Ordered a Hilux today

[DRW-FJ40]

Well I did it. Ordered a Hilux. I've been wanting this truck for a while. My plan was to buy a few parts here and there & build it this fall (if I can wait that long)

I got a team blue star sealed bearing set. Probably overkill but they weren't much more on ebay than the cheapos.

I keep waivering on the MFC. it's a lot of money but it sure does look/sound cool. I'm going for a scale look & thinking the Landies classic wheels with tomahawks??? My enthusiasm is a little bigger than my wallet at the moment...

Then the radio, I've went back and forth in my head numerous times on this. After discussing with Arco at great length, I was set on the Futaba 4VWD but I've only been able to find it in Hong Kong. The 4GWD is the current version but it has digital trims but if I don't go with the MFC, the 4GWD would work fine. The 4EXA is analog trim but the left stick is a rachet. I can covert it to self center & put the shift gate from the 4GWD & I would have a computer FM 4VWD. Hmm... I'm leaning toward the latter now.

[skinny_TC]

Congrats! Can't wait to see the build. Is this your first Highlift?

[OldSchoolRC]

If you can get the truck and stare at the box until fall without breaking out the tools, you should be awarded the official "Iron Willpower of the Year" award. :)

[DRW-FJ40]

If you can get the truck and stare at the box until fall without breaking out the tools, you should be awarded the official "Iron Willpower of the Year" award. :)

I wanted to order the truck last so I wouldn't have to stare at it but came across a good deal. I've got a friend who is going to keep it for a while so I don't have to look at it.

It is my first high lift. I have fun with my CR-01 crawling but I want some speed & more scale.

[chaos]

Great stuff, i know the anticipation of waiting for something and it sounds like your off to a good start as well.

[Moondoggie]

You will definitely enjoy it. It's a top notch kit! Can't wait to see build pics when you get around to it! :thumb:

[DRW-FJ40]

Thanks. I did finally settle my radio delima once and for all. I found a Futaba 4VWD on ebay in the U.S. so I won't be modifying a 4EXA. I kind of wanted to try that but I got the 4VWD for about half of what the modified 4EXA would have cost so...

[Wyoming]

Thats a good reliable radio choice, I have three of those in my collection and never any issues with My Tamiya Tanks and 3speed.

[DRW-FJ40]

An update, I purchased a Land Rover Defender hard body from Peter in Hong Kong. I was going to put it on my CR-01 but after checking the wheelbase, I think it will fit under the highlift perfectly & the 1.9s will look better with the defender. I bought tomahawks from IceChilly & ordered the plastic Landy wheels from ebay, $18. If they don't look good, I'll go with the aluminum ones from RC4WD. I don't know if I'll make it till fall to start this one.

[That guy]

They are a fun build!:yahoo:, and they are almost as scale as you can get. Good luck and enjoy!

[DRW-FJ40]

I finally got started on the Hilux. Forgot how fun it is to build Tamiya kits. I've been accumulating parts for a while now. Here is what it has come down to: Hilux body with a rouge elements drop bed kit (got a Gelande for the Defender body), Axial NVS light system, tamiya ESC, 3 racing winch, RC4WD Landie internal beadlocks, Dirt Grabbers, 4VWD radio. I do have a Spekrum 5 channel helicopter radio less one helicopter which got caught in a tree & then ran over by a car. may put this in & keep the 4VWD for a Tundra, still want to do a MFC unit at some point. Need to either get a winch bumper or fabricate something.

So... Let the fun begin.

[OldSchoolRC]

Not often I get the chance...but.......

:thumb_thisthreadisw

:D

[DRW-FJ40]

I'll take some tonight & post. Nothing too exciting yet, just stock highlift but who get's tired of looking at pictures of RC trucks?

[DRW-FJ40]

a year's worth of squireling away toys:

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/100_5249.jpg

Some scale goodies to go in the bed:

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/100_5251.jpg

Rouge Elements Bed kit:

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/100_5252.jpg

Doesn't get any better than this:

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/100_5253.jpg

I've got some TS-15 Blue & plan to rub it smooth with Micro mesh pads to get a scale look & then dull coat it to get a look like it's sat out in the sun too many years & faded. This will be something different for me. I've always gone with a shiny new look. My rusty 1:1 FJ40 lives vicariously through my RC trucks.

[teebeehex]

Looking at all your parts has me eager to see the finished product. (that's a 'gettamoveon' right there! :p)

[DRW-FJ40]

LOL! I'm draggin' this out as long as I can. When that last screw goes in, it'll be another year of pinching pennies before I get to build another. However, I'm a little eager to see the finished product myself. Cutting up my bed has me a little nervous... (may end up being a flat bed before it's all over)

[OldSchoolRC]

Good stuff!! Will be watching....

[backtomyroots]

Very nice ! Detailed photos of assembly of that bed would be great , I've got one stashed away as well :).

[DRW-FJ40]

I'm going to start on it tonight I think. so, I'll plan to take some detailed shots. I've been test fitting the pieces & it's an amazingly accurate fit. Chris does nice work.

[DRW-FJ40]

Thanks for the kick in the pants backtomyroots. I was procrastinating on this because it was my first attempt at modifying a body & working with Styrene. So far, it has gone really well.

First off, it's recomended that you be careful not to trim the "outer lip" away. Here's what he's talking about:

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/Hilux%20Bed/100_5282.jpg

I started with the fender wells. Test fit all pieces but this is how the fender well pieces & "lips" go together:

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/Hilux%20Bed/100_5285.jpg

Next, I taped it all together & checked it with machinest square. & used plastistruct plastic welder. I had bought regular testors glue but per the instructions, used welder, which I'm guessing is a beginner thing, I would have used glue. Anyway here is right side fender well:

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/Hilux%20Bed/100_5289.jpg

Next, build the opposite side well:

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/Hilux%20Bed/100_5293.jpg

Next, you need to sand a radius on the edges of the fender wells. It was late so I decided to let this all merinate overnight.

I went on to sand some of the CNC routing that forms the bed & side details. Since they are CNCed they have a sharp edge & sanding the edges a bit gives it a pressed metal look:

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/Hilux%20Bed/100_5295.jpg

I started out using 600 grit sandpaper but went to 400 which seemed to be about right for me.

It was pretty late at this point so I decided to stop on this & do some "easy" work in know terratory. I built my axles & assembled them & forgot to put grease in. So will be opening those back up.

Family coming in for the 4th so probably won't get back on the bed till next week but I'll post pics.

[backtomyroots]

Excellent work ! So, I'll need some plastisturct and 400 grit paper, gotcha. Mine will be in the "to do" list for at least a year, so I'll bookmark this page :). Looking forward to the finished project.

[DRW-FJ40]

I lost the card for my camera last weekend but will update soon. I've been sanding the radius on the edges which is the tedius part of the bed kit. Started with 120 paper on the wheel wells. I stripped out one of the nut slots in the plastic axle housing. I used some pliers to get it "almost" tight. but once I put the knuckles on, that tiny bit of slop started causing problems. Put a little JB weld on to hold the nut last night. We'll see... Hope I don't have to order new axle housing.

[DRW-FJ40]

Here is the wheel well all smoothed out. I used 120 paper & kept checking radius with the jig provided with the kit. Once I was getting close, I went to 220 & then 320. This is a point where taking the time to sand all the sharp edges can really make a difference in the finished bed. Testing my patience though.

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/100_5328.jpg

JB Weld didn't hold so I had to cut away a little of the plastic so I could get some needle nose pliers on the nut. Doesn't look real clean but it's on top inside of the axle so shouldn't be noticable.

Axles on (have I mentione how fun this kit is to build?):

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/100_5334.jpg

[DRW-FJ40]

I got the bed all assebled. Things fit together reall well. I sanded all the edges left from the CNC routing. Used a dremel tool with a small grinding tip to work around the tight spots.:

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/100_5345.jpg

Next, I had to cut the orignal bed out. This made me a little nervous. I used a dremel tool with a cut-off disc & used 6mm masking tape to mark where I was going to cut:

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/100_5347.jpg

OK, time to cut:

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/100_5349.jpg

It pays to get this line as smooth as you can. I got a little sloppy which required a lot of sanding & filling later. The lip of the oringinal body will stick out a few mms or so. Plus you cut about 5mm from the top. This leaves a bed rail very similar to the real deal. Directions here pretty much say to make it "fit". I lined the bed up with the tailgate, added some putty, smoothed out the transition on the tailgate & Still have to clean up some corners but basically ready for primer:

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/100_5394.jpg

[Sonic0620]

Wow!! It always amazes me at the patience some guys have to work with this kind of detail. The bed looks great!! I could never put that much patience into any thing. I love the detail, keep up the great work.

[Wyoming]

looking great, I like that bed kit, I've seen them around in a few builds but have no idea where they are sold?, that would save me a lot of time over building one

[DRW-FJ40]

Thanks Sonic, I've really enjoyed this project. Hopefully, my "patience" will hold out till I finish.

Thanks Seth, the kit is from Rouge Elements components. He's in the vendor area on scale4x4. For me this was a great step towards scratch building. The kit was pretty easy to build & because of the CNC routing work & fit, it's easy to get good results.

[Wyoming]

cool thanks I was looking all over the hobby stores that sell scale parts and couldn't find them lol! I'll have to check into them on scale4x4... they look to be no longer made and kind of a hassle to buy anyway lol! but thanks for the info I'll just have to build a bed if I want one now ;)

[OldSchoolRC]

Bed looks real sharp! Adds a ton of realism to the body....keep the updates coming!

[DRW-FJ40]

Put first coat of paint on and had a few spots I wasn't happy with so started sanding again. I like the blue though, I think it will look good with a dull coat. But my real issue now is fitting the drop bed to the chassis. I put the wheels on & did a mock up with the body and realized the bed aint gonna fit. I sort of assumed the stock bed was shallow to fit the MFC-02 speaker but the shock mounts need that room too. the only real option is to lower the shock mount & put a shorter shock on. Really don't want to spend $ on shocks with these nice red anno shocks. Any ideas?

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/Hilux%20Bed/100_5399.jpg

So, at an impass, I started playing with my playmate cooler that will cover up a little glue spill in the bed:

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/Hilux%20Bed/100_5430.jpg

[skinny_TC]

It's looking good DRW. You could try mounting the shocks on a chassis cross member at an angle. I'll see if I can find a picture.

[skinny_TC]

Like this:

http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq115/rocksteadily/938212a3.jpg

http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq115/rocksteadily/c1942425.jpg

[Arcocustom]

The rear shocks are mounted inside the frame rails on the 1:1 83' Hilux. The fronts are mounted on the outside of the frame.
http://4x4.sr5.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/v8toy.jpg
http://4x4.sr5.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/v8side.jpg

Here is how I mounted my shocks using modified TLT suspension mounts. The modified mounts bolt under the axle and allow the shock to be mounted near the bottom of the axle tube instead of the top.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4460417742_89be200017_b_d.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4459633149_483a7d9f50_b_d.jpg

Here you can see the same modified mount on the front. I just took some tin snips and cut away the other mounting hole. The front mounts are for telescoping traction bars. Front shocks on a Hilux are mounted on the outside. ;)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4459633139_280504de55_b_d.jpg

[DRW-FJ40]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I don't have internet access on the weekends but came up with this yesterday:

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/shock.jpg

However, I like both ideas that you guys proposed better & will work on that tonight.

BTW, nice 1:1 Jay, is that yours? Is Tamiya kit an '83 officially? I had a friend who had an '82 and it looked about the same. I had an '84 & it had the squared off wheel wells, but '84 still had straight axles in the front & mine was a short wheel base, tough little truck.

Oh yea, I went back over the body & cleaned up some areas I couldn't see with the white primer & went progressivley up to 2000 grit wet sanding & repainted & all is good now.

[Arcocustom]

don't I wish....:LOL: The truck in the link is an 83', which was the last year the 4WD Hilux was produced. The body-style is identical to the 79-82, but the grille and front bumper are slightly different and it had an updated, more modern interior. The headlight buckets on the 83' are square and not round. RC4WD was working on some prototype parts...
http://www.scale4x4rc.org/forums/showthread.php?t=49576

Tamiya's original 4WD Hilux offering was released in the fall of 1981.
http://www.tamiyabase.com/The-first-100-facts/58028-Toyota-4x4-Pick-Up.html

I am going to say your kit is a 1980 model.

http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv200/Arcocustom/Hilux.jpg
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv200/Arcocustom/80rear.jpg

1983 was the last year for the 4WD "Hilux".


Third generation
The redesigned Hilux was introduced in August 1978, with a 4WD variant introduced in Jan 1979. Production of 4WD variants stopped in July 1983, but some 2WD variations continued in parallel with the next generation..... In North America the Hilux saw the use of four wheel drive. It had a solid front axle and leaf suspension. The body saw a redesign that included single round headlights and a less complex body. These trucks became known as first generation 4WDs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Hilux

That blue 83' is from the web.
http://4x4.sr5.com/?p=29

HAH! Did some searchin' and I even found the 1:1 paint scheme and custom graphics for the stickers on your 1:10th model. :p
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=1983+toyota+hilux&hl=en&biw=1402&bih=865&tbm=isch&tbnid=nUT7oHWMvHGuGM:&imgrefurl=http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3153939/1983-toyota-hilux&docid=twfpxfYPi0gihM&w=1024&h=768&ei=6rktTr3aBKHq0gHR1vCdAQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=210&vpy=554&dur=396&hovh=180&hovw=243&tx=134&ty=110&page=4&tbnh=162&tbnw=223&start=70&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:70

[DRW-FJ40]

Very cool! I had never seen those graphics 1:1, I figured that was the tamiya california surf truck look sticker.

On another interesting "Hilux" note, I spent some time down in central america in the late 80's/early 90's & there were Hilux crew cabs down there. I don't remember exactly what year they were because all toyota small pickups had the "hilux" emblem on there, even the newer ones. I remember thinking that Hilux must be a name Toyota used in non-NA trucks because there were people down there that had trucks that looked just like my '84 but where mine had "Toyota" theres had "Hilux", same year.

Here is a '90 crewcab: http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l69/bkfj40/hilux/IMG_1031.jpg

[DRW-FJ40]

BTW, the underside of your Hilux looks awsome.

[Arcocustom]

Thanks for the kind words there Doug. Great styrene work on the drop bed. Kinda sad that I missed out on those from Rouge Elements, but I didn't have the heart to saw into my truck. Looks good though now that I see it all assembled. :first:

[OldSchoolRC]

Between the 2 of you guys and the pics of the trucks, I've been drooling all over the keyboard. :) I've finally tracked down a HiLux body, been wanting one for a long time. Making it my next project! Great stuff, keep it coming!

[DRW-FJ40]

Thanks for the kind words there Doug. Great styrene work on the drop bed. Kinda sad that I missed out on those from Rouge Elements, but I didn't have the heart to saw into my truck. Looks good though now that I see it all assembled. :first:

Thanks Jay, In all fairness, the finished look of that bed has more to do with the REC kit than my styrene skills but now that I've done it, I feel much more comfortable working with it. plan to use some of the scraps from the kit to make some small brackets for jack, etc. It is a little bit of a hassle with REC in that you can't just order what you want. He does limited production runs & you get on his email list & take it or leave it. But the detail work & fit on the kit was very percise. I would order his stuff again for sure.


Between the 2 of you guys and the pics of the trucks, I've been drooling all over the keyboard. :) I've finally tracked down a HiLux body, been wanting one for a long time. Making it my next project! Great stuff, keep it coming!

Nice! Will you be putting it on one of your existing chassis or starting something new?

I hope to put the final coat of TS-15 on tonight. Been wet sanding between coats, hopefully this one will be glass & I forgot the section under the grill.

I'm back to some sort of bracket for the shocks. Those stock high lift shocks are huge & can't seem to fit them under or at an angle & I am over budget & don't want to buy smaller shocks right now, maybe a future upgrade if the bracket doesn't look good. I think I'll think on this one for a while & work on the body. The chassis is basically done. just need to figure out the rear shocks & then put wheels on. I'm happy to say too that after a small tweak in the steering servo horn & slight trim on the shifting servo, everything seems to be working perfect on the first try (first time for everything)

[Budhatrain]

This looks real quality... great job on the build so far. You can tell you are really pumped about doing it. what a great hobby!

I like Rogue's stuff too... it is a little pain because it's like a take it or leave it deal. whenever he has his bed kits for sale I try to pick one up because you can't go wrong. lately I haven't picked anything up from him- not my cup of tea stuff but for a while there I was getting worried that I would go broke with him. here's a couple picks of his bed in a truck I did

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/budhatrain/clodaxialc.jpg
http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/budhatrain/clodbodyprimedb.jpg
http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/budhatrain/clodbodybeforeprimerc.jpg

I did pick one up for a blackfoot body- I am slowly picking up pieces for.

[DRW-FJ40]

That's a sharp looking truck ya got there. Yea, I am pretty into it. The addiction is in full swing. I wish I had made the tailgate open like that. That's pretty cool.

I finished the paint last night. Pretty smooth. I'm tempted to polish that final coat but don't want to run the risk of going through the paint on the edges. I'm still thinking I'll dull coat it. I'm debating taking some coarse sandpaper and scuffing up the bed a little. Who ever heard of a shiny truck bed?

[DRW-FJ40]

I polished the paint & then added dull coat. I really like the way it came out. Chassis is done. just need to fabricate my shock mounts. Then detail the body. Hope to pull this all together by the weekend & get some pictures up.

[Wyoming]

sounds like its coming along nicely

[DRW-FJ40]

Finally got the camera back. Have made some good progress. I ended up going with a metal bracket for the stock shocks/drop bed. Not exactly what I wanted but it cost me a strip of brass & I plan to revisit it later. I still need to do rearview mirrors, tail lights, license plates & a few scale accesories for the bed. But I've got an air tank in there & toolbox, propane tank which may not stay. Everything is taped in for now. The dirt diggers looked a bit small & flat irons looked big so I settled on Tamahawks. I got some photo etched emblems but I'll have to say the metal transfers right out of the kit look pretty nice.

Here is a shot of the brackets I ended up with:

http://www.tamiyacrawlers.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3415&d=1313413392

photo etched emblems:

http://www.tamiyacrawlers.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3412&d=1313413378

http://www.tamiyacrawlers.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3414&d=1313413388

http://www.tamiyacrawlers.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3413&d=1313413383

[DRW-FJ40]

Oh yea, built a new bridge in my Wolf Creek RC ORV Park. I'm embarrased to say they are poser shots. Just can't bring myself to fall off this bridge yet in my new Hilux. Bridge of sighs:

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/Hilux/100_5574.jpg

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/Hilux/100_5582.jpg

[McFig]

Looks great!

Don't blame you for not taking the chance just yet with driving it over.

Can you post an undershot of the bed on the frame. Maybe a 45 degree view from under the back

[DRW-FJ40]

I can do that. I'll post it tommorow morning.

[DRW-FJ40]

Here is a couple of shots from underneath. I didn't try to mount the stock shocks at the bottom screw & try to fit them under the chassis. they didn't look like they would fit but maybe this winter I'll see if I can do something different. they work but the angle doesn't look right.

34173418

[McFig]

How far is it between where the bottom of the shock mounts and the flat brass part. See attached

Maybe you can mount up some really short dampeners or shocks.

3419

[DRW-FJ40]

Yea, that's my long term plan. not sure if I'll go to the inside frame member or mount the bottom in that lower screw in the axle or something else. But I got to a point where the budget was shot & was trying to make the stock shock work. they are really long which limited my options. I pretty much finished the build last night. I found with the drop bed, it's real hard to fit the taillight lense backing piece in there (the one that the screws thread into) but I kinda botched the black outline of the lens anyway. A new lens part tree is $7 @ RPP so I'm going to order those & give it another go & either glue them in or try something else.

[Wyoming]

looks like a neat little rock course there too

[skinny_TC]

Excellent truck DRW.

How do you keep the scale locking hubs / wheel nuts on? I have a set but they constantly back off. I was thinking of loctite, but I'm always taking a wheel off for some reason.

[DRW-FJ40]

Excellent truck DRW.

How do you keep the scale locking hubs / wheel nuts on? I have a set but they constantly back off. I was thinking of loctite, but I'm always taking a wheel off for some reason.

Thanks, I just put them on for photos but will use removable loctite when I'm sure what wheels/tires I'm going to stick with. Yea, I lost the ones on my CR01 pretty quick so after the photos I may go back to regular nuts.

[DRW-FJ40]

Finally put the finishing touches on although I lost my wipers befoe I got it completly finished. Anyway, we had a get together last saturday so here are some finished pics.

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/100_5757.jpg

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/100_5784.jpg

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/100_5818.jpg

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/100_5832.jpg

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n493/DRW-FJ40/100_5841.jpg

[OldSchoolRC]

Very nice pair of 'yota's!

[DRW-FJ40]

Thanks OSRC, you stayin' dry up there? I guess the river is back down now.