Time to "resurrect" a year-old thread from the grave. Not because I'm any sort of 'expert' with the Enduro vehicles (I'm, most definitely, not), or because I have the answer/solution (I don't)...but, because I recently purchased (and am building) a Gatekeeper Builder's Kit, as well as the IFS Conversion Kit, and (as of this morning) I started thinking about installing the unused front axle on the rear for 4WS.
But, first, the 'green' parts (above) are NOT the only different parts for the Gatekeeper chassis. The rear bumper is also different. The bumper included with the Gatekeeper is part of the body mounting system, as well as part of the sway bar mount. As such, the rear bumper is needed/required...which brings me to an idea (albeit, one I can't yet test, as I won't have access to my Dremel for almost another month). As the Gatekeeper Kit includes two braces/servo mounts, no additional parts should be needed (as least, as best I can tell right now). For those with the RTR, you'd need to purchase a second servo mount. My idea, which should work equally-well for those running both axles, as well as those running the IFS, is this as follows.
For those with the Gatekeeper Kit, as I mentioned (above), the kit includes two servo mounts, as such:
The one on the right is probably stronger (due to the two 'X' sections), so, if running both axles, you probably want this one in the front, and the one on the left in the rear. If running IFS, you can use either in the rear...but, you might want to use the one in the right. Next would be the parts needing mods. Looking at the two photos below, using a Dremel, a portion of the rear bumper, as well as the rear brace (supporting the "fuel cell") would need to be removed (as indicated by the transparent 'teal' sections).
As I have NOT tested my idea, I can't say whether, or not, the 'fuel cell' would be able to remain...but, what's described above should resolve all problems related to mounting a rear servo.
UNfortunately, there are (potentially) two bigger problems remaining. The first is that the rear brace of the cage is also part of the body mount. The second is (potential) "interference" with the sway bar (if you're not using the sway bar, this 'problem' is nullified).
Starting with the sway bar, after holding the additional servo mount & servo horn in their proper "space", I can't tell if the (kit) included steel servo horn would hit the sway bar...but, at the same time, I can tell that if an angled, or "drop down", horn were to be used, there would be no problem of it hitting the sway bar. Simple problem, simple solution. Moving on..........
Regarding the problem having to do with the cage & body mount 'double-T' brace, I think I might have a workable solution. First, everything described above would need to already be completed, and the servo installed. Then, lowering the cage into place (obviously, with the cage 'attached' to the front bumper), it would be easy to see where the brace would hit the servo. Using a Dremel, or hot knife, the area of the brace just in front of the two body mounts would need to be cut approx 1mm behind the servo. Next, remove the two side screws holding the remainder of the brace to the sides of the cage. The cage is already stiff enough, and removing that one brace should not impact the integrity of the cage.
Finally, replace the two screws at the back of the cage (holding the body mounts) with longer screws. If you wanted to further 'stabilize' the cage portion of the rear body mounts, one could fashion something to connect the two body mounts together, so as to prevent both of them from rotating.
Again, I have not actually tried anything of what I am proposing. I have visualized it in my head, and made a visual assessment (by holding the servo mount/brace & servo horn in the "free space" behind the vehicle)...but, I do believe that everything mentioned above should work as described. That being said, if anyone else has successfully converted their GateKeeper to 4WS, if you could, please, post how you went about it, I'm sure it would be greatly appreciated by many others.
~ More peace, love, laughter, & kindness would make the world a MUCH better place
