A Legend In the Palm of Your Hand – Relive the Glory Days of American Off-Roading With the 1/24-Scale FMS FCX24 Chevrolet K5 Blazer

In the realm of legendary trucks, the Chevrolet K5 Blazer holds a special place. As a representative of the renowned C/K series, this iconic vehicle dominated the SUV market with its full-size pickup chassis, formidable power, and comprehensive configuration. Once a symbol of American off-road prowess, the K5 Blazer sold like hotcakes across the United States. Now, in a fitting tribute to this legendary vehicle, FMS has collaborated with Chevrolet to proudly present the FCX24 Chevrolet K5 Blazer—a scaled-down, 1/24-scale RC replica that captures the spirit of its larger counterpart.

UNLEASH THE POWER

FMS has pushed the boundaries of RC design by ingeniously incorporating a pioneering two-speed transmission into the micro-sized 1/24 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Despite its small stature, this RC marvel achieves top-tier mechanical performance. By combining off-road capability with an automatic transmission, the FCX24 allows enthusiasts to experience the thrill of both racing and climbing. Equipped with a heavy-duty four-link suspension and a high-performance climbing chassis, this miniature beast is ready to conquer any terrain with ease.

A NOD TO THE PAST WITH AUTHENTIC DETAILING

The bodywork of the FCX24 Chevrolet K5 Blazer comes in three representative colors of the 1970s American car culture: vibrant orange, classic brown, and sleek black. These nostalgic hues pay homage to the era when the K5 Blazer ruled the roads. To ensure the utmost authenticity, FMS has employed innovative electroplated stickers to meticulously re-create the intricate design details of the original vehicle’s body. This attention to detail adds an extra layer of realism to the RC truck, allowing enthusiasts to immerse themselves in a bygone era of American automotive experience.

THE BASICS

The FCX24 Chevrolet K5 Blazer is similar in many ways to FMS’s previous releases. It’s got an ultra-detailed hard plastic body, realistic chassis, lifelike wheels and tires, working lights, and mostly hidden signs that it is in fact an operable RC vehicle. The FCX24 crawler is powered by an FMS Power Dash RS-S130 motor and FMS 7.4V 380mAh 5C LiPo. It’s a small motor, but this K5 Blazer weighs less than 14 ounces and has a total length of a little over 9 inches. It’s a small RC for sure, but dang it, it looks good. It has a fully functional four-link suspension that’s tied to oil-filled coilover shocks and sits on really great-looking, red step-lipped, steelie-style wheels and all-terrain farm-equipment-looking tires. You see a theme going on here? Yes, we do love its looks.

GROUND BREAKING

Where the K5 Blazer gets even more interesting is when you look underneath its body. The FCX24 is, as far as we understand it, the only 1/24-scale RC that is equipped with a two-speed transmission and portal axles. Those are two features that push the 1/24-scale RC crawler genre from a fun novelty into the direction of serious performance vehicles. It may not be there yet, but we can see small-scale crawling becoming even more of a thing in the near future. Drivers know the benefits of both innovations. A two-speed transmission allows for quick driving on one setting, and when it’s switched to low gear you get a slower but more powerful crawler that can take on steeper inclines and slipperier surfaces. A tiny servo helps switch the gears in the transmission with a flip of the Channel 3 switch on the included transmitter.
Portal axles give the FCX24 greater ground clearance and therefore more crawling capability. For a small-scale crawler, this is essential. With the portal axles in play, the K5 Blazer gets a smidge over 1 inch of ground clearance. This doesn’t sound like much, but we sure felt it when we took the rig out for a crawl at a hiking trail. Both innovations together give the FCX24 plenty to boast about, and we’re loving it. The truck comes with a straight axle by default, but an optional planetary gear differential equipped with high-viscosity silicone oil can be swapped out to simulate the driving effect of using a limited-slip differential.

ENDLESS CHARM

The FCX24 K5 is not only highly collectible but also incredibly playable. This RC truck offers a perfect blend of scale model precision and exhilarating performance. Whether you’re a seasoned RC enthusiast or a casual hobbyist, the FCX24 delivers an unmatched experience that brings the thrill of off-roading right to your fingertips. With its compact size, you can take this miniaturized masterpiece wherever your adventures lead, making it an ideal companion for spontaneous outdoor fun.

The highly detailed body comes in your choice of three colors including orange, black or brown. It does not have opening doors or a simulated interior, but LED lighting comes standard. The forward-facing headlights are activated via the Channel 4 button found on the transmitter and can be cycled for low-beam and high-beam output. Clear windows, molded door handles, and moveable windshield wipers are just some of the fantastic details found on the body.

What’s more, the K5’s rear hard top is removable and an included light mounted roll bar can be swapped in its place. The chrome bumper can also be swapped out for an off-road-ready nerf bar, too. A sticker sheet full of different license plates comes with the K5 Blazer for further customization. The RC truck comes assembled and ships with a USB charger, battery, extra parts, manual and cross wrench.

CRAWLING TIME

To install the fully charged battery we had to remove the body, which is secured by tabs that are located on the underside of the chassis. Although it was a bit snug to access, it posed no major issue. A rubber-like O-ring firmly secures the battery in place. Despite the tight fit, the O-ring ensures the battery remains fastened securely. Once we reattached the body by snapping it back into position, we were ready to embark on an exciting hike.

As we ventured along the hiking trail we set the K5 Blazer free, and its remarkable speed in high gear took us by surprise while it effortlessly conquered bumps along the way. It wasn’t until we intentionally traversed over substantial tree roots, fallen branches, and appropriately sized rocks that we felt the need to switch to low gear. Once we made the switch, low gear proved to be a valuable asset and provided exceptional control and stability.

During our trail run, we compared the FXC24’s portal axles to another small-scale crawler we brought along. Undoubtedly, the FXC24’s portal axles provided significantly greater clearance that allowed it to outperform its counterpart. However, it’s important to note that while portal axles enhance ground clearance, they also contribute to a higher center of gravity and result in a potentially top-heavy rig. The K5 Blazer, with its hard plastic body and elevated electronics and battery placement, is no exception to this effect. Despite experiencing a few rollovers, we were amazed to witness the truck land back on its tires each time. Whether FMS intentionally designed it for such stability or we simply had luck on our side remains uncertain. What we can confirm, though, is the immense enjoyment we derived from crawling the K5 Blazer.

FMS 1/24-Scale FCX24 K5 Blazer Vehicle Specs

P/N: FMS12403RTR
MSRP: $149.99
fmshobby.com

Height: 5.04 in. (128mm)
Length: 9.096 in. (253mm)
Width: 5.08 in. (129mm)
Wheelbase: 5.4 in. (139mm)
Ground Clearance: 1.50 in. (38mm)

Scale: 1/24
Weight as tested: 13.8 oz. (390g)
Chassis: Nylon
Shocks: Oil-filled dampers
Suspension: 4-link
Body: Pre-painted, hard plastic
Wheels: Red steelies
Tires: All-terrain
ESC/Receiver: FMS combination unit
Motor: FMS Power Dash RS-S130
Radio: FMS V3 (4-channel)
Charger: FMS USB
Battery: FMS 7.4V 380mAh 5C LiPo

FINAL WORD

If you’re yearning to relive the glory days of American off-roading or simply appreciate the captivating charm of the Chevrolet K5 Blazer, the FCX24 is your gateway to endless excitement. FMS, in collaboration with Chevrolet, has meticulously crafted a scaled-down version that encapsulates the spirit and legacy of this legendary vehicle. With its meticulous attention to detail and captivating design, the FCX24 Chevrolet K5 Blazer will ignite your passion for RC cars and transport you back to a golden era of American automotive excellence.

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Text by Jerry Tsai
Images by Michael Wiene