Adamcurrie 34 Posted January 8, 2014 Hi, I'm new here. Just picked up an egress re re and have an avante 2011 shelf queen. Digging through my RC stuff in the Garage I came across my old Top Force and mused on whether rebuilding was an option. It's had quite a bit of love in the past then left to die It has universals in the back and almost all bushes have been replaced with ball bearings. It's missing shell, original wing and under tray. Broken plastic too: So what do you think? Can she be saved? Should she be? Edit; thought I'd better have a comparison then to now (still not complete) 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kontemax 1723 Posted January 8, 2014 Yes, everything can be saved. If I saved my Striker you absolutely can and must save this one. As I said in my Striker thread, hey, it's a Tamiya anyway! Max Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adamcurrie 34 Posted January 8, 2014 It's a sorry looking thing isn't it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adamcurrie 34 Posted January 8, 2014 Thanks Max, I'll pull it apart tonight and see what plastic is broken, what car should I be looking at for the plastic parts? I have fond memories of this car Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Percymon 2184 Posted January 8, 2014 Welcome AdamOf course its worth restoring / rebuilding - they are a great runner, and look fab on the shelf too. Its based on the DF-01 chassis, and shares some parts with other (plastic tub) models like Manta Ray, Blazing Star, Dirt Thrasher and Terra Conqueror. I have a load of DF-01 spares, some partly used new sprues, some used stuff - if you get a list of what you need to replace I'm happy to help you out where I canIf you don't have a build manual then PM/message me your email address and I'll send you a pdf through,You already have the steel propshaft which was an mprovement over the wire version of the lesser DF-01 cars - you can buy lighter weight alloy ones from the likes of asiatees.com or rcmart.com but probably not worth it for general use. On the subject of changes/hop ups the main things are..alloy motor mountplastic gear set (gets rid of the horrid aluminium idler gear in rear gearbox)steel motor pinion (RW or Robinson Racing)you can also fit alloy front C hubs and rear hubs/upights if you fancied althoguh these are not essentialforget alloy wishbone arms - a waste of money and just put more stress on the central gearcase if you land a jump badly.Good luck - there's loads of Top force / Manta Ray threads on the forum, so a search will find planty of information - happy reading ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lentner3 281 Posted January 8, 2014 This definitely needs to be restored. Get it stripped down and see how it all is. don't forget pics 😃. Give everything a good clean up and check for fatigue and cracks etc. Once you have a list together you'll be able to get an idea of cost. You'll be glad you did once it's bck to it's former glory. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waterbok 1282 Posted January 8, 2014 Definit Yes, go for it. Have a look in the forum there are several rebuild threads on the TF and TF evo. (I did one but there are several others that are genius) Parts are easy to get at several HK and Japan based sellers. (rdvtg, jr-rc, hobby japan etc.) Decals are still available and original undercowl sometimes avalable in shops too. If you make it into a runner get the one piece alloy motormount from Pargu and replace the original dampers (the rere HiCaps should become available again) Tires go for the Dual blocks (maybe with the orange dish wheels, evo style). 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ddaenen1 278 Posted January 8, 2014 Definit Yes, go for it. Have a look in the forum there are several rebuild threads on the TF and TF evo. (I did one but there are several others that are genius) If you make it into a runner get the one piece alloy motormount from Pargu and replace the original dampers (the rere HiCaps should become available again) You are forgetting mine http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=70227&hl=%2Btop+%2Bforce The Top Force is a great car. I also still have a bunch of DF01 spare from my project so if Percymon doesn't have it, maybe i do. The hi-caps are already available again and can be bought now at reasonable prices. I did choose for the Dyna Storm dampers at the time because hicaps were impossible to find and if way too expensive and since they work really well, i am not going to swap them for hi caps.. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Percymon 2184 Posted January 8, 2014 My rebuild .. http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=68061&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gruntfuggly 562 Posted January 8, 2014 +1 for restoring! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
94eg! 834 Posted January 8, 2014 Don't restore it, just get it running again. I would try to keep it as-is and simply get it as close to the way it was as I could. Old closet-finds make great pieces of history in action. Especially with those vintage modifications. I have an old Hotshot, Vanquish & JrX-T that look almost the same as they did in the 80's, yet run better than ever. Vintage electronics and everything (except the hotshot). Your buggy would be extra-great if you could find it's old body. The old bodies really make them look special (to me). 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ukfox 347 Posted January 8, 2014 You definitely need to get the top force running again, even if you don't do a full rebuild. tamiya's 100th kit deserves to be made whole again 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ddaenen1 278 Posted January 8, 2014 Don't restore it, just get it running again. I did restore mine but still run it. I also run the Avante 2K1 and Avante 1988 occasionally. I don't see the point of restoring cars to be "shelf queens" imho. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
taliesin 260 Posted January 8, 2014 It's just a flesh wound.... Go for it and do a resto. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sidewaysdave69 188 Posted January 8, 2014 I have just bought one in need of some tlc. in the pictures its not as bad as yours. but I would defiantly restore it, as that's what I plan on doing (with a twist). as already said look on ebay.com search ***** top force for a body set decals are easy enough. plus there is loads of help to be had from everyone on here. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wood5tock 864 Posted January 8, 2014 Another vote for giving the beastie another chapter 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ralphee 282 Posted January 8, 2014 Full restore, and keep it all crossed for an Evo re re lol, though i do like Seans used Hotshot, my first RC, great memories! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grastens 2795 Posted January 9, 2014 Get it back in action! Like the rear wing says: Formidable! ... That last sentence made little sense (I was hoping it would read something else), but the point is that the Top Force is easy to find parts for, it is a special model in Tamiya history, and it can make a very good runner. Best of luck with the revival! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adamcurrie 34 Posted January 9, 2014 Thanks for all the responses and offers I'll rebuild it and keep it as a runner. I took some more pics last night / today and compiled a bit of a list of needed bits. I'll post up in a bit Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adamcurrie 34 Posted January 9, 2014 Few odd screws there, I probably have the necessary replacements somewhere.Bit of a chunk missing there but should still function okOdd screw thereTab that holds the bar in place is worn on the bumperMissed replacing a bushing there, in the steering arms tooCrackedHate the red gearbox, missing the body mount there, broke in twoGears look okgears look ok here too, although there is some wearSteering arm broken missing the linkage going to the wheel tooBroken battery stay and funny bolt. missing both hold downs too.Egress and Avante boxen! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adamcurrie 34 Posted January 9, 2014 Here's the whole library thing http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/adam_currie1/library/?sort=3&page=0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adamcurrie 34 Posted January 9, 2014 Thinking of taking the Novak cyclone back from the hpi micro Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Percymon 2184 Posted January 9, 2014 Well not too bad, from what i can see from the pics above (unable to view the photobucket library in the office ) Rear gearbox - should be black as you know Front knuckles / uprights - cheap, common part - part number 0445098, more commonly used part number is 50648 Battery end stop is part J14, from part sprue 9115041 Steering arm is part J8, from same sprue as above Steering linkage is a 3x42mm shaft (comes in shaft bag part 9405701, but you could buy some 42/45mm turnbuckles from stellamodels or asiatees or rcmart Steering linkage rod ends (adjusters) are from D parts tree 0005378 Battery hold down plates (2) are part number 805392, although normally sold as part of the press parts bag 9405707, which includes the shock towers and other parts - you could just cut some plasticard / evergreen sheet, or glass fibre sheet to the correct size to get the job done Front gearbox outdrive cup / joint is part SA4, sold as a pair of left (long on front gearbox) and right (short on rear gearcase) - part 9805377, although what you have looks like it will still work ok temporarily. Yes you have a few incorrect screws on the underside of the chassis - all those that screw into the alloy posts are 3 x 3mm flat head machine screws, from screw bag A (part 9465396); the self tappers 3 x 12mm that hold the plastic parts and gearcases are from screw bag B (part 9465397) which also includes the step screws which hold the front knuckles to the C hubs (you have a few incorrect screws there as you pointed out) I'll need to double check tonight , but i think I can help you out with.. a used bumper in better condition than the one you have used black rear gearcase rear body mount/post rod ends D3 new 3 x42mm shaft for steering linkage J14 battery end plate (new) J8 steering arm (new) would leave you needing body, undercowl and wing, and front uprights 50648 (£5 delivered from HK sellers on eBay) and screw bag B (screw bag A items can be found at hardware store / online fastener retailers) and to make some battery retaining plates. I'll confirm what i can give you in about 10 hours time when i'm back home. I also have a new spare set of decals. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Percymon 2184 Posted January 9, 2014 You can download a manual from TamiyaUSA website.. http://www.tamiyausa.com/pdf/manuals/ and then enter 58362 as the kit number (this is the later re-release of the original 58100 Top-Force but its 99.999% the same) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adamcurrie 34 Posted January 9, 2014 Percymon, thank you very much. If you can spare them, I would certainly appreciate it. I pulled it all down tonight and found a couple more broken plastic bits. I'll get some pics up. I've made a little list which I'll upload and some spare screws, out drives and wheel hexes no body though. I guess it's gone in one of the many clean ups. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites