The 4×4 Monster Jeep is a radio controlled truck manufactured by Taiyo of Japan, and released into European and other English/French speaking markets in 1987.
The design of this 1987 toy was heavily influenced by the many Taiyo 4×4 radio control ‘monster trucks’ that came before it, such as:
Features and Performance
For a car released around the same time as the Jet Hopper, the design of the Monster Jeep is surprisingly early-80s style, without any suspension, and a twin-drive rail for the 4×4 which crosses straight through the battery compartment.
Photo shown below is of Tyco’s 1987 4×4 Monster Jeep.
With 6x6AA batteries (4.8v Ni-Cd, 6V Alkaline) and the traction of 4 Wheel Drive, we’d expect the Monster Jeep to have plenty of climbing and pushing ability for any kid looking to conquer their living room floor, however after watching Nostalgia RC’s video (below) it appears the Monster Jeep suffers from the same low-power motors and/or inefficient gearing of it’s 80s bretheren.
Watch the video below to see what we mean.
Whether it’s too small of a motor, or poorly designed gearing we’re not sure, but as many 80s/90s kid will confirm, the sound of the motor squealing and gears crunching reminds us of the disappointment with our own 4×4 toys that didn’t perform as expected, and for a 1987 we’d have expected more of Taiyo.
Recommendation
Nevertheless, if you’re into 80s ‘Monster Truck’ RC and are’nt too demanding in the conquests of your living room floor, the 4×4 Monster Jeep isn’t a bad option to satisfy that nostalgic craving.
Especially with so many available on eBay at the time of writing, one should be fairly easy to find.
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