Yokomo YZ-834B

Last updated
Wonder Dog Fighter SE Wonder Dog Fighter SE.jpg
Wonder Dog Fighter SE
RPS SE RPS SE.jpg
RPS SE

Yokomo YZ-834B "Dog Fighter" is a 1/10 scale electric-powered 4WD radio-controlled vehicle made by Yokomo. Introduced in 1983 for off-road racing, it has been cited by the website, LiveRC, as the first racing specific 4WD buggy [1] The car was marketed in Europe, sold by Graupner, as the Graupner Dogfighter [2] [3] [4] and in the US by Delta Systems, as the Delta Dogfighter. [5]

Contents

As the YZ-834B required numerous upgrades and an investment of US$500(equivalent to $1,434 in 2024) to make it competitive, Yokomo introduced the mail-order only SE 4WD featuring a host of parts that made the car competitive straight out of the box for US$200(equivalent to $573.71 in 2024) despite being offered with a Yokomo 05R stock motor and a mechanical speed controller. [6] [3]

The RPS/Yokomo Dog Fighter SE was introduced following the 1985 IFMAR 1:10 Electric Off-Road World Championships win by Gil Losi Jr. The car was marketed by Ranch Pit Stop (hence RPS), a hobby retailer owned by Losi Jr's father; who later became known as Team Losi three years after. [7]

Ron Rossetti used this version of the car to win the 1986 ROAR 1:10 Off-Road National Championships. [8] [9]

Despite its success in racing, including winning the aforementioned IFMAR Worlds, it was criticized for its low ground clearance, which meant it was unsuited to the UK racing. [10]

The YZ-834B was replaced by YZ-870C in 1987.

YearModelDetailsKnown issues
1983Dog Fighter 834B (not pictured)

Rare original release model with one shock absorber each end, exposed alloy roll bar, yellow wheels and black body pan.

  • Front mono alloy shock
  • Rear mono alloy shock
  • Chain drive 4WD system
  • Front one-way axles with solid center shaft
  • Large bumper, extends to middle of front wheels
  • Rear ball differential
  • Rear anti-roll bar
  • Dog Fighter lexan body with enclosed shocks and exposed alu roll bar
  • 1.75-inch yellow wheels and Dunlop engraved spike tires
  • 05R stock motor for 8 minute race
  • Mechanical speed controller Forward/Break. and with a relay for reverse
  • original cost 19,800 Yen
  • Pristine examples now changing hands for UK£500+
  • The first version of the nylon gears weren't sturdy enough
  • Motor plate was weak and prone to bending if misused. This problem has never been fixed through the last 834B model
1985Wonder Dog Fighter

(could be late 1984)

  • Thicker chassis with small bumper
  • Upgraded front shock
  • Rear dual shock
  • Torque limiter
  • Improved gears (they made new gears in 1984)
  • Longer front lower arms
  • Reinforced rear swing arms
  • New Wonder Dog Fighter body based on Bolink Funco body
  • New rear shocks leak
1985Wonder Dog Fighter Limited Edition
  • 360SX Twin Turbo motor for 6 minute race
  • 28,000 Yen
1986Wonder Dog Fighter SE - 834B SE
  • Super Aero wheels (aka tornado wheels)
  • Hot Laps R-5 2" tires
  • 360SX Twin Turbo motor for 6-minute race
  • 29,800 Yen
1986Dog Fighter RPS SE
  • Fiberglass Chassis with small black bumper
  • New body and new roll bar
  • Improved shocks
  • 05R stock motor
  • New RPS tires made by Pro-line with 1.75" yellow wheels
  • SE10 Standard Kit
  • SE11 Deluxe Kit (with NMB bearings)

References

  1. "FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Former IFMAR Electric Off-Road Worlds winners". LiveRC.com. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  2. Denevi 1986, pp. 64–68.
  3. 1 2 "Yokomo YZ-834B Dog Fighter". RC Scrapyard. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  4. "Graupner Dogfighter". www.rccarmuseum.org. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  5. "Delta Dogfighter". www.rccarmuseum.org. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  6. Howell 1992, pp. 35–38.
  7. LiveRaceMedia. "FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Timeline of Team Losi Racing 4WD buggies". www.liverc.com. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  8. Kyes 1987, pp. 22–29.
  9. "Yokomo YZ-834B Wonder Dog Fighter". RC Scrapyard. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  10. Crabb 1988, p. 48.

Works cited