dhc6twinotter

I like the J250. They are more than I can afford though. Here in the U.S. we have the 1958 version, which is a bit stripped down. Maybe too much so for the price. It would be more appealing if they added the larger infotainment screen, power seats, and the sway bar disconnect. I like the upper trims though, they just cost a lot. The 4Runner rides on the same chassis and has the same engine options, so the 4Runner and J250 seem a bit redundant. I don't mind the 2.4 turbo-4 in the 4Runner and Tacoma, but I wish Toyota offered something larger in the J250, just to differentiate it a bit more. But, we have the Lexus GX, which is basically a J250 with a J300 engine. I wish Toyota still sold the Land Cruiser instead of the Prado here in the U.S. The J300 would make a bit more sense in Toyota's lineup. I don't really understand Toyota BOF strategy for North America. There's a lot of overlap with the 4Runner, J250, GX, and LX. I think the LX and Sequoia need to move to a large rear-drive unibody platform, with the GX and a V6/I6 J250 or J300 rounding out the top of the BOF lineup. 4Runner can then come in as a mid-tier model, with something smaller (Land Cruiser FJ, Fortuner, etc, FJ Cruiser replacement) at the bottom. Toyota is in a tough spot right now in that they don't have a good petrol engine larger than the 2.4 Turbo-four or 2.7 NA four (not sold in US anymore). The TT V6 isn't good. They need a new TT V6 or turbo inline-6 ASAP.

It has been a great vehicle. I did some repairs within the first two years of owning it (timing belt, front brakes, clutch). Then I went 12 years and did nothing but oil changes, valve cover gaskets, rear axle seals, clutch master cylinder, and a seat bracket. I haven't touched the brakes since 2014. It is starting to show it's age now though, and within the last two years I've replaced the alternator, radiator, clutch slave cylinder, and valve cover gaskets. I have a few more things that need attention, some of which are more involved repairs (parasitic electrical draw, clutch, and timing belt). The clear coat is shot too. I'm at the point where I'm not sure how much money to dump into the vehicle. There is a loyal following for 3rd generation 4Runners, so they hold their value well, especially unicorns like mine. Here's a photo from an off-roading trip I did in California. 2012. The 4Runner looks the same, except the clear coat is shot on the hood and roof. I like Toyota BOF (Body On Frame) vehicles, so I'd like to replace it with a 2020-2024 4Runner. Unfortunately, a manual isn't available, but they are good vehicles. Since 1996, the 4Runner rides on the same chassis as a Land Cruiser Prado. They hold their value incredibly well here in the U.S., so the price is hard to justify. Low mileage 2020-2024 models are being sold for higher prices than they were new, and I can't really justify that. So, I'm looking at newer Tacoma pickups as well. We don't have the Hilux here in the U.S., but the Tacoma is a good vehicle, and it rides on a modified Prado chassis. The best thing about the Tacoma is they have a 6spd available. I will most likely end up with one of these, and there are better deals on the used market. Or I just buy a car. Acura Integra Type S and Honda Civic have a 6spd option here in the U.S., but the 1.5L turbo four doesn't seem like a great engine (head gasket issues). I'd prefer an Integra Type R with the 2.0 turbo four and 6spd, but they are way above my budget. Soooo maybe I'll just get a boring Camry and have something that gets good mileage. I dunno.

I'm a bit late to manual transmission discussion, but I do daily drive a Toyota 4Runner with a manual. It's a 2000, which is the last year they offered them with a manual. I purchased it Christmas Eve of 2010, and it took me two years to find it. It's a very rare 5spd/Sport Package/leather combo (only two years in the entire 42 year history of the 4Runner this combo was available). I've been a part of the Toyota online community for 25 years, and I've never seen another with this combo of options. I've driven all over the United States in it, visiting many National Parks. I even took a five month road trip in it. Pulled trailers cross-country twice. It's been amazing. It now has a bit over 250k miles (~400,000kms) on it, so I'm searching for a replacement.

The beauty of PF is the connectors. It was compatible with all the old 9V stuff, and it was popular with the GBC crowd. Still is. Old train controllers worked well with it. Multiple motors and lights could be stacked on the same ports. We had cable extenders. And switches. It was a well thought out system, and got even better with the introduction of the servo motor. I don't care about being able to program my models. If I did, I'd buy a NXT or whatever. I hate programing. I spend all day at work on a computer, and the last thing I want to do is go home and try to program a LEGO model that I spent hours building. I've tried to use the PU app to program simple things (servo rotate axle 90 degrees and put on a blue light)....won't work. Maybe more tutorials and instructions from TLG would be helpful here. My only complaint with PF is the IR didn't work great in bright light, and the IR receivers were bulky. If TLG went back to bang-bang remotes and integrated the receivers (RF or Bluetooth) in the battery box, I'd be happy. It was nice to be able to just hook stuff up and it worked. As far as controlling more complex models, just go back to toggle switches to set the port settings, like PF did. PU isn't great, and I think TLG's diminishing PU products shows it isn't very popular. Whoever came up with the system obviously didn't think about those of us who build our own stuff. Maybe I'm just getting old and don't like this newfangled stuff.

Yeah, It's a bit over my head too. My math skills aren't as good as AEH5040's skills or others, so I'm still trying to figure this out. I have a MOC I'm working on (which I'll probably never finish), and I think I can use these drums on it, if they work how I think they do.

I wonder how well the new 14t and 18t gears mesh with the new 64t gear from the road bike?

What's the black piece to the right of the wheel hub? It looks like the existing "Technic, Axle and Pin Connector Perpendicular Double 4L", but if it's on display with a bunch of other new parts, maybe it's something else? [EDIT:] Nevermind, I think it's the new 8T clutch gear. Apparently it was originally black before they decided to use red in the model.

RacingBricks video has a clear shot of a transmission prototype. I does look like each drum only engages one gear, except for one of the center drums. That one has two gears. I haven't figured out what the 2nd gear is for. My initial thought was for reverse, but there's a lever between the seats which seems to do that. There also appears to be a new DBG sequencer piece and two additional drums (maybe used for sequencers?) at the rear.

I think that gear is a recolored 12T gear. Maybe new 14T gear, but I dunno. Maybe I'm wrong. [EDIT:] The more I look at it, the more I think it might, indeed, be two new gears. RacingBricks video has a pretty clear shot of a gearbox prototype. Looks like each drum is only used to engage one gear, except one of the center drums engages two gears. I'm not sure what that 2nd gear would be used for, except maybe reverse, but I think R-N-D is selected with the gearshift between the seats. There appears to be two new DBG sequencer piece as well.

We could do a combination of alternate builds and monster truck. Pick a set, any set, and create a monster truck out of it. All pieces need to come from the set, except tires. And of course, the monster truck needs to be a different vehicle from the set...can't have a Dom's Charger on tractor wheels or whatever.

Too bad the road bike doesn't have working brakes. This would've been the perfect time to reintroduce the flex system.

Like this part?

I like the idea of another alternate build contest, but I think we should focus on a single model. Nobody has time (or money) to create alternates for every set released in 2026 (or whatever year--do we need a specific year?). Unless I'm misunderstanding something. Other competition ideas: -Rescue vehicles (Firetrucks, Ambulances, etc) -Flying things (airplanes, helicopters, etc--must not be fictional) -Fictional flying things (futuristic, steampunk, etc) -Movie contraptions (any contraption found in a movie...007 car, boat from Water World, train from Back To The Future, Dr Who phonebooth, etc) -Household appliances (mixers, hair dryers, washing machines, etc) -1920s (any vehicle, airplane, ship, machine from the 1920s era) That being said, I rarely participate in the competitions, so my opinion is probably irrelevant.

Might be time for another car transporter set. I wouldn’t complain about that, especially if it were a bit larger with a few more functions. U.S. style car transporters typically carry 9-11 vehicles, depending on the size of the vehicles.

I have not noticed this, but I assume the 6L pump has more volume to push than the 5.5L pump. It makes sense for the motor to require more force, but I'd think it would be a pretty negligible amount.

I've cut back in my Technic purchases the last few years. I think I purchased one set in 2024 and one in 2023. Nothing last year. Nothing really interests me anymore. I don't have much interest in the cars unless a set has a bunch of panels in a color I want. I'd pay out the nose for a proper flagship backhoe or tow truck though. Maybe a proper fire truck.

I don’t think it’s hand of god steering. It’s most likely used to rotate the drum.

LEGO has been heavily promoting their partnership with F1 Academy the last few days. Apparently there’s a new F1 Academy Speed Champion set, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we got a F1 Academy Technic set as well. I’m not excited about another F1 car, but maybe we’ll see some pink or purple panels out of it.

I wonder if there is a theme that could maybe bridge the gap between all the cars and construction equipment? Maybe tow trucks and fire trucks? Seems to me a proper fire truck would be a nice model that those of us who like construction equipment could also appreciate. I think it would also appeal to much of the demographic that tends to gravitate towards cars as well. A ladder truck with stabilizers would be a nice set, even better if it were a tiller truck with steering trailer axle. Tow trucks would also appeal to a lot of people, and even a new car transporter would be nice. The last few construction flagships have been totally botched by TLG, generally by being excessively large to the point of not operating well and/or being far too overpriced. Then the poor reviews come in and TLG interprets that as people not liking construction equipment, so they revert to cars even more. The Arocs was, imo, the last great flagship with the 42128 Heavy Duty Tow Truck and 42145 Helicopter being the next best non-flagship sets.

You can use an old style differential instead of driving rings. You won't get the backlash. Run an axle straight through the differential instead of using the bevel gears. That's how I've done it in the past.

This is looking good! With the motors in the base and gearbox in the superstructure, how does the gearbox compensate for the rotation of the superstructure? Seems to me the gearbox will be changing position whenever the superstructure is rotated. Maybe I’m overthinking this. 😂

Price seems quite high given the piece count. I was thinking about purchasing it, but given the price, I think I’ll pass.

A few thoughts: -From a parts perspective, I really like the LBG sets being released. LBG panels have been pretty scarce compared to other colors. -The Valkyrie is beautiful. I love the simplistic design of the exterior, and the dark turquoise color is fantastic. I have not purchased any of the flagship car models, but if TLG releases a flagship Valkyrie in Turquoise or dark green, I’d be very tempted to buy one. -The Bronco is quite nice. I think I would’ve preferred a different color, like medium blue, but I like the set. New tires and fender trim are nice. -Front Loader is great. I love the compact size and gearing crammed in the space. I wish it had different wheels though. Bronco wheels would look better. -I’m on the fence when it comes to the excavator. It’s unnecessarily large and expensive, especially given it’s not RC. The gearbox design is disappointing too, especially given only one function can be operated at a time. I’m not even sure it’s bi-directional? I do like the multiple attachments and the auxiliary drive for the attachment, but that aside, past excavators have been done better and cheaper. I’m happy TLG provided a construction set rather than another vehicle, but I wish it were a bit more appealing. I think the Valkyrie and Front Loader will be Technic purchases this year. The City construction lineup is looking pretty appealing to me otherwise.

The City constructions sets over the last couple years has been really impressive. I’ve had more interest in those than I have most Technic sets lately.

The excavator sounds promising. $400 seems a bit steep though, especially considering 8043 was $200. Hopefully we get more than six functions and not a large model for the sake of being large (like 42100).