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I scored a free Toyota Prerunner that's in not too bad of shape. The body is a little rough but will clean up quite well I think. The tires/wheels are wrong but since still available this could turn out well. I'd imagine chassis parts would be easy to find too. The box is copyrighted 1994 but the F150 which says 1995 edition is still available new. Some F150's can be had for $122 but they say re release?

At least if it's a dud I got a free Tekin Rebel ESC out of it.

Opinions?

It has been rereleased some time ago. It uses the TA-02 or TA-01 chassis, and as long as you don't stick a crazy brushless in it it should be fine. Some options are useful, such as the alloy motor mount (original is hard to find, GPM makes a replacement)

I'd probably just clean it and put it back into a reasonable state and display it. Although it wont be like new it will still be tidy and original. Someone sprayed it with a matt clear at one time and getting it off is painstaking. I though of just shooting it with a clear to make it shine again. Is it worth saving the prerunner body?

The other option is to just run it, a bit sad to tumble and crash up the body though.

Crap, It's starting already I just ordered a set of wheels and tires for it, I guess I'm stuck with it now, ha ha.

The body looks better in the photo then in person, but this is after one round of cleaning it. I'm going to paint the bed black like the box art. I'm also going to remove the black wheel arch trim sticker and paint it black instead. I'll also replace some of the decals that are scratched off in spots.

All in all I think this will be fun, my first Tamiya restore. To drive or not to drive..........

I always liked the look of those trucks. But didn't like how they are basically touring cars with larger tires.

They have always looked awesome in my opinion but a bit disapointing in the performance department.

I picked up a set of bearings for it today but I'm a bit torn where to head with this project. I could replace a few things and the chassis would be close to new, or I could leave it as is and build a fun little garage runner. Since I don't see these (TA01/2) as being collectible I'm leaning towards runner. I noticed the new versions of these are blue but red parts are still available.

If I went the runner route Id stick to the brushed stuff, what motors tend to work well in these? 15 - 27 turns?

Progress for today, cleaned all plastics and metal bits. Luckily there was a new rear gearbox and a couple of new gears in the box.

Although only cosmetic the chassis is slightly melted where a battery either shorted out or was severely overcharged in the truck. I'll probably get a new tub but then I wont want to run it.

A Tamiya sport tuned motor would be all you need for that truck. Anything faster and you will just be at the mercy of the handling. Does it jump like a 1/8 scale truggy? Nope. Is it fun to drive? Yup.

I love the TA02T chassis, mainly for the more scale look of them. They roll pretty easily but you hit jumps clean they look just like the real thing.

I run an older brushless in mine, just for the raw power. It's the "old" Aveox RC Car motor hooked to a Castle Sidewinder using rounded lipo packs. It's just silly fun.

Oh and I never glued the wheels. They act a a slipper of sorts. Not that the block tires have a ton of grip but wearing down the tires is better than exploding the transmission.

Progress from yesterday....

I also ordered a new tub so this is sort of on hold till it arrives. I can still paint the body though. I noticed TBG make a reproduction of this body which might be worth getting. A bit steep for $29 I think.

Question, does this truck share the exact suspension as the touring car version of this chassis? I thought the truck arms were a little longer but that picture they look very short.

I completely forgot about this untill I saw Klavys post 3 years later

It's pretty well finished although not perfect, unless I can find a new bumper set and arm set. The front shock tower has a tiny crack that is hard to notice and still works fine, but I'd still like to replace it.

I must have painted the bed black although I don't remember doing so and also bought a TBG body at some stage. I did say I would, but don't remember, lol.

All in all pretty tidy for what it is.

Chassis shots....

You own a Tamiya?????

Just joking.

It looks like it'd be fun on loose dirt and gravel.

1300GT wrote:You own a Tamiya?????

I own a Tamiya shhhh, don't say that out loud