(Review) 8081 Extreme Cruiser

[efferman]

Today i received my 8081 Extreme Cruiser in a limited edition box. We will see how long it is available.

. The 590 Parts are sorted in three numbered bags.

Bag 1 contains the complete chassis (excluding tires and rims).

The suspension of the front tires is independent. The rear Tires are linked together and swings simultaneous up and down. Under the Hood is enough space for a V6 but the Engine is poorly a V4. It seems the 8081 should with this engine better called a "City SUV".

The second Bag contains the First half of the body. This includes the Windshield, the roof and the Backdoor. The two seats ar bigger than in the most other Technic models.

The third bag is completing the cruiser.

The cruiser is rollng on the old known 68,7x34R ballon tires ,but with the new 6 hole rims. btw, new and old: the grey 16 tooth gears was modified to a more massive look in the last time. But the 8081 includes 2 of the old ones. Want TLG to continous both versions?

Difficult to build? no its easy to follow the three books, and it needs less than 2 hours of easy building

playability: good, but no special functions. HoG steering, three point suspension and openable Doors.

price: good. 590 parts for 50euro

Conclusion: Nice model for a good price

a 360° view Video will come next time

[hga09]

This looks quite good actually. It appears to be designed in such a way to make it very easy to modify the outer shell...

[chaosof99]

Looks to me like a decent set for a beginner. Doesn't have a lot any function besides the common car features (steering, motor, suspension, doors) so I'm not really interested and I'd much rather save my money for bigger sets (i.e. the Unimog, and I'm thinking about getting into modular houses), but for someone starting out those basic features like for example the differential might put them on a good path.

Thanks for the review though. Much appreciated.

Edited May 4, 2011 by chaosof99

[dbostream]

Thanks for the review; the model looks nice but a bit too small for my taste.

I hope LEGO creates a big monster truck soon, wouldn't mind to see a LEGO Grave Digger.

[davidmull]

All that hype for nothing,I'm not buying this model it looks dull,hope we get a good first review for 8110 with lots of detail and large pictures.

[dr_spock]

Thanks for the review. It looks nice enough. I think I will get it for my daughter.

[Splat]

Hi efferman, is there any chance of you scanning the instructions and putting them online somewhere...? They aren't available on the official Lego website yet, but I want to see how close I was with my reverse engineered attempt at making this set. Thanks.

I have also managed to modify mine a little bit and add two M Motors to have it remote controlled. I hope to get a video and pics up soon...

Edited February 15, 2016 by Splat

[efferman]

looking on your pics i must say that you are lightyears away: you forgot the stickers in seriuos: it seems perfect.

is the scanning of instructions legal?

[Splat]

looking on your pics i must say that you are lightyears away: you forgot the stickers in seriuos: it seems perfect.

From looking at your photos, I can see that mine isn't perfect. It's close, but not perfect

is the scanning of instructions legal?

I'm not sure if it is legal or not. I know that there are many other scans of Lego sets on the Internet, and Lego themselves make the instructions for many sets available too. But being such a new set, I can't find instructions for the 8081 anywhere. Oh well, I can wait...

I'll probably get a few copies of this set for the parts when it becomes available (maybe I'll wait until it is on sale somewhere). I really want those black panels for a MOC that I'm planning, and a differential and shock absorbers are always good too, but there isn't much else to this set apart from a few liftarms, a 4 cylinder engine, and wheels.

Thanks for the review

You mentioned that there is enough space for a V6, but with the way that the front suspension is set up, I'm not sure that a V6 would fit though.

[rgbrown]

yurgh ... I really dislike these black colour schemes with blue and red showing through. I think the reverse-engineered red version looks much nicer.

[Lasse D]

Thanks for the review. This set is about as generic as it can possibly get. 2WD and V4 in an "extreme cruiser"? Try "cafe cruiser" instead. They didn't even bother doing anything remotely extreme, such as putting a surfboard on top or adding some styling like a light bar.

[efferman]

You mentioned that there is enough space for a V6, but with the way that the front suspension is set up, I'm not sure that a V6 would fit though.

it need some modifications, but i think it should work.

you say your version is not perfect. can you desribe this imperfection?

btw

edit:

Sorry Splat, i must correct my guess. I dont could fit a V6 under the hood. I had only the chance to press a V8 in the cruiser now it begins to go really "extreme"

edit²

Rearaxle with more flexibility and without the "dragbar"

I hope you like my modifications

Edited May 5, 2011 by efferman

[Splat]

you say your version is not perfect. can you desribe this imperfection?

I can only go by what I can see in your photos and Blink59's photos, but I had just a few small imperfections. As I suspected, I didn't get the back quite right where the number plate is, and the way I connected the bonnet/hood to the car is also different. There are also a few places where a Axle 3L with Stud was used, but I just used Axle 3L. I'm pretty sure that I had most of the mechanics right though (drive-chain, steering, suspension).

Sorry Splat, i must correct my guess. I dont could fit a V6 under the hood. I had only the chance to press a V8 in the cruiser now it begins to go really "extreme"

Congrats on getting a V8 in there. I didn't think you would be able to do it. But as I mentioned, you did have to change the front suspension set-up quite a bit to get the V8 in there.

Edited May 6, 2011 by Splat

[efferman]

But as I mentioned, you did have to change the front suspension set-up quite a bit to get the V8 in there.

yes, this was indispensable, but i think it was worth to do it. a offroader needs a adequate Engine and not a micro car engine.

[Blakbird]

is the scanning of instructions legal?

No, it is not legal. Scanning and posting the instructions would be copyright infringement. LEGO usually allows websites such as Peeron to post instructions once the model is no longer sold by the company, usually 3 years after introduction. The good news is that LEGO usually posts the instructions on their website within a month or two. So far, the 8081 instructions are not available.

[Splat]

Hi efferman, I was just wondering if you could shed any light on what the B-Model of the 8081 is...?

[efferman]

the B-model is a good looking offroad hot-rod, but there is no instruction in the box to build it.

edit: i will try to do a reverse engineering

Edit²:

oops, i forgot the not working steering wheel

more pics if online

Edited May 11, 2011 by efferman

[Splat]

Thanks efferman

Mechanically it looks very similar to the A model, just with a different chassis and body. I guess with the specialised steering parts, and the limited number of other gears and axles in this set, they pretty much had to keep the mechanics the same.

Now you just have to modify it and put in a V8

[efferman]

Yes, it is nearly the same chassis, only the wheelbase is two studs longer.

if i modify it, i will go a little bit more in extreme than only a V8 but not today

Edited May 12, 2011 by efferman

[efferman]

ok, i have finished my extreme version of the 8081 B-model.

It features four wheel drive with independent suspension at all four wheels. Then a V8 and a central differential. The working steering wheel moves the front wheels and the headlights. The steering system uses two 13L steering racks and two Ball Links to actuate the steerin g system on the tatra like swing arms.

I hope you like my lookalike. more pics in its Brickshelf folder (if online)

[allanp]

I wonder what cc that engine would be if it was all scaled up to life size? Probably be a 25 liter v8

[efferman]

your guess could be correct, but i think it is better than a 12litre V4 We could be happy that lego not longer have the rectangular (2x2)pistons. then we would have a container ship diesel in every Car.

Edited May 14, 2011 by efferman

[allanp]

Yeah, the v8 is better than the v4. I'm surprised they went with that actually, they can usually have a v6 in there.

That pimped out b-model is great, love the functionality of the front axle.

Edited May 14, 2011 by allanp

[AndroTech]

the B-model is a good looking offroad hot-rod, but there is no instruction in the box to build it.

edit: i will try to do a reverse engineering

The instructions for A and B model, are available on German Lego site. HERE.

[efferman]

thanks!

it seems that it was going online today and i made two little errors in my reverse engineering