Nitro Thrasher restoration

[nitro thrasher]

Finally found a forum that caters to the vintage kyosho lovers. I've decided to start a thread of the restoration of my nitro thrasher because I can't seem to find anything about this model online. Hopefully it will help someone out in the future. This model was purchased by my later father in 1995 before he passed away. It sat until I was old enough to appreciate it and build it in 2005. I was still young at the time and drove it a few time and broke several parts. It sat until last month when I decided to rebuild and repair it. The stock CZ-R engine was gummed up and would move. I cleaned it but them deiced to purchase a brand new CZ-Z from ebay for a steal price. I was told it has 25% more power than the stock CZ-R. I did need new clutch shoes so I purchased stock 2 shoe ones but did come across some vintage Duratrax 3 and 4 shoe kits on ebay. Part number DTXC2540-3shoe and DTXC2541-4shoe. They advertise they are for the CZ-R but will they work for the CZ-Z as well?

I also purchases some parts that were broken on it such as wheel hubs and wheel shafts and am updating the radio and servos to some spare traxxas stuff I had. Another question I had was about the tires. 2 of them are dented in from sitting and I tried fixing them by boiling and using a heat gun but had no luck. Are there some other 2.2 monster truck tires that would work on these 3 piece wheels?

I have attached some pictures of my progress thus far. Please leave me some feedback and tips you might have. Thanks

[GoMachV]

Looks good! I had a lot of fun with these back in the day.

Foam inserts will help the tires out. Not sure about the compatibility.

The CZ Z is a lot of power for that truck. Make sure it has full bearings and I would look for the heavy duty two shoe.
Clutch KC-45 (97014 is the updated part number) instead of the ab-15 you have. Just re-use your spring. They were notorious for melting. I was never a fan of the Duratrax 3 and 4 shoe clutches personally. The KC is from the 1/8 scale cars and trucks.

Stock up on belts if you can find them. They were the weak link and with more power will surely be a wear item. Also the ring and pinions can be upgraded to a hardened unit FD-62.

Drive shafts, axles, arms etc... are still out there, same as optima mid so not cheap but out there none the less.

[nitro thrasher]

Ok great awesome information. I did forget to mention that I did replace all the bushings with bearings as well. Belts are a bit harder for me to find. Not sure where to get some more from. But i will for sure look into the clutch kit you recommended.

[EvolutionRevolution]

If you can't find the belts, try to find the GP-10 (same chassis) center shaft conversion set, which includes a new chassis and top plate and does away with the belts.

[GoMachV]

Adding to that, the inferno 10 is the same chassis as the conversion and may be easier to find on the cheap.

If you do that, you will have to find a way to lower the gearing, like a tiny clutch bell.

[Lowgear]

Being a fan of the Nitro Thrasher, I'm happy to see this restoration take place. You can use the tires, wheels, and hubs off of all the other Kyosho monster trucks (car crusher series) that used these similar parts.

Big Boss
Big Brute
Double Dare
Hi-Rider Corvette


I don't remember the belts being much of an issue while driving mine back in the day, and I drove it excessively. It was also making a bit more power than stock as well. Maybe the open diffs helped. Back then I was too young to really know what a locked diff was.

[nitro thrasher]

That's the problem though. I can't find any vintage Kyosho tires and wheels anywhere. Well at least for a semi-reasonable price. I think I'm just going to try running the ones I have, and see if they straighten out.

[GoMachV]

They won't on their own. Use foam inserts, and they will be fine.

[nitro thrasher]

OK, thanks.

[nitro thrasher]

Which way should the piston be in my CZ-R engine. Should the hole in it be facing the exhaust port or should it be flipped around. I took it apart to clean it and now cannot remember.

[GoMachV]

You should not see the hole thru the exhaust port.

[nitro thrasher]

OK great, thanks again.

[coxbros1]

That's it? That's how this thread ends? Man, I was robbed... Sux

[Lowgear]

Well if it's any consolation, I'll be working on mine... Eventually. I've been collecting a load of period correct hop-up items for it over the last few years.

[Lowgear]

Here's the manual for anyone interested. I spent a lot of time putting it together: https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?t=49043


Wow, exactly 3 years down to the minute since my above post. What are the odds?! Apparently pretty good.