Cruiser toys and models!!

DanTheMan

Rising Sun Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2017
Messages
660
Location
Lompoc, CA
Have you seen these ones @treerootCO ?

6T4uuJN.jpg

https://www.banggood.com/WPL-C34-11...541.html?rmmds=search&ID=231&cur_warehouse=CN

1f35836f-4b19-496b-9c9d-fbb553236510.jpg

https://www.banggood.com/MN-Model-M...666.html?rmmds=search&ID=229&cur_warehouse=CN
 

Roketdriver

Rock Stacker
Joined
Jul 20, 2022
Messages
27
Location
Bailey
I can vouch that the WPL rigs are pretty neat.

20231218_074318.jpg


Here's my mini review and first impressions:

The WPL C-54 is manufactured by the Shantou Pine Fruit Forest Model Co., Ltd. I would classify as it as a bridge car, filling the gap between a toy and a hobby RC. The frame rails are seemingly aluminum, and the remainder of the chassis is what feels like ABS on the cheaper end of the plastic spectrum. There is a ton of slop in the axles and wheels, to the point of creating concern about premature breakages. The driveshafts were also suspiciously chintzy.

However, the body is very nicely constructed with accurate details, an opening hood, an interior, and working headlights. My particular itineration included 2x 800mah batteries and USB chargers. The transmitter feels CHEAP. It has virtually no weight to it, is a bit small, and only offers steering trim adjustment. I do like that the system is on 2.4ghz, I have no idea if AM and FM radios are even being produced anymore. The electronics on-board include a consolidated receiver+ESC combo board and plastic geared servo with a standard 3-wire connector.

IMGP2562.JPG


Out of the box, some assembly is required in the sense that the accessories like the bull bar, sliders, and other exterior bits need to be added. The instructions are extremely sparse. For those without a lot of experience with RC, this may prove to be frustrating. I don't love that the hardware is Phillips, I'd have preferred to have hex on there. But at this price point, it's understandable. The included screwdriver is not great, I'd suggest sourcing a better one before attempting to work on it.

With a fresh battery loaded up, I was able to take it for a spin indoors. It has the torque to pop a tiny wheelie on carpet. The proportional control is good enough for just driving around, I haven't had a chance to do any proper crawling with it yet. The suspension flexes well but is very bouncy due to undampened shocks.

Given how garbage the original driveline components felt, I opted to immediately order some spares and the metal parts upgrade kit, as well as the metal gear servo they offer on their site. The package shipped directly from the manufacturer to my mailbox in a bit over a week.

20240103_170259.jpg


Silly me for thinking the axles would be machined, they're cast of the finest ???. I will say that the castings are quite good for the cost, as I assembled the upgrades I found that everything fit correctly without any struggles. Those with larger or less dexterous hands may struggle with the tiny parts, and once again the instructions lacked in detail. All that was included for documentation was exploded diagrams, not a step by step guide. That said, there is a video on their website that I didn't watch, but I'm sure it would be helpful. The included grease and threadlocker was a nice touch, and there was way more hardware included than what was needed to complete assembly.

IMGP2545.JPG
The metal axles and servo combined have made the WPL C-54 feel like a much more substantial model. There is far less slop and I have greater confidence in the durability of the vehicle. The turning radius also noticeably improved, as the throw on the new servo arm is a bit longer.

Links:
Truck - C54-1 - RTR - https://www.wpl-rc.com/products/c54-1-rtr
Upgraded axles - Metal Upgrade for 4x4 - https://www.wpl-rc.com/products/metal-upgrade-for-4x4
Servo - 25g Digital Metal Gear Servo - https://www.wpl-rc.com/products/25g-dmg-servo
 

Cruisertrash

Rising Sun Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2020
Messages
2,045
Location
Denver
I can vouch that the WPL rigs are pretty neat.

20231218_074318.jpg


Here's my mini review and first impressions:

The WPL C-54 is manufactured by the Shantou Pine Fruit Forest Model Co., Ltd. I would classify as it as a bridge car, filling the gap between a toy and a hobby RC. The frame rails are seemingly aluminum, and the remainder of the chassis is what feels like ABS on the cheaper end of the plastic spectrum. There is a ton of slop in the axles and wheels, to the point of creating concern about premature breakages. The driveshafts were also suspiciously chintzy.

However, the body is very nicely constructed with accurate details, an opening hood, an interior, and working headlights. My particular itineration included 2x 800mah batteries and USB chargers. The transmitter feels CHEAP. It has virtually no weight to it, is a bit small, and only offers steering trim adjustment. I do like that the system is on 2.4ghz, I have no idea if AM and FM radios are even being produced anymore. The electronics on-board include a consolidated receiver+ESC combo board and plastic geared servo with a standard 3-wire connector.

View attachment 125662

Out of the box, some assembly is required in the sense that the accessories like the bull bar, sliders, and other exterior bits need to be added. The instructions are extremely sparse. For those without a lot of experience with RC, this may prove to be frustrating. I don't love that the hardware is Phillips, I'd have preferred to have hex on there. But at this price point, it's understandable. The included screwdriver is not great, I'd suggest sourcing a better one before attempting to work on it.

With a fresh battery loaded up, I was able to take it for a spin indoors. It has the torque to pop a tiny wheelie on carpet. The proportional control is good enough for just driving around, I haven't had a chance to do any proper crawling with it yet. The suspension flexes well but is very bouncy due to undampened shocks.

Given how garbage the original driveline components felt, I opted to immediately order some spares and the metal parts upgrade kit, as well as the metal gear servo they offer on their site. The package shipped directly from the manufacturer to my mailbox in a bit over a week.

20240103_170259.jpg


Silly me for thinking the axles would be machined, they're cast of the finest ???. I will say that the castings are quite good for the cost, as I assembled the upgrades I found that everything fit correctly without any struggles. Those with larger or less dexterous hands may struggle with the tiny parts, and once again the instructions lacked in detail. All that was included for documentation was exploded diagrams, not a step by step guide. That said, there is a video on their website that I didn't watch, but I'm sure it would be helpful. The included grease and threadlocker was a nice touch, and there was way more hardware included than what was needed to complete assembly.

View attachment 125664The metal axles and servo combined have made the WPL C-54 feel like a much more substantial model. There is far less slop and I have greater confidence in the durability of the vehicle. The turning radius also noticeably improved, as the throw on the new servo arm is a bit longer.

Links:
Truck - C54-1 - RTR - https://www.wpl-rc.com/products/c54-1-rtr
Upgraded axles - Metal Upgrade for 4x4 - https://www.wpl-rc.com/products/metal-upgrade-for-4x4
Servo - 25g Digital Metal Gear Servo - https://www.wpl-rc.com/products/25g-dmg-servo
I had never had an RC crawler and bought a WPL C-24, the pickup, for $60 preassembled with batteries and transmitter. Ran it for a while then started upgrading. I’m all in for about $300-350 and it gets around really well. I replaced the transmitter and receiver, motor, gear box, ESC, driveshafts, suspension links, steering servo, axles, knuckles, wheels, and tires.

I’m really gunning to get their C-34 kit (FJ40). It comes as a 4-linked suspension setup and I want to convert it to leaf springs using Tamiya parts. The WPL leaf springs you can get are too short. I want to go for more of a realistic look while still being able to crawl well. I’m also looking for a real 40, so I’m not sure which one I’ll get first.

Anyway, the WPL trucks are major bang for the buck. Lots of fun to start for under $100, and even more fun for under $300.
 
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