e170: Building The 3 Speed Transmission & Test Run Of The Iconic Tamiya Toyota Bruiser 4X4 Pick-Up

In part 2 of our Bruiser Build Series, we build the 3 speed transmission, fit the electronics, complete the build and then give it a test run.
BRUISER BUILD PART 1
• e169: Iconic Trail Tru...
BRUISER UNBOX AND OVERVIEW (DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND RERE)
• e140: Tamiya RC Dream ...

[@semperatis]

It's nice to see a proper gearbox in a truck like that Ari,one of the best things that Tamiya ever produced.

[@RCRetro]

In what I have experienced with building tamiya....yes I have to agree with you there.

[@mad-beerc3818]

Great build and yeah a little more complex then a Grasshopper! Iol....Brilliant job!

[@user-bd5md5cm2j]

I bought my first one in 85' it was 300.00 then. I was in jr.high. its been my very favorite rc of my life. Ive owned so many from grass hoppers to monster Beatle and lunch box to high end crawlers and fast buggies to nitro and 2 stroke machines. The bruiser is still my ver favorite. I bought a new one a few years ago. I loved building it. Took me back to jr.high. still the king og rc crawlers. Long live the king!!

[@coventrykid08]

I've just rebuilt my Tamiya Ford Ranger that I built with my Dad in 1983. That process has re-ignited my interest in RC cars, so watching you build this I'm going to order myself a new project to build in my shed.

[@fredrikvanlienden6749]

I had great fun building my bruiser. What a build it was! Right now I'm working on getting the body painted and fitting LED's. I'm using an Absima CR4S. Works a treat. My only stumbling block was getting those pesky servo savers to cooperate, so I ended up using solid horns for the shifter/steering servos.

[@tallguygaming409]

Wow we have charlie brown teacher money in the budget 🤑

[@RCRetro]

Just trying to get a little creative and have some fun.

[@patricksadler3587]

That’s one cool rc I want one 👍

[@catscan64]

Thanks for the video and about what you used for a transmitter. I've been struggling with the same thing. I'm hoping to stick with Futaba as that is what I grew up with in the 1980's. I even called Futaba tech support and they couldn't tell me with any certainty that any of their pistol grip radios would work. The only issue I have with the radio you are using is that it is for airplanes but it is a solution. After watching your video I then did a search on eBay for the shift gate disk that helps with the shifting. It showed three transmitters. The Futaba Attack from the 1980's, Your transmitter and then a newer version of the Futaba Attack, model 4YWD. This radio is made for these trucks and Tamiya's semi trucks that use a similar transmission. This is what I decided to get. RCMart caries them for around $150 for transmitter and receiver with shipping.

[@RCRetro]

Just so you know, I have switched transmitters. I have moved over to a Radiolink Pistol Transmitter with switches. This works just as well if not better.

[@fredvacca8570]

Which radiolink transmitter?

[@milosrcernycerny5537]

Shifting nice. Im curious about the color scheme.Turn on the garage heating and paint it in the garage.

[@RCRetro]

I am going to do box art. I really like the dark blue and lighter blue stickers with the hog. Unfortunately, I don't have heat in the garage and don't want to risk messing paint up with cold weather. Before you know it, Spring time will roll around and thee will be a video. Thanks for the comment.

[@nickrobertson2450]

Wow. Amazing gearbox, never built a tamiya like this. Tempting. Was put off by lack of knowledge of the shifting electronics. Curious to see how the transmitter controls the shift servo? Does it have an extra dial/lever I can't see that stays set in position? Great build series! 👍

[@rcadventuresunlimited]

great chassis, thanks for sharing that

[@bcastromusic]

...wife comes home and he’s testing an r/c truck ‘and’ he’s driving it through the living room... the kids aren’t even allowed in the living room :) I always wanted one of these since 1986 around the time of those very first few rc car action issues - it was so far beyond my reach.

[@RCRetro]

The wife actually did come home when I was in the middle of running it around the house with tripods set up to get some video. At first she was like, what the hell is that thing. then, she just shook her head and walked away lol....

[@peterrenaud9639]

Congratulations 👏 that build looks very rewarding 👌👍 I too am unable to paint indoors and the jobs are piling up, c'mon spring!!! P.s. nice lamp, award, and Charlie Brown's teacher🤣

[@elizabethmcheffey8699]

A jets fan holding gold!😂🤣😅

[@elizabethmcheffey8699]

I’m from the island I share that pain

[@jorgezuni2818]

I have the same system hg 407 Futuba.. I’m not sure what channel is throttle and gear shifting servo channel either . I was looking for video 1 😅

[@barrycheesemore2928]

Great pair of build videos, I really, really enjoyed them. I'd love one of those trucks, but my bank account would never forgive me ;)

[@Aflacist]

you seem like a really nice guy, subbed!

[@RCRetro]

Thanks for subscribing. Great vintage RC content coming up. Thanks again.

[@Aflacist]

@@RCRetro keep it up! have a good day man

[@blzr2bull]

Nice!! Did you ever paint the body and post a video of the truck all finished up?

[@RCRetro]

I plan on doing it this spring when the weather is warming so that I can paint it outside.

[@blzr2bull]

@@RCRetro looking forward to seeing the final result. I built the same truck box art with all the detail per the manual. It’s my favorite Rc that I own. And I own over 50! Keep up the great work!👊🏼😎

[@mikeharris7885]

Hi, I am a newcomer to RC and have ordered a Bruiser and will be using your Videos on how to build it. Would you advise on what servos I should use/ buy and did you use the supplied motor hopefully with a pinion? Forgive my ignorance but the gear changing is - one gear ratio with the servo in neutral position then moving the 'horn' forwards for another gear then backwards through the 'neutral' gear for the third. I guess it is best to keep the truck moving while you do this?

[@RCRetro]

So as far as I could remember, I used the stock kit pinion gear. Also the Silver Can motor with the kit is more than enough. These kits are not meant to go fast. More like paraded around. Yes, you can change the gears while it’s in motion. I believe there is a 2wd low, 2wd high, and 4wd. I used Annimos Servos that I purchased off Amazon. They have a red label And are high torque servos. Maybe 20Kg’s. When you build the transmission, take your time and triple check everything along the way. I initially built mine, and took it apart 2x after to get it to work. It’s was a pain. Good luck my friend and enjoy the build.

[@jackalofalltrades8705]

I remember this car from my childhood you could replace the 540 size motor with an 750 size motor and get more tork

[@bestamerica]

' i have one tamiya truck with leave 3rd speed on rear axle and natural flat front axle... no change gearbox 1 and 2 speed

[@tommyking872]

Did you ever get to paint it , I'm building my Bruiser now

[@RCRetro]

No I did not. I primed it but thats about it. I have to give it a light sand and then can shoot the blue. I actually thought about doing it either this weekend or next. Been waiting for the cooler weather. How's your build going?

[@josephcarrera3953]

Nice should bring to my house and have a hp407 Tamiya comparison

[@RCRetro]

oh I will. 1 minute in Joe's Garage... new location lol...

[@monsrc3122]

where' s part 3 :)

[@brittybaby]

Is the kit worth all that money? It looks like a nice build but 1000 dollars when your where running it, I just didn’t see a high end crawler

[@RCRetro]

Nope def not a high end crawler. More like a bouncy trail truck. Definitely a cool looking truck though and nice shelf queen lol.... If you're going to go trailing or rock crawling I'd 100% say go with something modern day. If you are into nostalgia and the significance of this historically than it might be worth the money. I paid $500 for mine as it was on sale on TamiyaUSA website. It was at the beginning of the pandemic and everyone thought the world was coming to end. So I said, "heck, you only live once" and I pulled the trigger and said f@#K it!

[@brittybaby]

I would buy one at 500 just for the build looks like fun I've bought the TT 02 and thought it was crap but after running it few times its my best on road car I ever owned with a few upgrades I'm now looking for a new tamiya build but I have no clue what one I want

[@jjkruger5038]

Built my Bruiser,but drive only with Left Back wheel and 4x4 mode only Left Back Wheel and Right Front. PLS Advice.

[@kyoz1984]

It this the Tamiya Toyota Hilux 4WD High Lift (RN36) No.519?

[@thecretanbull4784]

Hey …. Where’s part 3? Thanks

[@bradkalman2353]

They have the new Hilux body with the same box art as the bruiser on the cc01.

[@FATTONYKAUAI]

Man is there a fj40 body that fits

[@bradkalman2353]

Are there ball bearings for that transmission?

[@RCRetro]

Yes there are no metal bushings. It is all ball bearings.

[@bradkalman2353]

Come on dude box art.

[@jasonkohlmeier6707]

Like the video but why speed it up so stupid fast we can’t actually see what you’re doing? Some they may use the video to help build the transmission can’t see what you’re doing in terms of they are doing something wrong. Or at least talk through it. You’re in detail on super easy builds but expert pro builds you just fly by assuming people know what they are doing.

[@bradkalman2353]

Let's see reverse.