Kyosho Stinger
Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2024 8:44 pm
In 1986 Kyosho released the Stinger, their first nitro powered 4-wheel drive off-road racing buggy. Constructed primarily from Kyosho's own proprietary EX66 blend of nylon an aluminum plate chassis with plastic top deck served as the foundation for the Optima inspired 4-wheel independent lower a-arm and adjustable camber link suspension. The steering system consisted of twin bellcranks with a built-in servo saver and adjustable tie rods while suspension dampening was handled by Kyosho's red andodized aluminum coilover shocks with adjustable collars at each corner. The shocks were supported by an aluminum plate tower out back which bolted to the rear gearbox while up front they bolted directly to molded in shock mounts on the gearbox. Inside each of those sealed split case gearboxes was Kyosho's ubiquitous bevel gear differentials, with a pair of sprockets up front to allow for ratio changes and a screw adjustable tensioner for the chain under the top deck (the later Stinger MKII introduced in 1988 would be belt driven). Power to the 4wd system would come from a three-gear transmission spun by a centrifugal clutch equipped pinion and spur primary drive while metal dogbones at all around would dole out power through a set of bushings in the aluminum front hubs and plastic rear carriers to a set of nylon three piece "phone dial" wheels shod in knobby Bridgestone 340730-20-M tires. A plastic front bumper, fuel tank, aluminum muffler, mounts for an Enya .09 or O.S. .10 motor, Kyosho's Zip starter and a clear lexan body was included with the unassembled kit which came without a motor, radio, or electronics. The Stinger was also sold through Graupner in Germany: