CLASSIC
PLASTIC
“Sandwich”
Transmission
;e transmission on the Blackfoot
is unique when compared to others out
there. It consists of an injection-molded
center section that’s sandwiched by two metal
plates. Molded plastic cups that are pressed into the metal sides are
used to hold the bearings (which is an upgrade from the OG version) for
the bevel-gear-type di;erential. Plastic caps are also used to support
the top shaft, while the bearings are pressed into the stepped top
gear. A molded skidplate is included and mounts to the bottom of the
transmission to reduce wear on the housing. Tamiya has also made an
upgrade in the driveshaft department on the modern-day version of
the Blackfoot. ;is one has a rebuildable universal driveshaft instead of
the hex-style dogbone used in the past. A rubber boot slides over each
rear driveshaft and protects it from the elements. ;e driveshafts,
along with the front wheels, pivot on plastic bushings.
Injection-Molded Body
;e body that comes with the truck is an injection-molded “hard”
body that is molded in black plastic. You can leave it as is and apply
the stickers, or you can paint it like I did on my review truck. I took
the time to remove mold lines and fill dips in the body, then
primed it before applying six coats of Tamiya TS- 14
Black paint. ;is version of the Blackfoot doesn’t have
precisely the same body that was used on the first-
gen truck, but what you do get is the body from the
Blackfoot III, which omits the original’s Ford logos and
has a di;erent grille. You do, however, still get a detailed
driver figure behind the wheel.
;e one advantage to
getting a modern-day Blackfoot is that
the driveshafts have
been upgraded to a
CV-style universal
joint. ;is gives you a
smoother and more
reliable drivetrain.
;e injection-molded body arrives
molded in black, so you can go
straight to decaling. I painted mine
anyway, to get the polished
gloss that only paint
can provide.
