Kyosho Fantom 1/12 (1983) Tech/Giken Model Chassis Conversion

[K-Max]

Kyosho's decision to re-release the 1/12 Fantom has really helped introduce to the world today an iconic model back then better known domestically.

Interestingly they picked the 1983 version and not the Fantom EXT. The 1983 Fantom had basically no form of suspension, and that was addressed at the time by Tech Product (Giken Model) with a chassis conversion kit.

Tech parts are characteristically anodized gold (sometimes red), and focused on reducing weight. The Fantom chassis conversion kit gave the 1983 some degree of suspension front and rear.

[K-Max]

The entire front end would carry over from a standard 1983 Fantom. In my Fantom, I had already put in some Tech parts, namely alloy drive and half shafts, lightened screws, lightened drive cups. I had the front bulkheads and steering knuckles hand polished and anodized a matching gold.

Here you can see the steering knuckle fitted factory way with top and bottom king pins, with no form of vertical travel.

The Tech kit replaces the king pins with sliding pins.

And just by removing at the same time 2 washers, creates a little bit of vertical travel. This vertical travel is sprung by leaf springs attached to the top of the cross member.

It's an elegant retrofit. Later when the Fantom EXT was released it too had a little front travel albeit with longer kingpins and a small compression spring.

[K-Max]

The 1983 Fantom had late versions that came with a separate FRP bracket to support the servo saver shaft from below. This was needed for the Tech chassis. At the rear of the Tech chassis, designed cuts allow for some flex and articulation of the motor pod.

[K-Max]

Now with rear assembly mounted. The rear left and right bulkheads are also from Tech. The tube between them, and the left hub spacer are Kyosho but I had them polished and anodized red. Also fitted, a Kyosho graphite rear axle. Hubs are Kyosho and also polished and anodized gold.

At this point I finally figured out why my chain drive wasn't spinning freely. The plastic front one way sprocket had cracked with age. Rather then press-fitting a replacement vintage sprocket and have that crack in a few years, I decided to use the alloy version of the re-released Fantom's.

[K-Max]

Next with upper radio tray added. The additional radio tray post in the middle stiffens the main chassis section to allow rear motor assembly flex. Silicone tubing and piano wire provide a little damping action to rear flex suspension.

I fitted re-release Fantom pre-glued tyres, I find them very high quality and trued nicely. Made in Japan too.

[Dadio]

You've done a really beautiful job there , it's a stunning looking build and very well documented and photographed , thanks for sharing .

[K-Max]

Thank you Dadio, appreciate your kind words indeed.

[1300GT]

Really nice looking Fantom.

Is the front right driveshaft machined similarly to the EXT driveshaft allowing a small amount of up travel?

[K-Max]

Hi Chris,

Thank you!

The end of the right drive shaft in contact with the one-way bearing you mean? It's not machined into a ball like the EXT's.

But there's sufficient play between the sprocket and bulkhead to allow the small vertical travel.

Tech did make a version like the EXT's and that came in a silver finish instead.

[XLR8]

Oh my, what a thing of beauty!!!

Looks like it should be hanging on a Christmas tree.

I'm also extremely impressed by your photographic skills. I'm the world's worst photographer. I can't seem to take a decent photo to save my life!

[1300GT]

Hi Chris,

Thank you!

The end of the right drive shaft in contact with the one-way bearing you mean? It's not machined into a ball like the EXT's.

But there's sufficient play between the sprocket and bulkhead to allow the small vertical travel.

Tech did make a version like the EXT's and that came in a silver finish instead.

Yep, that's what I meant. Thanks for the answer.

[K-Max]

Oh my, what a thing of beauty!!!

Looks like it should be hanging on a Christmas tree.

I'm also extremely impressed by your photographic skills. I'm the world's worst photographer. I can't seem to take a decent photo to save my life!

Thanks Doug

I found a spot on my work table with overhanging LED lighting, and I take full car pictures using my Samsung in zoom mode (meaning I end up taking from further away). Somehow that gives the cars a more natural look I find.