Wheel Center Mod...

[SilverBullet75]

Hi,
I finally got around to modding my wheel centers. I've been wanting to do this debadge/VX mod since I had my old '99 astral. I had a guy do my VX emblem design in silver vinyl. I then took off the wheels, the centers, and then tried removing the plastic Isuzu inserts... when I found that the plastic is VERY intolerant to brake cleaner! While lifting an edge of the round insert with a very small flathead screwdriver, I tried spraying brake cleaner behind the disk to soften the double-faced tape holding it to the wheel. Wow... I'm glad I wasn't wanting to keep the Isuzu inserts. They literally MELTED and disintegrated! Within about 60 secs. I had each center removed from the chrome centers... it was like shattered glass when done. A big mess..
Next step was sanding the center chrome with 150, priming, then painting with gloss black epoxy paint. The next day, I applied the VX decals, and WaLah! Here they are! What do you think?
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/VX_Wheel_Center.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=12856)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/VX_Wheel_Centers.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=12857)

[Riff Raff]

Hmmm; for me, I don't like it. The lettering is too fancy of a font style. As a result, it looks more like the number "4" (when turned sideways). Since the wheel hub rotates, it will never be perfectly level to depict the desired "VX".

Further; it's hard to tell which way is actually UP, because of the too fancy font lettering style. From the typical pedestrian walking by your truck and looking at it, then it could mean just about anything depending on how it's positioned (rotated) at the time.

I guess you could put an "underline" underneath it similiar to the #6 and #9 billiard balls in the game of pool, to help the viewer know which way is actually UP. As it is currently depicted, it looks more like a fancy number "4".

My Dad once told me long ago-- "Son; never ask the question, that you don't want to hear the answer to." Sorry; no offense, but you asked. As Homer Simpson would say-- "Doh!!!"

[etlsport]

i agree its a little tough to see if you dont know what it is.. but i do like the mod:thumbup:

[crotchrocket]

WOAH ! Tough Croud, lol

i like it, and if they want to know what car it is they can look up at the sticker on the side of the car :D

[LittleBeast]

I agree as well, too hard to read, but it is a good idea, and if the "VX" were just a simple "VX" then I would probably like it quite a bit. As of now it looks like you are trying to make it look like the old rotary performance emblem seen on some rx7's:
http://www.rx7store.net/v/vspfiles/photos/Efini%20Emblem-2T.jpg

[SilverBullet75]

My Dad once told me long ago-- "Son; never ask the question, that you don't want to hear the answer to." Sorry; no offense, but you asked. As Homer Simpson would say-- "Doh!!!"

You know, I think you are dead on there...
I guess I've got to be more careful when I post my ideas on here.

[SilverBullet75]

I agree as well, too hard to read, but it is a good idea, and if the "VX" were just a simple "VX" then I would probably like it quite a bit. As of now it looks like you are trying to make it look like the old rotary performance emblem seen on some rx7's:
http://www.rx7store.net/v/vspfiles/photos/Efini%20Emblem-2T.jpg

Never seen that one before...
My VX emblem is taken from the V in Vehicross, then adding a slash to the back-end of the V (in the same font style) to make the X...

Just trying to be unique...............

[SilverBullet75]

As a result, it looks more like the number "4" (when turned sideways).

Never noticed that... just did.
Thanks

[Bieredalsace]

Unique emblem for a Unique vehicle. I like your ingenuity!

[SilverBullet75]

:)
Thank you!

[rowhard]

I did a mod awhile back, then got different wheels. But for you that still have the OEM wheels, Kevin at http://www.401graphics.com/vehicross.htm did a carbon fiber insert with chrome VX overlay for us.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMG_00024.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=8391)

[Riff Raff]

Thanx, ROWHARD (John)-- now that's what I'm talkin 'bout!!! Those centercap decals look really good and are very easy to read. I didn't know about this "401" website. Thanx for sharing it with the rest of us and posting the web-link. Aim High!!!

[rowhard]

I emailed Kevin last Superbowl Sunday, thinking I would get a reply on the following Monday or Tuesday. I wondering if he could do anything like that with carbon fiber and the logo. He was back to me within the hour with the link on his web page. Also will do sweatshirts and what have you. Have also been thinking about some side graphics and emailed him. Told me to send a side view of my VX and to pick a few that I liked and he would photoshop them together. The man knows how to please and do business

[CowboyErik]

Whats the best way to get the oem decal/stickers off the center caps?

[RamAirZ]

Heat gun, razor blade and some goo gone.

[RallyDude]

I admire the customization. I'm not a big fan of the stock VehiCROSS logo, so it's not surprising that I'm not overwhelmed with a logo based on that logo. Once you explain it, I like it more, but I still prefer the manly bold VX that has become synonymous with this site. As your the only one using this, I think of it as a personal logo for your personal VX, which is cool.

While sometimes members can be more honest than you would like, I always like input as it generally spawns more ideas. When it is said and done, your's is the only opinion that matters.

[navistar]

I never liked the side pillar badging. Kinda dated looking. When I did a complete debadge I still wanted something emblematic and industrial looking that would have some design longevity. I came up with a stylized VX and used a stacked version on the wheel caps and an in-line version on the grille.

The wheel caps are aluminum with metallic silver paint with clear coat to match the Borbets. The VX is gray vinyl. I've had these on for over 4 years and they look as good as new.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/WheelCapMod.jpg

The VX emblem on the grille is fabricated out of .25" aluminum with a brushed look and clear coat.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/GrilleEmblemMod.jpg

Both these design approachs seem readable and understandable.

Additional note: Originally I wanted to achieve some mystery and stealth by removing all the ISUSU emblems. I have always been constantly asked "What is it?" and I would tell them it's an Isuzu and they say, "Oh yeah, really." But I've noticed a change in their response for awhile now, they frequently look quzzled and say they have not heard of Isuzu. Since Isuzu no longer has a presence in the US the name is becoming more unknown so maybe it's time to put the Isuzu logo back on the grille.

Navi

[RallyDude]

Nice work, that's what I mean. There's the bold group VX, and then some have created their own. I think that's great. I kind of wanted to use the group VX to be cut out of thick steel, and then just let it rust like crazy.

[vt_maverick]

The wheel caps are aluminum with metallic silver paint with clear coat to match the Borbets. The VX is gray vinyl. I've had these on for over 4 years and they look as good as new.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/WheelCapMod.jpg


A little off topic, but what caliper/pad/rotor combo did you use? I'll be looking to upgrade the brake hardware when it's time, so since you have Borbets too (although 16 vs. 18) I figure you might know what fits. Whatever you've got looks super slick behind those Borbets. Can't tell if you painted the stock caliper gloss black or got something new though...

[CowboyErik]

I soaked one cap in go-gone for a few days, didn't do anything, BUT I didn't think of a HEAT GUN! I got one! GREAT IDEA! Will report back!

[navistar]

A little off topic, but what caliper/pad/rotor combo did you use? I'll be looking to upgrade the brake hardware when it's time, so since you have Borbets too (although 16 vs. 18) I figure you might know what fits. Whatever you've got looks super slick behind those Borbets. Can't tell if you painted the stock caliper gloss black or got something new though...

These are R1 Concept rotors. They are Super slick and I do get comments on them. This is a pic of my back up set. The pads are ceramic. The calipers are original but may end up painted red later this fall.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/Discs.jpg

The fronts are available at:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390237332407&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT#ht_3215wt_1167

The rears are available at:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350392762164&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT#ht_3215wt_1167

Navi

[vt_maverick]

So do you find that these increase stopping power? I hear conflicting reports on whether slotted/cross-drilled rotors make a difference. And what are the OEM pads? Semi-metallic?

[navistar]

I don't know if I can make a fair comparison because within just a few weeks of owning the VX I replaced the OEM rotors with these R1 Concept rotors and the ceramic pads that came with them. At the same time I also installed braided steel brake lines from Independent4X. I have oversized tires so heavy breaking is different for me than someone with a different tire/rotor/brake pad/brake line configuration. I've heard that the OEM pads actually work best with drilled and slotted rotors. I really don't know. Some here on the Forum should chime in. :o

[vt_maverick]

I've got some extra weight up front now too, my rims and oversized tires probably add 50 lbs. or so + the 150 lb. skid plates, so I imagine if anything I'm heavier than you. Just trying to figure all this out well in advance so I'm not trying to make a decision with her up on the lift for a state inspection or something.

[samneil2000]

L-Dub has those rotors as well I believe, and he has those 35's on his.