, to keep me from tearing into a Bigwig kit that I'd like to keep on the shelf a while longer. But I'm still stuck in the "been there done that" doldrums when looking at most of the kits for sale. If I do get something, it will have to be cheap-ish, so the XV-01 I had my eye on is out, as is another Clod.

But two things do jump out at me: the G6-01 and the T3-01. The Konghead looked cool when it first came out; I'm not super-wild about the body, but it would do, and it is very "Tamiya." And the King Yellow is even more so. Both are (just barely) in my price range, and I think I can scrape together enough 1150 bearings for one (36, right?). And I wouldn't have to wait until springtime to drive it; it looks like an even better snow machine than the Clod is.

The little 3-wheelers also have caught my eye, but I can't say why. I'm not a fan of motorcycles, and I'm not sure how I feel about the lean-steering, but it would certainly be something different to try. And the price is good, but then I'd have to get bearings, and probably a different battery pack, and that pushes me back up to almost the G6-01 price.

I'm leaning (get it?) away from the T3-01, just because I think the novelty would wear off too quickly. A 6X6 monster is more in my wheelhouse, and I think it's going to be one of those "future classics." It just looks too good to miss out on. Besides, I like gears. Lots and lots of gears...

[Busdriver]

I think you will have more fun with 6 wheels rather than 3. I have both though my 6 wheeler is based on a dynahead (72 bearings!!!!). The T3-01 is fun but IMHO a bit gimiky. The G6-01 is a creditable ATV and with the right motor quite a riot. Start basic and add as you go along. 4WS is ok but for general bashing etc not really needed. Bearings are a must with them though as theres a lot of potential drag in the powertrain

 

[TurnipJF]

The G6-01 is indeed a great snow machine. It is also a great basis for a custom shell if the stock options don't appeal.

 

 

[MadInventor]

Someone posted a wicked looking G6-01 into their showroom on tamiyaclub a few weeks ago with a stretched Wild Willy bodyshell. It just topped the model off perfectly. 

 

[schlabinski]

Tower was recently running a pretty good deal on the King Yellow (and the one with the painted body).  25% off and brought the price down to $136 IIRC?  That deal has now expired, but keep watching...maybe they'll do it again.

[Grumpy pants]

Yep 6 wheels are more fun than 3.

Few limitations with the GF and lots of possibilities 👍

[wolfdogstinkus]

Just throwing it out there but the mini lunchbox is a great winter car, indoors or out..

Ahhh!!! But 6 wheels you say...

 

[markbt73]

Just watched Matteo's Konghead video. Man, if Tamiya doesn't pay that guy to advertise for them, they should....

Although I think I like the King Yellow idea better. That bus body just has so many possibilities.

[c64orinoco]

I went with the King Yellow, because it’s a freaking bus. Plenty of trucks around; not so many busses. I bought a second body shell, so one will be box art, the other will be maybe 80’s rock band tour bus. I’m not sure. I also have CatBus in my head too just need to work out how to make it. 

[Busdriver]

8 hours ago, MadInventor said:

Someone posted a wicked looking G6-01 into their showroom on tamiyaclub a few weeks ago with a stretched Wild Willy bodyshell. It just topped the model off perfectly. 

 

I’ve had one of those planned for ages . I saw it in a post a long time ago, not sure if it’s the same one. I have the body set but just haven’t got round to cutting it up!!!

[berman]

The G6-01 is pretty cool. I have the konghead, I do like the bus, but the wheels need to be black like the 1:1 buses. I think that Volvo A60H is pretty cool but it's quite expensive.

The GF-01 Dump Truck is very cool, I prefer it to the G6-01. Like a lunchbox but much better handling, jumps better, and 4wd. 

Also been eyeing up a lunchbox mini as @wolfdogstinkus has mentioned, but don't want to buy a proprietary battery pack, and don't think my 1.8 and 2.2 LiPos are small enough.

[wolfdogstinkus]

Can I also suggest buying two mini lunchboxes, joining them together and making a mini longhead???

Just keeping them gears turning..

[Mad Ax]

I don't have a T3-01, and although I'm sure they're great fun on the right surface I think their use might be a bit limited in winter.

The G6-01, on the other hand, is an absolutely fabulous chassis which drives like nothing else in Tamiya's lineup and instantly went right to the top of my Fave Runner list, ousting long-time top spot holder, the Blitzer Beetle.

Chassis-wise mine is bone-stock, I haven't even put putty in the diffs.  I stripped it down to add bearings (the original owner built it for the shelf) but otherwise it's never been apart.  Loads of use without a single breakage.  Even the pogo stick shocks seem to work well, as they add to the bounce that is all part of the experience.  I will eventually add Tamiya CVAs and I'm sure it will feel smoother but it's not something I feel to be essential for enjoyment of the truck.

Handling-wise it has a goes-where-you-point it feel, a reassuring solidity on the track.  It understeers as much as you'd expect but it's predictable, and on most surfaces I can give mine plenty of lock and it won't roll over, even at speed.

I previously had quite a daft brushless system in it but I've slowed it down a little (mostly because I wanted the faster motor in my Top Force for racing) and now it's perfect around my back garden.

I wasn't a fan of either body option so I made my own from a King Blackfoot.

 

[Chaosfruitbat]

I have both a Konghead and a Dancing rider. Both are fun, though the Konghead can be run on many different surfaces. The Dancing Rider is lots of fun on our carpet racetrack, or a very smooth surface, but that kind of limits where you can run it.

[MadInventor]

On 12/18/2020 at 5:21 AM, berman said:

The G6-01 is pretty cool. I have the konghead, I do like the bus, but the wheels need to be black like the 1:1 buses. I think that Volvo A60H is pretty cool but it's quite expensive.

The GF-01 Dump Truck is very cool, I prefer it to the G6-01. Like a lunchbox but much better handling, jumps better, and 4wd. 

Also been eyeing up a lunchbox mini as @wolfdogstinkus has mentioned, but don't want to buy a proprietary battery pack, and don't think my 1.8 and 2.2 LiPos are small enough.

My son has a GF-01 dump truck, and I far prefer it to the G6-01, and it's light years ahead of a Lunchbox in terms of handling and off road capability.

 

[qatmix]

Three of the best fun kits made my Tamiya are as follows

T3-01 can be used indoors and out. It's a brilliant little kit. Lots of nice hop-ups available for it as well. Its more than manageable to drive around the floor on my lounge, and when you pop in a quicker motor it is a blast to run on a larger track, the most unique driving experience for a Tamiya. https://www.thercracer.com/2018/04/57405-tamiya-dancing-rider-t3-01-build.html#:~:text=Overall the Tamiya T3-01,to maintain the flowing speed.

Lunchbox mini - Great stunt truck, better than the larger version in my opinion. This and the T3-01 have been well used in these covid times. I really do love running it. https://www.thercracer.com/2020/06/57409-tamiya-sw-01-lunchbox-mini-build.html

G6-01 Konghead - great fun, very Tamiya and it can go just about anywhere, I've jumped it, and ragged it around loads. Making it 4ws is easy with a servo splitter and all the parts come in the kit.  https://www.thercracer.com/2017/06/58646-tamiya-konghead-6x6-g6-01-review.html

GF-01 Heavy dumptruck - Superb all round outdoor basher (I have the Dump truck, and I am tempted to get the comic avante). This is Tamiya's best basher, bulletproof, great even with the kit pogo shocks (I've never felt the need to upgrade). Can do stunts but is also fun to drive. https://www.thercracer.com/2016/05/58622-tamiya-heavy-dump-truck-gf-01.html 

Oh look I listed 4 not three, I got carried away as they are all such fun

[markbt73]

Thanks for the suggestions. Honestly, that mini Lunchbox does nothing for me. It just looks too toy-like. If I got something small to run indoors, I think I'd rather have something slow and crawly like an Axial SCX-24. (if only those were available as a kit!...)

I've looked at the various GF-01 variants several times, and they do look like fun, but the G6-01 is roughly the same price, it seems. I think that the idea of a 6x6 (which is  something I've never tried before) is more appealing in that case.

I don't know... I have a birthday coming up, and my wife asked me the dreaded question "what do you want for your birthday," and I'm trying to figure it out.

(Edit: And then I go and watch videos of the mini Lunchbox, and yeah, OK, it looks like fun... gah! Decisions, decisions...)

[Busdriver]

6x6🤪

[wolfdogstinkus]

6x,6 wild Dagger modified.

Parts are cheap and readily available.

2wd

4wd

Fwd

Rwd

Or more, the choice could easily be yours.  

Much cheaper than a clod 6x6 and faster too.

 

 

 

[wolfdogstinkus]

Go anywhere at 30+

 

[Grumpy pants]

I really like the mini LB and the trike and the kits are usually easy to find as special offers as well, but I have never pulled the trigger because once you start to add up the extras the cost quickly escalates to a point where I would rather buy something bigger. 
 

Novelty value, running around the house and Tamiya quirkiness all 100%, but for me I felt once built and the money has been spent probably not outdoors enough for me.  
 

I prefer the big yellow to the Konghead but my Konghead came up at a had to be bought price and I really like it as a curious runner and something that’s quite different to any other Tamiya I have owned, so it gives me the Tamiya quirkiness I like but for me a bit more go anywhere usability.  
 

 

[markbt73]

9 hours ago, Grumpy pants said:

I really like the mini LB and the trike and the kits are usually easy to find as special offers as well, but I have never pulled the trigger because once you start to add up the extras the cost quickly escalates to a point where I would rather buy something bigger. 
 

Novelty value, running around the house and Tamiya quirkiness all 100%, but for me I felt once built and the money has been spent probably not outdoors enough for me. 

That's kind of where I am in my thinking too. Not to mention that I don't have much open floor space in my house, so driving indoors is extremely limited. But I have a lot of varied terrain outside, where it would be fun to test the limits of traction of six big squishy wheels.