Heavily moded VX

[BritVX]

Hi y'all

At last I've managed to upload this photo. Please excuse the standard of the graphics my works machine only has a basic photo editor but I think it gives a reasonable rendition of what I'm going to attempt.
The "A" bar on the front is a little heavier than I intend and it would be a lifted VX.

I'd be pleased to get everyone's comments.

Col



http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/medium/Moded_VX.JPG

[Ldub]

Well done!,I've always thought a removable rear top section would be a great option. Not too hot on the big rectangular frt. grille thing though.
BTW, does Wormgod know you're carving up his ride? :laughy:
Best, Ldub

[BritVX]

I couldn't honestly remember who's VX it was it was just at the right angle. The front wouldn't be as heavy as it's come out but it was very difficult to create and I got fed up with trying to get it to look right. It would also have an internal roll cage.
I'm also cutting up the Tamiya 1/32 scale model to get more of an idea how it would really look.

Col

[Ldub]

Oh Yeahhh, a rollcage w/ 6 pt. harness & Momo racing seats (as long as we're dreamin, might as well dream Big!) would be too cool.

[cascabel3]

Looks adorable. I am quite impressed with the workmanship on this one. :thumbup:

[Raque Thomas]

I think WormGod photoshop'd that picture (except for the square grill) of his ride a while back and posted it on the board. The comments at that time centered around the problems with reinforcing the top of the windshield with that section of the roof cut out - and what to do with the spare hump on the rear door. Also some comments about how that made it look like an Amigo.

[Hotsauce]

That picture is Wormgod's work, with the exception of blacking out his plate.

You're claiming this is your work?

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/2/41gt_vx.jpg

Here is the original shot from his posted gallery

http://wormgod.8m.com/cgi-bin/i/Images/Misc/vx/vx_sun01.jpg


Here is Gary's photoshop of it.

John C.

[marximus]

barbie called, she wants her car back. just kiddin, it doesnt look horrible, but why? just to be different? give me your money for nothing, that would be being different! :p

honestly, the one without the rear windows on the tower looks better.

[BritVX]

Hotsauce,

Please take a closer look at my version, you will see many differences:
1. The side window has been removed and the "rool bar" brought forward.
2. All the interior that is in the original photoshop mod has been removed.
3. Front cladding is cut back exposing more of the front wheels also the front indicators are gone.
4. Door cladding has been removed and the wheel arches blended.
5. You can just see the rear cladding is trimmed and no saver spare in the back door.
6. The "A" bar on the front covers a changed grill also below the grill has been opened up to give a second grill area.

As I said at the start I'm currently working on a 1/32 scale model which I'll post photos of when done.

Why have I bothered?
Well I thought the roofless creation by ISUZU didn't show any imagination and it's something to do in my lunch break!

Col

[marximus]

hmmm... i disagree. the VX-02 looks much better imo. you probabaly dont give a hoot for my opinion, but there it is, sorry :(

[BritVX]

That's the great thing, we're all allowed our opinion. It would be a sad place if all our tastes were the same.

Col

[johnnyapollo]

It was talked about in the previous discussion about removing the top for a targa-like effect - you will need to change the windshield rake as a roofless version would not be able to support the VX current slope (they brought it more upright on the VX02 if I'm not mistaken).

Personally I don't care too much for the boxy front - however you should do what feels right to you. I'd love to see something heavily modded - your design would definitely stand out in a crowd of VXes (dunno when you would ever see a crowd of VXes - or would that be a Gaggle of VXes? Perhaps a Tribe of VXes? :cool: ).

-- John

[Ldub]

I think It's a murder of VX's John...no (scratching head) wait...oh yeah, thats crows...never mind.

[BritVX]

John,

It looked like they'ed cut the top off the windsheild to me but your right about strength, I was intending to put central struts coming forward from the roll cage with full width strengthening. I saw an unfortunate incident with a soft top kit car where someone pulled themselves out of the passenger seat by hanging on to the corner of the windsheild! new windsheild required!

As for a group of VX's the chance would be a fine thing, I haven't seen any others in the UK although there must be some.

Col

[Swordy]

It will be interesting to see your treatment of the rear door. I think the hardest part will be making THAT look right.

[WormGod]

I went over the plans of this "sun" mod last summer with a metal machine shop here in MD and there is no question that it can be done, BUT, the durability was where it all comes to a failure. At high speeds and under rough road conditions (not to mention offroading), the windshield will slowly bend and sag. Even the t-top h-bar will not prevent this, as that too will suffer a beating for acting as a kickstand to the heavy windshield. This would be a showcar ONLY mod unfortunately. Back when I did this, it was for poops and giggles anyways. I think it looks pretty cool and very unique, but it would be no good for actual use. Maybe with more $$$ to spend, a mod like this could be made possible for road use, but I see a complete reconstruction and stabilization of the pillars.

And ya, the more I look at it, I could see Barbie driving that, hahaha. When she dumps Ken, she can still come around my way in that ride though. ;)

[ron]

I believe that Isuzu did not change the angle of the windshield. Rather, they just shortened the total length of the windshield perhaps to not only lighten up the load pressure on the pillars, but also to minimize the wind drag as well. As you can see, for demonstrative purposes, the following photos showing the windshield remaining the same angle except for it's shortened length on the O2. I know that the angle of the photos of each vehicle slightly differs. But, you get the point.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3088/vxo2A.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3088/vxo2B.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3088/vxo2C.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3088/vxo2D.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3088/vxo2E.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3088/vxo2F.jpg

The idea of using the "B" rear side pillar as a rollbar doesn't seem too far fetched. I can see an integrated welded 3-4" steel tube right underneath that section, which will be concealed by the pillar, that would run from the chassis to and around the roof line and back down to the opposite side. This will leave plenty opportunity for keeping the rear seats in place and redesign the rear covered trunk area with an integrated rear wing similar to the O2. I also can imagine a hard shelled fiberglass removable top for the rear half combined with a T-top with removable panels up front being a viable compromise to achieving the O2 look while still being able to use everyday.

Definitely worth brainstorming about if this topic goes further than discussion.

[BritVX]

It's been great to have everyones views on this, I can even see the Barbie angle but I was intending to butch it up a bit with chequer plate on the lower half of the doors, bonnet insert etc (a bit like Landrover Defender).

I think it's easily possible but as I've said previously I'm an engineer and that on it's own should throw serious doubt on things!!!!

When I've got the model done, hopefully in a couple of weeks, I'll post lots of photo's and we can kick that around.

BTW

To support the windshield is truelly no bigdeal if you refabricate the Roll "Hoop" as it stands, You can create classic triangulation of forces and put the loads down to the chassis.

Col