New RC4wd TF2 spinoff?

[ThatJeeper2017]

Originally Posted by svt923

The Axial mirrors are bombproof compared to what you get with a lot of hard bodies. Keeping a set of mirrors on some of the Tamiya bodies through more than a stiff breeze is an accomplishment.

I do suppose that makes sense. If only axial would create a hardbody scaler...


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[Brake Weight]

Originally Posted by soilwork

It's just not research and design that goes into it! Licensing is a issue as well! They have to get permission from the auto manufacturer to use the body!

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For older, classic rigs I can see a scale vendor paying for the rights. But with a modern vehicle I would think it'd initially be a freebie for the advertisement.

Originally Posted by imthatguy

It's the molds that cost the real money. Injection molding tech isn't cheap.

True. But they're not mass producing these things like Mattel or Tonka. Maybe a few hundred bodies sold per year. Is there no one in house with enough sense and know how to run a 1 for 1 molding machine? 1 a day for each work day a year and they'd still have a surplus. Likely drive up prices on fleaBay and generate interest. Tweak the mold as you go, too. But I really don't know how to do it. I have seen pottery done similarly.

Originally Posted by SSD

You dont start any RC body project by scaling down a real one. It's much harder than that. It takes many hours of drawing/redrawing/checking to fool your eyes into thinking it looks the same.

Even Tamiya do not get their proportions right but close enough. I remember someone posting the differences between a real Tundra and the Tamiya one a few years ago...

I didn't realize these changes were intentional.

[SSD]

Originally Posted by Brake Weight

For older, classic rigs I can see a scale vendor paying for the rights. But with a modern vehicle I would think it'd initially be a freebie for the advertisement.

True. But they're not mass producing these things like Mattel or Tonka. Maybe a few hundred bodies sold per year. Is there no one in house with enough sense and know how to run a 1 for 1 molding machine? 1 a day for each work day a year and they'd still have a surplus. Likely drive up prices on fleaBay and generate interest. Tweak the mold as you go, too. But I really don't know how to do it. I have seen pottery done similarly.

I didn't realize these changes were intentional.

Actually they are mass produced. Tooling is very expensive, multiple pieces of CNC machined steel.

The differences are generally due to proportion differences in RC cars to real cars e.g. Wheel arch size, body width, front/rear overhangs etc...

So it's all about tricking the eye really. Not actually scaling down.

[spaceman5280]

Originally Posted by ThatJeeper2017

How well does that work? I don't know a lot about their products.


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It worked really well, I wheeled my 83 Toyota hard for close to 15 years, doing pretty much every trail in CO and UT and almost always driving it back and forth. I had the Marlin Crawler double case adapter with a 4:1 gear set as well as Marlins heavy duty tie rod and drag link for crossover conversion.

My only issue was a brand new first generation Marfield that broke during my first (and only) comp. Marlin did cut me a deal on a second generation Marfield as a replacement.


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[ThatJeeper2017]

Dang. I need an 80s Toyota bad! Sounds like Marlin Crawler makes some good products.


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[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by Brake Weight

R&D can't be that expensive for bodies. There are many bodies available that are getting 3D printed. I'd guess with modern tech, a couple grand could get a 1:1 copied/scaled and into the molding stage. Maybe if all their gear wasn't outsourced....

The average person has no idea how much a mold costs. I used to be a Plant Engineer at a molding company. I was involved with the designing and purchasing of our molds. We had simple bar and disc shaped products and those molds reached upwards of $50,000! A mold for RC hard bodies would be a lot more than that.

Just think how many bodies you have to sell to amortize a $100,000 mold.

Originally Posted by SSD

I have no idea about what they do now as I left in 2014.

I dont think there is much unreleased of my old stuff now.

I didn't do the drawing. But I spoon fed and directed the person that did in 2013. That was started with a rare old Monogram 1/18 scale Blazer model and lots of Google images!

I'm not sure where the staleness lies. Either they need new engineers or they need to be willing to spend money on new kits.

I realize I might be in the minority with this truck. I'm not impressed. They did add the Yota 2 axles which are supposed to be better, but that should have been a change made to all TF2s a long time ago.

And I'd be more interested in RC4WD getting their QC issues under control instead of a slightly modified, rehashed body.

[svt923]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

Just think how many bodies you have to sell to amortize a $100,000 mold.

Well, most manufacturing equipment is considered 3 year property under MACRS but you can expense the entire cost in the first year under Section 179 rules if....

Oh, we aren't getting into an accounting discussion. My bad.

[justinart24]

This new toy truck from Rc4WD is cool, I like the grill. Toys ftw!

[tuanies]

Originally Posted by justinart24

This new toy truck from Rc4WD is cool, I like the grill. Toys ftw!

You getting one? :p

[justinart24]

Originally Posted by tuanies

You getting one? :p

I have too many rigs but I will buy the grill when it comes out.

[BigSki]

Originally Posted by SSD

I have no idea about what they do now as I left in 2014.
I dont think there is much unreleased of my old stuff now.



I didn't do the drawing. But I spoon fed and directed the person that did in 2013. That was started with a rare old Monogram 1/18 scale Blazer model and lots of Google images!



You dont start any RC body project by scaling down a real one. It's much harder than that. It takes many hours of drawing/redrawing/checking to fool your eyes into thinking it looks the same.

Even Tamiya do not get their proportions right but close enough. I remember someone posting the differences between a real Tundra and the Tamiya one a few years ago...

That, and we won't even get into the cavity-core 3D modeling to send to the mold shop...

[1BadJeepBruiser]

always interesting to see feedback... I think the did a good job overall with the truck, I like mine, and it leaves room for modifying. They (RC4WD) is listening to the market as the truck comes with a high clearance cross member, gelande II shock hoops, and much better driver shafts. I started the build thread for mine in the TF2 section.

[imthatguy]

And here's a video review/unboxing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19m0xa6GF3Y

[ussprinceton2004]

NewBright should have kept the molds for their older 4dr JK. They would have made a lot of money if they kept producing them. The new ones are fugly

[BigSki]

Originally Posted by imthatguy

And here's a video review/unboxing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19m0xa6GF3Y

Gotta say, you're very articulate in the videos.

Bob's your bed.

[imthatguy]

Originally Posted by BigSki

Gotta say, you're very articulate in the videos.

Bob's your bed.

I speak words good.

[ThatJeeper2017]

The more I read into this rig, the more I realize how good it actually is. The crossmember, driveshafts body, bobbed bed, and roll bar are all pretty cool additions.


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[smog]

Originally Posted by imthatguy

And here's a video review/unboxing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19m0xa6GF3Y

Thanks for the video. You have a great sense of humour.

Sure I wish it was a second Gen Tacoma hardbody, but it’s cool. One day I will ‘have to have’ a TF2. It’s always nice to have options

[Brake Weight]

Originally Posted by smog

Thanks for the video. You have a great sense of humour.

Sure I wish it was a ~FIRST~ Gen Tacoma hardbody, but it’s cool. One day I will ‘have to have’ a TF2. It’s always nice to have options

Fixed it.

[ThatJeeper2017]

Originally Posted by Brake Weight

Fixed it.

95' Tacoma all the way!


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