Review: Monster Jam Trucks
Posted by benbacardi,
LEGO is once again continuing its annual pair of related Technic models that incorporate a small pullback motor, but this year, for the first time, their primary models are representations of specific real world vehicles.
Both sets are licensed from Monster Jam, who run live monster truck events primarily across the US. A strange year for these sets to be released, then, given that the majority of live events are currently not going ahead. Although this isn’t a sport that is available in many other places around the world, the giant-wheeled trucks are undoubtedly impressive.
The two sets, 42118 Monster Jam Grave Digger and 42119 Monster Jam Max D, each contain a single monster truck, from two of the top-ranked teams in the Monster Jam competitions.
The Models
At just over two hundred pieces each, the sets are roughly comparable in size to last year’s dragster and race truck, but this time all the parts contribute to the vehicle, rather than the auxiliary builds that were included previously.
The trucks are constructed around the pullback motor attached to the rear wheels, with a sturdy Technic frame and very few system pieces.
At a first glance, the two completed trucks seem very similar, but they are built quite differently internally thanks to the differing shapes required by the bodywork. Enormous flags are attached to the rear of each, which seem to be present in some real Monster Jam events but not others.
The lime green highlights throughout the Grave Digger chassis make a nice change from all the black, and they look great paired with the giant wheel hubs in the same colour. Some of these parts are not common in this colour, but none are unique to the set.
The colour scheme for Max D is less cohesive than Grave Digger, with a black and grey frame, orange wheels, and yellow highlights on the bodywork.
As you can see from the photos, the models do benefit from the application of their fairly extensive sticker sheets—they’re rather bland without, but look fantastic when they’re all in place.
Once applied, each model looks a lot more like the real vehicle. The detail on the stickers is fantastic, from the haunted house on the side of Grave Digger to the flames on its bonnet, and the giant skull and crossbones that trails behind on the flag. The final look is quite striking.
Max D (short, I believe, for maximum destruction) has a different colour scheme to that of Grave Digger, and seems just as accurate to the real thing. 12 horns line the sides of the truck, representing the spikes that cover the original. These are slotted into the end of half pins, and as such can spin freely, making them a nightmare to line up! The stickers show the truck’s logo in many places, with fire running down the bonnet (a common theme for monster trucks, it seems.)
The flags are attached to the rear of each truck in a different way, but both are able to move as the truck bounces around. The green part into which the Grave Digger’s flag is inserted is attached to the black Technic beams on either side by an axle through an elongated hole, meaning that it can slide up (closer towards the body) and change angle, as well as spinning freely. The photos below show it in the position it naturally rests.
The flag on Max D is attached via a much longer flexible pole, to a small construction that’s likewise held in place by an axle through a pair of Technic beams, allowing it to rotate up and down, or swivel.
Side by side, the differences in the two vehicles are evident. Grave Digger is taller, sitting higher on its chassis than Max D, which is accurate to the source material.
Grave Digger is very slightly longer than Max D, but not really noticeably. They are two sets that are clearly designed for each other.
My main complaint with the models is their lack of working suspension. Many Technic builds before (and even a system monster truck) have included at least some rudimentary suspension, but these are completely rigid. It’s a shame, because monster trucks are particularly well-known for their expansive suspension, enabling them to drive over other cars and bounce around the arena; this is still possible to enact with these models, but is less satisfying than it could be.
Alternative Models
The sets may be licensed this year, but they have also continued last year’s theme of providing a stand-alone alternative build for each (the sets are shown as 2-in-1 builds on the box).
Unfortunately I’ve not been able to build these secondary models, as the instructions are only available online and not until the sets are officially released, which is the 1st of January (although I believe they’re already available from some retailers). You can see the official photos of each below.
I think that the off-road buggy looks fantastic, and I’m looking forward to being able to build it (although taking apart Technic is not my favourite activity!) The renders provided by LEGO do not include the stickers, which I have obviously now applied, so it will be interesting to see what these models look like once built with the Monster Jam branding.
The alternative build to Max D is a quad bike, which looks very dense and potentially quite fun to push around with the pullback motor.
Conclusion
As with the sets I reviewed last year, the pullback motors add easy, fun playability to a small model. The monster truck form factor is a good pair with the pullback functionality; it’s sturdy, large, and quite satisfying to both push around manually or race with the motor. The pullback motor adds an additional play mechanism that isn’t present in more static vehicles, but the lack of any working suspension is quite disappointing.
For a licensed set, I think the price point of £17.99 / $19.99 / 19.99€ (which has remained the same as the previous year) is fairly good value for money, and I think that this year’s offering is better than last year’s. However, to get the best of the sets you need to purchase both, as they are designed to work together. They would, however, be a perfect gift for siblings to race against each other, as my two have had a lot of fun doing—if they can stop fighting over who gets which truck!
Thanks to LEGO for providing the sets for this review. All expressed opinions are my own.
70 likes
27 comments on this article
Grave digger is my childhood! I’ll have to get that one. Thanks for the review!
I saw a monster jam event in houston last year, which was by far the best part of that city. I didn't expect it to be that exciting, hall to see lego featuring this.
I actually thought I clicked on the wrong bookmark (diecast forum instead of Brickset) here a minute. Didn't know LEGO was doing these. What's really odd is that this is a license that not only one, but TWO of LEGO's competitors have had. K'Nex did sets on these (I had Grave Digger, which had some ramps I liked to jump small-scale RC cars off of), and Mattel had the license for a really long time (I had some of the first stuff they did in the early '00s), mostly using it for Hot Wheels products until they lost the license to Jakks Pacific a year or two ago. Again, I had a roughly 1/64 friction-powered Grave Digger and King Crunch. My only problem is that neither of these really look like what they're supposed to.
I do wish they'd go bigger-scale on these two and have some large sets based on Monster Jam. Monster trucks have all-wheel steering and complicated suspension systems. These little kid-oriented pullbacks can't accommodate that.
Hoping we get a Bigfoot eventually.
I was REALLY excited to see a new, completely black pirate flag with such clear white printing.
:-(
Nice review, and yes, Max D stands for Maximum Destruction. Monster Jam has been a father-son event for us for the last 5 years, and although Grave Digger is my son's favorite, we're both hoping that El Toro Loco and Megalodon could be released!
My son is autistic, mostly doesn’t communicate well. Though he does express some emotional interest in things and one is monster trucks and Monster Jam is specifically something he loves...which is unusual considering how loud it is. But that’s the enigma of the Life.
This will be an absolute Day One buy. He’ll love the pull back feature. And since it’s Technic it’ll hold together and not require me re-building for him every day. ;) Can’t wait.
I wish it came with a ramp like the motorcycle set did a couple years ago
Pullback motors don’t work very well with suspension, the required force to pull back puts too much of the ‘wrong’ pressure on the suspension, which is probably why lego didn’t include it. Question is what would have been better, pullback or suspension?
I love Grave Digger! Never knew this existed, might have to pick it up!
@jaredhinton said:
"Pullback motors don’t work very well with suspension, the required force to pull back puts too much of the ‘wrong’ pressure on the suspension, which is probably why lego didn’t include it. Question is what would have been better, pullback or suspension?"
That's a good point, I didn't consider that. Perhaps suspension on the front wheels only?
Im surprised LEGO went with those tires instead of the ones on the new 42122 Jeep Wrangler Chevron tires which Monster Trucks have.
The stickers on these are a bit ugly, but the builds are very neat and the sets have amazing parts for the price.
LEGO City also had the exceptional 60180 Monster Truck a few years back, which features a simple but very functional rubber-band suspension. A fantastic vehicle set for playability, it rolls well and the suspension bounces dramatically. It's great for sending down ramps and so on.
Mixed feelings on these Technic models regarding suspension vs pullback motors. Generally finding pullback motors underwhelming, I think I would have preferred suspension.
Don’t know where to report this, but the first of “More Images” for 42119 is the back of the box for 42118.
^ It is at LEGO.com, too, from where we grab them.
I'm just now realizing these come out next year...
Ben, dont we typically get a "child crash test" from your reviews? I am interested to know how these handle driving from off the kitchen table.
These events are just as stupid as the "Power Pull" events mentioned in a recent RSOTD.
But to each their own I guess.
If I was a fan I would critique that these sets look very little like the source material.
Is there anyone outside of the US that has interest in these?
I went to a Monster Jam event when I was a kid while visiting relatives in Canada, so seeing the two most iconic Monster Jam trucks as Lego sets is pretty cool. While part of me wishes that trucks came with suspension and the new Jeep tyres, the current setup actually works just fine based on what I've seen in Sariel's review.
@cody6268 said:
"Hoping we get a Bigfoot eventually. "
Same here. I was a pretty big Bigfoot fan when I was a kid.
@benbacardi You could post one pic with real life cars
@ohrmazd said:
"Ben, dont we typically get a "child crash test" from your reviews? I am interested to know how these handle driving from off the kitchen table."
You're right, my bad! They handle it very well, though I do have a little concern for the flags, as the poles are slightly flexible and are easily bent. The fact that can move helps, though.
@gsom7 said:
" @benbacardi You could post one pic with real life cars"
I don't actually own either real life monster truck to take a picture with ;)
They're very easy to Google, or the set images include one of the packaging which has a small picture on.
As a 14-year old in 1996, I downloaded the demo version of the PC game Monster Truck Madness. It took 2 hours on a dial-up modem, so I paid my parents the telephone costs. Grave Digger was also in that game and it was awesome.
My nostalgic feelings will force me to buy this one.
These are definitely an improvement on last years dragster and race truck pull-backs, which were a bit of a flop and always on discount. I may buy as the wheels are cool and just to experiment with additional suspension to see if there is a configuration that works with pull-back, and add steering as well.
Saw both of these trucks live in Dallas back in October of this year. Limited capacity/seating of course :)
@TheOtherMike said:
" @cody6268 said:
"Hoping we get a Bigfoot eventually. "
Same here. I was a pretty big Bigfoot fan when I was a kid."
Unfortunately there's close to 0% chance of a Lego Big Foot.
Monster Jam (they have the exclusive rights to Grave Digger and MaxD) split with their toy merchandiser, Hot Wheels a few years back. Immediately after the split Hot Wheels started their own, rival Monster Trucks brand in direct competition, significantly undercutting Monster Jam's own toy lines and including bigger tyres on their 1/64 and 1/32 die cast ranges to really stick the knife in. Hot Wheels Monster Trucks also runs real trucks at live stadium events, also in direct competition with Monster Jam. As part of the new rivalry, Hot Wheels exclusively signed up Big Foot to their Monster Trucks brand. So, with Lego licensed Monster Jam sets now a reality, you can bet they had to agree to never, ever work with the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks brand, which includes Big Foot.
No Lego Big Foot, and no classic real-life rematches of the legendary arena battles between Big Foot and the then upstart Grave Digger...