Kyosho Rocky

[Dangeruss]

In 1986 Kyosho unveiled a new 1/10 4-wheel drive off-road buggy called the Rocky. Marketed as their less expensive entry level 4x4 buggy this son of an Optima featured molded ABS construction throughout. It's double deck main chassis with bolt on front kickup plate and sealed bulkheads held the 4-wheel independent lower a-arm and adjustable camber link suspension while three oil filled, aluminum bodied, adjustable collar coilover shocks, two at the rear held by a short aluminum shock tower and a single mono shock between the front arms, provided dampening. A centered bellcrank, two adjustable tie rods and Kimbrough style servo saver completed the steering, though, the heart of the Rocky was its open chain driven four-wheel drive system. A mid-mounted motor installed with its pinion inserted into the side of the top loading bulkhead rear, engaging a counter gear that spun the plastic bevel gear equipped differential. A sprocket attached to the counter gear from outside the gearbox and drove a chain that ran forward to the front top loading bulkhead and around the front sprocket which drove a counter gear and differential assembly that used the same bevel gears as the rear. Incorporated into the chassis was a simple and unique chain tensioning system that used slotted holes in the rear bulkhead chassis mounts which allowed the chain to be adjusted by sliding the whole rear bulkhead (and suspension) forwards or backwards as required. Metal dogbones, aluminum front knuckles, plastic rear hubs and a full set of bushings rounded out the drivetrain. A Lemans 240ST motor, mechanical speed controller, hex mounted 3-piece wheels wrapped in knobby rubber tires, large front bumper and a clear lexan body and wing topped off the unassembled kit which was sold less radio: