Introduction:

AK Interactive released its FJ43 kits in 2022/2023, and these quickly became very popular. In response, several aftermarket companies introduced sets to upgrade the models. Scale X joined in as well, offering two 3D-printed replacement wheel sets. This review focuses on their FJ43 Sagged Wheel Set (WM 35033S).

Review:

The set comes in a well-designed cardboard box. The box features an image showcasing the model with replacement wheels attached.

Opening the box reveals a plastic bag with 3D printed wheels, a “thank you” note from Scale X and one of their stickers.

The pieces include 4 road wheels (2 front and 2 rear wheels) and a spare wheel.

Removing the printing supports and cleaning the pieces is easy. I used side cutters to remove the supports from the back of the wheel rim and then just snapped the wheel off. This procedure might sound extreme to some, but it is fast and does not damage the wheel in any way. The thin support leftovers are then easily sanded and voila… the wheels are ready for painting.

The quality of the print is really good, with the details impressively delivered. Here’s an image of wheel features under magnification. The inscriptions “Firestone”, “TRANS LUG” as well as microscopic 7.50-16 label are clearly identifiable, with the tire tread pattern realistically delivered. Very impressive!

The set depicts a Firestone 7.50-16 Trans Lug tire.

Comparing the reference photos to the 1/35 scale 3D printed version show Scale X did a good job replicating the tire features, both the tread pattern and the sidewall details.

The set supplies 2 front wheels and 2 rear wheels, designated as A and B on their carrier blocks for front and rear, respectively. The variations between the two are noticeable due to the specific front/rear wheel hubs, but also due to the orientation of the tire compression and sidewall details. This slight difference ensures the wheels fitted to the same side of the vehicle do not look identical, adding to the realism of the finished model.

The road wheels are depicted with a slight compression of the tire at the ground contact, nicely portraying the weight of the fully loaded vehicle. Scale X also provides a set of FJ43 wheels without the sag effect for those who prefer a lighter, unloaded vehicle appearance (WM 35033).

The set also includes a spare wheel.

Fitting the wheels:

This set is designed as a direct replacement for plastic wheels supplied with the AK kit. No modifications are required to fix the wheels to the axle.

The wheels look the part and provide a significant upgrade to the standard plastic wheels supplied with the kit. It is not just that the 3D printed wheels offer superior detail, but are also delivered as a single piece. In contrast, plastic kit wheels consist of 5 parts each, making the assembly time-consuming and prone to alignment issues.

Conclusion:

FJ43 Sagged Wheel Set (WM 35033S) from Scale X is an excellent upgrade for the AK Interactive FJ43 kits, offering a clear improvement in both detail and ease of use. The sharpness of the 3D-printed tire tread and sidewall markings, the slight differentiation between front and rear wheels, and the realistic sag effect all contribute to a more convincing model. With simple cleanup, perfect fit, and superior detail to the plastic wheels supplied with the AK kit, this set provides outstanding value for modelers who wish to elevate the realism of their FJ43 build.

Highly recommended.

A big thank you to Scale X for this review sample. The rest of the company catalogue can beaccessed here: https://scalex.art/