For any that are into the hobby for awhile the Tamiya Bruiser series represents the ultimate is scale models. With its 3 speed manual transmission, leaf springs, and realistic metal frame it was an achievement in scale. Sadly they were discontinued. They are greatly sought after by collectors and people willing to put the time into them to restore them to their former glory and beyond! Hopefully one day Tamiya will decide its time to bring about a new era of such vehicles. Sadly I doubt that an almost all metal version will be seen again, but Tamiya is fully capable of recreating this truck in aluminum / plastics using mostly off the shelf parts from their many assorted vehicles currently in production.

Bruiser Tech

Tamiya Bruiser

For any that are into the hobby for awhile the Tamiya Bruiser series represents the ultimate is scale models. With its 3 speed manual transmission, leaf springs, and realistic metal frame it was an achievement in scale. Sadly they were discontinued. They are greatly sought after by collectors and people willing to put the time into them to restore them to their former glory and beyond! Hopefully one day Tamiya will decide its time to bring about a new era of such vehicles. Sadly I doubt that an almost all metal version will be seen again, but Tamiya is fully capable of recreating this truck in aluminum / plastics using mostly off the shelf parts from their many assorted vehicles currently in production.

Some pictures on this page are off the internet. If somebody has a problem with any of the pictures being here, please email me and I will remove them.

Dual Rear shocks

If you have an extra set of bruiser shocks and shock mounts. There are holes in the frame to mount a second rear shock behind the first. Looks great.

Buggy leaf

Using a spare leaf spring, these buggy leafs can add a lot of suspension travel.

4 link Suspension

A beautiful way of mounting a 4 link suspension without damaging expensive bruiser parts.

Tranny breakdown

 

Fulltime 4wd mod:

 This is a very simple mod to do, other then you need to go into your tranny to do it. Open the back plate off the tranny and then swap the two springs (20 and 21) for each other. This puts pressure on the shift fork to keep the tranny in 4wd mod rather then 2wd. Very slick!

Drive shafts

Parts Needed:    Traxxas #4628X Drive Yokes x2

                          Traxxas #1953 Extra long slider shaft x1

Front

    Take one male and female slider and trim to desired length. Assemble the steel yokes and the sliders together. Install on truck.

Rear

    Since the sliders are too short to make the length needed, the rear driveshaft is a little more complicated. Take two female sliders end to end. Use one male slider as a connector between the two female and glue the two together. Once the two females are dry, the rest of the install is the same as the front.

Suspension

I have installed Juggernaut springs. Because of the extra ride height, the stock shocks are too short. If you turn the stock bottom shock hanger around and put it on top of the spring. You will be able to bolt the stock spring back up

Steering - Crossover style

Allows a much more realistic way of steering.

Steering - links

Parts needed:    Traxxas ball ends

                        3/16 inch brake line

                        3/16 ready rod

Bearings:

Transmission:    4x1150, 9x850F (flanged)

Front axle:        7x1150

Rear axle:        2x850, 3x1150

Shims:            CRC 5mm shims part #4735 x2 bags (for each 850F bearing replaced use 3 shims) Remember to shim the bearings in the transmission so that everything turns freely.