Mini Z Monster

Drive train.

The Mini-Z Monster is 2WD and uses a metal rear axle. To provide the torque needed for off-road, a 3-gear gearbox is used as a reduction unit. The primary ratio of 4.4:1 is reduced to a more powerful 22:1 by the time the three gears do their work, and that more than makes up for the big tires the 130 motor has to turn. The gearing isn’t fixed, so if you favor even more grunt or have a need for speed, Kyosho includes three extra pinions to get the job done (9T, 11T and 12T).
The entire transmission is mounted off the chassis and is part of the rear suspended axle. The motor is mounted behind the axle, and the gearbox makes up the left side of the axle housing. The differential protrudes from the enclosed gearbox, and although this prevents the gears from being completely sealed, the design does allow easy access to the differential. This ready access means you can insert the included and rather ingenious diff-locking plate in only seconds. Just remove the left rear wheel to drop in the plate, and you’ll go from a freely spinning diff to a high-traction, fully locked diff. The diff works via four plastic bevel gears and provides smooth, fast action when the diff-locking plate isn’t installed.

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	Little Big Truck Kyosho has unleashed the Mini-Z Monster. Now, big wheel aficionados can get into the micro scene with a handheld monster that amplifies the suspension articulation of the Overland, adds mighty monster truck tires to the mix and is topped off with Mad Force bodywork - all fully painted and ready to run, of course.



Specifications Manufacturer: Kyosho Kit Name: Mini-Z Monster Mad Force Stock Number: 30081-T6 Length: 170mm Width: 127mm Height: 59,5mm Wheelbase: 105mm Front/Rear Track: 95mm Weight: 285g Motor: X SPEED Mini-Z Motor V Transmitter: Kyosho Perfex KT-5 pistol-grip radio ESC: Kyosho RA-5 integrated ESC/receiver Servo: Kyosho MS-5 micro steering servo w/servo-server	Requires 4, AAA alkaline or rechargeable batteries 8, AA alkaline or rechargeable batteries Additional Components Used • Ball-bearing set-item no. MMW01 • Stainless-steel rear shaft set-MMW02 • Spring set (S/M/H)-MVW02 • Oil-shock set (F/R)- MVW05/MVW06 • SP servo-gear set (Delrin)-MZW23 • Accessory light set III (slim type)-MZW31

The Chassis The main component is a molded frame piece that secures 2, AAA batteries on each side. When viewed from underneath, the main chassis piece looks like an “H.” Instead of leaving the batteries exposed, which would completely ruin the scale appearance of the little car crusher, Kyosho fashioned oversize, chromed “gas tanks” to cover the cells. This is appropriate because the batteries are the “gas” for this mini electric. When the batteries are removed, the wheelbase can be adjusted to different lengths, just like on the other Mini-Zs. On top of the main chassis and spanning the battery holders are the plastic body and upper suspension mounts. Other than the cosmetic battery covers, these two pieces are the main difference between the Mini-Z Monster’s chassis design and the Overland’s. The Monster’s integrated electronics are on top of the chassis. The receiver and speed control are in one unit, and the servo rides on the front axle.

Drive train. The Mini-Z Monster is 2WD and uses a metal rear axle. To provide the torque needed for off-road, a 3-gear gearbox is used as a reduction unit. The primary ratio of 4.4:1 is reduced to a more powerful 22:1 by the time the three gears do their work, and that more than makes up for the big tires the 130 motor has to turn. The gearing isn’t fixed, so if you favor even more grunt or have a need for speed, Kyosho includes three extra pinions to get the job done (9T, 11T and 12T). The entire transmission is mounted off the chassis and is part of the rear suspended axle. The motor is mounted behind the axle, and the gearbox makes up the left side of the axle housing. The differential protrudes from the enclosed gearbox, and although this prevents the gears from being completely sealed, the design does allow easy access to the differential. This ready access means you can insert the included and rather ingenious diff-locking plate in only seconds. Just remove the left rear wheel to drop in the plate, and you’ll go from a freely spinning diff to a high-traction, fully locked diff. The diff works via four plastic bevel gears and provides smooth, fast action when the diff-locking plate isn’t installed.

Performance It doesn’t take long to get the Mini-Z Monster out of the box and running; just install the batteries in the transmitter and the truck, and you’re ready to go. The first thing I noticed about the little Monster is that it’s nearly impossible to flip it. This truck corners hard and digs in, but the suspension works so well that it easily handles all the wheel cranking you can throw at it. The steering is also surprisingly quick; the little servo has no trouble moving the big wheels fast. Acceleration is pretty impressive with the low gearing, and off the line. It can’t pull wheelies from a dead stop, but if you pop the truck forward from reverse, the rapid change of direction brings the wheels right up. Although it isn’t recommended, I took the Monster outside and bashed around in some really dusty, dirty areas. When I installed the diff-locking plate, it dramatically improved traction. Where a stock, open-diff-equipped Monster got hung up, my diff-locked Mini-Z Monster plowed right through. On the dirt, the turning radius wasn’t hampered by the locked diff because of the loose surface, but inside, on carpet, that modification increased the turning radius. This is hardly an issue because the plate is so easy to install and remove. After the dirt-running session, I took the drive train apart and found some wear on the gears where fine dirt particles had snuck in. Nothing was broken (or even close to it), but a quick cleaning was in order to spare the gears from having to endure further wear. I also disassembled the shocks and ran a pipe cleaner through them because they were binding because of dirt contamination. If you disregard Kyosho’s warning not to run this truck in loose dirt, I suggest that you perform the same maintenance, too. One of the best things to do with a monster truck is to jump, and this is where Kyosho’s tiny truck really shines. The Mini-Z Monster jumps smooth and level, and just like a cat, it always lands on its feet. I made jump after jump—each bigger than the last—and the Mini-Z Monster took every airborne trip in stride.



The Kyosho Mini-Z Monster is a superb truck. It looks great, comes ready to run, and performs exceptionally well. The suspension is one of the most functional designs I have ever seen; this truck is fun to just hold and work the suspension. Although the price might seem high, the quality is there to warrant it, and the Mini-Z Monster will allow RC monster trucks to go where they have always been too big to go before. Kyosho has created a new category in RC, and the Mini-Z Monster will be a tough act to follow.

Mini Z monster by night :-)