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Disclaimer: Since this is going to be my first thread on here, don't expect everything to go smooth...

Ever since I saw romulus22 's thread on these I wanted one. Of course there was not a single one for sale world wide, so I was on the hunt for a while.
I had success after putting up a listing on the classifieds...

Guy reached out to me saying he had one that he started building and never finished with the Box, all the manuals, but sadly without the O.S. CZ-Z.
Of course I jumped on it and payed the guy waaay to much money
I soon realized it would be a shame to run such a unicorn in brand new condition, so I always kept an eye out for another one.

Maybe a month ago something caught my eye on the front page of the classifiedes and sure enough: it was a Rampage Pro Team Truck. Super dirty, no body, listed together with a Kyosho TF2 touring car for a super low price.
But there was a catch to the story. The listing said "only for pick up" and it was, of course, on the other side of the country.
So I messaged the guy if he would send it to me, but he said no he doesn't want to and that a guy is coming to pick it up in a few days.
Luckily the other guy didn't show up and the seller got back to me saying he was willing to post it to me.
So jumped on it and payed the guy waaay to much money, for the piece of junk that it is

Long story short: Box arrived, smelled it before I saw it, and there it was!
Leaving you with the pics I took shortly after for tonight.
Just let it all soak in...

vonBraun wrote: ↑Sun Jan 01, 2023 3:26 pm Disclaimer: Since this is going to be my first thread on here, don't expect everything to go smooth...

Got a backstory + pics. So far, off to a good start.
I find these trucks, along with their electric version counterpart the Pro-XRT, really cool. Even though they didn't fair too well with the racing scene back in the day. When they were released circa '94, I remember drooling over these trucks in the Tower Hobbies catalogs as a teenager. Couple years back I picked up a Pro-XRT and restored it last year. Got it all complete and fitted with period correct electronics, just needs the body. I have the original body (which is painted & in so-so condition) and plan on making a mold from it and make new bodies with a homemade vacuum table.... some day.

Looking forward to see the progress.

R6cowboy wrote: ↑Sun Jan 01, 2023 7:01 pm
Couple years back I picked up a Pro-XRT and restored it last year. Got it all complete and fitted with period correct electronics, just needs the body. I have the original body (which is painted & in so-so condition) and plan on making a mold from it and make new bodies with a homemade vacuum table.... some day.

I followed your build, even tho I wasn’t signed up! You did a fantastic job documenting your build!
I have to up my game
I‘ve got a Pro-XRT too. Came with two new-in-package bodies!!!
Now I am contemplating on sacrificing one, since there are no repops available and a lot of people are looking for one. Not sure when and how because I don’t know anyone doing it in europe. The original body will be destroyed when getting it of the mold, right?

Yes, Your original body will be ruined in the process of making the mold - But there´s going to be a lot of happy Kyosho owners, if You decide to do it.
In my opinion, it´s the nicest stadium truck body ever made.
Iirc, the body repro company, would compensate you with a handful of fresh repro bodies.

vonBraun wrote: ↑Mon Jan 02, 2023 3:59 am I followed your build, even tho I wasn’t signed up! You did a fantastic job documenting your build!
I have to up my game
I‘ve got a Pro-XRT too. Came with two new-in-package bodies!!!
Now I am contemplating on sacrificing one, since there are no repops available and a lot of people are looking for one. Not sure when and how because I don’t know anyone doing it in europe. The original body will be destroyed when getting it of the mold, right?

Not necessarily. I've previously made a Futaba FXT stadium truck mold from an original body and I was able to remove it from the mold without damaging it with the aid of compressed air and a narrow long-necked blow gun. Without it, no way.
If I had a brand new Pro-XRT body, I'd request Team Blue Groove in Canada to make a repo and send the body to them.

I don't think the original body is damaged when making a mold of it.

You are very fortunate to have 2 original bodies. It's definitely one of the best looking ST bodies ever. I would love to get another couple of bodies for other projects.

Thanks for the interest guys!

I will shoot TBG an email about the process…
Don’t want to pay a fortune in shipping and the end product needs to be perfect if the original body is lost.

Going to post a build-update tonight…

In for the build, very cool trucks that you don’t see too much of.

vonBraun wrote: ↑Tue Jan 03, 2023 2:38 am Thanks for the interest guys!

I will shoot TBG an email about the process…
Don’t want to pay a fortune in shipping and the end product needs to be perfect if the original body is lost.

Going to post a build-update tonight…

For what it's worth. A member here helped convince TBG to make a repo Futaba FXT body since he was able to send them an original, which he received back in perfect condition. There's a few of us here (me included) who are very thankful for that.

R6cowboy wrote: ↑Tue Jan 03, 2023 2:10 pm
For what it's worth. A member here helped convince TBG to make a repo Futaba FXT body since he was able to send them an original, which he received back in perfect condition. There's a few of us here (me included) who are very thankful for that.

I read about that in another forum today, while researching the FXT.

Thanks by the way for mentioning it. I didn’t know the truck even existed, but now I need one. Badly.

I need a repro body to cut up, because I want to run a real muffler and manifold setup. Don’t think it will stand a chance against the GTX and RC10GT with the original exhaust can.

Back to the build…
Actually restoration is the better term, because I‘m not going to change things up yet.

I started by just tearing it apart and throwing all the bits in the ultrasonic cleaner. I usually don’t wear gloves, but for this job I just had to put on a pair. This thing was disgusting!
It’s a very simple truck so it took me about 15 minutes.
After that it was time to assess the damage and make a list.
Here are some things I discovered…

And the big thing: The „slight modification“ of the chassis.
I didn’t see that in the pics of the listing, so it was quite the surprise
Also take a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship on the antenna and the throttle linkage

vonBraun wrote: ↑Tue Jan 03, 2023 3:39 pm I read about that in another forum today, while researching the FXT.

Thanks by the way for mentioning it. I didn’t know the truck even existed, but now I need one. Badly.

I need a repro body to cut up, because I want to run a real muffler and manifold setup. Don’t think it will stand a chance against the GTX and RC10GT with the original exhaust can.

The FXT was my 1st hobby grade RC, have 6 of them now. The last two I bought, I picked up because I forgot/lost track how many of them I had Recently had five of the chassis' powder coated black and whenever I get around to building them, I plan on letting go of a couple of them. Just haven't had any time for RC stuff for the past few months.

Not sure what the deal with the engine is. The case is huge for a .15! But it somehow is very light?!
Can’t even tell what brand it is. Maybe a Force?
Took a pic with an O.S. 15CV-X for size comparison. They don’t do it justice…

R6cowboy wrote: ↑Tue Jan 03, 2023 4:36 pm
I plan on letting go of a couple of them.

You already have a potential buyer!