Fricker08 picks up an ecto

[Fricker08]

Well after a 2 week wait, I got the phone call today saying my ecto had arrived at my lhs. Been looking at these for a while, it’s my First element rig believe it or not. I like that it’s pretty well different than anything else I own and I wanted a truck I could beat up on or loan to friends/family and not be too worried about. This isn’t going to be an exciting build by any means, so I apologize for that up front. But if anyone has any suggestions let’s hear them!
I may actually run this thing until stuff breaks for a change, which is not my normal routine.. take my gladiator for instance.. smh. But overall it should be a fun addition to my collection!





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[AK KRAWLER]

That looks awesome! Element has some nice rigs from what I’ve seen.

[B-MOW71]

Congrats on the first of many Element rigs! Nice to see it finally arrived!

These are great rigs. My Element rigs are my favorites in my fleet. Don't get me wrong, I love my Vanquish rigs, but these Elements are so simple yet fun and very capable! The Ecto IMO is the most capable of all Elements.

I'd run it the way it is for now. They're great right out of the box, though I don't think I've ever really driven one stock out-of-the-box for very long!

[twade984]

Very cool man!


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[DirtMerchant]

Definitely a fun rig! I have a Sendero I had kept stock for over a year, and even then it didn't NEED to have anything changed or replaced; I just can't help myself. The Ecto is excellent. I love that color.

[distinctive pd]

Very nice
Any plans on it?

This truck had been growing on me, may have to grab one, build a little 1.9 ultra 4 or something.

I'll be watching...

[King Dork]

I originally had a Hobbywing Fusion 1800kv in mine with a 17 tooth pinion and it was money. Bought the 2300kv Fusion Pro and that’s in it now with a 15 tooth pinion. For $80 the new Fusion 1800kv SE should be a top bang for the buck combo for the Ecto.

[Fricker08]

Thanks for the words guys, I’m treating this thing a little differently.. or so I tell myself anyway. I’m not one to just run something out of the box.. but I think that will be the plan for now. Attempted to run it yesterday but like I told [mention]twade984 [/mention] the day before “I haven’t even put a battery in it” and that would have solved my problem. It’s got a deans plug and all my batteries are xt60. It’s a cool looking truck, I see a lot of guys modding them. For now this will be my loaner and I’ve got a pile of upgrade electronics I can throw at it but I’m going to see how long the stock stuff lasts.
I am intrigued by the fusion se though, when the motor or esc goes, that might find its way in.
If I really enjoy driving it this plan may go all the way out the window lol
I’ll keep you guys posted


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[B-MOW71]

Originally Posted by Fricker08

If I really enjoy driving it this plan may go all the way out the window lol

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The "plan thru the window" thing may happen sooner than you think!

[Fricker08]

I got to go drive this thing yesterday, I went hog wild haha. Ended up cartwheeling it down a small hill 2 min in to the run like an idiot. But it got that first scratch out of the way quick. Definitely leaves some room for improvement but for being a bone stock rig on 3s it did really well. I already want to rip the stock electronics out mainly due to the lack of drag brake and the steering servo getting hung up in certain spots. Not a big deal though really. I started a list of to-do’s like swap to metal pivot balls, give the rear some more spring rate, swap to metal hex adapters, and likely I’ll just go ahead and swap electronics into it. I’ve got a hobbywing 1080, 16t crawlmaster sport and black case Amazon 35kg servo. Then I think I’ll shorten up the front and throw a spare IERC front bumper I have in the bin on in place of the bulky stock bumper. The stock tires are lacking, but that’s ok. I may go ahead and throw some cheap Amazon dual stage foams in it and try the old simple green tire soak. All in all it was a successful trip, and I can’t post my videos but I’ll say this thing can fly lol






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[RudyF6]

First run and tumble?
That body looks exactly like it's supposed to now!

[DirtMerchant]

That looks like a great day out on the rocks.

[smog]

Surely you cannot lend that to a friend in good conscience knowing that it has an inferior drag brake!?

Nice pics, its a curious spot with much of the rock looking like it was blown up. Was there a quarry there at one time?

[soze]

Very nice. I always like SSD brass knuckles on all my elements. I'm actually ok with the stock 15T reedy motor. The rebranded surpass hobby ESC, not so much. My original Sendero is still rocking the 15T reedy with a Hobbywing 1080.

For the Ecto, I also like the Rock Pirates Ecto sliders.

[ScaleLifeNewbie]

Hey that’s not Lucia Falls! Haha

Looks great out on the rocks. I definitely understand about the ESC, drag brake is nonexistent and super touchy throttle in my experience, especially reverse. I really like their Reedy motors when paired with a 1080 though.

How do those tires grip that rock?

[Fricker08]

Thanks guys! I’ll probably go ahead and swap the esc out and run the stock motor for a while. It does have good power. I can’t believe I didn’t check everything for grease before it’s first run but I’ll get there when I do all the pivot balls.
Smog, you’re correct indeed. Not a quarry but if you search diamond valley lake you can get some more information. It’s a man made reservoir here in Southern California that they built when I was a kid. This spot is right at the opening to that area.
SLN the tires are ok, they wouldn’t work for anything on slick rock I don’t think. But as you spotted, I’m no longer in Oregon. This rock down in Southern California would make drag slicks hook up most of the time.
I’ll see if I can put a short clip together on YouTube and I’ll post it here


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[durok]

The Ecto does have a different ESC (SC480X) than the one the Sendero's with the 540 can shipped with (SC400X).

You can even get a cheap programmer - similar to the HW one.

Per their site: "Fully adjustable brake and throttle functions (requires program card #27034)"

I've picked one up to mess with - but I'm such a lazy so-and-so that I have not yet tried it out.

It's in the bag I bring out crawling with me along with some spares and tools, but I tend to forget it's in there.

Oh - and I kinda like the stock tires, too...

[Fricker08]

Hey thanks durok, I ended up just swapping a 1080 and crawlmaster 16t in it this morning as well as the Amazon servo. It is night n day difference for sure, swapped to metal hexes and notched the frame rails up front to tuck in a IERC front bumper I had layi by around. Got to drive it a little today, definitely a fun truck and I’m happy with my purchase





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[twade984]

Looks good buddy!


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[Blitz.]

Thank for the pics! Definitely next on my list if Santa doesn’t come through for me!