Rebuiding a RC HiLux 4x4

[modeldozer]

Hi fellow modders,

While my milling machine is still out of commission I thought to make a start on a long outstanding project.  Around 30 years ago I bought and built a Tamiya HiLux 4x4 RC model, but other things got in the way and it has been standing on a shelf since.



Have decided to rebuild it completely, cleaning, re-lubricating and repainting.  Also opted to replace all the brass bushes in the drive train with ball bearings.

Axles striped down and cleaned.









Bearings fitted.



Reassembled.



And refitted to the chassis.







Cheers
Abraham

[vtsteam]

Wow, that's pretty cool -- I've only been in the airplane side of the hobby. Didn't realize the metal and detail of the truck side of things. 

[modeldozer]

Hi Steve,

These can get quite detailed and complicated.  Found this old promotional video for this model.

Abraham

[Phill05]

Good to see you working on RC models I used to do some modding on them for Rock crawling, are you going into the gearbox to change the bearing? somewhere I have some images inside the box.
I also made a transfer box for an 8 wheeler.

Phill

[modeldozer]

Hi Phill,

Thanks.  Found a rebuild manual for the gearbox on the internet and will go for bearing convertion.

Abraham

[modeldozer]

Hi all.

One of the shafts in the gearbox had to be pressed apart.  After fitting the bearings the pinion was cross drilled and pined to the shaft.



All ready for assembly.



And assembled.



The shock absorbers were also rebuilt with new seals and oil.





All mounted back on the chassis.







Till later.
Abraham

[modeldozer]

Managed to get a bit more done.
Some of the servo mounts were broken so new ones were made from square MS bar.





The original speed controller was giving problems and was replaced with a modern electronic one.



Made some caps to blank off the unused servo pivot hole.





Also made a support for the new switch, which is quite a bit smaller than the original.



Servos, ESC and receiver fitted.



Cheers
Abraham

[Phill05]

Looking good

[vtsteam]