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BlueMonsters "Bruiser" aka Big Rhonda
I bought this truck from a friend who got it in a trade from RD400 on rccrawler.com. These first pics are from his build up of the truck. The original concept of the build was a 2007 Bruiser, featuring the best parts of Tamiya's top trucks; the Bruiser, the TLT and the Hi-Lift. It runs TLT axles, turned down TLT shocks, Juggy leafs, Hi-Lift 3-speed transmission and a Bruiser body. The pics where the body is black is how I received it.



It came to me with no electronics, so that was the first order of business. I installed a Futaba MC230CR, JR steering servo and JR synthesized receiver. It has since been upgraded to a Rooster, I swapped in a Hi-Tec rx and installed a 645MG steering servo.
The motor mounting is unique, as it mounts from the front similar to how a Bruiser is set up. TLT trans plates were used, quite an ingenious setup. Setting the mesh is a real pain, but I eventually got it right. One thing that really bothers me about this rig at this point is some of the quality of the parts. The fit is okay, but the finish is lacking, as you can see in this pic. All these brackets will be redone.
Here is a good shot of the motor mounting setup. I am running a Trinity Monster 27 motor at the moment. A 55t Lathe now powers the truck.
The first thing to go was the wheels, not impressive at all, nor nearly large enough. I tried Geos first, then slapped on a set of Swampers and fell in love.
The front 4 link works great, as seen in this pic from it's maiden voyage on the Swampers. It was on this run that I realized the steering was terrible, so on to the first mod. These wheels and tires actually live on my Hi-Lift, so new ones are on the way. This pic is currently my background...
The original steering utilized a Hi-Lift bell crank, as is becoming popular in Bruiser builds, but it just didn't do the job on this chassis. I removed the entire setup and installed a steering servo up front on some new brackets.
Here is the new steering setup, it works MUCH better. The Hi-Lift crank and long linkage from the original gave no throw at all.
I am planning some body mods, so there will be no need for the current body posts. When I removed the front mount, I decided to redo the shock towers as well. The rear upper shock mounts were kind of slapped together with link material or something, so I yanked them all and installed nice Hi-Lift ones all the way around.
I will be redesigning the trans mount system and motor mount plates. There is more material than is needed on the motor plates.
I picked up some Bruiser axles, but am not 100% sold on running them yet. They are much wider than the TLT axles, and with the required adaptors, they will be even wider. I could offset that with wheels, but that will have to wait to be seen.
The tires arrived today, and I am looking for a set of RC4WD bead locks for it. I run them on my comp truck and they are very nice wheels.
Took it out to the WARCRC comp and hit the water, it works great. The only thing I think it really needs is a larger pinion, it's a tad too slow.
I ordered a lot of new parts, this truck is going through a remodel! On the way... RC4WD 2.2 aluminum wheels RC4WD rear straight axle conversion kit Double J Trail beater chassis Diaz Plexiglas leaf springs RAM RC off road lights as headlights Rogue Element license plate kit The new name "Big Rhonda" will make more sense later...
RC4WD came through today! Here is the straight axle conversion installed on the left, stock setup on the right.
And the new wheels... can't wait for powder coating! The RAM headlights are installed as well. The license plate kit is in, but I don't want to give away any hints as to the direction so that will have to wait.
The color is going on! I need to fill a couple small holes in the cab before it gets any paint.
The color will get slightly deeper when the clear goes on, but not much.
I think the license plate is appropriate...
Posed the cab after slapping some paint on it to get an idea what it'll look like. Pink.
Got a little painting done. Don' know if I want to go with a silver or black grill. guess I need to check out how the real trucks were to help me decide.
Diaz springs are installed, but they are too weak for this truck. I had to double them up and I still am resting on the shock bottoms. I may need to add a steel leaf and see if that help. I was hoping to 4-link the front of my High-Lift and run the other two Diaz leafs on the rear of that truck. I tried two different ways, side-by-side and opposing. It doesn't seem to have made a difference. I ended up going back to the Juggy leafs.
I got the grill painted up and mounted, just need to add some detailing and install the lights. I have new signal lenses ordered.
On the rear, I restored a very poor condition rear cab section, installed my custom narrowed Clod bumper and Wild Willy gas can, still keeping with the Tamiya theme! That tire might be a bit large, I might use a High Lift wheel.
I added a simple roll bar to hold the spare and other misc accessories.
And to give it a little life, I also added a driver.
I changed the paint layout on the wheels, meaning I removed most of it. I think they look a lot better now.
My windows arrived from Kamtec. Excellent lexan reproduction. Fit wasn't perfect, but I removed the rear and driver window anyway so it fit just fine. Installed, there are no gaps between the glass and the body, so I am extremely satisfied with it.
I also received and installed my new rear lenses. I got front ones as well, but I haven't installed them yet. I laid Bare Metal Foil behind them and I will be leaving them clear. I used Bare Metal Foil on the badges and tailgate handles and lettering as well. Not sold on the lettering yet, but we'll see if it grows on me. The pic isn't clear, but I added an RC Driver bumper sticker and a Tamiya bumper sticker. I also added another license plate to match the front. The fuel can was also fully detailed out.
I made an air filter extension from aluminum tube and used a cap from one of the ones that ORCRC.com sells. Looks great, but I was very nervous drilling such a large hole in the hood after the paint was done! Another scary time was drilling two holes into the roof to mount the High Lift light bar. I'll probably have to drill one more to run the wiring once the LED's go in.
The sleeper windows were painted gloss black to replicate tinted windows, and Bare Metal Foil will trim them out once the paint is dry.

The 55t went away, not powerful enough for Big Rhonda. In it's place is a Traxxas 12t 550 can from an XL5 Stampede. It's better, but a Magnetic Mayhem will be the final motor, I think.
When modifying a new servo for winch duty, I had to test that the potentiometer had been glued in the correct position. I unplugged my steering servo and plugged in the new winch. I whipped the steering wheel around and it hit me. I had a proportional winch right there with an automatic center! I suck at coming up with circuitry, but my buddy Rob is not, and he drew me up the wiring diagram to build my idea. It consists of a mini servo operated by the third two position channel on my radio. It actuates a always on/always off switch that flips between one servo and another. I chose to use the steering channel, so I can still use reverse if I need to while winching.
I can't steer and winch at the same time, but I don't see the need for that anyway. The project box from Radio Shack was a bit too short, so I cut out the lid to clear the servo. In the next pic you can see the lexan cover I made to cover it.
Here it is finished. It's a perfect fit between the bed supports in Rhonda.
I built a rear bumper to protect my one-of-a-kind bumper and give me somewhere to attach the hook for my rear winch. The winch is a new JR126MG, an updated version of the JR125MG. I used 50lb test reinforced fishing line for cable. It's small, flexible and won't break.
Here is a closer look at the hook. Once it wraps around something, it won't fall off.
I still need to smooth some joints and paint it, but it looks great.

All my power problems are over. Mamba Maxx and Hyperion 3013 brushless and this truck is getting slung around like a rag doll.
I ordered a Hyperion 3025, so this one is going into the crawler. The 3025 is even stronger, but is way too powerful for my 2.2 comp truck.
To get as much as possible from the motor, I bought I new matched 3800 pack.
I also installed a new steering servo, something with a bit more power.
I got some great pics from the ORCRC comp we attended.



It's time to bring all these lights to life! The wiring is all inside the body, so it can be removed without messing with any wiring, even the battery is separate and mounted to the body.


As much as I love the Hyperion 3013, it is going into my comp truck. To move Rhonda with even MORE authority, I went up just a little bit. The new motor is a Hyperion 3025-08. This motor is going to break parts...
I had to turn down the shaft, as it comes with a 5mm shaft.
I received my new Juggy springs as well.
I didn't realize how badly the old springs were bent, amazing.
I shaved a ton of excess off the axles. The pic is kind of dark, but I like how it turned out.
This small aluminum ledge was ganging up an everything, I made this slider out of cutting board material and it works like a charm.
I added taillights...
I don't think I had posted a pic of this yet. A small wood crate holding chain, a lug wrench, flashlight and some old beer cans.
Of course, the Crème de la Crème, Hyperion 3025 motor. I actually had to detune it to save from destroying the rest of the truck.
Just a cool pic I took today while running on some rocks at my driveway.
Front Page of the local Helena Montana paper...
I lowered the body height about an inch, maybe a little more, in an attempt to lower the COG. I also finally mocked u a Kamtec trailer I bought a LONG time ago for her.


New RC4WD Mud Slingers. These things are AWESOME scale tires.
Grover hooked me up with a set of these machined axle trusses. Very nice parts.
It's a freaking who's who of high end RC parts under the lid nowadays. JR 8711 400 oz servo Mamba Max R2 trans 2100 3-cell LiPo Mud Slingers RC4WD bead locks RC4WD straight axle shafts etc, etc, etc.
It took about 1/2 our to file out the inside of the chassis rails, but the R2 slips right in there.
I made some braces and spacers, and it's mounted in there very nicely.
The last bumper she'll ever need. Steel base with tube, multiple mounts to frame. It'll probably make a cool sound too!

Rear bumper. It's the same one that used to be on her, but it no longer fit after I lowered the body. I redesigned the brackets and it's good as gold now.
Side steps. I also incorporated some body protection, and the cross tubes add even more support as well as giving me a base for more link mounting options and some more protection for the R2.
Rear 4 link. I got tired of bending leafs, so she is all linked now. I still need to redo the geometry, but here you can see the axle truss (one in front as well) and the modified JunFac link mounts. The shocks are TLT, turned down with a stock spring stretched out to replicate a coil over. Surprisingly, they actually hold her up.
I added 3 more lights to the front bumper, now just need to get them wired in.
A day at the beach

It was time for a rebuild. Installed is a new Trailbeater courtesy of Double J, Rhonda's first sponsor! 1doublej.com She is all 4-linked now, all new links, new mounts throughout, black R2.
I have been collecting chunks of scrap aluminum, and I made this steering servo mount so it rides on the chassis in just the right position.

I made the rear body mounts from a chunk of aluminum as well, cut, drilled and tapped
Electronics always ruin the look of a nice chassis layout... I need to cover all the wiring in something.
Final ride height with the all new chassis! I lost some articulation with the Kyosho Half 8 shocks, but it was way to much before anyway. It's perfect now.
Started polishing all the aluminum. All links, mounts, braces, brackets and links are all now polished.
I tried a modded tire, but I don't care for the look. Now I need another one. Good thing I only did one tire.
The snorkel was also shined up. JP Custom RC's is Rhonda's newest sponsor.
Front body mount, servo mount and battery tray.




The Parts from JP Custom RC's came in today. A new 35t Warrior motor and 3" shocks. Both are very nice items. Here is the motor... The brushes are already soldered on, a feature that saves me a step in prepping the motor for use.
The shocks feature bladders in the caps and aluminum spring retainers. This set comes with two spring options, I opted to use the softer red vs. the blue, because the red better matches Rhonda's body! Another nice thing about them is the aluminum upper swivel mount. A mention is also deserved of the heavy duty lower rod end.
Took her out today to wet the waterproofing, everything survived fine, so the balloons are a go!


I had hoped the spot would be more mud, but it turns out it was a lot of sawdust, so she stayed pretty clean. Makes it easy for cleanup, but mud makes better pictures... The last one here is a good one for JP!

Had my stickers made for my first sponsor, Double J. One on each side of the bed, looks nice!
Spent some time at Deception pass today and got some more shots, check 'em...

Pics from WARCRC Scale GTG




I got an original Bruiser front brush guard, trying to decide which I like better. The other is one I made.

This is what I came up with. The only original part is the main steel hoop, the rest I made from aluminum stock.
It looks good dirty too.
I heated, bent and polished some aluminum tube and made some sliders.
The ends are tapped, and inserted into countersunk holes in the chassis.
I cut and redrilled some High Lift shock hoops to lower the ride height about 1/2 an inch.
It ended up setting the rear axle back a bit, but that is easy to change.
The bed was looking empty, so I added an old RC4WD that I cut in half, as well as the tire, to look like it is further down inside the bed.
A little snow bashing...
Some bits and pieces from the 'Bay, and I have a mirror now. Wonder how long it'll last...


















































Round two, second front axle...