Heavily moded VX

[BritVX]

That's the great thing, we're all allowed our opinion. It would be a sad place if all our tastes were the same.

Col

[johnnyapollo]

It was talked about in the previous discussion about removing the top for a targa-like effect - you will need to change the windshield rake as a roofless version would not be able to support the VX current slope (they brought it more upright on the VX02 if I'm not mistaken).

Personally I don't care too much for the boxy front - however you should do what feels right to you. I'd love to see something heavily modded - your design would definitely stand out in a crowd of VXes (dunno when you would ever see a crowd of VXes - or would that be a Gaggle of VXes? Perhaps a Tribe of VXes? ).

-- John

[Ldub]

I think It's a murder of VX's John...no (scratching head) wait...oh yeah, thats crows...never mind.

[BritVX]

John,

It looked like they'ed cut the top off the windsheild to me but your right about strength, I was intending to put central struts coming forward from the roll cage with full width strengthening. I saw an unfortunate incident with a soft top kit car where someone pulled themselves out of the passenger seat by hanging on to the corner of the windsheild! new windsheild required!

As for a group of VX's the chance would be a fine thing, I haven't seen any others in the UK although there must be some.

Col

[Swordy]

It will be interesting to see your treatment of the rear door. I think the hardest part will be making THAT look right.

[WormGod]

I went over the plans of this "sun" mod last summer with a metal machine shop here in MD and there is no question that it can be done, BUT, the durability was where it all comes to a failure. At high speeds and under rough road conditions (not to mention offroading), the windshield will slowly bend and sag. Even the t-top h-bar will not prevent this, as that too will suffer a beating for acting as a kickstand to the heavy windshield. This would be a showcar ONLY mod unfortunately. Back when I did this, it was for poops and giggles anyways. I think it looks pretty cool and very unique, but it would be no good for actual use. Maybe with more $$$ to spend, a mod like this could be made possible for road use, but I see a complete reconstruction and stabilization of the pillars.

And ya, the more I look at it, I could see Barbie driving that, hahaha. When she dumps Ken, she can still come around my way in that ride though.

[ron]

I believe that Isuzu did not change the angle of the windshield. Rather, they just shortened the total length of the windshield perhaps to not only lighten up the load pressure on the pillars, but also to minimize the wind drag as well. As you can see, for demonstrative purposes, the following photos showing the windshield remaining the same angle except for it's shortened length on the O2. I know that the angle of the photos of each vehicle slightly differs. But, you get the point.








The idea of using the "B" rear side pillar as a rollbar doesn't seem too far fetched. I can see an integrated welded 3-4" steel tube right underneath that section, which will be concealed by the pillar, that would run from the chassis to and around the roof line and back down to the opposite side. This will leave plenty opportunity for keeping the rear seats in place and redesign the rear covered trunk area with an integrated rear wing similar to the O2. I also can imagine a hard shelled fiberglass removable top for the rear half combined with a T-top with removable panels up front being a viable compromise to achieving the O2 look while still being able to use everyday.

Definitely worth brainstorming about if this topic goes further than discussion.