Project; Maroon

[Doom!]

Smaller tires would look a little more scale, but you might lose a little ground clearance.

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

Smaller tires would look a little more scale, but you might lose a little ground clearance.

This is true, it's a tough call.

The Baja Claw's work so well too...

 

[racerEX]

What's up everyone!

I've had one of these since they first came out, I think my wife got it for my birthday or Christmas.

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I've enjoyed it a lot, especially while I was a stay at home Dad; that's actually when I got into Mini Z's!
I put lights in them, set one of mine up for drifting, etc. Once my son got larger and could chase them I had to put them away (body mounts on them were broken, etc).

Since attending the Mile High Crawl Center I have decided to revive this dude. I took it as is a few times. It has weighted wheels and that is it!

The tires are lack luster so I decided to dip into what I have on hand and see what might fit. After that I put together a parts list of things I would need.

Step one:

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In order to change the wheels to something other than Kyosho I had to put on some hex adapters from the key drive these use.
While I was at it I ordered metal u joints from the same vendor in Quebec.

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Sorry it's out of focus

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They are huge!! (UUGGGEEEE!) The math works out to like a 1:1 of 50"s LOL! But you know what, at this scale it can juusssttt pull it off.

It's amazing. Looking at them on the shelf or next to the truck they didn't look THAT big. But dang, what a dramatic difference!

So, now I needed to clearance the body.
Some people cut them, I didn't want to do that.

Kyosho makes a kit for this occasion;

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They provide you with a 8mm l and a 4mm body lift. I went with 4mm as I figured that would be JUST enough to clear, and that's what I am after.

View attachment 265096Mandatory Flex Check

And lastly to get a little bit more jump in its step I tossed in a set of lipos in AAA form factor.

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I don't want to mess with the electronics; imo they just become butchery after. Watching RC Drivers video on his, it's not even a Kyosho anymore. It's all Furitek.
So for me it's about keeping SOME form of scale and not blowing the thing up.
I'll hang on to the metal u joints for when I need them.

Future wants for this guys are brass knuckles and the metal front axle housing. I have considered the shocks but holy cow, they're like $90.00 CAD for the set of 4; That is crazyness!

Quick desk run to test it out:

She’s purdy...

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

She’s purdy...

Thanks Racer, appreciate the compliment.

Update:

Parts incoming!!

Maximum Grip Being Extracted

The Baja Claw's look massive in comparison to the Roc Lox. They're super aggressive which is great for traction and that Chevron tread also screams Monster Truck which isn't really the look I am going for.

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

Well, I had to hit the brakes on Monday night. The flu ran through my house taking us down one by one. My son was first, mine came Monday night. It doesn't matter, but I suspect we picked it up during the pit party.
Out of my whole family who attended the monster trucks, we're the only ones who went down and then got down if you know what I mean.

So Monday evening I began to take things apart;

I removed the entire front axle as an assembly; it just seemed easier to me.

I found the front suspension binding on the upper third link on the screws.

When I opened up the case I found all metal components, bearings and a nice amount of grease.

Now it was just a matter of swapping over the components and eliminating potential weak points like the front U Joints.

These are very nice and fit together perfectly!!
With the diecast axle and these it adds a decent amount of weight on the front. Right where it needs it.

I know I complained about the cost of the shocks but they're definitely on my future hobby purchases wish list. Provided they're still available at the time I decide to re-mortgage my home.

I think stepping the tire size down was the right call. It looks mean, like proper mean. But not a monster truck.

I think I've gotten pretty close to my "AI rendering" I came up with. Chat did the heavy lifting.

Next is to test it at the indoor course again.

 

[CertifiedMike]

Well, I had to hit the brakes on Monday night. The flu ran through my house taking us down one by one. My son was first, mine came Monday night. It doesn't matter, but I suspect we picked it up during the pit party. Out of my whole family who attended, we're the only ones who went down and then got down if you know what I mean.

So Monday evening I began to take things apart;

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I removed the entire front axle as an assembly; it just seemed easier to me.

I found the front suspension binding on the upper third link on the screws.

View attachment 265700

When I opened up the case I found all metal components, bearings and a nice amount of grease.

View attachment 265701

Now it was just a matter of swapping over the components and eliminating potential weak points like the front U Joints.

View attachment 265702

These are very nice and fit together perfectly!!
With the diecast axle and these it adds a decent amount of weight on the front. Right where it needs it.

View attachment 265706

I know I complained about the cost of the shocks but they're definitely on my future hobby purchases, provided they're still available at the time I decide.

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I think stepping the tire size down was the right call. It looks mean but not like a monster truck.

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I think I've gotten pretty close to my "AI rendering" I came up with. Chat did the heavy lifting.

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Next is to test it!

You haven't got the proper testing equipment!

Send it here and I'll test on it for you!

I had no idea how badly I needed one of these!

I hope you are satisfied with yourself!!!

I'll be heading to kyoshoamerica.com soon!!!

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

I hope you are satisfied with yourself!!!

Honestly though, love the comment. If I can encourage one of you to buy something then I am doing it right

 

[CertifiedMike]

Honestly though, love the comment. If I can encourage one of you to buy something then I am doing something right

Usually with Kyosho its not much more than a nudge and I need the whole collection, 2 of each!
I really had no idea these could be made to actually perform.

It looks great too! The body has fantastic details! I always loved Kyosho's models. Its the little things...

Another new Mini Z build with @OnwardGuinevere 's Mercecto BenZ ...this platform is looking really interesting!

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

Usually with Kyosho its not much more than a nudge and I need the whole collection, 2 of each!
I really had no idea these could be made to actually perform.

It looks great too! The body has fantastic details! I always loved Kyosho's models. Its the little things...

I feel you there, I have two Mini Z's
The body detail is what brought me in first and foremost, they didn't miss a thing on these.

Another new Mini Z build with @OnwardGuinevere 's Mececto BenZ ...this platform is looking really interesting!

Definitely following the Ecto build. Super curious about the electrical work. On my other rig I just used the Kyosho led kits with their splitter.

 

[Doom!]

Looks more gooder! I think the extra axle weight is going to help a bunch.

 

[OnwardGuinevere]

I feel you there, I have two Mini Z's
The body detail is what brought me in first and foremost, they didn't miss a thing on these.


Definitely following the Ecto build. Super curious about the electrical work. On my other rig I just used the Kyosho led kits with their splitter.

I'm using a kyosho led kit for the main lighting (headlights/taillights), then I've got the 2:1 splitter too. The challenge will be getting the police lights wired into the splitter system. Working out the connection between LEDs and probably a 4-pin mini jst connector.... TBD.

 

[brushless12v]

Sweet rig.

those sweet tires and wheels stole the show! bad ass what a perfect fit with your body lift, nice build

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

Looks more gooder! I think the extra axle weight is going to help a bunch.

Thanks Doom! I think so too

I'm using a kyosho led kit for the main lighting (headlights/taillights), then I've got the 2:1 splitter too. The challenge will be getting the police lights wired into the splitter system. Working out the connection between LEDs and probably a 4-pin mini jst connector.... TBD.

Maybe another splitter to give yourself another spot to tie in? I'm sure you got this

those sweet tires and wheels stole the show! bad ass what a perfect fit with your body lift, nice build

Thank you, much appreciated!

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

You haven't got the proper testing equipment!

Send it here and I'll test on it for you!

Here you go! Oh wait, you wanted the truck

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

After driving it and watching back the tape, it's certainly easier to stall it out now VS before.

That added weight is great for tracton, but it seems to be maxing out the motor in this dude.

Fortunately, it looks like Kyosho has a replacement for just this occasion!

It's the same part number as the factory motor but with a B at the end. B Spec for bullet

The description on one site says it's increased torque for "steep climbs" & "technical lines."

We'll put it to the test whenever it arrives from Hong Kong.

I also added on a new front bumper to my order, we'll see if that plays nicely with the body lift.

One thing I have to shout out is a nice driver set when it comes to working on these things!
Believe me, I am not a HH shill. They have (what I feel anyway) burned the hobbyist a few times over the years. But dang, this is a nice screwdriver set!

Going back to the truck, I wasn't happy with the front and rear clevis hooks. They kept getting stuck in a different orientations. I have tried messing with loosening them up but then the screw just looks "loose."

They had to go and the smallest Philips tip is perfectly sized for this job!

I highly recommend this set for working on tiny things! I picked it up on sale around Christmas time, I've always wanted to grab a set like this from iFixIt or the like. When I was at my LHS one day they pulled this out when the bench guy needed something small. I waited patiently LOL

Update: Captains Log, Star Date Feb 12 2026

Well I may have jumped the gun on the motor but we'll see tonight.

I thought these LiPo AAA's would add some jam to this guy but it seems to have done the opposite.

I wouldn't have suspected anything but when I put them in my AWD Mini Z drift car with a hotter motor they could hardly turn it.
I swapped them out for old HDX AAA's and the thing ripped.

I have Kyosho AAA rechargeables, but tonight if I go to M.H.C.C I'll take some regular AAA's.

And the rechargeables aren't a total loss, I'll use em in something. TV remotes maybe? Probably where they're designed to be used.

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

Took her out last night and as fate would have it, a new 1/30 course had just arrived, literally thirty minutes before. The Z got first runzies!

It definitely pushed the hard body high cg and lack of suspension to their absolute limits. There's a few times where slowing the weight transfer down would have helped.
But then again, some of that stuff is genuinely monstrous to the truck including some of those verticals. Not only are they like 45 degrees but then you have a bunch of holes everywhere.

That will be a great test to see how added power and suspension tweaks and possibly more weight if we can afford it, help out.

 

[Tunedfrog]

Very cool course and I love the "run your rig not your mouth" sign.

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

Very cool course and I love the "run your rig not your mouth" sign.

The scale banner is an LGRP one, they're like $5 a pop I believe

The course is really awesome!

Can you believe it was that guys first attempt at something like that?

He was there running his 1/10th (only other person in the joint, perfect for filming ) and we talked a lot about it. It'll be more completely assembled next time I go back, he had more rock and gates to put up. There's also lighting.

The only nit pick I have, and this is between us here. That milk crate. He should have covered it with something. You could have made a cool cave, maybe a chassis "skeleton" or something.

Either way, I tip my hat to his efforts and donation to the center.

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

Rig update coming soon

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

I wish I could say I am happy with this truck as it sits.....but I am not.

It just seems to be going backwards while attempting to move the performance needle forward.

The issues started when I installed the Kyosho Brass Knuckles. Everything seemed fine and it all went together okay, but I have now picked up tremendous amount of slop that wasn't there before. The wheel moves around so much you can see the angle change compared to the knuckle.

At first I didn't notice anything wrong. I kept working on it over the last two days to get it finished.

This was test fitting the new bumper by Yeah Racing after giving up on trying to use the Kyosho lift mounts.

I was all for trying to modify the mount plate to tuck it up when I noticed the truck couldn't turn with the added weight.

So I successfully pushed the weight balance to 60/40 but the stock electronics specifically the servo couldn't deal with it.

I ended up pulling the bumper off and putting the factory one back on.

That has helped in allowing the steering to attempt to move but it still only turns the wheels a few degrees on the ground because the slop eats up steering performance.

From what information I have been able to gather it looks like I'm going to have to try to shim the U Joints where they come through the backside of the knuckles.

it looks like the bearing raceway is machined slightly too deep as the screws don't even seem to contact the bearing to hold it into the knuckle.

All of this micro play shows up in the wheel/tire as a few mm's of play; it turns like a tanker ship now.

I also swapped out the motor for the B Spec Crawler motor. I did a light break in before I installed it on the truck. It's definitely smoother! Seems to have a lot more power forward than reverse.

An under the lid shot showing the wiring.

Underside

I really wanted to get it to a place where it could hang with some other Mini's but I just don't know if I will be able to get it there.

I just need to figure out how to eliminate some slop from the front end as I mentioned and I'll take it back to the Mini Indoor Course.

Metal housing, metal u joints and wheels

Brass knuckles included now

Rear weights

Bumper

I'm going to pull those rear weights and shift that 1% forward again. Maybe two + shims will be worth 1/4% LOL