Keep a eye out for an email featuring "BAJA" in the topic...I sent you some pics of different suspension set ups that might be of help.
Super VXer
Keep a eye out for an email featuring "BAJA" in the topic...I sent you some pics of different suspension set ups that might be of help.
Super VXer
A good friend, Ron, runs every few years...his goal is just to not DNF. In your post that got lost, I wrote a pretty comprehensive list of basic stuff we did to the Cherokee he ran last time. He burnt up around 25000 (alot on suspension and shop time) before he left the shop. OK....it went like this... every thing in the interior, out...dash, door panels, carpet...everything. Sound deading material--out. door glass,motors, regulators---out. Hood insert and fire blanket---gone(you'll only break it anyway) At this point, go ahead and lift the body off. All wear items (bushings, bearings, link ends, ball joints, U joints etc. etc.) are replaced...The Jeep has us there...they have endless upgrades at their disposal. All armor and bracing is done now. Suspension upgrades are done now. (He went with a Bilstein design arrangement, pricey) Do your cage right...you won't need to brace to frame much. I personally would not take this TOD/tranny combo on any kind of race...I'm wary of it on the street...it is not durable, and not designed with this in mind. A 4x Rodeo or Amigo will get the layout you need (if you must stay Isuzu) Body on...Build your cage(do it right, tie it to the rails, your car will be billet stiff) fire supression in...gauge cluster, wheel, seat shells etc. in Figure how you are gonna tie down everything you are gonna carry (spares etc) and double the fasteners. He goes with steel wheels, figures a B.F.H. will straighten them in a pinch ( rocks are the enemy, not sand) Never worried about cabin filtration(never thought about it) but your engine is another matter...it hates dirt. I don't think you wanna breathe thru a wheel well in a desert race. Place your tranny cooler carefully...keeping crap outta the radiator is a real issue as well. I don't know if you should start without the front cladding, or just wait for it to rip away...is it better to start looking good, and finish looking battered, or start raggedy and finish the same....either way, that plastic nose ain't crossing the finish line with you (not if you drive with any Brio) We've scratched the surface here...leave a couple of months to rag it out HARD...break anything that will break....rebuild it...break it again...rebuild it. You are now ready to D.N.F.!!!! Go back and do it all stronger,lighter, better. Any way we can be of assistance (short of sponsership) let me know...(I cannot show pictures of his stuff, so don't ask) Good luck Bra...I'd love to see a VX show up.
Super VXer
I wounder if the classes are HP seperated and not suspension.
Super VXer
Your biggest obstacle may be in the smallest numbers anyway. Below, I highlighted in red something you may want to check into before you go any further. This is from 9 years ago:
Class 3
"Vehicles built from a 4-Wheel drive utility type vehicle. Vehicle must have been series produced in quantities of at least 5,000 units within a 12 month period and be readily available to the general public in the U.S.A. Must be a 4-Wheel drive vehicle capable of being driven through all four wheels."
Class 3 is the domain of short wheelbase vehicles like the Early Bronco, Bronco II, Jeep, Kia Sportage, and Chevy Blazer. Known for a brutally rough ride, Class 3 none the less remains popular in desert racing at large, but has recently seen a decline in entrants in the SCORE series.
Often built on a low budget, Class 3 makes an ideal entry point for new racers. The broad, open rules of the class have resulted in some impressive suspension configurations, and suprising performance.
Here is the link: http://www.off-road.com/race/981k/html/program1.html
Sent from my "two hands on a keyboard"
Super VXer
Nice, from the looks of it you can do what you want to the suspension, not sure about motor but id guess anything for reliabilty like a bigger raidiator and so on is ok. Looks like that or the stock mini class. Hmm, wich to shoot for, I have some ideas for suspension.
Super VXer
if they alowe motor mods we have about 20 lysome blowers instock, just kidding.
Super VXer
Unless the rules have changed to include limited production vehicles, you may have a problem.Originally Posted by ZEUS
Super VXer
I am glad you quoted my post, Ldub... I was thinking there might be a problem with the new server not showing my posts to others!
Super VXer
Didnt they import 40,000 in the 4 years it was shipped to the states.
Super VXer
Uhhh, yah...selective hearing ?I am glad you quoted my post, Ldub... I was thinking there might be a problem with the new server not showing my posts to others!
Super VXer
Dude...
How is he gonna run the AC during the day with no freakin side windows.
re-read post #1 if you think I'm kidding.
Sorry man,but running Baja in a nearly stock VX, with the windows up & the AC cranked just cracks me up...
Last edited by Ldub : 10/15/2007 at 08:23 PM
Super VXer
Well, it wouldnt crack you up if you were crippled. Bet you wouldnt have the nuts I have or could even walk a day in my shoes.Dude...
How is he gonna run the AC during the day with no freakin side windows.
re-read post #1 if you think I'm kidding.
Sorry man,but running Baja in a nearly stock VX, with the windows up & the AC cranked just cracks me up...
Super VXer
No offence meant MR...I admire your pluck, but like Chopper said, Baja is a BEAST, not to be taken lightly.
I got a bit of a chuckle out of myself, doing some of the trails in Moab with the AC on (in the same over 50 club) finally opting for a headband & lots of water as the temp ga. went past 214...
I'm not trying to dissuade your efforts, but you should understand...Baja is a BEAST !
Last edited by Ldub : 10/16/2007 at 03:38 PM
Super VXer
Paraplegic, quadruple amputee, or orange water head...that engine won't care what your personal special situation...you will not last long with the AC blowing. You'll be leaving that on the shop floor, with all the other useless stuff. Hate to break it to you...you won't be listening to the radio or your CDs either for that matter. 'Cause you left the friggin dash on the shop floor too! Next to the AC and leather seats. There is NO concession to "comfort." A Nextel phone and hand held GPS are priceless on the other hand. By the way...I got scrotties the size of coconuts..careful who you wave that "crippled" flag at...you don't know everyone's situation. Lots of people, dealin' with lots of crap...and not all of the damage is necessarily on the outside either. Now...focus and build a competitive VX. Ron is running the Jeep, and I would love to see you there.
Super VXer
MoonRaker, have you contacted the Baja organization to obtain rules and classifications documents? In racing you don't even begin planning until you've gotten all your research done and know EXACTLY what you need to build and gather for the effort. You just don't roll up to tech and say "I'm here to race" and expect to get your numbers. Not to mention you'll likely be expected to provide documented proof of racing instruction and experience, such as an FIA racing license.
No ****, I posted that a few days ago, I wrote an Email to the baja orginization, havent gotten a response yet, its a long time before the 2008 baja. When better to start the planning then over a year prior, im not just showwing up to tech. I now all about tech inspects. As for the instructions and liscenses, Cam Worth is very well known in the racing community, maybe not offroad but hell hes the only guy to ever finish the daytona 24 in a turbocharged RX-7. He gets liscenses with phone calls. You now the 20b 3 rotor dune buggys, he was involved in that project so we do have connections. That stuff is the least of my worries, makeing a list of things to do is the priority. First im waiting for word on the exact rules for the class, like I said, I hope theres no limitation on suspension. My trucks still stock and will stay that way until I get back from Glamis. After some fun in the sand im headed for dessert driving conditions, I want to get an idea of whats gona be neccesity. I now Bajas a beast and not a walk in the park im trying to handle as much of the un expected and get started early at it.
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