1970's Tonka T9 Bulldozer (Restoration)

[@kwpowell0412]

There's only one thing better than finding an old Tonka at a yard sale, rummage sale, thrift store, etc... and that's watching a kid who has never owned such a well built toy, drive it in the dirt for the first time! What a great way to get your grandson outdoors to get some dirt under his nails! Good job and thanks for sharing.

[@staceytjarks5820]

Great job!!! It's nice to see a man getting a little assistance from his Dad. Don't pay any attention to people that have to spew negative criticism. Those type of people can't appreciate doing something for the enjoyment of doing it.

[@maseratim11rko7]

I watched mesmerised as I had this exact T9 dozer in 1974 as a kid in Boston. I had to leave it there when my family moved to the UK in 1975. To this day it’s my favourite toy ever and I have a photo of me with it that I treasure. ThNk you for the video. Took me back to happy times 🙏😊

[@fixrite11]

That was a very nice thing you did for your grandson. I could pick this apart BUT your heart is in the right place and you will learn lots from doing more of these projects. Keep em coming and thanks for sharing. Hope your grandson appreciates the time and effort you put into this project.

[@USSPROMO]

Before i clicked on your video I popped a popcorn bag in the microwave grabbed a can of soda sat down prepared everything and before I hit play my wife walks by looks at my set up then shook her head and walked away I hit play...watching your videos is the best entertainment I can have since my teen days...what amazes me is how do you remember what pieces go where...I lost track after you took off the tires but it was fun til the end. I got some popcorn left so I’m watching your next videos....

[@RustyShepherd]

Ahhh...love the smell of freshly popped popcorn, with butter!

[@rudyflores9395]

don't be scared of the task at hand enjoy the restore and don't listen to any negative feed back. I started and i am hooked

[@RustyShepherd]

Yes Sir!

[@zpt-pi2zr]

You really did an amazing job and a fabulous gift for your grandson. Keep making videos because you really show how to be able to do awsome work with house tools. Thank you for your dedicated work. Simply awsome!!!

[@sut2910]

Thanks for sharing. Nice job. Every kid should get a chance to play with a Tonka, especially the metal ones. It is a right of passage.

[@markeholbrook]

That Tonka metal is thicker than what's on new cars. Great job!

[@aadi7294]

You are a one good artist sir...Lucky grand children's to have a loving grandpa like you..Your patience is really appreciated sir

[@jamessanders5397]

Took me back to my childhood. I had that one and the big truck, and the loader that the truck had to drive through. Nice work and patients to finish it and bring it back.

[@davidhaney1394]

great result , you`ll get better and better the more you do , if you want to make life a lot easier , get a sand blaster , best thing I ever bought !!

[@TheArkDoc]

Very cool. I got that bulldozer when I was about 8 (more than 4 decades ago). My dad still has it, and all of my other Tonka Toys, in his shed.

[@eds1994fatboy]

Years ago a friend of mine Bill did this to an older Tonka dumptruck.He was so proud of the job he did...…..gave it to his nephew for a gift of some sort.The kid left it out in the driveway and it got smooshed at night by his mom.Boy you talk about mad and frustrated Bill was......Great job sir...!!

[@ShainAndrews]

I had two of those myself. Lost one when it got backed over by a semi. Took me a lot of years to finally exceed its load capacity.

[@mechanicmike1236]

that’s awesome, my grandson is 3 and loves “playing in the dirt” he would love it. perfect or not it’s pretty darn cool!!

[@cflinger1979]

I love these tonka restorations. I remember having a whole set of these construction toys and they were well played with. I wish my parents would have kept them all so I could restore them.

[@scroungasworkshop4663]

Good resto but I think the best part is the bit you may not have considered, the fact that one day your grandson will appreciate having a video of his grandfather and great grandfather working together to restore a toy for him. That’s truely priceless. Well done. Cheers Stuart 🇦🇺

[@RustyShepherd]

I hadn’t thought of that! Thank you for enlightening me Sir.

[@shaneellasdaicastrestorati3675]

I had one of those when I was a kid I can still remember waking up on Christmas morning, best day ever! Nice work looks great

[@banditone5220]

Hands-down the most durable Tonka dozer ever made absolutely taking incredible abuse and still look good

[@MaxStax1]

That turned out nice, ready for many new sandbox and dirt pile construction jobs. I still remember my Tonka road grader I received for Christmas one year back in the 60's. We lived in a really rural area with all dirt and gravel roads so it was always fun to see a real road grader drive by.

[@OceanandStars1178]

Wow, really great job on the restoration AND editing the video. You did right by your grandson and that toy, giving him something more valuable than a store bought toy. I love seeing classic items given a new lease on life. And again, GREAT job on the video, too. IMHO you captured the process and paced the video well.

[@dougsullivan3564]

I had one of those as a kid and the dump truck too. Really brought back some good memories seeing you restore this.

[@prettynoose8497]

Unsettling watching all this work done the long and hard way. Sandblast & powdercoat will make life much easier

[@paullayden]

nice job i'am sure your grandson will have lots of fun with his new tractor

[@withone5]

I have this dozer, my grandfather kept it in his garage over 40 years, he gave it back to me on my 49th birthday last year. It has not been restored but oh the memories of playing with in his garden when I was a kid.

[@bigmikeh5827]

This was one bad azz bulldozer to a kid in the 70s. Loved mine! Thank you for the memories

[@Maciste982]

This little tractor is fantastic, good job!!!

[@americantu]

Wow, without a sand blaster, powder painter or a 3D printer, this is an amazing restoration. Thank you so much. Gives me hope. All I have are screwdrivers, pliers and determination.

[@RustyShepherd]

Armando Cantu All u need is a few hand tools and a lot of will and determination. Go for it!

[@Yankee_Redneck6698]

I had this one too. Man of all my Tonka equipment? This thing was dang near indestructible. Great job!

[@maggiesue4825]

One ingredient you added that money can't buy - LOVE!!! Please don't lose any fingers now or in the distant future! Hope to see of your videos!!

[@RustyShepherd]

Maggie Sue My Grandson sure loves it! I still have all ten fingers...for now. Lol

[@j.aguilar8430]

Very good job, well done. I am glad Tonka equipment end up in the right hands. Remember have them for many years up my attic good decision selling it to you

[@youtellme18]

That is brilliant. Important we start giving old toys new life.

[@oleksiidereza3309]

Don't be nervous, nervous Rusty Shepherd! You're doing the right thing. Not make Sharp motions and everything works out.

[@iamrichrocker]

Rusty..i know your grandson was happy, but i bet you were just as happy and proud of what you did, and learned..good stuff..

[@jean-pierrecharbit5934]

That's it, we now know how everything started! Beautiful passion that all great children admire ...

[@wildcat2488]

Wow I'm amazed how well it turned out with the limited equipment you have and a little elbow grease. you just proved to the world .if you put your mind to it everything and anything can be done .the video in my book is a home run i subscribed to you channel .looking forward to your next project .i shared this video to my channel to i try to inspire kids to learn things and try to stay off the games and to things You sir are a inspiration to the younger crowed again thank you

[@talk2kev]

Awesome Job your grandson should love it. 100% better than the plastic junk they make today.

[@victorparker9507]

Another awesome job! God has richly blessed you with a gift like no other. I enjoy the work you do.

[@RustyShepherd]

Victor, Thank you for the compliment! This was my first resto. I’m on my fourth now. Please check out my other two that are posted. Cheers!

[@jamessommer6077]

I think you did a great job considering the limited of tools to do this project and you've done it because you wanted to please your grandson and I could probably see the gleam on his face when he got it from you,great job.

[@EHCreative]

This brought back memories. I had the exact one as a kid...

[@robertgoss4842]

First restoration? This is a superb piece of work. Incidentally, I still have my Tonka fire truck from my 8th birthday, 62 years ago May 11th. Keep up the fine work.

[@scottbourdon5423]

Really nice job! Nice to see the old toys still kickin

[@tinydancer7426]

I love the old style water transfers. Beautiful job.

[@JohnJohnson-qg2ub]

Wow u really made my day seeing this video, I had every truck that came out! Got one every x-mas and B-Day.... this is the one I like the best!😀 thank u for this great video it really took me back in time when I use to have the whole yard dug up! God bless u and and keep up the nice work.👍👏👍

[@donaldswink6259]

Beautiful restoration. Next time you want to take rust off, get yourself a bucket and fill half with water and half with vinegar drop your rusty pieces into that solution and check on it every couple of days.I restored a very rusty nylint double hopper and let the cab and first trailer in that solution for 1 week and you would of never of known that truck had rust on it.

[@RustyShepherd]

Good advice! I used electrolysis on the Dual boom wrecker in the other vid. Worked great!

[@emhjr6339]

Good job! And finally, someone that actually knows how to use a rattle can properly.

[@RLPiper]

You and your dad working on the truck for your grandson is so wholesome.

[@JayLand1973]

This gonna worth so much more when r done! Priceless gift to your grandson. Knowing grandpa and Pop helped. Oh boy :-) with video to show him later on

[@scottgm321]

Great video. What a blessing to have Pops there to help and the pup to supervise. I wasn't laughing at you trying to get those caps off, just commiserating. Next toy to get is a Dremmel with some cutting discs to gently cut them off and not damage the axles.

[@limaalphasixtynine4209]

Great that you got your pops in the video too... a very original way for restoration videos. 👍🏻

[@earlharman2040]

Darn good job, it will live on for years.

[@andrewhallett-patterson9778]

Great resto bro. Not a dust collector but a toy that will bring both yourself and your grandson hours of enjoyment and memories. You have another subscriber. Greetings from Woomera, South Australia. 👍👍🇦🇺

[@az80311]

You could have fooled me! You looked like a "pro" during the resto. The work is very good and the video is also excelent. Good luck with your future involvements. Your grand son is gonna love this dozer!!! Thank You.

[@stevemcevoy6185]

Nice job looks great brings back memories playing in sloppy mud and rocks. with the good old tonka toys not made like that anymore.

[@m-athevine3969]

I just found this exact model on the border of the street, waiting to go to the dump yard. Luckily, I took it home and will restore it like you did, to give it to my son! These toys are timeless. Thanks for the video man!

[@RustyShepherd]

M-A The Vine Sweet! Any needed parts can be found on eBay. Record the resto and post it Man! RS

[@pietromosconi6398]

Mr. Restorer, I really admire u. Your passion for givin' ol' things a new life It's amazing and it amazes me. Wish u'll never stop this lovely activity. Thanks a lot for u to preserve every good old things givin' 'em a brand new aspect and a great new life. Form Italy, Pietro.

[@jonlodi4307]

Nice restoration. You and your dad did a great job.

[@twoblacklabs904]

Great job, Rusty, and I admire your patience. I played with one of those in the mid ‘60’s. Nice to see one get a second chance...

[@jaz313det]

Good job. So nice to see what love really looks like! Things in life are so much more important then what they think of real life!

[@jackjacke4654]

Gotta say, that has some real play time on it! Geesh! Built like an actual dozer...

[@elysabethpoodle6234]

Yep she's been pushed through the dirt a few times that ol girl. Same toys and time from my childhood.

[@AgentDiego]

Dude! With that limited equipment you managed to do better than some other guys with much better equipment! Great job!

[@ferretscoutcar]

Well said Agent Diego!

[@tootall5559]

So long as a toy can be played with as intended, it's a good restoration.I don't restore them to sit on a shelf.Once I'm done, I find kids to give them to.

[@chrisC052]

Great job! It goes to show your never to old for your dads help! Keep it up.

[@morrismckinnon6047]

I had one of these in the 80's and it was in that same rusty state even back then. They took a beating the old Tonka toys.

[@michaelbatts5655]

Your grandson is so lucky! What a great restore and a great gift! Wow......just......Wow!!

[@streetlight3860]

yep, real nice job mate, best thing about these old toys they were made to last & be fixed.

[@Brian-vc1oy]

Nice job! The more you do the better it will get! Can't wait to see what's next!!!

[@RustyShepherd]

Thanks! I will be posting my next project this evening. It was in worse shape then the Dozer!

[@whodoneit218]

Best non powder coat paint job I've seen so far! Nice!

[@johanjanssens4530]

A toy is intended to be played with ! As long as you can make a kid happy with it, you have done a good job and not wasted your time and effort. Once you see a child using a toy that you have restored, I am certain that that will be a great reward for you, having done something that makes sense and gives joy to someone. If you keep this up, you will be getting addicted to see a kid smiling from your work and it will be the best incentive for you and do more. There are so many children in this godforsaken world whohave to be happy with just some garbage finds to play with, so many parents that just do not care or are too poor. Sir, you are a good Samaritan ! May the Gods be with you.

[@dv8r685]

Very impressed by the work...Santa would happy too..

[@petroscosk2282]

Goes to show, Tonka were built to last, i had a dump truck, that i remember sitting on, and go down bloody great hills, good job

[@rongigear8740]

Great job! In twenty years your son can refurbish it again for his grandson.

[@merrymanrc]

I used to have one of those long time ago I have lots of fun playing with that one and my other was a dump truck front loader it nice to see someone bring them back to new again great job.👍

[@RustyShepherd]

Richard M Thanks Richard! I have other videos involving a front loader and dump truck among other construction Tonka’s. Please check them out. RS

[@Kapparie]

Nice job, considering the available tools I think you did very well. No kid could notice the difference between new and restored. 😎

[@RustyShepherd]

Thank you! Yeah, only us “big” kids could probably tell :)

[@carlhelmick8104]

Now that was a good toy back in the day. That Tonka favorite the old John Deere 750 or 850 dozer . Looking at it from the back. They really fun toys to play with. Great job 😀👍.

[@101boertjie]

I remember using similar toys to dam up the side of the dirt road where we lived, and i jus about managed to flood the street with my Tonka stuff, they we re great days.

[@bgdavenport]

For future projects invest in a media blaster and powder coating system. They're really not all that expensive and you can use a household oven to cook the powder.

[@orrozeta2183]

Il fascino di certi marchi (Tonka) è unico e irripetibile. Complimenti per il lavoro. Bravo!

[@RustyShepherd]

orro zeta Grazie!

[@egman5965]

Very nice job. I got the exact same toy for Christmas one year., it was one of my favorites

[@WTFMIKE]

My OCD went nuts when you didnt paint that grille but great restoration brother. i bet the grandson loves it! they dont make them like that any more

[@sterlinsmith1651]

Great work Grandpa! I've restored several toys for my kids - no grandchildren yet, but I hope to follow your lead at the whole grandpa thing! One thing I can strongly recommend if you aim to do some more of this work - spend some money on a good blasting cabinet. They are really worth having and would have made your metal prep tons easier. That said - great work - great result - happy 8 year old!

[@DarkWolf-et3dx]

Coming to a theater near you by huge demand it's inspiring and restorative and truly uplifting a movie for all ages young and old it's. *Two Men And A Dozer* Bring your whole family and enjoy the padded seats.

[@RustyShepherd]

HAHAHAHA!!!

[@TMD4343]

I had one of those, 45 years ago! was one of my favorite toys

[@yyhsgsv6577]

Hi please could u chat me on face book which is "younis alshrefy " I need ask u about this toy . Thanx appreciate mate

[@samuelallen3570]

For this being your first time, you did a very good job.

[@reginalawson8008]

Nice restore Sir. Looks better than I expected! I hope your grandson will have a lot of fun playing with it. Thanks for sharing! :)

[@martinburch2416]

A real good restoration. Well done

[@shinigamilee5915]

Thanks for showing this video. It turned out great! I inherited a lot of these 70's Tonka toys. They were so much stronger and better than the plastic toys I had, but had one Achilles heel. Rust. So, next time use the paint stripper first, then rust removers or skip it and just use a cheap harbor freight sandblaster.

[@melecioybarra5248]

Thats pride like what you did that is going to love it

[@stevenwithanS]

Turned out like new. Good job.

[@larrybensley9410]

I had the same dozer when I was a kid and someone stole it wow I can't believe someone still has one that Christmas that was all I wanted I wish I could find one again

[@Nugliscious]

You look like a pro to me. I love to take things apart but putting them back together is another story.

[@patrickp4384]

Excellent work. Get yourself a sandblasting box,it will make this much easier. Also a hobby air brush. They make one that works off aerosol cans if you don't have a compressor. Makes the detailing a lot easier.

[@RescueRestore]

Nice job 😎😎😎

[@Hoonozit]

I don't think modern Tonkas are made as good as they used to be. Nice to see this one going back into service. You did a good job bringing it back. I'll subscribe to your channel and look for future projects.

[@jebsails2837]

I really enjoyed this and great work to! As a child my folks couldn't afford the Tonka stuff and as a military family on the move, stuff got weeded out every move. Narragansett Bay.

[@angtran1417]

Hardest grandpa ever :)) Congratulations sir.

[@thejunkman]

Very good! I like the time and detail to do the filling of the pits from the rust. A tip for the next one, for the rust I would have used a rust soak product just to save a little bit of manual labor, but what you did is not wrong or incorrect. It is all in the prep. It turned out great!

[@RustyShepherd]

Thank you sir! I have studied your restorations. I have great respect for your talent. I hope to be a good as you are. 😀

[@RustyShepherd]

Could you please recomment on your second comment? I hit remove instead of reply. Thanks!

[@thejunkman]

@@RustyShepherd Thanks for the kind words, but I am no expert, just time and patience and trying new things each time. I have plenty more videos coming. Feel free to comment or ask a question. I also occasionally live stream doing a project and or make time to discuss techniques and answer questions.

[@thejunkman]

@@RustyShepherd I don't know if I remember what I typed, lol.

[@RustyShepherd]

You said that you hoped I was filming the project that I’m working on. I am currently doing that very thing. 👍🏼

[@hulk7272]

Now that's one beautiful dozer!!

[@chipper841]

Don't know what a sand blaster costs, but if you had one it would have saved you heaps of time and elbow grease! What a great job!👍👍

[@RustyShepherd]

bugsychipr I have one now, and a powder coat system.

[@chipper841]

@@RustyShepherd Awesome! Hated when Tonka trucks stopped making metal ones. Your work is so fine!

[@RustyShepherd]

bugsychipr Much appreciated! Check out my Motor Grader restoration. I got to use the blaster and powder coat system. Let me know what you think. RS.

[@jaydragontalents]

Me and my siblings had Tonka dumptruvks as a kid and have it a way to our cousin because we grew out of it. Brings back memories.

[@revzillo]

Nice restoration. Looks factory fresh 👍