This sets keeps intriguing me. Released in 2004 the sporty looking truck is a hit and continues to be. On the second hand market the prices are still premium for this set. I can't put a finger on it why exactly. The set doesn't do stickers but still has a very expressive look-and-feel. Maybe because it has also a pretty wide wheel base that also adds to the strong character. Besides it combines a lot of functionality like fake 6-cylinder engine, steering, reclining cabin, detailed seats and 3different addons with pneumatic features which are strong. Even I only managed to get my hands on this set more than 15 years later and I was flabbergasted by the character of this set.
With its big wide cabin and the panel fairings it is both a sturdy and sporty looking truck.
This set also comes with a special colored part a Black Technic Bush, introduced in 2002 in the Spybotics-theme also a decorative purpose like in this set. A year later this black bush is introduced in Technic-theme in this star-wars set 4481 - Hailfire Droid. A final trivia, despite the fact that this set is fully liftarm based it still has an even amount of studs wide chassis, where overtime this changed to uneven.
With the double tire rear axle and details on lighting both front and rear it is also a good looking design which does not lack stickers at all to my opinion. Because this set comes with 6 wheels and without stickers the possibilities are endless. You can build a dozen alternative moc's like passenger cars, SUVs, Jeeps or truck with trailer. Functions it carries are:
- HOG Steering
- 6-cylinder fake engine
- Reclining cabin
- Fake saddle for trailers
- Slewing Turntable
- 3 addons with pneumatics:
- Foldable hook crane
- Car Tow
- Claw Crane
This set truck is of decent size and measures: L 328[mm], W 157[mm], H 202[mm].
Main model
Features
Steering
The front wheels can be steered using a HOG-wheel at the roof top of the cabin between the two emergency lights just at the rear end edge of the cabin. The HOG steering wheel gear connects to a rack and pinion steering in the front. The steering does not employ the Ackerman Principle so when taking sharp turns its slips and with motorization it slips even more. Which is a pity because this design could easily be enriched with Ackermann principle. But that just also adds to the Lego-motto, bring it yourself! (which I did by the way,works like a charm). At the end of the shaft is a Light Bluish Gray Technic, Gear 12 Tooth Bevel which drives a Black Technic, Gear 20 Tooth Double Bevel which in turn drives another rare colored gear a Black Technic, Gear 8 Tooth that runs the Black Technic, Gear Rack 1 x 4. All in all a very strong and sturdy steering construction. Because the wheels are on the farter end of the exle they do bent a bit while driving.
Engine
This truck with its heavy addons needs a strong and big engine. This set has a 6 cylinder fake engine, luckily in plain sight however due to the design of the cabin you unfortunately cannot see the cylinders moving. The engine is driven by the rear axle through a Dark Bluish Gray Technic, Gear Differential 24-16 Tooth and a series of gears and a long driveshaft which distributes the torque from the rear axle to the front mounted engine under the cabin. The ratiois an increase of speed from 1:3,which fits best with an engine to have it spin on high velocity to get this realistic feel. I do like the design to show the two Light Bluish Gray Technic, Gear 16 Tooth - Axle Hole with Open Sides spinning through the grill while driving the truck.
Differential
The rear axle is linked to the driveshaft for the engine with the 4-sud wide Dark Bluish Gray Technic, Gear Differential 24-16 Tooth. The 24 tooth differential crown, links to Black Technic, Gear 12 Tooth Double Bevel, a Black Technic, Gear 20 Tooth Double Bevel, then a driveshaft to the front where another Black Technic, Gear 20 Tooth Double Bevel, drives a Black Technic, Gear 12 Tooth Double Bevel, that moves the engine via two Light Bluish Gray Technic, Gear 16 Tooth - Axle Hole with Open Sides. This generates a ratio from the rear axle 1:3 to the engine.
Cabin
The cabin is well designed and contains a few special parts giving its sporty but sturdy character which carries the whole set to my opinion. With the use mainly 3 colors red, black and bit of gray this cabin is very expressive. Especially the panelfairings are well used, creating an almost realistic bodywork. I really like the choice to give the floating effect of the cabin by having the big panel faires under the cabin above the front wheels. With the Black Vehicle, Fairing 1 x 4 Side Flaring Intake with 2 Pins on the fron and the Light Bluish Gray Large Figure Shield Holder with Axle as side mirrors creates a good and realistic cabin of a truck. The headlights partly in the 'bodywork' with the cover of small panel fairings is a genius move. The cabin can be opened for engine maintenance and getting access to the steering mechanism. The cabin has the HOG-steering which fits well even knowing the cabin can be opened which means the steering gear-wheel is not connected. By using Red Technic, Pin 3L with Friction Ridges and Stop Bush to secure the cabin the steering has no wiggle room or slippages.
Saddle
This base model has fake saddle for trailer. It is decorative but a pitty it is not working.Due to the fact you have 6 wheels and spare parts you could make a trailer andnlink it with the saddle. However it hugely adds to the realistic look and feel of this set anyways.
Seats
Seats are always, tomy opinion, a second thought in most sets. Not in this one. Even by selecting tan as color is already showing attention to details on seats. By having a reclining Tan Technic, Liftarm, Modified Bent Thick L-Shape 3 x 5 and dark gray small lift arms it gives a realistic seats.
Wheels and Tires
This set contains 6 sets of wheels and tires of type:
- Black Tire 62.4 x 20 S.
- Light Bluish Gray Wheel 43.2mm D. x 18mm - Extended Axle Stem.
Parts List
Parts List
Simple but great color scheme with Black, RED, and both Light and Dark bluish gray!
This Truck set comes with three addons!
1st addon: Crane Hook
The first addon is a crane with a hook that is immediately positioned and fastened behind the cabin. This is the only addon that fits with the saddle. This one consists of a luffing boom and a jib and a sliding mechanism for the hook on the jib. With the two colors ofthe hoses it is easy tosee which movement you are moving. Withthe pump you can push enough pressure to handle both cylinders with the switches. Despite the age of the set the pneumatics are working flawlessly, no leakage at all.
Slewing
The slewing only works when you unfold the crane. This is a crane that you can fold and as compact pack put behind the cabin. After unfolding the crane you can slew it with the crank and a worm wheel directly linked to the Dark Bluish Gray Technic Turntable 56 Tooth. This works smoothly. It is though almost impossibleto turn it and operate the sticks for the pneumatics.
The slewing only works when you unfold the crane. This is a crane that you can fold and as compact pack put behind the cabin. After unfolding the crane you can slew it with the crank and a worm wheel directly linked to the Dark Bluish Gray Technic Turntable 56 Tooth. This works smoothly. It is though almost impossibleto turn it and operate the sticks for the pneumatics.
Luffing Boom
The luffing boom is moved by the first Yellow Pneumatic Cylinder with 2 Inlets with the black hoses. Due to the compact construction close to the turn point of the boom it can almost go straight up. It is though strange this model comes without outriggers because when you kee the luffing boom almost horizontal you don't have too much to carry before thetruck starts to lean over/tunmble over.
The luffing boom is moved by the first Yellow Pneumatic Cylinder with 2 Inlets with the black hoses. Due to the compact construction close to the turn point of the boom it can almost go straight up. It is though strange this model comes without outriggers because when you kee the luffing boom almost horizontal you don't have too much to carry before thetruck starts to lean over/tunmble over.
Jib and Hook
The second part of the crane the jib can be moved by the second Yellow Pneumatic Cylinder with 2 Inlets with the light gray hoses. I like the dual coloring, that makes it easier tooperate the different cylinders.These addons are so compact that it is hard to see where which hose goes. The hook kan be moved in and out with a sliding mechanism that can be fix with a Red Technic, Pin 3L with Friction Ridges and Stop Bush.
The second part of the crane the jib can be moved by the second Yellow Pneumatic Cylinder with 2 Inlets with the light gray hoses. I like the dual coloring, that makes it easier tooperate the different cylinders.These addons are so compact that it is hard to see where which hose goes. The hook kan be moved in and out with a sliding mechanism that can be fix with a Red Technic, Pin 3L with Friction Ridges and Stop Bush.
2nd addon: Vehicle Tow
The second addon is a Vehicle Tow. This is a strurdy truck so I expect that it can tow both trucks and passenger cars. Anyway tow trucks are a popular theme for additional models in sets. Besides this addon also has some bodywork added to the truck as well. This one has rich movements. A cylinder to move the towed vehicle from the ground and a cylinder to lower the tow platform. Both mechanism show very realistic movements. Because the pneumatics are still working fine without any leakage you can tow a car or truck, which gives high playability.
Lift
This first Yellow Pneumatic Cylinder with 2 Inlets is forlifting the boom to get the towed vehicle of the ground. It is operated via the black hose. Due to the sharpangle it does not lift the vehicle that high, but the created momentum, makes it possible to lift relative heavy trucks as well.
This first Yellow Pneumatic Cylinder with 2 Inlets is forlifting the boom to get the towed vehicle of the ground. It is operated via the black hose. Due to the sharpangle it does not lift the vehicle that high, but the created momentum, makes it possible to lift relative heavy trucks as well.
Tow Platform
The tow platform is operated by the second Yellow Pneumatic Cylinder with 2 Inlets via the light gray hoses. It has an almost 90degrees movement.This gives flexibility when you have to tow away vehicles from uneven terrain. However it misses a hoist to pull vehicles on the tow platform in case you deal with a dead weight vehicle stuck on it site.
The tow platform is operated by the second Yellow Pneumatic Cylinder with 2 Inlets via the light gray hoses. It has an almost 90degrees movement.This gives flexibility when you have to tow away vehicles from uneven terrain. However it misses a hoist to pull vehicles on the tow platform in case you deal with a dead weight vehicle stuck on it site.
3rd addon: Crane Claw
The last addon is again a crane but now with a claw. This one can slew as well. It is a strong claw so you can move some heavy stuff. Due to the strong claw and the slewing the playability is great. You can move around stuff or load a truck with wood or debrie or whatever else you need to have carried away.
Slewing
The slew function is almost the same as in the first addon. With the crank on the side and a worm wheel directly linked to the Dark Bluish Gray Technic Turntable 56 Tooth. You first need to lift the luffing boom so the claw is in the air before you can turn the crane. In this case the addon is at the rear of the truck chassis positioned so the claw can be stowed away just behind the cabin in transit.
The slew function is almost the same as in the first addon. With the crank on the side and a worm wheel directly linked to the Dark Bluish Gray Technic Turntable 56 Tooth. You first need to lift the luffing boom so the claw is in the air before you can turn the crane. In this case the addon is at the rear of the truck chassis positioned so the claw can be stowed away just behind the cabin in transit.
Luffing Boom
The luffing boom can be lifted to almost a 70 degrees angle with the Yellow Pneumatic Cylinder with 2 Inlets via the black hoses. The advantage is that you can lift pretty long stuff and not only material or cargo that fits inside the claw. The reach is not that big, which means you have to manouver the truck close to the load. Advantage is that the Truck doesn't need outriggers with this addon. The pneumatics is well designed, so handle up means lift and the otherway around so operating this one is pretty straight forward.
The luffing boom can be lifted to almost a 70 degrees angle with the Yellow Pneumatic Cylinder with 2 Inlets via the black hoses. The advantage is that you can lift pretty long stuff and not only material or cargo that fits inside the claw. The reach is not that big, which means you have to manouver the truck close to the load. Advantage is that the Truck doesn't need outriggers with this addon. The pneumatics is well designed, so handle up means lift and the otherway around so operating this one is pretty straight forward.
Claw
The claw is awesome and strong. The claw can't be opened that far with the with the Yellow Pneumatic Cylinder with 2 Inlets via the light gray hoses. You can grab pretty heavy material or cargo and move it around without slipping it from the claw.The dimensions and geometry is in such a way that the claw beaks are wellpressed together.
The claw is awesome and strong. The claw can't be opened that far with the with the Yellow Pneumatic Cylinder with 2 Inlets via the light gray hoses. You can grab pretty heavy material or cargo and move it around without slipping it from the claw.The dimensions and geometry is in such a way that the claw beaks are wellpressed together.