The radio set (receiver) doesn't have a BEC but I thought about making one out of a Schottky diode, a big cap and a 5V regulator (I presume it's 5V supply). In the end, I decided against it in case I blew something up or it all went horribly wrong. Any recommendations on how to get rid of the ob board 4x AA cells without changing the radio gear? Enjoy some thrilling wheelies with this assembly kit R/C model! The chassis is constructed around a lightweight and durable monocoque frame, with 4-wheel double wishbone suspension and sealed differential gears. A roller on the rear support bar ensures longer, more stable wheelies. The model features a detailed ABS plastic boy with driver figure included. Wheels already have tires pre-attached, and the motor comes attached to the gearbox to ease the assembly process. Oh wow, WOW, thats is a very nice looking M38, so shiney and a great looking box (those are almost worth as much as the car, not kidding). And an intact front grill, ace! The XB Wild Willy 2 features a gear box neatly secured into a monocoque frame. Side support bars have been added to the frame to heighten the overall rigidity and enhance Willy's "stunt vehicle" realism. Running battery is positioned lengthwise toward the rear of the chassis, providing the ideal balance for outstanding wheelie action. Steering servo is mounted centrally on the chassis and holds two steering tie rods of equal length, which control left/right steering, ensuring reliable handling. Four wheel independent suspension and oversize tires enable high traction and stability. Ready to run straight out of the box, this XB jeep is the perfect introduction to the fun and exciting world of R/C off-road racing. Set comes with all necessary R/C equipment including an Expec 2-channel transmitter and TEU-101BK electronic speed controller

It's also possible that early examples used M2 fasteners with slotted heads rather than the compound slotted / JIS heads on later Tamiya cars. The Frog (re-re) - 16T, 18T, 19T depending on spur gear, 0.8 mod metric (32 dp also fit) - thanks Jonny Retro I even thought it still had its wrapping around the wheelie bar One thing I noticed but I am not sure it looks like super glue was used on the tires/rims. Front suspension strut tops & pipe clamps: the SWB has 2mm clearance holes + M2 screws fitted from underneath into the plastic tops. On the LWB the screws are fitted through the tops in M2 pressings in the clamps.The side rails are an issue though. The chassis has three of the mounting points but not the rearmost. You either have to shorten the chassis rails or trim the body post mount on the chassis. The rails can be made to fit with a little work. Subaru Brat (re-re) - 16T, 18T, 19T depending on spur gear, 0.8 mod metric (32 dp also fit) - thanks Jonny Retro

Wild Willy 2. This appeared in 1999 with a very similar body but a very different chassis and "All Traction" chevron type tyres. Apart from the sizes of some of the fasteners, the only holdover from the M38s was the wheelieing ability & the motor still being a 540 type. This also spawned a Wild Willy 2 Metallic Special and a Wild Willy 2 XB ("expert built", i.e. factory finished) version. Also, on the subject of a 'sacrificial' / starter car, I like the ideas provided like the Mad Bull, Pumpkin etc. For example, I had a middle period RC10 with an 81T spur gear, with a diameter (across the lands) of 1.63" - which gives a pitch, thanks to my not very accurate measurement, of 49.5 - close enough to 48dp.

The original 58035 Wild Willy came out in 1982 and was really unlike anything that had come before it. It had the large tires of the 58029 Blazing Blazer but with a short wheelbase and a high center of gravity mated to a new wheelie chassis. The name "Willy" comes from the fact that this is a model of the M38 made by Willys as the second generation of the original military "Jeep". The body is scale accurate but placed on a crazy high 2WD stunt chassis. May as well name the driver "Wild Willy" and give him a giant head and a lot of detail. Willy would go on to pilot other vehicles over the years including the 58039 Willy's Wheeler only a year later. The 58242 Wild Willy 2 came out in 1999 as a tribute more than a re-release. Although the newer model bears a superficial resemblance to the original, virtually everything has been changed. The original chassis is gone and replaced by a more modern WR-02 wheelie chassis with balloon tires and chrome wheels. At first glance the lovely hard shell body might appear original, but for reasons that are not exactly clear subtle details (including the grille) have been changed which make this now resemble the M151 made by Ford as a successor to the M38. Maybe it was a licensing thing, or maybe Wild Willy 2 is the successor to the original just like the M151. Willy is still there driving. Although this model is still for sale (as of 2019), it is now marketed as Wild Willy 2000. Holiday Buggy 2010 (DT-02 chassis) - standard is 10T 0.8mod pressed on 380 motor (Tamiya part # 17435039 or 7435039), 540 motor upgrade uses 17T 0.8mod (tamiya part # 3515005) - thanks Jonny Retro With the exception of a few screw and bearing dimensions, the chassis of the "M38" and "2" generations of the Wild Willy have no parts in common.