Super VXer
I was wondering if there is any vehical of a compatible brand (like GM, Honda Passport, Axiom, etc) that has IRS which might (pipe dreams) fit in the VX. Even if it takes some creative adaptation I wondered if the VX could be fitted with IRS. Or is this a totally moronical goal?
I know many of you are super knowledgable on the subject of the VX.
Thank you very much for all input!
Super VXer
In the car-building World, there's an age-old adage: "Speed is just a question of money - how fast do you want to go?"...
I've built 23 vehicles from the ground up; most of 'em were "restified" at minimum. Within that category, several were heavily modified - disc brake conversions, front/rear suspension changes, total driveline changes, etc. In answer to your query - not only is it POSSIBLE, but there are probably a dozen different avenues of approach that could be taken to apply IRS to the VX. Though I don't have a VX YET, the same modification has occurred to me too; though if I did it, I'd prolly go ahead and change out the driveline as well, upgrade the brakes, etc. Off the top of my head, the BEST move would be to find a single "donor vehicle" that could supply most/all of the above - wrecked Audi S8, or some other high-end, high-tech AWD-equipped vehicle, would be my thought...
Actually, the VX makes a good "argument" for JUST such a conversion, when ya' think about it! It's a limited manufacture/concept/halo vehicle that is ALREADY unique and reasonably high-end looking; it's an "orphan" (rapidly approaching "no warranty/no support" status); it's built "conventionally" (body-on-frame), which lends itself more readily to the aforementioned change(s); it's reasonably inexpensive as its own "donor car" to actually START such a project; finally, when it's DONE (assuming it was done to a high standard of construction) you'd really HAVE something - the sum total of which would conceivably be worth close to what you had in it to SOMEBODY.
It occurs to me from the heavy research I've invested in this vehicle so far (most of it right here on this fine Forum, I might add!) that most folks who are modding this platform (other than dealing with cosmetic and reliability foibles) are doing so to enhance the VX's 4X4 capabilities. Speaking strictly for MYSELF, I see the vehicle going in a different direction - I see it as a high-end, go-anywhere ALL WHEEL DRIVE high speed "coupe", if you will - on a par w/an AWD Porsche, Audi, or some of the other manufacturer's halo/concept vehicles. My inclination would be a total transplant as alluded to above - the result being a (slightly) lower, squattier, haunchier AWD pocket rocket! IRS would totally fit into that scenario, as would ESP, (of course!) full-time AWD, a 5-6 speed trannie w/paddle shifters, and 300-400 horsepower. Getting the right donor car is KEY, but this kind of thing is being done all the time by the "hot rod crowd". If I still lived back in Charlotte (near my friend Brent VanDervort w/Fatman Fabrications) I'd be ALL over this kind of conversion - ya' got my wheels turnin'!
Super VXer
Yeah Man! Its a fantastic idea for such qa unique vehicle. But being on a restricted cash flow the idea of finding a wrecked Audi R8 or something of that class would cost more than my annual income. So if you come up with any more economical transplant that retains all VX stff in front of the rear axle Maybe I'll be able to do it. Thanks for all the enthusiastic support!
Super VXer
I hear ya' on the "budget thang"! Seems like there's a few lower end SUV's that are IRS too, right? Pull some measurements off the VX (rear hub to hub is the BIG one that you'd wanna be close to) and then walk some salvage yards, tape measure in hand. Ideally, you would want to be able to "transplant" the entire RE assembly intact, without having to shorten the half shafts; hopefully the donor rear brakes would be relatively compatible too. That would leave you to weld the donor IRS up to the frame (perhaps using donor "bracketry") and then shorten/lengthen the driveshaft accordingly. Not sure what the electronic "implications" of that would be vis a vis the TOD unit though, given how sensitive that seems to be with respect to brake/torque changes already. It's entirely likely that the VX TOD would end up on the "killing floor", replaced by whatever donor equivalent is up under THERE. Oh, then there's the VX ECU and OBDII situation resulting from changing out the TOD...Originally Posted by Bieredalsace
How 'bout softer springs all around on that VX...
Super VXer
The rear suspension axel combo on the VX is a masterpiece. There’s nothing I’ve ever seen that could give the kind of on road performance and off road strength and articulation that it can. Justin’s right it just seems wrong.
Cars designed by spreadsheets make sense. Cars designed by engineers make history.
Super VXer
x3 You don't put graffiti on a RembrandtThe rear suspension axel combo on the VX is a masterpiece. There’s nothing I’ve ever seen that could give the kind of on road performance and off road strength and articulation that it can. Justin’s right it just seems wrong.
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Leave it BETTER than you found it!
Super VXer
Well, from where *I* sit, I've seen lots of mods done to VX's that I personally consider very VERY "wrong"...
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder - so are "mods" based on intended/future "applications". For the application of an AWD over-the-road, go 'most anywhere (read: Anywhere there's SOME kind of road!) vehicle, a proper IRS assembly makes a GREAT deal of sense! Fact is, this is a VERY short-wheelbased, heavily sprung/shocked rig with pretty big wheels/tires - ya' feel every PEA you drive over on the road! IRS would most certainly improve the VX's "road manners". Now if you're using the VX for a "rockcrawler", not so much...
The rear suspension axel combo on the VX is a masterpiece. There’s nothing I’ve ever seen that could give the kind of on road performance and off road strength and articulation that it can. Justin’s right it just seems wrong.
Super VXer
I see what you’re saying. It just seem like the minimal amount of on road handling you would gain, if any would be over shadowed by the amount of off-road terrain handling versatility you would loss. It would turn the VX in to a BMW x6.
Example Vid. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHK_3...e=channel_page
Well, from where *I* sit, I've seen lots of mods done to VX's that I personally consider very VERY "wrong"...
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder - so are "mods" based on intended/future "applications". For the application of an AWD over-the-road, go 'most anywhere (read: Anywhere there's SOME kind of road!) vehicle, a proper IRS assembly makes a GREAT deal of sense! Fact is, this is a VERY short-wheelbased, heavily sprung/shocked rig with pretty big wheels/tires - ya' feel every PEA you drive over on the road! IRS would most certainly improve the VX's "road manners". Now if you're using the VX for a "rockcrawler", not so much...
Super VXer
What do you think about "sliding" doors!!! That would be awesome! I should be able to figure that one out using van parts.
If we lived near each other we would update the VX to an awesome vehicle!
Super VXer
NOW you're scarin' me!
Super VXer
“Improve the road manners of the VX.” Ganzman, have you test driven a VX yet?
This is a kit that might work.
Super VXer
Actually, stylistically, that BMW X6 looks really nice. But then I also thought that AM SX4 was cool lookin.
Of course there were alot of bastardisation of cars and 4WD underpinnings like that video of the History of the VX shows. But to do hardly noticable improvements that make a car a smooth custom vehicle including suspension stuff is really improving. Just look at all those Lowriders out in Cali. Certainly not for off road but cool none the less.
Super VXer
What about taking the front suspension from a donor VX switching it around and putting it in the rear? Now that should go really well. All VX parts!
I have 2 models VX. I think I'll try that front axle switch on the model and see how it fits!
Last edited by Bieredalsace : 01/07/2009 at 02:57 PM Reason: forgot to add something
Super VXer
Kodiac that is a brilliant setup. What is it a Corvette IRS?“Improve the road manners of the VX.” Ganzman, have you test driven a VX yet?
This is a kit that might work.
You're so right. The last thing that the VX can be accused of is giving a comfortable ride.
Where can someone get a setup like that?
Super VXer
That just requires some reverse cut gears.
Ryan Christiansen
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