I made a post about what I as looking for here: http://www.vehicross.info/showthread...Looking-to-buy
Basically, I really like the "rally" concept style of this vehicle. I am not looking for a rock crawler. I think the VX does fine off-road stock, but could use some upgrades. So, if I started with a stock VX I would do the following mods:
- All Terrain Tires (simple and cheap)
- Rear selectable locker (not the Aussie Locker)
- Front selectable locker wired through the transfer case selector switch for 4LOW use only
- Front winch mount (hidden winch maybe?)
- Maybe an off-road bumper, maybe just a brush gaurd (probably the latter)
- A couple of radios (CB/GMRS) mounted inside
- Rock Sliders
- Skid Plate
- Clutch Fan interrupt switch (keep the fan off durring water crossings to prevent breaking it)
Things I would keep stock:
- TOD (really what is a VX without it?)
- Ride Hight (seems to be just fine the way it is but go up 1-2 inches)
- Most of the interior
- Engine (should the Cummins R2 not work out)
- Most of the electrical system (seriously, I hate chasing custom wiring and am a big believer in using aux fuse boxes to keep accessories as separate from OEM wiring as possible)
I have also been emailing back and forth with Cummins about their R2 repower program. So far things are looking favorable for the VX when it becomes available later this year. The real trick is keeping the TOD working after the engine swap, I may have to pay for some technician time (probably not cheap) but they seem confident they can keep it working. Also, just in case they can actually make it work, it will only be emissions compliment up to model year 1999 (for now), so there is that. Though you could put it in a new vehicle and just register in an area without emissions restrictions. The main reason for this is with a 22.5 gallon tank it works out to around a 600 mile highway range after the diesel swap. If you you fill up before empty (say you put in around 17 gallons each time) it still works out to a 500+ range.
The intended use case for a VX, if I can ever get one, is daily driver/adventure vehicle. I am sure you have heard the term overlanding. I have been doing that my whole life, long before the term became popular. The longest trip I have taken so far is a month long back country exploration from Colorado across Kanasas that ended in Kentucky that I did in my '13 Tacoma. The down side to the Tacoma is total cost of ownership. These things are uber expensive. Yes, there is massive after market support, but that doesn't make it cost any less. Basically the $500+/month payment is killing my adventure budget.
I had a buddy who was going to buy my Tacoma, but he didn't pass credit for the car note so the bank said no. I am thinking I will porobably need to go through a dealer to off-load the Tacoma so I can get a VX. I was going to keep the Tacoma, but the math in the budget just doesn't work as well as I would like if I do. Needs change, priorities change, life changes. It just happens.
As for budget, I am suprised that KBB list them for so much lower than most people seem to be asking. Of course, a lot of those have been "asking" for months without actually selling. I would like to keep it under $5k but could go higher. At that price range I could buy a VX before waiting to off-load the Tacoma. Above that my household budget starts getting too thin for my liking. If can get one for say $4500-5000 then I can make sure it is mechanically sound before dropping the Tacoma.
As for Masters tickets, I actually hate master week. Jams up traffic all over town. Most locals treat it like a blizzard. Stock up on supplies and only go out when absolutely necessary LOL!
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Originally Posted by Thelgord
