Marui Big Bear Datsun
The Marui Big Bear Datsun (MT-59-RC-4) was an early 1/12-scale electric "monster truck" radio controlled car manufactured and distributed by Japanese hobby and airsoft gun manufacturer Tokyo Marui.
Background
Originally sold only through mail order in 1984 as a kit without batteries, radio and charger, the Big Bear featured a plastic, tub-styled chassis, Mabuchi M480-RS motor, mechanical speed control and live axle rear suspension as opposed to an independent setup. Tires were wide, chevron-treaded implement-styled units and actually comprised the majority of the Big Bear's suspension. The shock absorbers were simple coilover units which allowed for limited suspension travel. Coil springs also served to hold the front bumper in place and absorb impact. The body was a highly detailed styrene plastic Datsun pickup with driver figure and "Big Bear" decal set.
Because of its low cost, ease of assembly and good factory and aftermarket support, the Big Bear played an important role in the early growth of the radio control hobby. Due to intense competition from Tamiya and somewhat brittle plastic, Tokyo Marui pulled completely out of the hobby market by the end of the decade.
The 'Big Bear' was sold in Australia as a complete kit, including radio transmitter, batteries, and charger.[1]
Kit Revisions
Owners of the original version (v.1) of the Big Bear experienced problems with its differential gears. This kit used the same gearboxes and gears as the Marui Jeep CJ (MT-59-RC-7) and the Marui Toyota Landcruiser (MT-59-RC-8) kits and consisted of 2 large bevel gears, and a gear set of 48 pitch metric. This proved to be a major problem for the first version of the Big Bear, as the special black M480RS motor and the large tires designed for the Big Bear created increased load, causing the differential gears to break or heat up and melt.
Marui made a special replacement part "#048 - Strengthened Differential Gear Set" that consisted of a tri-bevel differential, larger 32 pitch gears, and a change to the gear ratios. This new differential gear set found its way into the re-release of the Big Bear (v.2) coupled with a new heat sink plate between the gearbox halves. There were some draw backs to the new gears; The added torque of the new gear ratios made the truck do wheelies more easily, and made the truck a little slower. In addition to replacement gears and heat sink, Marui replaced the original M480-RS motor with an RS540-SH motor, and a redesigned mechanical speed controller with covered contacts to eliminate contamination.
Specifications
- Scale: 1/12
- Chassis construction: ABS resin tub-style
- Transmission: Rear wheel drive with differential
- Suspension: Independent front trailing arm and live axle rear suspension
- Shock absorbers: Simple coilover
- Motor: Mabuchi RS-540 (v.1) / RS-540SH (v.2)
- Tires: Semi-pneumatic rubber chevron
- Original Marui catalog number: MT-59-RC-4
Spare Parts List
The following Marui RC Parts were used for the Big Bear, as well as other Marui kits:
| Part # | Description |
|---|---|
| #007 | GEAR & MOTOR CASE |
| #010 | OILLESS BEARING SET |
| #014 | CONTROLLER SET (the original speed controller for v.1) |
| #016 | CONNECTOR SET |
| #021 | SERVO SAVER SET |
| #028 | DIFFERENTIAL GEAR SET (the original gear set for v.1) |
| #029 | PINION SEAR SET |
| #030 | FRONT ARM SET |
| #031 | REAR ARM SET |
| #032 | REAR AXLE SET |
| #033 | BUSHING SET |
| #035 | FRONT TIRE & WHEEL SET |
| #036 | REAR TIRE & WHEEL SET |
| #037 | BUMPER SET |
| #038 | ADJUSTER |
| #047 | CONTROLLER SET (the new and improved speed controller for v.1) |
| #048 | STRENGTHENED DIFFERENTIAL GEAR SET (the new and improved gear set for v.2) |
| M060 | CHASSIS |
| M096 | WINDSHIELD-BB |
| M097 | ROLL BAR |
| M098 | SEAT-BB |
| M099 | BODY-BB |
| M132 | IDLER GEAR |
| M133 | BODY MOUNT |
Aftermarket Parts
Many supporting manufacturers developed products for the Big Bear. Here is a list of known aftermarket parts designed specifically for this kit:
| Manufacturer | Part # | Description |
|---|---|---|
| BO-LINK | BODY MOUNTING KIT | |
| BO-LINK | FORD VAN BODY FOR BIG BEAR | |
| BRU-LINE | 4202 | SUPER SYSTEM REAR HUB - BIG BEAR |
| BRU-LINE | 5278 | BIG BEAR BODY MOUNTING KIT |
| IMEX | DAWG TIRES FOR BIG BEAR | |
| MOORE'S IDEAL PRODUCTS (MIP) | BBG HEAVY DUTY GEAR SET FOR BIG BEAR | |
| MOORE'S IDEAL PRODUCTS (MIP) | BIG BEAR BALL DIFFERENTIAL GEAR | |
| MOORE'S IDEAL PRODUCTS (MIP) | CASE SAVER | |
| MOORE'S IDEAL PRODUCTS (MIP) | IDLER SHAFT | |
| MOORE'S IDEAL PRODUCTS (MIP) | TEFLON AXLE BUSHINGS | |
| PRO-LINE | 2512 | CHROME HUBS (FRONT) |
| PRO-LINE | 2513 | CHROME HUBS (REAR) |
| RACE MASTER | 701 | BIG BEAR WHEELIE BAR |
