The truck was originally supposed to be 11.8". We stuck with 12.8" due to mold costs and retaining the $299 price point. Since the truck is unlicensed, it also made more sense that all 'SE' trimmed enduros remain 12.8" wheelbase.
I’m Aussie, I drove 500 miles/week in the Aussie bush for many years. Here’s what an Aussie Ute must have: Massive front Roo Bar, not just a single bar. A row of big spottie’s along the back of the rooftop. Long mudflaps on all four wheelwells. A slab or three of VB in the bed. A map of Australia on the door, with traces of long journeys painted on it. And, a bloodthirsty piggin’ dog in the back.
That IFS2 seems to be really working. It looks way more responsive than the IFS1. Looks like Element did a banger of a job evolving the platform. KnightRunner body gets my vote btw.
I've been running a trailrunner for a.few years now, and it's incredible what my little C1 ifs rig can do. It often outperforms my buddies class 2 rigs, and while I will take some credit (I have a ridiculous amount of wheel time, or controller time?) but the capability of the rig is not to be discounted. Element did a great job with the original ifs system, and this seems to be even better!
@@AsurasWrath164 I have it and I have enjoyed it since I bought my Trailrunner. It does force you to take a different approach when crawling. I wonder if that majority just got frustrated when it didn't perform just like their solid axle did. It's not supposed to.
@@AsurasWrath164 it took some shock tuning to get it to perform like I wanted, but I don't have any major complaints and haven't run into any insurmountable issues
It just goes to show about personal preference. I really like the look of this body! I think it looks great. 😎👍🏻 And it performs as well as it looks. I've one got experience of solid axle crawlers and trail tricks, but I'd definitely have a look at these, although they're quite expensive in the UK. Definitely a good job by Element. 😎👍🏻
im back after watching some running video. your driver and video mods are killer. i cant wait to get one. and what a sweet location for a trail run too. awesome.
I'm happy that I kept holding off on buying an ifs Enduro now seeing that they've highly improved the design..... I'm ready to make the purchase. I've got that same radio that came with my FMS Jimny. That radio works great but for some reason it is a battery eater 😂😂😢. My old tactic radio that came with my axial lasts for over a year on 4 AA batteries. The Jimny radio batteries last 2 months (if I'm lucky), and I only drive it maybe 2 hours a week. I use my tactic radio about 3-4 hours a week. Super weird
I LOVE this truck! always wanted a FJ but no one makes a body with a crawler wheelbase anymore. Tamiya only fits Tamiya chassis (like 267mm?) Can't wait to get one.
Honestly Matt, I would make an attempt at showing others what could be done with that body. A knight customs bed rack would offset the length look the utron body has . Maybe a “trophy moose “ build… ? Just give the everyday consumer a chance to make something great out of something we are questioning the design of. And we all know you are the man for the challenge 👍🏻
Am crossing 🤞🏼 that element will have a builder’s kit. Great for newbie’s who want affordable rtr. For me the electronic n motor will jus be swapped out for a HW quick run fusion all in one to fit a hardbody scalers build. Thanks for sharing as always
After building an Ecto out for my brother last year I’m an Element fan, they’re just so smooth. That’s said I like the Knight Runner BUT I would like to see the Utron body kitted out with all of the KR accessories. The bed rack would cure the “Is it coming or going?” Mind bender it sorta gives you.
Instead of chopping rails, the Nikko on a different frame rail set makes more sense to me. Maybe wait for the IFS2 kit. With the Utron frame, Mfab Tacoma ow that he's back and using newer printer tech.
Keeping IFS in the focus, a scale prerunner like josh did in the 24h bascamp mayhem would be cool. Also I would really like so see what you could make out of the stock body!
Thank you Matt for this demonstration with the new innovation! I appreciate all the time and effort you put into the videos and always a fan watching every episode. Thank you my friend. From the Midwest.
The pickup type bed feels like a nod to the old fj40 trucks, i like it since I've recently fallen in love with it. It just needs more work on the cab as it feels a little too flat.
Great video Matt. Love your bench review and running video. Especially like the way your newer videos do the end summary while still driving. I’d like to see an Ecto style body. Something to see the full potential of the chassis without body getting in the way. Thanks for the entertainment.
Fantastic review and run video. I'm curious as to how the power gets to the front hubs. Would really like to see more of the mechanicals there. I have little to no experience with that. Thank you so much for including the price! So many review videos use the "cheap, cheaper, cheapest" click bait in the thumbnail but never actually mention the damn price! Having invested 28 minutes of my life watching your video, I'm glad I didn't have to go hunting online to figure out this basic fact. I've seen a lot of your builds, I'm fairly confident that you will wow me with which ever direction you choose to take this. kudos. PS. my favorite builds are the funkier pre-war bodies from across the pond. But probably not applicable for this set up.
I say you go with the FJ hard body. I have the same one sitting on my shelf waiting for the perfect build. Need some great inspiration, love your builds. Keep up the great work.
That would be my plan buy it & then the Tacoma body put that body on it then start some mods but I think it’s not worth spending a lot to upgrade it. It kind of is what it is.
Night runner please, that included body is going to wind up as material for repair of other bodies in most places. Also, if they had tried the body as a four door version of the FJ as an almost gladiator ripoff- that would have looked better.
tbh the tire size was more of a hold back for performance than the clearance of the system but the 1.55 looks so good lol glad they made it even better thoigh
Just add some accessories to the bed, dress it up some, and you're good to go. Otherwise, lots of great bodies out there. (that are not a Knight Runner). The looks are growing on me but impressed by the excellent performance of the new IFS! The Utron is just a great option to have in your lineup.
Anything but the utron body. Like the idea of Knightrunner if the Scale Garage bed is used. But I think you might be leaning toward FJ. Which would look very scale. Whatever you do it will turn out great and be an improvement over the utron. Hope element makes the ifs2 available to upgrade my original trucks
How about a project video to shorten a lexan body, then reduce the wheelbase. It would look better shortened, and think even the designer said it was planned as 11.8" WB
Like to see u make rear ifs i done it with the original one just because had rear of and it does bolt in had to but spacer between the skid coming down to the bulk head but it worked because front mounting and rear almost same so there's an idea to make a full ifs truck with 4wheel steer keep up good work and have a wonderful day.
Hi Matt, Love your work. I have been waiting for this ifs 2 to try ifs for the first time so glad its here. I am not a fan of the body or even FJ looking trucks in general and I had it in mind to do a knightrunner on it, so I think you should do a new Knightrunner body on the ifs 2 chassis. Although your other one is already inspiration.
I love your videos but I just sold my IFS the one before the one you have in the video it did not do well off-roading not for what I do but to each their own
Is the front IFS able to swapped around and added to the rear for IRS as well? Thinking of few 4x4's that use independent suspension all round and just curious to know. A custom Pajero or Patrol build would be pretty cool. Otherwise there's a proverbial ton of utes that this would be good for provided the leaf springs are added in the rear 😁
I have always found the ifs1 didn’t look right, this one looks awesome, and I personally will deck out the body as an « overlander » and with a small tent trailer too!
I'd like to see you make this body look half decent, maybe a rear cage, spare tire, sort of unlimited trophy truck style. Stick the gatekeeper rear setup on and it would be quite 'scale'. Great video again, really like the intro, driving and summary voiceover format.
Great video, always appreciate your take and input on new releases, rtr’s, kit’s, or components. As for what to do with this one…PLEASE get rid of the Utron! Of the three options, I like the Knightrunner best, but that’s because I like the Tacoma and personally don’t care for the FJ anything. To do something different, I could get behind the Nikko FJ body with some SBG flair of course.
I’ve commented on everything at this point before even seeing the video. Hardbody. I have a gspeed with IFS and a new bright bronco body. I’d like to see something similar done to your quality.
I've been rocking the original element crawler for so long now I ended up passing it down to my daughter this just might be a suitable replacement. I have a proline Tacoma cab with the element HD flatbed on it that would work great as a body replacement 🤙
Can you fit the same IFS suspension setup but on the rear ? Not as on for 4ws but to be independent all round for more scale with some 4x4s being independent all round like the Pajero, patrol, Range Rover and discovery.
I really like the video format you are using Matt, the running video and then the commentary are great. I agree that the body is ugly but would like to see what you could come up with to try to improve it before you ditch it for something else if possible 👍
Do you think the rear rack and roof to tent off of the knight runner would fit this new body? It might help finish that rear. Feels like it's missing something...
Absolutely fantastic to hear it performs as well as I hoped it would. I could see building it with the night runner body with either no gear changes as a fun beater or gear changes and make it my new crawler. Great review!
What, if anything, would prevent one from swapping in the shorter 12.3" element chassis/links/driveshaft? I think this thing is great, but would definitely go with 12.3 or less. Nice work, Element!
The truck was originally supposed to be 11.8".
We stuck with 12.8" due to mold costs and retaining the $299 price point. Since the truck is unlicensed, it also made more sense that all 'SE' trimmed enduros remain 12.8" wheelbase.
HI AARON! Thanks for letting us know!
I've seen Toyota talking about the real one coming to the USA called the stout
11.8 would have been sick!
Great job Aaron! It's a beautiful setup. I'll be purchasing one for sure. And I just stubbed to your channel😎🤙🏽
@@brsrc759 thank you! :)
I’m Aussie, I drove 500 miles/week in the Aussie bush for many years. Here’s what an Aussie Ute must have: Massive front Roo Bar, not just a single bar. A row of big spottie’s along the back of the rooftop. Long mudflaps on all four wheelwells. A slab or three of VB in the bed. A map of Australia on the door, with traces of long journeys painted on it. And, a bloodthirsty piggin’ dog in the back.
What is "VB"??
@@brsrc759 cheap aussie beer, not our worst by a mile.
Short for "Victoria Bitter"
@@kosmokat111 😎🤙🏽
Vagina backwash*
That’s so spot on 👍us Aussie’s had the best Ute in the world WB 1 tonner
Stick with the Utron body. Work your magic with it and see what ya can do. I like it but thats just me. Have a good week man, cheers!!!
I'm probably going to change it, but I'm glad you like it!
Utron, Itron, we all tron. Aaron better be carefull, Jconcepts will be trying to grab him up as their new body designer
Hahahaha this comment wins!!!
😂😂👏👏
😂
That IFS2 seems to be really working. It looks way more responsive than the IFS1. Looks like Element did a banger of a job evolving the platform. KnightRunner body gets my vote btw.
I've been running a trailrunner for a.few years now, and it's incredible what my little C1 ifs rig can do. It often outperforms my buddies class 2 rigs, and while I will take some credit (I have a ridiculous amount of wheel time, or controller time?) but the capability of the rig is not to be discounted. Element did a great job with the original ifs system, and this seems to be even better!
A lot of ppl saying that the first ifs was quite lacking. The majority of owners actually.
@@AsurasWrath164 I have it and I have enjoyed it since I bought my Trailrunner. It does force you to take a different approach when crawling. I wonder if that majority just got frustrated when it didn't perform just like their solid axle did. It's not supposed to.
@@AsurasWrath164 it took some shock tuning to get it to perform like I wanted, but I don't have any major complaints and haven't run into any insurmountable issues
@@PorkinsTheWhite yep. Can't just expect the front to conform to the terrain. Once you get your driving style dialed, it's an absolute blast
I think it's a great update!
I’ve always been a fan of the Trailrunner and it’s IFS, can’t wait to get my hands on the updated version.
Knight Runner.
If they made the bed of the Ute look more like a truck, tailgate and the gap between the cab and bed. It might look better ish.
The lower control arms now mount to the wheel hub in the above position. Some might call it a ball joint flip? Cool changes
Keep it as Utron and do some magic design add-ons as you always do to inspire us. Cheers mate, thanks for all videos.
I think the Ecto bed cage would help with the look. It would smoothen the visual transition in the middle of the body.
I really like that live commentary trail run 👏
Glad to hear it!
It just goes to show about personal preference. I really like the look of this body! I think it looks great. 😎👍🏻
And it performs as well as it looks. I've one got experience of solid axle crawlers and trail tricks, but I'd definitely have a look at these, although they're quite expensive in the UK.
Definitely a good job by Element. 😎👍🏻
I've got some plans for the body, so stay tuned!
I do enjoy the commentary on the running footage. Definitely the fj hardbody! Looks like a fun project.
I really wanna see you do something with this truck. I think this truck is special and would like to see it, Compete.
Thankyou for helping passmy Saturday afternoon Josh always a good time buddy 😂🎉👍
im back after watching some running video. your driver and video mods are killer. i cant wait to get one. and what a sweet location for a trail run too. awesome.
It's a great location, not too far out of the city!
I'm happy that I kept holding off on buying an ifs Enduro now seeing that they've highly improved the design..... I'm ready to make the purchase. I've got that same radio that came with my FMS Jimny. That radio works great but for some reason it is a battery eater 😂😂😢. My old tactic radio that came with my axial lasts for over a year on 4 AA batteries. The Jimny radio batteries last 2 months (if I'm lucky), and I only drive it maybe 2 hours a week. I use my tactic radio about 3-4 hours a week. Super weird
Eagerly awaiting the IFS2 conversion kit so I can try it on the Enduro SE!
I LOVE this truck! always wanted a FJ but no one makes a body with a crawler wheelbase anymore. Tamiya only fits Tamiya chassis (like 267mm?) Can't wait to get one.
It’s pretty satisfying to watch that ifs work, I’d love to see another Knight Runner!
Fantastic video! I think a prerunner body would be awesome to see!
That's a nice rig, great review, love that crawler area you have access to
Thanks! It's a great spot.
Honestly Matt, I would make an attempt at showing others what could be done with that body. A knight customs bed rack would offset the length look the utron body has . Maybe a “trophy moose “ build… ? Just give the everyday consumer a chance to make something great out of something we are questioning the design of. And we all know you are the man for the challenge 👍🏻
Thanks! Stay tuned to see what I have planned!
Am crossing 🤞🏼 that element will have a builder’s kit. Great for newbie’s who want affordable rtr. For me the electronic n motor will jus be swapped out for a HW quick run fusion all in one to fit a hardbody scalers build. Thanks for sharing as always
My vote is for the hardbody!! The Utetron body looks like it should have 4 wheel steering.
After building an Ecto out for my brother last year I’m an Element fan, they’re just so smooth. That’s said I like the Knight Runner BUT I would like to see the Utron body kitted out with all of the KR accessories. The bed rack would cure the “Is it coming or going?” Mind bender it sorta gives you.
I'm curious as to what you did to the ecto.
I love this body. I drive one of these and comp class 1 with a Nikko hardbody FJ build.
Instead of chopping rails, the Nikko on a different frame rail set makes more sense to me. Maybe wait for the IFS2 kit. With the Utron frame, Mfab Tacoma ow that he's back and using newer printer tech.
I’m liking this rig on that running footage. I’ll probably put the Canyon Trail tires on this…or ProLine BFG Krawlers. 😊
Hands down best running videos. So cool.
Thank you!
Keeping IFS in the focus, a scale prerunner like josh did in the 24h bascamp mayhem would be cool. Also I would really like so see what you could make out of the stock body!
Stay tuned!
@@scalebuildersguild sure will 😎
That blue fj body looks good
Thank you Matt for this demonstration with the new innovation! I appreciate all the time and effort you put into the videos and always a fan watching every episode. Thank you my friend. From the Midwest.
Glad you like them!
Should be picking mine up tomorrow, gonna throw on the knightrunner lexan body and rock it!
Enjoy it!
Great video! Ive been toying around the idea of either getting one of these are an Ecto as a new trail truck.
I love the commentary while you're running I find it very helpful and I think I would put a Ford raptor body on that chassis
Thanks!
The knightrunner body set but you gotta make a SBG trophy truck. McFly Racing livery if you please!
The pickup type bed feels like a nod to the old fj40 trucks, i like it since I've recently fallen in love with it. It just needs more work on the cab as it feels a little too flat.
Great video Matt. Love your bench review and running video. Especially like the way your newer videos do the end summary while still driving. I’d like to see an Ecto style body. Something to see the full potential of the chassis without body getting in the way. Thanks for the entertainment.
I appreciate that!
I'm a mopar fan so I'd find a newer ram crawler body. I remember proline made a 2013 and they might make a 2020ish body now too
Definitely gonna be getting one. I’ve got a clear HPI FJ Cruiser that’s gonna find it’s home on it.
I always admire your skills at being able to drive and film at the same time. Great video as always.
Thank you very much!
Fantastic review and run video. I'm curious as to how the power gets to the front hubs. Would really like to see more of the mechanicals there. I have little to no experience with that. Thank you so much for including the price! So many review videos use the "cheap, cheaper, cheapest" click bait in the thumbnail but never actually mention the damn price! Having invested 28 minutes of my life watching your video, I'm glad I didn't have to go hunting online to figure out this basic fact. I've seen a lot of your builds, I'm fairly confident that you will wow me with which ever direction you choose to take this. kudos. PS. my favorite builds are the funkier pre-war bodies from across the pond. But probably not applicable for this set up.
It’s a standard ring and pinion, with dog bones to the axle stubs. Still locked, and a pretty stout setup! Thanks for watching!
I may have to pick one up. And get a 90s chevy silverado body for it
I say you go with the FJ hard body. I have the same one sitting on my shelf waiting for the perfect build. Need some great inspiration, love your builds. Keep up the great work.
Thanks! Stay tuned to see what I have planned!
The body reminds me of the jconcepts lloyd
YEAR of NO LEXAN Matt!! That FJ hard body looks pretty nice 👍
That would be my plan buy it & then the Tacoma body put that body on it then start some mods but I think it’s not worth spending a lot to upgrade it. It kind of is what it is.
Cool, I'd vote for Knightrunner. I don't have any Element RC, I might try this one when it comes out in Canada.
Night runner please, that included body is going to wind up as material for repair of other bodies in most places.
Also, if they had tried the body as a four door version of the FJ as an almost gladiator ripoff- that would have looked better.
Year of no lexan! Gotta run the FJ body. Could make for a great tutorial on chassis/ wheelbase shortening.
Great idea!
I am thinking F150, because I really want a mini me for my beloved daily. A kit version is what I am hoping for. 👍🏻
tbh the tire size was more of a hold back for performance than the clearance of the system but the 1.55 looks so good lol glad they made it even better thoigh
Just add some accessories to the bed, dress it up some, and you're good to go. Otherwise, lots of great bodies out there. (that are not a Knight Runner). The looks are growing on me but impressed by the excellent performance of the new IFS! The Utron is just a great option to have in your lineup.
Fj hard body for sure. Want to see the make it fit process!
That spot u was running looks amazing.
It's really beautiful!
Do the knightrunner body on it. Then get a shorter frame like a deadbolt to do the fj on.
Anything but the utron body. Like the idea of Knightrunner if the Scale Garage bed is used. But I think you might be leaning toward FJ. Which would look very scale. Whatever you do it will turn out great and be an improvement over the utron. Hope element makes the ifs2 available to upgrade my original trucks
KnightRunner gets my vote. I think you can make it look amazing!
Comprehensive Review!Thanks a lot.looking forward to having that rig🤞👌
Hope you enjoy it!
You should use the Nikko body and use another ifs2 in the rear. Thanks as always for great content!!
You could put the Killerbody Land Cruiser for a trx4 I believe is a 12.8 wheelbase. Could be cool… may not be super accurate but oh well! Haha
How about a project video to shorten a lexan body, then reduce the wheelbase. It would look better shortened, and think even the designer said it was planned as 11.8" WB
Good idea! Thanks for watching!
Great video and review, love the live commentary while driving. Excellent stuff, looks like a great platform, not sure about that body though 😆
It could be a sweet platform for the ProLine Nissan hardbody pickup
Like to see u make rear ifs i done it with the original one just because had rear of and it does bolt in had to but spacer between the skid coming down to the bulk head but it worked because front mounting and rear almost same so there's an idea to make a full ifs truck with 4wheel steer keep up good work and have a wonderful day.
I plan on doing it when it becomes available separate.
I voted Chop chassis shorten links etc and fit the FJ Cruiser body 👍🏻
Would like to see it with the 12.3 Proline Tacoma body.
Hi Matt, Love your work. I have been waiting for this ifs 2 to try ifs for the first time so glad its here. I am not a fan of the body or even FJ looking trucks in general and I had it in mind to do a knightrunner on it, so I think you should do a new Knightrunner body on the ifs 2 chassis. Although your other one is already inspiration.
Thanks for watching and stay tuned to what I decide to do!
FJ Cruiser body with bed from Knightrunner? 🤔
👇
I love your videos but I just sold my IFS the one before the one you have in the video it did not do well off-roading not for what I do but to each their own
FJ HARDBODY FYW ALL DAY!🎉🎉🎉🎉
This has just come on my Radar. Love the IFS2. This is screaming out for a 3d printed Lada Niva body on it with a slightly shortened wheelbase... 😊
I just bought a Utron and I love the body
A scale FJ would be awesome (in brick red😁)
That would be cool!
Is the front IFS able to swapped around and added to the rear for IRS as well? Thinking of few 4x4's that use independent suspension all round and just curious to know. A custom Pajero or Patrol build would be pretty cool.
Otherwise there's a proverbial ton of utes that this would be good for provided the leaf springs are added in the rear 😁
I'm planning on trying it as soon as it becomes available separate. Thanks for watching!
I have always found the ifs1 didn’t look right, this one looks awesome, and I personally will deck out the body as an « overlander » and with a small tent trailer too!
Very cool!
Stay with the utron body in my opinion, just put your touch on it (paint and clear windows etc.) Either way great content as always.
I have a HPI 12.3 WB FJ Cruiser body I painted that might end up on one these chassis’s
Love seeing some Cruiser Gear shirts in the videos!! 👌🏼
I'd like to see you make this body look half decent, maybe a rear cage, spare tire, sort of unlimited trophy truck style. Stick the gatekeeper rear setup on and it would be quite 'scale'. Great video again, really like the intro, driving and summary voiceover format.
Thanks for watching and stay tuned for what I have planned!
Great video, always appreciate your take and input on new releases, rtr’s, kit’s, or components.
As for what to do with this one…PLEASE get rid of the Utron! Of the three options, I like the Knightrunner best, but that’s because I like the Tacoma and personally don’t care for the FJ anything. To do something different, I could get behind the Nikko FJ body with some SBG flair of course.
Thanks for watching!
I’ve commented on everything at this point before even seeing the video. Hardbody. I have a gspeed with IFS and a new bright bronco body. I’d like to see something similar done to your quality.
Thanks for the great vid and review Matt. That location is sweet!🔥
It really is! Not too far from the city.
Build a super cool lookin new style Tacoma. Knightrunner body would look amazing a way more scale
I've been rocking the original element crawler for so long now I ended up passing it down to my daughter this just might be a suitable replacement. I have a proline Tacoma cab with the element HD flatbed on it that would work great as a body replacement 🤙
I definitely think it's a great replacement!
I really like the idea of the FJ body.
Good honest review! Awesome running video! Keep the great work!
Glad you enjoyed it!
But are they going to offer the IFS2 assembly to update our knightrunners?
Great running video, your video skills are awesome. Look forward to seeing your changes will it.
Thanks! Stay tuned!
Can you fit the same IFS suspension setup but on the rear ?
Not as on for 4ws but to be independent all round for more scale with some 4x4s being independent all round like the Pajero, patrol, Range Rover and discovery.
I've been told that it can! Thanks for watching!
If it was mine I’d go knightrunner, and likely will, but I would like to see someone make the Utron look good from more than 1 angle.
I really like the video format you are using Matt, the running video and then the commentary are great.
I agree that the body is ugly but would like to see what you could come up with to try to improve it before you ditch it for something else if possible 👍
Glad you like the video, and stay tuned to see what I have planned!
Great job loved this review. I have a killerbody lc70 been building do you think this chassis would work??
You’d need to shorten the rear links and find a narrow offset hub, and maybe ditch the interior.
Do you think the rear rack and roof to tent off of the knight runner would fit this new body? It might help finish that rear. Feels like it's missing something...
It doesn't someone has already did it
Absolutely fantastic to hear it performs as well as I hoped it would. I could see building it with the night runner body with either no gear changes as a fun beater or gear changes and make it my new crawler. Great review!
I was really impressed!
What, if anything, would prevent one from swapping in the shorter 12.3" element chassis/links/driveshaft? I think this thing is great, but would definitely go with 12.3 or less. Nice work, Element!
Nothing prevents you! Go for it and good luck!
The element FJ truck is based off a 1 off custom made by a guy in Dubai.
Not sure if I like it or not
There’s also a bunch in Australia. Thanks for watching.
I’d like to see what you can do with that Utron body Matt. 🤙🏼