Tamiya Tundra High Lift

[Davy Crockett]

Few years ago I built a Tamiya Tundra High Lift which ended up sitting on the shelf and decided to sell it. With hindsight, regretted it!!

 

I'd been thinking about another for a while and as luck would have it ordered another from Tamico which arrived before the lockdown.

 

I'm not going to do a full build thread as there's lots out there but will post a few pics as the build comes to completion.......

 

Chassis built up and electrics in

 

 

1st LEDs in and braided up

 

Bullbar and spotlights de-chromed and sprayed matt black

 

Was going to go box-art and a champagne gold colour but sprayed this as a base coat and now split 50/50 on colour!!

 

Thanks for looking and more as I progress

 

[monkeyboy_uk]

I like the look of these from a curiosity point of view. I don't think I'd ever buy one but I'd be interested to see a few running videos.

 

I think the box art colours would be the way to go.

[.AJ.]

Sweet build so far 👌 

[Lone-wolf]

Nice build, keep up the good standard

[Davy Crockett]

Much considering and colour testing, looking at my old build and the 'base' colour and a cheeky beer this afternoon.... Decision made!

Final colour sprayed and sitting drying...

 

 

 

I'm going to keep the bumpers chrome but the roll bar/roof spot lights I'm thinking Matt black, along with the rear bed

[monkeyboy_uk]

Looking good. Too good. You can't use that now 

Edited April 5, 2020 by monkeyboy_uk

[CarlC]

That looks awesome

[Davy Crockett]

I've managed bit more tonight, tediously working on wiring up the LEDs..... If you build it as the instructions to use the MFC unit there's only 28 LEDs

 

I'm not fitting  an MFC and omitting indicators, reverse lights and roof markers and done 10 of the 18! Shoddy eh??

 

Roll bar is being dechromed and going Matt black, light pods masked up for spraying

 

 

Head and side lights in

 

 

Wiring cut and taped in place ready to solder

 

 

Not much progress for 2 hours tinkering

 

 

 

[Davy Crockett]

Progressed more tonight and I'm nearing the end of the build, just the wiring to complete and the decals to add

 

I have NO idea how I'm going to do the electrics, I'm thinking of 3 switches so I can select main lights, front spots and roof spots. I have my defender wired similar, lightbar will only work when main lights are on

 

Anyway enough waffle.....

 

Body masked for black trim

 

Roof spots wired up and braided

 

Rear end and exhausts (that wobble!) on

 

Getting there!!!!

 

Now...…. a big question and would like opinions..... do I leave the bumpers chrome or spray matt black??????

 

As always, thanks for looking

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ChrisT]

Personally I'd leave them chrome, but you do what ever takes your fancy.

 

Nice build, quite an involved chassis to work on. I like it

[Lone-wolf]

Please leave bumpers chrome, i gotta say your build is "WOW"

[monkeyboy_uk]

What's your technique for de-chroming? I've used oven cleaner, which works but takes a while.

[Davy Crockett]

22 hours ago, ChrisT said:

Personally I'd leave them chrome, but you do what ever takes your fancy.

 

Nice build, quite an involved chassis to work on. I like it

 

Thanks Chris, I've really enjoyed the build

 

21 hours ago, Jack Reacher said:

Please leave bumpers chrome, i gotta say your build is "WOW"

 

Thanks for the kind words Jack

 

21 hours ago, monkeyboy_uk said:

What's your technique for de-chroming? I've used oven cleaner, which works but takes a while.

 

I tried bleach but didn't work... Fine sandpaper and grey primer did though!!  

 

Having looked and slept on it, bumpers are staying chrome 

[Davy Crockett]

Little more progress...

Decals fitted, last LEDs in, clear red paint arrived and rear lights painted.

Lighting circuits decided, 3d printing box tomorrow and  just waiting for switches to arrive

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Davy Crockett]

Switches arrived yesterday so set to work on the electrics

 

Lighting circuits I've spilt into 3, head and tail lights, front spots and roof spots, drew up a box and lid to house the switches and set printing

 

 

 

Switches in

 

 

Wired up and working.... Not much to show for 2 hours

 

 

Well, that's the build done and probably take a few shots outside

 

Thanks for looking and comments welcomed

 

 

[Lone-wolf]

Davy, gotta say your attention to detail is just top drawer, my only concern is will this be used for trail driving or a shelf queen, it would be a shame to take it out and get it mucky or worse damage it but it would also be a shame not to use it

[Davy Crockett]

3 hours ago, Jack Reacher said:

Davy, gotta say your attention to detail is just top drawer, my only concern is will this be used for trail driving or a shelf queen, it would be a shame to take it out and get it mucky or worse damage it but it would also be a shame not to use it

 

Thanks pal! It's been a nice build and for once had the time to spend as I'm off work

 

The 1st Tundra was a shelf queen, literally ran for 1 minute. This one will get some use and get mucky...... Well, a bit

[froggy8]

any video @Davy Crockett yet?

[Davy Crockett]

Sadly not, work and duties taken all my time lately.

 

Soon as I can take it out in daylight I'll at least take some snaps

[froggy8]

2 hours ago, Davy Crockett said:

Sadly not, work and duties taken all my time lately.

 

Soon as I can take it out in daylight I'll at least take some snaps

cool, very nice rig you got there