My VX...a work in progress.

[AlaskaVX]

That sucks about your boot. I guess if I ever did any kind of lift I would just replace all of those while im at it.

I recomend the 1.5" front diff drop brackets from Darlington offroad, however I have still worn out boots. And you might as well let the boots tear before you fix them as it is some work to do it. I need to invest in some spare boots so I can replace them before I need to replace the axle.

[JoFotoz]

Yea ..the Darlington brackets seem like the way to go...
...easier than fabbing some up for sure!
I'll be looking closely at fitting them when I get back from Alaska.

Looks like I'm flying to Ketchican on Saturday and we leave Sunday or Monday...so meeting up doesnt look like its on the cards...shame.
I would of loved a ride in a SuperCharged VX!!!



Here's a pic of my ride home from Alaska....




I'll talk to you about the C/F hood insert when I get back...

..and thanks for all your input.

atb

jo

[AlaskaVX]

Well that's cool make sure ya bring some warm clothes as it is getting pretty chilly lately and we should be getting snow in a couple weeks.

The snow on the mountains is almost halfway down the mountain

[Numba1goalie]

I checked out those diff drop brackets. Is there anything else I need with the kit when buying that other then the lift kit?

[Triathlete]

SNOW????? Its still in the upper 90s/low 100s here!

[AlaskaVX]

I checked out those diff drop brackets. Is there anything else I need with the kit when buying that other then the lift kit?

Springs, rear shocks, spring spacers for more lift if ya want, and thats it.
I would definately have a shop install the drop brackets as there is some technical work to be done to install and that will cost some $$$

And as I am finding out order some spare boots to replace them ASAP if they tear.

And YES SNOW!!!!!!! Getting my last wheeling trips in over the next 2 weeks.

[mbeach]

And YES SNOW!!!!!!! Getting my last wheeling trips in over the next 2 weeks.

Ha!
It's already dipping into the 'teens here. We have 3" inches or more on the ground and it's still coming.


Jay,
Your creativity is astounding -thanks for sharing your ideas with us!

[JoFotoz]

I checked out those diff drop brackets. Is there anything else I need with the kit when buying that other then the lift kit?

If you get the Calmini kit...its all there apart from the drop brackets.

jo

[Maugan_VX]

Jofotoz: Nice ride

Both the VX and the boat.

[WormGod]

Talked to my buddy from EuroMotorcars and he said he would email some info when he got to work. Here's his response on the brush guard.

Hey, Gary we checked it out and our price is $489.60 for “chrome” and $467.00 for black plus tax. The chrome one is on backorder right now.

Todd McClelland
Client Care
EuroMotorcars Germantown
19750 Germantown Rd
Germantown, MD 20874
301-601-5587
240-686-1678 Fax
svcappts_germantown@mbretailer.com
http://www.euromotorcars.com/Germant...uro_index.html

Sounds like it took quite a bit of brute force work there Jo. Throw modification work into that and you are looking at quite a bit of loot. I can weld, but I dont have the tools/materials to do it anymore. Looks like a possible pipedream.

[JoFotoz]

No real "brute force " required...!!

Once the cuts were decided on , its a pretty simple cut and weld project with just a little fabbing to do for the mounting plates.

The trick is to make up the mounting plates and bolt them to the chassis FIRST...

...then tack weld the guard to the brackets.
This makes alignment real easy.

Then its really a matter of finish welding all the bits ,tidying up the welds and getting it Powder Coated ( I'll be doing this soon...been too busy as yet!)

Its true though ...the "stock" ML320 Brush guard isnt cheap..I was lucky to swipe my wifes!
She was happy to lose the extra pounds , given So.Cal gas prices !

Its probably about a $650 - $850 modification for a finished guard ,depending on how much work you do yourself.

Guard Plus Powder coating is about $650...and I bet any welding shop would do the sectioning and mount plates for $200 ish.

Not bad IMO ,considering the cost of the only other alternative thats out there .

I'd do it again even if I had to buy a new guard...I love the unique look.

Kind of like "Mad Max" meets Tonka Toy!

atb

jo

[Swordy]

I checked out those diff drop brackets. Is there anything else I need with the kit when buying that other then the lift kit?

YES, you HAVE to lower your crossmember 1.5 inches as well. Joe makes a piece to do that as well though. They work great, but you lose a little clearance underneath. (1.5 inches)