KimT Posted December 23, 2008 (edited) Set info: Set#: 7631 Set name: Dump Truck Theme: City/Construction Pieces: 185 Minifigs: 1 Construction Worker Price: EUR 19.99 / ? GBP / 19.99 USD Year of release: 2009 Bricklink Catalog Brickshelf Folder Adding the the growing subtheme of construction this Dump Truck will surely hit many dirt roads in kids' rooms around the globe. It's yellow and carry boulders - what's not to like about it? Box Front A nice picture with a good background, binding the dirty construction work to the town. "Yeehaaa! Let's fetch'em boulders for the construction site mateee!" "Yehaaaaaaa! That's a 10-4" "Yehaaa! Over & Out" "Yehaa" Back of the Box Some nice pictures showing the Dump Truck from different angles and the unloading of boulders. Also depicts the 2 polybags within the box and how they are divided into two build sessions. Box side More neat box art for us to enjoy. The polybags and instruction 2 Numbered polybags, single booklet instruction and a small stickersheet. Instructions For once it's fairly easy to distinguish between light-grey, dark-grey and black. Easy to follow and the subdivision of the build into two bags really eases the build. And bearing in mind that this is a set aged 5-12, then it's very suitable. One could mix all the bricks to make the build a little more challenging. The end pages has some interesting pictures/playscenes from the subthemes; construction & farm. Inventory pages (Better resolution pictures can be found in the brickshelf folder when public) Same ol' same ol' AC-Nielsen Sticker Sheet 7631 numberings for the Dump Truck (I did not use those) Red/white stripes for the fence. Constructionwork ahead!-sign. - Gotta love that minifig and his shovel The build - Bag One A smooth ride describes transforming Bag One's parts into: a roadsign, 2 boulders, the driver, the fence, 2 orange warning lamps and the wheelless Dump Truck chassis and cabin. Guided by the easy step by step instruction, this is a build quickly done. The Dump Truck has plenty of greeble and the design is near perfect in the transaction from "real life" to "minifig size". I may be wrong, but this is just my humble opinion Personal favourites are: 1: The engine front, grill and exhaust. 2: The side-view mirrors. 3: The roof not being the hinged type. This is a very neat way to do the roofing, I am getting tired of those hinged roofs and this is a good solution. Doors would have been better, but this'll do just fine. The build - Bag Two Again a smooth build. The chassis is finished and the tipper function and top is added. The sides are nealty designed ands the overall look is very smooth Is this a new wheel? I don't recall seeing it before? The Truckdriver A classic by now. One thing that puzzles me is where to keep his black shovel when driving? The Dump Truck The Dump Truck in all it's glory. Talk about playability The verdict: 8/10 Price - a good set for the money. 8/10 Parts - a wide selection of useable yellow. 6 wheels, boulders, plates and so on. 9/10 Design - "Smoooth 10-4" 10/10 Playability - It tips, it turns, it rocks 10/10 Coherence - Perfect. This will melt right in along the rest of the construction sub-theme sets. 45/50 All in all - A Classic Town Vehicle is born. Edited December 26, 2008 by WhiteFang Review added to index Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Christian Posted December 23, 2008 Nice review, Kim! I think the new city sets are great, especially the smaller ones, but (un)fortunately there is so many sets coming out this year, that I would rather buy. I find it to be rather starnge that we have the january 2009 sets in the stockroom at the Toysrus where I work, but we are not allowed to sell them before December 29th. Yet they are for sale at so many other places. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KimT Posted December 23, 2008 Nice review, Kim!I think the new city sets are great, especially the smaller ones, but (un)fortunately there is so many sets coming out this year, that I would rather buy. I find it to be rather starnge that we have the january 2009 sets in the stockroom at the Toysrus where I work, but we are not allowed to sell them before December 29th. Yet they are for sale at so many other places. This one I found in Germany. I am at my In-Laws for the holiday and crossed the border for some cheap booze and candy when I stumbled on this and the 8401 City People. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Christian Posted December 23, 2008 This one I found in Germany.I am at my In-Laws for the holiday and crossed the border for some cheap booze and candy when I stumbled on this and the 8401 City People. Yeah, thats one fo the great things about Germany . I even told my boss, that the sets are out in a lot of other countries, which made him quite puzzeled, becuase apparently its TLC who has chosen this release date. He also told me that TLC are threatening with fines if they sell them before this date. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Still Raindrop Posted December 23, 2008 Nice review! I do think that the stickers add a lot to the truck, but since they're so small, it doesn't take away too much when they're not present. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Supie Posted December 23, 2008 Great review. Nice construction vehicle. I have to buy it after the holidays. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DarthPineapple Posted December 23, 2008 Just found a lonely one on the shelf for just 15 EUR! A sale here, that's almost impossible! So I'm very happy that I bought it. A great set with some great pieces. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brickzone Posted December 23, 2008 Is this a new wheel? I don't recall seeing it before? Same wheels as the big coastguard 4x4 (which I switched the wheels of onto my modified Agents Gold Chase off-roader - it should have had them from the start). Nice review, and this does look like a well designed set. I was tempted when I saw it in Munich recently while I was there - but I have other sets to get. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lt. Col. Thok Posted December 24, 2008 That "new wheel" debuted in the MTT set in 2007. Nice review; this has the makings of and excellent set. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DarthPineapple Posted December 25, 2008 One thing that puzzles me is where to keep his black shovel when driving? Behind his chair is a small space, I use it to keep his shovel. Works well and you can get it out without having to put off the roof. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhiteFang Posted December 26, 2008 Nice job, KimT! I like the design of this set pretty much. One of the better looking dump trucks which I have ever seen, since Classic Town. By the way, I have indexed your review. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
I Scream Clone Posted December 26, 2008 Very nice and detailed review KimT! One thing I found distracting was all the busy backgrounds in the photos. I can see you attempted to cut as much out as possible, though I prefer a couple of pieces of plain cardboard. This helps to foocus the attention on the set instead of surroundings. Otherwise a sweet set. Cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KimT Posted December 28, 2008 One thing I found distracting was all the busy backgrounds in the photos. I can see you attempted to cut as much out as possible, though I prefer a couple of pieces of plain cardboard. This helps to foocus the attention on the set instead of surroundings. Erhmm...yes. But this was done during Christmas at my In-Laws house. I am not sure my Mother-In-Law would find it very amusing had I redecorated her office and workspace. But I'll keep that in mind next time Thanks for all your friendly comments. "10-4" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
General Armendariz Posted December 28, 2008 That looks pretty nice, I like the review. I just got the new City minifig collection Share this post Link to post Share on other sites