1970's Tonka T9 Dozer Restoration

[@garygraham6020]

Just started this hobby. Finished a Nylint Jumbo Frontend Loader. Enjoying the video. Thank You.

[@onemansgarage6203]

Thanks for the comment and for watching! Good luck with your restoring! Cheers!

[@garygraham6020]

Question, I cannot find the replacement cylinders and hoses. Please let me know of a source. Gasoline Alley sent me a message that no one is making them.

[@markolysynchuk5264]

A very nice dozer, just like all the vintage toys. I think toys were much better back then than they are now.

[@onemansgarage6203]

Thanks for the comment! Take it from me, the toys were much much better back then. Even from 1970s to the 1980s, there is a huge difference in quality of both materials and craftsmanship. Thanks for watching! Cheers

[@joeydewitt5445]

I just recently found an old tonka 738 dozer of mine from when I was a kid. It had been sitting outside for who knows how many years, behind my shed at my dads. Since re discovering the gem, I’ve been almost obsessed with fully restoring it. I even have my two sons, 4 & 2, help me every time I tinker with it. I’m blessed to have randomly come across this relaxing video!!!!

[@dundonrl]

I have MANY hours running one of those, pushed a lot of gravel and dirt with mine when I was a kid! loved that thing!

[@nicholasrawls4067]

I'm 42 and I had that exact same one growing up. I'd give anything to still have it for my grandson to play with.

[@fair2middlin]

If you can change your anything into dollars eBay has them..... I have 7

[@giovanniguzman9350]

OUT STANDING!!!! SUPER!!!! until the 70s I want one of those!!❤❤❤❤❤ I wish this brand new!!!!!

[@stevesloan7132]

The legendary T-9 dozer was just about the coolest thing in the sandbox. Thanks for making that beauty ready to go again.

[@onemansgarage6203]

Thanks for watching!

[@dundonrl]

I had one when I was around 1st grade, and absolutely loved it! (even more so than the Tonka dump trucks) It's still around someplace I think, but needs a serious restoration I'm sure!

[@john172867]

Excellent work. Nice job heating the tracks in the oven in order to stretch them.

[@markharrison3445]

Great video as always. I am binging on them. One suggestion - if you use a hairdryer or paint stripping gun to apply heat to the rubber tracks they will become more flexible and easier to remove.

[@garyostrander2507]

Did a great job on this restoration!!!! It was a joy 2 watch this & liked all the extra time spent on the small details! ! !

[@onemansgarage6203]

Sorry for the late response, I overlooked your comment somehow. Thanks for the kind comments and thanks for watching!

[@DANYMITERESTORATION]

Hello fellow restorer! Great job on saving this Tonka - looks brand new. I also like restoring TONKA's so satisfying! I subscribed!

[@onemansgarage6203]

Thanks for the kind comment and the subscription. I checked out your cannel and subscribed as well. Thanks for watching!

[@DANYMITERESTORATION]

@@onemansgarage6203 you bet! It is my joy!

[@fair2middlin]

I have taken some apart. Here is a TIP: Shaft caps/axle hats have different thicknesses. The thinnest axle cap/hat is the one they beat on at the factory. The thicker one is part of the shaft. Nobody should try to take the thicker one off. After piddling with ONE for about 20 minutes, I started cutting shafts because there was just no room to grab both hats with pliers. Keep on Tonka-ing!

[@onemansgarage6203]

Sorry so late in my response, I overlooked your comment somehow. Good tip! Thanks for watching!

[@Mike-kc8rl]

These are fantastic toys! I always wanted this particular model when i was a kid! Never did get one. Im now thinking of trying to get it just out of nostalgia? Am i crazy but i actually liked the pre restoration condition! Although i was impressed with the end result.

[@onemansgarage6203]

Thanks for the comment. I liked the patina also, but this toy's base was in really bad shape. I may do one, one day, where I leave the patina and just clean up the rust and clear coat it. Thanks for watching! Cheers.

[@daverichmond2846]

Another terrific job. Very satisfying to watch.

[@onemansgarage6203]

Thanks for the nice comment and thanks for watching!

[@jeffreyandreas7514]

You can be very proud of that restoration, it looks fantastic! I just finished restoring my first one a couple weeks ago, it’s a loader. Really enjoy the hobby and I’m looking forward to the next one. Really enjoy your videos as well, lots of great inspiration, thanks!

[@onemansgarage6203]

Thanks for the kind comment. Thank you for watching. Sorry it took so long to respond, things have been hectic at work and with covid and all. Good luck with your restoring and stay safe. Cheers!

[@meldase407]

My partner and I just found your channel, and I wanted to stop by to thank you for sharing your amazing restoration work--your commitment to doing great work really shows, and everything you've shared has been such a joy to watch!

[@onemansgarage6203]

Thank very much for the kind comment and for watching, I truly appreciate it.

[@thijsversteeg9010]

A major restoration, it looks fantastic. Sorry you to replace so many parts. The main frame had clearly passed the recovery fase.

[@Tim-57]

Really nice job, especially the rust on the lower parts. Great resolution to the tracks.

[@diamondpaintingking745]

I’m going to be your 1000th subscriber more videos love your channel 👍🇺🇸

[@onemansgarage6203]

I believe you are the 1000th subscriber! Thanks for the kind comment and thanks for watching!

[@dj_singer_wallygator4949]

Very informative video! I have been eanting to restore my own Tonkas. BUT, I have a Question: Do these tonka trucks, dozers, etc. lose value when restoration is done? Wouldn't it be better to totally restore one that others would consider an eye sore? Thanks.

[@karsten0023]

Very good job👍👍👍

[@Pressedsteelcustomsllc]

I have a lot of mighty tonkas, and one T9 that I bought years ago that needs restoring and is way worse than this one could even imagine...but would be a great custom.

[@kevinclingaman6277]

Great video. I’m very new to the obsession of restoring old Tonka toys. I’m still learning. Any websites, blogs, groups, etc that I should know about? I have a lot of questions as someone just starting out. Thanks.

[@onemansgarage6203]

Not that I know of

[@RestorationAustralia]

Looks great well done, I also did a t9 before, someone asked me to do a movember themed restoration with that.

[@onemansgarage6203]

Thank for watching and for the kind comments.

[@benv1752]

Great work! Labor intensive but worth it.

[@onemansgarage6203]

Thanks for the nice comment and thanks for watching! 1955 Tonka Dump Truck resto coming tis weekend.

[@karlmyles7850]

Nice job....Psyco music at the end. Lol

[@Garyhitch56]

How long do you leave those plastic parts in baggies and why? Also you gave me a few ideas to try next one I do. Great job btw.

[@onemansgarage6203]

Just soaking in water didn't get the dirt out of tight places. I used baggies to avoid evaporation (and it's messy). The protectant adheres to the dirt and eventually loosens it, I don't believe it has any effect on the plastic. I left them in the bag for about 3 days because I forgot about them honestly. When I wiped them off and rinsed them in hot water they looked brand new, I was pleasantly surprised. Long story short, it loosens the dirt in hard-to-reach places (like the tread plate on the dozer). One day soaking is probably all it would take really. (A sonic cleaner would work also, I just don't have one.) Thanks for watching and for the comment. Regards,

[@fair2middlin]

I would really, REALLY want to know what you spent on dozer parts you replaced --as well as the total cost

[@onemansgarage6203]

Original Dozer - $60.00 Plastic seat insert - $25.00 Hydraulic Hoses - $15.00 Frame - $25.00 Grill - $20.00 Axles - $18.00 Decals $11.00 Paint and materials $20.00 Total - $194.00 Value $285.00 Left over parts value - $75 - $90 Approximate restoration time - 18 hours Thanks for watching

[@geoffquickfall8424]

Pour hot water on the rubber tracks to make them more flexible and less likely to tear. Great job.

[@onemansgarage6203]

That would have been easier than the oven probably, great tip!

[@donaldswink6259]

Such a beautiful restoration job, too bad you had to replace all those parts I myself would of fixed the main frame with fiberglass bondo , but that’s just me.

[@onemansgarage6203]

Thanks for commenting and for watching. I still have all the old dozer parts in a box, maybe someday.

[@jesusfernandodrylander1201]

Yes, good job but too many damaged parts which weren't restored. You bought all the broken parts instead of restore 'em making new parts of plastic, melting, welding on the rusty surface or fixing with super glue and baking soda mix. Anyway... my admiration from Spain!! 🧔🏻👍🏻🇪🇸

[@onemansgarage6203]

Sorry for the late reply, I didn't see your comments until now. My goal was a complete dozer that wasn't held together with crazy glue and duct tape. The dozer I completed was authentic, can be played with , in the dirt, by kids who really know how to destroy toys. I have every part of the old dozer if you want to try to restore it. Free. I'll only charge shipping. cheers!

[@anels9]

What dozer is the Tonka t9 based on?

[@onemansgarage6203]

I'm actually not sure. Thanks for watching!

[@williamharris8367]

I was wondering how you were going to repair the chassis. It was really more rust than solid metal; there would be nothing remaining after sand blasting. Was this model also released in orange? Around 1978, I recall playing with a dozer toy, but I would swear that it was orange rather than yellow. I assume that it was a Tonka.

[@onemansgarage6203]

No, the chassis was not salvageable, at least not by me. Someone let that thing sit in the mud for years. It's a shame. As to the colors: From what I understand about the orange or "ochre" color, and the light green color that Tonka also had back then, was that different department stores of the day wanted their trucks to stand out, so Sears ordered their trucks in the Ochre color and Pennys ordered their trucks in the light green or vise versa. Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching!

[@luppomatto1992]

Awesome job!!! How much do you charge to restore one?

[@onemansgarage6203]

I appreciate the kind comment and the inquiry. I do this as a hobby and I enjoy it but, sadly no, I don't restore professionally. Thanks so much for watching!

[@shynsly01]

808 subscribers, 73 likes. Way under-rated channel, but hang in there my friend, the subs, the likes, and the money will come.

[@onemansgarage6203]

Thanks for the nice comment and for watching. I appreciate it.

[@Rodrigosantos-rv2hp]

faz um pra min

[@jamesniv8436]

great Visio you mite want to pollish the head of your hammer