Hilux with a drop bed

[Blissard]

You will hate me for doing this but I never liked the original bed on the Hilux so I made a drop bed.

This is the real Chevy stepside bed that I scaled down except the Chevrolet tailgate.

And here is one on a same year Yota pick-up.

I don't have any before photos so I'm starting from todays work. I tried 3 different wood for the floor but balsa looks the most scale.

Side panels, I made them by hands, not machined or printed.

Tailgate without lettering, I might do a Toyota embossed tailgate in the future.

This is how I'm planning to mount it to the chassis. Notice the cabin mounts.

I will fine sand all panels before bonding them.

Hope you like it. More coming tomorrow...

Thanks for looking and all comments are welcomed

[mongoose1983]

The question that immediately comes to mind is... where are you going to fit all of the electronics then?

[Blissard]

Battery fits underneath the bed. I made a steering servo bracket for under the seat. Speed controller box is empty, receiver and esc fit in. I couldn't find a place for shifting servo.

[Grastens]

While I have mixed feelings about altering the original bed (mostly because I feel the current 3-speed Hilux Hi-Lift could sorely use it), your alterations are not intrusive and are of fine quality. To me, this would be one of the few ways to change it, and your work is very good!

Is the resulting model a shelf display? If it ever gets driven, I wonder how the shift in weight from the rear of the truck affect performance.

[Tamiya1/10]

nice work. To solve the shifting servo issue, built a bed fitted tool box (the type that fit right across the bed) just behind the cab. with your plastic working skills should not be an issue.

[Shodog]

Looks great. Fine work on those plastic pieces

[CoolJetta3]

Looks excellent so far!

[SteveU30]

Wow, I'm loving this, keep up the good work!

[Blissard]

Thanks for the comments. I'm building it for the shelf but would like to run once on the beach so I'm making that steering servo bracket. Putting a crate in the bed for the shifting servo is a good idea but I don't think I will ever shift while running

With balsa strips placed;

I will finish it next week, now I'm working on my other builld, Bel Ray Bullet.

[rjg1973]

If it ever gets driven, I wonder how the shift in weight from the rear of the truck affect performance.

Will probably handle more like the full size version with all the weight over the front axle.

[stevieg32]

Nice job,are the panels made from styrene or wood? How did you make the nice grooves in the side panels?

I didn't quite have the guts to drop the bed on my spare Blazing Blazer shell,instead i just did a rear end make over to make it look more like a proper K5 Blazer,but you never know,watching an interesting thread like this,i might be tempted to break out the handsaw!

[sidewaysdave69]

very nice, I would stain the wood to give it a nice shine. teak maybe?

[Blissard]

Thanks guys.

Stevieg; all panels are abs and I made the embossments by moving the panels under a dremel. Nice work on the Blazer tailgate, just go for it and build a drop bed, it is easier than it looks. Make sure you find lots of details and scale them accurately, I can help you with that. I'm also planning to build a 78 K5 but not sure whether to start from a Blazing Blazer body and build the roof, or start from a Clod body and build all sides and grill except roof.

Sidewaysdave; I'm thinking of staining the wood but afraid of if balsa gets wet and curved.

[sidewaysdave69]

if I remember right you can "dope" balsa wood to seal it to stop it warping.

[Blissard]

I was also thinking of spraying matt clear coat, I will try both on a piece of balsa.

[simensays]

Nice work! That bed looks great.

Only thing that looks wrong to me is the rear Toyota badge. I'm working on a Hilux myself these days, and decided to make the letters so it looks more realistic. I haven't mounted them yet, but this gives you an idea : https://www.shapeways.com/model/1763441/tamiya-hilux-4x4.html?li=aeTabs

[Blissard]

Thanks! I like the original Toyota lettering more, but it's just because it's a Tamiya classic.

Here is some progress, bonded all the parts and made a roll bar;

[SteveU30]

Amazing work, can't wait to see it in colour!

[Blissard]

Thank you, I have a TC copy decal sheet so I will go box-art without sponsors.

[Crash Cramer]

Wow, this is some amazing work, I realize some purists would not like all the alterations, but this certainly takes a wonderful take on attention to details. I guess you must have bought those decals ages ago since I doubt they are for sale any longer.

[Raman36]

I have forever wanted the re-release of the Hilux with step side bed. Nonetheless, I will join ranks with the rest of my Tamiya Club colleagues and commend you on a fantastic job

[mongoose1983]

I like the looks of the roll bar! What color are you going to paint it?

[Blissard]

Wow, this is some amazing work, I realize some purists would not like all the alterations, but this certainly takes a wonderful take on attention to details. I guess you must have bought those decals ages ago since I doubt they are for sale any longer.

Thank you I bought the decals in 2012 from a TC member, they are really nice.

I have forever wanted the re-release of the Hilux with step side bed. Nonetheless, I will join ranks with the rest of my Tamiya Club colleagues and commend you on a fantastic job

Thanks, I hope it will be released without lots of extra holes on the body.

I like the looks of the roll bar! What color are you going to paint it?

Thanks, the body will be original red and the roll bar glossy white, very old school

[mongoose1983]

Any progress done to that Toyo? It looks great so far!

[Blissard]

Thanks but I sold it. I posted some photos on facebook and it's gone in seconds

This is where I left it: http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=123489&sid=27740