A new Element uncovered? IFS Conversion for Enduro and SCX10

[Topher Builds]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

That's lame! Thanks for the heads up.

You only end up needing two of them at least. For the servo link. Everything else uses a different metal ball piece of hardware they include.

[shOyx]

Does anyone know what are these? I just cleaned all my table and found this 2 pieces that came with the ISF kit, but I'm looking at the manual and there is nothing about them.

[Szczerba]

Look like servo mount posts

[Almighty Malach]

For a winch servo on top of the IFS bulkhead.

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by Topher Builds

You only end up needing two of them at least. For the servo link. Everything else uses a different metal ball piece of hardware they include.

Oh good. I was looking at the photos trying to figure out where they all went. I'm glad it's just two plastic balls.

[svt923]

I’ll be putting my IFS kit on an Axial chassis since there are many of them sitting around here. So I decided to print up the compatible servo mount while waiting.

[OSRC]

Just got mine finished, took nearly 3 hours to sort it all out. Finally got it how I wanted it with max travel up front, and somewhat limited travel out back to match. Very cool kit, can't wait to get it out on the trail.

[svt923]

I got my kit and have been messing with it for a little bit and already can tell the Axial compatible wording should have a huge asterisk on it.

- The skidplate that runs from the bulkhead to the center skid doesn't fit an Axial skidplate correctly. The spacing on the lower link pockets are about 1.5 mm more narrow on the Element so the IFS skidplate mounting tabs get bent pretty badly if you force it on the Axial skid. This either requires grinding material off the Axial skid, grinding material off the IFS skid, or using an Element skid (which is not included in the IFS kit).

-Should you decided to use the Element skid with an Axial chassis, the 4 outer holes of the skid do not line up with the holes in the chassis. You can drill them out to match the chassis but it is super annoying that for all the cross compatibility designed into the Element, they made the skid holes 1.5 mm off.

-Speaking of off, trying to bolt an Axial trans to an Element skid takes more effort than it should. The 2 inner holes line up fine but the 2 outer holes do not. You can force it enough to get all 4 screws in but this is bad since it was designed for cross compatibility.

I'll see how things go from here but just scratching the surface of the kit makes it clear that buying an Element chassis would be the way to go if you want the IFS conversion to go smoothly.

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by OSRC

Just got mine finished, took nearly 3 hours to sort it all out. Finally got it how I wanted it with max travel up front, and somewhat limited travel out back to match. Very cool kit, can't wait to get it out on the trail.

3 hours! That's the kind of stuff I don't have the patience for. Looks great though.

Originally Posted by svt923

I got my kit and have been messing with it for a little bit and already can tell the Axial compatible wording should have a huge asterisk on it.

- The skidplate that runs from the bulkhead to the center skid doesn't fit an Axial skidplate correctly. The spacing on the lower link pockets are about 1.5 mm more narrow on the Element so the IFS skidplate mounting tabs get bent pretty badly if you force it on the Axial skid. This either requires grinding material off the Axial skid, grinding material off the IFS skid, or using an Element skid (which is not included in the IFS kit).

-Should you decided to use the Element skid with an Axial chassis, the 4 outer holes of the skid do not line up with the holes in the chassis. You can drill them out to match the chassis but it is super annoying that for all the cross compatibility designed into the Element, they made the skid holes 1.5 mm off.

-Speaking of off, trying to bolt an Axial trans to an Element skid takes more effort than it should. The 2 inner holes line up fine but the 2 outer holes do not. You can force it enough to get all 4 screws in but this is bad since it was designed for cross compatibility.

I'll see how things go from here but just scratching the surface of the kit makes it clear that buying an Element chassis would be the way to go if you want the IFS conversion to go smoothly.

Disappointing. Sounds like it was perfectly designed for the Element rigs, which makes sense, and then it can be made to work with the others. I wouldn't call that compatible though so I'm guessing Element is going to be hearing a lot of feedback from people that want a direct bolt onto the SCX10.

I'm having second thoughts. Maybe I'll sell mine. I'd buy an Enduro kit if their pumpkins weren't square. I have a major hangup there.

[GA Dawg]

Originally Posted by svt923

I got my kit and have been messing with it for a little bit and already can tell the Axial compatible wording should have a huge asterisk on it.

- The skidplate that runs from the bulkhead to the center skid doesn't fit an Axial skidplate correctly. The spacing on the lower link pockets are about 1.5 mm more narrow on the Element so the IFS skidplate mounting tabs get bent pretty badly if you force it on the Axial skid. This either requires grinding material off the Axial skid, grinding material off the IFS skid, or using an Element skid (which is not included in the IFS kit).

-Should you decided to use the Element skid with an Axial chassis, the 4 outer holes of the skid do not line up with the holes in the chassis. You can drill them out to match the chassis but it is super annoying that for all the cross compatibility designed into the Element, they made the skid holes 1.5 mm off.

-Speaking of off, trying to bolt an Axial trans to an Element skid takes more effort than it should. The 2 inner holes line up fine but the 2 outer holes do not. You can force it enough to get all 4 screws in but this is bad since it was designed for cross compatibility.

I'll see how things go from here but just scratching the surface of the kit makes it clear that buying an Element chassis would be the way to go if you want the IFS conversion to go smoothly.

The following is directly off of their website. They don't advertise it as a direct bolt-on kit for Axial vehicles.

The IFS Conversion can be easily installed on the Axial SCX10, SCX10ii, and SSD Trail King with a few additional parts. These parts can be printed at home via FREE-to-download stl files here OR purchased from our shapeways.com store.

This vehicle needs extra parts to make it operational. Click on the Specifications tab to see what extra equipment you'll need to use this conversion kit.

[rkj__]

Originally Posted by GA Dawg

The following is directly off of their website. They don't advertise it as a direct bolt-on kit for Axial vehicles.

The only STL files they provide are the servo mount, and left and right shock mounts. Those parts alone don't address all the issues svt pointed out.

[Szczerba]

If you wanted to IFS and 1.9 a bomber with the Element Kit, it would be super easy. You would lose some ground clearance but just sayin’. A drill, drill bit and some 3mm screws. Provided lower skid looks almost perfect to mount up to the bomber skid. Even the angle of the front of the chassis adds a bit of caster. Rear wouldn’t be tough with some simple tools as well. I was going to build this IFRS but have changed my mind.

[raul shabinguez]

Where's the damn like button!

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by Szczerba

If you wanted to IFS and 1.9 a bomber with the Element Kit, it would be super easy. You would lose some ground clearance but just sayin’. A drill, drill bit and some 3mm screws. Provided lower skid looks almost perfect to mount up to the bomber skid. Even the angle of the front of the chassis adds a bit of caster. Rear wouldn’t be tough with some simple tools as well. I was going to build this IFRS but have changed my mind.

You make quick work of that. Very cool!

[Szczerba]

This was my original plan, build up an IFRS bomber but I have decided to build a full tube chassis setup. But yah, it dang near bolts up to the Bomber chassis up front. Literally a drill, drill bit and some screws you could have it probably bolted up in 30 minutes or less.