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Building a modern day Bruiser...

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I've always lusted after Tamiya's Bruiser ever since I first set eyes on it, nearly 30 years ago. So scale and unique, I always wanted one for my collection. And add to that, I've never built or owned any vehicle with a 3 speed transmission. Buying and building a Bruiser made sense, especially since I would like a nice truck for some trails. But the only thing is, I like to modify my vehicles and drive them from time to time.Doing so to a Bruiser would just be sacrilege.

Then I thought of a High Lift. Similar in design/chassis theory. 3 speed trans.

And the idea that kept coming up in my mind was of aTundra High Lift, paying homage to it's fore father, The Bruiser.

Research and research, part comparisons and adapters, help came through from one of our always helpful members, Mongoose1983. Thank you Erich for your help. Mongoose1983 sent me a couple of links to his HL and some other member's High HL's that had the same idea, just way before me.

But still, I could not shake the idea. Adding some different cues, I tried to go for a more modernized version of the Bruiser. Bruiser decals, and as many original Bruiser parts I could retrofit. i went with a more modern suspension, and eliminated the stiff leaf springs.

Enough with the novel, on with the pics...

Toyota Tundra High Lift

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High Tec waterproof servos

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Painted black with some Plasti Dip rubber coating

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Chose 90mm G Made Zero shocks

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The transmission, built with rubber sealed ball bearings

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4700kv Castle brushless motor with waterproof esc

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Attached to the frame

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Setting down the body for the first time

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Trying to visualize the original Bruiser bumper bar

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Trimming the bumper

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Fitted

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And the rear

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Front and rear

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Back to the chassis

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Assembling the differentials

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Over packed front and locked rear

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Axles

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Steering knuckles and alloy rear lock outs

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Jun Fac 4 link conversion

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Jun Fac steering servo axle mount

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Locked rear axle

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Assembling the 4 link

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DA55340D-D84D-4056-AB35-28C5542D4895_zps

Attaching the axles

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Jun Fac steel prop shafts

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Skid plate fitted (transmission at higher mounting position)

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Rogue Element wheel nuts with alloy covers

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At the rear using alloy TLT-1 wheels

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And the front

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Setting the body

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Front skid plate

F6705247-FF54-4496-913A-7B6008372220_zps

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Bed mocked up

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TLT-1 wheels are too small now with the new suspension

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Trying on Bruiser wheels and tires, with hub adapters

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The adapters really widen the stance

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Even with wheel arch flares

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Relocated the battery

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Light bar fitted

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Making a bracket for the license plate frame

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Flares and TLT-1 wheels

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Getting ready for primer and paint

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Looking good! Agree that the TLT-1 wheels are way too small. The 2.2 Bruiser setup looks good size wise but the track is too wide. I found what gives the perfect stance is the Wild Dagger / Blackfoot Xtreme / Twin Detonator type. Here's my Tundra with this setup:

tundra-2.2-1.jpg

They're close to the body on mine but with your lift they should be fine.

Only problem with those is the design of the wheel is a bit poor. If only there was a wheel with this fitment but in the Bruiser design... Hang on, there is!

https://www.tamiyausa.com/items/radio-control-parts-70/r-c-wheels-71300/rc-king-blackfoot-plated-wheel-50766

Difficult to find though, and to make things harder you'd need two sets as only the rear wheels are hex, the fronts have round recesses for bearings.

If you don't mind non-Tamiya parts then I believe these have the correct offset and hex fitting:

http://www.hpiracing.com/en/part/3062

This guy has them on his Amarok (same chassis as the BF Xtreme / Twin Det mentioned above):

http://www.msuk-forum.co.uk/topic/207777-tamiya-vw-amarok-custom-lift-pick-up/

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Thanks Truck Norris for the info, and your Tundra looks menacing!

Primer and paint

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I started with a semi gloss black so that the bed and window frames can be masked off later

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Wet sanding

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Test fitting

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Gear Head 2.2 alloy bead lock wheels. I think they resemble the original Bruiser's wheels and have a nice scale look

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I tried Pro Line Masher tires, but they gave it too much of a monster truck appearance

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Then I tried my CR01's original equipment tires, Tamiya Vise Crawler. I feel these are perfect for it.

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FD69F46F-2071-44E0-9687-CA45FC92A371_zps

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Ready for paint

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All of the semi gloss parts spray with matte clear

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Wet sanding

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Assembly

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Body sprayed with matte clear

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Pre decals and trim

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Fitting the fender flares

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Trimming and fitting the Bruiser decals

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This is a fantastic build makes my stock tundra shameful... maybe I will have to hop up at a later date for now I'll keep it tame to see how much damage I can do... I've never seen a flat clear coat before what brand is it and where can I get some... might have to do a flat black...

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Cool think thats now on my shopping list... happy Sunday... building with a smile..lol

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Although I really wanted to use an MFC, I decided against it. The added weight wouldn't be great for a runner. So I opted to use a Tamiya TLU-01, and 02. I can get lighting functions similar to an MFC, and trim down some weight from the speaker. Adding lights where ever I could, I have working brake, reverse and turn signal lighting. Fog lights and high beams as well, with 4 different combination settings.

This is the additional headlight for the TLU-01. It flashes at full throttle, as if a high beam to pass

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The turn signals

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Brake lights

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Turn signal

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A lot of wiring

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All lights on

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Headlights off, turn signals on

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I planned to do clear windows and an interior, but that plan wasn't possible with all of that wiring! :(

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And here we are as of now

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I will be removing the G Made Zeros as soon as my new dampers arrive. These are 90mm, and at an extreme angles, the tires will contact the fenders. Some different 100mm dampers will be replacing them.

Thanks for viewing!

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I admit I was skeptical of this project at first, but you really made it look fantastic! Great work :)

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Excellent, really want a Tundra now :ph34r:

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That has turned out looking fantastic

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Really well done.

I have a Bruiser, as amazing as the build is (and it really is awesome) it will always be limited in what it can do. I too have been looking at Tundra's with the high lift kit, you've just made me want one even more!!

You've done a great job recreating a modern interpretation of the Bruiser theme.

On my Bruiser, I'm mounting a Hobbyking lighting unit to the shell behind the cockpit, with only a pair of Futaba Y leads and extension leads to connect the shell to the chassis to keep wiring down to a minimum.

It was work in progress so ignore the mess but you get the idea!

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Congrats

Nito

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Thank you all for the kind words! It really means a lot to me :)

My 100mm shocks arrived yesterday and I was eager to put them in. I chose RC4wd's King shocks with faux piggy back reservoirs.

Before

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Side by side

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After

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And at the rear

Before

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After

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As the King shocks really look the part and are of scale size, I must say I am a little disappointed in them. They come assembled, but without oil. Additionally, there is no bladder in them, so filling them can be a bit tricky. Once assembled, they were very soft. I did use a soft oil, and I may need to go with something heavier. but I assume this is better for crawling. As this will be more of a trail truck than a crawler, I will definitely have to go with heavier oil, or find another alternative shock. At this point they are so soft that the twisting torque of the motor compresses the suspension.

And speaking of the motor, this set up is way too much for it. I've ordered up a brushed crawler combo from Tekin to replace it. This Castle brushless set up will find it's way into another one of my vehicles.

So here we are now

1BA8ACE0-B7A0-4F77-AFDD-8F738356C110_zps

I guess I can call this "teething problems" at the moment :D

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While I wait for my new motor set up, I figured I would add some weight to the wheels.

Disassembled

FDE8440E-F761-4899-81B8-6E036037A33C_zps

Automotive wheel weights wrapped around wheel

7A880FE3-CCEF-4CFE-B920-83EA7F98771E_zps

Also, I installed the G Made Zero shocks into my Twin Detonator. So that left me with a set of G Made XD piggy back dampers. I've never had any issues with these, so I decided to give them a shot in the Tundra.

King Shocks

2ED267E6-6167-4414-AAFC-A439B75DE95C_zps

G Made XD

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Side by side

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Hopefully the new motor set up will be here today or tomorrow. I'm anxious to get it up and running again to see how it performs with these XD's.

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I use those XD's on my Mud Blaster II WT01. They're great.

What a difference above with those kings, I'd stick with the Gmades ;)

Truck looks great in action...I'm having thoughts about a Tundra, I might get you back and put a thread of my Bruiser build which is in its final stages lol!

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Yet another amazing build! I really love your builds :lol: Those king shocks were shocking, excuse the pun ;) Definitely stick with the Gmades

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Thanks gents...I do appreciate your kind words. :D

ESC/motor combo arrived yesterday and I had time to solder all the wires and connections. I set everything in the ESC up, so I should be all dialed in. Tonight I'll get the body back on, and hopefully get some good runs in over the weekend.

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Now my only dilemma will be getting it all on video :)

With a pistol grip radio, I'm able to drive with one hand, and record with the other (with my phone). It's challenging to say the least with a stick radio...

Maybe I'll glue my phone to my forehead :D

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