The FCX24m Toyota Tacoma immediately impressed me with how accurately FMS has captured the look of a real Toyota Tacoma. The body proportions, scale details, and overall realism immediately stood out. I also liked the compact FCX24M platform because it's easy to take anywhere while still being capable enough for technical trails.
My goal wasn't to turn it into an extreme competition crawler. I wanted to enhance the realism and improve trail performance while keeping it looking like something you could see driving down the road. Scale appearance has always been just as important to me as performance.
When deciding which upgrades to add, I focus on parts that solve a problem or improve durability rather than adding modifications just for the sake of modifying it. Every part has to improve performance, reliability, or realism. If it doesn't accomplish one of those goals, I usually leave it stock. I loved that FairRC and Batrazzi were the first to market with so many upgrades and 3D-printed parts for the new FCX24M Tacoma.
The tires made the biggest difference. Better tires improve traction on almost every surface and completely change how a crawler performs. They're usually the first upgrade I recommend to anyone.
My favorite part of the build process was the customization. I enjoy making each build unique while keeping it realistic. It's rewarding when people have to look twice because it resembles a full-size Tacoma rather than just another RC truck. Modifying a brushless system for a SCX24 running on stock FMS electronics and a light controller was also a fun challenge.
Compared to when it was stock, the truck has noticeably better traction, improved stability on side hills, and feels much more planted on technical terrain. The upgrades made it more predictable and confidence-inspiring without taking away from the scale driving experience.
I'd like to continue adding realistic scale details and keep fine-tuning the suspension. I'm always looking for small improvements that enhance capability while maintaining the factory appearance.
For anyone modding their first RC crawler, my advice is to drive it first and learn what you like before buying a pile of aftermarket parts. Start with quality tires, then upgrade only the areas that limit your driving style. Don't assume every aftermarket part is an improvement—sometimes the factory part is actually the better choice.
Get your own FCX24M Tacoma here:
FMS 1/24 FCX24M TOYOTA TACOMA RTR RC Truck
