:_wtf:Quote:
Originally Posted by Moncha
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:_wtf:Quote:
Originally Posted by Moncha
I had completely forgotten that a similar project was discussed a couple of years ago (it never went anywhere).
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...threadid=10264
Anyway, I wanted to mention that iron pig offroad that is mentioned in that thread is in Fredericksburg, VA where I live. If anyone is still interested in dealing with them, I'm willing to let them use my VX for measurements and fit checks.
Tom
Good info, but I was talking about the side marker on the front fender bulb and the actual turn signal bulb. They are pretty close if not the same, I have been at work since 0600 Tuesday, so I have not had a chance to go out and look. Way too hard to look it up on the Sylvania website...:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Moncha
The corner light, the front fender side marker, what ever you call it.. it's a 194 bulb.
This may help you along http://www.vehicross.info/modules.ph...ewarticle&id=5 . It's a piece I wrote up when I first changed the corner lights to flashing back in 2005.
I actually used your write up to convert the side markers to turn signals...thanks Scott, it was a good how to.Quote:
Originally Posted by Moncha
On to the bumper, there will be some major changes tomorrow, my garage is finally done. I am taking the sheet metal off, as well as cutting off all the supports I welded on. Then I am beefing it up with some 3/8" thick angle iron on top and bottom of the tube. I will post up some pics when complete, as usual. I really need to get this done. No more excuses...I promise.
Sorry it took so long, cutting and grinding 3/8" steel is no joke. Took a good two hours to cut and grind those three pieces. Measuring multiple times, steel is expensive, and you can't just sand it down.
So here is where I stand. I am on the 3rd coat of Rustoleum oil based enamel, it paints on almost like an epoxy, my labor intensive alternate to powder coating.
Here are a few pics of my options. I cut the irons on top, they will give me the angle for the front piece. The bottom prevents the tendency for the bumper to fold inward if being winched. The bottom can either be flat, even with the tubing, or I can flip it around and put another angle and wrap the sheet metal all the way under. That is probably the way I will go. Give it a more aerodynamic look, plus I will mount the new skid plate to match that angle, theoretically.
I also included a pic with the new lights, not mounted yet, but that is where they are going. Hmmm, still need to straighten out the grill insert, it is ziptied in place right now.
Enjoy!!
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMGP0410.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMGP0411.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMGP0412.jpg
For those of you that are super attentive to detail, the top pieces are different lengths. They are exactly 1" different which is too much coincidence. The center of the vehicle is not really the center with respect to the frame mounts for the bumper. I have no idea, everything else is centered, I marked a few spots to use as a reference, the hitch is dead center as related to the truck, but if you look at the crossbar, it is not centered. My only guess is that the frame itself is not centered by design, or maybe the bumper mounts are not centered. Frame isn't bent, clean Carfax except minor fender bender a few years ago(driver side fender is aftermarket) plus it is EXACTLY 1" difference. Oh well, it looks fine, you would probably not notice unless I pointed it out. Just thought you super fine comb detail people would appreciate it, it does make the engineering a bit harder since each piece has to be different vice making multiples of the same piece. The second pic is a bit more straight on so youcan see how the hitch is centered. The edited pic is not straight on but had a better reference for what I wanted to show.
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...IMGP0410-1.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMGP0411.jpg
It's coming along good. Keep up the good work.
Peace.
Tom
Thanks to the advice that Orion gave me a few days ago...that would have been nice a few months ago, I am making significant progress. Here are a few pics. I will weld this weekend, under the ends of the top cross bar I will weld some 2" angle iron as supports between the two bars right above the frame rail mounts. This top bar solves the problem of making the bumper capable of being stepped on, fills a few more inches of that empty space, and allows me to put the fog lights in between two bars, no fear of stepping on them or whatever.
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMGP0417.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMGP0418.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMGP0419.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMGP0420.jpg
Sorry the pic is bad, house faces the west...bad afternoon shots. Get over it. :cooly:
There you go! nothing more fun than bending metal :dance:
May I suggest using round stock (tubing), rather than angle iron, for a finished product that has more visual appeal?Quote:
Originally Posted by Marlin
Here is where I am now. I have the top tube welded on and the 3/8" thick angle irons at the outside. Now I can attach the front plate, once I get it bent. Ldub, I used the angle irons cause they were stronger, and it won't be visible once complete.
The driving lights fit perfect in between the tubes, should be done next weekend I hope, gotta add a few gussets, paint a few more coats, and voila, I will be done.
It is being painted right now, so I will post the final pics hopefully next weekend.
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMGP0489.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMGP0490.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMGP0491.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMGP0493.jpg
Its getting there, I told ya I was going for the road armor look, and it is quickly heading in that direction. I should be able to finish the other side tomorrow, get it painted and mounted by say Fri, and wire up the lights sat, add some gussets and I will be done!!! Not sure how to fill in the gap, but it isn't near as big anymore. I am cutting the bottom rail tubing to a 45 degree angle and capping it. Then I just need to figure out how to mount my new skid plate, and all will be complete.
It is not as sleek as Orion's, but I said form the beginning I wanted the road armor look.
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMGP0519.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMGP0520.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMGP0521.jpg
So you are just going to leave the front end and the area around the grill and lights all open like that???? :wtfy:
Bart
I dunno yet, working on that, I may cut a sheet metal outline to fill in the holes...but at least admit that the actual bumper is heading in the direction that I said I was going to do!Quote:
Originally Posted by nfpgasmask
http://www.roadarmor.com/site/ford/08-plus-sd.php
Looking MUCH better! Shouldn't be to hard to fill that top section. Use card board and bend it and cut it to make a templet. Then you can use a little thinner gauge steel. Cut it and bend it using the cardboard templet, a little more welding and presto!
Hell YEAH!...:thumbup:Quote:
Originally Posted by Triathlete
Make it segmented, so it looks like scales (think rough fish)...or the Batmobile armor!
:thumbup:
LOL, I think I am going to bedliner the face and top, and leave the bottom flat of course.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ldub
No scales. A rocket launcher would be cool though.
Billy, I think you are right, that is a bit artsy for me, but probably the route I will take. I also thought about using heavy rubber, like what mudflaps for semis are made out of, flexible, but stiff, easy to cut and shape, and easily removed.
two things-
1. your isuzu emblem is upside down and its bothering me (its like hanging an american flag upside down, bad juju)
2. getting there bro... getting there...
ok, for example, between the headlight and the grill: why cant you build something with 2 gussets and fill in the face (to create a triangular angled back look) and do the same on the side between the headlight and the fender, except build 3 smaller angled pieces?
LOL, I got that from the Planet guys. I do need to fix the background, but it is staying red and upside down. Gotta cut out all the extra tape. I have it that way so if I flip it one day, I can get one good pic, sort of a sense of humor to keep me from freaking out if it happens...:)Quote:
Originally Posted by pbkid
That is doable, i kept thinking it had to be attached to the bumper, I was thinkin maybe a brush guard type top, but your way would work as well. I am gonna have to look at that, I do have a lot of 1" square tubing I could use. I could weld it straight onto the fenders and the radiator frame....good idea Jack.Quote:
Originally Posted by pbkid
Jack is this what you were thinkin, cause I think this is what I am going to do now...
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...IMGP0519-1.jpg
yup, ill try to work somethin up on 'microsoft paint' when i get home... but i think you get the idea....although i would DEFINATELY not loose the grill... it makes the front of the VX what it is...
ill try to explain more-
build 90degree gussets off of the bumper angled back towards the hood... then all you would have to do is cut a piece of metal to go over the gussets, and BOOM you have a full integrated look, and it slopes back to make it look 'integrated'... do the same as you have on the bumper only with 2 angles on the corner.
i wouldnt try to go between the grill and the bumper personally... i would just do the area between the light and the grill, which would also include the part below the light, until you reached the joint in the bumper, then it would turn to match the bumper along the corner and onto the fender.
plus if you left the flat bumper underneath and in front of the grill then it will give you some step space... would WILL come in handy, i promise :) (i had an ARB on my toyota that i had before my VX and it had a step spot in front of the grill that was awesome to have)
Gotcha, I was trying to avoid connecting more to the bumper. The idea is that it is removable. Right now it weighs somewhere around 50lbs. The more I attach, the heavier and more awkward it gets. I will have to look at that, and the bar across the grill can be just the one under it, and maybe one at the top. I was thinking more along the structural lines.Quote:
Originally Posted by pbkid
Thanks for the inspiration though, I will post up pics when I am done...
ya no problem lol.... cant wait to see what you come up with
I don't think you would want to connect it to the radiator supports...could cause some later maintainence nightmares. At the most you might at 10-20 pounds to the bumper by welding the "facia" to the bumper.
Who's VX is this, I like the "Cladding Cage"
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...ell2004016.jpg
Green Dragon aka Grampa BobQuote:
Originally Posted by VCrossfan
I say all you guys who make a mockery of the super-model-gorgeous-face of the VehiCROSS are ALL WHACKED!
:p Bart
Turns out that I never really thought Cindy Crawford was all that attractive either...;)Quote:
Originally Posted by nfpgasmask
G1 Bart...I look at Grampa Bob's fab'd a nonintrusive VX face saver...Quote:
Originally Posted by nfpgasmask
And I remember reading up and seeing pic's on Grampa Bob, he was one of the early VX off-road fanatic's and put his VX through the off road test often..
Thx Ldub I knew you would know....
wooo hoo... thanks bart, i take that as somewhat of a complimentQuote:
Originally Posted by nfpgasmask
now your worrying me buddy...Quote:
Originally Posted by Marlin
Well then now we know you must be really whacked!:laugho:Quote:
Originally Posted by Marlin
What have you done, Jack? Last time I saw your VX all you had was some fender damage?Quote:
Originally Posted by pbkid
X2Quote:
Originally Posted by VX KAT
Bart
Yep, like Dub said, Grandpa Bobs...however it has been sold and I don't know who owns it now. The "cladding cage" is just a front bumper....the very first VX front bumper. Sorry Marlin, even if you would have beaten Orion ya still would have been #2!:bwgy:Quote:
Originally Posted by VCrossfan
But I have to say again your newest rendition of your bumper is far better looking than the original:thumbup:
Got the other side done, cut 45s on the bottom rails, still gotta put a 5/8" bolts through the tubes as backup for the welds. I picked up some roll on bedliner to finish it up this weekend. Gotta wire up the new lights and figure out the mount for the new skid plate and I will be done for a while.
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...u/IMGP0531.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...u/IMGP0532.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...u/IMGP0533.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...u/IMGP0534.jpg
The gap around the receiver will not be there for longg. I am getting one of the hitch mount license plate holders for my VX yellow carbon fiber license plate. Have faith....it is finally getting there...
nothing amigo... just saying that i have always wanted to change the front bumper on the vx...Quote:
Originally Posted by nfpgasmask
Ahhhh, but the difference is you haven't!!! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by pbkid
Bart
It still looks like you almost have enough room to leave the stock bumper on and just have this outside of it. Even if you have to put lots of holes in the stock bumper and even cut part of it up, I still think that will be the easiest way to fill in the gaps between the new hefty bumper and the hood/lights/grill, but it really is coming along nicely, good job :thumbup:Quote:
Originally Posted by Marlin