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4 out of 5 from Ye Gads
About the model
· Twin 540 motor 4WD utilises front and rear mounted motor connected by gear train system · Polycarbonate body · Durable polycarbonate monocoque frame chassis locates battery and motor in centre for superior weight distribution · Silver plated large diameter wheels · 130mm diameter lug pattern spike tires · Front and rear double wishbone suspension · Pre-assembled front and rear diff gearboxes can be removed for maintenance without disassembling chassis · 3-step speed controller included · Transmission Type: Shaft Twin-motor Full-time 4WD · Dimensions: Overall length=431mm, Overall width=310mm, Overall height=243mm · Cost: around £120
This is a variant model of the Tamiya Wild Dagger, which has Tamiya’s best off-roading chassis and is used in other models such as the Twin Detonator and the Blackfoot extreme. It comes with two standard Tamiya 540 motors, one at the front and one at the back. The battery is located in the centre of the chassis so that the car is perfectly balanced aiding the 4WD system and its off-road performance. This, combined with the huge wheels and tyres, enable this truck’s superb on- and off-road handling.
What else you need to get it going
· Radio: 2-Channel with 2 servos · Battery: 6-cell flat with standard Tamiya connector · Charger: for 6-cell battery · Paint: Polycarbonate spray and acrylic paint
Review
This kit took me about three evenings to put together. The hardest part on most RC models is the gear box and differentials, and with this kit they come pre-assembled, so no problems there. It had very clear instructions and I would recommend it for a beginner builder.
As for the car itself, it is pretty indestructible and more than capable of handling the power from the two 540 motors that come with it. It has a good turn of speed and can tear up any sort of terrain, however try and avoid tarmac as this eats the tyres and strips the knobbles off instantly.
I love the Dodge RAM like body, however the garish stickers weren’t really for me so I just went for single yellow colour and painted the flat bed in black. This gives the truck a very striking appearance with the blacked out windows.
Having built RC cars before, I also installed several upgrades soon after the initial build. These were:
· Full ball race kit · Motor Heat Sinks · Oil filled aluminium dampers · 20 tooth Pinion gears · Electronic speed controller (ESC)
The ball race kit and the 20 tooth pinion gears transformed the performance of the car instantly. The top end speed improved dramatically, with little impact on acceleration. I would recommend that these are purchased at the same time as the kit so that you do not have build the car twice, this is because the installation of the ball bearings required a complete strip of the car including the gear boxes.
The mechanical speed controller that comes with the kit is archaic, and has been superseded in most other kits by an electronic speed controller. I went for the Tamiya TEU-103 BK speed controller which has been designed for use with their twin motor kits. There are others available from other manufacturers but you need to ensure that they are able to run the twin motors.
The heat syncs just clip on to the motors and aid in cooling, so that the motors don’t lose performance if you are running the car hard for a long time. As for the aluminium dampers, they improve the handling of the car no end and are great for smooth landings off jumps. The standard shocks were a bit stiff and made the car bounce about a lot on uneven surfaces.
All in all a great car out of the box, and highly recommended if you are looking for a car that is “go anywhere” and robust enough for bashing around in the back garden or the local park with your kid.   |
