RADO's Off Road Rig- Build Thread

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01/15/2015, 04:32 PM
Bird Dog 36

Artwork!
01/15/2015, 06:07 PM
JoFotoz

Yup......

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Amazing job Jon...cant wait to see her in Moab :_steering

Jo
01/16/2015, 06:19 AM
VXorado

Thanks guys, I feel like it's all finally coming together.

It's been nice driving it around the block... makes me feel like I still own Vehicross vs a big chuck of steel that sits in the garage collecting dust.

:_steering
01/16/2015, 11:37 AM
JAMAS

Wanna trade VX???

I just got new tires, so its pretty much a fair trade.
01/16/2015, 12:28 PM
Cobrajet

That's gonna make a great mall-crawler! (Why would you want to get it muddy!!! Hide all that beautiful hardware?) :)
01/16/2015, 10:49 PM
LittleBeast

Dang, very impressive all around! Congrats so far!
01/17/2015, 08:05 AM
VXorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAMAS

Wanna trade VX???

I just got new tires, so its pretty much a fair trade.

Tempting Jon... with the baby coming, a PriusCROSS may be a better fit for my new lifestyle.

:naughty:
01/17/2015, 08:05 AM
VXorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobrajet

That's gonna make a great mall-crawler! (Why would you want to get it muddy!!! Hide all that beautiful hardware?) :)

Yep, that's why I'm taking all the pictures now. The undercarriage will never look this good again!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleBeast

Dang, very impressive all around! Congrats so far!

Thanks Ryan. :_beer:
03/16/2015, 04:27 PM
VXorado

The VX is sitting in a custom 4x4 shop right now getting an alignment and a good look over of everything I did. The shop had a few Jeeps that we're built like the ones on magazine covers... you know; full custom, 40"+ tires & $70K. To my surprise, the guys at the shop were stoked to see the VX and said some awesome things about it. As you can imagine, all of it made me feel great about the work I put into this project over the last 6 months.

I finished working on the bumper grill guard, installing a Currie anti-rock sway bar & a Rancho RS5000 steering stabilizer. I used a basic pipe bender to make fairly simple bends on the bumper bar and create a look that worked. I just need to purchase some rubber trim for the center bars and decide if I'm going to upgrade the Hella 500's with something newer and brighter. The Anti-Rock was a challenge because I had to mount a tube, build a skid plate for the tube and align everything. Here's a few pics of the latest... I figured the gas station made for a great photo shoot. ;Do;

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psaj5xmyen.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...pscogkdmlr.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psrzlvu5xj.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psadgzzpll.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...pst1fdgbtp.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...pstovkmhgr.jpg
03/16/2015, 04:48 PM
Triathlete

Looking good!
03/16/2015, 04:57 PM
JoFotoz

Just Awesome Jon ... seriously amazing job. :thumbup::smack::_steering

Now go change a diaper :p

:_beer:

Jo
03/17/2015, 02:51 AM
JAMAS

Very Impressive stuff. Nice work!
03/17/2015, 09:39 AM
nfpgasmask

WE GOT THE MEATS!

:) Bart
03/17/2015, 10:46 AM
Vendetta

Great work, bud. Very clean!

-V
03/17/2015, 11:12 AM
tom4bren

Nice roof basket. I agree it's #1.

On the serious side ... Nice work Dude. That VX is a work of art IRT form & function.
03/17/2015, 03:21 PM
Craig

Stunning. Excellent craftsmanship.
03/17/2015, 06:08 PM
VXorado

Well thanks once again guys, I appreciate it! :_beer:

Hopefully I'll get some articulation shots soon to see if this SAS was worth it!
03/20/2015, 03:44 AM
Jheyson VX

Wow, that is simply a beautiful piece of work . You have achieved to give your VX the look that you dreamed of , and that is awesome. Keep surprising us with your talent to mod VXs.
Good work VXorado,
05/25/2015, 05:07 PM
VXorado

The lack in updates is all the shop's fault that was suppose to check over the build and resolve the steering wander. They ended up having the VX for 8 WEEKS and only managed to do an alignment & steering shaft u-joint replacement. When I picked it up, the shop owner gave me the impression the VX was ready to drive to Moab but I quickly found out the the improvements we're minor and driving at 45 MPH was still a handful. With 2 & 1/2 weeks left before Moab, I worked practically non-stop to improve the handling before the trip. Long story short, I got the VX to Moab and it performed great... I did have a few issues but they were all fairly minor.

Here's the VX on 37" Nitto Trail Grapplers
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psbzecfdcm.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psldiermbm.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psv0liyxge.jpg
05/25/2015, 05:08 PM
VXorado

Big thanks to Eric and Jeff for the great pics!

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psiq5uzvrc.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1jng5ffl.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1rwtpmmb.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...pswzzveaqr.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psmrmeskfx.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psg41u71zr.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6a5cvam1.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psfo6xs1vp.jpg
05/25/2015, 05:08 PM
VXorado

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psjgwmvnxs.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psl32h1z0s.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psoa7sycrd.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psj9yavrf6.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...psafab3g5d.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...pse96tlrsp.jpg
05/26/2015, 08:46 AM
ZEUS

Um... U forgot a pic of the latest wrap... ;)
05/26/2015, 07:48 PM
tomdietrying

Wow!!!!!
Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet!

Peace
Tom
05/26/2015, 07:49 PM
tomdietrying

Wow!!!!!
Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet!

Peace
Tom

p.s.
What up Zues?
05/28/2015, 06:41 AM
VXorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZEUS

Um... U forgot a pic of the latest wrap... ;)

Oh yeah, that modification needs to be saved here in the build thread. :thumbup:

Courtesy of JoFotoz. If I had one complaint of the new wrap... it's slightly difficult to open the doors.

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...pskwo9gz1z.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/...pszlljundu.jpg
05/28/2015, 09:38 AM
JoFotoz

Just wrapping the Trailer Queen up for her tow home...

https://scontent-lax1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...63542833_o.jpg

..... :eek:

:dance::_steering

Jo
05/29/2015, 06:11 AM
VXorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoFotoz

Just wrapping the Trailer Queen up for her tow home...

Jo

Too bad your trailer isn't a bit longer... then your whore might have the opportunity to chauffeur royalty. :p
05/29/2015, 06:43 AM
JAMAS

Quote:

Originally Posted by VXorado

If I had one complaint of the new wrap... it's slightly difficult to open the doors.

...And it looks purple. :)
05/29/2015, 11:19 AM
JoFotoz

LMAO!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by VXorado

Too bad your trailer isn't a bit longer... then your whore might have the opportunity to chauffeur royalty. :p

:clap:

:_beer:

Jo
05/29/2015, 10:29 PM
ZEUS

See, Jon gets a new wrap every year! It's documented. :yesgray: Truly an awesome machine, Jon. I wish I could have felt how it rides & handles. Next time... I already can't wait till next year!
08/03/2015, 12:12 PM
vt_maverick

Quote:

Originally Posted by VXorado

Steering Wheel

I did a trade with Mikemol that included my red/blk seats for a JDM steering wheel. The install was simple but required some wiring for the airbag which I was able to do without too much trouble.

Bit of a hijack here but your PM box is full... can you post how you got the wiring to work? I may be picking up a JDM wheel in the near future but want to understand the level of difficulty involved in fixing the wiring.

Thanks and congrats on a great rig!
08/03/2015, 07:15 PM
VXorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by vt_maverick

Bit of a hijack here but your PM box is full... can you post how you got the wiring to work? I may be picking up a JDM wheel in the near future but want to understand the level of difficulty involved in fixing the wiring.

Thanks and congrats on a great rig!

There's a different connector on the JDM airbag and you will need to swap to the US connector. This can be done by splicing the US connector onto the JDM airbag. That's it!

I cannot confirm the airbag will actually work, but there is no airbag light on the dash.
08/04/2015, 01:59 PM
vt_maverick

Thanks!
08/14/2015, 09:30 AM
rockman

Help

I just installed a 3 inch calming lift on my 01 VX and the front after adjustment got really bouncy like i am riding just on the bars. I also want to put 35 inch tires....can someone point me in the right directions as to what i should buy for modifications to take care of this......thanks.
08/14/2015, 09:31 AM
rockman

Help

I just installed a 3 inch calmini lift on my 01 VX and the front after adjustment got really bouncy like i am riding just on the bars. I also want to put 35 inch tires....can someone point me in the right directions as to what i should buy for modifications to take care of this......thanks.
08/14/2015, 11:17 AM
JoFotoz

For my 35's.. i did the following.

At back
=====

919 OME springs in rear with 2 inch spacers...you'll need spacers on your calmini springs.
Adjustable rear links..to re-center rear axle.. ( no mods to rear wheel wells required)

At Front
=====

T-bar crank.
Diff drop
extensive cut/grind/ BFH ! ... at rear of wheel wells.
Extensive trim of cladding at front of wheel wells.

GET ALIGNMENT !

Obviously the ride 'comfort' will suffer relative to stock..
.. form & function sometimes butt heads !!

Cheers

Jo
08/14/2015, 03:00 PM
vxcp

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockman

I just installed a 3 inch calmini lift on my 01 VX and the front after adjustment got really bouncy like i am riding just on the bars. I also want to put 35 inch tires....can someone point me in the right directions as to what i should buy for modifications to take care of this......thanks.

HD torsion bars
08/14/2015, 03:12 PM
JoFotoz

The HD torsion bars seem to me...

Quote:

Originally Posted by vxcp

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockman

I just installed a 3 inch calmini lift on my 01 VX and the front after adjustment got really bouncy like i am riding just on the bars. I also want to put 35 inch tires....can someone point me in the right directions as to what i should buy for modifications to take care of this......thanks.

HD torsion bars

...to be unnecessary.

Maybe I have an insensitive butt!!...
...but having driven both OEM and HD t/bar VX's on 35's..... I didnt see / feel any difference.

Jo
08/14/2015, 07:11 PM
VXorado

I never ran HD T-bars with 35" either, but they usually are the solution to front end diving due to braking. I would assume they would just make the ride stiffer and more harsh.

With that being said Rockman...

I had my VX all suspension lifted for a week on 35" tires before I decided to order the body lift kit. There's a road on my way to work that is full of large cracks and the stiff suspension was really uncomfortable. In general, the ride gets harsher as you lift. After the body lift, the VX more like it was before the 35"s because I was only at 2-2.5" suspension lift. The body lift/suspension lift/35" tire combo worked well for me with pros and cons for several years before I decided to upgrade.

Also, I would run my tires a 25-27 PSi to take the edge off the bumpiness.
08/17/2015, 09:55 AM
rockman

thanks a lot guys....this was very helpful and now the project begins!!!

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