Exocaged Amazon Type of Build
 

I was planning to buy an Element Enduro V2 kit for my next build. However I was watching Exocaged on YT and saw how impressive his cheap carbon fiber frame and tranny build is going.

Now I am thinking of doing the same thing.

I think it is interesting how he used a straight axle in the front and a portal in the rear. Would this not lead to a major difference in gearing?

What do you guys think of this over the Element for a serious dedicated crawler?

I will probably just build it for now with a set of TRX4 portals, a WP1080, and a Holmes Crawlmaster.

Thanks

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/crQen7p6l3o/maxresdefault.jpg

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZSfzQ3Ncn4

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=crQen7p6l3o

Re: Exocaged Amazon Type of Build
 

Element does just fine as a dedicated crawler.

Portal axle in the rear is on purpose. Overdrive to the front, basically having dig without having dig. Much like how the element stealth transmission works, the front wheels spin faster than the rear, helps it pull up over obstacles and such. I've seen builds using the element transmission and portal rear axle for that reason. Works pretty slick.

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Re: Exocaged Amazon Type of Build
 

Yep under driving the rear is beneficial for sure. Just didn't know if the difference between a portal and standard axle would be too extreme.

Also the carbon frame rail set he used has a very forward placed transmission. Wonder if this is better or worse then a centrally located tranny?

Re: Exocaged Amazon Type of Build
 

I like Exocage's videos. He tries new things and gives unbiased feedback IMO.

Re: Exocaged Amazon Type of Build
 

With no od/ud in the trans and standard gearing in the axles, it will indeed be too much difference most likely. I run straight/portal axle combination in a couple of my trucks and I use a transfer case with OD to the rear, plus tune the overall OD by changing axle gearing. I end up with about 32% OD overall on mine but between ring/pinion gears and the portal gear on the rear axle you can get more or less OD than that.

Re: Exocaged Amazon Type of Build
 

^^^ Here to second this.
Straight axle front and portal rear, without changing ring/pinions, is usually gonna be around 50% OD, which is WAY too much AFAIC. The "big" overdrive on a Phoenix is 46%, and it's effectively unusable on sidehills-- forget about descending.
I seem to be happiest around 15%. Front pulls up better, but I can still sidehill.

Re: Exocaged Amazon Type of Build
 

So I bought the Injora Carbon Fiber chassis kit to start building something similar. I will be using a Chinese metal Scx10 tranny and TRX4 portal axles front and rear.

Re: Exocaged Amazon Type of Build
 

I would think the Element would be perfect for a straight axle front/portal rear... switch it so the 12% OD goes to the rear axle instead of the front. That'll make up some of the gearing right there. Add in an OD ring and pinion out back and you're right in the ballpark.

Love that Element trans, it comes in handy. I've added OD to several rigs that never had the option.