When Did Basic RC Toys Get So Good?

This is a really nice Licensed 'Scale' Toyota Land Cruiser LC70 (MN Models MN82s). A great RC Trail Truck for not a lot of money.
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[@TomleyRC]

Only a few days left to get a FREE Ticket to WIN an Arrma Big Rock: raffall.com/372085/enter-raffle-to-win-a-brand-new-arrma-big-rock-3s-100-free-hosted-by-phil-harrison

[@SPOOK.E]

I drive my mn82 more than my expensive rigs. It’s simple and just fun. Put on some crawling tires and it’s a real beauty.

[@alantaylor353]

They got better because people like yourself gave people like us a loud & clear voice that we could use to tell the manufacturers what we thought of their products.!! So, y'know... Thanks for that Phil.!!👍 👍 😁 😁 See, you can be useful, you're not just a pretty ball bag.! 😉 😉 HAPPY NEW YEAR MATE & THE VERY BEST WISHES FROM SCOTLAND 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🙏 ❤️ 📻 🕹️ 🔋 🚗 🚖 🚕 🚔 🚚 🚙 🚘 🚓 🚒 🚑 🚐 🚎 🚤 🚁 🛩️ 👍 👍 👍

[@TomleyRC]

I guess that’s part of it. 3yrs ago this would have been underpowered, no proportional steering and not ‘licensed’ 😇

[@alantaylor353]

Well, I totally believe 'em.! 😉 😉

[@paulv4130]

Tamiya was good for adding realism but it was the crawling class that took it to a new level.

[@tcamods4857]

Upgrading the rear driveshaft to metal ones gives it more flex as the plastic driveshafts limit the travel of the axle and spring assembly. did it on mine and it rides better now. left the front plastic as i will not replace it until i need to lol. Edit: Long pressing the Light SW button activates the hazard lights

[@CK4RC]

I haven’t been big on these until this one. I really like the utility look of it.

[@RetroDaddyPH]

I am waiting on mine to be delivered tomorrow, and this video came in clutch! Always a joy to watch you!

[@TomleyRC]

Nice! Have fun 🤩

[@ryand4786]

Phil !! It comes with turn signals too !!! 😂

[@TomleyRC]

Shhhhhhh 🤫

[@SCALE_SLOTCARS_AND_RC]

Definitely agree with you about the add-on pieces needing to be painted matching black .great looking trail truck ...thanks for sharing 👍

[@Brettoh]

They’re quality for the money! 370 motor, cheap Dumbo trans & some oil shocks is all it honestly needs to be really good 😮

[@TomleyRC]

Yes, a good base for a capable cheap trail rig

[@kevincain6843]

I have several vehicles in this line ( WPL,MN, ETC.) I cannot complain about any of them for the price. You can't compare to Axial , Redcat, Element or Vanquish. Different class entirely. They are still fun to upgrade , cool looking, and very cheap. I am glad you pointed this out during the video. The mods can be a little more challenging on these rather than just bolt on upgrades designed for it. And you can just do some straight bolt ons if that is what you want and still be plenty fun.

[@Xofroggy]

For a cheap rc that is more of a moving model, thats amazing and it actually is hobby grade so id buy it

[@jaymyers9899]

Nice work the water crossing was great 😊 thanks Phil great start to the New Year

[@TomleyRC]

Happy New Year dude

[@jaymyers9899]

@ 🤩 thank you ! 😊 see ya on the next one 🤙

[@mehimrc1314]

Got the jjrc willy jeep for Xmas, super quiet and low modulation is priceless for the actual cost of the jjrc C8815. That looks epic for the money

[@RetroDaddyPH]

It's actually funny to think that the esc+controller board on these things are so simple in it's physical layout that you can get it wet, and it would still work for a long while 🤣 the components are so far spaced from each other that it doesn't care if it gets wet. Although I do dunk ALL of my MN motherboards in a thick layer of liquid electrical tape, or if there's none, a good paint of nail polish will do! Still holding on to my 3 year old MN99S, and haven't upgraded a single thing except for the battery.

[@microRiZu]

how many battteries have you put through the mn82?

[@RetroDaddyPH]

@@microRiZu The MN82s I have will arrive tomorrow. The MN99S I have had for 3 years- Original one got degraded, so I replaced it with the 1200mah version, and that one hasn't been replaced since.

[@TomleyRC]

Sometimes they need a little shake to clear the moisture… but this seemed to do okay 🤘

[@supramanx1997]

I got my son an MN128 for Christmas and i took it apart and coated all the boards with conformal coating for waterproofing. It was pretty easy to get the housing for the receiver/esc apart. He can drive his "adventure jeep" up to the windshield now if he wants. Not sure how great it is for the motor long-term, but he _could_ do it. Probably would try to rinse it with distilled water afterwards if he ever did...

[@RetroDaddyPH]

@@supramanx1997 Yes, it is best practice to rinse with distilled/ non mineral water after each play so there will be minimal corrosion. These things are tough to kill!

[@allanritchie1539]

Nice, very nice, looks good on the trail. 😊😊😊😊😊

[@TomleyRC]

Yeah, not bad for the money

[@SouthernRCGarage]

A really great upgrade to the MN82 lineup. Cool entry level relatively cheap rc to get into the hobby. 👍👍.

[@TomleyRC]

Yes, decent ‘starter’

[@topqualityfi8216]

Well after 3month modding and driving mn82,made me sure i like hobby,so i started saving for trx4 sport high trail(570e here in finland) and i paid 40for mm82,under 70e for truck,oil shocks,72 wheels n tires,strong servo

[@SouthernRCGarage]

@@topqualityfi8216 Always great idea to start cheap and see if you like it. And the upgrades are part of the fun of the hobby.

[@topqualityfi8216]

@@SouthernRCGarage yeah,it had been 17 years till i had my last one,ofc my inner kid woke when i saw lc79 rc car,but surely was not ready spend almost 600 before trying out do i really like do it still,now i try to trail hike woods 2h per day if there is okay ish weather

[@Thenonchalantwizard]

Just got a Grom Mohave and it’s awesome all thanks to you

[@TomleyRC]

Yes.. 100% 🤘

[@Thenonchalantwizard]

@@TomleyRCI’m thinking of doing a bang good special brushless and diff conversion

[@TomleyRC]

They take Brushless all day… send it 🤘

[@andrewwestover7278]

Great videography Phil, well done. Happy New Year 🎉

[@MCsCreations]

Awesome ride and review, Phil! 😃 I'd love to see some of those mods! Happy new year! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@TomleyRC]

Thanks dude. Happy New Year 🥳

[@AmpRC]

I swear when you went into deep water it looked like it was floating a bit! haha great video!

[@suvsteve]

Happy new year Phil 🎆🎊 Definitely agree that MN have vastly improved I painted those brown bits gunmetal over on my little channel and gave the wheels a gunmetal lip to as a suggestion you made in the past 😁 All the best for 2025 😊

[@TomleyRC]

Yes, the tan/brown was a strange choice. Happy New Year 🥳

[@BellaT-nu4vv]

I am a simple man... I see Mclaren hoodiee, I like video

[@TomleyRC]

I've been a McLaren fan since the Coulthard times.... then was a big fan of Button. My wife's a huge Norris fan, but I think I prefer the 'cool, calm' Piastri.

[@BellaT-nu4vv]

@@TomleyRC only by luck spa 2000 was the first race I watched on TV when I was just a10 years old kid, then I grew up as a McLaren fan as you can easily guess... I supported whomever was the leading driver of the team as my natural favourite in different eras... For the current duo I agree with your opinion on Piastri, he looks more promising to be 'a greater driver and a champion overall' It is very nice that you share of you! Let's believe we will get the both championships this year, I am hopeful Also thanks for reminding the legendary times with iconic West livery :)

[@TomleyRC]

@@BellaT-nu4vv Nothing will beat the 70's through to 90's Motor Racing (in all niches)

[@BellaT-nu4vv]

@TomleyRC yeah due to my age I could catch only the end times of you've told however still feel that 'the real thing' is dead and we only follow the postmodern extension of it often :)

[@keithpowell4664]

Happy New Year Phil. Hope 2025s a good un!

[@TomleyRC]

Happy New Year 🥳

[@shortstories3349]

I have Version 1 of this and I’m properly amused by it; I’m hoping that by the end of 2025 I’ve managed to make this into a neat little FPV long range truck. Hopefully I can get one of the camper add-ons to the bed to help with that, haha.

[@cstyle1917]

Love this truck! Way better than FMS' 1:12 Land Cruiser Pickup for a fraction of the price. With trimming, it fits 70 or even 74mm tires without snapping axles. THey are hard to break in general and live up to the real truck!

[@Johntriger]

Made an extended center drive shaft for the mn82 if you decide to level the rear by putting the rear axle on top of the leaf springs instead of under like factory. I have a video about it you can check out. Its free to download and print yourself.Happy Mudding, and a Happy New Year!

[@TomleyRC]

Sounds like a decent mod 👌

[@Johntriger]

@TomleyRC Without it, the drive shaft will fall apart as it becomes slightly too short in the middle. Saves having to buy metal upgraded shafts. I feel like it saves the plastic center transfer case gears as the center drive shaft will shear in too much of a bind like crawling in mud or on a couch cushion/blanket in my experience. Cheap to print the replacements and easy to fix on trail, you can shorten it in the slicer software when printing to fit the front axle as well.

[@papalel]

Just got mine a few days back. I probably going to do a brushless outrunner motor as I did on my original MN82.

[@Pablo668]

Nice work Phil. It’s not a hill I’m prepared to die on, but I think they got good once the WPL Kei truck came out. That thing is a ripper. Having said that, from memory you were reviewing RC’s from this section of the market well before that.

[@lo2713]

So medium soft is now an official tyre compound 👍😁

[@shadyhazza]

the most logical explaination, friend, is the license is encrypted 2025 is gonna be YUGE

[@supramanx1997]

6:08 Slow speed also turns on a drag brake in these MN models, so you don't roll downhill or backwards when crawling and climbing stuff

[@RetroDaddyPH]

@@supramanx1997 All WPL and MN models have drag break. It's called bad gears 🤣 kidding aside, I do wonder if the MN82S has drag brake? I'm getting mixed info from different reviews.

[@Nerm78]

Great video, and Happy New Year!

[@shawnj547]

Nice looking truck rc . Happy New Year

[@TomleyRC]

Happy New Year Shawn

[@Del350K4]

Funnily enough I have just spent the day driving RCs, from WL Toys, through MN Models and up the quality ladder to Team Associated and Traxxas. I remember thinking, while driving the MN, "this is underpowered (260, should really have a 370), and the gearing's too tall". Yet my happiest memories of the day are of my wife and me racing two WL Toys leaf-sprung trucks around a course marked out by puddles and bits of litter. Today, at least, we got more fun out of our upgraded cheap trucks than the expensive models.

[@TomleyRC]

Great way to spend the first day of the New Year. Hope you have a decent 2025 Del 🤘

[@RetroDaddyPH]

It's a lot more fun because we're not worried on wasting money when it breaks. At least that's how I look at it. As I am more careful with the more expensive ones.

[@Del350K4]

@TomleyRC Thank you, Phil! And I hope you have a good year, too!

[@Del350K4]

@RetroDaddyPH I agree! I also like buying fairly c*ap RCs and giving them a chance to be quite good - sort of allowing them to be as good as the original designer meant them to be, before the accountants started speccing the wrong motor, plastic gears, etc. It's satisfying. Mind you, I like driving my mate's TRX-4, too!

[@mountainhusk4382]

AYE LETS GO! edit: Also 2 things, this version is supposedly based on a employees real truck from what i heard. And the reason thumb steering feels weird is cause its supposed to be for your right hand not your left. it feels way better in my right hand.

[@LEKProductions]

I'm just getting back into the hobby, I had a Tamiya Thundershot back in the '80s. I remember a few things like setting the car to drive in circles to discharge after each run and various stuff like that. I've heard stuff mentioned on your channel like 3s, 4s, etc. from what I gather, it seems to be a speed mod, Is it a paid modification, or can you modify it right out of the box? Also, I noticed you use an app to test speed, would love to know which one that is. Really enjoying your content and your delivery! Are there any tutorial videos for newcomers, or for people like me getting back into the hobby? Keep up the great work!

[@OldeSchoolRcUk]

Was that floating at one point. It could be a toyboata 😂

[@TomleyRC]

Haha… just needs an outboard

[@johnwayne666]

Buddy ol pal...✌🏻😎

[@PhilipCockram]

Happy New Year .

[@topqualityfi8216]

Imagine,you can get those for 40e,my first gen was 40e,and canopy wouks been 60e extra,and ppl did order thees, i have spent under 60e on mine(bigger oil shocks and 72mm tires) goes truly scale well

[@Manaal-j7b]

are mn82 better then wpl c54-1 or c64-1??

[@37077]

Looking forward to your 2025 season. Happy 2025 !

[@TomleyRC]

Me too! Happy 25

[@docbob3030]

Looks like the MN company might have had a holiday in Australia recently! These are definitely modelled after the hundreds of thousands of the exact same looking LandCruisers that fill our roads and highways 😂🦘🇦🇺

[@TomleyRC]

Yes lol

[@Rockerrobin]

My brother just got one of these in black. I'm looking for RC of my own, not a ton in the 1/12 size, but I like the scale vs the smaller 1/16 or bigger 1/10. Some of the mn models have a metal frame like the mn 128 and mn 168. I think the mn 82 is the only one with a plastic frame actually.

[@rctraildriversuk-lone-wolfvide]

happy new year, you made it look good but i have the previous model the red one and its pants

[@TomleyRC]

They are not perfect, but a good ‘scale’ truck. Although the prices keep creeping up

[@SharkysGarageRCandMore]

I actually have one in my basket, just haven't pulled the trigger yet. Maybe the pinecone one should have a bigger om winch put into the bed and made into a recovery rig...

[@jarkkovanska6681]

Nice start year 2025 🙂👍

[@TomleyRC]

Cheers dude

[@andrewentwistle9694]

Just for the Hell of it.. Any chance we could see some of the MN Models being upgraded.? Happy New Year by the way.. All the best for 2025.. 😎🎉

[@TomleyRC]

I’ve upgraded some in the past. Not sure I’ll do anymore

[@wheelsdownrc6348]

Great truck if you want something that scale on the cheap, my only complaint would be that I already bought the V1 without all the accessories😢😂…thanks Tommy

[@Paul0088]

Boom 🎉 Happy New Year🎉

[@TomleyRC]

New Years Resolution to stop saying Boom? No? 😅

[@Paul0088]

@@TomleyRC 🤔

[@Anglian-Rc]

Looks awesome I went for the black as well. Would you consider doing a video putting the brushless setup in it? 😅

[@TomleyRC]

I was going to do a conversion but didn’t have the right set up

[@Anglian-Rc]

@ ooh nice 👌 be awesome to see it

[@Jeeplee_rc]

Mnd90 was my first "scale crawler" it ended up getting chopped up and put onto a comp crawler chassis The mn platform didn't last long. Still have the body on my workshop wall though!

[@joshfowler197]

One i came across and would love to see a review on is the PINECONE FOREST 1205. It's a scale looking side by side, which are very popular in the US. If it's good, I might have to get my hands on one

[@Tuffy3632]

Happy 2025 phil

[@TomleyRC]

You too dude 🥳

[@DPWian]

Such a good looking rig. Could you review the MJX H8H? 1/8 Defender brushless trail truck.

[@TomleyRC]

I looked at that and didn’t think it offered good value for money compared to some other stuff out there. Also ‘looked’ a bit cheap imo

[@RedLakeArchery]

The blue xtracab toyoya hard body was 500$ on ebay..500!!!! 🇨🇦 dollars. For a plastic hard body - that's it! The first company to come out with a bunch of tenth scale hard bodies with make a killing.. Theres on 5 or 6 goods ones. These prices are ridiculous 🎉

[@TomleyRC]

Expensive!

[@Bonitacreekrcs]

Either that or,expectations are lower🤷‍♂️

[@TomleyRC]

Yeah maybe 😅

[@RC-Closer1313]

New meds. Nick was gone for Christmas and just got back… so I’m in need of some movement…

[@captainkaizoku8409]

I can’t believe I got this before you haha

[@TomleyRC]

I’ve had it about a few months

[@dlhamza3837]

Tomley can you review the kf20 by kfplan? Its a great looking cheap 1/64 rc drift car and seems great for those who cant get the turbo racing drift car

[@TomleyRC]

I may look at some more of the micro stuff later on this year

[@dlhamza3837]

@@TomleyRC ok 👍👍👍👍

[@someguyprobably]

Can you please review the Batrazzi Ctrl Frk Brushless setup for FCX24?

[@mightyy_6189]

I've got a dylema - i want to buy either a 3d printer or rc car or sim wheel. Which is the best?

[@speckledjim_]

It really wants to be a proper crawler........

[@insearchof_dirt]

What is the wheelbase? I can see a lot of people buying this just for the body

[@stevecann3394]

I bought the previous version, quite like it. Love the look of this one...how do i justify to myself that i need this one too??🤔🤔

[@TomleyRC]

Justification is a New Years present 😅

[@stevecann3394]

@TomleyRC ahh...go on then, you've talked me into it 👍😀

[@wayneparsons6310]

Happy New Year and thanks for the quality material which you put out. I have a question which I hope you could help me with. I want to get one of these due to how great it looks but I would like to add upgrades to it which would allow it to pull a scaled trailer and do some off road course. What would be your suggestions? It would be my first RC 🤔 I am not aware of what would work.

[@TomleyRC]

There a fair few smaller channels that have done some good upgrades to these. Also the WPL range can be decent.

[@jasonarmstrong7465]

happy new year

[@TomleyRC]

Happy New Year

[@benzcorsasri]

Did you review the MN168 Range Rover?

[@desitroublemaker]

How'd you waterproof it?

[@TomleyRC]

I didn’t 😅

[@gabrielyohandgecana9125]

Is it the same as the mn82

[@Rc_Alex_76]

Hi Phil I made a mn78 brushless with a neebrc set up from AliExpress it's a nice set up tnx

[@TomleyRC]

Sounds good!

[@ianmangham4570]

I got one but i hate the cheap crappola connection

[@whitekryptonite]

When you guys all starting making youtube channels for RC !!! Thank you!

[@TomleyRC]

😇🙏

[@average_nerdd]

Can you test the SG116 max vehicle in the next video?

[@EastTejanoRC]

I would take that donation

[@MittenpunKt]

Submerge at your own risk? It's got a snorkel, she'll be right

[@Padre-en3qn]

Asking for one of these for my b-day... I'm 41 btw

[@robertom5808]

Nice Nice Nice

[@sbkpeace.24]

Off topic What watch is that ?

[@disbegroe1]

Is there anybody who knows how to change the MN controller settings from drive brake reverse to just drive and reverse? I have scattered the internet and I can't find anything

[@Pau_Pau9]

*I got the dibs on that beige Pinecone Toyota!* I will gladly pay the shipping to get it shipped to me. 😁

[@TomleyRC]

If you are in the UK and at any of the events this year, I’ll stick it in my van

[@Pau_Pau9]

@TomleyRC I am not in UK. 😪 In NYC. 😭

[@kraizerxthesimp46]

1st video of the year

[@TomleyRC]

🥳

[@AlfredoRC-14]

Is it me or did Kev already review these in the Miata video and now Tomley is?

[@TomleyRC]

No need to be surprised... we are both RC Car channels lol. I've had this thing for months

[@AlfredoRC-14]

Fair enough lol

[@Jevintheexorcist]

This is my new rc car

[@TomleyRC]

Nice one 👌

[@rab..]

You gave the original the taliban mod 😂😂😂 shame it wasn't a white hilux

[@davekessing2266]

Unimog is not a camper ,its a overlander

[@TomleyRC]

What if you sleep in it 😅

[@cubing-craze-x2x]

great vid

[@TomleyRC]

Thanks 😇

[@J.D.Y.B]

Not a bad little truck for the price.. Can't believe it got through that water without cutting out ! 😅 Happy new year everyone !!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@wootwootjr]

Can we stop having affiliate links while honey is still going? Or to advise against the use of honey when using affiliate links?

[@microRiZu]

don't use honey, find couipoun manualyl and you will be fine, uninstall hjoney first

[@RedLakeArchery]

To bad theh didnt make 10th scale. I could see some pretty cheap conversions going on if they did 10th scale.

[@TomleyRC]

10th Scale would be awesome!

[@GhostLead65]

No hydrolock in a Landcruiser lol

[@TomleyRC]

Haha

[@stuartthurstan]

You're not by any means the only channel to do this so this comment is aimed at a whole number of RC content creators. Can we stop it with the whole "permanently locked diff" thing please? A permanently locked diff just means "no diff". Let's not try and make it sound like some cool value added feature that the manufacturer has gone to a lot of trouble to include.

[@kellykuretich6366]

👍👍😎😎

[@manicmatt7773]

I see you also watch a RC Japanese man ;)

[@claytondunlop5464]

I’ll buy that rc u won’t review

[@mraltoid19]

Same Dilemma as the AMD Powered Mini-PCs....they all have basically the same hardware underneath, so when you review one, you kinda review them all.

[@TomleyRC]

Yeah, I like to see things that have significant changes before I review them again

[@morrisv1239]

2 minute gang 👇🏻

[@TomleyRC]

🤩🤘

[@Mithallic]

3 minutes 69 views lez go

[@TomleyRC]

🤩

[@Mithallic]

@@TomleyRC 😂

[@Mithallic]

@@TomleyRC 😂

[@whitecompany18]

Id feel funny buying that , nice looking but its toy grade, upgradeable yes but so is any toy if you chop and glue. If it had an esc and some recognisable components maybe but you'd just be buying that for the shell and putting it on a proper chassis and real transmitter, you could probably buy a decent looking toy truck for a tenner to do that much work but have a decent crawler at the end. Thumbs up for looks thumbs down for quality.👍👎