Turbo Blizzard DF300 EP

[SMOKE-DOG]

Always wanted one of these. Bought it in the beginning of the summer but since it's starting to get colder outside I figure I better get it ready. I plan on painting like an old school Kyosho buggy (Optima. Rocky, etc) with a Lemans 240ST motor, and 7 cell hump pack. Hence the "Turbo".



It comes 90% pre-built but I will have to tear it down to add bearings. Found a full set of rubber shielded bearings on the bay for pretty cheap. Enough for all the wheels and the gearbox. This is one sweet machine. Typical tough Kyosho materials and a high level of detail. Check out the drilled rotors. Thinking of cutting some carbon brake shoes for it.









I filled the diff halfway full of 120,000 wt. Ofna silicone diff oil to slow the diff action and keep it moving forward if one of the tracks starts to slip. This stuff is thick. I had to squeeze the crap out of it to get it flowing. Should make it a little more stable steering too. I then used Tamiy cera grease to lube the gears. Funny thing is, when I opened it up, it was almost bone dry. Kyosho is playing cheap with the grease so if you buy one of these you definetly want to lube it up.







Already I can tell the drivetrain is a lot smoother. A few more mods planned for this one. Should have it finished in about a week.

[proffesso]

always wanted one of these, but I remember they used to have a pair of 380 motors? i take it this is the updated model?

[budhatrain]

I want to do one of these things so bad during the winter.... I am jealous

[purpletimbo]

Originals had twin motors twin wiper MSCs and twin servos that operated them, and a complex Clutch/brake system i seem to recall
"The original version of the Blizzard was called the Blizzard DX, and did indeed come with twin 380 motors, one driving each track. It was completely different to the current Blizzard EV/GP line - it used a bathtub ABS chassis, metal suspension parts, 2 motors and gearboxes (one for each track, with the drive sprockets at the rear of the chassis), and a very special MSC setup to control it."
From Tamiyaclub

[Lonestar]

Funny, I just sold mine last year - it's great fun in the snow.

you did the most important mod already, ie thick oil in the center diff, this is the only way to have "some" proportionnality in the turns... otherwise it feels like there's only 3 driving modes available, full left, straight, full right MAke sure you spend the right time adjusting the steering EPA's and the "play" in the brake plates - this combined with a short servo arm is the key to a decent steering feel.

Some hard-learnt lessons: "Exposed-brushes" (Read anything non mabuchi-johnson) brushed motors will be a recurrent PITA in "wet" snow. You will spend 2mn grinning and then have to go for a motor rebuild with new brushes - every time. Do yourself a favor and drop a (cheap) brushless in there. Ezrun 4300kv is what I had in mine, and it works wonders even with the stock gearing - as a bonus it's waterproof

Here's a couple of pics of mine (now I see them, not sure I should have sold it)











Looking forward to an old-school kyosho decoration scheme on yours!

Paul

[shodog]

I have one of these beauties also. It's running but the body has not been touched. I was thinking of going this route with the body

[tamiyadan]

.

[purpletimbo]

I really want a heavy metal, tried a Parma Ford aerostar on a Blizzard, close but no cigar, anyone got one spare

[treehugger]

i think i saw that van convertion snow blizard on the bay under vintage rc cars!

Paul

[Lonestar]

I really want a heavy metal, tried a Parma Ford aerostar on a Blizzard, close but no cigar, anyone got one spare

Tim, try a VLB body kit on a blizz chassis - looks the part, easy to source and adapt

Paul

[Lowgear]

There was a member on ClodTalk who put a Midnight Pumpkin body on one and it fit great.

Those Hall Brothers also had a tracked 1950 Ford F-100 called Heavy Metal. So put a MP body on a Blizzard and paint it up like the Hall Brothers body and you have instant coolness.

[SMOKE-DOG]

I thought about putting a Clod body on it but if I did it would have to be the old school original one with the bowtie grill and tailgate. But if I did find one, it would go on a scale truck chassis instead. I thought of putting the Tamiya Unimog body on but I think I'll stick with the stock Kyosho body for now.

Small update:
Added Lemans 240ST and a Hitec servo. Painted body and started decaling. The stripes are vintage Autographics decals. With the blue paint the colors remind me of one of Kelso's vests on that 70's show. Got a couple more vintage decals to add. Looking for a "powered by Lemans" sticker.







Still more to do.

[SMOKE-DOG]

Snow is here. Finally get a chance to take my Blizzard out. This thing is fun and the perfect winter RC vehicle. The Le mans 240ST is fast but I might go up a few teeth to get a little more speed. 8.4v pack comming soon too. Still need to add some lights and paint driver figure. Better pics comming soon.













In the tub to thaw out.

[budhatrain]

must resist hold off til off season....NOOOOO

[SMOKE-DOG]

must resist hold off til off season....NOOOOO

You might as well break down and get one. It's a lot of fun right outside your door.