Yokomo YZ-10/870C rebuild

[Wafflehouse Ninja]

Hi everyone!

I'm new to the forum here and found this place after looking online for resources and parts. My father and I got started back in 1988 with R/C cars and for a fews years were into it quite a bit. My father recently brought over several boxes of R/C car boxes and his YZ-10, My old Blackfoots, Bolink on road car and Traxxis car (which I'm trying to figure out which model). I've always like the YZ-10 and was happy to accept it! I decided to restore and getting fixed up and running again. It's in pretty good shape except for a broken front suspension arm. Parts are hard to come by I've noticed. I took some pics before I tore it all down and have cleaned it up. I'll post them below.

What I am really interested in doing is converting this over to a brushless setup. I used to have an old Futaba Magnum Junior system with Novak ESC but it sounds like that will all have to be replaced. I'm really new to the LiPo/brushless setup so I want to be careful not to destroy the car. =) So I'm curious if the drivetrain system can handle the change and is there a recommended brushless motor specification and battery I should be using? I'm thinking a 2S battery will do but unsure of the motor.

Also, I've been seeing a conversion done on the YZ-10 quite a lot on here regarding using longer hinge pins and adding balls and turnbuckle to stiffen up the front and rear arms a bit. I've been having a hard time finding the balls to fit the longer hinge pins (OFNA 3mm pins). Any suggestions there as well?

This forum has been a great resource for me and I would love to have your input. Thanks in advance!

[Wafflehouse Ninja]

So I have the car mostly put back together and during the rebuild, I decided to just run as much as the old school electronics as possible so I'll be running the Novak NER-2S receiver and a Novak 410-M5 ESC and a brushed motor. I'll just update to LiPo batteries for now to get me going. I finally found the R/C Tech section so that was helpful. I should have looked there first. =)

I'm also looking for a replacement body as the one I have is pretty beat up. I see that is mrlexan's specialty here. I reached out to him for a new Protech body for it so hopefully he has one to sell still.

[RedScampi]

Looks like a great car to rebuild! Keep those pics coming, that's what we like.

As far as reproduction bodies go, Mr. Lexan might have some on ebay, and the Team Bluegroove bodies are now of better than decent quality in most cases.

I actually have a few of these cars now, love the look and the engineering.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

[DerbyDan]

Cool 870C! Welcome to the board & thank you for sharing your Yokomo with us, it looks to be in great condition.... keep the pictures coming

Personally I prefered the curved fighter style body but the U.S spec Protech is cool too, I can definately vouch for the quality of MrLexan's (Jay) bodyshells - I have one of his Works/Pavidis shells on my YZ-10, my JRX2 wears one of his shells too. That said he seems to be a little ellusive of late? As RedScampi suggests the Team Blue Groove shells seem to be getting a better reputation of late, I have one of their TopCat shells & it is nicely moulded.

You're probably wise to stick with your vintage radio, brushed motor & ESC combo to start with.... there's alot to think about with choosing a suitable brushless set-up, obviously causing minimal stress on your car is the most important consideration I guess.

[slotcarrod]

That is a nice car and it looks like your on the right track for electronics! Love the old stuff, it works just fine!

[Wafflehouse Ninja]

Thanks for all the feedback so far guys. I'll get some updated photos posted up soon. The car is mostly back together. I still need a shell, batteries and battery charger, and tie rod balls to use on the hinge pin mod to stiffen up the front and rear hinges. I'm having one heck of a time finding ones that fit the 3mm hinge pins. If anyone can chime in on where to get some I would appreciate it.

I tested all the old equipment and they all work even after all these years. I'm leaning towards the LiPo side for batteries. It's been so long since I was in the R/C hobby and the R/C industry has really come a long ways. Really cool tech they have nowadays. I also reached out to MrLexas some time ago for a body and wing but no response yet. It seems he hasn't been very active on this site lately so I may have to go with the TBG alternative.

I'm excited to get this car up and running again.

[slotcarrod]

Lipo's are the only way to go! I found the Venom saddle pack with Velcro on the bottom and straps held mine together perfectly. You can see them towards the end of my thread. Page 18 and 19 to be exact! : http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=17719

I afraid MrLexan has no love for us right now. He's busy trying to convince himself and everyone else, that he's still young enough to mountain bike! The Team Blue Groove bodies I have been told, are junk Lexan for a runner and will soon crack. I'm not sure if this has improved or not! I would try to wait for MrLex, but summer time is running out! If you want to run before winter then go with TBG!

[Charlie don't surf]

I talked to Jay today, new shells will be avail very very soon!

[Alex B]

I talked to Jay today, new shells will be avail very very soon!

About bloody time

[Wafflehouse Ninja]

Updated photos! So you'll have to forgive me since I did not take any photos of the cleanup and rebuild so sorry about that. I tore the whole thing down and cleaned it all up. Sand blasted the metal parts and put a clear coat finish on them. I was able to "fix" the broken front lower arm so hopefully that holds up. I'll be looking around online for replacement ones in the meantime for back up and I still need tie rod balls to finish up the front and rear hinge pins.. I found an extra set of wheels that were not painted so I have them on there for now until I get the originals all cleaned up. Anyway here are the photos.

[Wafflehouse Ninja]

Lipo's are the only way to go! I found the Venom saddle pack with Velcro on the bottom and straps held mine together perfectly. You can see them towards the end of my thread. Page 18 and 19 to be exact! : http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=17719

I afraid MrLexan has no love for us right now. He's busy trying to convince himself and everyone else, that he's still young enough to mountain bike! The Team Blue Groove bodies I have been told, are junk Lexan for a runner and will soon crack. I'm not sure if this has improved or not! I would try to wait for MrLex, but summer time is running out! If you want to run before winter then go with TBG!

Thanks slotcarrod. I'll have to check those out. I was looking at some Gen Ace ones that look similiar. Sweet score on the all those parts and your builds turned out really nice!

[Wafflehouse Ninja]

I talked to Jay today, new shells will be avail very very soon!

Thanks for the update Charlie! I'll be needing a shell for sure!

[RedScampi]

Very nice indeed! Great work on the resto - looks perfect!

[howsyouraspen]

Great looking Yoke. I would love to get me one soon. You did a nice job.