My "other" Isuzu, well, Honda lol

[RamAirZ]

So figured I'd post up my most recent project. Yes I still have the Sierra :bwgy: I missed having an offroad toy to play with so started looking for another Zu'. I came across a 1995 Honda passport (Isuzu Rodeo) just north of me, and for the right price I picked her up and brought her home:

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/196174_1909875432306_1404466228_32289542_8344231_n .jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/197269_1910914058271_1404466228_32290967_6077176_n .jpg

She's got 130K miles, power windows, locks, mirrors, sunroof, heated mirrors, etc. AC doesn't work and needed a transmission but it ran great! I didn't like the color plus the paint was real beat up so I decided to take it apart and paint it a satin tan color:

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/200468_1943883842495_1404466228_32337057_5189869_n .jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/199117_1943939763893_1404466228_32337084_7049590_n .jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/199040_1946015495785_1404466228_32339952_789546_n. jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/198074_1955018840863_1404466228_32353967_7947783_n .jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/200445_1943844001499_1404466228_32337024_4372269_n .jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/215266_1964830966160_1404466228_32365822_528557_n. jpg

I went ahead and ordered some Calmini 2" lift shackles, Calmini shocks, Rough Country add-a-leaf, Superwinch hubs, and a few other goodies to get her going:

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/195948_1937456441814_1404466228_32332070_1662718_n .jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/DSC_0372.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216529_1969375639774_1404466228_32375151_1086401_n .jpg

Picked up a set of 5 34x10.50 Super Swamper LTB's mounted on some Montero rims from my friend Dustin's VX:

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206223_1970386745051_1404466228_32376628_3588323_n .jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205218_1970385945031_1404466228_32376625_4873384_n .jpg

After getting it all together I drove it over a few streets and played with it a bit:
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/207192_1971608415592_1404466228_32378220_6623676_n .jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205648_1971607575571_1404466228_32378217_5077471_n .jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/206235_1971609135610_1404466228_32378222_7433634_n .jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215482_1971611815677_1404466228_32378223_1084458_n .jpg

[RamAirZ]

Still needs a transmission so I picked up the auto from my buddies 99' Amigo. He came up during spring break and I helped him swap over to a manual trans so he helped me out with my auto needs:
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207778_1963389330120_1404466228_32363796_5220371_n .jpg


Started pulling the trans yesterday and gonna start dropping the front diff too. Gonna make some drop brackets, install new upper/lower ball joints, CV's, weld the front diff, and some new control arm bushings. Hit up the junkyard and found a stock tire carrier (mine was gone) and got it all mounted:

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/205738_1974554449241_1404466228_32382098_3642471_n .jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207502_1974553249211_1404466228_32382094_5648173_n .jpg

I took the hitch off today and I'm working on recessing the receiver into my current bumper:
http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-04-14142403.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-04-14142353.jpg

My friend Brandon also sent me his 4wd shifter so I can extend it for him since he has a body lift:

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-04-14152804.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-04-14152733.jpg

Gonna weld it up in a little bit then make it all purty. He has a Rodeo with an IFS drop lift on 38's!
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s121/1BadTMaxx/DSC00632.jpg

This will be my second welding job for his truck, I modified his ARB bumper to fit with the body lift :yeso:

[Bob Barker]

Neat-O!

[VX KAT]

Good gawd man.....:eek:
1) Is there any part of a truck you can't make/fix/remove/build/invent/tweak/lift/mod/create/paint/weld/install/uninstall/and fix again and again???

2) Where do you find the time....and the money!?:freek:

....sheeshh, you'er amazing!

[Triathlete]

Ram, you need to move to Tucson!:yesy::bwgy:

[Gussie2000]

Well done job !

Love it

[VXjunky]

is it just me...or did the color change again since you've had it?....or was that primer before it became black?....

[vt_maverick]

That's his friends rig Junky.

Nice work Ram, although I must say that if women were your hobby instead of trucks I would be buying stock in Trojan and/or Valtrex. :D

[RamAirZ]

Neat-O!

:smilewink


Good gawd man.....:eek:
1) Is there any part of a truck you can't make/fix/remove/build/invent/tweak/lift/mod/create/paint/weld/install/uninstall/and fix again and again???

2) Where do you find the time....and the money!?:freek:

....sheeshh, you'er amazing!

Awww thanks Kat!! Well I like to pride myself in the fact that if I haven't done something before I'm always down to learn and try it. It also helps that I love doing this type of stuff lol. As far as time, I am Mr. Mom during the day so during naps and what not I have free time, when I get home from work I get bored and work on stuff too. Money wise, I sell alot of car parts and buy/flip stuff on craigslist to fund alot of my builds. I have about $1500 total into this truck, maybe a tad less.


Ram, you need to move to Tucson!:yesy::bwgy:

I'd LOVE to move back west actually :) You just want my company huh?


Well done job !

Love it

Thank you very much!


is it just me...or did the color change again since you've had it?....or was that primer before it became black?....


That's his friends rig Junky.

Nice work Ram, although I must say that if women were your hobby instead of trucks I would be buying stock in Trojan and/or Valtrex. :D


Yes VXJunky, that's my friends rig. And Mav, I don't need to have women as a hobby, I just have a woman as another hobby :)

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/196785_1921655086790_1404466228_32307654_2182217_n .jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/188900_1921658686880_1404466228_32307670_5732413_n .jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/188254_1921657566852_1404466228_32307664_1556572_n .jpg

She puts up with all my car crap :p

[vt_maverick]

At long last the real pics we've all been waiting for finally materialize... ;)

Nothing better than a supportive wife. :)

[RamAirZ]

Finished welding the shifter, gonna do a little work on it to make it look prettier lol, didn't have access to the shop's miller tonigth so used a 110 flux core welder, you can make it work but damn it's hard to get pretty welds:

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-04-14204734.jpg


Ha ya she's great. Here's a few more pics of said wifey :)

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/185959_1883767819632_1404466228_32246769_5975072_n .jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/13731_1273537004243_1404466228_30829294_4615484_n. jpg

The family:
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/182729_1844092987786_1404466228_32175296_7100780_n .jpg

[RamAirZ]

oh and I have some GOOD pics of her, but probably not forum appropriate haha

[RamAirZ]

Finished the shifter :)

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-04-15000016.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-04-15010520.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-04-15010555.jpg

[RamAirZ]

Needed to figure out a way to mount my plate since the stock bumper is gone and the tire carrier covers where the PO put the plate. I found a neat trailer plate holder with a built in light and modified it for my tailgate. I would have liked it a little lower but then it would hit the bumper when folded down. I drilled out the bottom of it to make room for the hatch release button and sanded the edges to fit the contour of the gate:

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/205061_1988920648387_1404466228_32399416_5611049_n .jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206432_1988988970095_1404466228_32399540_7927602_n .jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206441_1988804285478_1404466228_32399233_3273303_n .jpg

[vt_maverick]

Nice work!

[RamAirZ]

Thanks Mav, not 100% on the look but it works.

[ZEUS]

Hey I got a Blazer you can work on! :D The HP is lookin good!

[RamAirZ]

Thanks man, if I lived closer I'd gladly lend a hand!

[RamAirZ]

Diff is out:

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216168_1991874562233_1404466228_32403195_1541568_n .jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/222152_1991874802239_1404466228_32403196_5158644_n .jpg

Still waiting for my control arm bushings and wheel spacers. Gonna start taking the diff apart tonight and get it ready for the drop brackets and welding the 3rd. Man the differences between the DOHC 3.2 and the SOHC 3.2 are really standing out. On John's 3.2, there was a nice little plate on the transmission bellhousing to get to the TC bolts, not on mine, looks like I have some big bracket in it's place. Gonna take that off and see if I can get to those bolts. I also don't have the lower flexplate cover like on john's truck, mine is just a solid bellhousing

[RamAirZ]

Took the diff apart, have i ever told you how much i hate the smell of gear oil? ugh it stays on your hands forever and your clothes even longer. Old, burnt up gear oil is the worst. the oil looked great coming out of the diff, like it was fresh. The bearings/seals look amazing for as filthy as the diff is. I put the diff on jackstands and pulled the fill plug and then rotated it backwards to get all the fluid out before pulling it apart:


http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/208027_1994147859064_1404466228_32406571_3651585_n .jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/222063_1994148179072_1404466228_32406572_3694947_n .jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/205512_1994148779087_1404466228_32406573_4747919_n .jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/207407_1994149059094_1404466228_32406574_2688415_n .jpg

I finished cleaning all the diff parts. Now just need to get some cutoff wheels and get to modding! Oh and after getting my hands covered in brake cleaner, they don't smell like gear oil anymore lol

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207589_1994331183647_1404466228_32407094_6081337_n .jpg

Gonna work on dropping the brackets and welding the front diff up here soon

[tom4bren]

Those half shafts look identical to ours. Can you tell if they are the same? The diff brackets look shorter though.

[RamAirZ]

ya the diff brackets look tiny but the shafts look very similar, and pretty sure the brackets are the same too. I could take measurements if anyone has a VX one lying around. I had thought about using early shafts when i had my VX so I would have the smaller cups to allow wider range for CV swaps.

[tom4bren]

nah, I'll just eyeball it against the one I have sitting in the garage.

[RamAirZ]

I meant measurements on the shafts

[tom4bren]

Sure, mine should be back from RCV Performance next week so we can compare who's shaft is bigger.:)

Need to compare spline count too.

Are the Passport's tripod or 6 ball?

[RamAirZ]

Yes I have the 6-ball CV's (pretty sure all stock Isuzu's are, thought the tri-pod was aftermarket) and the splines are 17 spline (which should be the same)

K so I measured it:

1.080" in diameter down to the raised section for the bearing (using my dial caliper, looks about 1 1/16" with my tape)
1.185" in diameter around the raised bearing area on the shaft (Little less than 1 1/4" diameter on the bearing area with my tape, measured the inside of the bearing with the tape)
20 3/8" length

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/IMG_5951.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/IMG_5952.jpg

[RamAirZ]

I realized I hadn't really taken any shots of the inside and what not so decided to post a few pics of the passports condition (I removed the rear carpet, it was pretty gross. Probably gonna put a rubber mat or something back there):

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_5953.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_5954.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_5955.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_5956.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_5957.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_5959.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_5961.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_5962.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_5963.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_5964.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_5965.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_5966.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_5967.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_5971.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_5972.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_5968.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_5969.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_5970.jpg

[RamAirZ]

I got my wheel spacers in today, 1.25". I wish I would have went a little wider now but I think it looks better:

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-04-25132725.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-04-25132741.jpg

Before:
http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-04-25133203.jpg

After:
http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-04-25134742.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-04-25134809.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-04-25134817.jpg

[RamAirZ]

Got to work on the diff brackets, not done yet but here's the start:

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216011_2005930313618_1404466228_32431498_8109474_n .jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/229137_2005929593600_1404466228_32431497_7795616_n .jpg

[RamAirZ]

Just made sure there was no welding material where the housing and CV will be mounted, not too worried about cleaning up the rest, no one is gonna see it lol:

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216024_2006074557224_1404466228_32431740_3041511_n .jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/218046_2006074277217_1404466228_32431739_2134818_n .jpg

[RamAirZ]

finished :)

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/228585_2006240841381_1404466228_32432020_747248_n. jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/224695_2006241401395_1404466228_32432022_3208012_n .jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/225197_2006241761404_1404466228_32432023_6372832_n .jpg

[vt_maverick]

So... would you characterize your job status as:


Unemployed with lots of time and savings to renovate vehicles all the time
Part time employed, my income is nearly enough to cover my restoration addiction
Fully employed, my addiction to renovation is nothing compared to my addiction to Four Loko and speed - fortunately the latter fully facilitates the former

[RamAirZ]

lol my job status goes like this:

1: Stay-at-home Dad during the day then work at night after wife gets home
2: You could call it part-time since I only work about 20 or so hours a week but I make enough to pay all my bills and mortgage etc
3: Buy/Sell alot of stuff on craigslist to help fund my builds, find awesome deals, and work on stuff while kids are asleep/playing in their room. Also work on stuff at night when I get home and I'm bored

[RamAirZ]

working on the diff now lol, gonna finish it up tonight:

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217011_2006551009135_1404466228_32432679_6692444_n .jpg

[MSHardeman]

Looks like ya got a little something jammed in there.:bwgy:

[Triathlete]

Looks like ya got a little something jammed in there.:bwgy:

Mark, I am so hoping you are talking about his diff!:winky:

[Bob Barker]

working on the diff now lol, gonna finish it up tonight:

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217011_2006551009135_1404466228_32432679_6692444_n .jpg

:confused:

[RamAirZ]

:confused:


Welding the front diff together, they call it a Lincoln Locker lol. It's a cheap trail toy and I have manual hubs so I figured I'd just weld it up while it's out. Gonna finish it up here in a little

[RamAirZ]

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/223088_2007392190164_1404466228_32433819_7031198_n .jpg

Getting there lol

[PK]

Wow - are you using a welder???








Or a bird sheeet spreader???:winkgray::bwgy::smilewink:bgwo:

Not that I can talk when it comes to welding.

PK

[RamAirZ]

Wow - are you using a welder???








Or a bird sheeet spreader???:winkgray::bwgy::smilewink:bgwo:

Not that I can talk when it comes to welding.

PK

lol I'm not trying to make it pretty. I can lay down some pretty welds when I need to (and when I'm using gas):

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/shopcar1-1.jpg

90% of that crap is just spatter, which will be gone when I'm done, but it does remind me of this:

http://cdn.maxim.com/15501-16000/15545_alienGenitalia_sarlaccianPitMonster_l1.jpg

[ZEUS]

Gawd, that has to be the worst case of hemorroids ever!

[RamAirZ]

Gawd, that has to be the worst case of hemorroids ever!

I've seen worse, I'll refrain from posting pics lol

[RamAirZ]

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228712_2007591275141_1404466228_32434326_6923681_n .jpg

Just took a file and a quick wire brush to it to get most of the spatter off. I could have done just the gears, or just gears-to-case or just a plate and made it pretty, I decided for overkill lol

[Bob Barker]

I'm an idiot. I don't understand how that works. It looks like nothing will be able to turn inside the case. How?

[PK]

I'm an idiot. I don't understand how that works. It looks like nothing will be able to turn inside the case. How?

That is the idea Bob, nothing inside the spider gears can turn, so the differential function is "locked".
It becomes a straight reduction gear unit and both axle shafts turn at the exact same speed.
You can only do it if you have free wheeling hubs for when you are on the hard surfaces.

Very hard on the drive train when you turn a corner - one tyre has to skid or something breaks, but very effective in mud, or when you have 1 wheel off the ground.

PK

[PK]

[QUOTE=RamAirZ;227610]lol I'm not trying to make it pretty. I can lay down some pretty welds when I need to (and when I'm using gas):
90% of that crap is just spatter, which will be gone when I'm done, but it does remind me of this:




Just yanking your chain my friend.
That will never break.:yesy::yeso::yesb:

PK

[RamAirZ]

Ya PK got it. The whole case is what rotates so with the spider gears welded together, both axles will rotate at the same speed and direction as the case at the same time. And thanks PK, I knew you were messing around, but it did look pretty ugly lol. I told Justin if it breaks, I need to quit 4-wheelin

[ZEUS]

Got spare CV shafts yet? :D

[RamAirZ]

got a couple lol. But honestly it should be easier on the CV's, won't have to worry about one wheel spinning fast and coming down, snap! Plus I plan on leaving one hub unlocked most of the time until I get somewhere I think I'll need it.

[Bob Barker]

I understand the gears moving together, but it looks like it's welded to the housing... must be my eyes not really knowing what's going on in the pics!

[RamAirZ]

It is welded to the housing. Here is a pic of a welded diff installed, maybe it'll help:

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/5873/kp5270419yv7.jpg (http://img124.imageshack.us/i/kp5270419yv7.jpg/)

See the housing itself could just be a solid block, it's gonna spin with the ring/pinion.

[RamAirZ]

front diff back together:

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/222041_2009151714151_1404466228_32436413_3193445_n .jpg

[ZEUS]

A spool locks things up without the rotating mass:
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/lbz134/Dana60Spool.jpg

[RamAirZ]

A spool locks things up without the rotating mass:
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/lbz134/Dana60Spool.jpg

Ya, too bad there isn't one for the Isuzu 10-bolt

[Bob Barker]

OOohhhhh, now I see! I just wasn't thinking right looking at what you were welding, it was making me think that you welded the gears to the axle pumpkin... DOH!

[RamAirZ]

LOL ya I figured it was something like that. Thought it'd be clearer when you saw it together. At least i didn't do this:

http://www.vaux-extreme.com/pics/diff.jpg

[Bob Barker]

Hahaha! I've seen that pic before, forget where. It's an all time great fail for sure!

[RamAirZ]

Ya it was done as a joke on Pirate 4x4

[RamAirZ]

Axle back together :)

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217641_2009843811453_1404466228_32437439_5517366_n .jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/230982_2009845011483_1404466228_32437441_5647024_n .jpg

[RamAirZ]

New transmission is in and front axle is back in the truck. I need to button up a few things to finish it up (driveshafts, fluid, cooler lines, and hubs) but she'll be back on the road shortly

[ZEUS]

Sweet, then you can come up here and I'll babysit while you get my Blazer goin! :D

[RamAirZ]

Sweet, then you can come up here and I'll babysit while you get my Blazer goin! :D

If I lived closer I'd be down!

[RamAirZ]

Hooked up the trans lines today, put the front driveshaft in and what not. Need to hook up the rear shaft, fill with fluid still and then go for a test drive.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/221698_2020088147555_1404466228_32454320_1188114_n .jpg

2nd Trans Cooler
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/222096_2020087547540_1404466228_32454318_2114219_n .jpg

you can see the new trans, and the new cooler lines running down against the case. The factory lines were busted so I put a barbed fitting in the cooler connections on the case and ran 3/8" cooler hose in place of the stock lines. I used o-rings to help keep a nice seal on the fittings
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/228085_2020087347535_1404466228_32454317_1389304_n .jpg

Running up and over the diff, tucked against the motor
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/221699_2020086587516_1404466228_32454315_1735212_n .jpg

Here you can see my new CV angles, this is at full droop with no upper bumpstops in place
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/224358_2020087667543_1404466228_32454319_4561021_n .jpg

[Bob Barker]

You aren't worried about heat on those lines?

[RamAirZ]

No, I've got about 5" at the closest point from the line to a heat source. I'm probably gonna throw a little heat wrap around it in that area but I think it'll be alright, besides, my stock cooler lines had a rubber section in that area anyways lol

[Bob Barker]

Cool.

unrelated: I'll have a better idea on those rims you have by Thursday. We are supposed to be getting a profit sharing check, or at least know if we won't get one, by then.

[RamAirZ]

cool just let me know. They are just sitting in the garage in their boxes

[VX KAT]

Dallas...when do you sleep?...or see your wife or kids?....or have they stopped talking to you by now? :p

[RamAirZ]

:bgwo: I do most of my work when the wife is at work and the kids are napping, or after I come home from work and everyone is in bed lol. Gonna be welding up a new muffler under my sierra tonight and might do some more work on the passport too

[RamAirZ]

She's driving under her own power again!

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/228393_2025109953097_1404466228_32461301_5887979_n .jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/225248_2025110193103_1404466228_32461302_4169948_n .jpg

Hill doesn't look like much (it's not really but it's taller than it looks)
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228111_2025111033124_1404466228_32461303_4855200_n .jpg
The mirror was over my creepy head (damn sun in my eyes lol)
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/221742_2025111233129_1404466228_32461304_1035244_n .jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/226564_2025124033449_1404466228_32461318_5994321_n .jpg

She drove great, had all 4 tires spinning at one point. There's a dirt "wall" down the road from me that is basically vertical from the ground (no slope, just straight up) and about 3-4 ft high, I tried to climb it but as you can see in the last pic, the frame just dug into the wall lol. You can see the dirt filled in those little capture things on the end of the frame. It was cool seeing all 4 tires go though!

[Bob Barker]

I'm a little jealous of those gnarley-*** looking tires! Tall and skinny, my style!

[RamAirZ]

:) Thanks, I bugged my buddy for MONTHS to convince him to sell them to me lol. 34x10.50-15 Swamper LTB's

[ZEUS]

GREAT! See ya in Moab! SLACKER! :D

[RamAirZ]

SLACKER! :D

Hi pot!!

[ZEUS]

R U offering? Cuz that's illegal

[RamAirZ]

Hey, 95% of the stuff I do is 100% legal! And I was just saying hi and introducing myself as kettle. YOU calling ME slacker lol

[ZEUS]

hi kettle - i am not a slacker, i'm a slackee :D ..and I think you are more at like 90%

[RamAirZ]

lol nah, 95% sounds more like it. And your right, slackee sounds better huh? At this rate I'll have mine sas'd before your blazer is done

[ZEUS]

BS you'll have both rides SAS'd btt I am done! lol

[RamAirZ]

BS you'll have both rides SAS'd btt I am done! lol

And I'm not even thinking about making my Sierra 4wd lol.

[RamAirZ]

Front end is back together and what not. I still need to put the exhaust crossover pipe back on. I'll probably get that done today.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/230471_2026423305930_1404466228_32462708_3803086_n .jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228408_2026423625938_1404466228_32462709_8021770_n .jpg

[RamAirZ]

I welded a receiver into my tube bumper on the back. I need to finish weld it a little more but I think it turned out pretty good, I also painted the rear bumper a little:

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/229017_2028439436332_1404466228_32465197_7820078_n .jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/227313_2028440636362_1404466228_32465198_6437697_n .jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/223390_2028439236327_1404466228_32465196_8258947_n .jpg

[Bob Barker]

Bumper deff looks better than rusty!

[H3_VX]

Dude, Wicked sweet. Love the color you chose. Kinda looks like the quicksand color of an FJ. :grino: I know this is only my opinion, but those tires are too skinny. Go with a 12.5". Other than that you rocked that project out. Good job.

[LittleBeast]

I know you are more into functional mods and I really respect your hard work and fab skills, but I have to agree I would like to see some wider tires or wider wheel spacers like you already mentioned, and I wanted to ask if you have thought about taking off or painting over the chrome on the bumper? Since it is the only chrome on the truck it just looks out of place. If you blacked it out or matched the body color and then went with clear corners instead of yellow maybe it would freshen up the front end? Thoughts?

[RamAirZ]

Bumper deff looks better than rusty!

Thanks, I thought so too lol


Dude, Wicked sweet. Love the color you chose. Kinda looks like the quicksand color of an FJ. :grino: I know this is only my opinion, but those tires are too skinny. Go with a 12.5". Other than that you rocked that project out. Good job.

Thanks alot! I'm happy with the color too. I had a vision in my mind when I was looking for the paint and found what I wanted in an odd color name lol. I'll eventually go with some 12.50's I think but I really liked these 34x10.50's and the deal I got on them was unbeatable.


I know you are more into functional mods and I really respect your hard work and fab skills, but I have to agree I would like to see some wider tires or wider wheel spacers like you already mentioned, and I wanted to ask if you have thought about taking off or painting over the chrome on the bumper? Since it is the only chrome on the truck it just looks out of place. If you blacked it out or matched the body color and then went with clear corners instead of yellow maybe it would freshen up the front end? Thoughts?

Thanks man. Ya I think a slightly wider wheel spacer would have been better but it's too late now and I'm not gonna spend $ on another set lol. I'll eventually end up with some wider tires but I REALLY wanted to run these 34x10.50's for awhile plus like I mentioned, the deal was great. I have thought about the bumper, I'm debating if I want to paint it or just find a black version at the yard. I'll probably end up painting it though, the only chrome that would be left on the truck would be the lug nuts and the Honda emblem lol. I don't think I will get clear corners, they would look good but it's not a "need" and I'm trying to keep this truck in the "budget" category (yes I know they aren't expensive but I'm being frugal haha). That is an interesting idea about body coloring the bumper, I wonder how that'd look.....

[VX KAT]

OK, now that we've established you don't eat, sleep, work or see your wife or kids much :laugho:.....ARE YOU MAKING IT TO MOAB THIS YEAR OR NOT?

p.s....sounds like you're in your late 20s...HOW do you know all this stuff from bumper to bumper? :freek:

No, seriously, kudos Dallas! (and all the other peeps that know how to do this stuff)! :thumbup:

[RamAirZ]

OK, now that we've established you don't eat, sleep, work or see your wife or kids much :laugho:.....ARE YOU MAKING IT TO MOAB THIS YEAR OR NOT?

p.s....sounds like you're in your late 20s...HOW do you know all this stuff from bumper to bumper? :freek:

No, seriously, kudos Dallas! (and all the other peeps that know how to do this stuff)! :thumbup:

How did we establish that, I do all of those things :p Especially my kids, that's my day job lol. And your right about late 20's, how'd you figure that out :happyface No I won't be making the Moab trip, I'd love to but can't get/afford the time off. I spend alot of time (obviously) doing this stuff and it's a huge passion of mine, so alot of hands on studying :yeso:

[RamAirZ]

Took the truck to work today (bout 60 mile round trip) and she did great. Rides pretty good at speed, and got the jitters out of my stomach on if she'd stay together :p

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/226970_2034064376952_1404466228_32475630_7838514_n .jpg

Left early so I could get an alignment, and realized today why I always do things myself and hate taking my truck anywhere. It sucks when I know more than the guy I'm going to pay to do work. Needless to say i didn't get my alignment done and decided I will just do it myself at home

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/231107_2034064576957_1404466228_32475631_7508132_n .jpg

I wonder if this pretty Rodeo saw me :)

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/229675_2034065336976_1404466228_32475635_5628307_n .jpg

Saw another one like it when I left work tonight, but the driver was stopped on the side of the road looking at an F150 for sale :mado2:

[RamAirZ]

Took a few snapshots today:

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/227216_2046249641576_1404466228_32488293_384031_n. jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/230587_2046250001585_1404466228_32488294_4683617_n .jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/231175_2046250201590_1404466228_32488295_5776666_n .jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/224160_2046250521598_1404466228_32488296_4124974_n .jpg

I love my welded front diff so far. It pops every now and then when turning but that's typical as with any locker. I unlocked one hub and when I was backing out of the ditch it started digging down because the sand is super soft, I walked around, locked in the other hub and she backed right out lol.

[Bob Barker]

Looks like you've got it running pretty good. I expect it will be sold within 2 weeks :laugho:

[H3_VX]

Looks like you've got it running pretty good. I expect it will be sold within 2 weeks :laugho:

He's making the world a better place, one car at a time.

[RamAirZ]

I like your train of thought H3! I guess I am :) Nah it'll at least be after my birthday in June before it's gone lol.

[Cobrajet]

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/231175_2046250201590_1404466228_32488295_5776666_n .jpg

Is there something wrong with the steering linkage? You keep running off the road into the ditch! :)

[RamAirZ]

Ya it has this crazy problem of wanting to go into every ditch or up every hill it can find.

[RamAirZ]

Messed around some more today, lifted the passenger side front tire lol.

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/222205_2056102767898_1404466228_32499641_1041890_n .jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/225966_2056103487916_1404466228_32499643_2339474_n .jpg

You can see the body flex on the frame here, the bumper gap is not like that normally.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/231032_2056104287936_1404466228_32499644_8170265_n .jpg

And this is what I like to see!
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228468_2056105087956_1404466228_32499645_4940967_n .jpg

[RamAirZ]

I worked on the alignment today, you know, the one that no shop wanted to do because they "needed" shims (BS!!)

Before:
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/227832_2056754544192_1404466228_32500618_6726023_n .jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/230877_2056754224184_1404466228_32500617_3923713_n .jpg

After:
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/230626_2056747704021_1404466228_32500612_3582316_n .jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/226503_2056725063455_1404466228_32500584_7770613_n .jpg

Ya, so no shop would listen to me that you just need to take shims out, well look who was right!

[etlsport]

yah the shims can be a pita. having to add them is worse unless u get factory shims, all the aftermarket ones are missing the little tabs to help get them in, so i had to use really tiny needle nose pliers to get my shims in. also threw a wee bit of rubber cement between them to kinda help them stick together while being put in

[RamAirZ]

I just took them out. The shops were telling me they needed to ADD shims to my current setup and that they didn't have any, as you can tell from the before picture, adding shims would have made the tire lean worse. They couldn't comprehend that they needed to remove all/some of my current shims to set it. After them telling me I was wrong and that they didn't need to remove any and that they needed to add more, I said screw it, I'll do it myself lol

[etlsport]

nice.. i had the luxury of a shop with an alignment rack, so made my life a bit easier to play with the shims to get it exactly right.. dead center in every category. I'm just glad camber and caster dont change much from daily driving so i dont have to do it again

I will say at my shop we tend to shy away from modified vehicles for warranty reasons, it has to be right time and right customer for us to get involved with a lifted/lowered vehicle

[RamAirZ]

Ya I completely understand that, I told the guy that if he didn't want to do it to just tell me, don't give me a much of BS reasons that I can prove wrong. Had the shop that did my VX tell me that they don't mess with shims and then I told them well you did my VX and it's the same thing! It's just a trail rig and I used a level and some string and got it pretty damn close so I'm happy, saved me money too.

[RamAirZ]

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/IMG_6106.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/IMG_6105.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/IMG_6104.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/IMG_6103.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/IMG_6112.jpg

[VX KAT]

Where's the camaro Dallas?....:_thinking...did I miss you selling that too???

[RamAirZ]

lol ya I traded it to a guy for the Sierra.

[VX KAT]

lol ya I traded it to a guy for the Sierra.
lemme get this straight...Mr. "RAM AIR Z" traded his Camaro for a 2WD Sierra? :freek:
just when you think you know someone...sheesh.....:sigho:

[RamAirZ]

Lol its a better tow/family rig than the camaro, worth a lot more too. Don't worry, ill have another camaro soon

[RamAirZ]

My wife is amazing:

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228709_2068479637312_1404466228_32515056_1176093_n .jpg

140amp mig welder, comes with mig wire, flux wire, hook up and gauges for running gas, and will weld 5/16" steel! From most of my research, one of the best you can get without going up to 220. I doubt I'll ever need anything bigger, 5/16 is pretty thick, trail-gear sliders and frame plates are 3/16, and pretty sure that's what ARB bumpers are made out of too.

[etlsport]

very cool.. Sounds like a nice welder, mine is similar with what it comes with and the gas/gaseless hookups but a bit smaller I guess, will only do 1/4" which is still plenty for me

you know between the photos you posted and now telling us she got you a welder on a whim, youre gonna have to be careful about bringing your wife to maob or someones gonna try to steal her away! :grinb:

[RamAirZ]

LOL it wasn't on a whim, early Fathers Day/Birthday gift. She wanted to get it without me knowing but she knew she didnt know much about them so she let me pick it out. And ya 1/4" is still thick. And she wouldn't come to Moab, she'd probably go see her dad while I have fun lol

[off_road_4_me]

well, its cute. ;)

[RamAirZ]

Not as cute as your amigo

[RamAirZ]

Installed my shieldz today:

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/247543_2071893362653_1404466228_32521936_344533_n. jpg

Getting closer to some real wheel time!

[etlsport]

Installed my shieldz today:

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/247543_2071893362653_1404466228_32521936_344533_n. jpg

Getting closer to some real wheel time!

I was looking at those a year or two ago... whats the benefit? you dont strike me as the type to do a purely cosmetic mod, they just dont seem like they would offer much more rigidity to the tie rods, why not go with HD tie rods

[RamAirZ]

I got these for $20 so for one they were alot cheaper than the HD rods (this is still a budget build lol), I also wanted to keep tie-rod availability open since Indy doesn't tell you which vehicle they got the end from and supposedly the HD ones bind up when at full droop, the range of movement on the end itself is less "supposedly". The shieldz are supposed to help distribute the forces along the rod ends and adjuster and the inside of the shieldz have a stepped down section around the adjuster. This thick shield keeps one end of the tie rod unit from bending and breaking since once it's clamped down it can't really bend much in any direction. Also it will help against them on rocks.

http://www.4x4fotos.nl/upload/files/2zc8wvj9xedbidow1j5w.jpg

Now I can't say for sure that they work, but the guys on 4x4wire always swore by them, and I got them cheap and they came with a spare set of complete tie rod units. I see the theory in them and thats enough for me lol

[RamAirZ]

Hooked up the welder and tested it out today. I think she welds pretty good!

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/248934_2076439156295_1404466228_32527251_15925_n.j pg

Hard starting and working on the bead with the gay helmet they give you. Have an auto-darkening one on the way. :bwgy:

[RamAirZ]

Cut my receiver out of the bumper today and redid it. Straightened it out a bit and added some bracing:

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/252865_2078959979314_1404466228_32531458_2970836_n .jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/246959_2078960699332_1404466228_32531459_6704311_n .jpg

And who said flux welds can't be pretty?
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/248200_2078961219345_1404466228_32531461_8290354_n .jpg

Welding is being done one-handed right now since my other hand has to be holding the stupid mask I have right now.

[tom4bren]

Question on your receiver:

It looks shallow (not much depth between the receiver pin hole and where the curve of the tube bumper starts). Did you cut into the tube for depth or does the receiver curve to match the tube?

It looks like a clean install & 'it don't make no nevermind to me', just concerned that when you need to use the receiver, the hitch will bottom out before you can engage the pin.

[RamAirZ]

Good eye tom, I actually cut a hole in the bumper (which btw is a thick mofo, took forever) and slid the hitch inside. So it allows room for the Hitch to slide in and also acts as side bracing. I also have the lower section of the hitch tied back into the frame for extra support.

[RamAirZ]

I thought about recessing it in more but this bumper was already on my truck when I got it and cutting through it was VERY difficult lol, it's really thick. Plus I wanted to have the receiver out a bit so when I have the ball installed it's out from the spare tire. Also if I mounted it any higher, the spare would hit it or cover it up so I had to mount it low.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/251444_2080754984188_1404466228_32533184_1264514_n .jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/253716_2080754544177_1404466228_32533182_1213613_n .jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/252203_2080754344172_1404466228_32533181_7558913_n .jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/248391_2080966469475_1404466228_32533280_3660756_n .jpg

[RamAirZ]

Not much new going on yet, getting her ready for her first "real" offroad trip tomorrow. I was under the truck and remembered that I didn't have a flexplate inspection cover for my new transmission (my old one was a solid bellhousing with no opening), so I fabbed up a metal piece to fit inside the hole:

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/250602_2096440896326_1404466228_32557989_4349479_n .jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/249527_2096440496316_1404466228_32557988_5619186_n .jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/251664_2096442016354_1404466228_32557993_5435325_n .jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/254474_2096441416339_1404466228_32557991_641471_n. jpg

I have a brushguard on the way from Ron that I am going to build a bumper off of so that will be my next project

[WillyLin]

nice work!! I need to learn how to weld... !

[RamAirZ]

Thanks man!

[RamAirZ]

Been awhile since I updated anything on this, but...

Top is off!

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/319690_2496609740297_1404466228_33006426_150189059 5_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/314040_2496610660320_1404466228_33006428_158049340 7_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/308051_2496610900326_1404466228_33006429_676934119 _n.jpg

Still need to do the finishing work on it but out of time for today, have to finish it later. I'll probably make a removable top of some sort for the rear. I've just been enjoying her recently and wheeling it. Working on a front bumper design right now.

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_6187.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_6188.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_6185.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1995%20Honda%20Passport/IMG_6206.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/IMG_6236.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/IMG_6609.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/IMG_6610.jpg

[VXorado]

Lookin' good. I didn't know the top came off the older Passports/Rodeos.

I see you have your tow strap handy while in the mud... next mod possibly & new bumper with a winch?

[RamAirZ]

The top doesnt come off without some sort of cutting tool :) im working on a winch bumper, just making some final decisions before I start building

[VXorado]

The top doesnt come off without some sort of cutting tool :)

NICE :yesy:

[RamAirZ]

yup, combo of sawzall and a cutoff wheel works wonders. I cut the interior panels yesterday so they fit back in correctly, still need to clean up the cuts and close the openings up. Then I'll start looking at a snap on top or something

[RamAirZ]

Ok, so roof rack or no roof rack..

rack:
http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-10-10112949.jpg

no-rack:
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/314040_2496610660320_1404466228_33006428_158049340 7_n.jpg

[JAMAS]

Definitely WITH

[RamAirZ]

Just bolted it down and pulled the carpet, also removed the rear seats. I'm debating if I should leave them out. I'm also debating if I should keep the spare on the back or move it to the cargo area, watcha think?

[Cobrajet]

Just bolted it down and pulled the carpet, also removed the rear seats. I'm debating if I should leave them out. I'm also debating if I should keep the spare on the back or move it to the cargo area, watcha think?

Leave the back seat out. You aren't planning on transporting kids in that thing, right? As for the spare, build a cage and mount it where the top used to be, Baja style!

[LittleBeast]

Leave the back seat out. You aren't planning on transporting kids in that thing, right? As for the spare, build a cage and mount it where the top used to be, Baja style!

^ That would look sweet but rear visibility would suck :-( ^

As far as performance goes I would mount the spare in the interior's floor board. Definitely looks a lot better with the roof rack in place though. As far as rear seat just leave yourself the option of putting it back in just in case you have a group of people that want to hang on for some off roading.

Could you make some fender flares for this thing? Nothing too crazy kinda like what LDub added to his?

[samneil2000]

Could you make some fender flares for this thing? Nothing too crazy kinda like what LDub added to his?

I had the same thought. Some flares would look good on there.

[RamAirZ]

Leave the back seat out. You aren't planning on transporting kids in that thing, right? As for the spare, build a cage and mount it where the top used to be, Baja style!

It's not inteneded to be a family hauler but I want to keep it where I can haul the kids around town if need be (i.e. transmission goes out in my Sierra and it's down for a few days, Passport will be used while it's down) In reality the kids would only be in it for about 5 miles a day when I take them to daycare and my wife picks them up on her way home.


^ That would look sweet but rear visibility would suck :-( ^

As far as performance goes I would mount the spare in the interior's floor board. Definitely looks a lot better with the roof rack in place though. As far as rear seat just leave yourself the option of putting it back in just in case you have a group of people that want to hang on for some off roading.

Could you make some fender flares for this thing? Nothing too crazy kinda like what LDub added to his?


I had the same thought. Some flares would look good on there.

I've been thinking about flares, haven't decided on anything yet. Going to be working on a snorkel soon and still have to do my bumper. Also have an engine swap on the burner lol. I'm thinking about mounting the tire in the rear cargo area on an angle a bit. Haven't decided if I should leave the tailgate, ditch the tailgate and run a net or have the tire stick out the back a little and have nothing. I'm also still not sure if I should move it at all, what do you guys think of it on the factory carrier? I think it looked fine with the roof but haven't decided if I like it without the roof

[LittleBeast]

I thought the spare was fine as is with the top, but with no top I think it looks much better inside somehow.

[RamAirZ]

That where I am leaning too, do you think it would look better poking out the back a little with no gate or net or inside more with a net

[samneil2000]

I'd go with one of those baja style angle mounts just inside the tailgate. Maybe match the angle of the back of the cab.
Never know when you might need a tailgate.

[RamAirZ]

I was thinking about that, if I do that I would find a smooth gate off a rodeo with no rear carrier

[RamAirZ]

Been working a little on making the filler plates and laying down the bedliner:

The old roof is still good for something lol
http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-10-15132207.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-10-15132223.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-10-15132217.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-10-15170922.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-10-15171009.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-10-16143417.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-10-16143428.jpg

[Bob Barker]

Looks great! My friend is trying to find a nice Suzuki Sidekick and I'm going to use your thread for ideas!

[RamAirZ]

Thanks man! Did the rear seat area with the bed liner earlier, gotta finish it up tomorrow and finish up those filler plates

[LittleBeast]

Dude, looking great so far :-)

[samneil2000]

Too bad it's not a VX. I might cut the top off of mine one day, just because. :-D

[RamAirZ]

Thanks guys! I wish it was a VX too :(

[Etfren]

Too bad it's not a VX. I might cut the top off of mine one day, just because. :-D

Then you might actually be able to see out of the back of it!

[RamAirZ]

Finished the bedliner today, also painted the chrome front bumper with bedliner as well.

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-10-22171641.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-10-22171921.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-10-22171930.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-10-22171956.jpg

Replaced my front cv shaft, here's what the rest of it looks like lol

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-10-22172019.jpg

Oh and I might be bringing home a '93 Eldorado on monday, not sure what the heck I could use it for :yesb:

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-10-21135756.jpg

[RamAirZ]

Put the front seats and console back in earlier as well as the trim panels. I think the floor turned out pretty good. Need to get my new radio in and put that piece back in.

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-10-23112906.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-10-23112924.jpg

[LittleBeast]

Nice coming along great

[samneil2000]

If you're going to do an Isuzu swap with that Northstar, it HAS to be in a VX. Since you don't have one anymore, we can just use mine. :-D

[RamAirZ]

You buy the parts and ill help you put it in

[Bob Barker]

I'm a big van of truckbed coated floors. Me and a buddy pulled the interior out of his old puck up truck and coated the floor with gritty truck bed coating. Works great, is plenty durable, and if somehow you chipped it it's just a spray can away from being perfect again! I'm probably going to redo the interior of my VX oneday, either finishing up the rubber floor matting I started or just doing a coating like this.

Looks better with the painted bumper as well!

[samneil2000]

You buy the parts and ill help you put it in

I was supplying the VX. You supply the motor and the other stuff, right? :bgwb:

[RamAirZ]

Thanks John, I'm really happy with the way the floor turned out. Now I just need to finish the rear roof area, and I don't think I like that plan there sam lol.

[RamAirZ]

Well I took today and "finished" up the cut areas and interior. I'm eventually going to add a cage and do a few other things but for now I think it turned out pretty good:

New plates installed
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/319644_2575609395239_1404466228_33073136_525377346 _n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/393308_2575611235285_1404466228_33073140_885393684 _n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/385301_2575613075331_1404466228_33073142_165872591 1_n.jpg

New radio in and front interior pieces back together:
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/302339_2575615675396_1404466228_33073146_167499299 _n.jpg

Painted the rear cut areas and plates:
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/316271_2575628435715_1404466228_33073155_124304856 1_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/316964_2575822280561_1404466228_33073287_194021421 8_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/296421_2575632115807_1404466228_33073157_941654289 _n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/384535_2575825800649_1404466228_33073288_243660141 _n.jpg

Rear panels installed:
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/376063_2575826600669_1404466228_33073289_887080837 _n.jpg

She's going out to Mobile Swamp next weekend!!!

[Bob Barker]

Makes me wish I had found time to meet up with you on my last vacation.

Looks real nice!

[Etfren]

Looks great with paint and the interior panels put back in. You do some nice work, and quick too!

[RamAirZ]

Thanks guys! The plates aren't as perfect as I'd like them to be but I keep telling myself it's an offroad toy and not to get too anal about stuff lol. And we'll get together eventually John! I might come down to o-town in a few weeks

[RamAirZ]

Snapped a few pics tonight of her in her "finished" state:

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-10-30175314.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-10-30175336.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/2011-10-30175402.jpg

[The A Dog]

Man this is an awesome build thread! Amazing how fast you get this stuff done! Haha there I was reading the entire thread, watching your beast come to life while wondering how you do it so quick...then I realized I'd used up the time I wanted to dedicate to changing my brakes! Lol! :_confused:

[RamAirZ]

LOL well you should take a leave from viewing my build thread and go do those brakes!!

[RamAirZ]

Had a ton of fun out at Mobile Swamp this weekend!!

http://video.l3.fbcdn.net/cfs-l3-ash4/347910/535/2577487884244_11534.mp4?oh=31fa58edd92f3345bea3140 af428f68e&oe=4EBC9600&l3s=20111108191656&l3e=20111110192656&lh=0a76b149c756dd75ee142

http://cfs-p6.l3.fbcdn.net/346839/112/2577468803767_33236.mp4?oh=38dfd126c314edbdb5465a6 6729189f8&oe=4EBC9500&l3s=20111108191240&l3e=20111110192240&lh=02a0137b5a5fd6dad7e26&xwrhost=video.l3.fbcdn.net&L3O=cfs-l3-ash4.facebook.com

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/passportclimb.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/passportjesse.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/passportmud.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/302452_2606374044336_1404466228_33103218_601069053 _n.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6MRRczmjgE&feature=youtu.be

[RamAirZ]

got some new toys :)

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/392880_2731918622872_1404466228_33163215_511060124 _n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/375614_2731922142960_1404466228_33163223_443524141 _n.jpg

Been working on my new bumper too:
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/308595_2709137773365_1404466228_33152461_196276012 6_n.jpg

Trimmed the core support, love that you can see all of the front tires now :)

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/386592_2713394599783_1404466228_33154132_202549390 5_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/392030_2713549163647_1404466228_33154207_698497268 _n.jpg

Gotta finish my mounting brackets and then put on the side pieces that wrap the front fender. Also going to cut the "brush guard" off and make a new section for it that's a little smaller.

[RamAirZ]

Should be going saturday to pick up a TH400/NP208 combo, and the following weekend I'm hoping to bring home a nice small block to drop in the ol' gal :)

[samneil2000]

Man, you never stop do you? I'm jealous! I just built a desk for my 9 year old and a covered wagon with side rails for my 11 month old. wooo exciting. haha