The bent links of the Gatekeeper give the CVD joints (Constant Velocity Drive) in the drive shafts a slightly better angle on the Gatekeeper. Gearing is the same and the trailing-arm rear suspension are identical too. The only differences that jump out on first inspection are the lighter-weight polycarbonate body and the straight links, rather than the bent links of the Gatekeeper.īoth Ecto and Gatekeeper use the same Reedy 14-turn, 550-size brushed motor and other electronics. With the modular design of the Enduro platform in mind, the Ecto would appear to be very similar indeed to the Gatekeeper.
#ELEMENT ENDURO ECTO UPGRADES SERIES#
(Check out our GK series here on YouTube). It was a very capable machine, if a little top-heavy with that hinged exocage on top. We had a very good experience with the Gatekeeper when we tested it a few months ago. Given how similar the two vehicles are, our experiences with the Gatekeeper are going to be quite relevant to our expectations of the Element Ecto’s performance. It’s a solid platform that allows a variety of implementations for different effects on the trail and rocks. The vehicles all ship with a steel C-rail chassis, 5-pole motor, waterproof & metal geared steering servo, a Reedy brushed ESC and the XP-130 radio system. Also, all Enduro vehicles include an additional gear set that grants 11.83% overdrive to the front instead of the default 5.7%. The StealthX transmission features a 5.7% overdrive output to the front axle. Rounding out our collection is the Gatekeeper with its rear trailing arms and anti-roll bar.Īt the heart of all these models is the same StealthX transmission, which provides drive to front and rear axles and a mid-mounted motor over the skid plate. The Knightrunner is another interesting unit, also a scale trail truck but with IFS (Independent Front Suspension). We’ve reviewed and enjoyed the very capable Sendero HD, a trail truck with a scale body and live axles at each end. The rest of the range is RTR (Ready To Run) and models are differentiated by modular options of body, suspension, axle type and wheelbase.
There’s a current kit option in the Enduro Trail Truck Builder’s Kit 2. Per my usual practice, paint was craft store acrylic brushed on from the inside (I live in a condo, spray painting cannot happen ).In recent years, Element RC has run on a single flexible platform known as the Enduro. Wheels are SSD steelies shod (for now) with Redcat Super Swampers I got from a friend. I'm going with a team Brood 35 turn motor, HW1080 ESC and DS 35KG servo. Now the rear cross member tucks neatly inside the bed. I moved the ESC next to the steering servo as a result.Īs I had parts leftover from my previous Enduro build I swapped the rearmost frame cross member for a front cross member. The side panels did have to be cut back rather severely, so that the body could be dropped down. It occurred to me after locating the shock hoop with a locknut and drilling new holes in the frame cross member that I could’ve simply slid the cross member over (yes, I too suffer from the occasional bout of knuckle headedness). Luckily, the frame has wholes pre-drilled on the required locations so not a big deal. The Ecto RTR’s shocks are forward of the Trail Truck’s position because of the trailing arm style rear suspension. It’s working out pretty well, the only real challenge was that the shock towers need to be moved forward to clear the Ecto’s rear bed. Unfortunately no DIY kits are available (only RTR), so that project was shelved until I saw Associated selling the body kit with all the hard plastic components for a very reasonable price (Proline are you listening?).Īt the same time, I found an online retailer blowing out their Enduro Trail Truck Builder's Kit (1) for a low $190 shipped, so pounced and decided to try to marry the Ecto body to the Enduro chassis.
I like the Power Wagonesque/Comp style looks of it and thought it would make a good crawler body. I found the new Element Ecto really interesting when it came out, but being a builder wanted to put one together myself.
0 kommentar(er)
