1/12 Scale Electric Truck/Rock Crawler:

Team Associated CR12 Toyota FJ45 RTR - 40003/40004 - Radio Controlled Model

History and Info:

Released by Team Associated in 2018, the RTR CR12 Toyota FJ45 Pickup was available in two pre-painted bodyshell options: Blue (# 40003), or Gray (# 40004). The CR12 model comes with a Reedy 380 Motor, Power ESC, Li-Ion Battery, USB Charger, 2.4GHz XP Radio system and meets S.O.R.R.C.A. (Scale Off Road Rock Crawling Association) class 1 and 2 rules.

Team Associated CR12 Toyota FJ45 RTR

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The CR12 Trail Series 4x4 is shaft driven, on a steel ladder frame chassis, with gear type differentials, coil spring over oil filled dampers, rear solid axle with front CVA universal joint drive-shafts, 3-gear transmission, servo saver and a full set of ball bearings.

Model Versions:

#40003 CR12 Toyota FJ45 Pickup - RTR - Blue body
#40004 CR12 Toyota FJ45 Pickup - RTR - Gray body

Features:

Official 1977 Toyota FJ45 body. Two body colors to choose from.
Satin silver front/rear bumpers and mirrors
Scale 1.55 black wheels with soft compound off-road tires
Chassis-mounted steering (CMS) servo
2.4GHz XP transmitter and receiver
Water-resistant Reedy Power speed control with high-current T-plug connector
Reedy brushed 380 motor
850mAh Li-Ion 7.4V 2-cell battery and charger
Spring-loaded heavy-duty servo saver
Metal front CVA and rear solid axle shafts with 12mm hex adapters
Metal 4-link front and rear suspension
Fully adjustable threaded fluid-filled shocks
13.98:1 ratio 3-gear transmission with integrated motor mount
Plastic low-friction slider-type drive shafts
16-piece metal-shield ball bearing set
Black anodized aluminum battery/radio tray with hook-and-loop hold-down strap
2-piece LED light set

(Source: Media Press Release)

CR12 Toyota FJ45 - 40003 / 40004
Manual

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On Amazon

Radio Controlled Model Accessories:

★ Team Associated CR12 Toyota FJ45 Pickup in Gray ★

Team Associated CR12 Toyota FJ45 RTR Gray Bodyshell

★ Team Associated CR12 Toyota FJ45 RTR Chassis ★

★ Team Associated CR12 Ladder Frame Chassis ★

Buying a Used Associated Rock Crawler (and What to look for)

There are essentially three reasons you might want to buy a used Associated Rock Crawler; you may be a collector, looking to restore and display it; restore and sell for a profit; or simply restore and race an iconic vintage model. Personally, I used to get a buzz out of restoring an old clapped-out model, installing modern day electrics and maybe a few hop-ups, then showing the gang at our local club, just how competitive those old models could still be.

Cheap, pre-loved bargain models, parts and spares are always coming up for sale, but once you have made your purchase, the one thing you will always need, is an instruction manual. If not supplied with your purchase, they can often be downloaded from the Team Associated website, or purchased separately on eBay. With an instruction manual, any problems with your model Rock Crawler you may discover, can easily be fixed.

Make a General Visual Inspection

Dampers
When you receive your used Associated model, make a general visual inspection of the chassis, front and rear wishbones, suspension shock towers etc, for any broken parts that may need to be replaced. Then, take a screwdriver and box spanner and check each self tapping screw and nut for security, taking care not to over tighten.

Next, for those Associated models with oil filled shock absorbers, remove them from the chassis and dismantle the coil springs. The damper shafts should push in and pull out with a smooth action. If you feel a jolt as you change direction, this means the oil has leaked out and must be topped up. At the same time, change the O-Ring seals to prevent more leakage. Also check the damper shafts for damage. If they are scratched, change them as soon as possible.

Check the Body-Shell

If the body shell of your Rock Crawler is broken, ripped or damaged in any way, this can be easily repaired with rubber solution glue. Also, for added protection and if available for your model, fit an under guard to stop dirt and gravel entering the chassis.

Drive Shafts and Turnbuckles

Titanium Turnbuckles
Examine the drive shafts for wear and replace as required. If possible, change them for titanium. The steel shafts wear and bend too easily.

Examine the Drive System

The gearbox of your used Rock Crawler should be opened up to check for damaged gears and wear. If there is excessive backlash in the gearing, these should be replaced. A thin coat of grease on the gears is enough to allow smooth operation and reduce further wear.

Pinions and Spur Gears

Gears are a weakness on all RC models. Head on collisions can easily damage the gear teeth on nylon and plastic spur gears. Heavy impacts can also loosen the nuts or self tapping screws that hold the motor in Position, allowing the pinion gear to pull out of mesh slightly and rip the tops off the teeth on your spur gear. To minimise this possibility, fit bolts with locking nuts to the motor mount and remember to check them for security after every two or three runs.

Steering Servo and Servo-Saver

Servo Gears
The steering servo is also prone to damage, the fragile gear teeth of the servo can be broken off, rendering your expensive servo useless, so be sure to obtain a good quality "Servo Saver". Check out my Servo Information article.

Don't Forget those Bearings

If your used Associated Rock Crawler comes with plastic and sintered brass bushings (ring type bearings), check the shafts that run in them for wear. Dust and grit can get into these bearings and abrade the shafts. Therefore, you should replace them all with shielded ball bearings. If the model has been run with ring type bearings, you may have to change all the axles and driveshafts. For more information, take a look at my article, How to get the best from your Bearings.

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Or, check out our RC Model Car Setup Guide

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Manufacturers and Brands Catalogued, Listed and Reviewed by RC-Scrapyard.

At present, the RC Model Manufacturers, Brands and Distributors covered by us are: ABC Hobby, Academy, Acme Racing, Agama Racing, Amewi, Ansmann Racing, ARRMA, Team Associated, Atomic RC, Axial, AYK, Bolink, BSD Racing, Capricorn, Carisma, Carson, Caster Racing, Cen, Corally, Custom Works, Durango, Duratrax, ECX - Electrix, Exceed RC, FG Modellsport, FS-Racing, FTX, Fujimi, Gmade, GS-Racing, Harm, HBX, Helion, Heng Long, Himoto Racing, Hirobo, Hitari, Hobao, Hong-Nor, Hot Bodies, HPI, HSP, Intech, Integy, Jamara, JQ Products, Kawada, Kyosho, Losi, LRP, Maisto, Mardave, Marui, Maverick, MCD Racing, Megatech, Mugen, New Bright, Nichimo, Nikko, Nkok, Ofna, Pro-Pulse, Protech, PTI, RC4WD, Redcat Racing, RJ-Speed, Robitronic, Schumacher, Seben, Serpent, Smartech, Sportwerks, Step-Up, Tamiya, Team-C Racing, Team Magic, Thunder Tiger, Tomy, Top Racing, Traxxas, Trinity, Tyco, Vaterra RC, Venom, VRX Racing, WLToys, X-Factory, Xmods, Xpress, Xray, XTM, Yankee RC, Yokomo, ZD Racing and Zipzaps.

This is an ongoing project, with new and "lost in time" RC Models and Brands being added as they are found and although most of those listed above have been covered in relative detail, some are still being researched and will be completed in the near future.

RC Information and Advice:

Hints, Tips and Information

Dampers

   Dampers, Shock Absorbers, Shocks - call them what you will, they are one of the least understood, but most important tools you have for adjusting the handling characteristics of your RC model.

   In this article, I will endeavour to explain just what you can achieve by making simple tweaks to your shocks, and how these tweaks can keep you ahead of your opposition on the track.

   In dictionary terms "Damper" is described as - "A mechanical device to absorb the energy of sudden impulses." - In plain language, they stop your car from bouncing all over the track.

So how do Dampers work?

Basically what you have is a small amount of silicone oil contained in a sealed cylinder. Through the centre of that cylinder is a metal rod, and on the end of that rod, a piston with a number of small holes in it. Pulling, or pushing the rod in and out of the cylinder, your will notice a certain amount of resistance as the oil is forced through the holes in the piston.

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Hints, Tips and Information

The Importance of Suspension Droop

   When you pick up your RC model car, the suspension arms naturally drop, this is termed as Droop and should be equal from side to side, but can vary from front to rear.

   Setting the amount of droop, or suspension movement, can dramatically change the handling of your car by limiting the transfer of weight from one side of the car to the other.

   Basically, increasing the droop at the rear of the car can improve cornering grip at the front and increasing droop at the front of the car, improve cornering grip at the rear. The amount of effectiveness of this setting does in general depend on a number of other setting factors your car may have to suit your personal driving style.

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RC Models:

Radio
& Motors:

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Accessories:

Buggys
Formula 1
Monster Trucks
Rock Crawlers
Touring Cars
Trucks

Transmitters
Receivers
Crystals
Servos
Electric Motors
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Batteries
ESC
Tires
Wheels
Bearings
Body Shells