Thunder Tiger ZK2

[Mondo]

I saw this little item in a Hobby Shop today and left with it in a plastic bag. (Paid for, of course)

It's Thuder Tiger's addition to the vertical 18th scale Micro market. They named it the ZK2

IMO it looks like a Mini-T clone, as I don't own a Mini-T (yet) I'm not sure, but here's the photo

1/18th scale 2WD monster truck RTR

[Mondo]

It has the following electrics:

Sparks

7.2V 1100mAh NiMh battery pack
4 x AA battery holder with Micro connector
Slow charger
27MHz RX/ESC Combo which doesnt look too shabby, it does support a standard servo
280 Motor
Micro Servo - the same as what's fitted to the RC18T (co-incidence?)
Servo saver
Horrible looking, but functional TX

Drivetrain / Chassis

I quote: "1/10th class differential" I dunno if the gears are plastic or steel, I'll have to strip the rear end down to see
Steel dogbones
Bushings (What? No bearings?) all round

Oil shocks all round :) A bonus
It has adjustable body posts. The body posts are screwed into position.
The front and rear bumpers look sturdy enough to take the knocks.
The battery box is secured on one side with a bodyclip and it swivels open.
Orion 6.0/7.2V Micro RS4 packs fit as do BLiND brick packs :D

I haven't run it yet, as I've been working on my Mini-Quake all day - hence the trip to the LHS :)

[Mondo]

As I said, IMO it looks like a Mini-T clone.
I wonder if Mini-T hop ups will work on it? Time will tell..
Here's a close up on the electronics.
The RX/ESC combo was mounted skew and the bodyshell is also mounted skew.
I guess you have to live with these imperfections when buying a budget RTR.

[Mondo]

So I took the ZK2 for its maiden run today.
I made a few suprising discoveries:

It has a 27MHz FM TX/RX not AM as I assumed
Perhaps I should have read the manual

Also, the ESC/RX combo is FWD/REV as in no brakes!
That kind of sucks big time, but I planned on junking the standard electronics anyway.

Performance wise it's not bad, the oil shocks handle the drop offs nicely and it's stable in a straight line.
Speed is fairly good, what's to be expected from a 280 sized motor.
Does great wheelies too!
Amazingly the micro servo is pretty quick, so it turns nicely too.

Time to invest in some upgrade electronics :)

[BLiND]

looks like a better starting point than a Mini-T

the servo tray area is larger, look like HS-81's and 85's will fit without modding. Also the 3 wire servo is nice.

Is thunder tiger also owned by horizon?

[Mondo]

Today I was uberbored and the weather was crap. I decided to see if I could beat the Thunder Tiger ZK2 into submission in my street.
It still has the standard ESC, as in no brake, fwd/rev only, although with precise finger control you can feather reverse to act as a pseudo brake.

Man, that poor ZK2 went through hell for 15 minutes today. The result? Scratched chassis, scratched rear bumper and the tires well scrubbed!

It's a tough little critter, it did so many high speed rollovers, flips and had quite a few good impacts with the kerb.
Once again, I'll stress the fact I am impressed with the standard steering servo (identical to the RC18T's) the steering is so quick on this little truck.
The only noticable incident was one of the steering rods popping off the ball joint.

I also tried to shoehorn a 370/400 motor into it, but the motor mount doesn't allow for it. I now have a Dremel project on my hands ;)

I've decided that this will be my basher, it's a great little truck, cheap, cheerful and tough. I will fit bearings, replace the standard electronics and squeeze a larger motor into the little beast

Stay tuned..

[HPIsuperfan]

How much is it and where can I get one?

[Mondo]

Originally posted by HPIsuperfan
How much is it and where can I get one?

I paid just under £100 with tax etc.. for mine
No idea where to buy them in the U.S. though, they aren't even listed on Thunder Tiger's website!

[Mondo]

I fitted new electronics into the ZK2 as the 27MHz FM RX/ESC combo unit doesn't support brakes!
The new electronics consist of a standard sized Futaba 40MHz FM RX I had laying around and an Mtroniks/Msonik RV ECO 27 ESC with FWD/Brake/Rev.
I've fitted the electronics and will solder some WS Deans connectors on to the motor wires and ESC tomorrow night.

Next mission: Shoehorn a Speed 400 race Motor in to this critter.
I also found a couple of HS81MG Servos in my pit box.. I wonder... :)

I'll run it with the new electronics over the weekend then get to work on the motor plate in my quest to squeeze the Speed 400 Race into this critter.

[Roelof]

A 480bb race wil rock ! :D

Uge ESC but it seems to fit, one small mean machine.....

[Mondo]

Thanks Roelof,

As it was so cheap, I've decided to use it for bashing in all weather conditions.
The ESC was cheap too and it's waterproof. It's rated for 27T stock (540) motors so it will handle a 400 with ease.
It will not take a 480BB, but a 400BB is possible with a lot of Dremel work on the motor mount:D

[alfred]

like the set up on the ZK2 and that esc is bad a--. Keep us posted on the motor (400) and if the motor squeezed in there or not.

[Mondo]

Hehe, I trashed the stock servo while doing some bashing yesterday. Took a few teeth of one of the inner gears.
I had a dig in my pit box and came across a brand new HS81MG with the side mounts (ears) cut off. I had obviously kept this as a spare Vertical Mount servo for Micro RS4 #1 that has a VM upper deck.
I stuck it into the ZK2's chassis with decent double sided tape and got it up and running.
It's a tight fit, but no modifications were required.
I'm not using a servo saver as I didnt have a small one, so I'm using a servo horn right now until I can source a nice small Kimboro servo saver.

As for the 400 Motor - I'll get around to that in the week ahead.

[Mini-zMan]

Nice truck! It looks like a very similiar design to the Mini-t. Except with the mini-t to mount the HS-81 servo it took about half an hour of dremeling. I like the tires and the layout on the ZK2. Nice work Mondo!

[Mondo]

Mini-zMan,

Thanks :)

When I saw the ZK2 I knew it had the potential to make a great big-block basher.
I've been working on the motor mount, all I need now is a pinion to fit on the 380/400 motor I intend on fitting.
It's taken quite a bit of Dremel work and I had a harsh reminder of just how hot aluminum gets when working it with friction tools.
It now accepts a 400 motor and has enough room for meshing adjustment.
I'll also have to do some dremel work on the rear motor guard as this is preventing the 400 motor from moving to provide sufficient gear mesh adjustment - nothing too serious :)

Now to find some darned pinions.... :p

[Mini-zMan]

Are you planning on using 1/8 copper tubing on the shaft? Thats the best way for mounting the pinions onto the smaller shaft. Then the pinions made for the 540 motors slide right over the 1/8 tubing.

[Mondo]

Today I took the standard 300 motor from the RC18T (Identical to the ZK2's motor in every way, right down to the wiring and capacitor) and decided to try something.
I water dipper the motor, blasted it with motor clean, re-lubed the bushes then added Black Death Comm Drops to the commutator.

I fitted this motor into the ZK2 and took it for a blast. Wicked! It now wheelies even better, acceelration is much improved too.

Another thing I did was take the large spacer from the RC18T's standard rear shocks and added them to the rear shocks on the ZK2 to reduce droop.
Now it handles the bigger jumps without bottoming out.

Slowly but surely I am turning this budget basher into something worthwile.
All I need now is a set of bearings, a pinion for the Speed400 motor and this project is complete and ready for some springtime abuse :)

It does need a new spur gear as the motor came loose a few weeks back the the pinion slipped like mad wearing one side of the gears on the spur down, I can feel and hear that the spur is uneven.
I hope the HS I got it from carries spares for this critter :p

Stay tuned, by next weekend I hope to have the 400 motor squeezed into its butt :)

[alfred]

Nice Mondo, i hope the 400 will fit up there....lol

[Mondo]

LOL!

More like fitting "in there"
Yes it does fit, it's a squeeze as the rear motor guard is close but I have one a succesful installation that was cut short by the lack of a pinion :p
After all my Dremel work the 400 has plenty of adjustment for gear meshing too

Another big issue with the 400 motor was the droop on the rear suspension, this has been cured by using the RC18T's standard shock spacers on the rear shocks.

I am actually tempted to buy some Losi Street Treads or foams for this truck too, it will lose the MT appeal but I reckon it will make a fantastic street basher.

Once again I will express my delight at this budget basher, all it takes is a little work to turn into something quite special at a fraction of the cost of the Losi Mini-T

[alfred]

Will you be able to post a pic of the 400 beast of a motor in there.:D And nice work Mondo.

[Mondo]

As requeasted I do have some photos.
I had to rework the motor mount tonight, the ZK2 comes with a 12T pinion as standard.
A 15T wouldn't fit with a 300 motor when I first tried it for size,
Now that it's been reworked I can fit a 17T pinion on it with ease.
Man I am tempted to go that extra an see if I can get a 19T on the beast!!
I will try a 15T with the 400 motor. I am taking two pinions to get drilled out to facilitate the 400 motor's 2.3mm shaft tomorrow.
A 15T metal and a 17T composite pinion from the XRayM18 :)
If your wondering if the XRay composite pinio will hold up with a 400 motor I believe it will as I run standard composite pinions on my brushless M18 and some Members run Mamba 8000 kV motors with these composite pinions too.

I've attached a photo of the ZK2's motor mount with a 300 motor fitted and without a motor fitted.
In the photo you can see the XRay M18 17T pinion fits without any fuss. Success!
You san see my rough Dremel handywork, but, hey! It works and that part of the mount is shrouded in a plastic cover :D

Excuse the photo quality, it was taken with manual focus and foreground (non-flash) lighting

Tomorrow I should have the Mini-Quake's 380/400 motor squeezed into this little critter :D

[alfred]

lol, i have one question---do you think the ZK2's drivetrain will be able to handle that kind of POWER going through its drivetrain. Too me its like Bigger Motor just means more stress the motor puts on the gears and drivetrain. I can see it already the ZK2 is going to be crazy fast if your able to keep the tires planted to the ground. Nice pics Mondo, not blurry at all.:D

[Mondo]

Alfred,

To be honest I think it will hold up. It's a 400 motor and I've seen 540 powered Mini-T's :)
I can't wait to get it all up and running, should be a gas, not as fast as the brushless cars but it should have torque galore.

[Mondo]

Done!

One budget truck turned into a flyer.
I fitted the 400 motor today, the stock motor from the MQ.
Unfortunately I didn't have a pinion to fit but I did press a Delrin 13T micro 2mm pinion onto the 2.3mm shaft and it is tight. No slip it is a temporary solution until I get a proper pinion.

The motor mount still needs more Dremel work to facilitate anything beyond a 13T pinion with the 400 motor, but that's a job for the weekend (Whoa! Just deprived myself of run time with the Brushless RC18T)

Photo 1

[Mondo]

I took it for a test run on a semi charged pack.
The road was a little damp and all I can say is: "whoohoo"
Minimal rear suspension droop, in fact less than the droop with the standard 300 motor now I've fitted the RC18T's shock spacers :)

The run was amazing, it drifts on command, a slight twitch of the steering wheel, flick the throttle and this baby will powerslide on the damp surface as if it were ice.

Needless to say, as I type the battery is on charge.
I use the BLiND Batts 7.2V Brick packs on this baby and they fit perfect and work very well.

List of things to do:


Dremel motor mount a little more to allow bigger pinions
Bearings all round
Losi wheels with foam tires
Wheelie bar (?)
ProLine HMMV bodyshell


I took it for a run on a charged pack. OMG!
Indoors it lifts with every blip of the throttle!
It's a wheelie monster! Even on the wet asphalt it gets the front wheels up!
The spur and 13T Delrin pinion is so much quieter than the last run I took it for with the 300 motor and 12 steel pinion :confused:
Perhaps the pinion was on skew before.

Man I can't wait to chuck some bearings in this little flyer, I have created a monster here!
I am so impressed with this cheap truck, I still believe it as a better choice than buying a Mini-T (IMO)
Roll on spring, now I have the ultimate little 2WD basher to play with outdoors :D

[alfred]

Seems to me like you had a Blast Mondo. So the rear wheels were able to bite, nice to know especially with a 400 motor in there. Im glad you had fun man. And nice mod for the ZK2.:D

[Mondo]

Originally posted by alfred
Seems to me like you had a Blast Mondo. So the rear wheels were able to bite, nice to know especially with a 400 motor in there. Im glad you had fun man. And nice mod for the ZK2.:D

Thanks alfred, the hard work on modding the motor mount paid off :)
As for the rear wheels biting, they spin and the front still comes up.... 7 out of 10 times.. :p

It's awesome, I will be pricking up bearings for it sometime this week then it's almost done... pending some metal pinions although I am impressed at how well the Delrin pinion is holding up and at how quiet the drivetrain is.

[Mondo]

I have to admit.. the Thunder Tiger ZK2 is the most fun I have ever had with a Micro scale RC car.
It's amazing, a little work to squeeze in the big bad 400 motor and it's a rocket on wheels.
Today I was driving it off the roof of the car, yea about 5 feet or so, it hit's the ground with a thud and nothing breaks.

I mailed an Ebay bearing seller and he has made up a bearing kit for the ZK2. I bought two sets on Ebay today. Why two? I am so tempted to buy another ZK2, you have no idea.
These are the best little 2WD bashers I have ever come across.

I also ran a Team Orion 7.2V 1100mAh NiMh pack in it today, they are a little smaller than the BLiND brick packs I run in it, but they sit further back. Result: Wheelies galore!

My next mission on this is to get steel pinions for it. I would love to go to a 15T/16T pinior or even higher but it means more work on the motor mount.
The 13T Delrin pinion is holding up just fine too, but I want a little more speed from it as it's so slow compared to the RC18T (Unfair comparison?)
I will hopefull get some pics of a bashing session, I wish I had somewhere to Post video.

I also want Losi foam tires for it too, but it may traction roll a lot!
A Baja bug bodyshell is also calling out for this little beast!

[alfred]

I like how the motor is just craddled in the rear bumper like that. The motor probably gets good airflow since the 400 can is exposed. Really dont have to worry about overheating the motor.

[Mondo]

I did a tear down of the gearbox assembly tonight.
Three screws and the entire rear assembly comes off, very convenient :)
It uses two idler gears inside a-la Mini-T, the main diff housing sits on bearings while the idlers are on bushes.

Opening the diff I was pleasantly surpised to find it only had two planetary bevel gears, they are large and made of steel, as are the outdrives. Wicked! The diff was packed with a nice thick grease too.
No slop or signs of wear on the inner gears, diff bevel gears or outdrives.

I also made some more mods to the motor mount and now I could probably fit a 16T pinion with ease. It's standard pinion is 12T, so it should get me a little more top speed.

Went to the LHS today and stocked up on the little things I find that I needed after sorting the pit box out. I was clean out of 30WT shock oil, I will refill the ZK2's front shocks with 30WT.

Again I will express my sheer delight with this little truck, it's well thought out, tough and oh-so modification freindly.
If any Members see a Thunder Tiger 1/18th ZT2/ZK2 for sale at an HS, I do recommend they pick one up.

[c0sie]

monodo, do you have any vids of your zk-2?.

like you i also think these thinks have huuuuge potential!

Antics in Gloucester (me lhs) has one i think, as does Cheltenham Model Shop so i might go attack the debit card tomorrow.

Keep the updates coming mate as id love to read about it

[Mondo]

Ha! I also got mine fron Antics :)
Just remember, the standard RX/ESC combo has no brakes!!!
I submitted a bearing list to "ForBigBoys" a UK Ebay seller and now they make up bearing kits (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34063&item=5961284196&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW) for the ZK-2

I do have video, mostly shot at 640x480, so a little too big to post, I will do some 320x240 video shots when I have time.

Once again I will express my delight with this little truck, it's awesome for the price..

[c0sie]

yeah ive seen that bearing kit on ebay, took alot of interest in your thread and started looking around for more info =)

does the zk2 come with a servo saver?.
do you know anywherer that sells individual spares for it?
do mini-t parts fit?

hope you wont mind answering my questions mate =)

you got any more plans for the zk2 then?

c0sie

[Mondo]

The standard Servo does have a Servo saver - I stripped my servo gears after a major tumble and replaced it with a HS81MG

The distributors (CML I think) will carry spares, not on the Antics database yet, but I have been assured that if (or should) you need parts they are available

If you know the Mini-T well (I do not), take a close look at the ZK2. It shares a few parts with the Mini-T in my opinion.
It also shares a lot of parts with the RC18T, servo, ball studs, ball-caps, shock caps, spring holders, motor...

Oh, either a Mini-T Beetle or ProLine HMMV bodyshell....

Any more plans? Yup: Road orientated rubber, higher gearing, servo saver and to drive it like I stole it.
For me, this is the ultimate care free basher. I do own a few Micro scale cars (see my gallery) but this one is by far the most fun I have had with a transmitter in my hand in ages :)

[c0sie]

well thanks to you my friend i now own a zk2 in blue =D

ohh..the fun commences.......now!

[Mondo]

c0sie

I know you are having fun with your ZK2.
Keep us informed and Post some pics :)

[burtondr]

My all in one esc/receiver died on me and I can not find a dealer who sells a replacement. Anyone no where I might be able to get one? If not, what could I do to get me back up and running? What would I need? Thanks, Doug

[alfred]

You can go with a seperate RX and ESC if you wish.......this way you can place the electronics in the best possible locations.;)

[burtondr]

thanks for the quick response. I am new so I am not sure what to get. I would like to keep my handheld so I would like something that is compatable. Any suggestions on what rx and esc would work? thank you

[alfred]

On the servo how many wires are attached to the plug.....the only reason i ask because i know some servo's use 4, but if you see a three.....red, black, and white then you can use any RX that will work with your radio....if your using AM then a AM rx will work.....What motor are you using....if you want something with a small footprint then you can go with a Spy (version 2---it will say on the box)


And welcome to YM man.:D

[BLiND]

if its a 27mhz radio you could look on ebay for take-out losi mini-t or thunder tiger rx/esc combo's

I know I sold my stock losi mini-t gear for like 30 bucks on ebay after I got it

[burtondr]

There are three wires going into the server (red white and black). It is an FM receiver, I beleive a 27mzh. Thanks, Doug

[alfred]

Then if you want true placement of the electronics you can go with the rx and a esc....or if your trying to save some money then go for the all in one unit as Blind suggested.:p

[Mondo]

The ZK2's standard servo is the same as that used in the RC18T, so it is a "standard" servo that can be connected to any standard RX via the 3-Pin connector

[alfred]

burtondr, Mondo just answered your question and also mine....I would definitely go with the seperate electronics.......That way if you burn one up you wont have to replace the whole shibang.

;)

[Mondo]

Alfred,

Correct: The ZK2's standard RX/ESC combo lacks brakes! I use a Futaba R114F RX (40MHz FM) and a mTronics (waterproof) ESC on my ZK2 with a HS81MG servo
The only reason I changed the servo was because I stripped gears in the standard one. The standard servo was great and was more than capable of steering the ZK2.
I did source spare gears for the Zk2 standard servo, but I've left the HS81MG in place as it works.

[alfred]

Cool.....you can keep the other servo as a spare...dont know if you will need it or not....but there's nothing wrong with a back up is there.:D

[burtondr]

I found a replacement RX/ESC for my thunder tiger. I soldered thie wires to my connectors, charged the battery and nothing. The same as before. I put new batteries in the receiver. nothing. Do I need to do some kind of setup so the receiver and transmitter can talk to each other? anything else? If not anyone want to buy a truck? thanks, doug

[alfred]

I thought you were planning on going seperate components wise.....it makes it easier to know if there is something wrong....did you buy the combo new or used.

[ultraman]

Hello everybody! here just to share with u all my ZK2:D

modded with Align 35A bl esc + 7800Kv bl.

[ultraman]

here some more pics:D

[alfred]

nice man...and welcome to the forum.:D

[Jakkin]

I have , for the last hour or so, been reading this thread up and down a couple of time trying to figure out what everything means. I am a total newbie on rc cars but i got totally hooked a while ago and me and my friend tried to figure out what to get to stárt off our new hobbie. We went down to the city and after about five hours of comparing different kind of cars we settled on a Thunder Tiger ZK2 each!
They are brilliant! Now we are trying to learn enough to start modding them.
I found this thread since i , after a nice backflip into a pool of water and to save my now smoking thundertiger from burning up. My guess is " the smell is a good tip-off " that my Veloci Compso took the quick road to RC heaven.
After reading this thread i guess a waterproof Mtronics is the way to go?
I searched around the web but failed to find someone that could sell one to me. Any Ideas or thought around this?
Its absolutely necessery that i get a waterproof one since i live in sweden :)
If anyone feels like beeing our hotline helpdesk we would really appreciate if you could add us on messenger. Other than quick questions we will stick to this forum.
Thanks for a brilliant thread!

/Jakkin
jakkin01(at)hotmail.com

[m18_racer]

i think i know the esc your talking about... go to www.rcmart.com im searching there now ...

[m18_racer]

here you go . http://www.rcmart.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=36_51&products_id=18906 . u may wanna check ebay . search Mtroniks. or M.troniks .

[Ranz]

Hi im buying a ZK2 on Saturday and after reading this forum i really cant wait for it but just one question is there any motor which literally replaces the space of the original 370,like can you buy a 400 that will fit right in also how else can you improve the performance of these little trucks speedwise other than upgrading the motor i have already been looking into the a new M Tronics reciever and Mondo where did you purchase your 400 motor.Thanks.

[Madness]

Hey all,
I have had a ZT2 for a while and the AE guys ran them at the 1/18 Nats. After seeing what they did to theirs I decided to mod mine up.
Added a slipper
Titanium turnbuckles
LiPo Batt set-up
Shocks
Shock tower....
Here are some pics.

[sescallier]

Schweet!



Looks like a fun truck....

[oXYnary]

Haha! Neat! A mini t4! What did you use for the slipper?

[alfred]

That is nice.....so how does it handle.:D

[Madness]

I made the slipper from an original Mini T top shaft, a 3 racing sliper assembly and a GPM gear.

It goes pretty good. You need to add weight to the front end to get it to go real well.....

mail or post if you have other questions...

[cew27]

i just got me a zk2 and i am planning to stick a mamba brushless in there ....please add me on msn i need to talk 2 ppl bout meccys im a n00b ....cew27@hotmail.co.uk

[cew27]

right i have got my zk2 and am now planning to stick a mamba brushless in it .... so in preperation i ordered 7 spare spurs lol

[strmor]

Great thread about great car :)
Can anyone please recomend a webshop to buy parts for my ZK2?

[hardadz]

Try www.evolutionhobbies.com

[Ranz]

Hiya everyone,wonder if you could help me i bought a second hand Thunder Tiger ZK2 the last owner says it was running in perfect condition i have charged it up and put new batteries in and everything but it still stutters and when i accelaerate it ahrdly move but on the controller there is a speed control next to the trottle stick and when that is raised fully and the car accelerates itself it runs fine so why doesnt it run good when i try and control it maually it hardly moves and the steering turns itself slightly at times?Please help me out guysss....Thanks.

[paatuwc]

Hi,

Thanks for the great thread.
Can someone list the things ToDo to mod my truck to run with more powerfull motor. (400-sized motor would be nice I guess)
I am a total beginner with these RCs but now its time to start.

-p

[BobRob]

Mee too! :) A snowless winter made me buy my first RC car a couple of weeks ago. And I bought a ZK2. Greart fun! Today I bought a second battery so I can stay out with it longer. :) But I'm a complete beginner and have no idea what to do now as a first fun modification. Any (detailed) suggestions would be much appreciated.