This Taiyo 4x4 Winch Ford Ranger, or Taiyo Ford Ranger, is a 4WD pickup truck with winch and crane produced by Taiyo R/C, and released across Japan and various other countries worldwide in 1984.
It is the earlier variant of the 1986 Taiyo 4x4 Winch Ford Ranger, and has some minor visual differences that I'm aware of, although I must point out that I do not own this version of the vehicle.
One of several pickup trucks based on the same chassis and body design made by Taiyo between 1983 and 1986, the main difference with this earlier model is the tires.
Comparing both the 1984 and 1986 variants side-by-side you can immediately notice the different tires, though most other details appear to be the same. If you've been able to compare both and you're aware of other changes, leave a comment below!
Performance and Features
There's no mistaking, this is an old early 80s radio controlled car, and it will behave just as you'd expect. A bit slow, a crunchy gearbox, and a lack of torque.
Suspected to be based on the 1983 Auto Wheelie Ford Ranger concept (not radio controlled) which has the same chassis, just the fact that Taiyo were able to release a radio controlled car in 1984 at the price point they did would have been significant enough.
As with its successor, this 1984 version takes a 9V battery (presumably for the receiveR) and 4 x AA batteries to drive the car itself. No suspension, though that's not surprising for this generation of vehicle.
As I've mentioned in other articles, it is remarkable that just a couple of years later, Taiyo would release the 1986 Taiyo Jet Hopper (Turbo Hopper) which was a complete step change in radio controlled toy design that would change the industry forever, and lead to some of the greatest toy R/C cars ever made.
Collectability and Availability
Thanks to its distinctive and attractive tires on this variant, it stands out amongst a sea of other Super Roader type 4x4 vehicles from the era, and I can easily forgive its early engineering crudeness simply due to the fact it's now 40 years old and every one I get (of this variety) functions perfectly.
Adding in the winch feature, it's still quite a functional toy today for a young child, and so if you were keen enough it would be possible to pick one up both at eBay occasionally, and at Japanese auction sites, though it may be under many different brands, from Bandai, Taiyo, Tyco, Radio Shack, and Tomy.
