The history of Tamiya monster trucks is interesting. They are one of the only companies to have made scale monster trucks that actually look and perform like the real thing instead of just calling any stunt truck with big tires a monster truck. It started with the 58065 Clod Buster way back in 1987 which used solid axles, 4WD, and 4WS, just the right formula for a monster truck. The 58232 Juggernaut followed in 1999 using the same size (but different tread) giant tires but new axles and much stronger metal chassis plates. The 58280 TXT-1 (Tamiya Extreme Truck) came out only 2 years later in 2001 following much the same formula. It reverted to the original Clod tires and refined the Juggernaut with lighter chassis plates and a cantilever suspension. All of these were truly huge trucks. The Rock Buster is the first model to use the TLT-1 (Tamiya Little Truck) chassis, and it a mini TXT-1 in virtually every way. It has metal side plates, cantilever suspension, solid axles, 4WS, and even the same paint scheme as the TXT-1. The difference is the tiny 1:18 scale size.
I really had no idea what to expect from this model. I'd been told it didn't sell very well. That might partly be because of the scale, but it could also be because of the 3 open differentials and low ground clearance which combine to make it nearly useless off road. It could also be because of the requirement to use an oddly sized battery pack. This was rectified with the 47202 Rock Climber, the only other model to ever use the TLT-1 chassis, which I understand sold even worse. I actually would have preferred the Rock Climber based strictly on appearance, but I was never able to find one available for sale.
I actually really like the scale of this truck. With the tiny size combined with a 540 motor, it has all the power you could possibly ask for at a low price. It is small enough to drive indoors but big enough to handle grass and gravel with no problem at all. It is as sturdy as a tank and looks good. Of course it can't compete with a true crawler off road, can't compete with a CC-01 for scale detail, and can't compete with a touring car for performance. But I dont' think it was intended to do any of those things. It was intended to be a scale accurate, but tiny, monster truck. It managed that admirably.
I decided that the 540 motor was being heavily under loaded in such a tiny model so I switched to a 13T, 5-slot motor which added about 40% speed while retaining crazy torque. Note that because it is 5-slot, 13 turns has a speed more like 22 turns in a typical motor. The model could handle motor, but making this truck crazy fast would be silly. So maybe I'll do it.
Update: This model was destroyed in the 2022 fire. It has not been replaced.
 Page 1: Assembly |
 Page 2: Final Photos |