Tamiya Frog

[@ridingdirty8897]

My dad got that for me when it first came out. I was 11 years old. I put most of it together by myself. It took me two weeks. That car lasted me for 20 years before I sold it. Fun memories watching this video

[@AddamsPlayground]

Thanks for sharing the story! I think many folks start with a Grasshopper, Hornet or Frog back in the day. It holding up for 20 years is a heck of a run! You ever think about getting another one to relive the experience?

[@ridingdirty8897]

@AddamsPlayground yes in fact I have been checking ebay for a new sealed kit. My plan is to build another one and share the project with my grandson.. thanks for asking.

[@ridingdirty8897]

@AddamsPlayground I also found the grasshopper back in the day at a yard sale. The person had run it off in a creak. It didn't work anymore but I ended up just using the parts off of it like the wheels and simple stuff.

[@RubySander]

Great video Adam, and a great rc! One of the best ever i.m.o.

[@AddamsPlayground]

Thanks! i am glad you enjoyed it! It is a super cool buggy and I love the odd and unique front suspension and the shock tower free look of it! A true icon buggy for sure and many, many people started out with one of these years ago!

[@RubySander]

​​@@AddamsPlaygroundYes odd front suspension indeed, and it works good too! I owned a Frog a few years ago but sold it... Now filled with regret, and watching this video, my next car will be a Frog again. I already have a spot waiting next to a Grassshopper and a Hornet

[@nikosibarramante2677]

A trip down memory lane 😁👍🏼tnx for the vid

[@AddamsPlayground]

You are very welcome and I am glad you enjoyed it!

[@andyknuckles2903]

Your audio is much better now, Addam! Interesting front suspension on the Frog.

[@AddamsPlayground]

Thanks! Thing improved as the the videos went on, the old footage on the cell phones was not the greatest! The Frog has a very unique suspension and I love the look of the shockless front end. Gives it a whole different look to many other buggies!

[@frankicardario]

awesome ! love it . brings back memories

[@AddamsPlayground]

It is a great kits and super unique looking one I love. I think it looks great without the big field goal front shock towers like many others. It just has it's own unique look and drive!

[@derhampaul2182]

It brings back memories of my childhood

[@AddamsPlayground]

I know this one, the Hornet and the Grasshopper were possibly the top 3 first kits back when we were kids. Of the 3 this one had them beat as the best driving one,

[@esskay430]

I baught the frog kit 14 years ago because I never got it as kid. I never really used it though even though I did build it. I actually found the car it last week during a clean out and gave it to my son who is 13 years old. He’s now using it. Awesome car.

[@AddamsPlayground]

That is super cool! I am glad you are getting your son into the fun of RC and gave hi a great classis to get started with!! What had dad gotten to go out and run with him??

[@TomColontonio]

My first Rc car ever! Amazing

[@AddamsPlayground]

I had it's cousin, the Blackfoot, as my first RC so it and anything on that ORV chassis I am really fond of! Thanks for stopping by and checking in!

[@oliverhertzog-haecker4181]

Best iconic Tamiya RC

[@AddamsPlayground]

It is a really cool and very iconic buggy! I love the front end and its lack of giant shock towers, make it look really nice and it still handle very well, at least the front end does! The rear is still a bit hoppy but all part of the charm of it!

[@RubySander]

True! Along with the Hornet....

[@jorgezuni2818]

My first Rc the Frogger 🐸 1/10 scale Tamiya . In the 80’s

[@AddamsPlayground]

The Frog is a true RC icon and I love the looks of it! Not having the big shock towers and shocks up front makes it look super cool and very different than most RC buggies!

[@craigwise6]

This is a great buggy. The Frog was my first rc buggy back in the 90's, it was a used buggy & green but enough to get me interested in the hobby. I will be looking to get another once I've ploughed through my wish list a little more 😂. Love your videos as there not just reviews, there also filled with tip, tricks & in my opinion priceless information 👍👍.

[@AddamsPlayground]

The Frog an iconic classic! It is now rocking a worn and weathered body on it (originate from an accident!) and it looks even cooler! That video is here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXaWfZ9nidKinpY I am glad you are enjoying the videos! I just sit down and chat with the camera like you guys are here with me. It is the only way I know how to do it!

[@rcinhand9671]

That's a beautiful car. When I was about 14, my friend got a Frog for either his birthday or Christmas. I was impressed (and jealous!) at the time, because I've only seen the RC cars at toys r us.

[@AddamsPlayground]

Yeah, I remember going to my cousin's and he had a RC10 and when he took it out my jaw hit the floor!! It was 10 times faster and equally that much more maneuverable than my little turbo hopper that I thought was the coolest thing ever!! The Frog is a great looking buggy and I love the shock-less front end.

[@derhampaul2182]

My favourite rc car cool 😎

[@AddamsPlayground]

It is a really cool buggy and I love the look of it without having the big shock towers up front. It gives it a really unique and scale look to it!

[@Orrwhut]

I'm having a blast reliving my youth by building this as well. I did not have luck getting the second steering support in after the fact by just twisting it in place, so don't forget that part like I did the first time!

[@AddamsPlayground]

Yeah you kinda have to put them on and work around them when installing the servo. Kind of a pain but easier than having to go back and get it on for sure! Glad you got you one and have that little bit of the past back to play with. You'll have more in no time!!

[@outbackrcaustralia4895]

Nice Frog build Addam👌 I'm in the process of building one and picked up a few great tips from your video. Thanks for sharing your video mate👍🦘🇦🇺

[@AddamsPlayground]

Awesome! Glad it helped and it is a very unique buggy. Drives much better then the Blackfoot and looks kinda cute/tough once built! You'll have a good time with it.

[@outbackrcaustralia4895]

@@AddamsPlayground I've never seen anything like the front suspension design before, yeh it's definitely something else. Have to give credit to Tamiya's design engineers, I find something new in most builds. Looking forward to finishing it and trying it out. 👍

[@flyingfortressrc1794]

Looks fantastic Addam

[@AddamsPlayground]

Thank you! I just screwing up painting another body for someone and had to buy a new body and paint that for them so I now have a runner body for this one so I will take it out more often! I know it is so hard to wreck the wings on these I don't run to too often.

[@canuckchuck8836]

"...the look of dazed terror in their eyes" 🤣 Awesome!

[@AddamsPlayground]

🤣🤣 I mean it is tradition! Never had one that doesn't resemble that! Thanks for watching!

[@canuckchuck8836]

@@AddamsPlayground Absolutely! I think I need to figure out a way of animating the driver so he looks more terrified the faster the car goes. Leave that with me.... 😉 I hope you get more subscribers. You really do deserve the recognition. What I have watched I have certainly enjoyed!

[@AddamsPlayground]

@@canuckchuck8836 you gonna make me blush! Thank you so much and I have a ton of stuff coming very soon, some really cool Tamiya stuff on the horizon!!

[@juliusdream2683]

I always liked the frog 🐸. And the box art is great the pink and white actually works although if I ever find a frog I’m building it and gonna paint it green or maybe not😁.

[@AddamsPlayground]

There are a lot of cool colors I have seen them in. Metallic green being one of them that looks good. I usually paint mine in the box art theme just because that is what a remember drooling over in the magazine ads when I was a kid! I do go for non-box art from time to time but not usually on the classics. Thanks for stopping by and checking it out!

[@Russia-qy8hm]

Hahaha,funny video,I bought a forg yesterday，too.😏

[@AddamsPlayground]

It is a awesome kit and a true classic! It is a great one to build and drive! Have fun!!!

[@yellomello71]

Beautiful car Addam 👍 I finally found a dealer in my country where I can order the Mighty Frog. So I will soon be a proud owner too 🤘😎 To be honest, as a child I just thought the Frog was too big, cruel pink and just plain ugly. I found other cars like the Hornet much more attractive. But from today's point of view, I have to say, it's just beautiful and an incomparable relic from the 80's. I'm really looking forward to build it. I hope you had fun with your Frog 😀

[@AddamsPlayground]

I am kind of the same. The pink and the last of the big goal post A-arms were kind of a deal breaker back when I was a kid. Everything was all about "how fast does it go" or "how high can it jump" to where now I I enjoy the little bit of oddness and the away from the norm design of it. The front suspension is odd and goofy but works vert well. The rear suspension is again odd and quirky looking but works! The pink I love now, so much so I did my Neo Fighter in the matching paint scheme! Tastes change over time as do our ideas of what RC is for us and I am loving collecting them and experiencing all the different and sometimes very odd platforms and I have an appreciation for them all. Even the terribly poor performing RadioShack ones!! Enjoy the build of your and I am sure that first run will have a big ol smile on your face!!!

[@pigwigpa]

I had the frog back in the day. the new speed controllers are so much better. the old ones had ballast resistors you had a wire right or you short into thing out. Glen's only purpose was the hide mechanical part of the speed control

[@AddamsPlayground]

My original real RC, the Super Blackfoot had a MSC in it and I do remember the glitchy nature of them and also the smell of muddy water steaming off of that ceramic resistor bar from playing with it! It is a very unique smell! The modern electronics are wonderful and something like the free ESC s these kits come with now would have been 100-130 ESCs back in the day! It is kind f cool how much things have changed over the years but some of it has stayed the same! Thanks for watching and for checking in !!!

[@pigwigpa]

@@AddamsPlayground if I remember right. that's when the pistol grips started to replace the two stick controllers. Tayimas were fun to build. then we stepped up to Team Associates.

[@AddamsPlayground]

@@pigwigpa yeah, about the same time period. I got mine with a pistol grip controller. It was a Hitech Lynx radio (if I remember correctly) and it was huge!

[@jaycastello1171]

Yep, fried my first speed controller cause I didn’t wire it right.

[@kernzyp]

The Frog rules.

[@AddamsPlayground]

It is a col buggy for sure! Thanks for watching and and for taking a moment to comment, I appreciate it! Check out my Neo fight build as they are twinsies!

[@RichB07]

I just got a original frog and clod last week . I wish someone could see it . I wasn't familiar with it . I had a rock buster back in the day . It's in great shape . I think mostly original .

[@AddamsPlayground]

Heck of a haul! They are fun kits!

[@juliusdream2683]

The original frog came with the hex bones 🦴 and they were awful they’d fall off all the time . If your frog has regular dog bones it’s a RE-RE. The trans is a pain the old one anyway. The frog is a great car. But your advice about hornets 🐝 or hopper is better for beginners.

[@juliusdream2683]

Back in the day the frog was one of the best performing cars out only a few cars could keep up with them.

[@nomusicrc]

I LOVE THE DOUBLE ARIEL'S I HATE THE HEX DRIVE SHAFTS THAT STRIP OUT SO EASY What is the giant rock crawler on the shelf

[@AddamsPlayground]

Yes, the antennae rods really save the body when rolling over, especially the wing. Thankfully the re-re ones all have the metal dog bone axles in them and not the old hex drives. The big rock crawler is an Exceed RC 1/8th scale MadStone crawler I got years and year ago. It is pretty neat but very dated in todays standards. It takes up a ton of room too! LOL!

[@MovieCaveDave]

Hi, I used to be so envious as a kid in the 80’s of my friends owning the original Frog, Grasshopper, Hornet and alike, can you tell me now I am 50, and desperately want to grab something that is now definitely affordable for myself, can you tell me if this is a good starter for a first time build despite using them on the odd occasion way back then I have no experience in building RC cars, I watched some use cable ties on one of the videos for around the rubber tubes (I think you called them boots or something lol, sorry) for the axel bars I think (I don’t know what they are called axels I think) and obviously my friends didn’t do that back then, so have things moved on and is that why some do it, (add the cable ties and so on) my budget as I have looked at the actual Frog you show and I can get it without RC gear for under £100 so I’m basically looking for as much advice as possible, sorry for the essay lol, thank you. P.s silly question but do you cut the pieces off of the frames or twist them, I see you twist them but I’ve seen others cut them. I just need to know so I can pick up a decent craft tool/stanley knife, and by frames I mean the things the wheel rims are on and alike and also do you have a kit list ? Screwdrivers, pliers and so on…sorry about all the questions (I’m in the UK btw)

[@AddamsPlayground]

I won't lie, it is not a cheap step to get into the hobby but a lot of the upfront costs are for common items you will reuse like tools batteries and charger. For a tool overview check out my video on that kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6umn6GsZc-XY9E For car kits the Frog a not really hard to build the only tricky spot is the gear box. You have to put the diff gear in the right way around or you'll get binding when you fully assemble the case. The boots don't have to be tied down but it does help prevent dust and sand from getting in there and mixing with the grease which will wear things out quickly. The boots are very tight to get the axle shafts through but a little grease and some gentle forcing and they will pop right on. You can use zip ties on the inner boots but I use small wire twisted around to hold it snug. A zip tie is too big to go into the swing arm. If you are not dead set on the Frog the Neo Fighter is a great budget kit that is easier for a first time builder, also comes with frog stickers! The have to have items for the build is the kit, a servo, radio and receiver, battery, charger, and some simple tools. A JIS screwdriver, some needle nose pliers, lexan scissors, a hobby knife and a pair of flush cut hobby snips are kind of the preferred lineup of tools to build any Tamiya kit. There is more on that in my tools video to help explain. The snips save a lot of time and are way safer than using a knife to trim the parts. I try and not pull or twist them off the trees but use the snips to cut them off and rarely have to do any cleanup on the parts. Let me know if you have any other questions, I'm happy to help.

[@jasm0ahn547]

I bought the Fast Eddy bearings... and my front wheels are wobbly... They do not fit in snug to the front rims... Is that how yours is??

[@AddamsPlayground]

I have not had any issues with any of mine. I use either Fast Eddie's or TRB RC bearings for all my kits and have not had any failures or other issues yet. Does it feel grindy and crunchy or just wobbly? If they run smoothly then you may need to shim out the wheel a bit. I have noticed on some kits even with the wheel nut tight there is a lot of side to side play and I use Traxxas PTFE coated washers to add behind the wheel to firm it up. The part # is 1985 or TRA1985.

[@pbruteforce1]

You don't have that problem good kids I hate how they got rid of the old msc mounting plate and now you mount your now they want you to melt your ESC to the side of the servo, So I have which in one case I guess is good to lower your center of gravity but I actually like the old MSC mounting plate and I bought a bunch of NOS MSC plates off of eBay I bought all I could find. And I hate sideways body mounts I'm dealing with them right now on a Ultima Restoration

[@AddamsPlayground]

I have never built one with the MSC tray on it. I know my Super Blackfoot had an MSC in it but I cannot remember how or where it was mounted! That has been a long time ago! The side body mounts are a bit inconvenient when you need to take the body off but thankfully that is not too often.

[@pbruteforce1]

I hate how they got rid of the mechanical speed control mounting plate (or speed control stay) that used to be on top now you got to tape your ESC to your servo which I am not a big fan of. I bought some new old stock speed control plates off of eBay every time I see one on there I buy one. If you book it vintage frogs and blackfoots or any of the ORV chassis you'll see what I mean

[@AddamsPlayground]

Yeah I remember the plate that went in the old ones. Sadly I remember throwing away the old MSCs once I went to ESCs thinking there is no way in the world I will ever have a need for these! Now they are getting more and more hard to find and expensive! Funny how something once thought to be a complete waste is now sought after, it happens all the time though! It often makes me wonder what in todays world will be sought after by my kids or grandkids...

[@bobscott117]

Also Same as monter beetle obviously just saying because lots of dipsticks out there

[@AddamsPlayground]

Yeah there were a few different kits on the ORV chassis. The Lancia and the Brat were on this same style and then the Blackfoot style chassis (dual shock front end) had a bunch of variants - Monster Beetle, Bush Devil, Mud Blaster, Super Blackfoot (different transmission) and the king Blackfoot (again, using the newer transmission).