46&2's Proline Ambush 1/25

[fortysixandtwo]

I'v been out of the RC crawler game for a while. Decided to revive my Wraith the other day and while ordering parts came across the Proline Ambush. I read around and decided to get one. I've never had a leaf sprung RC before so in that respect it will be a learning experience. It was getting dark when I got home so I only ran it for about 30 minutes.

Initial impressions:

1) Pretty capable out of the box. Mini Flat Irons work well.
2) Stiff. Not sure if RC leaf springs break in? Or if I should remove a leaf or two (there are 3 total).
3) Prone to flops due to the above.
4) Would like if it were a bit wider.
5) Not sure how I feel about the different "speeds". In Low it seems to bind up way too much. Need to mess with the remote settings I guess.
6) Bigger/wider tires would be good.
7) *Slightly* longer wheelbase would also be good.

Overall I am pretty happy for the price. Seems very well thought out and put together. Also seems pretty stout for such a small rig. I like the idea that its small enough I can toss it in my backpack and take it wherever.

Plans are to turn it into a first gen Hilux.I have ordered a 1/25 scale Toyota Hilux model kit but it won't be here for a while. In the meantime I am going to explore weights and possibly remove a leaf or two to see if it softens it up at all. With a little more stability this thing would kick ass.

Also hoping some decent aftermarket comes out. I know Proline has mentioned it. I will try and shoot some good rock crawling video and pictures tomorrow.

All the flex I'm getting bone stock - can barely make it up a pack of 99s and a box of gum. Gonna have to remedy this.

 

[fortysixandtwo]

This is on its way:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026IBCL0/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hope I can get it to fit decent.

Gonna shoot some video stock then remove the inner shock springs and maybe a leaf or two from the leaf packs and see how it helps with flex/stability.

 

[fortysixandtwo]

This showed up today. :mrgreen:

 

[fortysixandtwo]

Stock Ambush body vs Hilux, size comparison.

Wheelbase is going to be tricky with this. Was hoping it would be a little longer. Hmm.

 

[fortysixandtwo]

Sorry for the poor photos, my house is like a cave

Mock up:

 

[dubfreak]

1/20 scale bodys is best for these

 

[fortysixandtwo]

1/20 scale bodys is best for these

Are there any 1/20 scale Toyota models? All I could find was 1/24

 

[johnnyh66]

There's a Lindberg 1/20 scale... but newer model.

 

[R.Billy Rob]

Here's a couple of trucks made using Lindburg 1/20 kits. Just so you can see the size difference.

 

[fortysixandtwo]

There's a Lindberg 1/20 scale... but newer model.

Here's a couple of trucks made using Lindburg 1/20 kits. Just so you can see the size difference.

Nice, okay thanks. The 1/20 does look better for sure. Hmm

 

[BUGGYBOY]

You said you ran it for about 1/2 hour. What type of run time were you gettting on a battery charge ? Looks nice. How about cutting the bed off and making a cage for it ?

 

[fortysixandtwo]

You said you ran it for about 1/2 hour. What type of run time were you gettting on a battery charge ? Looks nice. How about cutting the bed off and making a cage for it ?

Well I bought this thing before winter, never really got a chance to run a full pack in real world conditions until today.

Honestly I didn't time it, but I feel like I wheeled at least 30-45 minutes on a full charge before it died. That is stopping a few times and turning it off for a couple minutes then turning it back on. I'll try and keep track and see how long I am averaging.

 

[fortysixandtwo]

Shot some video at the river today. First time taking this thing in the "real world". Mostly due to nonstop rain and snow the last few months.

Was really impressed with how it did, once I learned its limitations. Definitely want to soften the suspension. And cut the fenders. Haven't decided if I still want to use the Hilux body or not. But this will give you an idea what a totally stock Ambush can do.

Crevice crawl 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y-UNSAXabs

Rock hill climb:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipRgfTQXHx0

Crevice crawl 2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCJlCn7nJk0

 

[fortysixandtwo]

Pics:

"Get that thing away from me plz"

 

[cleanandserenesteve]

!/20 bodies do look more scale, but using a 1/24 or 1/25 body yields better performance due to them weighing less. Looks good so far

 

[mccollom405]

Keep the uodates coming! My son just bought an Ambush last week. He crawls 10th scale with me but he saved up and bought this truck and micro crawling bug has but us both. Im getting one soon and will be working to address the same issues that you found.
It needs a little weight in the front end and to be a little wider. My 9 yr old wants to leave his all stock, but dad is ready to mod! LOL.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

 

[fortysixandtwo]

Its been a minute since I updated this. Long story short: Been bashing it for 2 years, love it, haven't changed much about it until today.

I was recently bored and ended up just building the Hilux model kit on a rainy day. It was fun practice for a better body in the future.

Then along came another rainy day. So I decided to scrap the model Hilux 2wd lowrider and make the Ambush a Hilux like I had intended to do 2 years ago.

Had to move the electronics around to get it to sit even that low. Maybe a 1:20 would be better but I wanted this body. I'm happy with the wheelbase. Im going to get some other Toyota bodies and see what looks best. Definitely not a lot of room to work with when it comes to trying to get this lower without cutting up the body. I like it though.

I was bummed to hear this has been discontinued. Guessing parts are difficult to find...

 

[ninja turtle]

Nice! Glad to see you’re still at it. I’ve got the same body I’m going to be putting on my ambush. Your 3rd pic isn’t showing up. Is it a completed pic?

 

[fortysixandtwo]

My internet was being a PITA I guess the others didn't post. Here are finished pics

As you can see, pretty high still.

 

[Speed Chaser]

sorry to wake up an old thread but i am curious if you have any other 1/24 crawler how does the ambush compare?