Just Add Some Electronics & Go! Tamiya Lunch Box X-SA Custom Van Review | RC Driver

Here’s a true classic in the RC world, the Tamiya Lunch Box. This iconic custom RC van is easily recognizable and a favorite among many RC enthusiasts who have been in the hobby for a long time. In the past this RC was offered as a kit and then a Ready To Run and even a special edition offering. Now, it’s available in another form, an X-SA kit. X-SA stands for Expert Semi-Assembled which means the Van arrives professionally built and detailed from Tamiya with motor and ESC also included. All you need to do with this kit is install a radio system, servo, battery and go! Pure Tamiya RC fun is right at your finger-tips with this easy to finish kit. In our review we go over the kit's features, it’s assembly and take it out for some old school bashing fun. Want to experience some of the best of RC’s past? The Tamiya Lunch Box X-SA might be the ticket.
PRODUCT FEATURED
Lunch Box X-SA
By: Tamiya
Kit Type: Expert Semi-Assembled 1/12 Off-Road 2wd Van
Part Number: 46701
Price: $177.80
Buy: amzn.to/2MKDlu0
Visit: bit.ly/344w7Xp
Suggested Items To Finish The X-SA
Spektrum SLT3 Radio & RX- snp.link/0820bc20
Spektrum S605 Servo- snp.link/3f716eda
7.2V NiMh Battery- snp.link/e34095ad
Charger-
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#Tamiya #RCCar #RCDriver

[@rcguygarage]

Sometimes it's just fun to sit back and rip a no frills classic.

[@rcdriver]

So true, so true!

[@patwashington403]

Of the almost 30 cars I have, the Blackfoot and lunchbox always take me right back to being 8 years old again.. No other cars can do that like the old Tamiya kits.

[@rcguygarage]

@@patwashington403 very well said!

[@mikedisher30]

Yeah true enough, but I gotta tell you it didn’t take that long to build

[@twotone85]

My midnight pumpkin, grasshopper, and blackfoot excite me more than my stampedes and rustler.

[@jeremymiller2340]

Older video, love that little tractor I didn't know that existed!! How cool is that!!

[@charlestittle6184]

I put a bearing kit in the trans and wheels. Put the Duratrax 3900kv in, ampro engineering trans brace and flipped the wheelie bar upside down. Such a blast after that!!!

[@jonpowell8698]

My older brother had one of these when I was a kid, it was so cool to me. I feel like I'm 8 years old watching this.

[@JH1200A1]

The LunchBox was one of best back in the 80s. My brother had it and a BlackFoot and I had a Kyosho Ultima and a Traxxas Sledgehammer. No matter what we were running, the LunchBox got the most attention.

[@poorboysrc]

Love the fact that you still bring these awesome old skool RC's on your channel. Great review (as always) and so much fun to watch it tear up the track! 🤙

[@TachyonDriver]

Great review! Lunchboxes are brilliant fun. I never realised there is now an X-SA version. However, the kit version is one of the easier Tamiya builds: if a person is able to do so then they should build the kit as a Tamiya rite of passage ;)

[@rickdizzlefoshizzle1087]

First real RC was a Lunchbox kit I got for my Christmas 1990! Was my intro to RC and a great build for myself and my dad 30 years ago!

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

The Lunchbox was based on Rollin Thunder the monster van from the 80’s. The midnight pumpkin was based on Frankenstein.. they’re such cool trucks. Simple, bouncy, and back to our roots of RC’s and the heyday of real monster trucks

[@magnumcyclonex]

I got the full built up kit a couple of years ago. The process of building and tinkering was so much fun! Added ball bearings, a Sport Tuned motor and Lunch Box truly became Vibrant! Love seeing videos of the Lunch Box in action, no matter what version. There are people who have pushed it to high extremes, but I think at any level, this is going to always be a fun drive. I think the X-SA is good for those new to the hobby, to give them a taste of what Tamiya is all about before they dive into fully building their own kit (which you can also supply your own electronics to as well). To me, Tamiya is always (mostly) about the build up process. The joys of running my own creations will always exceed something that is RTR. Great video and Happy Holidays!

[@Nordlicht05]

Hello, I often see people add a torque tuned motor. It's a little cheaper. I used also a sport tuned. It's plenty of speed when it's stock

[@jesseortega8598]

Awesome little RC Vehicle! Small and simple but load's of fun! And easy to work!

[@neilw5198]

When I was 12, this is all I wanted in life.

[@thecandyman9308]

Remember being in elementary back in the 80s and seeing the Lunchbox, the Blackfoot, the Clodhopper, and the Beetle in the R/C magazines and being obsessed with that whole lineup. Tamiya just made so many instant classics.

[@RC-ty5ym]

what's a clodhopper? I only know the clod buster or the grasshopper

[@thecandyman9308]

@@RC-ty5ym Oops I meant the clod buster! 😆

[@speckledjim_]

I wasn't lucky enough to get one of these as a kid but always wanted one. Classic Tamiya!!

[@randall4411]

At my hobby shop back in the 80' s the guys were running a lunchbox around it looked really good. It's funky cool .....I still like it .

[@HobbyPerfeXion]

I've never had one, but the lunchbox always grabbed my eye. Just something cool about a 70s style van on monster tires.

[@tchurch7467]

This was my first hobby grade RC back in the early 80's. Glad to see it still around.

[@madfrank7972]

I love tamiya RCs, I managed to buy a built lunchbox recently, was ready built in A team colours to a very good standard. Since stripped ball raced , rear axle mod adding 1 small shocker to cushion axle kick . 2.4 radio gear. Awesome truck one of my favourites.

[@ericchristopher9037]

Great review Greg, I bought my Lunchbox back in the early 90s. I’ve done the full mods including the Ampro front end mod, it readjusts the way the wheels sit on the ground giving the truck true wishbone style suspension.

[@gerrysoldguyreview]

Excellent! My first rc bought with my own money!...oh the memories

[@carlbModels]

Nice video, captures the feel of the LB. Had one years ago and reinvented it with long wheel base and new body - it steered so much better then and it was surprising how good off-road 2wd can be.

[@HandFromCoffin]

I was a kid when those where out and I always wanted one.

[@garethherring7261]

That truck is ace!

[@artvictim]

thanks for the vid man , we just went down memory lane with this on my twitch channel

[@kravenkrawlhobby5438]

This is the Tamiya I’d pick if I was to pick, this or the sands scorcher. Thanks Greg, looks like a kick man.

[@robertplaisier8844]

Love the new shop and "Vannie"!

[@martingatavaski1351]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE my Lunchbox!!!! Especially with the 16 turn double Modified motor!!!!

[@driftcraze2138]

I remember having the Tamiya midnight pumpkin. This would be a nice addition for a shelf. Still runs the same just like I remember with the midnight pumpkin great video keep up the good work. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻🔥😎🔥🤙🏻

[@canathomas]

Great review as always! This roller lunch box comes with yellow ABS body shell. The kid version come with white ABS shell. Yellow ABS shell is great because whatever scratchs you make, it still looks great over time.

[@Nordlicht05]

You can also get a kit with the yellow one. At least the moment. Yes when painted on the outside it's always risky for the paint.

[@flyingfortressrc1794]

I've always loved the lunchbox. Never had one but it's definitely on my to get list. I'd get the kit though because half of the fun of Tamiya's is the building of the kit. Great video Greg 👍

[@QBziZ]

Flying Fortress RC I highly recommend it. We have one built up since a month. It became an instant classic. Probably the most fun RC ever.

[@PhilBender612]

I love seeing the lunchbox. This was my 3rd rc (2nd Tamiya) as a kid but I definitely have the most memories with this one.

[@rcdriver]

Awesome story! I always wanted one when I was a kid.

[@RC-ty5ym]

@@rcdriver why do you use Nimh batteries in the lunchbox and not lipos?

[@RC4X4]

This is excellent. My daughter wants one now that it's painted right out of the box.

[@Basin79]

I wanted the Lunchbox dooooo badly as a kid. Sadly the model shop near me (some 26+ years ago) didn't have it. So I got the Midnight Pumpkin. Would love them to make a more serious 4x4 or even 4x4x4 Lunchbox.

[@johnmonachelli5256]

This and the midnight pumpkin were always on hand at allied in the 80s and 90s

[@PAA738]

Great video!!!! Just fulfilled my childhood dream by purchasing my Lunchbox!!!!

[@longthanly7061]

Awesome monster RC van 👍

[@the-drifter-4242]

Awesome car! Buddy has one and it's sick

[@HomeOwnerRepair]

Remember this truck when I was a kid…cool stuff

[@frankruland5596]

There no better rc kits to build or have fun with then tamiya.build it from the ground up yourself with the many upgrades out there.just brought my 12th tamiya kit and they are always on back order,please do more on tamiya,many thanks .great channel.brought the dual rider because of your video

[@umetarooooo]

NICE LunchBox ‼︎👍

[@808maxstone]

I imagine the only bad thing about this compared to the kit style is that if you want bearings then you have to remove all bushings to add bearings. Kind of a pain when it comes to the transmission. Good video. I like my Lunchbox Black Edition. I put a 3200kv brushless system in mine and it made it scream!

[@hendrahendra]

Dammit, been saving up for the Top Force, but now you are just teasing me with this Greg!

[@pablosgarage707]

Just ordered this but in the kit version. My girlfriend enjoys building these old Tamiya kits. Should be a nice addition to the hornet.

[@renegade-master29]

I've got the black edition Lunch Box under my bed I've painted the shell and decaled it now watching this video I'm itching to get it built 👌

[@djr01974]

Had a Blackfoot clod buster frog the fox. Ohhhh the memories. Thanks man good times 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@rcdriver]

Whoa! That was like the RC dream team back in the day. 😎

[@vinceruland9236]

From the Golden era of RC. My best friend had a Midnight Pumpkin and I had a Blackfoot and we raced them at our local track. Late 80's....

[@AmericanDefender]

I have always wanted one!

[@fredfredrc]

great video good job my friend

[@doug42780]

I used to have one of them when I was younger and the grass hooper

[@camrowdrone6497]

I’m going to get this . looks fun 👍🏻

[@booncha1971]

Lots of fond memories of this truck...might have to pick one up to chase the dog around the yard with :)

[@rcdriver]

That would be fun.

[@DustyFingersRC]

Lunchy love 👍🏼

[@adrianharrison5208]

I have one that My wife bought me 6 years ago now, had to change the wheels out as they crack over time put apart fron that its still going strong.. my 6 year old daughter has now basically taken over it :)

[@glennjthompson332]

It's more of A XB series line, very classic RC.😎😉😀👍

[@joedwc]

I used to have a monster beetle, I want another one badly.

[@markattardo]

Wow that brings back memories! Such a fun truck. I wonder if they are using the same brittle bod posts.

[@butchmeister80]

Bought this recently great fun had prob with steering rods falling off needed glue to secure bolts

[@robertb.4202]

This is making me miss my Lunchbox.

[@MrCaprinut]

Wow, that did go slow. Those bushings needs some grease asap! I own 4 Lunchboxes and my main vehicle in the 90s was the Lunchbox, totally stock, even with the plastic bushings and 1200 Nicad battery. It should pop a wheelie every time you pull the trigger. But great to see Tamiya now step up to use your own radio gear. But for me personally, it is the building that draw me to Tamiya, and the scale ness. In the 90s my record was 14min runtime with 1200 battery on mostly full throttle and about 15ft wheelie going slight uphill. With my current re-re Lunchbox with Technigold motor on 2s, Traxxas wheeliebar and 55mm touring shocks I can do wheelie all day long. Current record is about 300ft (I did run out of space)

[@SenopatiLautSelatan]

Perfect..😀👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@scottw2157]

I had this when I was 9. I'm 46 now. A lot of great memories! I ended up with a speedworks pole position motor (15 double) oil shocks, black foot wheels Imex slicks total blast.

[@rcdriver]

Sounds like it was a blast!

[@arthurbreault2949]

I'm 46 as well this my first rc love the lunch box

[@scottw2157]

Total blast. A addiction I don't want to get rid of. I have a rc10 b5m, rc10b5, rc10 b 4 Rc10 t4 Custom works gbx intimidator Custom works gbx enforcer Getback (jrc) latemodel/ eastern dirt modified. Kranzels terminator. (3 of these) Coming December 25th Kraton 8s . If you decide to run bigger tires on the rear flip the wheelie bar , it keeps the front end lower and drives better.

[@paulclancy2404]

@@scottw2157 go through the diffs my o8s had low fluids , and crap in the center

[@scottw2157]

@@paulclancy2404 cool thank you good to know.

[@technoglobe1168]

This is real RC. Simple and fun while being durable. Each ride is memorable. Good old days of RC. Now this hobby has become so f*cking serious with complicated jargon and some hard to grasp serious shit where you should be a pro to play it

[@sammyboi5913]

yessir rcdriver!

[@rcguygarage]

Lunch box, grasshopper, monster beetle and a few others were Dream RC's when I was a kid I think in late elementary early junior high. I think from "remote control magazine" i think it was called.

[@paulclancy2404]

Me2 guy, remember grasshopper was a big wish out of 🎅 budget .. eventually got Blackfoot when I was 12

[@rcguygarage]

@@paulclancy2404 RIGHT THE BLACKFOOT totally forgot about that one

[@paulclancy2404]

@@rcguygarage yep and monster beetle was same except for body

[@patwashington403]

Don't forget the mud blaster (Subaru brat) for the monster truck tri-fecta! LOTS of Blackfoots around, a few monster beetles, hardly any mud blasters though.

[@rcguygarage]

@@patwashington403 THE BRAT!!!!! YES

[@BlueDually4x4]

They do built their vehicles a little differently, but they are fun. I wish I had kept my Clodbuster and the HMMV which is discontinued. I have a Grand Hauler and that was a fun build.

[@PeteWylieRC]

Yeah go Lunchbox! I'm really impressed with the finish of the body and I wish that they would just sell that separately as that's the most time consuming bit to do. As to the rest of it there are a lot of little hop up's to do on this as you build it like the bearings, alu body posts, transmission brace or 5th shock etc. etc. so I'd rather just build the kit. You can also cut a little bit out of the battery tray and fit a rectangular lipo in underneath. When you put the lipo on the back of the chassis did it not prevent the suspension from working as that's where the screws poke through? Anyway, great video :-)

[@michaeldack4930]

My second tamiya was a lunch box, got the full range, blue was hard to find!

[@jknewb6276]

That's pretty cool but I'd be more interested in the other van not sure what it's called but it has MT tires on it also but its black. Definitely cool though. Thanks Greg! Kyosho Madvan

[@joekugelman4196]

Legendary fun machine, I own 2 of them!

[@surfside75]

You have the midnight black version?

[@joekugelman4196]

@@surfside75 yes I do, and my yellow one is an original for 1987

[@paulclancy2404]

Is plastics different on 80s one?

[@joekugelman4196]

@@paulclancy2404 they are pretty much the same

[@paulclancy2404]

Nice

[@bradkalman2353]

You can still run a lipo in there cuz I know there's some that will fit it and all you have to do is put some thing to monitor the batteries to run it on the ESC.

[@JeepsCafe]

I've always loved the Lunch box but I opted for the Midnight Pumpkin.

[@rcdriver]

Also a great choice!😀

[@bradkalman2353]

I wish you would run the whole length of the BMX track.

[@jasondionne1214]

I agree 👍🏻 drive n film from up on the platform. At least one lap 😁

[@rcpatinaguyllc2655]

That thing is fast

[@Skrimpish]

My first real rc. One thing, get metal internals for the gearbox. Specifically planetary gear as this truck shreds them. Or if you have a 3d printer you can make as many as you break them.

[@ericwood2790]

When they use bushings and you plan on using it you would have to disassemble the transmission and upgrade to ball bearings. If it’s a shelf queen it would be perfect. Not sure why Tamiya still uses the bushings most people buy them when they build them anyway. Just charge the extra 10 dollars and call it a day .

[@paulclancy2404]

Ikr agree miles buy kit if have take apart anyway

[@jeromedaniels3914]

I like build up kit better ready to run👍🏾

[@christophermorton7294]

Had frog, midnight pumpkin and Blackfoot past 80's there were popular...now traxxas so I have slash ha

[@doug42780]

Be cool to see that body on a new age rock crawler

[@Marcus7469]

I own several tamiya rcs and 2 of them are originals. I prefer the kits more

[@rccartv898]

잘보고가요👍👍video good👍

[@GreenJeep1998]

What’s a good brushless to run with the factory ESC on these? I’m building Black Editions of both this and the Super Clodbuster since I’ve been wanting both for about 30 years now and only mods have been full bearings, AMPro lenses for both and axle wrap preventer for the LunchBox. Doing the body work right now to get it ready for paint.

[@bradkalman2353]

I swear you could use that shorty pack where you put the normal battery.

[@kevinscannell8481]

Are the wheels camber out on the front? And you answered the question in video 5 seconds after I asked.

[@bradkalman2353]

What is the turn limit for brushed on that ESC and the and the lowest brushless you can put on it?

[@deltazero3796]

Please review that pink SkyRC (???) charger? Because I think it look hilarious and yeah... :)

[@bradkalman2353]

Please do a review on the super fighter model.

[@Stay-vigilant]

That van would look sweet with a Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine paint job.

[@TheTruthHz]

It's been done 👍 just Google it 😉

[@crevette337]

Hello the original esc who come with the car can accept standard lipo 7,4 v ?

[@chriscraft2]

i have a serious question.. i just got into those and bought all i could on ebay.. you say it NEEDS that ni-mh battery.. I actually have one but what happens if you run something else.. ?? does that burn up the esc? please let me know... because i bought 4.. i got the black version of that van.. btw...

[@damiond.richardson3566]

I waited 20yrs. for my Lunchbox, my wife got me one and then I had the kit brand new for another 12yrs sitting in the closet. My son and I, built it during the pandemic, drove it a few times and now she’s my shelf Queen.

[@AugustusMcMillan]

since im a busier now vs when i was younger i prefer RTR/ARTR

[@sacrificialrubber779]

Restoring an original Midnight Pumpkin for my daughter currently!(original)

[@rcdriver]

Awesome!!!

[@paulclancy2404]

Nice i found a original frog in garbage basically fixed up but my kids older now , i put stx soectrum remote we all throw away and its perfect for that bc put on 25 50 percent for kids

[@leehurst6922]

Was the running footage using the lipo?

[@bradkalman2353]

The laboratory motor on it or just a regular 540 can because I would put a 540 torque tune on there if I had it and I put the sport tune on the midnight pumpkin?

[@jasondionne1214]

My Lunch Box regular build kit came with the standard silver can 540. I installed the unused Torque Tuned motor from my Tamiya TT-02 kit and a set of bearings. I rips pretty good, but I will be trying a Sport Tuned, and adding a Hobbywing 1060 ESC next. Add also, I installed a Super Stock RZ in the TT-02. The RZ motor is awesome looking, well built, and it’s fast. My favorite Tamiya motor so far.

[@haojia6308]

Does this run well on the backyard lawn?

[@hf1977]

Good lock with that one. I had a Black foot and that was a junk.

[@lejeffe1663]

Awsome im new to channel. Have you done the 6x6s or the txt?

[@camcom76]

Do these have the same gearbox as the grasshopper?

[@s13kuminachu]

First RC was a first gen nitro rustler, still have it, ive never understood the craze with tamiya, cheap plastics. No better than a New Bright. Nostalgia is strong these days.

[@Mattthemec]

Way better than cheapo rtr nikko and new bright etc, obviously fully proportional, scale and easy to mod, for a model that came out in the 80s, there is clearly a lot to love about the lunchbox, yes its not even in the same league as traxxas etc but still so fun to hop around, got mine on good brushless set, 3s lipo, goes like a bat outta hell, love tamiya

[@burman982]

That price is way steep for such a simple build. Even with the nicely detailed body. Still even has bushings. I love my lunchbox and my two midnight pumpkins but Tamiya needs to up their game at a minimum switch to bearings.

[@paulclancy2404]

Still dam. That was first thing my pops would buy with tamiya kits ball bearings , it was all upgrade back in day and lunchbox was like 85 bucks up to 120