RADO's Off Road Rig- Build Thread

[JoFotoz]

Just Awesome Jon ... seriously amazing job. :thumbup::smack::_steering

Now go change a diaper :p

:_beer:

Jo

[JAMAS]

Very Impressive stuff. Nice work!

[nfpgasmask]

WE GOT THE MEATS!

:) Bart

[Vendetta]

Great work, bud. Very clean!

-V

[tom4bren]

Nice roof basket. I agree it's #1.

On the serious side ... Nice work Dude. That VX is a work of art IRT form & function.

[Craig]

Stunning. Excellent craftsmanship.

[VXorado]

Well thanks once again guys, I appreciate it! :_beer:

Hopefully I'll get some articulation shots soon to see if this SAS was worth it!

[Jheyson VX]

Wow, that is simply a beautiful piece of work . You have achieved to give your VX the look that you dreamed of , and that is awesome. Keep surprising us with your talent to mod VXs.
Good work VXorado,

[VXorado]

The lack in updates is all the shop's fault that was suppose to check over the build and resolve the steering wander. They ended up having the VX for 8 WEEKS and only managed to do an alignment & steering shaft u-joint replacement. When I picked it up, the shop owner gave me the impression the VX was ready to drive to Moab but I quickly found out the the improvements we're minor and driving at 45 MPH was still a handful. With 2 & 1/2 weeks left before Moab, I worked practically non-stop to improve the handling before the trip. Long story short, I got the VX to Moab and it performed great... I did have a few issues but they were all fairly minor.


Here's the VX on 37" Nitto Trail Grapplers
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/20150513_183556_zpsbzecfdcm.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/20150513_183556_zpsbzecfdcm.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/20150513_191635_zpsldiermbm.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/20150513_191635_zpsldiermbm.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/20150513_191638_zpsv0liyxge.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/20150513_191638_zpsv0liyxge.jpg.html)

[VXorado]

Big thanks to Eric and Jeff for the great pics!

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/11111213_996001507099063_2781507367026641227_o_zps iq5uzvrc.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/11111213_996001507099063_2781507367026641227_o_zps iq5uzvrc.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/11289455_996001527099061_7263498400031177021_o_zps 1jng5ffl.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/11289455_996001527099061_7263498400031177021_o_zps 1jng5ffl.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/11312837_996002203765660_6536356937459990848_o_zps 1rwtpmmb.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/11312837_996002203765660_6536356937459990848_o_zps 1rwtpmmb.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/11262216_996002253765655_5899078076923181804_o%201 _zpswzzveaqr.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/11262216_996002253765655_5899078076923181804_o%201 _zpswzzveaqr.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/18014_10103163236720153_1469487961270096764_n_zpsm rmeskfx.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/18014_10103163236720153_1469487961270096764_n_zpsm rmeskfx.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/16020_10103163204529663_1703510476151012540_n_zpsg 41u71zr.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/16020_10103163204529663_1703510476151012540_n_zpsg 41u71zr.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/10407759_10103163219349963_8352189245069698590_n_z ps6a5cvam1.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/10407759_10103163219349963_8352189245069698590_n_z ps6a5cvam1.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/11164769_10103163228925773_1173006388873530361_n_z psfo6xs1vp.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/11164769_10103163228925773_1173006388873530361_n_z psfo6xs1vp.jpg.html)

[VXorado]

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/11218074_10103163149614713_1654511024179550969_n_z psjgwmvnxs.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/11218074_10103163149614713_1654511024179550969_n_z psjgwmvnxs.jpg.html)


http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/11202950_996001763765704_2497840320542868920_o_zps l32h1z0s.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/11202950_996001763765704_2497840320542868920_o_zps l32h1z0s.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/11009191_996001783765702_2649692540744730514_o_zps oa7sycrd.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/11009191_996001783765702_2649692540744730514_o_zps oa7sycrd.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/11037054_996001820432365_2009094912141967485_o_zps j9yavrf6.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/11037054_996001820432365_2009094912141967485_o_zps j9yavrf6.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/11245509_10103163226246143_9207252184226480237_n_z psafab3g5d.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/11245509_10103163226246143_9207252184226480237_n_z psafab3g5d.jpg.html)


http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/11237574_10103163160413073_5417047068994335322_n_z pse96tlrsp.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/11237574_10103163160413073_5417047068994335322_n_z pse96tlrsp.jpg.html)

[ZEUS]

Um... U forgot a pic of the latest wrap... ;)

[tomdietrying]

Wow!!!!!
Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet!

Peace
Tom

[tomdietrying]

Wow!!!!!
Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet!

Peace
Tom

p.s.
What up Zues?

[VXorado]

Um... U forgot a pic of the latest wrap... ;)

Oh yeah, that modification needs to be saved here in the build thread. :thumbup:



Courtesy of JoFotoz. If I had one complaint of the new wrap... it's slightly difficult to open the doors.

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/20150516_093207_zpskwo9gz1z.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/20150516_093300_zpszlljundu.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/20150516_093300_zpszlljundu.jpg.html)

[JoFotoz]

Just wrapping the Trailer Queen up for her tow home...

https://scontent-lax1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/t31.0-8/11270498_368292006708552_8128684391663542833_o.jpg

..... :eek:

:dance::_steering

Jo

[VXorado]

Just wrapping the Trailer Queen up for her tow home...

Jo

Too bad your trailer isn't a bit longer... then your whore might have the opportunity to chauffeur royalty. :p

[JAMAS]

If I had one complaint of the new wrap... it's slightly difficult to open the doors.


...And it looks purple. :)

[JoFotoz]

LMAO!!


Too bad your trailer isn't a bit longer... then your whore might have the opportunity to chauffeur royalty. :p

:clap:

:_beer:

Jo

[ZEUS]

See, Jon gets a new wrap every year! It's documented. :yesgray: Truly an awesome machine, Jon. I wish I could have felt how it rides & handles. Next time... I already can't wait till next year!

[vt_maverick]

Steering Wheel

I did a trade with Mikemol that included my red/blk seats for a JDM steering wheel. The install was simple but required some wiring for the airbag which I was able to do without too much trouble.

Bit of a hijack here but your PM box is full... can you post how you got the wiring to work? I may be picking up a JDM wheel in the near future but want to understand the level of difficulty involved in fixing the wiring.

Thanks and congrats on a great rig!

[VXorado]

Bit of a hijack here but your PM box is full... can you post how you got the wiring to work? I may be picking up a JDM wheel in the near future but want to understand the level of difficulty involved in fixing the wiring.

Thanks and congrats on a great rig!

There's a different connector on the JDM airbag and you will need to swap to the US connector. This can be done by splicing the US connector onto the JDM airbag. That's it!

I cannot confirm the airbag will actually work, but there is no airbag light on the dash.

[vt_maverick]

Thanks!

[rockman]

I just installed a 3 inch calming lift on my 01 VX and the front after adjustment got really bouncy like i am riding just on the bars. I also want to put 35 inch tires....can someone point me in the right directions as to what i should buy for modifications to take care of this......thanks.

[rockman]

I just installed a 3 inch calmini lift on my 01 VX and the front after adjustment got really bouncy like i am riding just on the bars. I also want to put 35 inch tires....can someone point me in the right directions as to what i should buy for modifications to take care of this......thanks.

[JoFotoz]

For my 35's.. i did the following.

At back
=====

919 OME springs in rear with 2 inch spacers...you'll need spacers on your calmini springs.
Adjustable rear links..to re-center rear axle.. ( no mods to rear wheel wells required)

At Front
=====

T-bar crank.
Diff drop
extensive cut/grind/ BFH ! ... at rear of wheel wells.
Extensive trim of cladding at front of wheel wells.

GET ALIGNMENT !

Obviously the ride 'comfort' will suffer relative to stock..
.. form & function sometimes butt heads !!

Cheers

Jo

[vxcp]

I just installed a 3 inch calmini lift on my 01 VX and the front after adjustment got really bouncy like i am riding just on the bars. I also want to put 35 inch tires....can someone point me in the right directions as to what i should buy for modifications to take care of this......thanks.

HD torsion bars

[JoFotoz]

The HD torsion bars seem to me...



I just installed a 3 inch calmini lift on my 01 VX and the front after adjustment got really bouncy like i am riding just on the bars. I also want to put 35 inch tires....can someone point me in the right directions as to what i should buy for modifications to take care of this......thanks.

HD torsion bars

...to be unnecessary.

Maybe I have an insensitive butt!!...
...but having driven both OEM and HD t/bar VX's on 35's..... I didnt see / feel any difference.

Jo

[VXorado]

I never ran HD T-bars with 35" either, but they usually are the solution to front end diving due to braking. I would assume they would just make the ride stiffer and more harsh.

With that being said Rockman...

I had my VX all suspension lifted for a week on 35" tires before I decided to order the body lift kit. There's a road on my way to work that is full of large cracks and the stiff suspension was really uncomfortable. In general, the ride gets harsher as you lift. After the body lift, the VX more like it was before the 35"s because I was only at 2-2.5" suspension lift. The body lift/suspension lift/35" tire combo worked well for me with pros and cons for several years before I decided to upgrade.

Also, I would run my tires a 25-27 PSi to take the edge off the bumpiness.

[rockman]

thanks a lot guys....this was very helpful and now the project begins!!!

[rockman]

VXorado......did you get 35s to actually fit with only that much suspension lift? i got the calmini kit which is 3 inches. not sure if that was the right choice after dealing with them i wish i bought elsewhere.

[VXorado]

No, I had old man emu 912 coil springs with spacers to fit the 35s. Probably around 4-4.5" lift. I reduced the suspension after installing the body lift.

[JoFotoz]

I originally had a Calmini lift with the VX when I got her.. with 33's.

... 2 inch spacers where needed for 35's.

Calmini coils tend to sag..I eventually changed to OME 919's with same spacers.

Jo

[VXorado]

Time to give this ol' thread a bump. As expected, "several" changes have been made to the Vehicross since last summer. I've kept up the build thread on Planetisuzoo if anyone is curious.

Wheeling season is getting close!!! It's nice to start thinking about using the Vehicross for fun rather than endless winter projects. :D

I hit the trails last weekend for a shakedown run before Moab. It's still very snowy in the CO mountains and most areas are closed. I was able to attempt the first obstacle on Spring Creek. Scott (another CO VXer) joined me for the shakedown run.

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/20160423_131922_zpstdjixdc1.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/20160423_131922_zpstdjixdc1.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/20160423_134709_zpsrh4vkcib.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/20160423_134709_zpsrh4vkcib.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/20160423_134741_zps6tdo8k2b.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/20160423_134741_zps6tdo8k2b.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/20160423_135139_zpsrqz95ir1.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/20160423_135139_zpsrqz95ir1.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/20160423_135144_zpsyfjkaa7v.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/20160423_135144_zpsyfjkaa7v.jpg.html)

Scott attempting the obstacle
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/20160423_135820_zpsi3xjmczn.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/20160423_135820_zpsi3xjmczn.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/20160423_135844_zpspek6yjip.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/20160423_135844_zpspek6yjip.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/20160423_135956_zps9hz0ztmb.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/20160423_135956_zps9hz0ztmb.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/20160423_140119_zpsmrj42di2.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/20160423_140119_zpsmrj42di2.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/20160423_140902_zpsvkgrd6qy.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/20160423_140902_zpsvkgrd6qy.jpg.html)

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/20160423_135500_zpszjvwdz6x.jpg (http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/media/20160423_135500_zpszjvwdz6x.jpg.html)

That's all for now. If there is interest, I can try to do a better job updating this thread.

[JoFotoz]

Love the last pic Jon... Got Flex !!.. front & Rear :)

Bring on BFE !

Jo

[VXorado]

I'm excited for BFE! Less than a month away! :yesy:

[CatFish]

Nice shots of spring creek, have you ever tried Billing Canyon? It looks pretty crazy and mostly rock crawling. Could be a good trail on the way to or from Moab.
http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=161

[VXorado]

Never tried Billings Canyon but I've seen a video... it's pretty insane. My rig would probably be considered too small for a trail like that.

As for other tough trails, Holy Cross has been on my bucket list for years. Hopefully I'll get a chance to run it this summer!

[vt_maverick]

Love that color and spare tire holder! :thumbup:

[VXorado]

Thanks Ashley, good to hear from you.

How's that 5-speed doing?

[ZEUS]

Its lookin good, Jon! Spring Creek looks waaay different these days! That right line you took was a dirt berm when I was there last... fifteen years ago, haha! I'm old.

[VXorado]

Cool, Justin, I didn't know you had ran Spring Creek before... yep that first obstacle gets worse every year. The right line goes to the bypass, but now it's near impossible to reach the bypass without lockers.

I've ran this obstacle all different ways... only had to take the bypass once after I sheared a CV (which was the deciding incident to go SAS). I love Spring Creek, but think I'm done with this obstacle because it's tippy and not all that much fun. Additionally, it usually has a line of vehicles having issues with it, which holds up your day. There's an option to take a road and cut out this small section completely.

I'll see you next week!!

[CollinNoonz]

Is there any way to recover the pictures on this thread? Im interested in seeing how VXorado wrapped his VX, im considering wrapping mine this summer.

[VXorado]

This thread had a fully documented VX SAS that I put together for others to reference.Then photobucket changed their policies and broke all the links. I can't restore the links on my thread without paying a monthly subscription to photobucket... and that ain't gonna happen. I think the link below will get you to my library which has all of the pictures. Forewarning, there are a lot of pictures and photobucket will overload your browser with ads. PB is truly a POS company. :mado:

http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/VXorado/library/

As for wrapping, here are some tips:
1. Order by the foot, everything comes in 5' width x order amount
2. Measure each panel of the VX to get your final order amount. Should be around 30ft
3. Prep paint with good scrub or clay bar. You want to remove any debris that keeps the surface from being smooth
4. Remove trim, so you wrap under it. I pryed the cladding back a bit to get the vinyl underneath, rather than remove it entirely.

Good luck!

[VXorado]

Looks like the photobucket links were fixed... this thread has pictures again! :_beer:

[Mile High VX]

Now that they can tag every photo as hosted by Photobucket they have allowed outside links once again.