New Element chassis project

[utieh]

For 2021, I wanted to create a new "comp" chassis.
I mostly had Axial rigs in the past (besides a TLT and a TF2) and I've been very tempted to get an Enduro since it came out.

The Gatekeeper kit seemed to be the ideal candidate as it already sports most of the part I wanted. I can sell the unused chassis, cage, sway bars and body panels to help finance the development of the parts.


The concept behind this new project is to use as many stock parts as possible while being very competitive. I wanted to keep all the stock links, transmission and keep things very very light.

Chassis frame:
Added some clearance, angled the skid, has more tuning options and is very lightweight (3mm G10). I already made some small changes for V1.1

Transmission:
I designed a simple forward motor mount. It needs the reversed top shaft.
I also added an ESC plate, V1.1 will have more surface.

Steering brackets:
Shocks are attached to the lower link position, made longer brackets so the steering link does not interfere with the shocks. Simple but it works.

Cross members:
I had prototype parts CNCed for the bumper and body mounts. They are way too heavy, 3D printing is the way to go I think to keep things light. It's a simple design with multiple options (body posts or screws for magnets), winch line opening...

Electronics:
Revolver Snubnose 2040 + SW4 + SH500v3 + 1000mAH 3S Turnigy packs

First test:
I don't have a body yet (PW + Ciffhanger are on the way) but I could not wait testing it on some dry and slippery rocks. I didn't try the Trenchers yet, only a 2 years old set of Rock Beasts with some new Crazy Crawler foams on plastic Element rims (my favorite when coupled with Vanquish hubs).
So far I'm impressed, it was clearly lacking some grip on those rocks but it could take some pretty difficult lines. I could see where a flat skid would help, some more OD as well (what do you recommend besides AE stuff?).

I can't wait to test it with a body and the Trenchers. The rig is very light: 3.7lbs (without a body) and I can see where I could shave some more weight (RX box delete, smaller ESC, PLA cross members...)

To be continued.

[Robotboy]

Lookin' good! Functional, simple and light.
Love your forward motor mount...winner!

[durok]

Damn, that looks professional as hell... Excellent photography, as well!

Especially appreciate the somewhat angular lines, I am not a huge fan of the swoopy curves on a lot of aftermarket flat rails.

Just looks more realistic!

I'm gettin' more than a little jealous of all the custom fabbed chassis and 3D work goin' on around here.

[utieh]

Originally Posted by durok

Damn, that looks professional as hell... Excellent photography, as well!

Especially appreciate the somewhat angular lines, I am not a huge fan of the swoopy curves on a lot of aftermarket flat rails.

Just looks more realistic!

I'm gettin' more than a little jealous of all the custom fabbed chassis and 3D work goin' on around here.

Photography: it's a simple trick, I place the flash backwards and have it bounce against my ceiling no pro equipment required.

Some curves are needed around the skid so you don't get hung, but I agree, I prefer a more angular look for the rest.

[B-MOW71]

Very impressive! Love what you've got going on here!

The FMM on the Element trans looks great! Nice design!

Looking forward to seeing more!

[utieh]

I'm pretty happy with the result and the performance... for now

The FMM is great with a tiny motor like the snubnose, there's no interference beetween the loweer link or the driveshaft but I had to redesign it so it can accept standard size 540 motors, meaning I moved the motor both up and left, I don't think it will impact performance much, only a couple of mm in each direction.

Originally Posted by B-MOW71

Very impressive! Love what you've got going on here!

The FMM on the Element trans looks great! Nice design!

Looking forward to seeing more!

[MOguy]

Originally Posted by utieh

it was clearly lacking some grip on those rocks

I know there are those that will be bothered by what I have to say, sorry about that!!

I built the Enduro and was less than impressed with its grip. It seemed agile enough but just didn't seem to stick to the ground. I was building it for a Class1. I tried many tires and weigh and had the 12%... and it just didn't grip like I though it would. I tossed it on a shelf and forgot about it.

One day and for whatever reason I put some Axial 1 piece AR44s on it and WOW, what an improvement. Enduro axles are low pinion. Clearance is an issue with the Enduro axles and so is torque twist, even if it isn't that noticeable keeps the front end too light, esp when you climb. I usually add about 4-5 oz to each front tire but even at twice that weight the front was not gripping until I went to t he AR44s. They are high pinion, better clearance and less torque twist.

I still did not like how it sat or drove but it was better. I than switched to TRX4 shocks and another great improvement. After that I added the Vanquish 9% underdrive and my Enduro (stock chassis) is a performer.

I put the Enduro Axles under my son's Brazin Class 2 comp build with a TGH 2 low and did allot of work on suspension and drive line angle work and got the axles working better but even with added weight and 30% OD the front end still doesn't dig in like it should. I did do a servo on axle, put the steering link in front of the axle and got better link ends and that greatly improved the steering.

[Maxx_Action]

Man that thing looks awesome!

I wish I could do that. The skill I might be able to learn, but I couldn't afford the equipment.

Nice work.

[utieh]

Some update

I got my prototype stolen so I had to rebuild a complete one, buy new electronics again... pretty bummed about it, it took quite a while to get all the parts again

The chassis before I tested it:


First test with the Cliffhanger body and new Trenchers/ Pro-Line foams, everything else is stock, all plastic, even the wheels.
I didn't have to change much through the day, but I can already say that it performs better than my Capra axled truck, I mean, it's really impressive. It needs a flat skid and some weight up front but other than that I don't see what else I should change. Going downhill is just unbelievable, the amount of control/precision. Sidehill too, not as crazy though. I'm not too impressed by its climbing ability but some brass knuckles should change that and get those foams dialed in too.

[twade984]

I don’t remember seeing this, but it looks awesome!

Bummer about losing the original, thieves suck.

[durok]

Killer chassis design!

Did the theft happen at an event, or stolen from your 1:1?

I'm always paranoid when leaving crawlers in my car when at a public park, because I usually like to bring a backup rig in case one breaks...

[utieh]

Originally Posted by durok

Killer chassis design!

Did the theft happen at an event, or stolen from your 1:1?

I'm always paranoid when leaving crawlers in my car when at a public park, because I usually like to bring a backup rig in case one breaks...

Stolen from my gf E30, one door doesn't lock, the hotel owner saw them drive away,

[soze]

@utieh are you radrocksrc on IG? If so your chassis looks pretty nice! I've been following on IG.

[durok]

Originally Posted by utieh

Stolen from my gf E30, one door doesn't lock, the hotel owner saw them drive away,

Freakin' scumbags...

[utieh]

Yes, and thanks!
G

Originally Posted by soze

@utieh are you radrocksrc on IG? If so your chassis looks pretty nice! I've been following on IG.

[soze]

Originally Posted by utieh

Yes, and thanks!
G

Does Damien (Truetoformscale) still have one of your chassis? I'll see if I can check it out if he does.

[utieh]

Originally Posted by soze

Does Damien (Truetoformscale) still have one of your chassis? I'll see if I can check it out if he does.

Yep, he still runs it.

[utieh]

Made some change for 2022, performs even better with only minor mods (brass knuckles, flat skid and rear link riser), most of the chassis is still stock, running plastic gears and wheels

[durok]

Glad to see it out on the rocks!

It's looking like I'm gonna build an Ecto-bodied GK kit before I mildly tweak my Enduro or build up my Machete flat rails.

Eventually, though, I'll be running 3 Element rigs.

Hopin' to have at least one performing like yours!

[twade984]

I think that’s the best version of that body I’ve seen

Cool rig


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