Ascinder's 1-Ton VX... Cont'd

You got that right. I feel like such a loser everytime I peruse this thread. All this progress and eye candy... and I'm just trying to figure out when I'll have time to change a timing belt and how I'm going to afford a new set of Terra Grapplers before I hydroplane into an oak tree...

Ascinder you rock man! I can't speak for everybody but I for one am living vicariously through you and several others on this board who are able to flat out git er done.

Alright - back to my lame little life. Trying to figure out how to hotwire a pocket bike for the nephews. Hey it's easier than finding the key...

Carry on, my hero!

Beau, I really wish you would put some thought into all of this... I mean you can't just go into a build like this so haphazardly! HAHAHAHA! Thanks for the updates - I have to admit I am using you as inspiration to get my projects moving again... and my work on AWOL has been inspiring a guy here at work to get his K5 mods going again.

Just think, after you warp your frame - all you have to do is build a tube chassis then you'll be done - nothing to it! LOL

:drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool:

Very much nice!

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Originally Posted by LittleBeast

Wow, wow, wow. I feel like I am watching an episode of "VX Dream Make Over"!!!!! Amazing stuff indeed. I am pretty sure we are all green with envy, and can't wait to have the means to do something like this as well. Thanks for the photos and update, much appreciated :)

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Originally Posted by phines

Yes. Exactly what he said. Awesome man! :yesb:

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Originally Posted by SlowPro48

You got that right. I feel like such a loser everytime I peruse this thread.
Ascinder you rock man! I can't speak for everybody but I for one am living vicariously through you and several others on this board who are able to flat out git er done.


Carry on, my hero!

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Times about eleventy BILLION...:thumbup:.:thumbup:

GO BEAU ! ! !

I just started reading this thread!! WOW! WOW! WOW!
I'm going to get in my VX now...WHIMPY WHIMPY WHIMPY

Thanks for all the support guys, trust me, I need it. It's a looong road ahead with this project. I am hopefully getting the new HMMWV wheels soon and all the bracketry for the suspension links within the next couple weeks. I just ordered over a hundred AN fittings for the fuel, coolant,air,hydraulic, oil, etc systems. It's going to be like Monster Garage once the rest of this stuff starts showing up:bwgy:

Looking good. Looks like you are definately doing it right!

Going to have it done for Moab!:bwgy:

Your project is looking awesome! That LSx motor just makes me drool!!!!!!!

The mailman came today and he brought with him a motorhead's wet dream......

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/PICT1139.JPG

:drool::naughty::drool::naughty::drool::naughty: :drool::naughty:

I feel blue.

That's recockulous!

Bart

So Team Venture... :p are you going to entertain us with your latest updates? I got my bib and water-proof keyboard ready!

Sorry, very little progress to report. I've been busy working on the Patrol nonstop. That little POS is being the opposite of what I got it for. So far, I've:

1. Replaced the rear leaf springs
2. Cut off and rewelded the forward spring perches on said leafs since the replacements were longer than anticipated and were maxing out the shackles
3. Made new shackles for said leafs since no one makes shackles for this little "gem"
4. Installed new U-bolts for rear leafs
5. Installed add a leafs to the front along with new ubolts and studs
6. Installed new shocks all the way around
7. Removed non working generator
8. Fabricated bracket for alternator to replace generator
9. Rigged alternator into some semblance of working
10. Measured and ordered new belt since old one doesn't fit any longer
11. Replaced Optima battery (VX's old battery) since it wouldn't take a charge
12. Switched over from the positive ground system to a conventional negative grounded one
13. Swapped out the push button starter since the old one sucked
14. Sheared off the original seatbelt bolts and installed new ones.
15. Bled brakes 4 times to no avail
16. Replaced brake light switch, bled brakes again, still no satisfaction
17. Replaced oil cap with a breather
18. Swapped out tires to some 32-11.50-15's
19. Removed rear swaybar, now unneccessary since shocks are adjustable from anywhere between pillow to rock settings
20. Sheared off front turn signal mounting bolts, also still working on that one
21. Replaced wipers with some that weren't petrified
22. Changed oil and oil filter, bought fluids for trans, transfer case, and differentials
23. About a million other stupid little BS things that so far have amounted to very little.

On the plus side, it's nearing completion so I'll be back to the VX soon.

OUCH! Well at least you got S-10 springs! :D Was the K-5 in such bad shape that the Patrol just had to be better or what? It seemed fine other than no 4wd and back window. I imagine you are working with drums all the way around... any of the wheel cylinders leaking? Maybe try out an old Healey master cylinder? ;)

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Maybe try out an old Healey master cylinder?

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Well, I actually do have a brand new wilwood master cylinder sitting on the bench that was headed for the VX......but I'm trying not to cannibalize virgin parts for the sake of an old beater vehicle.

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I imagine you are working with drums all the way around... any of the wheel cylinders leaking?

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Yes, and I hate them with much vigor!!! The front have two cylinder each, and the rears have one each and an adjuster on the bottoms. So far I have only been able to get one drum off because they are rusted in place so bad. Again, I really hate drum brakes.

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Was the K-5 in such bad shape that the Patrol just had to be better or what? It seemed fine other than no 4wd and back window.

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The blazer is a decent rig, but the real clincher for me was mileage. It costs an arm and a leg just to drive it around town, not to mention taking any trips. The absence of 4WD was a PITA too. Plus, the Blazer just doesn't have any panache, spunk, or moxy, as a former VX owner you should know that;Dy;

HAHA! You have to ADD the panache to a Blazer; that's one of the reasons I got one!

So I just pulled the trigger on these(sorry for the huge pic, I didn't take it):

https://cdn3.volusion.com/frvnx.fatk...jpg?1373614370

I guess if spending money=making progress then I'm doing alright. Billy will be happy to see these no doubt. They're no Trepadors, but the price was an absolute no pass up situation. For those wondering they are Maxxis M8090 Creepy Crawlers of the 37X12.50-16 variety.

SICK! Love em, good choice.

Bart

SWEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTT !!!!!!!!!
Are those the regular compound or the stickies?

To my knowledge they are regular, but from what I am hearing there isn't a huge difference between Maxxis' regulars and stickies. Now I just have to find some 16X10 alloys with an 8 on 6.5 lug pattern, preferably with beadlocks and also some that don't look like everything else out there. I'll let you know when I get those and the unicorn, leprechaun, and all the other seemingly impossible to find things out there:rolly:

You can use any wheel you like that fits and just get a weld on beadlock kit or internal bead locks (staun's). Those tires grip great especially if you warm em up a bit.:yesy:

Get some recentered H1 beadlocks with rock rings, it's a double beadlock, cheap (as far as beadlocks are concerned) and look pretty sweet IMO

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_JE2NengmuSs/Sk...0/IMG_0811.JPG

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t...1-24-09004.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t...00527-1023.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t...ig%201/TW2.jpg

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Originally Posted by Ascinder

To my knowledge they are regular, but from what I am hearing there isn't a huge difference between Maxxis' regulars and stickies. Now I just have to find some 16X10 alloys with an 8 on 6.5 lug pattern, preferably with beadlocks and also some that don't look like everything else out there. I'll let you know when I get those and the unicorn, leprechaun, and all the other seemingly impossible to find things out there:rolly:

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That spec combo isn't too hard to find really. I found a used set in Denver recently for the beater truck for less than 150! If you can find something closer to a positive offset rim you may be able to leave the axles uncut. Diggin those tires tho!

You can have the backspacing set at whatever you want (within reason) on those H1's

Check out Starzworks for some really nice beadlocks.:yesy:

another good place

http://www.trailworthyfab.com/Custom-Hummer-Wheels/

less than $300 a wheel with ALL options (welded on rock ring, powder coated wheel and rock ring, flat center with custom backspacing, pvc insert for beadlock, etc), not bad IMO for a double beadlock. Starzwork's has some sweet wheels though!

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Originally Posted by RamAirZ

You can have the backspacing set at whatever you want (within reason) on those H1's

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The H1 wheels are 16.5's tho - are the recenters down-sized to 16" somehow?

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Get some recentered H1 beadlocks with rock rings, it's a double beadlock, cheap (as far as beadlocks are concerned) and look pretty sweet IMO

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That would be great, but H1 beadlocks are 16.5 IIRC. I don't think they'd fit properly. I was actually going to get those(from trailworthyfab.com) but I figured they wouldn't fit the 16" tires.

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You can use any wheel you like that fits and just get a weld on beadlock kit or internal bead locks (staun's). Those tires grip great especially if you warm em up a bit.

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Unfortunately, I just read this over at Pirate:

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8/10/2010 update: Staun Products in Australia has reportedly gone out of business and is no longer shipping beadlock product. Deflators are still available at this time.
Sorry for the confusion.

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That spec combo isn't too hard to find really. I found a used set in Denver recently for the beater truck for less than 150! If you can find something closer to a positive offset rim you may be able to leave the axles uncut. Diggin those tires tho!

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I have yet to find a set anywhere near here. I checked craigslist and all the usual rim and tire places, but either everything's the wrong size or they look like clone-a-jeep wheels or gangsta-chrome specials. I saw some 16X8's and thats about it. Remember, I want to stick with aluminum if possible since the wheels themselves already weigh in at 75 lbs. a pop. I may just buy some rims and have them converted. I'm liking these:

http://www.tirerack.com/images/wheel...fbml_ci3_l.jpg

darn it, your right. I misread your tire size and thought it said 16.5, so no they wouldn't fit. I found 41 matches for 16x10 rims on 8x6.5 bolt pattern at summitracing in aluminum

http://www.summitracing.com/search/D...m/?Ns=Rank|Asc

I've always liked the Classic Locks from Mickey Thompson

http://static.summitracing.com/globa...t-468452_w.jpg

Allied Wheels has some beadlocks in 16x10

http://www.alliedwheel.com/wheel.php...208%20Beadlock

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I found 41 matches for 16x10 rims on 8x6.5 bolt pattern at summitracing in aluminum

http://www.summitracing.com/search/D...m/?Ns=Rank|Asc

I've always liked the Classic Locks from Mickey Thompson

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Yeah, we have summit right here in town, so that was one of the first places I looked. I'm just not a fan of most of those. I guess my gripe is that the vast majority of wheels with concentric circles tend to look like the same stuff you see on just about every truck or suv out there. I know my old VX rims had those, but they definitely looked different. The other gripe I guess I have is a lot of wheels look like they're made of cheap shiny plastic. I don't know if it's just me, but it drives me nuts. I may just have a bias against 8 lug wheels too, because I just seem to find a lot more wheels that I like in a six lug pattern only.

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Allied Wheels has some beadlocks in 16x10

http://www.alliedwheel.com/wheel.php...208%20Beadlock

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Yeah, but that is the exact kind I'm trying to avoid hence the clone-a-jeep jab:bgwo: I think I'm starting to settle on either some OMF's:

http://www.omfperformance.com/locals...el_Web_Lrg.jpg

http://www.omfperformance.com/locals...arz_web_lg.jpg


or more likely Racelines since they are very highly recommended:

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X2 on the Racelines!

I mount my tires myself, since I have to change them so often for these different races, and even at a GPS clocked 110mph I felt no wobble, shimmy, or shake with no balancing!

They will bend if you hit a 2 foot tall boulder at 70mph in a blind corner. But thats really just ****ty driving!

Great looking wheels and very tough, at a fair price!

Racelines it is.

Rick.

10 miles of traction tough!!! Took us to a 2nd place class finish in the XO 250!

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http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/u...g?t=1277152799

They also have a mismatched "set" of Forged beadlocks on clearance HERE they're the first set on the page. Forged is super nice because they are super light and super strong. And $229 for beadlocks is cheap by anyone's standards.

I like those OMF's!!!

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Originally Posted by RamAirZ

I like those OMF's!!!

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Those are what Jay had put on his FJ. They converted his stock FJ rims.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...0/IMG_0640.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...0/IMG_0639.jpg

There's definitely pros and cons on any rim I decide to run. Right now I'm leaning strongly towards the Racelines over the OMF's, but I got a taste of some hutchinsons in the last few days and I really want some of those. Here's a side by side comparison of the three:

Name: Raceline
http://i.ebayimg.com/03/!BuH)CNwB2k~...SR6vg~~_12.JPG

Pros: Forged aluminum is stronger and lighter than cast, and won't shatter. Made in the USA rims. The set I would get is half price. Lightest of the three so parasitic losses are minimized. Brand new. Has a great reputation in the offroad community as being tough and well made.

Cons: Set I would get is mismatched, so cosmetically unappealing, and potential resale diminished. Still more expensive than Hutchinsons. Single beadlock. Not recommended for on road use.

Bottom Line: Great for performance, not so great from an aesthetic standpoint.

Name: OMF
http://www.omfperformance.com/locals...arz_HEADER.jpg

Pros: Goes on just about any rim you can come up with. Attractive styling and beautiful finish. Looks like performance stuff.

Cons: Costs $200-300 per wheel to have converted plus two way shipping, plus the cost of the wheels themselves, which at that price would be cast stockers. Depending on a welded lock to hold everything together. Not recommended for on road use.

Bottom Line: Great eye candy, but questionable for true hardcore use

Name: Hutchinson
http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/attachm...4&d=1211244987

Pros: Relatively cheap as far as beadlocks go. I almost scored a set for $500 the other day. Double beadlock holds both sides of the tire in place. Relatively indestructible beefy solid design. Made in USA, may or may not be forged. DOT approved for on road use.

Cons: Rare as can be. Heavy duty design is heavy. Requires a new 16" O-ring every time you take them apart. Not the most visually appealing rims I can think of, in fact, far from it. Looks like stock fullsize truck rims.

Bottom Line: Ugly as sin, but they do the job like a champ-if you can find some

That's why I was lookin for them for the expo rig - "ugly full size truck rims". Your VX is shaping up to be a full size truck anyway tho. :P I guess we both missed out on 'em... this time! I reeaaalllyy didn't need 35"s laying around yet anyway. ;( yeah right. We both want two sets of tires... we should try again soon!

Those OMF one's on Jay's FJ are sick looking! It's a tough call, I hate shopping for wheels. I'm glad I already knew what I wanted to try on the VX before I got it lol

I like the Hutchinson wheels. If wheels were guns they would look like this:

http://www.strangepolice.com/images/content/133342.jpg

All business. :D

Bart

If you are interestd in the internal beadlocks rjroffroad.com had the stauns on clearance sale. Also there is another company making them. I'll see if I can find their info.

The other company is innerairlock.com...they look identical to the stauns except color.

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That's why I was lookin for them for the expo rig - "ugly full size truck rims". Your VX is shaping up to be a full size truck anyway tho. :P I guess we both missed out on 'em... this time! I reeaaalllyy didn't need 35"s laying around yet anyway. ;( yeah right. We both want two sets of tires... we should try again soon!

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Agreed, let's both keep our eyes open, maybe something will materialize. I put up a wanted post over at Pirate, maybe someone's been sitting on a set or two.

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I like the Hutchinson wheels. If wheels were guns they would look like this: All business.

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LOL, yeah, they do look tough, but I'm just not a fan of the fullsize look wheels. They just all look like the same five designs they've been rehashing since the 70's. I will say at least the hutchinsons are one of the designs I could live with. They do have a certain THUD charm I guess.

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If you are interestd in the internal beadlocks rjroffroad.com had the stauns on clearance sale. Also there is another company making them. I'll see if I can find their info.

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The other company is innerairlock.com...they look identical to the stauns except color.

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I'm definitely staying away from the inflatables. Stazworks is out of business, and from what I could tell they were the forerunner in that type of beadlock. Not such a warm fuzzy feeling. From what I've been told they are an absolute PITA to work with especially on the trail, tricky to balance, and some people report going through the tubes on a higher frequency than I'd like. One guy also said he cut a tires sidewall because it got pinched between the rock and the innertube causing a "pinch flat". I have heard of the innerairlocks too, but like you said, they are pretty much the same. I like the hutchinsons, it's just finding them that's hard. Also, their parts support is somewhat questionable.