Modded FJ Jeep Thing Needs A Heater (and everything else)

I built this WPL Toyota AGES ago, not long after the KM kit first appeared, but barely ran it - I sort of fell out of love with it during the process. With the roof on it looked like Postman Pat's van, for a start, so that went.
Anyhow, I finally felt like giving it a run, and it was going so well (within reason) I started filming, at which point I suddenly couldn't keep it on its wheels. Watch to the end to see proof...
This quick spin was kind of a test to see what I thought of it, and whether to keep working on it - that seat needs fixing, it needs lights and the lack of drag brake means the ESC doesn't suit, for a start - but I don't think I will.
I may pinch the electrics and driver for other things. He'll probably be pleased given his lack of warm clothes. I think he's even still got feet to suffer frostbite with! Truly I am merciful. Result.

[@DustyFingersRC]

Always a great choice of music and awesome editing of great footage 👍🏼

[@rccrawlersmid-wales645]

Thanks very much! I couldn't resist a quick spin in the snow and frost.

[@MarkBryanRC]

Haha, this is clearly a masterpiece of engineering, design and beauty. Its grace and poise is incredible. The issue here is clearly the operator, and I'm not talking about Soap MacTavish.

[@MarkBryanRC]

But seriously, I think I'd rather have Postman Pat's van! 🤣

[@rccrawlersmid-wales645]

I couldn't possibly comment, but it's definitely me. 🤷

[@rccrawlersmid-wales645]

He gets up too early in the morning for me. I find it very suspicious.

[@carloshnunez]

Wow the way you film this wpl makes it look like 1/6 scale great job 🔵🔵🔵👍👍👍🙂🙂🙂🔵🔵🔵

[@rccrawlersmid-wales645]

Cheers! It's actually pretty big compared to most of the WPLs (more like 1/12), but it's definitely not 1/6! It would probably break just sitting there if it was that big... 🤣

[@carloshnunez]

@@rccrawlersmid-wales645 Yes that one it is 1/12 but the way you film it makes it look like 1/6, the wpl b series are 1/18

[@kolekcjoner205-models]

WPL models are good for the beginning, I started my adventure with rc models with WPL B-16, but many things need improvement and ended up in a corner. Good recording of winter driving, although the driver actually suffered not only from the cold 🤣 👍👍👍👍👍

[@rccrawlersmid-wales645]

LOL, the driver definitely ended up with a bit of headache after this one, but hey - he knew the risks. I agree with you about WPL, I kind of did the same as you; built some early on but ended up wanting better quality.

[@BasBoyRC]

We all get fed-up with some of our vehicles, but it look good out in the the white stuff 🙂a few tumbles at the end as well.

[@rccrawlersmid-wales645]

It doesn't actually go badly, to be fair, and some better electronics would really help (the lack of drag brake gets tricky at times), but the slightly questionable chassis doesn't really make me want to go much further with it. Maybe one day though, you never know. Meanwhile it can sit on the shelf again and look nice!

[@andrewharbron5841]

Yay the C34 appears again! You are on a roll! Oh, hang on, no, the truck is.

[@rccrawlersmid-wales645]

It suddenly got very unstable as the soon as the camera was on, dammit. Like many of our glorious leaders, in fact... except a 4x4 is useful.

[@andrewharbron5841]

@@rccrawlersmid-wales645 🤣🤣🤣

[@JF-RC]

Hi there and great looking truck, don’t think they had heaters for those trucks😂😂😂you must have been frozen filming this one, you can hear the crisp sound of the icy conditions, even with this light RC😊😊😊take care and best wishes to you all 😊😊

[@rccrawlersmid-wales645]

Ha ha yeah, pretty basic things... that's appealing though. 😎 It was pretty chilly filming this, you're right, and I liked the crunchy sounds a lot - glad you noticed them! I filmed a different truck at night soon after this (vid coming soon) and oh my god, that was cold... -8° but felt worse! 🥶🤣

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

Ah, yes, the WPL love/hate struggle that I am all too familiar with. I really like the C44 chassis but have never run the C34. I have 2 x C14/24 in action that I run quite a lot. I'll be honest, it takes a ton of work to get them to not only run scale but film scale, too. Sometimes I get it right but not every time. To soften things up all the way around so they don't bounce and jerk around, I always angle-mount both the front and rear shocks. It helps these get over things a little easier. Especially that front end, which is always kind of stiff, otherwise. I always swap out all the plastic for mostly metal aftermarket stuff and it seems to help keep them planted a little better. Give up? Nah! My suggestion is to call it a good side project that you can revisit occasionally and not feel too broken hearted over if something fails or doesn't turn 100% like you expected. I used to be so dedicated to running and modding WPL. But I've also since learned that there is a plethora of other incredibly worthwhile stuff out there to focus on. I have spent countless hours on these trucks and have finally thrown my hands in the air and said f it. They are what they are. Which is far from perfect. So now I just make do and look to other stuff for pure performance. ALTHOUGH, my new RBR/C All-metal Jeep CJ is a pretty serious contender. WPL axles and drivetrain underneath, 60A esc, etc. Runs pretty well. Best of the WPL-based bunch by far. Close second would be my C24 "Green Machine" truck.

[@rccrawlersmid-wales645]

I actually think this moves quite well for what it is, as that big body is fairly heavy - and I like how it looks on its stock tyres, too, and the way it flexes out quite soon in a scale sort of fashion. It's really only odd details that bug me, like how big and high the seats are, how hard it is to make a driver look the right size, and how cheap the chassis feels. An aftermarket gearbox would no doubt help (I really like the metal one I put in my B36), and if I could find a better chassis (I'm okay with the axles, it's the rest) I think I'd find it more satisfying. Oh, and one commenter suggested a roll bar - if I can learn to braze, I'd love to build a cage for this thing! I do like your Jeep CJ - metal is definitely the way to go, and probably that highly modified look is as well. Personally I'd love to build something like Papa Dar's Jeep (you probably know Fab Rats) - it's got that utilitarian, scruffy but awesome look of a rig that's built to just work (rather than look impressive) which I really love. Ironically, well-engineered scruffy stuff always looks impressive to me anyway - the better something works, the better it looks! Anyway, thanks for watching! 😎👍

[@trevorcourt1403]

I bet that driver was cold driving therein wales today FairPlay to him 👍🏻

[@rccrawlersmid-wales645]

He's too manly to show it, but inside he was weeping tiny frozen plastic tears like a vintage Barbie or something. Still, he made it out of the woods and back to the warmth, so as you say - fair play! 😎👍

[@RcNickster709]

Yup that is one tough dude. lol If I may? A roll cage sure would help the poor head of the driver. LMAO Awesome run man. Very Christmassy

[@hollyhillrc]

@RcNickster709 He's not as tough as your Sarah ! 😄👍🏼

[@rccrawlersmid-wales645]

Yeah, he's special forces - taking the force of an entire Toyota on his forehead is his speciality. 😆 And yeah, a roll cage, what a great idea! I hadn't thought of that. It'd be great fun to try to build one for this. I need to figure that out one day. 👍

[@DannyRc]

Cool FJ 😎👍

[@rccrawlersmid-wales645]

Thanks! It's probably a very cool FJ in this weather... 😎👍

[@Michael69480]

Very nice video.

[@rccrawlersmid-wales645]

Thanks for watching!

[@rc-dom-uk]

Is that soap McTavish driving ? Tbf mate Most of my crawls end up on the roof 😂👍

[@rccrawlersmid-wales645]

It is! Soap not only drives well, but if you rub him on a cracked fuel tank he'll stop it leaking long enough to get you home... lol (true story).

[@Del350K4]

Given the popularity enjoyed by these trucks I'm slightly surprised that you don't want to persevere with this one (which I think looks gorgeous in this weathered khaki scheme). Still, the montage at the end of the video is in itself a compelling argument for pinching the electronics and moving on. The driver will presumably be grateful for some sort of head protection, too. And a heater.

[@rccrawlersmid-wales645]

It's not a bad little truck really, and maybe I'll reconsider... I do wish I'd waited to buy one though, as then the longer flatbed version came along and that really looks ace. Unfortunately since the making of this video the driver has announced a series of strikes over conditions and pay. And heaters. Apparently it's not so much about the principle, it's just he felt left out. 🤷

[@Del350K4]

@@rccrawlersmid-wales645 Drivers can be a real nuisance, obstinately refusing to fit in the vehicle, being too rigid, and generally making it all about them. It really is a damned poor show. Have you seen the FMS FJ45?

[@sqweezzstr]

I enjoyed WPL til i realized they have nothing going for them besides the shape of their bodies lol. Now my $400 collection sits and collects dust because theyre just utter shit

[@rccrawlersmid-wales645]

🤣 Oh man, harsh, but I know where you're coming from! I wouldn't say they were utter shit (I think that's what MN Models is for) but they're pretty shonky underneath those lovely bodyshells. I could definitely improve this with a decent esc and (maybe) a slower motor, but I just don't think I want to put the time/money into it. I do still like my B36 Ural though. I should dig that one out again one day. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@Del350K4]

My C34 is on a continuous, single-minded self-destructive mission. If this means taking my sanity and life savings along for the ride, it's happy to do that too.

[@ascgazz]

He’s brave going out in that without a thick woolly hat on. ☃️

[@rccrawlersmid-wales645]

🤣 He's trained his whole life for this. Plus, he can't afford any more hats as all his old ones got shot off his head during his day job.

[@ascgazz]

@@rccrawlersmid-wales645 ahh so he must razor his head smooth, I find with a little bit of stubble lots of hats are held on like Velcro, but I don’t often get shot at. Wait, what??