FREE UPGRADES and other low cost improvements for your Element ECTO - Suspension Tuning

Welcome to a new series looking at the Enduro Ecto. A "Comp" inspired, ready to run trail truck from Element RC.
This time we are looking at tuning the suspension to improve performance for no extra cost. We'll also look at a couple of very cheap mods you could make to update the look of the truck a little
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:01 Shock mounting positions
03:06 Trailing arm mounting
03:57 Kinetic winch
05:22 Cosmetic changes
06:50 Conclusions
Kinetic Winch from J's Scale Recovery on Facebook.
m. groups/4503332...
Link to BigSungHobbies video showing how to relocate the rear trailing arm. • 1/10 Scale Element Ect...
If you enjoy the video please hit that thumbs up and if you want to see more of the series please consider subscribing and ringing that notification bell.

[@BigSungHobbies]

Thank you for the shoutout to my video that shows how to relocate the rear trailing arm. Much appreciate it! You should definitely give it a try. It helps to lower CG on the back by 1/2 inch. For the front, I am still playing around with few options to lower it further so that it will match the rear.

[@PhilBrindley]

No worries! Been thinking about the front. Maybe the IERC shock towers or something similar. Not keen on shock keys but something like that could work nicely.

[@BigSungHobbies]

@@PhilBrindley I picked up Rock Pirates RC's shock tower. It's beautiful and well made, but it will mean I have to relocate the body post holes. IERC shock tower will probably do the same. If I want to keep same holes, then only options might be using IERC or other brand shock keys. I thought I had 2 shock keys left, but I ended up using on a rig that I gave to my friend. Or figure out magnet mounts...trying to avoid drilling new holes on Ecto body.

[@PhilBrindley]

Hmmm, that's a good point. Only other I can think of that might work is the SamixRC Shock towers, they retain a body post mount, but no idea if they would be in the right place as I think they were originally designed for the older style Enduro shock towers, not the GKS style. They also look a little shorter, so may end up actually raising the CG 😱

[@RTmadnesstoo]

@@BigSungHobbies Someone with a 3D printer should be able to print a simple brace between the shock towers that kept the posts where they are. And maybe some Yellow posts that would blend in better.

[@dezertdestroyer7782]

I didn’t do anything except unscrew the coils to the top, adjust the front top mounts to lower the shocks and mine sits almost on the pumpkin with the track bar. Can’t really go any lower unless the track bar had a nice bend in it. So not sure why people are wanting it lower or if they are making it lower I don’t see how since the track bar hits the damn pumpkin🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️ ??

[@grahammarkhorn]

that black paint inside and out makes such a huge difference......ordered mine finally now their back in stock so will be watching for more great tips.

[@PhilBrindley]

I'm sure you'll love it. I'm so impressed with mine. Thanks for watching 🤙

[@shafiqjan1474]

Since I can pause the videos they are a great help to make my yard work stretch out to a few more hours. I like the pace and point of view, you certainly saved me those few hours added to yardwork. Cheers!

[@PhilBrindley]

Nice, happy to be of assistance 😁

[@countrymusic510]

Hi Phil, another way of doing the rear shocks is to flip the shock towers round (right to left with brace front to back) give’s even more lay down option’s. Abit more movement and lowers the COG a fair bit 👍. Once Facebook is back up and running I can send you some pictures if your interested.

[@PhilBrindley]

That's an interesting idea, I'll have a look in to that. Thanks 👍

[@dezertdestroyer7782]

Hmmmm? Pics ? Thanks

[@bcadventureswithjustin]

Thankyou for the tips. I just picked up my ecto maybe an hour ago

[@PhilBrindley]

Awesome, hope you love it as much as I do! Thanks for watching! 🤙

[@bcadventureswithjustin]

@@PhilBrindley I am pretty sure I will be happy with the ecto. I already have the trailwalker and gatekeeper. Element is a great company . Never had any major issues with any if the Enduro rigs I own.

[@rileykairc]

My gatekeeper shock set up and it really works very well for side hilling and climbing,I did low pro shock mounts,front shocks green springs and 30 weight oil,rear shocks blue springs with pen spring mod and 45.5 weight oil with standard sway bar it sits down really low and really works

[@PhilBrindley]

Sounds like a great setup! 🤙

[@rileykairc]

@@PhilBrindley yep it works really well I can also use a full size battery and have the fusion 1800 with a 14 t pinion

[@WillB.6759]

Nice, thank you!!!

[@PhilBrindley]

Thanks for watching! Hope it was useful. 🤙

[@RTmadnesstoo]

I really like the change a little bit of paint makes. Thanks for the video.

[@PhilBrindley]

Thanks, It's surprising isn't it?

[@nathanstewart2018]

I've watched this video a few times now just to make sure I'm catching everything. I've done the shock mount flip and backed the paint in black (I really love the somewhat weathered look it gives it.) I also put tall 1.9 tires on it (5.4" I believe) and drooped the shocks as far as the stock springs would go. I also removed the sway bar and leaned the rear shocks over more. A heavier weight oil in the rear might do some good as well. I think I put either 40 or 50 in mine. I'm looking for a way to push the front bumper in some but don't want to cut the frame yet.

[@PhilBrindley]

Sounds like you are having fun with it! In terms of the bumper, the options are limited I think. There are so smaller profile ones out there from the likes of ierc and others, but the real gain seems to come from trimming the rails down, something I've not yet been brave enough to do either. 🤙

[@nathanstewart2018]

@@PhilBrindley since it has a place for a servo winch and a winch can't really be attached to the bumper anyway I may just cut it and report back here. I've thought about getting an lcg frame for it anyway.

[@dezertdestroyer7782]

@@nathanstewart2018 I cut it and worked awesome

[@rcflashcars]

cool job, as always! big like! 👍

[@PhilBrindley]

Thank you sir, much appreciated! 🤙

[@sabresswords]

When you do that relocation, you also have to move the panhard at the chassis mount so it doesn't hit on full compression.

[@PhilBrindley]

Spot on! 🤙

[@dezertdestroyer7782]

Confused 🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️ what do you mean

[@PhilBrindley]

@@dezertdestroyer7782 if you move the front shocks like I did in this video, then you may see that the panhard bar that links from the chassis to the steering knuckle will hit the top of the axle diff cover when the suspension is fully compressed. To fix this you can adjust the panhard mount on the chassis to its highest position. Hope that helps. 🤙

[@dezertdestroyer7782]

@@PhilBrindley oh ok ya I did that as well to the pan hard mount… didn’t seem to help much really. I wonder if we can get one with a bend in it ? 🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️🤯🤯

[@PhilBrindley]

@@dezertdestroyer7782 you can get them with a bend in I think. Or just put a small bend in the stock one then wind the ends out a little so the eye-to-eye distance stays the same.

[@ekpauly]

Awesome updates to the build, definitely staying tuned for the next installment 👍🏽 You should do a little shootout video of the Ecto VS your Gspeed.

[@PhilBrindley]

That's a great idea, although I would be slightly depressed when it turns out to be better! 😂🤙

[@BigSungHobbies]

@ekpauly Not an Ecto vs. Gspeed, but this video will give you fairly good idea. That Element Enduro Sendero by REVolutionX RC is very heavily modded, and it's a performer. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJqupJ5oeLyKn6s

[@sebas888888]

I like that you like big sung too, I also trust his point of views. Anyway I like your contents too! May the torque be with you

[@PhilBrindley]

Sung is a great guy, and knows his stuff! 🤙 Thanks for watching.

[@chudsrc]

Been so waiting for this update and amazed to find out I’ve already done most of the mods already 🤗. Love the idea of painting the front end, may have to copy that one and been watching the same channels as you with the rear link mod, not done it yet though ! (Like the screen shade, where did you find that one to?) I also ended up painting the rear bed and added check plate as well as utilising a hidden magnet for the body pins as per Bulletproof RC’s channel, its a great idea 👍. Looking forward to the next update 👌

[@PhilBrindley]

Awesome, i love that a few tweaks and small changes make a big difference on this rig. The visor is 3D printed, my own design but not shared it yet because it needs a bit of fettling to make it fit. 🤙

[@chudsrc]

@@PhilBrindley That 3D printing frazzles my little pea brain, so need to get into it ! Looking forward to seeing how your brushless setup goes. I just swapped out the ESC for the usual Hobbywing 1080 and Flysky receiver. Must say I’m very impressed with the Ecto 👍

[@PhilBrindley]

@@chudsrc the 1080 is pretty hard to beat. I hope the fusion is as good!

[@davidhazelden2054]

Looks better with the black on it n I have cn couple people put like a servo horn to moulin plate for suspension n it moves it more give s more movement m8

[@PhilBrindley]

Thanks. Not sure what you mean about the servo horn, does it act like a shock key?

[@davidhazelden2054]

@@PhilBrindley no it will let u put the shocks a more off an angle n u should get better flex with it that’s a cheep way m8

[@stillsilvernail8308]

Glad I ran across your channel.. I really wanna know more about the sun visor … I got my truck from a fella that had a pharmaceutical hobby so needed quick cash! Long time trail truck crawler lover ..

[@PhilBrindley]

😂 pharmaceutical hobby! The visor is a variation of a 3d print in did for my GSpeed. I'll add it to Thingiverse and put the instructions on there. I broke mine recently so it's a good excuse to do another! 😁

[@PhilBrindley]

Now Uploaded to thingiverse. www.thingiverse.com/thing:5179089

[@shaunwade5033]

Where did you get winch? All the ones I can find have £20 postage from state!!!!!

[@PhilBrindley]

Now Facebook is alive again (someone's in trouble this morning) I can actually tell you. 😂 m.facebook.com/groups/450333242857980/?ref=group_browse

[@Davidmorales-ex5iu]

Hey Phil awesome build !! Where did you get the neon green cosmetics ? the washers and strap in the back? THanks in advance . great video 👍👍👍

[@PhilBrindley]

Thanks. The green washers for the body posts are 3d printed out of TPU and were to stop the body rattling about. I think I just made these in fusion360 and printed them myself. The tabs for the body pins are 3d printed as well, got the file for that from thingiverse. Hope that helps. 🤙

[@Davidmorales-ex5iu]

@@PhilBrindley thanks!! and did you make the wind shield cover too?

[@PhilBrindley]

@@Davidmorales-ex5iu yes I did, file for that is on thingiverse www.thingiverse.com/thing:5179089 You can buy metal ones from IERC in the U.S. though.

[@dezertdestroyer7782]

Anyone happen to know how fast this thing is with a 2S and a 3S?? What’s the difference and is it big or worth it ? I have to reedy 2s and just got the rig used had to fix amd tinker on a few things but other then that seems pretty good. But I was wanting to get more speed I think. Can anyone post or show a video or 2s vs 3s in the ecto?

[@PhilBrindley]

I can't post a video now as I've swapped the motor in mine for something slower. For pure crawling on 3s it's probably too quick for my taste. Easiest way is to grab a small 3s and see how you like it. I use these and find they are more than enough for my needs. www.hobbyrc.co.uk/gnb-2200mah-3s-110c-lipo-battery

[@MarkyBattleBasset]

Enjoy the Ecto videos, can I ask what lights you fitted?

[@PhilBrindley]

Thanks. They are/we’re just some cheap spots from eBay. Mostly decorative as they gave out very little in the way of light. Sorry, I can’t really be any more specific than that really. 🤙

[@MarkyBattleBasset]

@PhilBrindley thanks just the info, it's been a while so I'm not surprised you can't remember

[@drakedischler6568]

Where did you get windshield brow

[@PhilBrindley]

I 3D printed it. STL file can be found here >> www.thingiverse.com/thing:5179089

[@drakedischler6568]

@@PhilBrindley thank you sir

[@nathanstewart2018]

I took my trailing arm off. Let's it flex more.

[@PhilBrindley]

Interesting, I've seen people have mixed results doing that. Do you feel it performs better as a result? I think this one is personal preference type of mod. Thanks for watching. 🤙

[@nathanstewart2018]

@@PhilBrindley I agree. I like it better off though.

[@wesleywolanski4509]

You mean sway bar right? If you took off the traling arm your axle would flop around lol

[@nathanstewart2018]

@@wesleywolanski4509 yes sway bar is what I meant.