Bastiaan 180 Posted April 17, 2020 Hello everybody, First post! I've been lurking around here for quite some time. I got hold of an original Top Force (at least, I hope so ) and thought it would be nice to share the restoring project. I think I am somewhat of a cliche: found my old Bear Hawk and threw it away but changed my mind. Now I'm almost done restoring and three buggy's added: a Grasshopper (re), a (partiallly) vintage Frog and now a Top Force. Probably not the last! Really enjoy looking for parts and slowly getting things running again. I'm taking it slow. No Lipo or brushless power yet and using 27mhz transmitters. Well, here she is: Shell is in good shape. The wing on the other hand... Not sure how to fix this. Advice is welcome. Maybe look for a new one... Hi-caps: Car is VERY greasy...The screw holders of the gearbox holders are cracked. New parts tree on its way. Yokomo Super Wing. Not familiar. Read it's a rare motor, but what isn't rare these days? Not familiar with this type of connector. Doesn't fit the Tamiya one. This broken piece attached to the back doesn't make any sense. Suggestions? Overview: Going to start taking it apart and cleaning soon! Curious what I will find... 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bastiaan 180 Posted April 19, 2020 Started dismantling. I read that the motor mount of the Top Force was quite fragile. Sure looks like it. This might be the reason why this Top Force retired many many years ago. Dampers look good (and greasy). Hmmm. One of the ball connectors of the servo steering rod looks melted. Wonder if this was done deliberately to make sure it would stay in place, looks different from the other connector. Car is dismantled now, except for the gearboxes. To be continued! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bastiaan 180 Posted April 23, 2020 Cleaning is in full progress and replacement/hopup parts are arriving. Very satisfying to see all those shiny plastic parts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bastiaan 180 Posted April 23, 2020 I looked at the motor a little bit better. Does someone know what 'Mt' stands for? I can only think of ' Monster Truck'. It's a 17t by the way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MICHAELs TopForce17 586 Posted April 23, 2020 nice top force. my guess mt is modified turns. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lucasan 28 Posted April 23, 2020 Hey Bastiaan, if you're interested, I have silver B parts tree that I'd part with for very little. Been collecting dust for awhile now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bastiaan 180 Posted April 24, 2020 23 hours ago, MICHAELs TopForce17 said: nice top force. my guess mt is modified turns. That makes sense, thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bastiaan 180 Posted April 24, 2020 19 hours ago, lucasan said: Hey Bastiaan, if you're interested, I have silver B parts tree that I'd part with for very little. Been collecting dust for awhile now. Hi Lucasan, a new B parts tree is on it's way. But thanks! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bastiaan 180 Posted May 14, 2020 Slowly, very slowly, parts are dripping in. I could have bought a brand new Top Force for the same money (maybe 1,5), but that would take away the satisfaction of restoring an original. Whole car is stripped and cleaned. I tried stripping the paint with braking fluid. Not really a succes. Turned out very cloudy. Maybe the body can be saved with polycarbotane cleaner... The wing is beyond saving. Very brittle and cracked. A new body and wing set is on it's way. I hope to start reassembling next week! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moffman 5752 Posted May 14, 2020 On 4/23/2020 at 12:10 PM, Bastiaan said: I looked at the motor a little bit better. Does someone know what 'Mt' stands for? I can only think of ' Monster Truck'. It's a 17t by the way. I'm thinking like above Mt modified turn or modified tuned I don't think a monster truck brushed motors would be 17t they are more in the 20s (like the tamiya sport tuned) for monster trucks? Good original topforce though! A Good clean and it's as good as new but that wing with the Ariel in it needs replacing! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACCEL 2014 Posted May 15, 2020 9 hours ago, Bastiaan said: Slowly, very slowly, parts are dripping in. I could have bought a brand new Top Force for the same money (maybe 1,5), but that would take away the satisfaction of restoring an original. Whole car i stripped and cleaned. I tried stripping the paint with braking fluid. Not really a succes. Turned out very cloudy. Maybe the body can be saved with polycarbotane cleaner... The wing is beyond saving. Very brittle and cracked. A new body and wing set is on it's way. I hope to start reassembling next week! it can be fixed, epoxy, CF cloth or #1-2 Oz. fiberglass cloth and micro ballons (aids in sanding morw easily) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bastiaan 180 Posted May 15, 2020 Thanks ACCEL! I will save the wing and try the epoxy thing! Have to get the materials though, and do some research what the best method is. For now a new wing will do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACCEL 2014 Posted May 16, 2020 i usually use West Systems 206 & 105 but it's a lil' steep mostly for my boats, Z-Poxy works really well. you'll trip if yo use the Oz. fiberglass it literally disappears when the resin hits it, or things get hot! i've been glassn' for years and always find different ways to keep it less messy. this was because of Green Lock-Tite, i did not heed the warning on the bottle, but had read it and thought i didn't use much and it ate this whole center area where my fasteners penetrated through.......................................... i had to try 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bastiaan 180 Posted May 16, 2020 I’m giving the hi-caps a good clean. But how on Earth do you remove the circlips? I’ve got a pair of pliers but they are to big and I can’t find the right ones... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fruitfly01 596 Posted May 16, 2020 You'll need a pair of very fine tipped tweezers for those. And a lot of patience. You might want to disassemble this inside a plastic bag, just in case the the clip goes flying. Not an easy part to find in a carpet, and even harder to replace with a spare. Unless the dampers are leaking, or if you already have spare parts, it's probably best to leave alone for now. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bastiaan 180 Posted May 16, 2020 Thanks! You are very helpful, really appreciated. I'm getting myself one of these: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bastiaan 180 Posted May 17, 2020 Reassembled the diffs and the hicaps. It’s really satisfying seeing them shine like that 🙂 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bastiaan 180 Posted May 18, 2020 On this great forum I learned about the gearbox cover and that it is not uncommon that it comes loose. So I experimented a bit with one of the (also on this forum) proposed solutions to this problem. Not bored at all during this lockdown! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bastiaan 180 Posted May 23, 2020 I did a test run today on some tarmac. Impressed! Never drove a Top Force before and it really is a pleasure to drive. Very stable and responsive. The Yokomo motor that was installed when I bought the car is pretty fast. Had two small accidents (explains the missing rear dog bone in the picture below) but was fortunate that the right spare parts were on the trees I bought for other parts 🙂 I do not have any experience with restoring lexan bodies so decided to by a new one. Will save the old one for a possible project. Almost ready for painting! New tires are also on their way. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Howards 456 Posted May 28, 2020 Looks like you've done a great job. Nice! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bastiaan 180 Posted May 29, 2020 On 5/28/2020 at 10:19 PM, Howards said: Looks like you've done a great job. Nice! Thanks! Will post some pictures when it's finished. Body will be box art, after some doubts, so nothing new there, but at least there is proof that the project is done Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bastiaan 180 Posted June 20, 2020 Almost ready for the decals! And waiting for new wheels & tires... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moffman 5752 Posted June 21, 2020 18 hours ago, Bastiaan said: Almost ready for the decals! And waiting for new wheels & tires... Looking superb absolutely top job on what it originally looked like! I bought a topforce few years ago from a local boot sale which was a bit of a mess! it had bits of topforce evo on it to the extent I didn't know if it was a standard or evo topforce the rear had hi-caps it had one orange wheel on the front and back one way diff and all carbon chassis and shock towers but green body so I did what you did and completely took it apart and rebuilt it as a evolution! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bastiaan 180 Posted June 21, 2020 10 hours ago, moffman said: Looking superb absolutely top job on what it originally looked like! I bought a topforce few years ago from a local boot sale which was a bit of a mess! it had bits of topforce evo on it to the extent I didn't know if it was a standard or evo topforce the rear had hi-caps it had one orange wheel on the front and back one way diff and all carbon chassis and shock towers but green body so I did what you did and completely took it apart and rebuilt it as a evolution! Nice! It’s not done yet but I’m pretty happy how it turned out. But bying a new shell feels like cheating a bit 😉 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
