Looking great as always Jon! I really like that switch panel, I am actually planning to put one in the same spot for all my lights.
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Looking great as always Jon! I really like that switch panel, I am actually planning to put one in the same spot for all my lights.
How did you mount the basket?
for 139.00 plus free shipping....found it doing some searches.....just in case anyone is interested...at Hitch anything.com
I had a black hood/ironman and built the headlights to match. I originally was going to wrap the VX in matte black but found it scratched too easily. Once I wrapped the VX in blue, I decided the OEM reflectors would look better.Quote:
Originally Posted by 44ficus44
Definitely use the CD changer bezel if you're not using it becuase the fit is almost perfect.Quote:
Originally Posted by Etfren
I removed my Yakima bars because it mounted the basket too high and I wanted clear my garage door. I made my own mounts similar too Zeus' write-up in the how-to section.Quote:
Originally Posted by LittleBeast
Do you mind measuring exactly how much above the rear spoiler it is total? Thanks :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by VXorado
...as always...:_wrench:.:thumbup:
Not a problem. The spoiler curves up higher in the middle and measures 4.5" to the basket vs. at the spoiler edge it measures 5".Quote:
Originally Posted by LittleBeast
Parking in my garage was a requirement when I installed the basket
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ldub
Thanks Dubby. I'm thinking about wiring the zombie light button to illuminate all of the off road lights... just for kicks... or zombies. :_beer:
Here's some of the equipment i'll be installing over the next month. :naughty:
10 & 12 Bolt Diffs with ARB lockers & 4.56 gearing. I've had the 12 bolt diff for over a year and just ordered the 10 bolt diff from indy4x.
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps25dc9884.jpg
Looks like I got the new ARB model for the 10 bolt...
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4fc2cfb5.jpg
Viair 444c 100% duty cycle air compressor- it will piggy back the york compressor for lockers & SFIFS
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psb9d00c06.jpg
Stainless Steel Brake Lines
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psdc38ca74.jpg
I've also been building a winch plate lower bumper. Another coat of paint and it will be ready to install.
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psd9e457a8.jpg
And I'll be installing a Warn XD9000 into the winch plate
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps02c1fe1c.jpg
Updates to follow.
Yeah boy!
:thumbup:....:thumbup:.....:thumbup:
jo
Awesome!
Great looking build!
Wow, side by side really shows the difference in size between the 10 and12 bolt diffs.
I know!!! The 10 bolt is tiny and makes me a little worried about overall strength when locked. I'll be very "selective" in using the front locker. :yesy:Quote:
Originally Posted by Triathlete
Per Jo's Advice, I decided to get started on the diff swap this last weekend. Feeling ambitious, I dropped the front axle and swapped the 10 diff. It was a pretty straight forward process, but I did have a couple notes.
Indy4x did the gearing & locker install on the 10-bolt. The diff came with a U-joint drive shaft flange which needed to be swapped to fit our CV drive shaft. The drive shaft flange bolt requires a 30mm socket and an impact wrench for removal. Here's a pic to compare the open diff vs. ARB diff.
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps370d0884.jpg
The diff drop procedure in the how-to section states the steering linkage needs to be removed. The pic below demostrates that the diff dropped can be completed with the linkage in place. Skip dropping the linkage to save time & effort during a diff drop.
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...pse57e1e3d.jpg
BartManS4 was nice enough to give me a hand on Saturday. His newly painted VX looks great and I had a blast driving the 5-speed to the autoparts store. Thanks Scott. :thumbup:
:thumbup:...........
...not sure if it was advice, sage or otherwise......Quote:
Originally Posted by VXorado
....., or a simple "Hey..dont do what I Idid !!"
Two fully locked VX's this year...Look Out!
:p
Jo
Thanks for letting me hang out and learn my way around the VX drivetrain. :thumbup:Quote:
Originally Posted by VXorado
Unfortunately, I had to leave to help out a friend whose Land Rover Discovery overheated heading up to Blackhawk. It turned out to be as easy as bypassing the heater core since one of those lines blew. I told him not to push his luck but he went on up to Blackhawk anyway. Got stuck in traffic for an hour or two and then promptly lost $300 when he did get to the casino. He should have realized that when your car breaks down going to the casino it's a bad omen.
Scott
p.s. Don't get a friend with a Land Rover! :yesb:
I installed the rear ARB locker on a cold snowy day. Everything went really smoothly except I didn't remove the ABS speed sensor before removing the axle shafts. I shredded one sensor and broke the other trying to remove it. I haven't had working ABS in a while... really not too concerned about the speed sensors.
Axle shaft pulled to remove 3rd member. Remove 4 axle bolts, brake caliper & speed sensor. The axle will slide out with little effort.
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psa16d4653.jpg
Speed Sensor 1 :rolleyes:
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps11222ef8.jpg
Speed Sensor 2 :_brickwal
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psb0042764.jpg
Tip: Use a jack after removing the 3rd member bolts to split the seal and make removal a breeze.
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps10060924.jpg
3rd member comparison
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6959790d.jpg
The lockers haven't been hooked into air yet and i'll be working on that this week. The re-gear to 4.56 is great so far. Better acceleration and the trans is able to stay within a better RPM range on the highway- no more up/down shifting when driving 70+ MPH.
How much did it cost you to get the whole car blue?
Around $400 for the vinyl wrap.
It's been 6 months since the install and it still looks great. I hoping it doesn't get too scratched up on the trails. :eek:
I recently installed the winch and it's ready for recovery. I incorporated a skid pate into the winch plate which does sit below the bumper but has little affect on the approach angle. The winch plate sits directly on the frame rails and still needs tweaking in the future. The edges are 90 degree angles and stick out a bit from the rounded bumper but I may end up using the corners for a small stinger bar. Here's a couple pics... I thought I uploaded more to photobucket but can't find them for whatever reason.
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3f2e9ae6.jpg
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0860dd9b.jpg
Today I continued building SFIFS kits. My initial test fits are working well and I'll be able to test it thoroughly in Moab. ;Do;
Wow. This is one heck of a build thread and we live ten miles away from each other. I need to buy you a beer one of these days and get some more ideas for mine. Wrapping up a lot of work on it this month and running out of things to do.
trust me, u can never add too much nor run outta ideas..... i said that 5 months ago."finally done" and the VX just keeps looking meaner by the day.. i need more time for all the projects heheQuote:
Originally Posted by gunbarrelvx
Sure we can meet up sometime gunbarrelvx, i'll have some free time after the Moab meet.
For every project I finish, I think of a few more projects to start. Seems neverending... :_brickwal
Just wait till you have a kid, you'll find less time to think about new projects and even less time to work your existing list off. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by VXorado
I'm sure my days are numbered for no consequence VX spending. It's actually why I've been trying to finish all of these big projects now... might not have the time or money in the future. :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by vt_maverick
VXorado, not sure if I missed the post, but how do you have the basket mounted up top? Are you using the Yakima Rail Grabber mounts you have listed in the OP? I really like how it sits nice and tight to the roof.
BTW, Awesome build!
I skipped using the rail grabbers because it made the basket sit too high for the garage. I made mounts directly on the roof rails by following the write-up by Zeus. :thumbup:Quote:
Originally Posted by Knigh7s
http://www.vehicross.info/modules.ph...warticle&id=23
Oh nice! I forgot all about that writeup! Thanks! :yeso:
Quote:
Originally Posted by VXorado
About time to update the thread again. I can't believe it's already been a few months since the Moab trip. I took a break from most VX projects this summer and haven't had any updates. I decided to have fun on the trails and focused most of my garage time to finishing SFIFS kits. I'm wrapping up the kits and almost ready to start up on bumpers. The winch worked great (tested in it Moab) but I still have some work to do with the plate design along with spare tire protection in the back. Oh and the SFIFS works awesome, it was way too much work building the kits but the end result is worth it.
Here's a few Moab pics. Some of the pics are already on a thread somewhere but I figured they could also be here... and I couldn't do an update without pictures. :slap:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...72975984_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...56731633_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...47136772_n.jpg
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps39760b63.jpg
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps20ab6c74.jpg
Fantastic pictures, love your mods too!
Love the Pics, and the truck.
I just finished my install of the SFIFS today. will be testing it in PA on the 14 of sep cant wait.
Sweet!!! I hoping to take some really good SFIFS trail pics soon. I had a great opportunity last weekend and didn't take the picture. :_brickwalQuote:
Originally Posted by subject47
what are the advantages of independent front suspension again? i thought for off roading everyone wants solid front axles? i was under the assumption that IFS was just for better on road handling and a smoother ride...
Solid front axle gives you more offroad flex.
Bart
You have it right. A dedicated trail rig for rock crawling will always have a solid front axle because it's stronger (or can be equipped stronger) and offers better articulation. Some obnoxious Jeepers will tell you that anything without a solid front axle is garbage for off road and that comment usually comes from the guy with street queen chromed out Rubicon. The stock jeep setups don't offer much benefit over IFS because they're still built for the masses and sacrifice articulation for comfort & safety. Of course, they have lots of aftermarket options to make them incredible off road.Quote:
Originally Posted by evillecutter
The super flexy IFS we're talking about links the torsion bars & creates better articulation on the trail. The travel of the IFS is still limited but the suspension will balance out the VX more and provide increased traction when you're driving on uneven terrain. I usually draw a picture to explain it but essentially you give some of the solid axle trail benefits to IFS while keeping the IFS for improved road handling & ride.
...if properly built/set up. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by nfpgasmask
'Rado...just tell those heep driving idiots two things....Shannon Campbell!
Even though I still want a SAS! Have the axle, just need the $$$!
:laughing: Will do BillyQuote:
Originally Posted by Triathlete
I met up with a fellow ISUZU owner yesterday from the Planet. We decided to run a trail called Moody Hill near Fort Collins. Had a great time and ran into some challenging obstacles... glad I had rock sliders. :yesy:
Traildamage.com rates Moody Hill a 3 on the low end and 8 on the high end. I'm pretty sure we did every obstacle. :D
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps04b8e727.jpg
http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/y...psfc0aa8f5.jpg
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4e19a296.jpg
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psa4df680f.jpg
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psf646dfd0.jpg
Of course, it was raining and muddy which left the VX a HUGE mess. Usually I don't mind but Twalker is hosting the pin up calender shoot tomorrow and I had to spend half the day cleaning up the VX. I think photoshop is the only thing that will make it clean looking.
I'm back in the modding mood!!! I haven't worked on much since last April but now I have a fresh new list to start working on. Mostly small/moderate projects now but I have some BIG plans for 2014.
After having the 30" LED bar sit in the garage for months, I decided I wanted to use it without the cargo basket. Slightly permanently, I bolted the mounts directly on the VX roof to give the most low profile look. Wiring was a real pain... I ended up wiring through the door weather stripping & through the roof rails. The switch is mounted on my bezel from OTRATTW and is appropriately named, "LED LIGHT BAR."
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7bdeb00c.jpg
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psddb7597f.jpg
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6a1780b3.jpg
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psf27bca7a.jpg
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps76b1f77d.jpg
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8c31358a.jpg
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7b7bf072.jpg
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3e3757c3.jpg
Nice! Let's go light up some trails, literally.
Your new house looks awesome :bgwb:
x2 on the house, makes me think more and more about CO...