I'm Vertically Endowed!!!

Lifted, that is…!
(Where’s your mind!? LOL!)

After 7 years of owing VXs, I’ve finally taken the leap and joined the heights of many of you on the forum. I did tons of reading and searching and thanks to the many “how to” threads, I’m sitting tall now.
Here’s what I did:
Suspension (4+ inch lift)
- OME 919s
- Daystar 1.5” (1 inch actual) coil spacers + stock dampener
- Front Torsion Bar Crank (16 times each)
- Ball Joint Flip
- Allignment
Tires/wheels (Discount Tire)
- Nitto TRAIL Grapplers (NEW!)
- 285/65-18 (33x11.50x18)
- Stock 18" Wheels for now…
- On back-order: 18x9 MB Chaos (black) rims! (should be in on 11/19)
Fitment
- Minor trimming of cladding and inner fender well.

I’m SO amazed at how easy this whole process was. I attribute some of the ease to the fact that the VX has been in the desert most of its life. Even the ball joints came off easily (5 hits with a 3# hammer).
I absolutely LOVE the look and ride (not to mention the “What The #$@!?” looks from people I drive by.

The only negative right now is that when I was exiting the highway today, letting off the gas, the rear end made a grinding/rattling noise (loud) until I accelerated again. I’ve got some Forum searching to do.
Also, the alignment went perfectly! No shims needed either…

Here are some before/after pics!
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...thumbs/212.JPG (BEFORE)
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...thumbs/202.JPG (BEFORE)
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...thumbs/213.JPG (AFTER!)
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...thumbs/113.JPG (AFTER!)

...and some more:
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da.../thumbs/47.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da.../thumbs/56.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...thumbs/319.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da.../thumbs/64.JPG
(These are the wheels that I have on order... hurry up 11/19!!)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...MB_Chaos_6.jpg

What do you think?
---JIM---

Wow, looks great - you did good! Hope your grind/rattle is an easy fix.

Were you originally diagnosed with Napoleonic Complex?.... :)

j/k.... lookin' good!

Really does look great!
What color is that front skid? Black or a shade of charcoal gray? I'm trying to decided exactly what color to paint my new front & rear skid. Haven't seen any pics where they're painted a dark gray or black like this, so this was helpful.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SilverBullet75

...The only negative right now is that when I was exiting the highway today, letting off the gas, the rear end made a grinding/rattling noise (loud) until I accelerated again.

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Did the angles on your rear u-joint change very much with the 4" lift? I can imagine how deccelerating from a higher speed in a situation like that might cause some momentary binding.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VX KAT

Really does look great!
What color is that front skid? Black or a shade of charcoal gray? I'm trying to decided exactly what color to paint my new front & rear skid. Haven't seen any pics where they're painted a dark gray or black like this, so this was helpful.

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Kat,

They would look really sweet painted to match your body color (on the VX.. not your bodycolor)... ;)

snif, snif... I thought you were sending the rear out to Rowhard for molding process!?
Make a deal wit'cha... once I can get a set, I will paint yours at the same time I do mine. All you would have to cover is a pint of basecoat maroon or whatever color your little heart desires...;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Luna X

Kat,

They would look really sweet painted to match your body color (on the VX.. not your bodycolor)... ;)

snif, snif... I thought you were sending the rear out to Rowhard for molding process!?
Make a deal wit'cha... once I can get a set, I will paint yours at the same time I do mine. All you would have to cover is a pint of basecoat maroon or whatever color your little heart desires...;)

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Oh stop sniveling :p...you know I wouldn't letcha' down...they're going to Rowhard, and after he makes the mold he's going to paint them whatever color I decide. I'm just plannin' ahead! I'm kinda lean'n toward a little darker silver color, well, darker than aluminum color, but still lighter than the cladding. Don't think I want paint match.
Decisions decisions...:_thinking:_thinking

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VX KAT

Oh stop sniveling :p...you know I wouldn't letcha' down...they're going to Rowhard, and after he makes the mold he's going to paint them whatever color I decide. I'm just plannin' ahead! I'm kinda lean'n toward a little darker silver color, well, darker than aluminum color, but still lighter than the cladding. Don't think I want paint match.
Decisions decisions...:_thinking:_thinking

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Sue, it really is easy - you need 2 sets of skid plates.:(;)

Black to match your black rack.

Silver to match your Thule rack.



You really need to learn how to accessorise when you dress up dear.:yesy::yeso::winkgray:

PK

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VX KAT

Oh stop sniveling :p...you know I wouldn't letcha' down...they're going to Rowhard, and after he makes the mold he's going to paint them whatever color I decide. I'm just plannin' ahead! I'm kinda lean'n toward a little darker silver color, well, darker than aluminum color, but still lighter than the cladding. Don't think I want paint match.
Decisions decisions...:_thinking:_thinking

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Pink!:bwgy:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VX KAT

Oh stop sniveling :p...you know I wouldn't letcha' down...they're going to Rowhard, and after he makes the mold he's going to paint them whatever color I decide. I'm just plannin' ahead! I'm kinda lean'n toward a little darker silver color, well, darker than aluminum color, but still lighter than the cladding. Don't think I want paint match.
Decisions decisions...:_thinking:_thinking

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Hey.... don't get in too much of a hurry since you are still considering the Gatorback spray paint which may darken your cladding!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PK

Sue, it really is easy - you need 2 sets of skid plates.:(;)

Black to match your black rack.

Silver to match your Thule rack.



You really need to learn how to accessorise when you dress up dear.:yesy::yeso::winkgray:

PK

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You're too funny PK! Yeah, I like that idea! 2 Sets....Isn't that why I have two different color racks?...depends on what my "mood" is!
~gawd...Dave is goin' wanna kill you!:p:laugho:

Rick- yeah, I'm planning ahead, kind of anticipating I'll do the mid color GB....just need to wait a little longer to hear how it's holding up.

Billy- No, PINK is for Barbie....Purple is for VX KAT!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VX KAT

Rick- yeah, I'm planning ahead, kind of anticipating I'll do the mid color GB....just need to wait a little longer to hear how it's holding up.

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Hee heee.... I had no doubt that you weren't planning ahead. :) I probably made that comment based on my personality more than yours (I often get ahead of myself, put the cart before the horse then make the horse push the car for a little while, then finally put both on a trailer and drive them sideways.) LOL! And, of course, it's just paint which can always be changed (yep, I'm already thinking about changing the color of the wheels on my Mustang that I recently had painted.)

I'm keeping an eye on the 'Dillo & and the Gator', too... and still considering just going nekkid since my cladding looks pretty darn good after getting all the temporary goop off.

Hmmmm, a very dark metallic purple for you.....? :)

Looks sharp Jim, really like the aggressive tread on the Nitto's. The black rims should really make it look mean. :thumbup:

Sue, I think you have to be careful on going to a darker color for the skids. Even with Gatorback I gotta believe you could end up with at least 2-3 different shades of dark gray/black going on due to sun fading / materials / treatments. My thinking there is that you have the grill which is pretty much a matte black, the plastic cladding which is (insert color here), and whatever color you paint the skid. If anything I'd go lighter, maybe even to a medium silver/gray, somewhere between Ron's original light silver and the eventual color of your cladding. Just my $.02.

Thanks guys!

I've been doing some research on the grinding issue...
So far:
1. (previously) damaged rear axle
2. Lift angle is too great.

Can anyone offer suggestions on how to correct the issue?
Replace the axle?
Would dropping the rear help? I could remove the Daystar spacers...
(Do I need to get it re-aligned if I remove the spacers?)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SilverBullet75

Thanks guys!

I've been doing some research on the grinding issue...
So far:
1. (previously) damaged rear axle
2. Lift angle is too great.

Can anyone offer suggestions on how to correct the issue?
Replace the axle?
Would dropping the rear help? I could remove the Daystar spacers...
(Do I need to get it re-aligned if I remove the spacers?)

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Lube the U Joints before you do any repairs or further modifications. Prolly wouldn't hurt to drain & refill the rear pumpkin too (don't forget the LSD additive).

You won't need to get the front re-aligned just because you removed the spacers in the back. If you adjust your TBs again to compensate though, you will need an alignment.

I think I know why. When you lifted the rear 4", you have raked your rear axle so far forward that in a slowing or braking scenario, the rear tires will actually rub the front of the rear cladding. This happens to me on the trails. I also used the 919s, but with no spacer, but I run a 34" tire, so there you go. I would take Tom's advice and lube everything, but those issues won't result in the grinding you hear. You can really check the rubbing, just rub some grease on the inside lip of the cladding, get on it, do some sudden slowing, and if you hear the rubbing, check and see if there is missing grease.
As for the solution, lower the rear end (take out spacer) or go hardcore and order some rear adjustable lower links from Indy4x and problem solved forever. You can adjust your rake, and make the vehicle ride better again.

Post up a pic of your VX from the side, I bet you only have an inch or so in front of the rear tire to the cladding...This is the best I could find of mine, but you can see that there is not a whole lot of room there in front of the rear tire.
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...u/IMGP1082.jpg

*Lol* I was contemplating those rims as well until I found something a bit out of the ordinary. Looks good, can't wait to see it with them installed.

What did you do about your tie rod ends?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tom4bren

drain & refill the rear pumpkin too (don't forget the LSD additive).

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Somewhere I read I didn't need the LSD additive when I changed to Royal Purple. :_thinking

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VX KAT

Somewhere I read I didn't need the LSD additive when I changed to Royal Purple. :_thinking

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Relax Sue, you just drove 3K miles without a problem, I gotta believe if it was a serious oversight you would have heard/felt/paid for it by now. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vt_maverick

Relax Sue, you just drove 3K miles without a problem, I gotta believe if it was a serious oversight you would have heard/felt/paid for it by now. :)

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Most of the premium gear oil comes with LSD additive already in it. Says it right on the bottle.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marlin

... lube everything, but those won't result in the grinding you hear.

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KISS=Keep It Simple, Stupid

That's my motto.

It's only a 50-50 chance that lube will cure his problem but start with the simple/cheap things first to eliminate stuff.

Of course your suggestion also costs nothing to elimiate so I'll ignore the "NEENER-NEENER-NEENER" implications of your post ... this time.

Sorry KAT - don't forget the LSD additive (unless you use RP). Mo Betta???

I've heard that LSD is not needed with RP.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marlin

Most of the premium gear oil comes with LSD additive already in it. Says it right on the bottle.

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Actually it was the manufacturer's lit/bottle where I recall reading it when I was deciding what to use.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tom4bren

Sorry KAT - don't forget the LSD additive (unless you use RP). Mo Betta???

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MO!

Actually you are right on both counts!

LSD additive IS included in Royal Purple. I changed it out right before I did the lift... If I had known better, I would have waited until AFTER the lift, because it was a PITA to fill the pumpkin at stock height! At lifted height, it's completely accessible!

Also....
Drumroll please.
The noise is GONE!!!!
It WAS the drive shaft lube!

I hadn't greased it in about 6 months. It was way dry...
I used an entire (small) tube on it. Actually popped the cap off the center section (or, maybe that was the rattling/grinding sound I heard before??).

In any case, LONG LIVE K.I.S.S. !!!!!

........"God gave rock'n roll to ya!!! Gave rock'n roll to ya..."

Thanks for the input everyone!
:clap::dance:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eternal21

What did you do about your tie rod ends?

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I did not change them... they are stock.
For what I do with the VX (90% Street/10% Off-Road), the stock Tie Rods are adequate.

But, you do bring up a good question...

For those who have lifted, is there a way to fix the bump-steer?
I love being up high and all, but the bump steer is a little much.

On my old Porsche 914, they sold "steering rack spacers" that correct the angle of the tie rods. Is something like this possible?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marlin

...or go hardcore and order some rear adjustable lower links from Indy4x and problem solved forever. You can adjust your rake, and make the vehicle ride better again.

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Found the link for this...
But, could you please 'splain to an unedjumukated fool where these go?
:confused:

https://www.independent4x.com/mercha...roducts_id=481

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SilverBullet75

Found the link for this...
But, could you please 'splain to an unedjumukated fool where these go?
:confused:

https://www.independent4x.com/mercha...roducts_id=481

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The links replace the factory links that attach the axle to the frame.
As you raise the back of the VX up, the center line of the rear axle creeps forward, therefore moving the wheels forward away from the center of the wheelwell. You can see it in the side view of my VX, where the distance from the front of the well to the tire is shorter than the rear of the well to the tire.
The links from i4x are beefier and adjustable with threaded collars on each end. This allows you to lengthen the link and move the axle back to the center of the wheelwell.
Make sense?

:dance:
MB Chaos-6
18x9"

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...humbs/0313.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...thumbs/019.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...humbs/0512.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...humbs/0410.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...thumbs/027.JPG
:jump:

Looks Great!

:dan_ban::dan_ban:

Two for you...

Looks great!

Hey Jim, Nice improvement, wish you had done this to your 99. Let me know when your ready to sell...

Great look! Definitely a huge departure/upgrade from where you were just a few weeks ago!

Those shoes :o

After stearing at your baby i feel more pissed then ever about how some one stoled my old rims from my driveway. :madb:

I had plans and in my mind was those same tires.:(

The wheels look great! To bad they didn't get there a few days earlier so I could have seen 'em in person. For everyone else...those tires are great looking in person. The tread pattern is real similar to the BFG KM2's. They look BEEFY!:yesy:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tom4bren

You won't need to get the front re-aligned just because you removed the spacers in the back. If you adjust your TBs again to compensate though, you will need an alignment.

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I think I'm going to have to pull the rear spacers. :(
I'm not too crazy about he ~2" rake, and... the darned noise is back *intermittant*.
Dang it.
Hoping this will help.

Just for piece of mind *don't want to spend another $140 on allignment*...

Please confirm that I will not need to align again if I pull the spacers out.:o

If it doesn't help anything, I'll put them back in I guess.

What's wrong with a 2" rake? Just means you look like you're permanently slamming on the brakes. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SilverBullet75

I think I'm going to have to pull the rear spacers. :(
I'm not too crazy about he ~2" rake, and... the darned noise is back *intermittant*.
Dang it.
Hoping this will help.

Just for piece of mind *don't want to spend another $140 on allignment*...

Please confirm that I will not need to align again if I pull the spacers out.:o

If it doesn't help anything, I'll put them back in I guess.

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Ummm, rear suspension mod should have nothing to do with alignment...and for 99 bucks, Pepboys does 1 year unlimited alignments, even on 4wd. I know some others have similar deals, but they wouldn't do it on a modified 4wd when I asked.

I still think the noise is from the rear tire rubbing the fender...:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marlin

I still think the noise is from the rear tire rubbing the fender...:)

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Hi Marlin,
I did check what you said. I have about 2+ inches of clearance in the rear. :o


Here's some more detail on the noise:
- Happens at highway speed 65+
- Sounds like metal to metal *vibration/grinding... but more on the vibration side.
(sequence):
- Steady gas at 65 mph, remove foot from gas.
- Grind Grind Grind (3 seconds)...then GONE. Like something released.

It's freaky! Does this sound familiar to anyone at all?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vt_maverick

What's wrong with a 2" rake? Just means you look like you're permanently slamming on the brakes. :D

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LOL!
Exactly!
Great analogy!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SilverBullet75

Hi Marlin,
I did check what you said. I have about 2+ inches of clearance in the rear. :o

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I have about that much as well, but when you brake, that 2" quickly goes away as your vehicle moves around on the suspension, but based on your additional info, sounds like it could be the torque converter or TOD? Perhaps caliper bolts loose? Rear diff? Can't remember if you said you checked the rear diff or not?

ALL GONE. KAPUT! FIN! NO MOAH!!!

I took the 1.5" Daystar spacers out... No more grinding!
I had just lifted it too high! The drive shaft angle was too much.

It used to feel like it was "tip-toeing"... not anymore. It's solid and stable, and it drives like it's stock!
Halleluia!!!
Finally, piece of mind. I drove it about 20 miles on the highway. Gas on, gas off...

The rake went from 2 inches to 1/4". Still looks great... just not quite so high in the back. I think I'm going to have to get a roof basket to take up some more height now. LOL.

Yeeehaawww!