Tamiya Optional Body Sets For Off-Road Trucks

Paul Onorato April 30, 2023 Stories

Ford Bronco 2021 — #51687

The Bronco has been a popular truck in the Ford line-up since its release back in 1966. In 2021, Ford released the sixth generation of this iconic 4×4 and was met with praise from enthusiasts. Tamiya replicated the newest version of the truck with the Ford Bronco 2021 body which depicts the two-door top grade first edition model. This body accurately captures the retro styling of this SUV which helped to make the Bronco a legend. Tamiya picked this version which combines the best parts of all Bronco series. First edition Broncos use the mechanicals of a Badlands, the interior of an Outer Banks and the exterior of a Wildtrak to create the ultimate Bronco. This body set is well-equipped and comes with a load of detail PC-ABS plastic parts including the grille, mirrors, spar tire cover, door handles and metal-plated parts for the front and rear light buckets. The light buckets are built to accept Tamiya’s optional LED light kits. Tamiya does include the roof rails, but not the large ABS roof rack. Metal hardware comes with for installing the detail parts along with window masks for the painting process and detail stickers to complete the body.

Ford Bronco — #51388

Ford truck fans are serious diehards and will definitely appreciate this great-looking old-school Tamiya Ford Bronco body. When Ford released the Bronco in the late 60’s, it was a pleasant departure from the other massive American made 4WD vehicles of that time. The Bronco’s compact design created a dynasty that is still popular today for off-road enthusiasts. Ford offered the Bronco in three body styles; the open-top roadster, the “sport utility” half cab and the wagon. This early Bronco body is officially licensed by Ford and modeled after the full-size 1973 Frond Bronco in the wagon style. It is molded with the distinctive rear bed cover, raised hood sides, and classic Ford grille. Included with the high-quality clear polycarbonate body are separately molded metal-plated parts for the front grille, light covers and side mirrors.

Land Rover Defender 90 — #51607

Whenever we look at the Land Rover Defender 90 AWD off-road truck, we instantly think of the Camel Trophy competition that put man and machine against some of the toughest terrains on earth as the ultimate test of endurance. Tamiya has faithfully recreated the Defender 90 in this 1/10-scale body. Along with the body are detail parts made of ABS plastic including the rear tire cover, grille, side mirrors and light cases. This body set is compatible with 5mm diameter LEDs for the headlights and rear lights if you want to up the scale realism. The body set comes with stickers to recreate the Defender’s markings plus window masks and overspray film when painting.

Mercedes-Benz Unimog 406 — #51358

One of the benefits in RC is that we can own scaled down versions of uncommon yet ultra-cool full-size vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz Unimog 406. The real Mercedes Unimog was built in the 1960’s and proved itself as being an exceptional 4WD vehicle with outstanding off-road performance. The Unimog was utilized in numerous environments like deserts, jungles and mountainous areas. Mercedes equipped the 406 with a powerful inline 6-cylinder diesel engine, 8-speed transmission and lockable front/rear differentials. To achieve the correct look of the Unimog, Tamiya created a polycarbonate body with a sub body. They then used black photo-etched parts for the mirrors and metal plated parts to recreate the front grille and light cases. Like all of Tamiya’s body sets, the Unimog comes with detail stickers and masking seals. You can then add the Tamiya TLU-01 LED Light Control unit so that the fun does not have to stop when the sun goes down.

Mercedes-Benz G500 — #51623

Following the old school Mercedes-Benz Unimog body set is the modern and luxurious model of the Mercedes-Benz G500. For many, the cost of the real G500 is well out of our reach and this nicely detailed 1/10-scale version provides a nice taste of this special SUV. Tamiya uses its crystal clear and durable polycarbonate to mold the body itself. It is impressive how much detail Tamiya can pull into these bodies down to every body line, window recess and door handle. Accompanying the body is a selection of ABS plastic parts to outfit the body so that it looks like a full-size G500. Those parts include side view mirrors, spare tire cover, light housings including the top mounted turn signal lights and front grille. Metal plated plastic parts are utilized for the grille and front light buckets. And like many of the bodies in this Tamiya optional body sets for off-road trucks guide, you can easily add optional LED lights. What fully brings this 1/10-scale body to life is the plethora of detail stickers that comes with the body.

Suzuki Jimny SJ30 — #51495

Out of the entire group of Tamiya body sets shown here, the Tamiya Suzuki Jimny SJ30 is the only one that includes a driver figure complete with upper torso, arms and steering wheel. The aforementioned parts are molded from tough injection molded ABS plastic as well as the roll bar, roll bar light buckets and spare tire cover. Window masks to aid in the painting process and a complete sheet of detail stickers are also found in this body set. The very nicely designed polycarbonate body depicts the second generation SJ30 variant of the Suzuki Jimny, which is also known as the Samurai and Katana outside of Japan. Popular with off-roaders, this compact SUV was first introduced in the early 70’s and makes a great subject for us RC off-road fans.

Toyota FJ Cruiser — #51560

Although the Toyota FJ Cruiser is a modern SUV, it was designed to have a retro style with off-road performance. It first made its appearance to the public as a concept car featured at the North American International Auto Show in 2003. Thanks to the tremendous positive feedback from the consumers, Toyota went forward with production of the FJ and it debuted at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. As you look over the RC version produced by Tamiya, you can see that they carefully took the time to accurately create the FJ with its unique large headlights, chunky fenders and trio of windscreen wipers. For Tamiya owners, the FJ Cruiser body is designed to directly fit with the Tamiya CC-01, CC-02 and CR-01 chassis platforms. And of course the body can be used on other similar chassis with minor tweaks.

Toyota Hilux Extra Cab — #51611

The Tamiya Toyota Hilux Extra Cab body is such a cool modern spin on the iconic Tamiya Bruiser and we feel it definitely does the Bruiser justice. An interesting fact about this recreation is that it depicts the 8th generation of the full-size Hilux released in 2015, specifically a special full-size version of the Extra Cab which Toyota’s British division had made in the colors of Tamiya’s legendary Bruiser as a type of accolade to the model. This Hilux Extra Cab body is molded in lightweight yet durable polycarbonate and comes with separate light case parts and side view mirrors. Using Tamiya PS polycarbonate compatible paint and the extensive stickers that are supplied with the body, you will end up with one great looking Bruiser tribute truck. Moreover, Tamiya made this body set compatible with white 3mm and 5mm diameter LEDs for the headlights and red 3mm and 5mm diameter LEDS for the rear lights.

Toyota Land Cruiser 40 — #51331

Out of all the truck bodies shown here, the full-size 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser 40 was arguably the most world-renowned. This can be contributed to its dependability, off-road prowess and a production span of nearly 25 years. Tamiya pays homage to the Land Cruiser with their well-detailed Toyota Land Cruiser 40 body. Along with a detail decal sheet, Tamiya includes additional molded plastic parts to complete the look of the Land Cruiser. Like the front grille, side view mirrors and marker lights. This body fits the Tamiya CC-01, CC-02 and CR-01 chassis and can easily be adapted to numerous other vehicles. You can further up the scale factor by installing a Tamiya LED light kit that can be easily added with very little fuss.

WildBoar — #40136

Probably the least known of the body sets offered by Tamiya, the unique looking WildBoar truck body is a standout. It is one of the smaller bodies in this group and was first released in the 1/12-scale, Tamiya TamTech-Gear series, but could be the ideal fit for a custom off-road truck build. It has a 177mm wheelbase and that can obviously be tweaked in the way that you trim out the body. The styling has a futuristic, concept feel to it and gives off a rally truck vibe. Two sticker sheets are included with the body so that you can replicate the WildBoar like it was originally released or you can create a custom variant.