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I've been searching through the forums for some advice/opinions on this but can't really find this specific discussion - which is better, the Lunchbox or Monster Beetle? I'm planning my first monster purchase and need some views from owners! (I currently own a GH2 Super G, Top Force and Escort Rally (which is currently being rebuilt as a Beetle)).

I know there are issues with the LB rear suspension, but does the MB have similar issues? If/when I want to upgrade them which has the best parts available? Or is there an alternative I should be thinking about?

Thanks in advance...

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Welcome to TC :)

What are you wanting to do with your monster truck?

The Lunchbox is more of a 'stunt truck' than a monster truck.  In stock trim it's floppy, bouncy, makes a lot of clattering noise and goes upside down a lot.  The body looks great but if you drive on hard surfaces it will get scratched very quickly.  The body posts can snap off too, although stronger replacements are available.

If you add oil shocks and the infamous 5th shock mod, or one of the other more recent 3D printed rear suspension options, it becomes a bit more manageable but effectively it remains a one trick pony: it does wheelies.  It just gets a bit better at it.  Besides the aforementioned body post issue, they are fairly indestructible.

That's not to say wheeling isn't fun, and plenty of people love their lunchies purely because they wheelie so much, but if you wanted a more monstery experience then it might not be the truck for you.  And personally I find the WR02 chassis to be better at doing what the Lunchbox does.

The Monster Beetle gets closer to the true monster experience, although it's still 2wd.  It's bigger, with bigger wheels and a more involved build.  The rear gearbox is a known weak point and there are various solutions, from home-grown to 3D printed to aftermarket diffs.  Lots of people drive their MB with standard gearbox and silvercan and have no problems, so I guess it depends on how you drive it.  Otherwise they are pretty tough and there's not a lot to upgrade unless you track down vintage hop-ups or make some home-brew stuff.  The MB will still wheelie off the throttle with a good battery in it, but it's not so wheelie-happy as the Lunchbox which makes it easier to actually drive.

If by "better" you mean more technically advanced, the Monster Beetle wins.  If you mean more robust, the Lunchbox.  Neither are going to set the track on fire against modern monster trucks or 2wd racing trucks but if you want some vintage fun, both will keenly provide.

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Thanks for the quick response - I'm mostly looking to bomb around the garden, do some jumps, maybe over the kids etc...

I've driven a LB before and thought it was hilarious (and cheap), so was gravitating towards that, but the MB is something I remember from my youth as being a step up and something I've always wanted to have a go at. In the back of my mind I might be thinking about some form of racing in the future but likely only against similar cars (ie no stadium trucks!). I did also wonder about the Clodbuster etc, but imagine they're too slow and cumbersome for much fun?

I might just keep an eye on ebay and see what comes along!

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Would definitely go for a Lunchbox than anything else. .. It's my kids' favorite.  Since I got it, there is no way I have my hands on the remote. As a result, they both asked for CW-01. It's relatively inexpensive, and totally indestructible (including transmission up to the point you can run a powerful brushless without much issues)e. And beside this you can really improve it easily (lot of 3D parts stl available easily).

And yes, the weakest points are basically the body mounts and the body, but you can find a polycarbonate body easily (kamtec) and for the body mounts, a 4 mm aluminium bar that also serve to reinforce the chassis would do it easily...

uA9aENV.jpg

Now keep in mind one thing if you have kids and want to play with them: you may want to have 2 Lunchbox or more :D

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Ha, yes I can relate - after 25 years in a grubby crate i rebuilt my GH2 and had to fight the kids to have a go with it! I might have to end up getting 3 lunchboxes (unless the wife wants one too...)

I have been checking out ebay for hop up parts and there does seem to be a lot, I guess the low initial price means the lunchbox is more common so will have more parts available?

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1 minute ago, Frog Jumper said:

Barbie says get a Monster Beetle...

ead0nGc.jpg

 

 

 

dammit Barbie I had nearly made my mind up then!

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+1 Lunchbox. :)

Inexpensive, durable and most importantly - fun!

Get two and treble your enjoyment. B)

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The ORV was my first hobby-grade chassis so I would go with a Monster Beetle. The Lunchbox is fun, but really quite limited (and 1/12 scale vs the 1/10 of the MB). You can do a lot more with an ORV chassis IMHO, and I find them sublime to drive once the suspension is sorted out.

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I bought a Lunchbox for my nephew to use as it’s cheap, parts are a plenty and it’s so far proved to be near indestructible.

That said I’ve just got a Monster Beatle so I have another car that I can run with it, on similar ground.

I think I’d go with the Monster Beetle if you’re running it or if the kids are old enough not to run it into a wall, otherwise the lunchbox. However like most things the answer is both 😀

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Oh and yeah if more than one kid then a Midnight Pumpkin as well!

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I don't see the debate here - you obviously need both. Perhaps more than one of each. :D

I love both, honestly you won't go wrong either way - just plan out how you plan to upgrade and/or repair them:

  • Lunchbox - you'll probably break those body mounts pretty quickly. I like the metal upgrades available on eBay etc. I have not used the polycarb body but they look almost as good as the hardbody and make it less top heavy.
  • Monster Beetle - you'll need to upgrade or brace the rear diff. If it gets heavy use the stock diff will start to slip, increasing wear, ultimately making it undrivable until repaired/upgraded.

If you are searching for lunchbox parts/pieces remember to search for 'CW-01' so you get more results. If you are searching for Monster Beetle parts/pieces you can look for 'ORV/Frog/Brat/Blackfoot', *most* of those parts will be compatible. Obviously you can always ask on these forums if you're unsure of a particular part.

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2 hours ago, isomer1 said:

I don't see the debate here - you obviously need both. Perhaps more than one of each. :D

I was waiting for that :lol:. It seems to the be Tamiyaclub way ;).

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Lunchbox.

If you get a Monster Beetle you'll be bound for a heartbreak.And if it is the new version, well, you better stock yourself up with three or four sets of replacement gears if you plan to run it.

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I have an MB that’s mainly a shelfer, as I had a Blackfoot before it that is the same chassis but no spikes on the tyres that has been run on 2s and 17.5t brushless and enjoy it a lot. It’s a great garden basher. Nothings broken on it yet, I was going to upgrade the Diff to an MIP but it’s not showing any problems in stock trim.

IMB_OHpch6.gif

I don’t have a Lunchbox and I was considering one or a Konghead on the G601 platform, which I believe can be equally as fun. I was waiting for a Hobby Shop to re-stock and go for which came in first, both came in at the same time 😬…..nuts.

The believe the Lunchbox is just good cheap fun where as most others will require a few more dollars to hop up a bit.

I’ll just keep going with the BF til I make up my mind.

4BF78FF0-004A-435A-9E33-F677DCAB6B5A.jpg

There is no right or wrong answer though good luck deciding 👍🏻

P.S A coloured hard body like the BF or Black edition LB can just be polished with a car automotive polish instead of painting it if you wish. That’s what I’ve done with mine as it’s a runner.

 

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24 minutes ago, mongoose1983 said:

What a FANTASTIC picture !!!

Agreed!

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ok, so what you're saying is I need to get a (or 3) Lunchbox, a Monster Beetle, a Midnight Pumpkin and possibly a Blackfoot...

DO YOU GUYS TEND TO RUN OUT OF MONEY OR SPACE FIRST?

i think I'll start with the LB and see how out of control the addiction gets. Thanks for all your advice!

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4 hours ago, Re-Bugged said:

I have an MB that’s mainly a shelfer, as I had a Blackfoot before it that is the same chassis but no spikes on the tyres that has been run on 2s and 17.5t brushless and enjoy it a lot. It’s a great garden basher. Nothings broken on it yet, I was going to upgrade the Diff to an MIP but it’s not showing any problems in stock trim.

IMB_OHpch6.gif

I don’t have a Lunchbox and I was considering one or a Konghead on the G601 platform, which I believe can be equally as fun. I was waiting for a Hobby Shop to re-stock and go for which came in first, both came in at the same time 😬…..nuts.

The believe the Lunchbox is just good cheap fun where as most others will require a few more dollars to hop up a bit.

I’ll just keep going with the BF til I make up my mind.

4BF78FF0-004A-435A-9E33-F677DCAB6B5A.jpg

There is no right or wrong answer though good luck deciding 👍🏻

P.S A coloured hard body like the BF or Black edition LB can just be polished with a car automotive polish instead of painting it if you wish. That’s what I’ve done with mine as it’s a runner.

 

So this BF is just a black plastic hardshell polished with car polish? Does that work out more scratch resistant than paint?

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51 minutes ago, tadcooke said:

So this BF is just a black plastic hardshell polished with car polish? Does that work out more scratch resistant than paint?

It still gets scratched, plastic will always come off second best with road rash, mine has had a couple of rollovers but I've managed to buff them out. Because the colour of the plastic is all the way through they don't show up nearly as much as a painted shell with the primers and under coats getting exposed. A quick buff up (even over the decals) brings it up good again. I use one that is applied wth a damp cloth.

047BE8C7-D3E5-400D-B1AB-9B939CC4B857.jpg

 

With regard to running out of money or space first, I find they are usually simultaneous events 😉

 

I think the LB will be a great choice, enjoy it.

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