Vintage Tamiya hornet

[Cj 1939]

Hi all I've stripped this down and ready to rebuild and not sure if I should change anything ( motor, bearings, radio gear, or should I just leave it as it was intended? What would you do

 

[RustyUs]

Nice. I'd probably get bearings for anything that still uses those plastic bushings. A person can pick up an ESC for very little money. If it were mine, that's what I would do to get rid of need for second servo and those resistors.

 

[WickedFog]

That's in great shape!

If you're going to drive it, I would do like Rusty said. A new radio would be a huge improvement too, so I'd grab a FlySky GT3B for it.

 

[johnnydmd]

I'd upgrade radio and like others said, parts like bearings, etc. I've been meaning to pick up some of these re-releases of vintage Tamiya and Kyosho buggies one day. Personally I'll keep them all nimh, and brushed motors. I have a horrible fear of liPo batteries in my house.

 

[CertifiedMike]

Assuming this is to be driven, otherwise, keep it as you found it if its a shelf queen, just clean up.
Its clean enough in the pictures where I would consider just restoring it!
Bearings without question
Upgrade all the electronics.
The NIMH batteries were THE biggest problem with old R/C IMO.
They didn't charge well and wete heavy as heck. They were like having a bunch of cinder blocks in your car and then getting into an accident. An internal wrecking ball!
The extra weight was too much for those a-arms on impact.
Make sure you have nerf bars that protect your axle housing!
I used to snap axle housings ALL the time by clipping the rear tires. (much wider than front!)
I think I had a set of aluminum bars from CRC. I don't usually recommend alum parts but these took a shot and bent but didn't break. There was no chassis tub damage and the alum was easy to bend back to shape.
There are upgrades to the rear axle's lower mount to keep the axle from slapping around.
My fix from 100 years ago was just to use the Grasshopper axle mount that eliminated the slide all together.
The shock/damper set up will likely need upgrades too.
Tires and wheels to suit usage. The stock are fun and def have character but aren't the best performing or long lasting on pavement.
I guess it depends on how far you want to take it too. There are full on aluminum conversion kits availible if you want to build it and look at it a lot.

 

[Cj 1939]

Great thanks I think it's going to be a shelf queen now to be honest it reminds me of all them years ago when I first got the RC bug seems a shame to change it into something it was never intended to be I think it can stay in the 80s where it belongs

 

[WickedFog]

Great thanks I think it's going to be a shelf queen now to be honest it reminds me of all them years ago when I first got the RC bug seems a shame to change it into something it was never intended to be I think it can stay in the 80s where it belongs

Nothing wrong with shelving your childhood favs.

 

[CertifiedMike]

Ok. That's cool that you're going to resto! So if its not going to get used, reassemble with everything the way it is. I'd prob do bearings still.
A stronger motor was a period correct upgrade too.
That's up to you because it will just be eye candy anyways.
Just don't go crazy in respect that the stock esc's couldn't handle super hot motors without burning up resistors all the time.
The old radios were a weak point also but non-issue on a shelf as well.
I think you're almost set as is!

 

[WickedFog]

Ok. That's cool that you're going to resto! So if its not going to get used, reassemble with everything the way it is. I'd prob do bearings still.
A stronger motor was a period correct upgrade too.
That's up to you because it will just be eye candy anyways.
Just don't go crazy in respect that the stock esc's couldn't handle super hot motors without burning up resistors all the time.
The old radios were a weak point also but non-issue on a shelf as well.
I think you're almost set as is!

Totally agree here. If it's going on a shelf, just clean and reassemble. You can buy another Hornet for cheap if you really want to remember driving one. AND you can put much better electronics in the new one

 

[CertifiedMike]

This is a good point as well. The new kits are the same prIce as they were 35 years ago! Lol!
They were a lot of fun to run if you accept their limitations. You might be disappointed if you're looking for plush suspension on 6s here! Lol!
The Hornet was my 1st hobby grade car. I loved it!
I know you'll love your's too!

 

[Cj 1939]

Nothing wrong with shelving your childhood favs.
View attachment 199688

Nice

 

[Panko75]

I would shelve it, the OG tires will be dry and slippery, and that body is way too nice to trash.

if you want a Tamiya buggy to run, I'd reccomend either a DT-03 or the upcoming "Hornet EVO", a kit that updates the Hornet with a more modern design but keeps the old looks.