Hirobo 44b rebuilding

[stevar]

Hi,

After more than a year and a half's work, I present to you not a restoration but rather a reconstruction. In the first photo you can see everything I had to start the project. The list of missing parts was long, and I launched into the project not knowing if I'd be able to finish it.

After researching the documentation, I looked for the missing parts. I was lucky enough to find a chassis for the "Hilux" version, as well as belts. For the rest, nothing. The most annoying parts were the wheels and the radio box. I quickly realized that I wouldn't have a chassis rebuilt to the original and that I'd have to make compromises.

The first operation was to dismantle, clean and check the 2 front and rear axles.
The good thing was that the sprockets were in good condition.

[stevar]

After this first part, I decided to 3D model part of the car, including a version of the radio box you can see in the photo. This took a lot of time and was a failure, as I have neither a plan nor a model to copy.

and during a discussion on a French forum with our friend @Silvertriple, he offered to help me with the radio box. In reality, he went much further than that, because as you'll see later, he was brilliant, and if this project was able to go ahead, it's only thanks to him, and I'd like to thank him again.

After he's drawn the radio box, he shares the file with me and I 3D print a piece of the box to check that it's been perfectly in place from the start. We were then able to print the whole box and start assembly.

My bad box 3D

The half test box of Silvertriple

[stevar]

One thing that was missing was the wheels. Here they are with the original tires. A bit of luck.
I drew a ring to lock the tire, as it was spinning on the rim.

[stevar]

First mounting of the wheels on the car.
The result of 3D printing the radio box and first assembly on the chassis.

[stevar]

Our friend @Silvertriple didn't just work on the radio box. He also modelled accessories such as the bumper and front-end cover.

But he also did a lot of work modeling and reproducing the bodywork of Hirobo's Hilux. Incredible.

[stevar]

Finally, he also modeled all the exterior body accessories. And you can see below the version of the Hirobo Hilux 44B I made.
Without the precious help of Silvertriple, who didn't count his time, I would never have been able to finish this big project. Many thanks to him.