Nator05 1 Posted September 25, 2014 Hi Guys, brand new to the forum. Grew up a massive Tamiya fan, used to drool over the catalogue and dream. First vehicle was a Boomerang, wanted the Fox but the Boomerang was chosen for me by Santa. By the time I was early teens, I thought I could take it apart to clean and it never went back together (I never put the vehicle together originally). After months of depression back in the early 90's Santa came again with the Beast, I wanted the Hilux but she was not in stock, so I pointed at the biggest box on display and the Bullhead was mine. She was put together again by the local hobby shop. By the late 90s I was more interested in other things, I moved to Europe in 2000 to return to Australia in 06. the bullhead found her way to my dad's car yard where she sat dormant amongst an array of vintage and modern Jags until 3 weeks ago when I said... It's time the old girl got back on the road! New at the resto thing so I am here to ask advice from you all when I need. Still undecided on what I want as a final outcome. All I know is that after nearly 25 years, all of a sudden I can't stop thinking about Tamiya again... But I guess that story sounds familiar...So far-Took her to a hobby shop to see what she was like mechanically and all good, got new digital running gear installed (still don't know how I feel about that) I still have the original equipment but I think the speed controller has had it.-Started cleaning and bought new C parts as I have a broken rear control arm.Never took a photo of what she was like complete before I started the resto, these are after the first dust, I've only taken detail shots so far so I don't get another Boomerang situation, I must say the stories on this page motivate me no end as to what is possible! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Percymon 2184 Posted September 25, 2014 Welcome to the forum That looks a great basis for a very nice restoration, either to full shelf glory or a nice capable runner. Parts are fairly plentiful via eBay sellers if nothing else - tyres are by far the biggest expense item. If you don't have a build manual then you can download one (and clod buster ones if you fancy a mix n match of chassis part colors) from www.tamiyausa.com/pdf/manuals type in the model number you want.. Bullhead 58089 - original release 58535 - re-release Clod Buster 58065 - original release 58321 / 58535 - super clod buster 58423 - metallic edition clod buster One tip - lock your wallet in a safe, this place will have it empty in no time 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nator05 1 Posted September 25, 2014 Thx mate, I found a re release manual but really needed the original thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yellowcat 117 Posted September 25, 2014 Thx mate, I found a re release manual but really needed the original thanks! Here is a link for the original Bullhead 58089 pdf file. http://www.wheelsacademy.info/rc/tamiyapdf/TamVeh79.pdf 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pizzachaude 130 Posted October 2, 2014 So where's the Boomerang?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nator05 1 Posted October 2, 2014 The great RC track in the sky :-( Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nator05 1 Posted October 2, 2014 Body of the Bullhead is looking good though. Still don't know if I should paint her to the original colours. It always looked a bit dull in the un painted white. Any thoughts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nator05 1 Posted October 2, 2014 Would help if I attached the pic... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pizzachaude 130 Posted October 6, 2014 I know I would paint it, but it really is up to you, I'm a boxart guy! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Percymon 2184 Posted October 6, 2014 The shell looks to be in great condition, with just afew battle scars on the front top corner of the cab - I'd leave it as it is for now, no point stripping off original decals for a paint job. You could paint the wheels if you wanted some contrast / colour 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mongoose1983 3335 Posted October 28, 2014 Any updates? The Bullhead rules! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
berman 5315 Posted October 28, 2014 Yeah more updates on the Bullhead! Just about any colour suits these behemoths! Yellow is quite popular (mine was before I restored it!) Blues are classic, black is too, Even pink! Just take the red chassis and yellow shocks into account Here's my restored boxart original for inspiration: 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mongoose1983 3335 Posted October 28, 2014 Ohhhh, that's SWEET! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nator05 1 Posted October 28, 2014 @berman WOW that's mega sweet! Thinking I might now invest in a shelf queen body and keep the original as the runner. I've started putting the chassis back together and thinking now I might re install the original running gear but keep her running in the new gear as there is plenty of room. The body is pretty good, I actually quite like the patina on the old body it's just the un painted white was always a bit dull but don't want to strip the original decals... Still a work in progress. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Percymon 2184 Posted October 28, 2014 You can always clear coat the old body, would add a bit of shine and seal in those original decals. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mongoose1983 3335 Posted October 30, 2014 Grabbing some air (although I'm not a fan of red colour for this particular model...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nator05 1 Posted October 31, 2014 The 1:1 Big Pete, amazing to think the Bully had a 1:1. The original though was the Super Pete. Having trouble uploading images...? http://monsterphoto.iwarp.com/supete.htm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
emory70 153 Posted October 31, 2014 Seems that all the Tamiya monsters were based on real trucks. Exactly which ones can be debated, though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nator05 1 Posted November 15, 2014 Here is the Bullhead, I took her out for a run to see how she would handle and found that one of the rear mounts was broken so I have another on the way. Along with the broken rear sway bar these have been the only 2 parts I have replaced with NOS. She is running on the new ESC, I think in the future I will re install the original gear if I can get it working and then she will be 100% original. I still need the battery holder and I have the flag on its way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mongoose1983 3335 Posted November 15, 2014 That chassis looks fantastic! I'd love to restore a Bullhead myself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
berman 5315 Posted November 15, 2014 That chassis looks pretty tidy! All my monster trucks still run the original MSC's but a ESC is a wise choice if you are going to enjoy it on a regular basis Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nator05 1 Posted November 15, 2014 Thx guys, I had to paint the front bar and it came up ok, the rest I am very happy with. I don't know how much running I will actually do so I will see but the new esc actually sits in there quite well. Mongoose an original Bullhead resto project just sold on eBay down here for $250 AUD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites