The second offering in the famous three-speed line from Tamiya, the Blazing Blazer was an unusual vehicle, modeled after an off-road racing truck.
The first thing that impressed me about the Blazer, was it’s size. At 1/10 scale, it’s the same scale as the majority of Tamiya’s RC cars, but the Blazer is very tall and wide.
This is a close up comparison of the Blazer with the Hilux. The Hilux has a transistorized electronic speed controller while the Blazer’s is strictly mechanical.
Now this is a battery! Vintage (and heavy) 4000mah gave 30min. run times back in the day (1981). Today, ummm, well, it holds a charge pretty well. I’ve used it in my Bruiser and got about 20 minutes, I think. Not too bad for a 25 yr old battery.
Both the Blazer and the Hilux have locking hubs just like real 4wd vehicles did back then. This ‘locked’ the front hubs with the axles for positive 4wd mode.
Underside of chassis shows an abundance of metal parts, as was typical Tamiya construction. Big, beefy brass u-joints actually wore out pretty quickly, but they can be replaced with newer generation steel units from Tamiya vehicles like the F350.
Again, like the real thing, leaf springs are the bouncy part of the suspension here. They’re mighty stiff though, and that makes for a bouncy ride. Not a good thing for a twenty year old RC vehicle and its hard plastic body.
 Vintage Hilux and Blazing Blazer video here.
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Originally posted 2008-01-04 10:40:38.
related:
Wild Willy (1982) ...
Tamiya Hilux (1981) ...
Tamiya Bruiser (1985) ...
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I came upon one of these from a friend for free and it was in his trash pile. Right away i knew it was a tamiya 3 speed with the long tranny. I didnt realize how cool it was until i hooked up the motor with a new speed control and found out it go’s from 2 to 4 wheel dive from the controler! And the locking hubs. Its so real.I love this truck. Why cant they make it like this now a days.
I hear ya. Believe me, alot of folks are asking the same question. Tamiya does offer new three speed trucks, like the Ford F350, and their big rigs, but they are mostly plastic, not metal like the ‘ol days. The new Ford does go from 2 to 4 wheel drive from the controller, but doesn’t offer the locking hubs.
Really i thought it was just the 3 speed. Cool maybe ill pick one up. Does anybody make rims that will fit the old ones. If not how do you put new tires on.
I just looked it up and the article says its full time 4 wheel drive.
Yes, you are right, it is full time 4wd.
bob vov, I’ve seen other F350s with different rims on them. They may be a standard size, but I’m not sure. Check out tamiyaclub.com for readers pics of the F350. I’m sure you’ll see some there.
Hi if i wanted to put different tires on the stock rim would i use a 1.9 inch tire or a 2.2 inch tire…. i think its a 1.9 but just checking
Just did a quick measurement and it looks like 1.9. Definitely not 2.2.