e244: Tamiya Brat - The Buyers Guide Series

Thank you for watching my video!

Please, visit my sites:

Many of my designs and threads can be located at

If you enjoy the music featured on my videos, please visit Blue Pinto’s official site here:

I always enjoy constructive criticism and would love to know what you think about my designs.

Please subscribe as I have hundreds of other upgrades for many, many other cars, rc cars, toys, and anything else that I think needs upgrading!

***I have no tolerance for disrespectful posts, foul language, cyber-bullying, sexism, homophobia, racism and anything else that has no place in society. This is a family friendly channel so I have soap next to me for every time I say a bad word. Any foul or abusive post will be removed and you will be reported to YouTube.***

[chibiskyrc]

An input I have for this video is I personally really like the sound of the RC in the running video rather than music as it gives a better sense of what the actual experience is like for driving the car

[Mikerumball]

I had one . The tyres squeal like a real car . One of my best memorys of it .

[flyingfortressrc]

I just ordered one of these. I think it will be fun to drive in the snow that is coming this winter. Lol

[SimonWard-qnil]

I love the music running video, adds a sense of personality to the car. Also always have a person shoveling sand in the back ground.

[northwoodslife]

I'm sitting here in my house at 5 AM, watching your video. Thank you.
Good job!

I've been an RC car guy since the 70's. Heh, yeah, I'm an older guy.

And I've got a newer rerelease Tamiya Brat kit that I'm considering building once I get well. The kit is sitting in my workshop just waiting for me. I bought it a couple years ago for down time.

This is down time.

I'm dealing with covid. Yeah, well it sucks. But I'm feeling better today/tonight.

Your video, if nothing else, gives me a goal to tackle tomorrow.

Thank You, It's going to be fun.

[johnellis]

I know I’m pretty late on this but, thank you so much for reminding me of that movie, The Manhattan project! I was a kid back then and when the Subaru driver transporting plutonium turned his head I was sold.

[thestuffz]

I have one of these original release Brats. A friend gave it to me a few years ago. It was rode hard and put away.. in pieces... I was not able to re-use the frame rails as it had a kink on one side near the front suspension. I figured out the rear "non differential" differences myself after one wheel would not turn. The hex drives were stripped bad. The body was even worse.. hood, cab and part of the rear bed was all that was left. no grille, no fenders, no tailgate. Front body post was bent over and I ended up paying big money for a NOS body post off evilbay. It is on the shelf now and will be forever cherished.

[CamperNaTour]

Hello Ampro,
Small introduction: At the beginning of the Covid time, I decided to revive my hobby from my childhood: RC Cars! Back then (I was 12-14 years) I fell in love with the Subaru Brat but didn't have the money. Back then it was only enough for a used Hornet. By the way: In Germany Tamiya models were worth their weight in gold back then (1985), Kyosho‘s in platinum. Now, almost a year ago, I bought the Brat as Re-Re and what can I say: I love him and my daughter (9) too.
Big problem and tears: the problem concerns the steering knuckle. After a short time, the wheel shaft falls out of the steering knuckle. On both sides! At first I thought it was a manufacturing fault from Tamiya and bought a replacement from Tamico. Again after 3 battery packs. A wheel went happily straight on.
I went to a precision mechanic and explained my problem to him. He suggested a solution with industrial glue. An adhesive that is also used on large CNC milling machines. That should work, I thought. Today I put the parts in and did a test drive. After 20 minutes I let my daughter drive, set the speed to 40%, and guess what happened. Yes ... the right front wheel made its own way again. She started crying in shock, thinking it was her fault. But I quickly take out the lunch box and the fun continued and everything was forgotten.
Now my questions: I've been watching your videos and innovations for quite a while and appreciate your knowledge of RC models and Tamiya technology. Do you know the problem? If so, can you suggest a solution? Do steering knuckles of other models fit, e.g. Big Foot or Monster Beetle? Or can I easily modify them and make them fit?
When I look around in forums or on You-Tube, I feel like I'm the only one on the planet whose wheels are falling off an ORV model. Nobody in my club can't help me, as they bash either 1: 8 models, are Traxxas fanboys or drive high-end machines. I drive everything stock, except for a few useful modifications, such as better dampers or ball bearings. Please excuse my English, my school English is 30 years old and that's why I use the Google Translator and don't know what it translates.
We look forward to an answer. Keep it up and have fun.
Greetings from Germany
Frieda and Axel

[bamabiker]

Some fascinating info. I've always appreciated the Tamiya Brat and now I want one for the collection. Anyway, you sir are a walking encyclopedia of RC knowledge - sorta like the Jay Leno of RC. lol I really enjoy these brief trips back in time. thank you!!

[schuttrostig]

Great car, one of my classmates in 6th grade had one. Lots of quirks still pretty much operatable nowadays. I found the best thing is the "4WD" stickers that come with it, since its a RWS car. Always thought that is really entertaining.

[rickkings]

My first Tamiya was a Frog a very cool car. Then I bought a Blackfoot new. It was a great truck. I now have the rerelease Brat and its fast and fun. I found that it needed an upgraded servo saver and also the front wheels kept popping off the axle when I jumped it. Loctite 638 seemed to help but still need to test that further at the track. Its a nice RC to own even after all these years. Appreciate the video!

[CarlRCTips]

One of my favorite ORVs! It amazes me that I never had one... Interesting bit about the locked Diff. I'm actually surprised it was never available separately for the Big Tire varieties, that REALLY could have used it!!
Carmine ✈🚂🚙

[mad-beerc]

My first Tamiya back in the day and the tamiya that started my passion and love for this hobby! I still have a Brat but it's a rere but still love it! it's a runner so takes me right back to being a young lad full of amazement and joy each time l take it out for a spin! Great vid mate, 👍

[thedumpydustman]

As I have a king Blackfoot chassis, an old Blackfoot Ford shell and some Brat Sand Blaster tyres been thinking of doing a Ranger replica. So a differences guide between the orv models would be awesome!

[michaelandrew]

Nice video - I have the all chrome re-release, and there is luckily a spare lexan body included in the kit.

[robsgarage]

Great video. Really enjoy my re release Brat. Hard body sits in the box for a shelf build. Lexan takes a beating. Front stubs tend to come apart after some use. Loctite fixed that problem

[josephsloppy]

I wish i kept my brat. I never used it. I did recieve a wpl kit for christmas. C24. Mine came with metal gears not plastic. Once again great video

[chibiskyrc]

I've been waiting for this! I wanted your opinion before I got one but as I waited for this video I somehow ended up with 3 ORVs

[wadecaton]

I had an original blue brat. No t-tops. No painting required. It was molded in blue. Full assembly kit with the manual speed controller and 9.6volt nicad hump battery. The chassis was a tub chassis though not like the one shown. Not sure of model number. I also had the frog which had a chassis like the one shown here. Both were fun. Wish I still had them.

[cloudburstrc]

gonna dowload and watch the manhattan project now.
malcolm 1986 made me also fall in love with the sand scorcher and i now finnaly have one