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 with a metal-plated roll bar.
• Durable polycarbonate monocoque frame chassis locates battery and motor in centre for superior weight distribution
• Large diameter white 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 Double Blaze and the Blackfoot extreme. The Twin Detonator is based on an American style monster truck. Its twin motored 4 wheel drive system, four-wheel double wishbone suspension and huge wheels offers great off roading ability.

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 takes about 5 or 6 hours to put together plus painting of the body shell. The pre-assembled gearboxes make this a great model for the beginner, as there is no need to tinker about with cogs and gears. It very easy to put together following the easy-to-read instructions.

As with all cars based on this chassis, it is rough, tough and pretty indestructible. It could do with some more power as it is more than capable of handling the output from the two 540 motors that come with it. However, in its standard form it has good acceleration, an acceptable top speed and can easily handle any sort of terrain, however try and avoid tarmac as this eats the tyres and strips the knobbles off instantly.

The body is great, reminiscent of those old school American monster trucks from when we were kids. The sticker work is cool and I kept the model in the standard box colour scheme.

As with most Tamiya kits it can be improved with some simple to install upgrades. I would recommend the following:

• Full ball race kit
• Motor Heat Syncs
• Oil filled aluminium dampers
• 20 tooth pinion gears
• Tamiya Sport Tuned 540 motors
• Electronic speed controller (ESC)

The ball race kit and the 20 tooth pinion gears will improve the performance of the car instantly. With improvements to the top end speed, and little impact on acceleration, I would recommend these as the first upgrades to be installed. Unfortunately the installation of the ball bearings requires a complete strip of the car including the gear boxes, but it is well worth the hassle.

Next I would recommend a change of the archaic mechanical speed controller that comes with the kit to an electronic speed controller. Tamiya’s TEU-103 BK speed controller has been designed for use with their twin motor kits, but there are others available from different manufacturers. If purchasing one of these ensure that it is able to run the twin motors.

The Tamiya’s sports tuned motors are the only ones recommended for use with the kit by Tamiya, and are the only upgraded motors suitable for use with their TEU-103 BK speed controller. They will improve the performance over the standard motors and are a worthwhile upgrade.

The heat syncs are a clip on item that just clip onto the motors and aids in cooling, so that the motors don’t lose performance when 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 are quite stiff and make the car bounce about a lot on uneven surfaces.

If you are feeling really adventurous you can get a shock tower upgrade that allows you to install 4” Shocks which will improve the travel of the suspension and dramatically improve the performance over the rough stuff. Please note however that this is not a Tamiya upgrade.

This car comes highly recommended, and if you are looking for a car to knock about with in the backyard or as the base for something you can upgrade to a beast, this is the one for you.