Now time to get the wheels assembled.
Tamiya road wheels are well detailed out of the kit, though are some nice resin wheels available even with snow chains which are a nice touch and also weighted as well. I will stick with the kit wheels. The face is moulded with the well defined tires.
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1. front wheel and tire is moulded as one piece
The back side has a rim and sidewall as a separate insert.
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1. Back side rim with.sidewall as insert into back of wheel.
A polycap will be inserted into the rear center hub of wheel.
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1. Poly cap inserted into rear hub
Next a retainer ring is then inserted.
Now the rear sidewall and rim is then placed into the back of the wheel.
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1. Rim and wheel has been painted Olive Drab
Finally the backing plate is attached.
The complete set of 4 rear and 2 front wheels are assembled.
The tires are then painted Tamiya Tire Black.
Then all the road wheels are carefully pushed into the axles. Being careful to make sure the front wheels are in front and the 4 rear wheels are in the back. The polycaps assure the right amount of pressure to stay in place, even on the resin front differential.
Now to install the 2 rear engine vent covers on the rear deck.
Right before inserting all 6 wheels, I went under the suspension to dirty it up a bit. Using the Mig washes.
Going over the front rear differentials, transfer case and drive shafts. And over the springs as well.
Next is to add a bit more weathering and upper deck details.
more to follow.