Readers Rides – November 2023

Bobbed Power Wagon
Jacob Johnson « Fair Play, MO
Jacob’s Bobbed Power Wagon sure is a head-turner. It’s a custom build that had a lot going for it. We’ll let Jacob fill us in on it in his own words: “This is my Axial SCX10.3 builder’s kit. I’d been seeing Power Wagon builds and decided to do one of my own. I picked up a Pro-Line Power Wagon body. I sent my chassis to Blue Line Fabrication RC to have a rear cage built. Scotty Bolin of Blue Line did an amazing job. He built new floorpans with rock sliders to fit the cab, a new front mount for the body, the custom rear cage with rear winch mount. He also refinished the front bumper he built for me awhile back. Once I got it back, I painted it pearl tangerine and black, added a Harley-Davidson logo and chrome window trim. I then ordered a 3D toolbox to put the battery in for the front- and rear-mounted RC4WD Warn winches so each has its own power source. The winches are controlled by the RC4WD wireless system. I really liked the bobbed Power Wagon look.” Fantastic job, Jacob!

BUILD HIGHLIGHTS
– Chassis: Axial SCX10.3
– Body: Pro-Line Power Wagon
– Motor: Hobbywing 1800kV Fusion System
– Speed Control: Hobbywing 1800kV Fusion System
– Battery: Ovonic 3S 2200mAh
– Wheels & Tires: RC4WD Interco TSL Super Swamper Iroks on unbranded aluminum beadlocks
– Shocks: Axial
– Axles: SSD Pro44
– Paint: Createx
– Graphics: Harley-Davidson decals
– Lighting: Unbranded LED headlights and rear light bar
– Radio: Airtronics MT-4
– Other Options: RC4WD Warn winch front and rear, Blue Line Fabrication RC rear cage and front bumper

A RARE OPPORTUNITY
Edward Schilke « Port Angeles, WA
We love our vintage RC kits and we’re glad to see that we’re not alone. Returning Readers Rides participant Edward came up on a real find, and he shares it with us here. “I haven’t seen too many 1980s kit builds in Readers Rides,” Edward tells us. “But I am new to the hobby (less than three years). I thought fellow readers might appreciate seeing a very rare survivor. I build and paint for others and consider myself fortunate to do a lot of RC work for a serious Tamiya collector. He provided me the rare opportunity to build this complete original kit that was sold in the ’80s and still boxed. I just completed the model #5848 Tamiya Toyota Hilux 4×4 Bruiser, similar to the one that graced the cover of the very first issue of Radio Control Car Action! Maybe it is boring, but all parts are original, no ‘upgrades’ or ‘custom’ here. And it is all painted box art, too. It’s taken over a year to complete to my satisfaction—and was not without difficulties. First, I used different paint thinner in painting each of the two body halves and ended up with two shades of blue. Then I had to replace the large multitone-blue striped decals, as the originals, due to age, would not contour or stick. In attempts to get the old stripes to stick, I marked up the second paint job, so I stripped it again and painted a third time. You will notice that all fasteners (though originals existed) were swapped out to stainless steel. It’s old school, low tech for today, and not without difficulties, but it was a rare opportunity to build it!” We’re digging the vintage-ness of it all. Great work, Edward, we’re sure its owner is just as excited to see it as we are!

BUILD HIGHLIGHTS
– Chassis:
Tamiya Toyota 4×4 Pick Up Bruiser (58048)
– Body:
Tamiya Toyota 4×4 Pick Up Bruiser (58048)
– Motor: Vintage Tamiya
– Wheels & Tires: Vintage Tamiya
– Paint: Tamiya Color
– Graphics: Vintage Tamiya

R2 Moon Buggy Capra Build
Chrissy Boock « Stoughton, WI
We enjoy a wall crawler as much as the next RC enthusiast, so it was a great to see that Chrissy submitted a Capra built into a Moon Buggy to Readers Rides. “I got a Capra on trade and made it my own,” Chrissy shares with us. “I’ve always loved the Moon Buggy RC chassis, and when I saw RC Speedy made one, I had to get it. And wow, it’s amazing. RC Speedy makes amazing welded tube chassis frames. I honestly would recommend them to anyone. I have a custom all-rock course at my house and this rig performs.” It looks like a fun rig to crawl for sure, thanks for showing it to us, Chrissy!

BUILD HIGHLIGHTS
– Chassis: RC Speedy R2 Moon Buggy
– Body: Custom Moon Buggy
– Motor: Holmes Hobby Revolver
– Speed Control: Castle Creations Copperhead
– Battery: Powerhobby 1500mAh 2s LiPo
– Wheels & Tires: Boom Racing ProBuild 1.9,
Boom Racing Aggressor 1.9
– Shocks: Desert Lizard 120 Droop Mode
– Axles: Axial Capra portal axles
– Radio System: Spektrum STX3