The New Bruiser

[Tamiya1/10]

Would be nice but strongly doubt it as like I wrote above many wishes are too special and wouldn't appeal to a big enough market to make it wothwile for Tamiya (duallies mainly known in the USA and not being so good to drive off road)

Why not, how many version of the XC can out, the C chassis, the M02, 03, 04 lets go the 1/14 scale trucks, the 1/16 tanks...same or slightly modified chassis but different bodies.  USA is a huge market, why do you think Tamiya's only office outside Japan is in the States.  The dually, does Tamiya wants to stand out from the rest, or just built another 4wd truck? All the request / comments made so far by TC members are possible as all the parts are there.

Do you know many normal pickupus with tires 1.65m high??? Just google for pickup images and try to find how many pickups have as big tires as an average person height. Close to nil.

To look nice, not everything has to be down to the precise scale.  Else, we can start looking at the depth of the pickup beds for the mounty or brusier which in real life don't exist.

Do you preffer the look of this

 

or this ?

 

The truck overall is OK, but the paint job could be toned down,

A 4 door pick up truck with a camper cap at back and those whimpy tires, no thanks.

At the end it all boils to the individual preferences and for an established business is not just only for profit ...imagine, industry leader, brand recognition / loyality, goodwill are all just as important.

 

[mr_pushrod]

Nice shots of the chassis, can start plotting how to 4 link each end and get rid of the leafs now []

[DJTheo]

To look nice, not everything has to be down

to the precise scale.  Else, we can start looking at the depth of the

pickup beds for the mounty or brusier which in real life don't exist.

Yes, but Tamiyas brand strenght and market of this truck is realism, endless non realistic trucks exist out there with huge tires which perform better for normal bashing.

USA is a huge market, why do you think Tamiya's only office outside Japan is in the States.

Sure USA is a big market but have you seen Tamiya develop something special only for the US market till now? They are global players and thus try (at least till now) to develop global products, guess sales volumes aren't big enough to allow local products, even huge multinational companies try in the last years to unify their products for all markets, unfortunately...

Cheers

[DJTheo]

Looks like the rear wheel steering might be an option? With the connecting rod just in front of the rear axle (Im guessing here) it looks as though you have control of the rear toe in/out. With some linkage and an additional servo it looks possible to incorporate rear steering.

So the question is if there is some CV or universal at the rear hub.

The Tamiya pics did say 4X4X4 but the final product might not be. Guess we'll just have to wait and see. One thing is for sure... Im getting two!

Can be true as in the Japanese site I couldn't find anything about 4WS, maybe they removed it after reading many negative comments about in this forum? (wishfull thinking []). Or maybe they leave it as optional or for a upgrade kit? Or will the 4WS upgrade come with the MFU, which will control the rear servo and you can switch it on or off, or in low speeds the rear wheels will turn opposite for bigger steering and in higher speeds in the same direction (but less) for higher stability? Lets see....

Cheers

[DJTheo]

Very nice, I hope they have water resistant radio box anyone recall the FOX or the SS those are really sealed.

I wouldn't worry much about wheels, tires, tie rods, or bodies as before you know it there's going to tons of aftermarket parts available to customize to your liking.

 

Doubt it will have a radio box, as in times of water resistant ESCs those are not really needed and had many disadvantages, like huge steering slop due to very long rods, weight and box actually working more as a water trap, that's why they never used it later. I am actually glad the servo is mounted on the axle and not centrally like in the old 3 speeds or Clod.

Cheers

[rajicon]

I decided to go and look at the Tamiyaclub members who might of started

all this. In particular, Tamiya Fever (who won the "What Tamiya Should

Of Made" competition, coincidence?) and BeppeITA. Perhaps these will be

more of a collectors item due to them being a precusor to the Hi Lift.

And now with the net being the way it is, will always be documented.

BeppeITA had Robysoldtamiya make a dual take-off for the lower gearbox

shaft. Therefore no need for a transfer case (although this has the

advantage of lowering the final drive), and placing the motor more

central in the car, and lower. I would of preffered this, but Im not

complianing. In all the new 350 is still excellent all-round in my eyes.

As for the ride height, in Australia our tracks are well worn and with

many obstacles. Thus, many serious 4WDers choose large tyres and long

suspension travel. The picture at the top off the page looks more like

what you would expect to see making their way to many of the harden

tracks around Australia (but without the halloween decorations).

Throughout all the hobby stores I have been around Japan, Tamiya seems

to have around 90% of the instore presence. To the point that anything

else is almost eclipsed. They are a household name, and consider this

market their main focus. Maybe this could account for why maybe

everyone else, (except maybe USA) complain about lack of help via the

usual channels down through to their local hobby shop.

DJTheo, that idea of the MFU controlling the rear suspension is a terrific one. That would be great to see.

[Tamiya1/10]

DJTheo

Yes, but Tamiyas brand strenght and market of this truck is realism, endless non realistic trucks exist out there with huge tires which perform better for normal bashing.

Reply

I agree with you about realism, but putting on larger size wheels/tires does not mean is not real. I am not saying putting wheels/tires size like Big Foot or these monster trucks, which would look odd.  I see the XC series are nice in their realsim own way and I also the old  3 spds. nice in their own semi realism ways too.

DJTheo

Sure USA is a big market but have you seen Tamiya develop something special only for the US market till now? They are global players and thus try (at least till now) to develop global products, guess sales volumes aren't big enough to allow local products, even huge multinational companies try in the last years to unify their products for all markets, unfortunately...

Reply

I am not sure what your meant only for the US market, like only available in the US and no where else or product that appeals only to the US market?  If only for the US market, I would say no but to appeal to the US market, yes.  Just look at the XC Jeep, Chevy S10?, Ford Lighting?, Hummer, 2 of the 1/16 tanks, 4 of the 1/14 big rigs, the Mustang and the Corvette and now the F350.  But mind you, some of the above do have universal appeal. 

 Car companies like Ford and GM they did and are still trying to create a global product but so far not as successful as the Japanese or Germans.  (I think the problem is they put out too many products and seldom allow the  product to develop and evolve over time. )

Most consumers tend to buy from their geographic location, which could be a factor of price / taste / patriotism vs. exclusiveness.  The US with a population of 300million of similar taste???, it is a big market for Tamiya while in Europe, I think most Europeans tend to prefer products from their own country or taste various a bit more???? hence Tamiya will likely put out product that has a long history or good appeal to most people.

Cheers 

[terry.sc]

DJTheo

Yes, but Tamiyas brand strenght and market of this truck is realism,

endless non realistic trucks exist out there with huge tires which

perform better for normal bashing.

Reply

I agree with you about realism, but putting on larger size

wheels/tires does not mean is not real. I am not saying putting

wheels/tires size like Big Foot or these monster trucks, which would

look odd.  I see the XC series are nice in their realsim own way

and I also the old  3 spds. nice in their own semi realism ways

too.

Theo means it looks more like a scale truck with the small

wheels, this is likely to appeal to more buyers than fitting larger

wheels. As you say yourself the XC range doesn't have large wheels and

the Hi-Lift will appeal to the same buyers. Some buyers will buy it for

its scale looks and leave it with its small tyres, the new wheels and

tyres will also be sold to lots of XC owners and truck-triallers. No

one will refuse to buy this truck because the wheels are too small. If

you want bigger wheels (or duallies) you can add your own, there are

many options available. Tamiya HQ checked out JAndersons F-350 3 speed

which had big wheels before they went ahead with the Hi-lift.

The most common buyer of the Hi-Lift will not buy it because of its

looks but as a useful set of parts. There has been lots of demand for

Tamiya to rerelease the Bruiser, the vast majority just wanting to rip

the gearbox out and fit it in a crawler rather than wanting the truck

for its looks. The Hi-Lift is a much better truck as decent axles are

provided as well as the transmission which makes a great base for

creating your own custom designed truck, the same as Tamiya Fever,

BeppeITA and others have done.

[DJTheo]

Thanks Terry for explaining better, great post as always [H], btw the prototype wheels aren't new but from the Isuzu Mu Type X.

Cheers

[backtomyroots]

terry.sc wrote the following post at 11 May 2006 7:32 AM:

The most common buyer of the Hi-Lift will not buy it because of its looks but as a useful set of parts. There has been lots of demand for Tamiya to rerelease the Bruiser..................

I am buying it for it's looks, in fact probably 2 or 3 of 'em.  Gonna build one stock with all the Tamiya Hop-ups when they come out !  One of the few who won't part it out..................................

[Dephcon5]

Thanks Terry for explaining better, great post as always [H], btw the prototype wheels aren't new but from the Isuzu Mu Type X.

Cheers

 

Sharp eye. I was wondering where they were from. Look kinda familar but I was'nt sure.

[Tamiya1/10]

We will buy the F350 for our own reasons.  I will buy it for it looks not for its crawling  potentials.  I am not an expert in crawlers, but for the 350 to be a decent crawler, I think massive modifications are needed and at the end, might as well buy a purposely designed crawler and fit the 350 body over it.  But it would be silly to use a hard body for a crawler unless is for display.  I think most buyers would use the 350 as "trail" runners like some of the TC movies with the current XC and 3 spds, not to extreme and harsh.  But I am sure some will convert the 350 chassis for crawling where the chasis and axle can twist 180 degrees.

If Tamiya can offer some options, just like buying a real car,  like bigger tires, upgrade shocks, winch, dually or even a tow truck kit (now I am really pushing it) that would be great and go easy on the use of decals especially decals for light lens or exhaust system, which for the 350 will not happen.

[Z]

Considering that hard bodies are not made by anyone notable except

Tamiya, I think they should consider doing what Tamiya does best:

release multiple models on the same chassis. This way, the truck will

appeal to people who doen't want to just toss the hard-body in favor of

a cheap lexan body whose style they like better. I know the Ford Bronco

has been suggested, and my personal preference would be a Jeep. Maybe

an updated Toyota, or Chevy Blazer. Maybe a Suzuki Samurai, which holds

a cult following in the full size off-road world. The possibilities are

endless...

[MFrV1]

It is now time for me to sound like a nine year old (instead of a ninteen year old, in a full-time job):

I can't wait for the F350 to be released! I'm SO excited!

***Deep breaths*** Oh, and yes, I have put a deposit down on one.

[technical.burP]

Next body after the Ford 350 could be a Nissan or a  Mitsubishi. So many possibilities for a new and different body.

[EZ_78]

I agree let see the new Mitsubishi Pick-up as a hardbody.....(L200 in the Netherlands)

 

 

Next body after the Ford 350 could be a Nissan or a  Mitsubishi. So many possibilities for a new and different body.

[Bugster]

What an excellent idea a mitsubishi body. what about the L200 WARRIOR ?

not sure if the Warrior addition is sold all over the world but it sure is a nice truck !

the new warrior ?

[Bugster]

or the old warrior ?

[Tamiya King]

I personally would rather see classis Nissans and Datsuns and more Toyota's. They are the ones with character. Not all these plastic bodies things they call trucks now! [:|]

[EZ_78]

the new or old one does nog matter to me. But that would be in the line of calling it the new bruiser.

But then again i'm not sure we should call it "the new Bruiser"..........

I think it has to be seen as a whole new chassis......

just off topic......I hope tamiya is thinking of making a new body for te XC series, they should be selling Pajero Evo's next to the Touaregs.....

[Floyd]

Me personaly , Im still wishing for a Chevy based hard body . Some thing like a nice 66' or around that area . Not a big fan of the rice burners at all though I will admit that I like them better than I do a Ford ( not that thats saying much ) . But to me , this is what I would like to see ( not that it will ever happen [] )....

[Floyd]

Oh yah , I wouldnt mind a nice mid 70's Jeep Cherokee either []

[neo]

I think for this moment in time we should sit back and just celebrate the fact that we have a 3 speed being released. Lets get the thing in our hands first and then worry/discuss about what shells if any should be released. At the end of the day, Tamiya are releasing a 3 speed which is cause for great celebration. I dont mind what shell is sitting on it.

ITS A NEW 3 SPEED at the end of the day []

[technical.burP]

The Mitsubishi L200 looks fresh and modern. The Toyota Hilux also looked fresh and modern, when it was introduced. Both are japanese products.

[technical.burP]

Or a

Nissan Navara looks very cool too.