This has a killer look to the front end, as far as the rear end goes well, I’m still thinking about it. What’s nice about this set up is how diverse we can be with it. IFS is going to give it a nice controlled ride. That’s for sure, whether is stump jumping, mud running or desert prerunning, this set up should be ideal for many styles of off road racing. That’s not to say it doesn’t have its limitations, because IFS certainly does. To me though it’s no more scale than solid axle setups, especially when it comes to handling. Most solid axle rigs in real life handle kinda sloppy and have a less limiting factors especially on the rocks, but this set up might be the best of many worlds of off road. Hats off to team A for getting this version right!
I am an IFS2 fan, got a Utron to try an independent front end since I know the Camburg stuff because I have been looking for front suspension upgrades for my 1:1 truck. I swapped in the trailing arm leftovers from my gatekeeper/ecto bodied kit build and she has been great. Her name is Cutey McCutron now. Nice to see element thought it was a good idea too. This setup has been awesome for trail driving and still crawls on rocks really well. I like it when trickle-down RC economics works. Not sure if I like the Zuul body more than Cutey. 👍🏼
@@Razdawg22 nope, but the instructions for the gatekeeper kit should have the part numbers for what I installed. Remember to get all the swaybar bits too. PS - search element gatekeeper on a main and it's all there
Hey bud couple questions for you. Any front diff issues? Front tires toeing in different directions? Front shafts popping out? Sorry been frustrated with mine. 3 Front diffs I went through. I've had a gatekeeper and an ecto both with no issues. Thank you
@TThatMythical Don't be sorry, sounds like yours got more fun time than mine has. I added SSD brass knuckles, better shocks and upgraded inserts, tires (stayed with 4.19") & wheels. I would try Factory Team upgrade diff gears (I put them in my Ecto because she's a fat bottom girl now with more power, baby). Get the shims right for proper engagement & grease it all up. If toe changes something moved, probably something threaded in plastic. There are some upgrades to make IFS2 steering parts better as well.
I'm with you on the bed looks but if you google FJ45 long bed truck they're pretty odd looking. Odd in a different way but the full-size always looked like two different teams designed each piece without seeing the others work. I was on the fence until the banjo kicked in!
I installed IFS2 on my Gatekeeper and it looks really cool going over the rocks. I like IFS and I honestly do not see the big deal of IFS vs. straight axle. They are different and equally fun.
Thanks for the great review and excellent banjo!! Nope, I’m unfortunately just not interested in IFS. I’ve owned a few 1:1 IFS as well as a few 1:1 solid axles…even with modifications the IFS rigs got spanked up and down in off road situations by the non-modded solid axles. Just no comparison in my experience. These real world experiences cause me to only be interested in solid axle rigs for my tiny trucks. 🤷♂️ With that said, I think it’s really cool that there are options from Element for those who dig IFS!
I’ve always had a soft spot for IFS. I admire the added challenge in driving an IFS truck through straight axle obstacles. And then there’s that sexy IFS flex. 💕
I’ve been building a trailrunner ifs/leaf spring rear with an rc4wd xtracab body for like 3 years now…watching this almost makes me want to pick up the pace.
Honestly Element with this ifs2 has me extremely happy with how well it performs on my Utron, plus ive done climbs with m utron that straight axle trucks werent able to do surprisingly, cant wait to see what Element's future trucks are going to bring to the market
This platform indeed makes an awesome prerunner i built one using the red knightwalker body and stuck a brushless setup in it it will hit about 18 mph with the gearing i have it handles great but the tiny sliver of plastic around the Ball joints is a failure point broken 2 so far
I like the realism of IFS. It just makes a truck look much more "real" when driving. I'm not so much of a competitor (read: competition novice) that I'd worry about the effect IFS has on performance, or even notice. I guess I'm one of the folks who strives to get the most out of both scale realism and trail/rock performance, but more willing to sacrifice a bit of performance for scale than t'other wat round.
I know I keep hammering on Element, and I will again here, I really wish they'd get serious. But what do I know? Maybe they found a niche' that is working out for them.
I love IFS on my Pajero/ Montero build. Thinking of getting the V2 for mine, would be an superb upgrade after nearly 3 year of hittin the trails hard with V1.
I turned my nightrunner to a prerunner with the rear trail arm set up….added a brushless sensored system with a 4100kv motor….super fun and handles pretty good……it’ll crawl also….obviously not as good as a designated crawler but good enough..😅
Love the shape of the body . The body clips are laughable in 2024 . As I have not personally driven this particular style of truck solid rear with independent front I can’t have an opinion other than say it “intrigues me”. It might be something I steal the body from for another truck and develop the chassis into a sand basher . There I did it I said the b word. A big fan of the wildlife at the end. Thank you both ( the misses) for your videos.
If u don't like banjo your not human such up beat instrument also I love anything that can be played plus play little guitar myself great tools to relax or beat on when frustrated better then someone or something kids things but keep up great work and have wonderful day.
I’m happy to see this. Instead of buying a Utron and upgrading body, rear suspension and bearings. Or buying an ecto and adding ifs. Or buying a knight walker and adding it all. All I need to do is swap a body. Any word on price though?
I do like that. At first I thought pre runner extended cab toyota. Now.... I dont know. Square body chev could he cool to. To many ideas. Over the next year, I plan to do a pre runner so... we will see. Also want to do a comp style rig. But.... not sure what chassis. To many things. Very good review and run man. Top notch 😎
Hi , Matt. Like yourself i don,t like the rear of the truck. Is there another body you could recommend off the shelf. Would look good with a pinched rear end. ( I am allowed to work with lexan so my wife says ) Thanks Andy P.😁
Excited to see Glad and Rubbermaid coming together for this new release! Pretty neat idea from Element. I do like the IFS setup, just hurts my soul (which I don’t have) to see IFS on the old style body that never had it to begin with. Otherwise, it’s “bussin”. (Don’t know what that means or how to spell it..). Top notch review SBG!
As somebody born in 2001. Bussin means something is good. One could consider it a gen z equivalent for the term delectable. Also hopefully this is cheaper than buying a knightwalker and ifs2 and gks. I think that’s where this will shine.
Great to see new stuff from Element! These guys don't get enough credit. I think they do a lot for the hobby! Good review Matt, thanks! 👍 Does adding lights to this rig count as working on lexan? It really deserves them! 😁
Flysky's been used quite a number of times with this exact setup. Same unit that was in the Utron and the SE if I'm not mistaken. Great unit, despite it being a 2-1.
Now, this Element has my attention. I like IFS for all the same reasons you've pointed out. I have the Losi SBR2.0, JDModel Hero F150, a new Traction Hobby F150 Raptor, and a Tamiya CC-01 - all 4WD with IFS and solid rear axles. Also, I'm building a 2WD Scottsdale K10 which, of course, will have IFS.
I’d really like to know what the disadvantages are of IFS. I think on full size vehicles they aren’t as strong. Not sure if that is the same w 1/10 scale. It does give more ground clearance. I’d love to try it anyway. Thanks for the great video Matt.
The strength issue I wouldn’t think would be a big deal at this scale. It does offer slightly more ground clearance, but more than anything, allows builders to build accurate models!
The back half of the body is a little weird, but I really like the FJ-style front. Great scale details. IF one was to make this a pre runner, does the Lexan master recommend making it 2wd?
I've got a few crawlers, and I got the Utron right away to try the IFS2. I put in the fusion SE 1800 on 3s, and she's a baller. Hate the big body, love the SE transmission, plastic shocks are meh. I like slow crawling the IFS2, it seems fine on my crawler course. I swapped the axles on my gatekeeper kit with my Capra, both of those run fusion pro's. The gatekeeper rear is pretty nice, especially with the wider axles. This kit looks great, super high speed handling for a crawler. If I didn't already have all these parts, I'd totally buy one based on the performance of the individual components they've put together in one kit, with good shocks. Nice body colour, and the scratch effect is neat. Nice review Matt, and great release AE!
I have the Element RC Enduro Ultron and the front drive gears were disengaging because the bushings that were stock wore out pretty fast. I only ran it for three cycles on a battery before it was so loose that the front wheels weren't spinning any more. I bought a bearing kit online and replaced the worn bushings and so far no issues. Not sure why they are using the bushings instead of bearings.
i like dependent suspensions.
Your running footage is better than Elements own footage on their YT channel.
Thanks!
I've said this before! His footage is too good!
Are you kidding me… I just bought the ugly utron to start a pre runner build and now this drops!!!???
This has a killer look to the front end, as far as the rear end goes well, I’m still thinking about it. What’s nice about this set up is how diverse we can be with it. IFS is going to give it a nice controlled ride. That’s for sure, whether is stump jumping, mud running or desert prerunning, this set up should be ideal for many styles of off road racing. That’s not to say it doesn’t have its limitations, because IFS certainly does. To me though it’s no more scale than solid axle setups, especially when it comes to handling. Most solid axle rigs in real life handle kinda sloppy and have a less limiting factors especially on the rocks, but this set up might be the best of many worlds of off road. Hats off to team A for getting this version right!
This thing is definitely a game changer!
Agreed!
Oh that's a winner right there. The suspension, the paint, the garage.. in the words of Philip J. Fry: "Shut up and take my money!" 😁
my comp wagon body just got the copper inner coat for my rust layer...almost looks too good to spray flat grey over...lol
I am an IFS2 fan, got a Utron to try an independent front end since I know the Camburg stuff because I have been looking for front suspension upgrades for my 1:1 truck. I swapped in the trailing arm leftovers from my gatekeeper/ecto bodied kit build and she has been great. Her name is Cutey McCutron now. Nice to see element thought it was a good idea too. This setup has been awesome for trail driving and still crawls on rocks really well. I like it when trickle-down RC economics works. Not sure if I like the Zuul body more than Cutey. 👍🏼
Say do you have a parts list on the swap to trailing arms on the Utron? I would love to do the same on mone😊
@@Razdawg22 nope, but the instructions for the gatekeeper kit should have the part numbers for what I installed.
Remember to get all the swaybar bits too.
PS - search element gatekeeper on a main and it's all there
Hey bud couple questions for you. Any front diff issues? Front tires toeing in different directions? Front shafts popping out? Sorry been frustrated with mine. 3 Front diffs I went through. I've had a gatekeeper and an ecto both with no issues. Thank you
@TThatMythical Don't be sorry, sounds like yours got more fun time than mine has. I added SSD brass knuckles, better shocks and upgraded inserts, tires (stayed with 4.19") & wheels. I would try Factory Team upgrade diff gears (I put them in my Ecto because she's a fat bottom girl now with more power, baby). Get the shims right for proper engagement & grease it all up. If toe changes something moved, probably something threaded in plastic. There are some upgrades to make IFS2 steering parts better as well.
I picked up a Utron and swapped a Samurai body onto it. The IFS has a bit of a learning curve but it's quickly becoming a favorite truck for me!
Nice Banjo!
IFS is a great available variety in crawling and a new challenge to trail. Innovation is always appreciated! Great Video.
Love the ducks toward the end, very peaceful 😊
I'm the one that suggested that exact model to Element RC last year when the Zuul got out 😂. Glad they listened
Great banjo and fiddle music. Oh the truck is cool too.
Thanks!
Ifs is my Jam! I’m working on a kit for the trx4m! Version just finished! I’m so excited for this platform!
Have fun!
I'm with you on the bed looks but if you google FJ45 long bed truck they're pretty odd looking. Odd in a different way but the full-size always looked like two different teams designed each piece without seeing the others work. I was on the fence until the banjo kicked in!
And the long panning shot of the ducks...
😂
I installed IFS2 on my Gatekeeper and it looks really cool going over the rocks.
I like IFS and I honestly do not see the big deal of IFS vs. straight axle. They are different and equally fun.
Thanks for the great review and excellent banjo!!
Nope, I’m unfortunately just not interested in IFS. I’ve owned a few 1:1 IFS as well as a few 1:1 solid axles…even with modifications the IFS rigs got spanked up and down in off road situations by the non-modded solid axles. Just no comparison in my experience. These real world experiences cause me to only be interested in solid axle rigs for my tiny trucks. 🤷♂️
With that said, I think it’s really cool that there are options from Element for those who dig IFS!
Glad you like the banjo! Thanks for watching!
The way that banjo drops, absolutely slaps!
There is no Dana only Zuul...
I IMMEDIATELY went there in my brain lol
😂
every damn time i hear that!!!
Like it! Chassis and the cab section looks very good. For an RTR the suspension looks spot on - loads of travel as well! Thanks Matt!
Thanks for watching!
Yeah, it looks great from the front side, but definitely needs some upgrades for the rear part😂
Maybe it should do some squats and deadlifts 😂
I'm thinking mid 90's ranger cab with fiberglass flared baja bedsides and fiberglass baja raptor nose
I’ve always had a soft spot for IFS. I admire the added challenge in driving an IFS truck through straight axle obstacles. And then there’s that sexy IFS flex. 💕
I’ve been building a trailrunner ifs/leaf spring rear with an rc4wd xtracab body for like 3 years now…watching this almost makes me want to pick up the pace.
I have trailrunner. IFS is good but the IFS2 looks definitely more compact. Which is good.
Wasn’t sure about the truck at first, but the banjo really sold me on it 🪕
🪕
Honestly Element with this ifs2 has me extremely happy with how well it performs on my Utron, plus ive done climbs with m utron that straight axle trucks werent able to do surprisingly, cant wait to see what Element's future trucks are going to bring to the market
That's great to hear!
i like it, it looks like a small hammer rey, if they make a non rtr version i might get one
I think its super cool looking 💯🤸♂️👍
I have really been wanting an ifs truck. This may be the one
Enjoy!
Element should go back to the old remotes. Rear sway bars are sweet. front looks good with that stubby bumper, independent suspension, and skid plate
This platform indeed makes an awesome prerunner i built one using the red knightwalker body and stuck a brushless setup in it it will hit about 18 mph with the gearing i have it handles great but the tiny sliver of plastic around the Ball joints is a failure point broken 2 so far
Love my IFS2, really fun to drive, and lots of suspension travel!
I like the realism of IFS. It just makes a truck look much more "real" when driving. I'm not so much of a competitor (read: competition novice) that I'd worry about the effect IFS has on performance, or even notice. I guess I'm one of the folks who strives to get the most out of both scale realism and trail/rock performance, but more willing to sacrifice a bit of performance for scale than t'other wat round.
I have been waiting for something like this for a long time. I have wanted a light duty bouncer/basher to jump off roots on the trail.
Enjoy!
I'd like to have a rig with independent suspension, but those aren't so common
Great trail truck, perfectly suited for IFS and trailing arm suspensions. I will never understand why AE/Element shocks don't get more attention. 👍👍
Great front suspension. I like it .its to long body but it s beautiful truck👍👍👍
Im glad they did this, i did it with my gatekeeper the second ifs2 was available. Its not as capable but its soo fun to watch and drive
I know I keep hammering on Element, and I will again here, I really wish they'd get serious. But what do I know? Maybe they found a niche' that is working out for them.
I did IFS2 on my gatekeeper...
a lot of fun.
yup... I think I need one of these..
the Gatekeeper cage is a bit heavy...
and I really can't resist the KC lights...
I love IFS on my Pajero/ Montero build. Thinking of getting the V2 for mine, would be an superb upgrade after nearly 3 year of hittin the trails hard with V1.
Go for it!
Great review! Nice truck with some really well thought differences from all the other competitors
Thanks!
Awesome!! It also has adjustable front and rear suspension shocks..it can be lowered if desired!!!!😮😮😮😮
I turned my nightrunner to a prerunner with the rear trail arm set up….added a brushless sensored system with a 4100kv motor….super fun and handles pretty good……it’ll crawl also….obviously not as good as a designated crawler but good enough..😅
Sounds great! Thanks for watching!
I have three trucks with ifs and changed them all over to IFS2 style. I like them.
Love the shape of the body . The body clips are laughable in 2024 . As I have not personally driven this particular style of truck solid rear with independent front I can’t have an opinion other than say it “intrigues me”. It might be something I steal the body from for another truck and develop the chassis into a sand basher . There I did it I said the b word.
A big fan of the wildlife at the end.
Thank you both ( the misses) for your videos.
Thanks for watching!
Such a really good looking truck from the front… 😢
That was a LOTTA banjo....
this might be the best suspension rc crawler 😊
If u don't like banjo your not human such up beat instrument also I love anything that can be played plus play little guitar myself great tools to relax or beat on when frustrated better then someone or something kids things but keep up great work and have wonderful day.
Well said! 🪕 🎸
Gatekeeper, ecto, zuul. Can’t wait for the new stay puff crawler.
Good review video. Your running videos are awesome!
Glad you like them!
This man promised us banjo...
And he did not disappoint...🤠
🪕
I’m happy to see this. Instead of buying a Utron and upgrading body, rear suspension and bearings. Or buying an ecto and adding ifs. Or buying a knight walker and adding it all. All I need to do is swap a body.
Any word on price though?
Check out the link in the description!
I like the IFS, I like the zuul body, but it looks weird together, a bit too revealing front...
I want one of these!
I do like that. At first I thought pre runner extended cab toyota.
Now.... I dont know.
Square body chev could he cool to.
To many ideas.
Over the next year, I plan to do a pre runner so... we will see.
Also want to do a comp style rig.
But.... not sure what chassis.
To many things.
Very good review and run man.
Top notch
😎
Thanks man! 🤠🪕
This truck is cool looking! And the Fine Laser Designs clipless body mounts for the Element Ecto will work for this truck if you want to go clipless!
The Keymaster from Element is overdue
Banjo's did not disappoint. Immediately bought a 12 pack of PBR and debated on going down to Georgia. 😅
😂 🪕
liked the RC duck boats
"forgot to put my glasses on" is a good cold open
I have Enduro Utron with the IFS 2
Would be a fun platform to build an ifs mullet rig.
I love the scaleness of IFS. I've never used it, I would totally have one in my fleet if the budget allowed.
And, I mean, Ghostbusters
Hi , Matt. Like yourself i don,t like the rear of the truck. Is there another body you could recommend off the shelf. Would look good with a pinched rear end. ( I am allowed to work with lexan so my wife says ) Thanks Andy P.😁
It’s a 12.8” wheelbase, so I’d use that as your starting point! Good luck!
the ecto !
I’m surprised there aren’t brass lcas
(11:07) ...Gotta love the Banjo music !!! 😆👍
I AGREE I LOVE IFS! i think it crawls better too
Where's the DIG unit Shultz?
Excited to see Glad and Rubbermaid coming together for this new release!
Pretty neat idea from Element. I do like the IFS setup, just hurts my soul (which I don’t have) to see IFS on the old style body that never had it to begin with. Otherwise, it’s “bussin”. (Don’t know what that means or how to spell it..). Top notch review SBG!
As somebody born in 2001. Bussin means something is good. One could consider it a gen z equivalent for the term delectable.
Also hopefully this is cheaper than buying a knightwalker and ifs2 and gks. I think that’s where this will shine.
Thanks for watching!
I feel like past Matt would fight you on that
Great to see new stuff from Element! These guys don't get enough credit. I think they do a lot for the hobby!
Good review Matt, thanks! 👍
Does adding lights to this rig count as working on lexan? It really deserves them! 😁
I'll have to check with Josh 😂
That Zuul body looks good with a Harley Designs Fordyce bed cage scaled down to fit. Just FYI. Appreciate all you do.
Thanks for the tip and thanks for watching!
Matt you touted about the esc/rx combo. Unble to find any info on said device. Can you elaborate more on this unit. TIA 🤙
Flysky's been used quite a number of times with this exact setup. Same unit that was in the Utron and the SE if I'm not mistaken. Great unit, despite it being a 2-1.
@@scalebuildersguild , thx mate. Ill look up those units. Im trying to find the rx protocol to see which flysky will match with it. 🤙
This makes me wonder what the trailwalker body on this chassis would look like
Trailwalker body is too short of a wheelbase for this chassis.
I could see granny Moses from the Beverley hillbillies doing the thump keg Walt’s to the banjo pickin ..👍👍👍
🪕
I was hoping for the Stealth X F transmission.
Now, this Element has my attention. I like IFS for all the same reasons you've pointed out. I have the Losi SBR2.0, JDModel Hero F150, a new Traction Hobby F150 Raptor, and a Tamiya CC-01 - all 4WD with IFS and solid rear axles. Also, I'm building a 2WD Scottsdale K10 which, of course, will have IFS.
Very cool! Thanks for sharing!
Were those scale RC ducks at the end??...😅
wait what? Frances has been trying to get ahold of me, and there you go kicking her out! unbelievable.
😂 She's a very loud cat!
How well did it do on the Devils butcrack?
😂
That would’ve made a nice kit
“A little banjo” he said… that was full banjo there.
I’m sold already, waited for this type of RC! Time to get rid of Axial and Traxxas, body will have to be modded as the bedding is hideous.
This truck would be a good off-road recovery build. Loved the video.
Thanks!
Excellent review as always 👍🏼
Thank you! Cheers!
I came back and watched again for the cool banjo picking.
Thanks 🪕
Zuul 2 looks like an awesome platform to build off of but why would they not put their newest style trans in it???
Don't know!
Love it have several build ideas that this chassis would be perfect for!
I’d really like to know what the disadvantages are of IFS. I think on full size vehicles they aren’t as strong. Not sure if that is the same w 1/10 scale. It does give more ground clearance. I’d love to try it anyway. Thanks for the great video Matt.
The strength issue I wouldn’t think would be a big deal at this scale. It does offer slightly more ground clearance, but more than anything, allows builders to build accurate models!
I might have to give this IFS truck a chance. Nice 👍🏾
Go for it! Thanks for watching!
The back half of the body is a little weird, but I really like the FJ-style front. Great scale details.
IF one was to make this a pre runner, does the Lexan master recommend making it 2wd?
I’d definitely make it RWD, yes!
Can we get open diffs?!
Not from Element as far as I know.
I've got a few crawlers, and I got the Utron right away to try the IFS2. I put in the fusion SE 1800 on 3s, and she's a baller. Hate the big body, love the SE transmission, plastic shocks are meh. I like slow crawling the IFS2, it seems fine on my crawler course. I swapped the axles on my gatekeeper kit with my Capra, both of those run fusion pro's. The gatekeeper rear is pretty nice, especially with the wider axles. This kit looks great, super high speed handling for a crawler. If I didn't already have all these parts, I'd totally buy one based on the performance of the individual components they've put together in one kit, with good shocks. Nice body colour, and the scratch effect is neat. Nice review Matt, and great release AE!
Thanks for watching!
Dang it, was hoping i only bought 2 truck this week. Looks like it's going to be 3 trucks.
😂
I have the Element RC Enduro Ultron and the front drive gears were disengaging because the bushings that were stock wore out pretty fast. I only ran it for three cycles on a battery before it was so loose that the front wheels weren't spinning any more. I bought a bearing kit online and replaced the worn bushings and so far no issues. Not sure why they are using the bushings instead of bearings.
Bushings aren’t prone to rusting for one, cheaper for two.
Does the ifs 2 in this model have bearings because it's a zuul instead of an SE or is still bushings?
Bearings throughout!
thats a sharp looking trail truck i like it
Do the back area have light buckets?
No light buckets in the rear
@@scalebuildersguild could any be made in?