So what is the deal with Bruiser axles?? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

am4x4 · 01-13-2009, 10:09 PM

I have a set of bruiser axles that I plan on building a buggy around but you don't see them much except under truggy's. I think they are the early style, they are metal housings with a one way bearing setup on the front wheel hubs. Is there any reason not to use them besides avaliabilty? I have seen aftermarket front wheel hubs to get rid of the one way bearing and in my search here I found a couple of referances to some mods by a guy named Rick.

One other question. I measured the wheels that came with the axles and came up with 1.19 at the bead seat so I would assume 2.2 tires fit the stock wheels????

nickrummy · 01-15-2009, 01:14 PM

I'm pretty familiar with the bruiser axles. I'm probably the guy you're referring to that does the bruiser axle mods.

There are actually quit a few flaws with them in stock form when it comes to perfermance. They are extremely wide and they have a special hub used on them so you can only use the rims that came with it. The steering setup is a poor design that has poor tolerances so after a little use it gets pretty sloppy. It's pretty difficult to get a good shim on the ring and pinion gear because of axle design and the ring gears aren't that strong to begin with. Gear reduction in the axle is also pretty poor since the ring gear is so small. Sorry, hate to point out all this bad stuff..... Then you have to factor in price. These axles are vintage and aren't made anymore. The only stock replacements you find are used and worth a pretty penny. They're also pretty tricky to setup with out using leaf springs.

Seems like there is no positives huh?

They are one of the best looking axles in my opinion. Here's a thread of my truck and I'm running bruiser axles front and rear. I machine the rear axle to add a supporting sleeve and bearing, narrow the track and accept universal 12mm wheels. The front axle gets the old steering knuckles hacked off and replaced with an aluminum Axle C that I have machined which allows parts from a Tamiya TLT axle to be used. A lot stronger, smoother and allows universal 12mm wheels. Downfall is that it's $$$$$$$. I don't recommend them for a truck that'll be driven a lot or driven hard.

http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=748219

If you'd like some pics let me know. Here is a longer build thread on the truck.

http://rccrawler.com/forum/showthrea...rummy%27s+yota

jeep94xj · 01-15-2009, 06:03 PM

I guess I should have got more money out of you for the 2 pairs you got from me!!!

Nick knows his stuff on the bruiser axles. Almost wish I had a set of his modded ones but my pig of a truck would hurt them.

am4x4 · 01-17-2009, 03:46 PM

Thanks for the input. I think I have changeed my mind about using the bruiser axles and I am going to hack up my T-MAXX to build a crawler out of.

Any idea how much the Bruiser axles, wheels, and tires are worth??? I also have a frame with leafs, shocks, motor, and a tranny that is missing some parts, any idea what that stuff is worth?

78FORD4x4 · 01-17-2009, 05:56 PM

look on ebay all of the bruiser parts are selling high

01-13-2009, 10:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
am4x4 Rock God Join Date: Jul 2005 Member # 50177 Location: simi valley, CA Posts: 1,545	So what is the deal with Bruiser axles?? I have a set of bruiser axles that I plan on building a buggy around but you don't see them much except under truggy's. I think they are the early style, they are metal housings with a one way bearing setup on the front wheel hubs. Is there any reason not to use them besides avaliabilty? I have seen aftermarket front wheel hubs to get rid of the one way bearing and in my search here I found a couple of referances to some mods by a guy named Rick. One other question. I measured the wheels that came with the axles and came up with 1.19 at the bead seat so I would assume 2.2 tires fit the stock wheels???? __________________ Toyota Link Suspension Systems, Weld On Beadlocks, Custom Fabrication, and More www.MayhemMetalWorks.com ________________________________________________ 05 GMC 2500HD d-max, 87 4runner, X chassis rock buggy my buggy build http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...e33fc&t=488938 Last edited by am4x4; 01-13-2009 at 10:10 PM.

01-15-2009, 01:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
nickrummy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Member # 81026 Posts: 60	I'm pretty familiar with the bruiser axles. I'm probably the guy you're referring to that does the bruiser axle mods. There are actually quit a few flaws with them in stock form when it comes to perfermance. They are extremely wide and they have a special hub used on them so you can only use the rims that came with it. The steering setup is a poor design that has poor tolerances so after a little use it gets pretty sloppy. It's pretty difficult to get a good shim on the ring and pinion gear because of axle design and the ring gears aren't that strong to begin with. Gear reduction in the axle is also pretty poor since the ring gear is so small. Sorry, hate to point out all this bad stuff..... Then you have to factor in price. These axles are vintage and aren't made anymore. The only stock replacements you find are used and worth a pretty penny. They're also pretty tricky to setup with out using leaf springs. Seems like there is no positives huh? They are one of the best looking axles in my opinion. Here's a thread of my truck and I'm running bruiser axles front and rear. I machine the rear axle to add a supporting sleeve and bearing, narrow the track and accept universal 12mm wheels. The front axle gets the old steering knuckles hacked off and replaced with an aluminum Axle C that I have machined which allows parts from a Tamiya TLT axle to be used. A lot stronger, smoother and allows universal 12mm wheels. Downfall is that it's $$$$$$$. I don't recommend them for a truck that'll be driven a lot or driven hard. http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=748219 If you'd like some pics let me know. Here is a longer build thread on the truck. http://rccrawler.com/forum/showthrea...rummy%27s+yota Last edited by nickrummy; 01-15-2009 at 01:17 PM.

01-15-2009, 06:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
jeep94xj Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Member # 14783 Location: Broke ass fawkin Canton, Ohio! Posts: 486	I guess I should have got more money out of you for the 2 pairs you got from me!!! Nick knows his stuff on the bruiser axles. Almost wish I had a set of his modded ones but my pig of a truck would hurt them. __________________ 88 2wd MJ! It used to be a jeep thing...till all that shit broke!

01-17-2009, 03:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
am4x4 Rock God Join Date: Jul 2005 Member # 50177 Location: simi valley, CA Posts: 1,545	Thanks for the input. I think I have changeed my mind about using the bruiser axles and I am going to hack up my T-MAXX to build a crawler out of. Any idea how much the Bruiser axles, wheels, and tires are worth??? I also have a frame with leafs, shocks, motor, and a tranny that is missing some parts, any idea what that stuff is worth? __________________ Toyota Link Suspension Systems, Weld On Beadlocks, Custom Fabrication, and More www.MayhemMetalWorks.com ________________________________________________ 05 GMC 2500HD d-max, 87 4runner, X chassis rock buggy my buggy build http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...e33fc&t=488938

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01-17-2009, 05:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
78FORD4x4 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Member # 125311 Location: Sittin' here doin' my part to make sure the welfare checks cash. Posts: 153	look on ebay all of the bruiser parts are selling high