THUNDER TIGER MTA4 User manual

Thunder Tiger Corporation guarantees this model kit to be free from defects in both material and workmanship. The
total monetary value under warranty will in no case exceed the cost of the original kit purchased. This warranty does
not cover any components damaged by use or modification. Part or parts missing from this kit must be reported within
60 days of purchase. No part or parts will be sent under warranty without proof of purchase. To receive part or parts
under warranty, the service center must receive a proof of purchase and/or the defective part or parts. Should you
find a defective or missing part, contact the authorized Thunder Tiger Service/Distributor nearest you. Under no
circumstances can a dealer or distributor accept return of a kit if assembly has started.
JD6224
1/84WDNITROMONSTERTRUCK
No.6218--F

Tools included
Items required for operation
Helpful Items
ITEMS REQUIRED FOR OPERATION
Fuel (10%-30% only.
See Fuel Selection
on STEP 15)
AA Batteries (12)
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing the Thunder Tiger MTA-4 nitro monster truck. Thunder Tiger strives to bring you the
highest level of quality and service we can provide. We race and test our products around the world to bring
you state-of-the-art items.
This User Guide contains the steps you will use to prepare and use your new vehicle. Please read all instructions
and familiarize yourself with the systems and controls of this product before operating. You should enjoy many
hours of trouble free use from this advanced R/C product. We offer on-line help 24-7 on our www.acehobby.com
forum and our product specialists are ready to take your call if you have any technical questions. Have fun and
enjoy the exciting world of R/C.
Glow Igniter 110/220/240V
Fuel Bottle
300c.c./600c.c.
Power Drill
1
3CH pistol radio
with hi-torque servos
(Included in the RTR box)
MTA-4 Hex Drive
Starting Shaft
MTA-4 Nut Wrench Allen Wrench Set
(5sizes-1.5mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm, 5.0mm)
Filter Oil
Thread-Locking Adhesive
After Run Oil
Phillips Screwdrivers
Slotted Screwdriver
Needle Nose Pliers

1
a. Remove the truck, radio, and accessories from box.
b. To unlock zip-tie, press on the small lever. Pull on the zip-tie while keeping the small lever pressed.
Pull the zip-tie out completely.
c. Insert the (PD1502) wheel hex driver into both sides of the front/ rear wheel.
d. Install the wheel assembly, lining up the roll pin with the slot in the wheel. Thread on the locknut and
washer using nut wrench supplied.
e. Install the flag onto the mount with the attached screw in the bag.
UNRAPPING THE TRUCK FROM BOX
AND INSTALLING THE TIRE & FLAG
2
acb
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WARNING
Thank you for purchasing a Thunder Tiger Product. Please read all instructions thoroughly before operation.
1. This product is not a toy. It is a high performance model product. It is important to familiarize yourself with the
model, its manual, and its construction before assembly or operation.
2. Do not operate model products in rain, on public roads, near crowds, near airport, or near areas with restricted
radio operation.
3. Always keep fuel away from heat, open flame and the reach of children! Only operate in open, well-ventilated
area. Store fuel in cool, dry area. Keep the fuel bottle cap tightly closed. Clean up any leak or excess fuel before
starting the engine.
4. This product, its parts, and its construction tools can be harmful to your health. Always exercise extreme caution
when assembling and/or operating this product. Do not touch any part of model which rotates.
5. Check your radio frequency with the proper operating frequency of the area or country. Always check to see if
there are any modelers operating on the same frequency as your are. Also, check your radio for proper operation
before operating a mode.
6. Improper operations may cause personal and/or property damage. Thunder Tiger and its distributor have no
control over damage resulting from shipping, improper construction, or improper usage.
7. Thunder Tiger assumes and accepts no responsibility for personal and/or property damages resulting from the
use of improper building materials, equipment and operations. By the act of assembling or operating this product,
the user accepts all resulting liability. If the buyer is not prepared to accept this liability, then he/she should
return this kit in new, unassembled, and unused condition to the place of purchase.

3
2
a. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove two 3x10mm and two 3x14mm Philip screws on the bottom of
chassis, and then take out the radio tray from the car.
b. Install the servos with tap screws. Notice the orientation of the steering, throttle and FWD/REV servo
output shafts.
c. Install the servo saver onto steering servo output shaft.
d. Take out the large body clip on the receiver box and battery box to open the box top.
e. Install the receiver switch onto the side of the battery box with its original screws.
f. Properly plug the connectors/wires into the receiver, steering servo connector/wire into channel 1 slot,
throttle servo connector/wire into channel 2 slot, FWD/REV servo connector/wire into channel 3 slot
and battery switch connector/wire into battery slot.
g. Place the receiver and the wires inside the receiver box, thread the receiver antenna/wire through the
box top hole, and reinstall the box top with large body clip
h. Thread the receiver antenna/wire through the antenna tube, and then install the antenna tube onto
the box top hole.
i. Install 4 AA size alkaline batteries into battery holder and connect the battery holder wire/connector to
the receiver switch wire/connector.
j. Install the battery holder into the enclosed battery box with large body clip.
k. Reassemble the radio tray on the chassis with its original screws.
INSTALLING THE RADIO GEAR
Skip if already assembled in RTR version c
b
b
a
f
e
e
d
i
h
g
jK

4
3
a. Find the steering linkages in the part bag as shown on the diagram.
b. Install the steering linkage rod onto steering servo saver.
c. Pop the linkage end onto the standoff ball on the steering rack.
a. Build the throttle/brake linkages as shown on the diagram.
b. Secure the brake cam lever onto brake cam with setscrew.
c. Install the servo horn onto throttle servo output shaft.
INSTALLING THROTTLE/BRAKE LINKAGE
Skip if already assembled in RTR version
4abc
INSTALLING STEERING SERVO LINKAGE
Skip if already assembled in RTR version
a. Build the FWD/REV linkage rod as shown on the diagram.
b. Pop the linkage end onto the standoff ball on the FED/REV shifting gears
c. Install the servo saver onto FWD/REV servo output shaft.
INSTALLING FWD/REV LINKAGE
5abc
c
b
a

a c
5
a. Install the antenna into transmitter.
b. Check the frequency printed on the transmitter crystal.
c. Check the frequency printed on the receiver crystal, and make sure it matches with the transmitter
crystal. Make sure no one will operate on the same frequency when you are. When there is a radio
glitch, it will most likely be caused by improper crystal, damaged crystal, or people operating on the
same frequency.
PREPARING THE RADIO
7b
a. Plug the charger into an AC outlet.
b. Line up the charging adapter with the tip of the glow plug igniter.
c. Pull on the glow plug igniter lever to accept the charging adapter.
d. Plug the charging adapter into the glow plug igniter. At this point, the small red LED indicator on the
charger should light up indicating the charging sequence is in progress.
e. Unplug the glow plug igniter from charger after charging is complete. Pull on the glow plug igniter
lever.
f. Pull the charging adapter out of the glow plug igniter.
Charge the new glow plug igniter for 16 to 24 hours on the first charge. For subsequent charges, charge
it about 12 hours before next use.
NOTE :
If the igniter gets warm or hot during the charge, unplug the igniter from charger immediately. A warm /
hot igniter means the igniter is overcharged. Overcharging can damage the internal battery in the igniter;
thus, shortening its life.
CHARGING THE GLOW PLUG IGNITER
Thunder Tiger Optional Part #2165, 1300MAH Glow Starter w/220V Charger.
Thunder Tiger Optional Part #2166, 1300MAH Glow Starter w/110V Charger.
Thunder Tiger Optional Part #2164, 1300MAH Glow Starter w/240V Charger.
6ab c
fe
d

abc
8
a. Install 8 AA-size alkaline batteries into transmitter.
b. Take out the large body clip on the battery box, and remove its top plate. Install 4 AA-size alkaline
batteries into battery holder.
c. And then mount the battery holder into the enclosed battery box with the large body clip.
RADIO BATTERY INSTALLATION
6
a. When turning radio on, first turn on the transmitter and extend the transmitter antenna.
b. Then, turn on the receiver. When turning off, first turn the receiver off, then the transmitter off.
c. To reverse the functions of servos, use the small, white servo reverse switches located on side of the
pistol transmitter (or the inset servo reverse switches located at the bottom of the stick transmitter). To
trim the servos on pistol transmitter, use the trim switches on side of the steering wheel (the ST. trims
steering, and the TH trims throttle/brake). On a stick transmitter, the trim levers are located accordingly
around the sticks.
d. For more details, please check the transmitter instruction manual.
RADIO OPERATION
10
OPERATING RADIO STEERING FUNCTION
a.Check the radio steering functions. With the radio transmitter and receiver on, turn the steering wheel/stick
to the left. The front tires/wheels should turn left accordingly. If not, flip the steering servo reverse switch.
b. Return the steering wheel/stick to neutral. The front tires/wheels should point straight forward. If not,
use the steering trim lever to correct it.
c. Turn the steering wheel/stick to the right. The front tires/wheels should turn right accordingly.
9b
b
ac
abc

11
a. Check the radio throttle/brake functions. With the radio transmitter and receiver on, pull the trigger/push
the stick forward. The carburetor should be fully opened and the brake disengaged. To reverse this
function, flip the throttle/brake servo reverse switch.
b. Return the trigger/stick to neutral. The carburetor should be closed to a point where the idle has been
set (see step for ADJUSTING THROTTLE/BRAKE LINKAGE), and the brake still disengaged. If not,
use the throttle/brake trim lever to correct it.
c. Push the trigger/pull the stick backward. The carburetor opening should still be the same at neutral,
throttle spring compressed slightly, and the brake engaged.
d. Press the Forward/Reverse Button. This will shift the truck into Reverse. Press the Forward/Reverse
Button again to shift the truck into Forward.
OPERATING RADIO THROTTLE / BRAKE
AND REVERSE FUNCTION
7
abc
c
d

12
a. To set the throttle/brake linkage, first the radio should be on and neutral; thus, the servo is at neutral
position.
b. With the servo at neutral, turn and adjust plastic brake adjustment nut at the end of the linkage until
there is a 1/16"(1.5mm) gap between the spring and the brake lever when the spring is not compressed.
( The brake lever should almost engages the brake system, but not yet.)
c. With the servo at neutral, using a 1.5mm Allen wrench driver to loosen the throttle collars. Then,
manually close the carburetor, and set the forward collar (next to the spring) with the spring slightly
compressed. Then, set the other collar (rearward) next to the linkage pivot.
13
a. Loosen the setscrews of the collars on the wire linkages using a 1.5mm Allen driver.
b. Turn on the radio and the truck, but do not start the engine.
c. The servo will move automatically to the position for forward driving.
d. Move the rearward collar toward the linkage pivot collar on the servo horn until the spring is fully
compressed. Uncompress the spring about 3/16"(4.5mm) by sliding the collar back and then tighten
the setscrew.
e. Press the FWD/REV button on the radio.
f. Repeat step13d with the forward collar.
ADJUSTING THROTTLE / BRAKE LINKAGE
abc
ADJUSTING FORWARD / REVERSE LINKAGE
8
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1/16" Gap
Transmission
in Forward
Transmission
in Forward
1/16" Gap

9
14
a. To set the high speed needle (large needle sticking out from the carburetor body), turn the screw as
pictured. Initial high speed needle setting should be 2.5 turns (close the needle completely, then back
out 2.5 turns). Clockwise turn will provide leaner setting (lower fuel to air mixture), and counterclockwise
turn will provide richer setting (higher fuel to air mixture).
b. To set the carburetor idle (small needle sticking out from the carburetor body), turn the screw as
pictured. Initial idle setting should leave 1mm carburetor gap. Clockwise turn will provide higher idle
(larger carburetor opening), and counterclockwise turn will provide lower idle (smaller carburetor
opening). For more details about the engine setting, please refer to ENGINE BREAK-IN/SETTING
procedures to properly set the engine.
c. To set the low speed needle (The low-speed mixture screw is located in the end of the carburetor).
turn the screw as pictured. Initial low speed needle setting should be 6 1/2 turns (close the needle
completely, then back out 6.5 turns). This screw controls how much fuel enters the engine at idle and
low throttle. This adjustment will smooth the idle and improve the acceleration to mid speed. Make
this adjustment with the throttle closed, after setting the idle. Turn the screw clockwise gently until it
stops. DO NOT over tighten.
d. Remove the outer foam from filter and make it moist evenly with a few drops of fuel. Put the filter in a
plastic bag and knead it until the foam is saturated, but not soaked.
e. Finally, make sure the air cleaner boot is securely fastened with a zip-tie.
Never run your vehicle without the air filter .If the vehicle will be operated in an area with fine dust, use
filter oil or caster oil instead of fuel. It is important that the foam is only moist to trap dirt and allow air
passage. With the foam too wet, limited air can pass through; therefore, limiting engine performance.
ADJUSTING CARBURETOR
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Low Speed Screw
Low Speed Screw
Idle Screw
Idle Screw 0.020" (0.5mm)
0.020" (0.5mm)
Richer
Richer
Leaner
Leaner Richer
(More Fuel)
Leaner
(Less Fuel)
Richer
(More Fuel)
Leaner
(Less Fuel)