GoMachv's Nikko Dictator thread

[GoMachV]

Decided to play around with a Nikko Dictator. To be fair, this is a radio shack version but mostly compatible. I have a proper Nikko coming for the final build. It cost me $35 shipped, so I can't complain! The car isn't too far from hobby grade really, except that they make it near impossible to swap wheels and shocks. luckily Kyosho axles fit (I have some rere Optima cv's coming from HK) as well as the adjustable tie rods. I used Tamiya black shocks for mock up, not sure what I will end up with on the final version. I went with Tamiya Sport Tuned 380's. I have a friend that runs them in a drift car and promises they are hotter than the Traxxas 380's. We will see. Oh, and yes it is Lipo friendly!

Anyway, enjoy the pics.

[R Cane]

Cool!

[Diamond Dave]

Would be great to see a run on lipo. I always love the different take you have on so many different cars and trucks.

Love the bottom plate.

[GoMachV]

Thanks guys!

Found a good use for a TBG Raider Pro body. It takes a pretty high nose to clear the gearbox.
I also went to dual bellcranks, with the wonky geometry of the steering arms it needed the change to achieve lock to lock

[Diamond Dave]

Looks like it from the pic. Full lock on both sides?

What servo are you using?

[Lonestar]

Love it

[GoMachV]

So just for reference...this is how it looks when you start out
Super heavy and boingy as can be!

Body, wheels and bumpers removed...so much better! Almost looks like a decent chassis

After removing the electronics

And this is pretty much all I reuse

Before and after

[Coelacanth]

You should put that original body back on...it's sooo []D [] []V[] []D

Gotta love those toy-grade car bodies!

[GoMachV]

I wasn't gonna show it...but...

[RC10resto]

[romulus22]

From a memory of a long time ago that looks just like a car I got for Christmas from radio shack. I remember the gears stripped first time out and it was taken back and who knows what I got for Christmas in exchange. Thing was huge to a pre 10 yr old if I had to guess.

[GoMachV]

Yeah Nikko sold them under their own name and also branded some as Radio Shack Phantom series
The first one I mocked up was that version. Not a lot different, but the plastic was incredibly flexible- like a Kyosho Raider. The Nikko is a little stiffer plastic.

I'll be assembling the Nikko version with some pics. It's surprising how many Kyosho parts are a direct fit

[GoMachV]

Just need to button up a couple minor things and it's rtr

[rccars4sal]

Is it possible to fit ball bearingins in those? I saw quite a few of the rtr toys that looked like good starting points. However, by the time I took em apart the shafts, bushings, and everything else that rubbed or spun was worn out. Some use the plastic case for a bushing surface. Years ago we had a radio shack matt trax which was fantastic! But, it got wore out and tossed.

Tyco fastraxx are gaining value,, but again, they are disposable, and not much repairable. Some of the best funnest designs were rtr toys.

Fastraxx were actually hella fast, and quite a riot to zoom around.

[GoMachV]

Yes they use a 5x11 everywhere but the diff. The diff is supported by bushings on the later cars like this that are 10x14 making it a hard to find bearing. I have some 10x15 flanged coming and will fudge it. The earlier cars had a 5x11 there instead and used a plastic cup to make the 11mm fit the 14mm hole.