So I recently purchased a used 2003 TRU G1 Hoist off of eBay. Everything looks good, paint and chrome are all perfect... but when I went to put the fists in, they don't fit AT ALL. Posts are too big to go through the arm holes.

Meanwhile, I tried inserting one of the long missiles, and if I apply a bit of pressure I can get it about halfway into the right arm... but NOT the left. I used to own this figure way back in the day and I have vague memories of this happening with the missiles back then, though the fists... no problem back then.

TFWiki makes no notes about mold changes/issues on their 2003 Hoist entry, but I've done some reading on Fred's Variations and pretty sure that what I've got is a 2003 figure with 1985 fists, but I want to verify a couple things before I reach out to the seller. So here's what I need from you guys if any of you has this figure:

• Can you verify the date stamp? It's on the inside of the right foot. Mine is dated Hasbro 1982/Takara 1982
• Can you try inserting a long missile into the armholes and see if it takes effort and if you're only able to get it about halfway in?
• If you try out the missile, can you get it into both arms or just one?

Thanks in advance, everyone!

 

I got my TRU G1 Hoist while working at Toys "R" Us. After pulling him out the stamped date is the same as yours. The missile and fist I took off the sprue fit tightly into both arms. Since there is no spring in the arm the snug fit is required to hold the fist and/or missile in place.

 

My TRU Hoist also has fist posts too large for the holes. I bought that guy at TRU brand new. I currently display him without hands. You just reminded me that I was supposed to do something to remedy that. Probably sand down the posts slightly.

 

My TRU reissue Hoist is also dated 1982, and the fists and missles fit rather snugly. It's not so tight that can't get them in (or out), But, it's tight enough to make it a struggle.

Years ago, not long after I first got him at TRU, the right fist peg broke off in the wrist socket. The fist is no longer usable, and I couldn't get the peg out to put the missle in instead. There was just enough post sticking out of the wrist to scrape the vehicle parts if I tried to transform him.

I ended up removing the screw under the forearm and prying the forearm apart a bit to get the peg out. Doing this left small stress marks on the green wrist piece, but they aren't too bad. My issue seemed to be the orange lever getting caught in the notch in the wrist peg.

While I had the arm open, I vaguely remember something else coming out that made me think, "Oh, that should solve the problem". I thought it was a spring, but Jedi Kermit said it doesn't have a spring. I may be confusing my memory with the T30 Blitzwing barrel I disassembled around the same time, which definitely had a spring.

I'd recommend sanding around the diameter of the peg to make it narrower so it fits easily, but snugly, in the hole. If you think you've got it so it'll stay in with friction alone, consider cutting the end of the post off as well, so you don't have my problem of parts getting stuck. Experiment with an extra missile, or the fist you don't plan on using first.

 

You guys are awesome. So it would appear, then, that everything I have is from the 2003 set.

As it turns out, I went back and tried to reinsert the fists. The right went in with a little effort, but the left one only went about halfway, even with significant effort. Isaac, I will take into account your experience with breaking the end of the fist inside the forearm, and will take you up on some of your suggestions as well. Thanks again, everyone!