Exciting discovery!!!

[mattferguson14]

Yup, you got a good one from what I see. Regarding the Hotshot intake - it was originally, specifically designed as a one-piece custom intake for the Isuzu Trooper then marketed to the VX community - turns out the way it turns up on the second bend, you couldn't close the hood. To fix it, those of us who had already bought one cut it in half and added a coupling (yours has the black coupling in the middle). All of the previous intakes were basically adapted from other manufacturers so they were a bit cobbled-up. The Hotshot is probably the best of the intakes out there for the VX.

-- John

Yeah, it looks chopped and coupled. There is actually a little spot where the chrome is rubbing off from scraping against the hood. That black sleeve isn't actually the coupling though, I believe it's there to protect the intake tube from rubbing. Thanks for all the info guys, I really appreciate it. I love this truck more every day.

[LittleBeast]

Yup, you got a good one from what I see. Regarding the Hotshot intake - it was originally, specifically designed as a one-piece custom intake for the Isuzu Trooper then marketed to the VX community - turns out the way it turns up on the second bend, you couldn't close the hood. To fix it, those of us who had already bought one cut it in half and added a coupling (yours has the black coupling in the middle). All of the previous intakes were basically adapted from other manufacturers so they were a bit cobbled-up. The Hotshot is probably the best of the intakes out there for the VX.

-- John

Uh, no, Morgan Tech was the best ever made specifically for the VX.

[LittleBeast]

Is calmini known as a good lift for these trucks? The ride is stiff as can be. Speed bumps are horrible in this thing. Lol

Calmini for all intents and purposes is not necessary. The VehiCross suspension is stiff, it was built to corner like a sports car but have suspension travel like a truck, and that's just what you get. You can play around with different shocks, most people go with the adjustable Ranchos, I think they are the 9000 maybe? I had the original shocks rebuilt, and added Heavy Duty torsion bars on the front. Looks like you got an amazing deal! But the missing cover on the Torque converter bolts tells you that it probably has had some transmission work at some point. Sometimes that can be good or bad with the VX. Do lots of searching here, welcome to the VX family, and feel free to ask questions, there are lots of knowledgable people on here.

[JoFotoz]

X2...

Uh, no, Morgan Tech was the best ever made specifically for the VX.

100% agree... Morgan Tech is a perfect fit... less restrictive too.

Jo

[JoFotoz]

X2...again!

Calmini for all intents and purposes is not necessary.

Its a good kit, and I inherited one when I purchased the ORW.

However.. its overkill and VERY expensive....

About $600 for Calmini kit....
About $180 for Old Man Emu rear coils and T/bar crank using stock shocks.
About $380 for Old Man Emu rear coils, Rancho 9000's and t/bar crank.

jo

[mattferguson14]

X2...again!



Its a good kit, and I inherited one when I purchased the ORW.

However.. its overkill and VERY expensive....

About $600 for Calmini kit....
About $180 for Old Man Emu rear coils and T/bar crank using stock shocks.
About $380 for Old Man Emu rear coils, Rancho 9000's and t/bar crank.

jo

I guess whether or not it's necessary is irrelevant since I didn't pay for nor install it. I'm just making sure that it's quality equipment. Same with the intake. It all came with the truck. I'm just wondering if I can stick with what I got, or if it would be best to change out some parts.

[mattferguson14]

Calmini for all intents and purposes is not necessary. The VehiCross suspension is stiff, it was built to corner like a sports car but have suspension travel like a truck, and that's just what you get. You can play around with different shocks, most people go with the adjustable Ranchos, I think they are the 9000 maybe? I had the original shocks rebuilt, and added Heavy Duty torsion bars on the front. Looks like you got an amazing deal! But the missing cover on the Torque converter bolts tells you that it probably has had some transmission work at some point. Sometimes that can be good or bad with the VX. Do lots of searching here, welcome to the VX family, and feel free to ask questions, there are lots of knowledgable people on here.

Thanks for the info. If it had tranny work, they seem to have done a good job. It shifts perfectly. No lash or hesitation, no hard shifting. I haven't taken it off road yet to give the suspension or gear box a real test. I bought the truck with a bad front prop shaft and worked a repair into the deal. I had the dealer remove the shaft until the new part comes in (it was making some noise, bad joints).

[JoFotoz]

Nothing wrong with Calmini quality

I guess whether or not it's necessary is irrelevant since I didn't pay for nor install it. I'm just making sure that it's quality equipment. Same with the intake. It all came with the truck. I'm just wondering if I can stick with what I got, or if it would be best to change out some parts.

I still run Calmini shocks because I like the extra length...
...their coils do tend to weaken however...and I changed those to OME's

Hot shot is good too... Morgan tech is really just a personal preference

Seems to me you have the basis of a really good set up...
...and can drive as is , until you get the feel.
Then alter to suit your own 'wants'

Jo

[mattferguson14]

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...311#post232311

Check this out guys. I did a search of one of the previous owners. Looks like they put a rebuilt engine in it in 2011. So even though the ODO says 126k, i bet the rebuild can't have more that 60k on it! (see post #3)

[HeckaTrebeka]

Looks like you scored big time! I paid nearly 10k for mine, stock.

[VXorado]

X2...again!



Its a good kit, and I inherited one when I purchased the ORW.

However.. its overkill and VERY expensive....

About $600 for Calmini kit....
About $180 for Old Man Emu rear coils and T/bar crank using stock shocks.
About $380 for Old Man Emu rear coils, Rancho 9000's and t/bar crank.

jo

Agreed, never owned the Calmini but the extra $250 you save can go toward HD torsion bars &/or HD tie rods.

[VXorado]

Matt, nice rig... it's a clean Ebony for sure. I would ditch the rims and cargo basket but that is my subjective opinion.

Welcome to the community!

[mattferguson14]

Matt, nice rig... it's a clean Ebony for sure. I would ditch the rims and cargo basket but that is my subjective opinion.

Welcome to the community!

Thanks man! I'm not partial to the rims, they are a bit cheesy.. but they'll do for not. The basket on the other hand, I like! Mainly because I'm a big time camper/outdoorsman and I will actually use the thing. I'm not a big fan of the curvy bar that runs along the side of the basket though. If i can get ahold of a welder, I may chop them off and replace with some angled square tubing. But again, it'll do for now.

[Hades]

To the cold air intake, like the previous poster said that's just an intake. You wouldn't want a cold air intake on one of these unless it was a snorkel. Cold air intakes normally are routed down out of the engine bay to suck in ambient temperature, that still gets affected by the engine temps.

[WormGod]

Looks like a steal for that price.

Lots of mods tend to drive me away personally. Being in the Subie crowd, once the hood has been popped, she's off limits. heh.

So how many owners has this been through? Hopefully they have all been through here and can be contacted to try to get some service history/mod work information.