What are you doing to your VX this week?

I just finished replacing my bumper bar. Not a hard job, unless you're getting old and senile, like me. :) (Now, where did I leave that wrench? Why did I put THAT screw in THERE?) I guess the hardest part was figuring out how to retain the factory insulators glued to the bar. I ended up using black silicon, since it was about all I had available. After installing the bar I was able to move the pads around until I felt like they were doing the job that the engineers intended. I will be watching to see how much my mileage improves, and oil consumption decreases! (Tom, I'll keep you posted!)

The passenger side was completely rusted out. The bracket no longer supported the bar. The drivers side was solid.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...ment%20002.JPG

These are the pads/insulators which wedge beween the bar and various frame attachements.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...ment%20008.JPG

The weather finally cooperated yesterday & I got the other head bolted back onto Boy's Ebony. I had to make a part for it though. One of the alignment pins (for lack of a better term) was missing. It's a small tube that presses into the block to hold the head gasket in place whilst you are getting the head back on. There are 2 for each head & they don't look like they serve any purpose after the head is bolted on.

Now comes the fun part ... remembering where everything goes ... & praying a lot whenever I get to the timing belt.

1) finish installing rear door popper and wiring it to an OEM Rodeo tailgate release switch
2) restoring headlights
3) installing LED headlights
4) installing hood and rear hatch PIN switches

I kept reading about how you could adjust these, but mine were just worn out beyond usefulness...so I replaced them. Sprayed them down with some heavy duty silicon spray and they screwed right in easily.

Easy to see from the photos why they just didn't work anymore.

About $10 from isuzuparts.com

Hood pops as it should now...:smilewink:bgwo::bgwb::bwgy:



http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMAG0241.jpg

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Would you happen to have the part numbers for those hood bumpers? Tried Isuzu Parts.com and they don't have them puppies. Thanks for your time!

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Originally Posted by EVO

Would you happen to have the part numbers for those hood bumpers? Tried Isuzu Parts.com and they don't have them puppies. Thanks for your time!

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8-97810-601-0

Listed as Buffer, Engine

If you use the part number you should be able to order from isuzuparts.com.

I attached a cigarette lighter blank plug (procured from a rental car) to my CB mic via a self tapping plastic screw. Makes for a nice convenient place to store the mic.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/CB1.jpeg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/CB2.JPG

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Originally Posted by Mile High VX

8-97810-601-0

Listed as Buffer, Engine

If you use the part number you should be able to order from isuzuparts.com.

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Thanks for the Intel!!

Alot of long neglected TLC. Brakes, check engine light, oil change, rotate tires and polish head lights. Next three months, replace cracked windshield, rebuild trans and replace front drive axles due to torn CV boots. Long term...paint. I've owned my VX for 14 years and I just can't shake this monkey off my back.

Diff Fluids change with Royal Purple 75W-140.

Also assorted other small projects involving paint and interior parts...:bwgy::smilewink:bgwo::bgwb:

Add rubber flooring to the rear cargo area and extend it to the front of the rear seat...contemplating rear seat removal but undecided at this point.

Buffed out the front skid plate that I refinished a few weeks back and it's time for the Spring detail complete with the new Meguiars DA Microfiber Correction System for the paint...;)

Getting my VX tomorrow.....physc'd

After losing mine to hurricane Sandy it will be good to have one again.

The VX had started to whistle, so the intake manifold gaskets are in the process of being replaced. As a while-you're-in-there step, I also decided to replace the thermostat, but when I finally got to it, almost changed my mind since the original looked to be a better quality piece than the replacement I'd purchased. I went ahead and swapped it out though hoping that time and usage will be on the side of the newer one.

Speaking of while-you're-in-there though, you'd think that the engineers who designed these things could have come up with a better arrangement for the configuration of the block's front to rear coolant transfer pipe and adjacent coolant hose rather than have them right in the way of the thermostat housing and housing bolts. wth?

Hoping to get it all back together today to see whether my recent bouncy idle and whistling has been addressed, and, whether cleaning the MAF sensor gives me the additional 5 to 10 horsepower the can of MAF cleaner promises! ;)

Well, no coolant leaks, fuel fires, or continued whistling, so I'm taking those as good signs.

All I can say is, after this job, and the timing belt/water pump jump on the car last weekend, my advanced four-letter garage terminology has now been revisited, updated, and polished, and I'd feel ready for any other repair jobs in the near future should they be necessary.

And to think I used to actually LIKE doing this stuff... :disturbed

I pulled my MTR 33x12.5s and remounted my stock wheel Gen Grabbers AT2 265/70r16s. This is basically my winter setup. I had a pretty bad steering wheel vibration around 40-45 mph with big big MTRs and since going back to my winter wheels it is driving so much smoother. I must have a pretty serious imbalance on those big wheels. I can also feel the difference in acceleration as it's a bit peppier. I'm thinking I should trailer those wheels to Moab this year.

Finally received my new hood insulator from Isuzu with all new clips as well...only took about 6 weeks.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...d_Wrap_020.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...d_Wrap_019.JPG

Finally received my new hood insulator from Isuzu with all new clips as well...only took about 6 weeks.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...d_Wrap_020.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...d_Wrap_019.JPG

Got tired of my hood insert not looking great no matter what I did so I had it wrapped with 3M Matte Black vinyl. It's worry free...at least for now.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...d_Wrap_022.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...d_Wrap_021.JPG

Awesome! I just ordered a new hood insulator last week. I hope mine takes 6 weeks. Your VX looks good. Where did you get the red engine cover? Did it come with one or was it aftermarket? Mine seems to be missing one.

Haven't had hood insulation for years.... not since my S/C ate most of it up. :p

May actually drive my VX this weekend. Been a while. Been working so much I have been using my STi for the commute every day. But, I have off this weekend, which is a miracle rest, so time to get my bump steer on! :D

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Originally Posted by YellowVX

Awesome! I just ordered a new hood insulator last week. I hope mine takes 6 weeks. Your VX looks good. Where did you get the red engine cover? Did it come with one or was it aftermarket? Mine seems to be missing one.

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When I first ordered it they told me it would be three months, but it wasn't. The engine cover is the OEM black one that I customized...you can find them on Ebay for about $40 if you want one, or post an WTB and someone will likely be able to help you.

That is a nice clean vinyl wrap on the insert and I really need to add that to my "to-do" list. Thanks to a nice double hit from a rock this morning while moving down the highway, I will be replacing my windshield tomorrow. Place I am getting it from quoted me $182 which was cheaper than my Rodeo windshield I got from them 6+ years ago. Actually it was two Rodeo windshields, first one lasted 8 hours before some rock hit me so hard that the rear view mirror ended up all the way into the back.

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Originally Posted by DaGambit69

That is a nice clean vinyl wrap on the insert and I really need to add that to my "to-do" list.

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Thanks. Because of the foam seal on the underside of the insert you can't just wrap it and tuck the underneath. You have to cut it and then use some adhesive to the edges before you hit the foam seal. Removal of the insert is a must here. If you wrap over the foam seal it will let air into the wrap and you will not be pleased with the look as it will have air bubble that will constantly be showing up.

I actually found one this morning for a 3.2L Rodeo. The strange this is when I went to the Isuzu parts center site and looked up the Rodeo engine, there wasn't an engine cover listed. But, I did compare the pic on eBay to your pic's...they were the same. I believe the 3.2L and the 3.5L are the same just slightly larger displacement.

LED's all around!! Man those Brite *** Led's are nice!

She's in the shop. Getting all new EBC rotors and EBC Green pads. Inspection of brake lines, alternator, and fluid top offs. I have neglected her these past couple of months so thought it would be nice to send her to the spa for some pampering time.

Got side swiped the other night by some stupid sob. Who claims he didnt see me. A lifted big bright yellow suv. But luckily. With my big tires an lift saved my body. Only damage was to cladding an mirror. An more luck. I happen to have some spare parts laying around. :bwgy:

New Shoes!
265/75r16 Kumho AT 51

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Originally Posted by Lizardmen3477

Got side swiped the other night by some stupid sob. Who claims he didnt see me. A lifted big bright yellow suv. But luckily. With my big tires an lift saved my body. Only damage was to cladding an mirror. An more luck. I happen to have some spare parts laying around. :bwgy:

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Dont tell him that. ;)

Well, since my front left brake caliper seized up on me on the way home, guess that is what I will be doing...

Ya, speaking of seizing.... 2 years ago, replaced my front passenger caliper. While in the shop, they said BOTH rears were seizing, so I went ahead and had them replaced. WTF is up with that?! 68k miles, garage kept.... REALLY might be about time to just fab up a Brembo big brake kit if this is going to become a habit, heh.

This past Saturday had new pads and had rotors resurfaced. Nuthin' special, just standard Midas fare. I'm coming up on the annual safety inspection and the brakes started whirring a bit recently so I knew it was going to need to be done.

My wifes left front caliper seized up last summer!! Is this a common problem with the VX?
This past weekend I replaced both door speakers, repaired the passenger side door latch (plastic clip broke where exterior handle has metal rod insert into) adjusted driver side window to stop binding, while I had door panels off I installed new plastic interior door linings out of 6 mil poly.

Installed a JDM steering wheel. Easy 20 minute job and looks great IMHO.

It's a bit smaller than the OEM so will take a bit of getting use to. Also my cover is not a snug fit so I'll have to find a smaller one.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...ring_wheel.jpg

Diff drop brackets
Front disc replacement (both sides)
Inside CV boot replacement (both sides)
Caliper rebuild (driver's front)

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Originally Posted by soggybottomboyz

My wifes left front caliper seized up last summer!! Is this a common problem with the VX?
This past weekend I replaced both door speakers, repaired the passenger side door latch (plastic clip broke where exterior handle has metal rod insert into) adjusted driver side window to stop binding, while I had door panels off I installed new plastic interior door linings out of 6 mil poly.

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I assume its because my VX sits a LOT in the garage, so things have the chance to bind. I only put about 3-4k miles a year on it, so, who knows....

Replaced some small parts that were needing some attention and replaced my passenger side seat belt...no more shutting the door on the metal tab...:)

I sooo need to do that to my seat belt...

Working on the hood scoop...just never liked a scoop without an emblem

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMAG0972.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMAG0971.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMAG0970.jpg

My little mechanic and I Changed fluid in both differentials and trans. Replaced EGR valve and an O2 sensor. Check engine off now!!!! Woohoooooo

Just picked up my first VX two days ago....1999... 170,000 miles...
So, buying snow chains today... been ordering front and back seats... engine cover... stuff...

Big question is “What do I need to be doing?”... now that I have the VX... Burning oil... 1qt every -200 miles it seems... No exhaust smoke... Some slight smoke exiting from oil reservoir sometimes when cap removed... No air pressure comes out of oil reservoir when cap removed with engine running... Have not done compression test yet...

So, I would be interested in a list of what to do to checkout the VX health... as well as a list of what to be doing going forward on the regular preventitive maintenance method...

Any advise is welcome...