Highlift Project

The High Lift series of ultra-realistic solid axle truck kits was first released in September of 2006 and the Ford F-350 was the first version. The 58397 Toyota Hilux would follow in 2007 and the 58415 Toyota Tundra in 2008 along with a range of pre-painted versions of each. All the base versions have been available continuously since. This is a 4WD solid axle chassis with steel ladder frame construction and leaf springs. It features a 3-speed transmission which is highly based on the version from the 1/14 scale tractor truck series. Each of the truck versions has different wheels and slight variations in the frame for mounting positions. The detailed hard shell body includes light buckets and a roll cage. The body does not need to be removed for battery access. Instead, the bed can be tilted back to access battery tray which sits sideways under the chassis rails. The kit includes "friction dampers" rather than oil filled shocks. They are less effective but look good and are perfectly adequate for this kind of speed. The kit also has a four wheel steering option, but to me this makes no sense on a scale truck so I didn't use it.

This was designed to be able to use the MFC-02 Multi-Function Control Unit which adds many lights, a vibration motor, and V-8 (or V-6) engine sounds. Naturally I chose to incorporate this option. To get all the features to work you need to use an older style 2 stick radio with manual trims which is not ideal for driving ease, but the added functionality makes up for it. Without the MFC you can easily use a standard 3 channel pistol grip radio. With a 4 channel you can access many, but not all, of the MFC features. You need the manual trims for that. Update: I did eventually figure out a way to use the MFC with my Spektrum programmable pistol grip radio. I can't quite access everything, but almost and it is much easier to drive with this type of radio. The key is using mixing of the 5th channel to input "trim level" inputs.

The primary selling point of this truck is the appearance. With a silver can motor it is not very fast even with the 3-speed transmission. With open differentials it is not that great off road, although the diffs can be locked manually by inserting a set screw. The leaf springs don't offer much articulation, and the ground clearance is terrible with the transfer case hanging way down below the rails. So why bother? Well, it looks great. With the MFC added, it also sounds great. You have headlights, fog lights, turn signals, reverse lights, a horn, and engine sounds. Although the engine sounds are nice, I don't like the way they've programmed the throttle. A real V-8 cruises around at low throttle, but at even 50% this thing sounds like it is at redline. I wish the throttle sounds were exponential with throttle position so you only got the high end scream at the very top.

Description	Manufacturer	Model #
Ford F-350 1/10 Scale Radio Control 4x4 Pick-up Truck Kit (Highlift)	Tamiya	58372
Mabuchi RS-540SH-6527 27T 540 Brushed Motor	Tamiya	53689
16 Tooth 0.8 Mod Brass Pinion	Tamiya	3505026
MFC-02 Multi-Function Control Unit	Tamiya	53957
4-Channel 2.4 GHz DSMR Receiver	Spektrum	SR415
Standard High Torque Metal Gear Steering Servo	Futaba	S3305
Deluxe Ball Bearing Standard Shifting Servo	HiTec	HS-425 BB
Fender Flares	RC4WD	Z-S1621
Super Soft Flex Leaf Springs	RC4WD	Z-S0570
Dick Cepek Torque 1.9" Internal Beadlock Wheels	RC4WD	Z-W0060
Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac 1.9" Scale Tires x2	RC4WD	Z-T0150
80mm Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Sport Shock by ARB x2	RC4WD	Z-D0036
Super Scale Shock Boot	RC4WD	Z-S0891
Rubber Mirrors	Logistics Shop	eBay
5x8mm Rubber Sealed Ball Bearings 2	Advantage Racing	MR85-2RS
5x10mm Rubber Sealed Ball Bearings	Advantage Racing	MR105-2RS
5x11mm Rubber Sealed Ball Bearings x35	Advantage Racing	MR115-2RS
6x12mm Rubber Sealed Ball Bearings x4	Advantage Racing	MR126-2RS
TS-47 Chrome Yellow Paint	Tamiya	85047
TS-29 Semi Gloss Black Paint	Tamiya	85029

Tamiya F-350 Highlift Project