WPL 1/16 C24 Toyota Hilux; the next RC sensation??

[XLR8]

By chance, have ya'll seen this yet?



Available in kit or RTR. Yeah, apparently some components are junk (especially with the RTR) but at least it's cheap junk (less than 50 bucks in the US or less than 40 if you order it from overseas).
There are already lots of upgrades and aftermarket parts are available.
I'm thinking about ordering the kit, the complete metal upgrade kit and the two-speed transmission. Apparently the kit version can use a cheapo 20 amp ESC and the metal upgrade kit solves most of the durability problems. Anyway, might be a fun winter/indoor project.

[NomadRacer]

Wow, right in my budget for this winter.

Let's get some links to the upgrades!

[XLR8]

Not that I would necessarily order this upgrade kit from Amazon (I just using this link as an example) and it is expensive but it contains nearly everthing you would need to make a C24 kit more durable (metal diff gears, ball bearings, metal axles, wheel drives, drive shafts, hub carriers, etc.). I just googled "WPL C24 metal upgrade kit" to find this link. These kits are available everywhere, online RC stores, ebay, Amazon, etc., just pick your most trusted source. Be aware because some cheaper upgrade kits only contain certain parts and not everything I've listed here.

https://www.amazon.com/Aoile-Upgrade-Gearbox-Accessories-accessories/dp/B07FXWHDP7/ref=pd_sim_21_6?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07FXWHDP7&pd_rd_r=468e3818-d6f4-11e8-8ab2-735607aeb124&pd_rd_w=FyNlv&pd_rd_wg=WU55w&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=18bb0b78-4200-49b9-ac91-f141d61a1780&pf_rd_r=GPFEBWDKBEEXYPT1KZGS&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=GPFEBWDKBEEXYPT1KZGS

You won't necessarily need the upgrade kit on day one; just add it later if you want.

There are tons of C24 related videos on Youtube and some of the mods guys are doing are amazing!!! Dan and Jeff, you guys with 3D printers could have a lot of fun making specialty parts for these (and maybe a few extra bucks selling them to poor chaps like me).
I have some ideas on how to make very simple replacement oil-filled shocks.

[XLR8]

Yeah, I stumbled on the track mods when I was looking at WPL stuff last night. Apparently WPL makes a line of military vehicles (including 6x6) and here's a guy who's adapted a Tamiya track kit to the back of his B-1 kit. Not exactly my cup of tea but cool nevertheless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPAIgnKn48A&t=397s

(Sorry I can't seem to get the embedded youtube video to work for this one so just click the link above.)

[XLR8]

Apparently, I missed the whole mini z craze. Wow, that Jeep looks really small - almost like an RC Matchbox car.

So I've ordered the blue rtr, full metal upgrade kit, a 10a ESC and a handfull of JST connectors in case I need them to hook-up everything. The rtr version includes a battery and leds and I already have a micro servo, receiver and radio. It'll take 2-3 weeks for everything to arrive so I have time to consider a paint scheme. I've noticed that MCI can print their decal sets in alternate scales. Wouldn't it be cool to do a mini Bruiser or Mountaineer replica?

[GoMachV]

Orlandoo are still going strong. They have three models now and just came out with a radio set with full lighting and sounds. They are great builders kits, take you back to model building and test fitting.

I have a thread on here for my first one. The Jeep was a big upgrade, and pajero is a longer version of the Jeep.

https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?t=39931

[XLR8]

Those micro-scaler kits are really cool Jeff. I've always thought 1/24th scale would be neat for a custom-build RC since you could use commonly available (and cheap) static model kits for the body and interior. Are there any 1/16th scale static model kits available? It'd be interesting to try and fit perhaps a Blazer or short-bed Chevy body to a WPL crawler chassis.

[XLR8]

Well, I did find a few of these Chevy "High Sierra" kits on ebay. The cheapest one was 50 bucks shipped and it's in really bad shape. The others were over 100 bucks.
For that price, I'll just stick with the Hilux body.

[Timmahhh]

The Orlandoo and WPL are both on my eventual buy list, right after the other project I have going on... which probably means I'll be using "vintage" as a search term by the time that happens. The RC4wd 18th scale is another I think is cool. Just looks like good, easy, relatively cheap fun.

[XLR8]

He he, yeah I hear ya. I'll typically find myself at the tail end of RC fads and searching for leftovers. This time I saw it, thought it was cool and didn't hesitate.

I've ordered the RTR version because it's as cheap as the kit (or maybe a little cheaper) the packaging appears to be more sturdy (many of the kits I've seen built on youtube arrived crushed) and it should be a complete (and tested?) truck (some of those crushed kits were missing parts).
Just be warned that the RTR truck's electronics are really crappy so you'll want to source a proper replacement servo, receiver, and ESC. A usable servo and ESC are no more than 7 bucks each shipped.

Also, I've ordered some oil filled shocks (~$8) and softer tires (~$7) as well. Apparently the RTR truck's tires are harder than the kit tires.

Probably not sensational but it might be something fun to tinker with over the winter.

[XLR8]

Looks like WPL has added a Defender D90 to their line of tiny trucks. It's smaller than their other trucks (1/12th scale) but it appears to have a lot of scale details.
Would be nice if they'd offer something other than a Hilux or a Defender -- like maybe a Bronco or a Blazer. Maybe someday.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/WPL-KIT-1-12-RC-Auto-Car-Truck-C14-C24-Metal-Upgrade-D90-Hard-Plastic-Body/392167242285?hash=item5b4efd3a2d:g:AgQAAOSw9h9b4BMM:rk:2:pf:0