Enduro EXP - Experiences, Refresh, and Rebuild

[Phyro]

Hey All,

This year marks the second year of running the Enduro BKv1. Started with the IFS, swapped back to solid axles, and added the SOR Kit. Last Sunday was the final local comps around here for the year. So time for a rebuild of the truck.

Currently the truck has the following:
- Grey Hard Plastics
- Gatekeeper Panhard Bar Mount
- Factory Team High Clearance Links
- Factory Team Shocks
- SOR EXP Kit
- SSD Aluminum C-Hubs
- SSD Brass Diff Covers (F/R)
- SSD Brass Knuckles

Here is some pics from August during testing:






The SOR EXP kit really changed the way this truck handled. It felt planted while crawling up steeper inclines. Basically it wasn’t squatting as much as stock would. You kinda see this in the first picture. Then when on power it wasn’t hopping like mad in the back any more. I’ll show some pictures of the setup this weekend and how it all goes together later on.

Now it’s time for a rebuild of the truck during the winter months. Chassis change to the Gatekeeper rails and some of the updated parts as well. Kinda tweaked the original chassis rails, my fault and not the truck’s fault.


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[Phyro]

Here is where the Enduro stands after the comp season:



I am swapping the AXE v1 for a HW Fusion. Both of the systems are 1800kv, so mostly doing this to cut a bit of weight. Going to miss the Bluetooth tuning though. As for other electronic changes, the Reefs Triple 4 will be moving to the 10.3 and Triple 5 will be in this truck.

I did swap my battery tray to a self designed smaller tray that fits 1300mah 3S packs.

I’ll be keeping the same tires for next year. These are Proline Trenchers in Predator compound. Really like these a lot! I have ran 3 comps on them, and these felt better than the Hyraxes that I was using before. Plenty of traction for the limestone/slate rock around here.

While I am rebuilding the truck, I’ll try the SOR kit with the transmission swapped.


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[MOguy]

I have a Fusion on a build, works fine but no feed back and as responsive as other setups. The build is for the granddaughter so it is good for her, it is smooth and easy to drive.

I have a MambaX and Tenkin 412 ROC in my Element build and I prefer much more than the Fusion but it is about twice the money. Not sure if it is twice as good? The Tenkin MambaX crawls better, not only slower but also faster. It is more responsive and just feels stronger and it will run more than 3s. I have gone to 4S on my Revolver and I am also rebuilding my Enduro and will give 4S a shot with it.

I have never driven an Axe so I don't know those compare.

[smog]

I like the rig Phyro, thanks for putting it up.

I gather the upper shock mount mod I see is part of the EXP kit? Is it raising the upper mount or just shifting it inward?

[Phyro]

Originally Posted by smog

I like the rig Phyro, thanks for putting it up.

I gather the upper shock mount mod I see is part of the EXP kit? Is it raising the upper mount or just shifting it inward?

Thanks Smog,

Ya the upper shock mounts are part of the EXP kit. They are mostly used to lay the shocks down a bit. There are 5 mounting holes on the plates. 3 of them are inline with the stocks and 2 are either above or below depending on orientation.


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[Phyro]

Originally Posted by MOguy

I have a Fusion on a build, works fine but no feed back and as responsive as other setups. The build is for the granddaughter so it is good for her, it is smooth and easy to drive.

I have a MambaX and Tenkin 412 ROC in my Element build and I prefer much more than the Fusion but it is about twice the money. Not sure if it is twice as good? The Tenkin MambaX crawls better, not only slower but also faster. It is more responsive and just feels stronger and it will run more than 3s. I have gone to 4S on my Revolver and I am also rebuilding my Enduro and will give 4S a shot with it.

I have never driven an Axe so I don't know those compare.

Hey MOguy,

Speaking of the Tekin motors, I originally started with a ROC412 HD 3300kv paired with an RX4. Way too much motor for my personal style. I am finding that I like motors in the 1800kv range a lot more.

I got the Fusion into the truck this week, and should be able to run it Saturday as long as the weather holds out. The only thing I am missing so far is the ability to adjust the esc by Bluetooth.

I have never tried a Castle system yet. (I was a racer before and ran Novak then Tekin.)


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[MOguy]

Originally Posted by Phyro

Hey MOguy,

Speaking of the Tekin motors, I originally started with a ROC412 HD 3300kv paired with an RX4. Way too much motor for my personal style. I am finding that I like motors in the 1800kv range a lot more.

I got the Fusion into the truck this week, and should be able to run it Saturday as long as the weather holds out. The only thing I am missing so far is the ability to adjust the esc by Bluetooth.

I have never tried a Castle system yet. (I was a racer before and ran Novak then Tekin.)


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My Tenkin is a 1200 and MambaX. The 3300 woud be a pit fast for a crawler. You will should have a card you plug into the Fusion to program it.

With the Castles you can more trypes of motors. With the Fusion you get what you get. The SW4 allows for brushed and brushless non sensored. The Copperhead and MambaX allow for brushed and brushless senored and non sensored. All are very programable with blue tooth or a computer. The Copperhead and MambX both take 4s and the Mambax up to 6s. Both have a good internal BEC, the MambaX does allow for very high voltage and more amperage.

I run a couple revolvers (1400s) and the Tenkin off the castle ESCs. I do have the Fusion 1800. The Castle set ups do crawl slower but the fusion does fine. It just doesn't have the feedback and it isn't as responsive or have the wheel speed, esp if you go 4s, that the Castle setups have. BUT the Fusion is about 1/2 the price.

[crazee horse]

Looks great, my fusion is way better and smoother than my axe. What cage is that on your rear please ?

[Phyro]

Originally Posted by crazee horse

Looks great, my fusion is way better and smoother than my axe. What cage is that on your rear please ?

It’s one that I designed myself and had Shapeways print it in MJF Nylon. It has some issues though, like being slightly offline with the body mounts. Makes it troublesome to remove those body clips.

Here the next one that I am working on:

Front 3 Quarter View

Rear 3 Quarter View

It should match back the of the cab better and connect at the “cage” parts. I am trying for a rock racer theme with the build. Similar to the SOR Ecto build on Facebook:

(Pic for reference, not my truck sadly.)


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[Phyro]

Originally Posted by MOguy

My Tenkin is a 1200 and MambaX. The 3300 woud be a pit fast for a crawler. You will should have a card you plug into the Fusion to program it.

With the Castles you can more trypes of motors. With the Fusion you get what you get. The SW4 allows for brushed and brushless non sensored. The Copperhead and MambaX allow for brushed and brushless senored and non sensored. All are very programable with blue tooth or a computer. The Copperhead and MambX both take 4s and the Mambax up to 6s. Both have a good internal BEC, the MambaX does allow for very high voltage and more amperage.

I run a couple revolvers (1400s) and the Tenkin off the castle ESCs. I do have the Fusion 1800. The Castle set ups do crawl slower but the fusion does fine. It just doesn't have the feedback and it isn't as responsive or have the wheel speed, esp if you go 4s, that the Castle setups have. BUT the Fusion is about 1/2 the price.

I also have a 2200kv Puller Pro V2 sitting around as well. If I don’t end up liking the Fusion, this plus a Copperhead or Mamba X might be next.

I am hoping to get a good run in this weekend and see how I like the Fusion vs the AXE. Weather forecast looks really promising.

The replacement gatekeeper chassis and braces showed up today, so the rebuild starts this weekend.


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[MOguy]

Originally Posted by Phyro

I also have a 2200kv Puller Pro V2 sitting around as well. If I don’t end up liking the Fusion, this plus a Copperhead or Mamba X might be next.

I am hoping to get a good run in this weekend and see how I like the Fusion vs the AXE. Weather forecast looks really promising.

The replacement gatekeeper chassis and braces showed up today, so the rebuild starts this weekend.


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You will not dislike the fusion. There is nothing wrong with it. If do want spend the money and get a Castle ESC and motor you will see the difference, but it may or may not be a big deal to you.

[Maxxamillion]

Nice Enduro Phyro. I am using the same body on my Enduro. Mine suspension is similar to yours with the keys. Just received my SOR EXP kit and will get it bolted on soon.
My new Ecto is working well also.
I haven't powered them up yet but I really like the stock Reedy motor, but the stock ESC is jumpy. The Enduro is a good platform.

[Phyro]

Originally Posted by Maxxamillion

Nice Enduro Phyro. I am using the same body on my Enduro. Mine suspension is similar to yours with the keys. Just received my SOR EXP kit and will get it bolted on soon.
My new Ecto is working well also.
I haven't powered them up yet but I really like the stock Reedy motor, but the stock ESC is jumpy. The Enduro is a good platform.

Nice rims! Got to love those SSD rims, one of my favorites. Even prefer them over the set of Vanquish. Honestly I don’t have any experience with the stock electronics.

Three parts from the EXP kit that really made a difference were the link risers. Really made the truck stick to climbs, even when on power. The fit and finish of those parts is really good as well.


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[Maxxamillion]

Originally Posted by Phyro

Nice rims! Got to love those SSD rims, one of my favorites. Even prefer them over the set of Vanquish. Honestly I don’t have any experience with the stock electronics.

Three parts from the EXP kit that really made a difference were the link risers. Really made the truck stick to climbs, even when on power. The fit and finish of those parts is really good as well.


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I didn't even notice we have the same wheels... Always liked 'em as I have Walker Evans wheels on my 1:1 rig, which I think these SSD's represent.
Ya the links risers are what I'm after on the SOR kit. ...Just got high clearance links too.
I don't compete, so I have stayed budget on my motor/ESC combo, with my fav budget setup being a HW 1080 and the Reedy 16T 5 slot 550 can, which of course comes stock on the rtr. Been a pretty smooth motor for me (I have it in a SCX10.2 also).

[HailBoognish]

Originally Posted by Maxxamillion

Nice Enduro Phyro. I am using the same body on my Enduro. Mine suspension is similar to yours with the keys. Just received my SOR EXP kit and will get it bolted on soon.
My new Ecto is working well also.
I haven't powered them up yet but I really like the stock Reedy motor, but the stock ESC is jumpy. The Enduro is a good platform.

What are your thoughts on the standard enduro vs the ecto? I'm trying to decide between the two, if you could only have one crawler would you prefer the trailing arm or standard 4 link setup in the rear?

[Maxxamillion]

Originally Posted by HailBoognish

What are your thoughts on the standard enduro vs the ecto? I'm trying to decide between the two, if you could only have one crawler would you prefer the trailing arm or standard 4 link setup in the rear?

Tough decision. The 4 link is a known quantity with endless hop ups for it. Great working suspension. The trailing arm is very cool desert racer, and seems to work very good also. My Ecto eats it up. The swaybar helps keep the Ecto (or GK) driving more flat IMO. The GK is known to have a high COG also, with its heavy-ish full cage.
The wheelbases are different too. 12.3" 4 link & 12.8" trailing arm.
Put a light truck body on the GK and have two rigs... a truck and buggy/rock racer.
Sooo... I think Gatekeeper or Ecto would be my choice just for the new design flair.

[Phyro]

If I was going to be getting another Enduro, it will be the Gatekeeper Builder’s Kit. Personally prefer the gray plastics and bronze shocks. Probably top it with Knightrunner body and the IFS for a Desert Racer based C1.


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[Phyro]

Well guys,

I started the refresh tonight. Here is a bit of closer look at the link risers and the shock keys from the EXP Kit:


These use 12mm screws and are attached on the inside of the frame. They sandwich the skid between them. If you are using the Bowhouse skid, you’ll need some spacers for the back bolt.

Here is how the shock keys mount:


These can be flipped as well for more lower mounting positions. They mount with 2 8mm and 1 12mm screw. If you have the BK2, GK, or Ecto, these keys won’t work with those towers.

I also swapped the chassis rails to Gatekeeper, so I can use the metal panhard mount. Even the front bumper mount is from the Gatekeeper as well. The light gray tray is custom to fit a 1300mah 3S battery.



Here is the battery tray mount that comes with the EXP kit. This one is the V1 while the V2 has a curved lower clearance area.



And here is the rear link riser for the rear end. Just uses existing holes on the Enduro’s axle.


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[Maxxamillion]

Keep posting your progress Phyro! I like your direction. I have the EXP risers on my Enduro now, and I lose the use of the spur gear cover, looks like your case also?
Haven't made the time to run it yet...

[Phyro]

Originally Posted by Maxxamillion

Keep posting your progress Phyro! I like your direction. I have the EXP risers on my Enduro now, and I lose the use of the spur gear cover, looks like your case also?
Haven't made the time to run it yet...

Yup, same here as well. It would be possible to cut the cover, but it might cause more harm than good in that state.


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