ECORS Race VX

[Buffy]

I attended my first race Saturday in my VX and I must say I was very impressed. I beat this thing within an inch of its life and it just kept going! I placed 9th out of 22, not that I passed anything but because there were Jeeps breaking everywhere. So here are some build and race day pictures.

The bumper is a full winch bumper prototype that Joe will be offering soon. It is a work in progress. As a matter of fact I we didn't even have time to grind all the welds off. We will add brush guards before the next race.

Installed without the winch:

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/923015/fullsize/bumper-6.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/923016/fullsize/bumper-7.jpg

To install the bumper you have to cut and cap the front frame sections:

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/923019/fullsize/bumper-mod-3.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/923017/fullsize/bumper-mod-1.jpg

Spare tire mount:

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/923041/fullsize/spare-mount.jpg

OME 919 springs (my only suspension mod)

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/923032/fullsize/work-in-progress-5.jpg

BFG KM2 33 x 10.50 x 15

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/923033/fullsize/work-in-progress-6.jpg

[Buffy]

I was full of nerves! When I saw some of the hills we were going to climb I said " you're f'ing kidding me right????".... they weren't kidding. You have no idea how tough these trucks are... I certainly didn't! At one point in the race I went off course. I was nose down on my side, the back wheel of the truck was over my codrivers head. He said revers and floor it! I did and backed out and continued with the race.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/923020/fullsize/race-day-1.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/923021/fullsize/race-day-2.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/923023/fullsize/race-day-4.jpg

We named the truck the Mars Rover!

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/923024/fullsize/race-day-5.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/923027/fullsize/race-day-8.jpg

[Buffy]

And here is what the VX looked like after 2 grueling hours of racing:

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/923035/fullsize/post-race-1.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/923036/fullsize/post-race-2.jpg

Here is where I was rear ended and got tire tracks on the back cladding...

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/923037/fullsize/post-race-3.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/923038/fullsize/post-race-4.jpg

And here are a series of pictures showing just how tough the bumper is:

scroll down to see the VX taking some punishment it took...

http://www.nc4x4.com/forum/index.php?threads/peel-n-out-at-the-gap-ecors-2012-pics.121725/

[whitebreadx]

damn the little guy did did take a beating and kept on ticking. ; )

[vt_maverick]

Dude... just think what you could do with a 5-speed in there! ;) Those airborne pics are awesome! :thumbup:

[Triathlete]

Sounds like you left a great impressio with those guys! Nice job!

[89Vette]

Love the NASA "Moon Rover" decals!!!

There rest ain't bad either!

89V

[evillecutter]

freaking awesome!

[VXorado]

Nice work Buffy, looks like a ton of fun.



:) Someone wrote this on NC4X4 forum. Very awesome:

"The little 3 photo series of the vehicross was so brutal to see in person. I was the only one around and was cheering out loud at the top of my lungs! They slammed the rig around so much it killed the motor. I thought for sure they were done for the day but the thing fired right back up and away they went!!!"

[Etfren]

Looks like you had some fun! Awesome build, I can't wait to see more.

[Buffy]

Next up is a full roll cage, for obvious reasons. :yesb: I had fuel issues all day where the truck would shut down when the RPMs got high. I will be swapping out the gas tank for a much better one and maybe having some injectors cleaned and tested. Actually the tank will be from VT_Mavericks old VX and the drive shafts are from it too. So his old VX is living on in my race truck. We are trying to come up with some suspension mods to take the bumps better. It is a work in progress. As you have seen the bumper can reall take a beating! :smilewink

[Buffy]

The funniest part of the race was when they were releasing the groups of 3 trucks. Each time they would announce the driver and make and model of vehicle. Then he came to me and said..... Driving a uh.... What the hell is that thing?? What's that??? An Isuzu thing of sorts??? By the end of the race he just said here's the Mars Rover back again! Very funny! I lost a lot of time working on it by having to stop and tell people what it was. Everyone that is was very cool.

[twalker920]

Awesome job! I love how close to stock it is yet can take that beating. That's two of you competitors who have gotten air in the last few days! The temptation is strong....must...resist...

[SlowPro48]

Man that is fantastic. Wish I'd known about the race. Would love to see that in person. When/where is the next one? And yeah - suspension mods are badly needed when you hang that much additional weight off the front. I think stiffer torsion bars are available and if you do that you'll need to increase the rebound damping. Actually given the weight of the tires and the limited suspension travel and the pounding to which this VX is subject, you need to increase both compression and rebound damping. But hey - shims are cheap!

[Buffy]

I've had Sway-A-Way heavy duty torsion bars on order for almost 2 months now. Unfortunately they have been on back order. They keep saying next week..... Next week..... But that comes and goes with no bars in hand. :mad: looking into installing longer travel shocks but that will require some modification to accommodate the larger body. We have a lot of ideas for improvement just not a lot of time to get it done.

[Triathlete]

Triple bypass's! :)

[Buffy]

Oh yea!!! Now we're talking...... Shock porn!!:smilewink

[vt_maverick]

Next up is a full roll cage, for obvious reasons. :yesb: I had fuel issues all day where the truck would shut down when the RPMs got high. I will be swapping out the gas tank for a much better one and maybe having some injectors cleaned and tested. Actually the tank will be from VT_Mavericks old VX and the drive shafts are from it too. So his old VX is living on in my race truck. We are trying to come up with some suspension mods to take the bumps better. It is a work in progress. As you have seen the bumper can reall take a beating! :smilewink

Lol... never imagined my parts would end up in a race truck. But glad to hear she's still putting smiles on people's faces even in the afterlife. :)

[Buffy]

Never knew she was an organ donor did ya! And everything was in excellent low mileage shape too..... imagine that!

[SlowPro48]

looking into installing longer travel shocks

Are shocks the travel-limiting component?

You know, after I pecked out that message about changing the shims it occurred to me that since you need to increase both rebound and compression damping, you could just go with a thicker shock oil...

[Triathlete]

Scrap the tbars and set up some coilovers!

[Buffy]

I am getting ready to start my second season racing ECORS. The last race of the season beat the VX to an inch of its life! Totally destroyed the passenger side, bent the passenger side frame, almost lost the rear bumper and tore the farelead off the front bumper.

I was tired of getting lapped by Jeeps, Sammies, etc... the IFS just didn't have enough travel to take the abuse. So... out it came and in goes a Dana 44 with 5.38s and ARBs front and rear. I am still in the mock up stage but this thing is going to be a beast. I will be running RaceLine beadlocks and 35x12.50x17 tires. So here's some pictures.....

Mocking everything in place. Ths suspension is in full compression here.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/965356/fullsize/100_2831.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/965357/fullsize/100_2832.jpg

Love the size of this tire/rim combo.... these are just mock up tires but the races tires will be the same size as these....

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/965358/fullsize/100_2833.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/965360/fullsize/100_2835.jpg

More pictures and posts to follow. I have lots of work to be done by the first race March 24th!

[Hatfield]

That is awesome!

How's the oil pan clearance with the D44?

[Buffy]

It has plenty of clearance. It actually looks like it should have come stock with the solid axle in it. I was very pleased with how everything lined up. Like I indicated ealier the pictures are of the suspension in maximum compression and I still have 4 or 5 inches of clearance for the oil pan. The steering will be the real trick.... to be determined!

[Hatfield]

I'm glad to hear that about oil pan clearance. You know there's always full hydro :D

What are you doing for transmission, 4l30e?

[glenngw3]

Hey Buffy, were are you racing. I live in Lexington and would like to check it out. Thanks

[Buffy]

I am going to be converting to the AR5 manual trans. Oh I've been researching full hydro but for now the cost is getting out of reach of my budget. The system I would want is 1.75 turns lock to lock but costs around 3k. But I may do a hydro assist system. Going to be mapping the steering out tonight, I hope!

This year we will be in TN, AL, Marion, NC, possibly GA or KY. Should beat interesting season. I'm interested in how the truck will handle with 5:38 gears and ARBs front and rear. Oh and 35s on beadlocks! Can't wait to try out the improvements.

[Hatfield]

Got any updates?

[ZEUS]

I knew VX builds were going to get more interesting!! Is that a wide-track Wagoneer 44? Think you might have to go for cross-over steering? Keep the updates comin!

[EVO]

You are simply AWESOME!!! Holy FLYING VEHICROSS!!!

[Buffy]

No recent pictures but I have the motor and trans out. I am working on getting the AR5 prepped for installation. I am building all aluminum rear links and steering links as well. It is going to be nice when I get it all together. Also working on installing the guessets on the rear axle to I can get that back in. Still lots of work to get done, so much so that I will not be ready for the first race. I will get some more pictures up soon. Especially when I get all these nice new parts installed.

[Buffy]

As promised, solid aluminum lower links and steering links:

These things are seriously beefy and weigh about 3 times what my last set weighed....

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/968518/fullsize/100b2860.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/968519/fullsize/100b2870.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/968520/fullsize/100b2880.jpg

[Buffy]

Here are some more parts pictures.....

Custom motor mounts by a fellow racer who owns a fab shop. You send him the motor plates and your mounts and he transforms them into this....

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/968688/fullsize/100_2881.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/968689/fullsize/100_2882.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/968689/fullsize/100_2882.jpg

Making the final "adjustments" to the front end. The core support will be removeable. The inner fenders have been removed to make room for the larger shocks and roll cage extension.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/968692/fullsize/100_2885.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/968693/fullsize/100_2886.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/968694/fullsize/100_2887.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/968696/fullsize/100_2888.jpg

[JoFotoz]

Hey there Buffy....

Here are some more parts pictures.....

Custom motor mounts by a fellow racer who owns a fab shop. You send him the motor plates and your mounts and he transforms them into this....

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/968688/fullsize/100_2881.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/968689/fullsize/100_2882.jpg



....any chance he wants to make another set, assuming they'd fit a stock engine situation?

I've got one mount fubar'd...would be interested in a whole new set at the right price.

thanks

jo

[Buffy]

His price is 175.00 for the pair I think that includes the shipping back to you. Your mounts would be returned looking like the picture. This is the second set he has made.

[Hatfield]

Nice progress. You should just put a 5.3l in since you've already got everything removed.

Any interest in building another set of links?

[JoFotoz]

Ah, OK...


His price is 175.00 for the pair I think that includes the shipping back to you. Your mounts would be returned looking like the picture. This is the second set he has made.

...cant be without my mounts as she's also my DD.

Thanks anyway Buffy.

jo

[Buffy]

Nice progress. You should just put a 5.3l in since you've already got everything removed.

Any interest in building another set of links?

I would love to upgrade to a 5.3 BUT that would put me up into a different class and I don't have the budget to run class B...... YEY.... :bgwb:

I can get you a price for some links for a stock application. Mine are a little longer than stock for obvious reasons. Plus I plan on centering the wheels in the wheel wells, if you notice the tires are a little further forward stock.

[Buffy]

Ah, OK...



...cant be without my mounts as she's also my DD.

Thanks anyway Buffy.

jo

I have a spare set of mounts and plates that I can send off for you. She you get your new set installed just send me the ones you take off. Just an option. Maybe help me out with shipping my set to Andy.

[JoFotoz]

Hi Buffy..

..PM'd ya!!

:thumbup:

Jo

[Buffy]

I am getting close to starting the re-assemble process. Thought this was a funny look for the truck.....

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/969836/fullsize/img2013031000006.jpg

[Buffy]

Some more updates. Here is a set of one-off headers that found their way into my hands. Actually Matt at Indy4X had them, and hooked me up. I believe he said they were built by Bob Land. Couldn't swear to it though. Matt has been a major help on this project.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/970220/fullsize/100_2889.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/970221/fullsize/100_2890.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/970222/fullsize/100_2891.jpg

[Hatfield]

You should definitely run it open header.

[yellowgizmo99]

you may want to look into this stuff, maybe you could get them to sponsor you or at least knock off some on the price. http://www.ultraeverdrystore.com/. since you have it all apart right now it would e so wild after going thru a mud hole and coming out clean at the other end. I have no affiliation with them and someone show it to me a work the other day.

[Triathlete]

Need to get some header wrap to help keep the underhood temps down.
Hatfield...most offroad races it is illegal to run open headers...fire danger.

[Triathlete]

Buffy have you thought about doing any of the W.E.ROCK stock class events?

[Buffy]

Buffy have you thought about doing any of the W.E.ROCK stock class events?

I have not thought about running that series. They run alot of the same venues as ECORS.

Now some updates. I have the rear axle ready to install.... well once I get it all painted up with some Extreem Chassis paint.

Heavy duty gussets....

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/970600/fullsize/100_2893.jpg

12 bolt... 5:38s... ARB....

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/970601/fullsize/100_2894.jpg

All put together. Ready for paint then install.....

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/970602/fullsize/100_2900.jpg

[Buffy]

All painted and ready for install. Just need my new rod ends and I will be installing. I will be using 4 inch front TJ spings to provide the lift for the rear. Not sure how it is going to work out but the spring is the exact size as our stock springs.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/971772/fullsize/100_2901.jpg

[JoFotoz]

Nice...especially the 5.38's with ARB's...

...from Matt I pressume :thumbup:

Dont want to rain on your parade...but with the lack of spares
for the 5.38s....dont blow one !!


:_steering:clap::_steering

Jo

[Triathlete]

Dont want to rain on your parade...but with the lack of spares
for the 5.38s....dont blow one !!

Does not apply to Buffy's front diff....not an suzu 10 bolt any longer! :D

[JoFotoz]

Ah..OK


Does not apply to Buffy's front diff....not an suzu 10 bolt any longer! :D

Didnt figure that out yet..Thanks.

The "spares' questions was the deal breaker for me when Matt offered the pair of 5.38's with the ARBs to me way back...

....plus the price!!

jo

[Buffy]

Yea there is some concern on the spares. Hopefully the 12 bolt is stout enough to hold up. It is a stout ring gear, now I've bent the housing but the third member has held up great. If I kill the 12 bolt then I may go with a Dana 60 or 14 bolt.

[Triathlete]

Spider 9? :)

[Hatfield]

You could always cyro your R&P for added strength.

[Buffy]

Man wouldn't that make a killer sponsor!

[don moore]

need to pant the front corners black to match the rest of the cladding.

[Triathlete]

need to pant the front corners black to match the rest of the cladding.

Personally I think "pants" would look funny on a VX no matter what color :D

[Buffy]

I don't know a nice pin stripe wouldn't be bad......;)

Well I have the motor, tranny, and transfer case installed. The rear with all new links is in. Man those race tires look sweet under there! Next up is to finish up the 5 speed conversion and install the headers. I am also going to build a custom trans mount and do away with the factory setup. No more broken rusty bolts! I will be sure to take some pictures of that when I finish, plush the ground clearance should improve. Took a measurement and I have 22 inches of ground clearance to the bottom of the rock sliders.

[don moore]

lol you know what I ment..lol

[JoFotoz]

Just got my set of Engine mounts today....


His price is 175.00 for the pair I think that includes the shipping back to you. Your mounts would be returned looking like the picture. This is the second set he has made.

...FANTASTIC quality..awesome.

Thanks Buffy..and of course Andy for making them.

EXCELLENT :thumbup:

Jo

[Buffy]

Awesome! I was wondering when you were going to be getting them. Andy is a great guy to work with.

[JoFotoz]

The fabbing and finish is fantastic...


Awesome! I was wondering when you were going to be getting them. Andy is a great guy to work with.

I let Andy know...and sent ya a PM with a few questions.

Thanks for setting this up for me.

Cheers

jo

[Buffy]

Thought I'd give you guys an update. I finally got my truck back on four wheels today and to say I am proud is an understatement! After months of hard work my parter and I had to sit down and take in what we've created. I ended up with about 8 inches of lift. For a comparison a stock oil pain is 10 1/2 inches of clearance, the Rover has 18 3/4 inches of clearance. I still have to finish plumbing the brake lines, install the shocks which will have 14 inches of travel front and rear, and some other final details. It has come a long way in a couple weeks.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/973322/fullsize/new-rover-1.jpg

[Marlin]

Holy crap that thing is a monster!! I can't wait until I retire and get a grown up job!

[bartmanS4]

Completely Awesome! :thumbup:
Can't wait to see some more videos of your racing.

[don moore]

still need to PAINT the front area were the cladding is missing ..black

[Buffy]

still need to PAINT the front area were the cladding is missing ..black

I actually have cladding pieces to cover that area. I just have to find them. :o

[don moore]

I actually have cladding pieces to cover that area. I just have to find them. :o
oh BTW ..looks kool.

[EVO]

Vicious!!!!!!

[Buffy]

Thought I would share a picture of my new front shocks. I sat them next to a stock VX for scale.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/975561/fullsize/100_2976.jpg

[VXorado]

:drool2:

Those should be awesome on the track...

[Buffy]

Thought I'd take a quick moment and post a couple progress pictures. Lots of changes made to the truck since my last post. We are now running a full hydro steering setup. I plan on making my first race of the season on July 6th at Devil's Playground in Ashboro, NC. Last year DPG was VERY unkind to my truck. I finished the race but limped away after sustaining major damage to my body and frame. But here are the update photos.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/986773/fullsize/new02.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/986772/fullsize/new01.jpg

[ZEUS]

Yeah... I gotta a lil man crush goin here. Haha :bgwo:
VX looks sic, B! What all do you need to get done before the 6th then? I cannot wait to see some action pics!!!

[yellowgizmo99]

so were you able to make it to race?

[VXorado]

Any updates Buffy? Did the VX perform the way you expected on the track?

[Buffy]

2014 Update.........

We had our first race of the season over the weekend. There were 2 races, the first was a long 2 hour endurance race where you were racing the clock. The second was an intense 30 minute dash that was started motorcross style with lots of bashing and rubbing. I took 2nd in the first race and third on the second. I was down on power due to damage to the gass tank. I finished the weeking 2nd over all for the stock modified class.

shameless plug.... I could really use a rolling chassis to build a new truck this one has been beat to a pulp and has a bent frame. Anyone interested in hooking a racer up? Calling hcloud13..... :bgwb: did get lots of coments that it was awesome to see something other than a jeep racing and it is the favorite rig on the circuit. Was told even if I didnt do good I would still look cool!

Can anyone guess which one is the race truck???

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1022310/fullsize/dayton-2014.jpg

and the not so pretty side.....

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1022326/fullsize/dayton-2014-2.jpg

[Maddawg]

Bad a** VX!

[Buffy]

Here is an action shot!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/124442255@N04/14169188195/in/photostream/

[LittleBeast]

Awesome!!!!!

[rowhard]

First off, good look'in race car. sorry you twisted it. did you learn anything so it will be stronger and won't happen again.

Vehicross Family, he's putting the VX out there on his own.

pretty sure Buffy would say hell no, but maybe we can talk about setting up a annual kitty to buy some race parts for the cause,.... get A Vehicross dot Info Sticker on his race car.

will give this a bump in a few weeks, know everyone is MOAB crazy:_beer::_beer::dan_ban::dan_ban:;puke2;:dance : some more

[vxcp]

Awesome action shot!!!! Looking forward to more updates!

[Buffy]

First off, good look'in race car. sorry you twisted it. did you learn anything so it will be stronger and won't happen again.

Vehicross Family, he's putting the VX out there on his own.

pretty sure Buffy would say hell no, but maybe we can talk about setting up a annual kitty to buy some race parts for the cause,.... get A Vehicross dot Info Sticker on his race car.

will give this a bump in a few weeks, know everyone is MOAB crazy:_beer::_beer::dan_ban::dan_ban:;puke2;:dance : some more

Hmmmmm what did a learn..... Don't hit a tree at speed! :p. hit a tree so hard that it knocked the wire connectors off my gauges, and the main power wire for the winch. Pretty violent collision. But finished the weekend. Have to get all the damage corrected by June 14th when we race in Marion, NC. I figured out that I was leaking fuel out of the filler neck because some of the climbs were that steep.

[rowhard]

that would do it,... but what I meant was anything you could do to strengthen the frame on your next VX racer

[Buffy]

Ah got it.... We plated the front section when we did the solid axle swap. I would plate the frame down the entire length. Most of the damage is passenger side. The body damage you see in the picture is from a previous race. I am still investigating what maybe damaged after this last race.i will have to get rid of the factory gas tank and go fuel cell. Was planing on doing that anyway just not this soon. Having lots of issues up front with the SAS. I have too much down travel and I am hitting the top of the axle and breaking my air line out. Also hammering out my bump stops. Will probably go to air bumps and will move the front axle about 1 1/2 inches forward to see of that helps with that. So tonight the gas tank comes out and a more complete inspection.

[Buffy]

The VX is feeling mighty tired after the race. I have lots of damage to fix. I had to cut the front axle back out and will have to completely remount it.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1023574/fullsize/photo-1.jpg

A nice shot showing the full hydro setup

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1023575/fullsize/photo-2.jpg

Here is a shot of the switch panel that pretty muchs runs the truck

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1023576/fullsize/photo3.jpg

[Volksnick]

2014 Update.........
Can anyone guess which one is the race truck???

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1022310/fullsize/dayton-2014.jpg

and the not so pretty side.....

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1022326/fullsize/dayton-2014-2.jpg

Both of my sides look pretty :bwgy:

It was fun watching the race. The best part was driving my VX to the pits and all the spectators looking at it wondering what the hell it was and why anyone would waste time on a "dinky" SUV like that...then Buffy drove by :) granted, his was a little more modified...

[Buffy]

Thanks for coming out and supporting us last weekend. You have a very nice looking VX! Wish we could have finished better but only so much I can do with 2 wheel drive. We never did find where the front drive shaft went!!! ;eekb; We still were able to pass people without it and finished 6th overall.

[Buffy]

Well it is that time of the year again, time for some bashing and banging fun. This coming Saturday I will be racing up at Ghostriders Park in Cumberland, Kentucky. The hot rod is primed and ready for some fun, hopefully I can keep it on all fours this race!

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1055727/fullsize/rover-20151.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1055728/fullsize/rover-20152.jpg

[vxcp]

Good luck out there!

[Mile High VX]

Drive her well...stay safe...:smilewink:bgwb:

[VXorado]

Looking good Buffy!

[JoFotoz]

Hope ya do well :thumbup:
Keep her rubber side down!!

Video would be awesome :thumbup:

Jo

[Buffy]

Planning on taking the GoPro. I have a dash mount setup. The wife is going with me this time, may even go for a spin too. So, she will try and shoot some videos and pics.

[Buffy]

Well we took second but suffered some damage in the process. I cracked my oil pan on a rear hard landing. I am having issues with axle wrap that allows the steering ram come up and hit the bottom of the motor. Have another pan on the way, and have removed the axle. I am taking it and having a real race axle made to replace it and am converting to spring over as well. So lots of work to finish before the next race.

[Triathlete]

Anti wrap bar?

[Buffy]

Yea I am looking into installing one. The only downside is there really isn't a lot of room under there for one. Once I get the new axle back and installed I will be looking to install something. I am definitely going to install a cross member that will protect the oil pan.

[Buffy]

First off, glad to see the site back up and running! Secondly We had a race at the Dirty Turtle in Bedford, Kentucy over the weekend. We took first place! It is my first 1st place finish since starting the series. Since my last post I completed the springover conversion and couldnt be happier with the results. I did suffer some damage to the cage where the shock mounts. Completely severed the inch and a half DOM tubing during the short race. Hit the pits, grabed a torch, the welder, and some 1.75 tubing and patched it back together.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1063977/fullsize/dta3.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1063976/fullsize/dta2.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1063978/fullsize/dta4.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1063975/fullsize/dta1.jpg

[bartmanS4]

Awesome pics! Congrats Buffy! Do you have more info about your spring over mod?
Cheers,
Scott

[ZEUS]

Congrats on the WIN! What does it feel like to actually complete projects anyway? :o

[Buffy]

I must say it feels pretty darned good to see the parts pile get smaller and the truck looking more like a truck again. Due to the class rules that I run, I am required to run leaf springs. I took a standard Jeep wagoneer Leaf pack that had the military wrap spring and added the longest spring from my 4" lift pack which made a custom spring pack. I did this to give me 3 springs that ran the full length of the pack in hopes of preventing axle wrap. The next concern was pinion angle. I met with the guys at East Coast Gear Supply and had a new housing made (old one distroyed anyway) and had the Cs rocked back to compensate for the new pinion angle. In the end I have perfect pinion angle, the Cs are in the correct location. I can air this thing out without the worry of breaking any more oil pans. As a matter of fact I am getting almost full use of my 14" Fox shocks now. I was very surprised how stable it still is. I am over 6 ft tall and I have to stand on a bucket to see in the radiator!

[Buffy]

Here are some more shots from the race....

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1064023/fullsize/dta6.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1064022/fullsize/dta5.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1064024/fullsize/dta7.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1064025/fullsize/dta8.jpg

[VXorado]

Awesome pictures Buffy and grats on the win!

What are you running for bumpstops, rubber or air? Also, did you truss the axles? That shot of your VX aired out is damn impressive!

[Buffy]

I am running Fox air bumps. I am definitely trussed up front! :D

[Mile High VX]

Just fantastic!

Love the pics...keep on keeping us updated.

[JoFotoz]

AWESOME.... :clap:

[vxcp]

Love that air!

[ZeroSix]

what a beast!!! The joy of seeing other drivers staring in endless wonder what the hell passed them is priceless.
Im still getting into the truck but by just looking at this I learn a lot!
Ganbare! (jp for persist / fight on!!)

[Marlin]

Damn. I remember when you were getting started.