Forni 43 Posted January 14, 2022 I just finished a restoration project. The color is a orange-red. The decals are from MCI. The original Semi-ESC is working nicely. It is a nice runner. 17 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted January 14, 2022 Super sweet . Any topless shots ? - of the truck that is !! I restored one of these some years back , along with a Bruiser , they sure take some time don't they ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forni 43 Posted January 15, 2022 Here are some more pictures. I added a full set of ball bearings in the axels and the transmission. Cleaned the case of the transmission, polished the rims and repainted the body. The truck is in good original condition. The only thing I probably will replace are the leaf springs. Unfortunately at the front there are minor adaptions necessary because the springs are a bit longer (second hole in the frame). 15 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Torhaantje 66 Posted January 15, 2022 Beautiful car, well done!!! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
njmlondon 570 Posted January 15, 2022 Beautiful car and lovely sensitive restoration. I did one of these myself but over-restored it and never ran it. I think it is awesome that you are going to run yours. Enjoy! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zappto 192 Posted January 16, 2022 Hello, looking really sweet, i like you cleaned it so nicely. Paint work looks great and shiny. Did you leave original motor? I am currently restoring one like this my self. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forni 43 Posted January 16, 2022 Thanks! Yes the motor is original and it runs quite good. Also the old transistor ESC is actually nice to drive, vintage but cool. I don’t now how well a stronger motor is taken by the transmission. Even if it is now equipped with ball bearings, it seams to be fragile and sensitive to torque. Also a weak point are the knuckles, it is certainly good to have one spare. The knuckles from the old Bruiser / Mountaineer fit also and are improved in stability. The only bad thing is suspension, for a runner it is worth to replace the leaf springs with softer ones, and add the damper with the most hard oil. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Re-Bugged 10151 Posted January 16, 2022 Lovely job and very nice to see one standing the test of time so well 👍🏻 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simensays 321 Posted January 16, 2022 That looks amazing! Great work on the iconic piece of Tamiya history. Very cool to see you run it. As others have mentioned, after restoring mine it has seen no run time - which is kind of sad. Now go out and hook it up to a skateboard and let it tow you around, as in the vintage Tamiya catalog 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted January 16, 2022 Super clean , very nice work Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
casethejoint 296 Posted January 18, 2022 Lovely! If you can paint/re-paint the Good-Year tire lettering that will really make it pop. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forni 43 Posted January 20, 2022 On 1/18/2022 at 9:37 PM, casethejoint said: Lovely! If you can paint/re-paint the Good-Year tire lettering that will really make it pop. Do you have a recommendation for that? Do you use acrylic color for that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simensays 321 Posted January 20, 2022 I love the look of white lettering on tires on selected model, including the Hilux 4x4 - but I hate the process of doing it. The Hiilx tires are fiddly (well, for me it was) I used a very fine tip permanent marker in white on mine. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SuperChamp82 743 Posted January 22, 2022 +1 @simensays In fact, I probably read / copied you here 😂 The colour in permanent markers is designed to bite quickly - initially fluid / permeable + rapidly aerated / sticky Done well on tyres it leaves a reducing white veneer as the paint dries - making the tyres look truly 1:1 👍 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forni 43 Posted February 22, 2022 I startet a new project, now in blue metallic and the custom MCI decals. They are great. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kotaman 22 Posted February 22, 2022 Very nice work on both of them, I like the top of the bed painted black on your red truck. That color blue is sharp, especially with those decal colors. What brand of paint and/or combination of coats did you use to get such a hue? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forni 43 Posted February 23, 2022 Thanks! Its a Toyota Color „Toyota SPECTRA BLUE PEARL 8M6“. I used a grey primer as a base coat, than a light blue as a color primer, then three coats of the Spectra Pearl paint. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
njmlondon 570 Posted February 23, 2022 Another lovely Hilux. I am regretting selling mine now! Do you ever video them running? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forni 43 Posted February 23, 2022 Good idea, I will plan a video for a next ride and post it. With the Bruiser springs and softer tires they run smooth. BTW on that one I mounted 1.9” custom aluminium rims for standard tires. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
njmlondon 570 Posted February 24, 2022 13 hours ago, Forni said: Good idea, I will plan a video for a next ride and post it. With the Bruiser springs and softer tires they run smooth. BTW on that one I mounted 1.9” custom aluminium rims for standard tires. Please do! I remember the original Hilux videos playing in my LHS back in the day and still love a Hilux video! I did a similar mod to my Hilux… I used hi-lift tires and kept the original wheels but stretched RC4WD tires over the rims. Why did I sell that truck!? Following your thread I am now seriously considering finding another one and restoring it as a runner. Maybe in blue too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forni 43 Posted October 12, 2022 I finally found a video of a test run. It is a very nice car to drive. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites