Kingsmart 1:32 Toyota Tundra Crewmax pickup



Attraction to the new Toyota Tundra pickup when it was introduced in 2007 was a late one for diecast manufacturers.  So far, only Hot Wheels, Kingsmart, and a few other diecast manufacturers have made the crew cab version of the new Tundra, along with some NASCAR truck series versions in 1:24 scale.  The newest, and unusual, is this 1:24 scale version from Kinsmart.  It looks nice, so what's odd about it?  Let's find out.




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Ever since the failed T100 in 1993 Toyota has been trying to go after the full-size pickup market dominated by the Big 3 US automakers.  It wasn't until 2007 when Toyota got serious with the right-size truck in various cab and bed lengths and built in an all-new plant located in San Antonio, Texas.  The styling was bold with a dash of Ford and Dodge in the look, a large interior, and advance features including an all-new 5.7L DOHC i-Force V8 that produces 381 hp. and 401 Ib-ft of torque through a six-speed automatic.  This truck did have controversy in the styling department and in the frame as the lack of a boxed frame caused bed flex over large bumps.  Still, buyers flocked to the new truck and now it is remastered in the new 2015 model with better styling and an improved interior.



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From the back this blue Tundra has the 2015 look with the taillights (I added the silver reverse lamp area), TUNDRA on the tailgate, and bumper design.  The sides have the correct Tundra badge, running boards, and body layout as the 2015 model, though the V8 badge should be on the front fenders and not the front doors.  Then there's the front:  The grille is definately 2015, but the headlights and lower bumper is still based on the 2007-2014 model.  As are the 5-spoke wheels which are based on the older Tundra as well.  Still, the body details are excellent and a little bit of added trim and light details add more visual pop to the casting.  The bed area is functional with plastic liner and an opening tailgate, third brake light which I added details to, and a large sunroof that has a frosted appearance for some reason.




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The interior is again based on the previous Tundra model, but I cured that with a silver Sharpie to not only add the proper trim details to give the interior more visual enhancement but to also design the central touch screen seen on the 2015 Tundra's.  The details are nice, though the center controls in the dash lack details (though with my added detail touch it looks better than before), 4-spoke steering wheel, center console with shifter, and detailed door panels.  The crew cab features seating for five people.  Open the hood to view the 5.7L V8: even though it's a slim engine pan all of the important details are there, and here's why the engine bay is so shallow:  On the base i added detail to the rim of the spare tire, the only realistic detail underneath as the rest involves a speaker and battery slot for working lights and sound.  Except this version is not for play as it lacks the speaker and battery area for the lights; the front lights still have the clear bulbs for the lights to work, as well as the wiring.  If it works nice, but if not then why not change the base to a fully-detailed version?




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Overall I give it a 3 out of 5 rating:  It has nice exterior details, along with nice functionality like opening doors, hood, and tailgate, but the details are a mixed bag (2007 or 2015 versions mixed in) and the base has slots for sound and batteries for lights that are nonexistent.  If these areas were fixed this would be one fantastic replica of the new Tundra.


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