When I got into RC trucks, one of the first chassis I discovered was the Tamiya WT-01, and honestly, it’s one of those kits that just makes you smile. It’s not a sleek race car like a TA or TB chassis, and it’s not trying to be — it’s a fun, tough, all-around monster-style truck that’s perfect for bashing around.
The WT-01 is a twin vertical plate chassis (kind of like two decks on the sides with everything bolted in the middle), which makes it simple and really sturdy. It usually comes in truck forms like the Wild Dagger, Blackfoot Xtreme, or Bush Devil II, so right away you know it’s built more for play than competition.
As an entry-level driver, the best thing about the WT-01 is how forgiving it is. It’s got a tall stance, big tires, and a pretty durable suspension setup. That means you can blast it over grass, gravel, or dirt trails without worrying too much. If the TT-02 is the “parking lot car,” the WT-01 is the “backyard basher.”
One cool feature is that it can be set up for 2WD or 4WD, depending on the version. The 4WD twin-motor setup is a blast — tons of torque, great for climbing over curbs or little jumps, and it gives you that “monster truck” feeling even at entry-level speeds. It’s not the fastest chassis out there, but the fun factor makes up for it.
Handling-wise, it’s not super precise. The truck is tall, so it tends to roll a bit in corners, and if you push it hard, it’ll flip. But that’s part of the charm — it’s all about learning throttle control, enjoying the torque, and laughing when it tips over. It’s also really beginner-friendly because the parts are chunky and tough. You don’t break delicate suspension arms every time you clip a curb like with some race kits.
Building it was also really fun. It’s more complex than a Grasshopper or Hornet, but still straightforward. The instructions are classic Tamiya — clear, step-by-step, and great for someone learning how RC cars go together. You come away from the build with a solid understanding of how a 4WD drivetrain works.
For me, the WT-01 sits in a sweet spot: it’s not a racing machine, but it’s a great truck for someone who wants to get into RC and just have fun outside of a track. It’s forgiving, it’s durable, and it’s got that “monster truck personality” that makes every drive exciting.
If I had to sum it up: the WT-01 is a great entry point for people who want to bash first and maybe think about racing later. It’s a truck that’s all about fun, and that’s exactly what you want as a beginner.
Tamiya WT01 Chassis RC Trucks Practical Upgrade & Maintenance for Beginners has been developed from the ground up for beginners who are new to Tamiya WT01 trucks such as the Bush Devil, the Dual Hunter and the Twin Detonator. It gives an introduction to their architectures. The primary goal is to explain various RC technical concepts and essential DIY upgrade & maintenance techniques in very simple language. Modern features such as 2.4G radio, Lipo batteries and brushless systems are covered in addition to the more traditional RC terminologies, techniques and technologies. We believe that this book and its support materials have everything you need for an informative, interesting, challenging and entertaining RC experience with trucks based on the WT01 chassis.