The Ultimate Zoo Keeper Restoration

WarLordAG

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I have not been motivated to work on this, since it's been so hot out. The parts are almost all here though so I need to get motivated and get on top of this.

The cabinet is an original Zoo Keeper. However someone has since painted it black and converted it to a Silk Worm. This needs to go back to a Zoo Keeper obviously. It'll be one hell of a restoration. Full body work on the cabinet, new artwork, controls, wiring, monitor rebuild, etc. Literally everything needs done to bring this thing back to it's former glory.

I could be an idiot for even taking this on, but I guess we'll see how it does, and see how dumb of an idea it was, or if it all works out ok.

I currently have everything except for a nicer marquee, wiring, and a board set handy. Am I insane for thinking I can find a board set? If I absolutely have to, I'll do the Taito multi board, but I'd rather just keep this guy original.

Hopefully this thread gets me in gear, and helps gather ideas and help on possible parts.

I've been slacking on this for too long.

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Absolutely restore it back to Zookeeper. I have one and play it the most out of my collection. The boards are very difficult to find. You might want to look for Qix boards which are more readily available and start your conversion that way. I think Quarterarcade still has a Qix wiring harness for sale. Keep us posted and show pics along the way.
 
Absolutely restore it back to Zookeeper. I have one and play it the most out of my collection. The boards are very difficult to find. You might want to look for Qix boards which are more readily available and start your conversion that way. I think Quarterarcade still has a Qix wiring harness for sale. Keep us posted and show pics along the way.

Can you switch chips out.. or are you just saying that the Zoo keeper board set just plain impossible to get?

Why are theses games so oddly rare and wanted?!

Any ways good luck with the restore OP!
 
Can you switch chips out.. or are you just saying that the Zoo keeper board set just plain impossible to get?

Why are theses games so oddly rare and wanted?!

Any ways good luck with the restore OP!

As far as being rare goes, I just don't think collectors want to get rid of them. The rom board is swappable with the ZK chips and two or three others that I can't remember. My Zookeeper was acting up so I swapped my Qix rom board and chips with the ZK chips and worked fine. I think the video board and sound/data boards are almost identical.
 
I've heard of the Qix conversion, and I believe a member here had said he'd stockpiled a ton of boards to convert some day. I know it's hard to track down a board, but I hope as this restoration continues someone will step forward who can help bring this thing back. I'm extremely worried about a board, and don't want to go with a multi if I do not have to.

As for rarity. I believe the same as above. It's a great game and once it makes it into a collection it stays there. It'd be one of the last I sold when/if it comes down to it.
 
Let me know if you ever need pictures of the wiring to all of the boards. I could take them and post or email them. Best of luck on the restore.
 
Good luck!
Im pretty sure if there is anyone here that can do it
ITS YOU
Ill keep my eyes peeled but that board is like finding a needle in stack of needles...
 
As far as being rare goes, I just don't think collectors want to get rid of them. The rom board is swappable with the ZK chips and two or three others that I can't remember. My Zookeeper was acting up so I swapped my Qix rom board and chips with the ZK chips and worked fine. I think the video board and sound/data boards are almost identical.

That's very cool.
 
I have some pics here of the pieces I've acquired. Thanks to some great friends parts and such haven't been too bad. The piece I have in worst shape is the Marquee, so I'll definitely need to track another down. The one I have will do for now, and strangely I did not get a picture of it.

Bezel is in amazing shape:
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Not sure if this is NOS or a repro, I believe I was told it came from Todd Tuckey years ago, so if anyone knows anything about that. In any case, it looks really good.
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Old control panel wasn't going to cut it. I noticed Jungle Hunt/King had the same layout as Zoo Keeper and DJ Dns was kind enough to give me a solid deal on one.
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That's how we stand currently. I'm waiting on the kick plate art from Pr0k, which is taking longer than usual, unless he isn't sending out shipped e-mails. I hope to start the body work this week. I'll most likely knock the control panel out as well, since it'll be easy.
 
That's awesome you were able to get some nice artwork. I can't wait to see more progress on this. I've been playing Zoo Keeper on MAME and it is a pretty addictive game once you get a feel for the controls. Zeke has the leaping ability of The Hulk. :)
 
Stencils are no longer available.
Initially, I'm just going to paint the sides ZK orange.
Since the vinyl is what will be available, I ordered the vinyl kick plate as well.
Works out well, since I can get an exact match of the orange off the kick plate.
 
I knew one of the first things I needed to do was get a base built for this thing. The original base was long gone.

All I did was miter some 1x4's, then I glued and nailed them together.

I replaced the strips that went around the inside of the base. I glued and screwed those to the cabinet. Then the entire thing is glued and screwed together more. This base won't be coming apart any time in the near future.

BEFORE:
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AFTER:
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I debated even painting it yet, but I figured it wasn't a big deal, and a quick coat of black later on isn't a big deal if needed.

I tore off the t-molding and got at some of the swollen edges along the bottom with the sander. The edges sanded nice and flat and will be easy to get looking new again. I did however uncover some chunks of wood missing behind t-molding. Any thoughts on fixing this? I guess some bondo and a run through with the slot cutter would probably work.

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I tore off the t-molding and got at some of the swollen edges along the bottom with the sander. The edges sanded nice and flat and will be easy to get looking new again. I did however uncover some chunks of wood missing behind t-molding. Any thoughts on fixing this? I guess some bondo and a run through with the slot cutter would probably work.

I would glue a new piece in the gap and then use the slot cutter to make the t-molding groove.
 
I would love to see what the side art looks like underneath the black paint. Are you going to strip the black paint off? You might get lucky and just have to touch up here and there.
 
Last time I tried to strip paint off of a non vinyl cabinet it took off the paint underneath.
I guess it wouldn't hurt to try though, so i'll try tomorrow and report back.

I've noticed since my original post that the overlay I have has more bolt holes on the front than a real control panel would have. I think I'm going to have to find another overlay.
 
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