The Backyard – Well, I Went and Did It

Greetings all and Happy Friday!

Well, I went and did it.

I purchased a Tamiya Lunch Box EVO.

Long-time readers know I’m a massive fan of the original Lunch Box. Here’s a link to my Mr. Yuk build that I did years ago. As a matter of fact, that truck is sitting on the shelf about five feet from me as I write this! Funnily enough, I actually posted that article 12 years ago to the day!

I’d been wanting to order a Lunch Box EVO ever since it was announced, but what finally pushed me over the edge was the announcement earlier this week of the JConcepts BX Renegades / Tribute wheels and tires for the Lunch Box and Midnight Pumpkin. Having a purpose-built, high-performance wheel and tire combo to top off the EVO? That was the cherry on top.

Another thing that helped seal the deal? The EVO includes bearings!

That might not sound like a big deal if you’ve never built a classic Tamiya kit, but for years there has been what I like to call the “bearing tax.” You’d buy the kit, then immediately turn around and order a bearing set because the included plastic bushings just aren’t something you want to run if you actually plan on driving the vehicle. It’s nice to see Tamiya finally including them right in the box.

I’m really looking forward to seeing how the updated kit drives. My guess is that the revised suspension and slightly longer wheelbase are going to be just the tweaks the little van needed to make it even more fun behind the wheel while also making it a little less fiddly to build.

For steering duties, I ordered a Hitec HS-425BB. At around twenty bucks it’s hardly an exotic servo, but it’ll have more than enough muscle for a Lunch Box.

Speaking of steering, that’s actually the part I’m most curious about. Anyone who’s driven a classic Lunch Box knows the steering is often more of a suggestion than an actual command once you’re on the throttle. I’m really interested to see how much the revised front suspension improves that.

From everything I’ve seen so far, the Lunch Box EVO appears to be selling very well. At under $200, with bearings included and a number of thoughtful updates, it feels like Tamiya found a nice balance. It still looks and feels like the Lunch Box we all know, but now it has just enough modern touches to appeal to longtime fans while hopefully bringing in a few new ones as well.

With the Hornet receiving the EVO treatment first, and now the Lunch Box, I’d be surprised if Tamiya stopped here. A Midnight Pumpkin EVO seems like a no-brainer given how closely related the two kits already are.

But if I could cast one vote?

Give me a Clod Buster EVO.

Add oil-filled shocks, modernize the steering, clean up a few of the dated bits, and I think Tamiya would have another home run on its hands.

If you’re wondering why there aren’t any unboxing photos here, it’s because I literally ordered the Lunch Box EVO from my local hobby shop—along with that Hitec servo—right before sitting down to write this column! My LHS says they’re backordered until September, so now I get to play the waiting game. As soon as it comes in, I’ll get ta buildin’ and drivin’!

That’s it for me this week. Until next time, keep it on all 4’s!