Tamiya Bruiser

[Blazerbogger]

I finally went and got myself a Bruiser. Paid a fair price for it too. And I have to say that this is the coolest thing I have ever bought. I disassembled and re-greased it this afternoon and it seems to be mechanically sound. I ran the transmission through the gears and it shifts smoothly. The body is missing the lenses and grill assembly though. I'll have to see where this goes.



http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383622715.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383622705.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383622726.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383622739.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383622754.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383622773.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383622785.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383622821.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383622688.jpg

[teebeehex]

Well congratulations on your purchase. I am indeed envious and will watch to 'see where this goes' :D

[Arcocustom]

And there it is... vintage Tamiya.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2647/4247437263_11daae8752_o_d.jpg


Yes sir, congrats for sure.

[LOSIASSOCIATED#1]

Good for you they are a labor of love to refurbish them I know I have one total restored.
I found that Mothers Mag Polish works the best.

[skinny_TC]

Nice find! I love those tires. They aren't great for traction (compared to what you can buy these days), but they look great on any truck. I wish I could find a new set for my Blackfoot.

[IceChilly]

Wow! Congrats! I would so love to get my hands on one of those! Just might cost too much to hide from the wife ;) haha

[Blazerbogger]

I got the truck running yesterday and took it out this afternoon. It runs like a dream. I still need to mount the battery and take a run to the hobby shop to get a coupler to make a new shift linkage.


http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383720236.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383720229.jpg

[Blazerbogger]

Got the battery mount done and some new transmission mount bushings in today.


http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383761622.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383761620.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383761609.jpg

[Flowmastered87gl]

Nice... if I wasnt trying to sell my house (and fork out $$) I would pick up the one here in Portland for $450 :frusty:

[Blazerbogger]

Why didn't anybody tell me these axles were so easy to narrow?! They are almost too easy. The track width is perfect and is actually narrower than my new Hilux. The front axle was pretty straight forward. I trimmed a tiny bit off of the outer bearing carrier in order for a TLT axle stub to fit. I then drilled out the rims and installed them inside out. For the rear, all I used was a light duty hand saw for the pot metal and aluminum. The axle was slightly machined. All I have to do now is reduce the diameter of the axle shaft and thread it.


http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383776106.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383776113.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383776127.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383776135.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383776101.jpg

[Blazerbogger]

I got the chassis running today. All I need to do now is thread the rear axle shaft and mount the body.


Shifter rod

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383811534.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383811543.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383811533.jpg

[Blazerbogger]

The rear axle is threaded and the body is mounted. It runs great! The track width is actually narrower than my re-re Hilux too! The suspension is a little stiff though.


http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383815032.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383815036.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383815030.jpg

[ducatiman]

you need a set of my delrin leafs :)

[Blazerbogger]

Yea the suspension is really stiff. I may put on some highlift springs.

Here's a few extra pics and some with the body on.


http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383820724.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383820736.jpg


This pic doesn't do it justice. It looks really awesome in person.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383820741.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383820746.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383820750.jpg


Had to re-align the front axle to sit right.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383820755.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383820712.jpg


Future plans include tube bumpers and sliders with a winch mount for the front and maybe a few extra things that I haven't thought of yet.




.

[Blazerbogger]

I started on the body today and took the Bruiser out for the first time. This thing is a beast! It can scale some lines that my re-re Hilux can't. What color should I paint it?


http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/383861219.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/383861224.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/383861229.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/383861240.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/383861247.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/383861253.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/383861216.jpg

[Blazerbogger]

Started on the body tonight.


http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383877179.jpg


On my re-re.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383877190.jpg


Just need to paint the sleeper.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/383877172.jpg

[Blazerbogger]

I'm almost finished with the body(with the exception of the missing grill and lenses). Soon I will be starting on the sliders and bumpers.


http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/383917446.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/383917456.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/383917451.jpg


I love this truck!

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/383917441.jpg

[OldSchoolRC]

Nice work....great to see these out on the trail getting used too. Far too many are sitting on shelves imo.

[Blazerbogger]

I blew the slipper clutch today. All I was doing was driving it around in 3rd gear. Oh well, I have a nice new billet aluminum one on the way now.


http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/384077923.jpg

[Wyoming]

looks superb so far, just don't polish it they look so tacky and unrealistic when they are all shiny, if anything paint it black or put some rust paint on that frame :)

[Blazerbogger]

looks superb so far, just don't polish it they look so tacky and unrealistic when they are all shiny, if anything paint it black or put some rust paint on that frame :)

I don't plan on polishing it or painting it black. I'm just going to leave it as it is because I don't want to hide the chassis.


I was able to eliminate about 80% of the slop in the front knuckles today! I did this by grinding down the knuckle so that I could fit a bearing on the stub axle. To hold it in place, I used a metal sleeve.


http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/384181804.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/384181814.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/384181825.jpg


This is next on the agenda, the king pin plate slop.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/384181782.jpg


I also replace all of the springs with new "flattened" High-lift ones

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/384181796.jpg

[Arcocustom]

I blew the slipper clutch today. All I was doing was driving it around in 3rd gear. Oh well, I have a nice new billet aluminum one on the way now.


http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/22928141/384077923.jpg

That is a bummer. :o It happens though unfortunately. Did you find a one-peice aluminum replacement? Those are some great mods you are coming up with. :thumb:

[Blazerbogger]

That is a bummer. :o It happens though unfortunately. Did you find a one-peice aluminum replacement? Those are some great mods you are coming up with. :thumb:


Thanks! I'm trying to make this truck mechanically sound so it'll last a long time. I ordered a one-piece aluminum spur from Bruiser Builder last week, so it should be here soon!

[Arcocustom]

It's progressing nicely.

The stock clutch is a weak spot in the Bruisers transmission. Luckily there is a beefier replacement available nowadays. :) I am interested in seeing the aluminum one piece gear and how difficult it is to install. Your mods seem to have tightened up the chassis pretty good. I will stay tuned to see how you will address the remaining areas (kingpin) that need a little TLC.

[jeffro]

Hey Erik, I'll trade ya my van for your Bruiser :D Now you've got me wanting one even more.. One of these days, mine will show up on ebay, I just haven't found it yet :)

[Blazerbogger]

Hey Erik, I'll trade ya my van for your Bruiser :D Now you've got me wanting one even more.. One of these days, mine will show up on ebay, I just haven't found it yet :)

Good to see you again Jeff. The Bruiser might easily one day be my favorite truck.


The new spur gear came in the mail today! It's sweet! Simple installation too, it just slides onto the main shaft.


http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/384270718.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/384270726.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/384270708.jpg

[Blazerbogger]

I've been recently working on the bumpers.


http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/384279867.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/384279871.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/384279877.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/384279879.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/384279881.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/384279862.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/384280654.jpg

[That guy]

Nice truck, I'm not sure how it took me so long to find this build, but, I like the truck. Did you or are you gonna leave the body the way it came? I kinda like it. I just won a bruiser chasis on Ebay, I can start collecting my parts and pieces. Great truck:cool:

[Blazerbogger]

Nice truck, I'm not sure how it took me so long to find this build, but, I like the truck. Did you or are you gonna leave the body the way it came? I kinda like it. I just won a bruiser chasis on Ebay, I can start collecting my parts and pieces. Great truck:cool:

Thanks! I have the original body back together now. I had to order a new grill assembly and lenses. The new grill is really sharp. I'll get some new pics of it up soon.

For now, I have some recent action pictures with the mock-up body.


http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/386250841.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/386250857.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/386250874.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/386250846.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/386250866.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/386250869.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/386250837.jpg

[McFig]

Great Shots! Glad to see this classic out and about

[7point2]

i always enjoy your builds and man this one does not disappoint. i love the look of it still classic bruiser with with better performance.

one thing you might consider as well is to 4-link the rear, you will enjoy the performance alot more, but will not take away from the overall look of the truck.

great build

[Blazerbogger]

i always enjoy your builds and man this one does not disappoint. i love the look of it still classic bruiser with with better performance.

one thing you might consider as well is to 4-link the rear, you will enjoy the performance alot more, but will not take away from the overall look of the truck.

great build

Thank you! I wanted to build a truck that I could have fun with without worrying about it breaking. The last investment will be a 2.4 Ghz radio. I'm eying the new XR4? radio RC4WD is coming out with.

As for the suspension, the rear is actually quite soft. The front is the stiff end. I had to unbolt the shocks so it would have better articulation. I also used foam core for the front wheel inserts. They're hard as rocks, but now the tires don't fold under the truck when in motion.

[Blazerbogger]

Here's a pic of the body with the new grill.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL710/12798464/23032248/387713022.jpg

[Waterboy]

AAAHHHH ERIK!!!

I was going to buy a land rover defender body, but of course i see this, now im gonna get a Hilux body:oops:

[Blazerbogger]

AAAHHHH ERIK!!!

I was going to buy a land rover defender body, but of course i see this, now im gonna get a Hilux body:oops:


Hahaha! They're expensive, but the details and realism they provide definitely pay out.



As for the truck, I finished up a few details and replaced the shifter rod. I ordered a Spektrum DX5e and it should be here on Tuesday. In the meantime, I'll address the empty holes in the bed and sleeper.


This rod should be much stronger than the previous one.
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2371/13081080/23278337/388660749.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2371/13081080/23278337/388660751.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2371/13081080/23278337/388660748.jpg


Here I shot the truck in a curve. You can see that the tires don't fold over as much as they used to. The truck is so heavy that the Trail Doctors and foams can't support it. That's why I cut out and inserted some foam core.
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2371/13081080/23278337/388660745.jpg


Here are a few more action shots from the other day.
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2371/13081080/23278337/388660738.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2371/13081080/23278337/388660742.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2371/13081080/23278337/388660735.jpg

Unbolting the shocks really helped loosen up the front end.
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2371/13081080/23278337/388660726.jpg

[Stew]

I've got a Bruiser on my bench that I'm rebuilding. I want to keep it stock but everytime I see one with narrowed axles I want to do it sooo bad! Dang you!

Any chance you could go over exactly how you narrowed them in greater detail? They look perfect!

Stew

[Blazerbogger]

I've got a Bruiser on my bench that I'm rebuilding. I want to keep it stock but everytime I see one with narrowed axles I want to do it sooo bad! Dang you!

Any chance you could go over exactly how you narrowed them in greater detail? They look perfect!

Stew


Well, I'll try. I know what you mean though, I had a tough time as well deciding whether or not I would narrow them and make a scale truck, or not and just restore it. I will never regret my decision to narrow them, but I do NOT recommend doing it unless you are certain that's what you want. The final product was a result of chance, I wasn't taking any measurements and I wasn't exactly sure about what I was doing. I just went with it. The axles lost some structural integrity, the front knuckles did anyway, but they should be fine for a while still. However, I do not want to be held liable for any damage/reconsideration caused by any other persons efforts.

I can't really explain into too much detail how I did it, as I said, I just went with it, but I should have some extra pictures that can kind of help you understand.

I have to remember how I did it, so I'll get back to you. In the mean time, I post this pic for you guys to drool over. I rebuilt the front bumper mount, so now there aren't any silly looking tabs that hang down. It's stronger too.


http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2371/13081080/23278337/389050113.jpg

[That guy]

:cool: Great looking truck! and good job giving it its 2nd wind, not only did you make it look better than before, you made it drive and perform better! good job and you saved a classic!!:Tamiya1:

[Stew]

Ok, after studying a few different threads on bruiser axle narrowing I've got it figured out. One more question - where did you get the aluminum tube that you used for the bearing holder on the front knuckles? Was it some commonly available tube that you cut to length?

Thanks for posting all the detailed photos, that made it easy to follow what you did.

Cheers!
Stew

[Blazerbogger]

Yea, it was just scrap tubing that fit the job just right. It was also coincidence that that part of the knuckle is the same diameter of the Tamiya bearings I used.

[brunion]

Great truck, front bumper came out good!