Unimog-inspired Tow Truck made with the 42082 LEGO Technic Set. It features 4×4 drivetrain with L6 fake engine, steering with working steering wheel and lockable leaf suspensions. 5 motorized functions : stabilizers, crane with boom extension, winch and towing platform. With openable elements : hood, doors, side panels and tilting cabin.
Design Process
I had this Unimog on my todolist for a while, but never find the time to do it. The first thing I did was designing the cabin, that I want to be accurate, homogeneous and smooth, considering the small amount of red parts in the 42082 set (especially connectors), this was a challenge !
The bonus feature is that the cabin is in one piece, so can be tilted, as real. I used for that the battery as a lock, but only when the boom is in lower position for security.
Then, I designed the towing crane and side grey boxes with contains the stabilizer mechanisms and the gearboxes underneath, to ensure that I could place every functions I wanted with the limited inventory I had. It was not easy due to the lack of space in the middle because of the crane which can go very low and that 3 functions had to pass though the crane articulation.
At final, I am happy with the design of the stabilizers, the synchronized speed of the winch and boom extension, and the small trick to use a 3l bar as a changeover catch for the gearbox to have 5 levers as the original set has only 4 changeover catch.
I also paid attention to the playability of the model, with color-coded and relevant actuation direction for the levers. Pushing a lever is raising or extending, pulling a lever is lowering or retracting which make sense to me (except for the grey lever, which works in the opposite way unfortunately).
To finish I designed the chassis to connect everything together, adding the suspension on the same basis as my previous 42082 Model E – Offroad Truck, and start refining over and over the model and the assembly process to create the building instructions.
It was a long job, for the biggest creation I have ever done in terms of piece count. At final it gives a model measuring :
50 x 24 x 27cm, for about 3kg, so the building time is long ! Overall I am very happy with the functioning of the model, as well as the overall design which includes the original stickered parts for more details.
My only two complaints would be the heavy steering without moving, due to the weight and wide tire. And the tiny stabilizers lever which is not the most handy to use, that is why I recommend to switch it, then starting the motor with the battery box. So it is easier to stop exactly where you want with the battery switch instead of the tiny lever.
Video and Pictures
Building Instructions
See it on shop :
