Tamiya Blackfoot 2016 Announced! Ramblin Ron Returns!

by Erich Reichert · May 12, 2016

It’s back!!!

Back in January of this year at the Nuremberg Toy Fair, Tamiya hinted at a possible Blackfoot rerelease for 2016 and now it’s official… the Blackfoot is BACK! We’re excited to bring you some preliminary pictures the Twin Stars’ newest rerelease, the 58633 Blackfoot 2016. Based on the ORV chassis that hit hobby shop shelves back in the fall as the Monster Beetle 2015, the rere Blackfoot appears to be the the most logical next step in one of Tamiya’s most famous chassis lines.

Looking back it was sort of a no brainer that the Blackfoot would be next; after all, Tamiya rereleased the Bruiser in 2012 so we had the correct tires… it was just a matter of the legendary Ford F150 body, some updated friction shocks and behold, new Blackfoot. So what makes this model so special? Well, like many you could argue that the Blackfoot is responsible for most old schoolers getting into RC. Let’s take a closer look

If the MB follows suit with the Frog rere we can expect the same updated dogbanes and maybe even a few spur gear options.

The Blackfoot won’t come with the Frog’s triple choice of gearing but you can always pick it up as an option.

The heart of the Blackfoot remains true; it will for sure be the red ORV space frame chassis we hoped for along with the vertical plate transmission and improved universal type axles which means no more stripped out hex drives! The Monster Beetle didn’t come with the optional gear ratios from the Frog and as such, we doubt the Blackfoot will either but you can always buy them separately. We now know from the MB that the metal speed control plate is out and a pair of tube braces are in its place but other than that the chassis looks to be pretty close to the 1986 original.

While the MB will keep the brushed motor for power, Tamiya includes their TBLE-02 brushless speedo which can run both and gives you more power plant options down the road.

Tamiya’s TBLE-02 brushless speedo can run both brushed and brushless for more power plant options down the road.

Following suit with the Monster Beetle, the Blackfoot will include the same TBLE-02 brushless speed control and silver can 540 brushed motor although you have the option to run brushed or brushless for more power.

Finally topping off the Blackfoot 2016 is a badgeless version of the F150 body that graced the original. Although some early speculation said that the new truck would also nix the lightbar, it’s back keeping the body pretty true to the original with the exception of a few minor details.

At the risk of getting greedy… WE WANT THE MUD BLASTER! At this point we have to believe it’s only a matter of time (hopefully around the holidays) before Tamiya lets the Subaru Brat adorned Mud Blaster fly too. While one can only hope at this point, those of us that can’t wait will have to improvise a little bit. Here’s what you’ll need to DIY your own rig.

Mud Blaster
The Mudblaster was really sort of a hybrid of the Blackfoot and the hi-mod Monster Beetle… a bit of an in-between model. As such you could really start from either the MB or the BF and go from there but for sake of simplify going from the Blackfoot is less parts. The Mud Blaster was essentially a Blackfoot, same chassis and tranny, same wheels BUT to give it a little edge, Tamiya included the spiked Chevron tires from the Beetle and topped it off with the lid from their earlier Subaru Brat. The beauty, therefore, of starting from a Blackfoot rere is that you’ll really only need to track down MB 2015 tires and a either an original Mud Blaster body or you could go with the Brat rerelease from a 2006. Slug your new kicks on those yellow wheels, paint up your body and maybe pick up some repro decals and you’ve got yourself a sneak peak at what will probably be Tamiya’s next rerelease.

Want To Go Authentic?

If you’re more of a vintage purist Tamiya hasn’t forgotten about you. In fact for the most part their rereleases over the years have been pretty true to the original with just some minor tweaks to make them more reasonable. If you want to take your 2016 and turn it back 30 years, you’ll really only need a speed control mounting plate, a front grill and tailgate for the body and some original shock bodies and decals and easy peasy you have a hardcore 1986 Blackfoot!