Tamiya Lunchbox Review, Part 3
Previously, I wrote about painting the body, construction, and an overview of the kit. In this, the last part of the Tamiya Lunch Box review, I wanted to discuss how it performed.
I was surprised by how slow the Lunch Box is. It’s a bit faster than the Bullhead (which, with it’s stock motors I think runs at a very fun speed) but still feels slow. I put an old Trinity Monster Stock motor in it and had quite a bit more fun!
I was surprised and disappointed by how short a time the Lunch Box could hold a wheelie. Again, a larger motor helps this.
With the steering rods set at the lengths the manual specifies, the Lunch Box has some pretty serious understeer. Adjusting for some toe-in doesn’t help much: steering is a little better, but the R/C flipps pretty easily then.
Suspension needs help. It’s awful stiff and has a pretty short throw. The Lunch Box bounces everywhere!
Given all of these problems, you wouldn’t think the Lunch Box is much fun—but it is! It’s great fun to see it bounce along, fly over jumps and maintain a nose-down posture! Really, it’s just as I remember it: a lot of fun.
Comment from andy on November 20, 2005 at 6:18 PM
do you know if the new lunch box parts will fit the old one i need new lunch box gears because the ones in the lunch box snapped in half.
if you do send me info please
Comment from Dan Wolfgang on November 21, 2005 at 10:09 AM
The new parts should fit the old Lunch Box. It's supposed to be the exact same molds, except for an ESC and updated decals.
Comment from Charlie O on January 11, 2006 at 8:36 PM
Hi,
I just stumbled on your site, I was looking online for the instructions to put my lunch box back together when I found your site (anyone know where I can get a free copy?). Your site came up second on the Google search for "tamiya lunch box instructions". I am also from CT, Colchester to be exact. I also like BSG and was in the Boy Scouts (made it to Eagle back in 1993) when I was much younger. I just bought a Tamiya Rising Storm, now that was a lot of fun to put together. That is what got me looking back in to fixing up my vintage 1987 Lunch Box. Well keep up the good work! - Charlie
Comment from eric on January 14, 2006 at 8:47 PM
Im torn between this or the hornet for my next RC purchase. I kinda want a Clod but Ive heard they can be a lot of work too. Ive heard they handle kinda crappy.
The Box is just so damn cool lookin!!!!!
Comment from henry on February 14, 2006 at 6:44 PM
man....i wish i knew they were re-releasing the lunch box when you did. it was my first r/c as a kid and i loved it. now i have it on back order. and i still have the old futaba magnum jr. radio. they are putting the frog back out too. matter of time and the blackfoot will be back.
Comment from Kris on March 3, 2006 at 3:06 PM
I've been looking for a 2 wheel drive monster truck, besides the Traxxas Stampede, now I might consider buying a Lunch Box. From the looks of it the truck has potential to be mean with a some modifications to the suspension and drivetrain.
Comment from Brian on June 2, 2006 at 12:02 AM
Hello all. I have had my Box for 16 years and it runs better today hten it did when I got it. With a littel inginuity, I have associated oil filles shocks at all 4 corners as well as an assortment of high end motors. On a flat serface it will easily keep up with a 1/10 scale car. This thing has always been a blast!
Comment from Harry on July 12, 2006 at 12:25 PM
Hey everyone, Love the site. I just recently purchased the Lunch Box and all the goodies. I'm still new to the RC world. I'm looking for some suggestions for modifying it a little. Maybe shocks, engine, etc.... I want to have a little more fun with it then just being stock. Any suggestions?
Thanks !!!!!!
Comment from Brian on July 30, 2006 at 10:09 PM
Great site. I love how the body on your Box turned out. I just bought a Traxxas Stampede and I want to adapt a Lunch Box body to it. If possible could you tell me the distance between the front axle center and rear axle center. I hope its close to the Stampede. When I was younger a friend of mine had a Lunch Box. I can still remember beating the crap out of that wonderful truck. Thanks again.
Comment from Gaz on August 22, 2006 at 6:29 PM
England callin//////England calling
Got the bug...cleaning out my attic and found my Lunch Box 1987 style it needs a bit of work(thats what makes it fun) I am looking for the manual to help with the re-build...any ideas??
I painted my Lunch Box black (oooh to be ten again) and did some funny old things with the stickers but hey it's still cool!! Your site came out on the google search 1st and 2nd choice!
Cheers
Gaz
Comment from Adrian on September 8, 2006 at 11:46 AM
Wales calling!!!
Hi,
Great pages I must say... I always wanted a Lunchbox when I was little. It must have been around the original 1987 release date when I first noticed them, but with no chance of getting such a pricey pressie I have had to wait nearly 20 years.
Anyway, I have one on odrer and your pages really helped to convince me that it would be fun even now, and not just a bit of nostalgia.
Great pics too.
A
Comment from JOHN on September 30, 2006 at 9:33 AM
MY FIRST ONE WAS VANESSA'S LUNCH BOX. WHAT A BLAST TO DRIVE AS A 14 YEAR OLD KID. MY FRIEND HAD A BLACKFOOT AND IT WAS ALWAYS BREAKING. BAD DRIVE TRAIN DESIGN. ONCE I RAN IT WITHOUT THE BODY AFTER SOME QUICK REPAIRS AND A LADY PARKED HER CAR ON TOP OF IT. I WILL LET YOU KNOW IT ONLY BLEMISHED THE CHASSIS. IT WAS BULLET PROOF AS LONG AS YOU UPGRADED THE STEERING TUNBUCKLES, AND KEPT THE MOTOR AND PINION TIGHT. THE ONLY OTHER ISSUE WAS WEARING OUT THE SPEED CONTROL. YES I PLAYED WITH IT THAT MUCH. GLAD TO SEE THE REISSUE, ME AND MY 10 YR OLD SON WILL BE BUILDING ONE SHORTLY. I THINK THE ORIGINAL GRAPHICS WERE RACIER, COULD HAVE BEEN A PRE PUBESENT DREAM OF VANESSA. THANKS FOR THE TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE!
Comment from Joe E on December 3, 2006 at 1:16 PM
I have a Lunchbox on order with Tower hobbies. I was also torn between getting a Hornet or the Lunchbox like a previous poster. I also ordered the kit with all the bearings it needs, and a 21 turn motor. Does anyone know if the bearings make a big difference? I know it did with a Traxxas Hawk, and RC10 buggy I had. I may paint up the Lunchbox to look like the Mystery Machine in Scooby Doo....
Comment from bob on March 19, 2007 at 7:07 PM
hi
i was thinking of getting a lunchbox.just i was wondering if it was werth spending the money does it handle jumps okay howfar can it wheelie how fun is it stock how fast is it in mph
thanx
Comment from bob on March 19, 2007 at 7:15 PM
i have a bullhead with 550 motors will a lunch box be as fast as that
thanx
Comment from apmc on April 19, 2007 at 2:04 PM
Having gone along the r/c aircraft route, and destroyed several Firebird Commander 2's, 2x Apache's, and and EasyCopter, I think that route is taking me nowhere...so I am opting for r/c electric cars now. I have always fancied a Vanessa's Lunchbox, and I think I will take the plunge in the next coming weeks. I have no experience in building such a r/c vehicle, is it possible for a newbie to do this? Also, how fast does it move and maintain a wheelie? Thanks all...good luck. apmc
Comment from dan on May 27, 2007 at 5:38 PM
hello, i have just found myself an original .. yes oriinal lunchbox that has never been assembled! ok it was 3 times that of the re-release but the box and stickers are subtly different, i intend to build it but build it exactly as tamiya intended, its so easy to build any one could do it! i am planning on keeping the original springs and dampers as i have heard that oil shox really make no noticable difference, im thinking of upgrading the motor to a tamiya tuned 540, i have already ordered a full set of metal bearings and i might do the old 3rd strut trick to get it to weelie a bit longer and handele better, also i will be trying to find a way to correct the front camber as it is way to possitive at the moment. if anyone has no idea what the 3rd strut trick is just email me and i will be glad to explain a bit more. involves a bit of cutting and drilling but it holds the rear axle more steady and illiminates the need for those silly little spring things
Comment from Dok on November 20, 2007 at 1:30 AM
I've just finished building the reissue lunchbox and the camber on the front is way out. The wheels lean out by about 10 degrees! Any idea on how to correct this? It's my first go at building an R/C, so if it's not in the manual I don't have a clue :D
Thanks in advance.
Comment from Dan Wolfgang (replied to Dok)
on November 20, 2007 at 6:17 AM
There's really no way to adjust camber on the Lunchbox. The single A-arm suspension style doesn't allow for any such adjustment.
Comment from dan on June 10, 2008 at 7:38 PM
i just modified my lunchbox very cheaply!!
my charger is capable of 8 cells (9.6v) and so is my esc (electronic speed controller) so i bought an 8 cell battery and forced it in! man this thing flies with the standard motor in it! metal bearings are a must though! also i used a lot of cable ties (nylon zip ties) to sort the suspention.
3 around each of the crome shock towers to comprss the spring to make the suspetion stiffer and one inside the car, one the front strut 'pins' basicly if you push the front suspension down the shock rods poke out through the chassis, wrap a tie around each one to stop the rod going all the way back in. this lowers the front end and sorts out the front camber, all i did then was raise the front body mounts with longer screws and packed with washers to make the body look level again.
dan-gleeballs@hotmail.co.uk
Comment from Anonymous on October 5, 2008 at 7:45 PM
I have just ordered one of these, like most people on this site its been a childhood dream of mine so Im very excited about its arrival!
Judging by this review its gonna be a load of fun...
Comment from Dan Wolfgang (replied to Anonymous)
on October 5, 2008 at 10:03 PM
It is going to be a lot of fun! It's been quite a while since I've run my Lunch Box, but it's still so very cool!