Topher Builds an IFS Baja Bug
 

As you may have already seen, I’ve been excited about the IFS kit from Element RC to bring something a little different to the scale crawler market. After getting it in the mail I got to work and got it all installed.

Not much of note other than there are two plastic balls used on the servo link so it’d be a good idea to have a couple metal balls around for your install. And you’ll need a pretty small Allen wrench for the screws that hold in two hinge pins. It’s smaller than 1.5mm, I just found a bigger piece of hardware that would work since I didn’t have a driver that would fit.

I managed to get the SSD Brass Knuckles to work with little effort, there are a couple of shoulder ball studs that take some sanding to fit into the knuckles but once you get that cleared up it’s good to go.

Here are some pics, got it out for a shakedown today and should have some video together to share later. Shakedown was a success. Wondering if my shock position is making the front stiffer than it should be, going to mess around with that and get it back out for round 2.

Re: Topher Builds an IFS Baja Bug
 

The bug body looks great![emoji106] I like the nice and simple paint job! Looks killer out on them beautiful red rocks![emoji3]

Glad to hear the IFS kit was a somewhat effortless install.

Looking forward to seeing the crawling footage!


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Re: Topher Builds an IFS Baja Bug
 

Very cool. Looking forward to the video.


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Re: Topher Builds an IFS Baja Bug
 

Awesome can't wait to watch the running session.

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Re: Topher Builds an IFS Baja Bug
 

Beautiful Bug, Great job! Looking forward to the video and your experiments on the front shocks, I also feel them to stiff.

Re: Topher Builds an IFS Baja Bug
 

Which bug body is that? "thumbsup"
Ernie

Re: Topher Builds an IFS Baja Bug
 

Thanks everyone! Video is up on the tube now.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/946zSvvpj30" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

It’s the Baja bug for a slash part num PRO3238-62 "thumbsup"

Re: Topher Builds an IFS Baja Bug
 

It's quite capable!

Re: Topher Builds an IFS Baja Bug
 

Thank you sir, very nice vid, Like Tim said it looks very capable!!! Were you surprised at how well it did? "thumbsup"
Ernie

Topher Builds an IFS Baja Bug
 

I’ve been seriously contemplating doing this ifs on my tundra. Is an scx based truck but I’ve got a 3D printer [emoji6] this video of yours makes me want to do the ifs more now...


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Re: Topher Builds an IFS Baja Bug
 

Thanks guys! I wasn’t really sure what to expect out of it, I did get excited after realizing the ssd brass knuckles would work. I’m also running the ssd brass wheel hubs in front. I was happy it could still climb well enough.

I’ve been working on softening up the suspension a bit. The springs that come in the box are pretty stiff, but I’m also wondering if the ball ends that came with the samix shock towers are keeping it from cycling cleanly. Today I threw on some traxxas blue springs and changed the ball ends. Also ordered a Holmes 12t trailmaster to give it some more wheel speed. Currently running a 21t. Looking forward to getting another run in with those changes.

@lilws6 sounds like a fun project. Go for eh!

Re: Topher Builds an IFS Baja Bug
 

Just watched the video, looks like it works really well. Very impressed with that crazy wall climb at the end. The whole thing turned out great. I think an enduro is in my future.

As a side note, I moved from that area 6 years ago, from the other side of valley of fire, in Moapa valley. I was happy to leave, and love where I ended up, but that terrain is amazing for crawling. I've been watching your youtube videos, and besides family, that's the only thing that makes me just a tiny bit homesick.

Thanks for the videos, and your build threads.

Re: Topher Builds an IFS Baja Bug
 

wow! that rig is very capable, I was expecting some rollovers during the video but that never happened. The bug body match very well!

Re: Topher Builds an IFS Baja Bug
 

The magic of editing perhaps?

Re: Topher Builds an IFS Baja Bug
 

Man that thing is rough and ready - I like it! :) Cut on the bottom of the body gives it a heck of a stance.

Re: Topher Builds an IFS Baja Bug
 

Because of the geometry and added weight of the IFS the shock package for the front has to be stiffer which basically makes the front move very little in comparison to the rear. Something I did after hours of tuning the shocks on my IFS kit was I added a rear sway bar. This made the front end move around quite a bit more and definitely made the suspension more balanced.

Re: Topher Builds an IFS Baja Bug
 

Does someone make a sway bar kit for the enduro?

Re: Topher Builds an IFS Baja Bug
 

[QUOTE=Topher Builds;6001873]Thanks guys! I wasn’t really sure what to expect out of it, I did get excited after realizing the ssd brass knuckles would work.





Stoked to get my knuckles!!! THanks for the hookup!

Re: Topher Builds an IFS Baja Bug
 

Moapa valley is just beautiful as well, they're having the scale nationals out there later this month. I'll miss it because I'll be travelling but it's a great place for crawling and more. I could see why you'd be a little home sick from that. Thanks for checking out the build "thumbsup"

LOL, I do have my share of rolls that get cut out. Overall the truck was more stable than I had expected, and it did some things where if it hadn't been able to do it I wouldn't have been upset, but instead I was pleasantly surprised.

Thanks! I was trying to make it look fast :ror:

There is a spot in the IFS gear box for a front sway bar, I hope Element comes out with a front and rear kit sooner than later.

Re: Topher Builds an IFS Baja Bug
 

Not that I know of, but all the chassis are pretty much the same for all intents and purposes, I'm sure you could get the axial one to work.