When I started the radio control hobby, not counting my time with RC toys as a child, I was always interested in scale models. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy driving my 2.2 crawler, but it is just not the same thing. I always wanted something that look like the Land Rover I have in the yard.
Being a Land Rover enthusiast, I was very happy to have found the Defender 90 hard body from China a little while back, but I did not have the right chassis. Having two left hands and virtually no time to build a chassis that would fit this great body I was a bit stuck. Fortunately RC4WD released the right stuff. This new chassis was long awaited by RC enthusiasts on the different forums where it was announced. I have done some reviews of RC4WD products and they always delivered some great ones so I was really happy to have put my hand on one of those chassis.
The Kit
The kit comes with a chassis, axles, transmission, suspension and wheels, and is 90% built. You only need to provide your electronic, motor and body
The chassis follows more or less the same lines as the Land Rover ladder frame chassis minus the middle cross members. The chassis is made of black painted aluminium and includes the front bumper and rear cross member which look very much like the real thing. The renowned quality of RC4WD products really shows
The suspension is based on four coil-over shocks (80mm length). One could say that a true Land Rover does not come with coil over, however this type of suspension is becoming more and more used by people upgrading their Landies. One of the neat feature is the dual spring setup that allows you to change the rate (if you want it harder or softer), but also makes it react like a progressive springs.
When the vehicle is fully built and loaded with batteries I found the springs sagging a bit under the overall weight. In term of scale look, it works well, but if you are like a true LR enthusiast, you will want to modify it a bit by fitting taller spring. It is therefore possible to do the same with this kit. RC4WD make the same shocks in different length. By choosing a 90mm one, you can compensate your initial problem.
The transmission components include a Disruptor planetary transmission which is fitted on the chassis in a way that puts the motor under the bonnet of the Defender. This transmission is linked to a Disruptor transfer case that is fitted in the middle of the chassis (like a real Land Rover). All the components are made of billet aluminium with steel internals.
The two axles are the RC4WD T-Rex 60 Plastic. Compared to the overall quality of the kit, you could have expected aluminium made axles, but in order to keep an affordable retail price, some trade off is necessary. The hard ABS casing is strong enough for you not to worry about it. One of the great scale feature is the diff pan that look like a Salisbury axle (maybe the strongest axle in the Land Rover "catalog").
Finally the kit comes with Mud Plugger 1.9 tyres on Tango Down beadlock aluminium wheels. This combination looks like the wheels setup as fitted to military Land Rover in the real world. Those tyres work well on most terrain. You also have the choice of buying another set of tyres or wheels to answer your needs or your preferences. I will try the set of Simex "look-alike" I tested here a few months ago.
Building it
As said earlier the chassis kit comes 90% built, you only have to fit the tyres on the wheels. What takes time is painting the body and finding the best place to fit the electronic and the battery. One of the easy way would be to put the lot inside the cab. Although the electrical bits will be better protected, it just does not look great. You would spoil a great scale looking kit with a battery and wires everywhere in the footwells and on the seats. For my use, I fitted my battery on the chassis rail at the back of the vehicle and made a plate just behind the transfer case to put the electronics. There is not a lot of room and you will need to "weatherproof" the connections as everything is exposed. In addition to keeping the vehicle very scale looking, accessing the components will also be a lot easier, just undo the 4 screws that hold the body to the chassis, et voila...
For information; I mated an Axial Racing 27T motor to the transmission, but you can fit any 540 type motor. I just depends on what you have instock or what sort of speed/torque you are looking for.
Driving it
It drives well, no question, however I found two drawbacks. First of all, when you have a very good looking scale you are a lot more careful on difficult terrain. The truck is not light and rolling it would lead to some breakage. So when you are careful, you don't always push the limit of the vehicle.
Secondly, I did found the wheelbase and track of the vehicle not matching eactly the body (not by much), but it means that the tyres rub on the wheelarches at full articulation. This is not a big issue, but it denies this kit a "perfect" mark, and that make is a perfect scale Land Rover, as none of the Landy built is close to perfect.
You will drive this vehicle in the same manner as a "stock" Defender (with two lockers...). This is a great way to learn or relearn how to read the terrain and find the best route.
Conclusion
I wanted it, I got it, I want to keep it and upgrade it... It is a true Land Rover for the true Land Rover enthusiast. It is perfect in all its little problems. I invite you to keep and eye on the RC4WD website as they always bring new offers and products. Check out this great roofrack and cage to make it even more realistic
This kit is not the cheapest available (an Axial SCX10 is cheaper and can give you a lot of good time), but the quality is here and this is true scale modeling.
This is also not the sort of kit you would let your young kids play with, but it could be on the the best way to show them how your real size Land Rover works.