Hilux body repair
| model | 58028: Toyota 4x4 Pick Up [ click here for more Toyota 4x4 Pick Ups ] |
| status | Extra info |
| date entered | 10/05/2009 23:26:43 |
| description | Here is a project that I have been working on for some time now. A co-worker of mine bought this body new, back in the 80's. He had no need for it now and asked if I wanted it - as he knew I was into rc cars. This was an original boxed Hilux body kit, minus the decals. However - everything else was there right down to the bed rails, window plastic, side mirror, box packaging and instructions. I thanked him graciously for it and offered some money for exchange. He did not want anything for it, but was happy to know that it was going to a good home, where it would be used. Back in the 80's when he had started to use this as a baseline for a project he was working on, he had cut out the wheel-wells and removed the rollbar mounting nubs and the 4 protrusions on the bed that are used to fasten it to the radio box. This was a freebie Hilux project, so I wanted to try and customize this body, since i really didnt have a choice anyway, given it was pretty cut up to begin with. After countless hours spent fabricating styrene filler panels and epoxying them in place (as suggested by Christian [7.2inchdriver])I picked up some fender flares from RPP Hobbies. One set for a Bruiser and another set for the Clodbuster. The front Bruiser arches were used for the cab and the front Clod flares where used for the rectangular bed wheel well openings. This took quite a bit of epoxy and Shoo-Goo (awesome stuff, btw!!!). But it all came together and worked out well. The bonds are also very strong. Followed up with a little Squadron Green, it's hard to tell that this body was cut up and modified.
After coming up with a solution to fix the wheel wells, I had to attack the next thing which was to fix the bed. I came across Kokuzu's showroom and saw where he had removed the bed section for a great project that he was working on. We worked out a mutual deal for a transaction on the bed deck and the pics show the old bed section removed and the new one installed. (Thank you again so much, Matthias!!!) This project could not have happened without his help.
The pics are shown in reverse order as you'll see and the chassis that it is sitting on, is really for another Hilux that i am currently restoring. Thanks for checking this out and comments are always
welcome! -Brian
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| contact | Click here to email Naxman
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Awesome reconstruction. Nice work
@ mymonsterbeetleisbroken - Thank you for the kind words! Free is always good! In addition, I learned a lot about styrene, epoxies, Shoo-Goo and all the other trade secrets that go into repairing and customizing the hardshell bodies.
its looking good! always nice to get a free project
Thanks for the great comments guys!
Thanks again guys, and for anyone who might want to add the Clod fender flares to their rig, I can provide more detailed pics of how i did this...just shoot me an email. Again - i think i used the front flares, but i will have to double check.
good looking project, I really liked this rig best of the old 3 speeds but felt it needs to be customized to look even better, this is looking great.
Well done. That looks great.
Great Idea for using the clod fenders on the rear! Looks superb and the whole body looks a little beef up. I really would like to see it painted!
Great looking toyota, like the bodywork, great job.
Hello my firend, fantastic job on the bed and on the body. Flares call for some larger tires in my opinion - such as the actual hilux ones.... Very nice look!
Thanks C! I have a paint scheme in mind for this one already and so far - i am really pleased with the results of the body mods. i was thinking of adding an air snorkel to this as well, along with working rollbar lights...we'll see how things go. that's really cool about the re-issue too. you're right - you never know what Mr. Tamiya might have in store for us next!
nice work brian, it looks awesome with the flares. these are the most gratifying builds and the ones that really come out the best. i go back and forth on buying one of these, and just keep hoping they will re issue it, lol. you never know, right. they are re issuing the rough rider for the 30th anniversary, so the old hilux/blazer may be next. thanks for the honorable mention too.