Exciting discovery!!!

[mattferguson14]

So I recently purchased a VX from a dealership. The truck is pretty heavily modded and you can tell someone loved this thing (makes me wonder why they sold it). Here is a list of the mods that I have found so far:

4 inch (at least I think) lift
33inch Nitto tires and aftermarket 18inch wheels
true cold air intake with K&N cone filter
aftermarket heavy duty cooling hoses and lines
Rearview mirror with temp, compass, and auto-tinting
Overhead console with garage door transmitter and sunglasses door
Blue LED interior lighting
Blue Xenon Headlights
Led flood lights
Second set of Halogen front lights
Painted heads
pop out alpine stereo with 8 inch screen, fully wired for subwoofer/amplifier

And I'm sure there are more yet to be discovered. Today, I found out it is equipped with a Viper alarm system with remote entry, remote engine start, and even remote rear door entry :) There are still two more aftermarket toggle switches on the dash that I can't figure out what they do! There are 4 total, 2 control the front lights, but these other two are a mystery.. I think one may turn the TOD off and on but not sure yet. Any ideas?. All in all, I am happy to be the owner of an awesome VX! Even if it does have 126,000 miles..

[louweed]

ummm, pics? or was this just a (wet) dream you are describing? ;)

[mattferguson14]

I have pics, just can't figure out how to get them all on this thread! Help??

[Triathlete]

Are you sure the other switches are even hooked up?

[mattferguson14]

picture fail

[mattferguson14]

picture fail

[mattferguson14]

It won't let me post the pics, but you can follow these links i think:

https://picturelife.com/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/media/PkUkvALXXbmlIm8

https://picturelife.com/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/media/RumEbXKG8OioYm0E

https://picturelife.com/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/media/Lg25MU6gRDgXfp

https://picturelife.com/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/media/sEk5TiLkgcWYetw

https://picturelife.com/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/media/IKu4NdCoSVrkmkz

https://picturelife.com/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/media/Q7GF2gMFL3zMvi8

I forgot to mention the roof rack and bars in my original post. Also, the glasspack exhaust. It sounds good!

[Triathlete]

Nice choice of radio station :D

[mattferguson14]

There are wires attached to the back of the switches, I'm assuming they go somewhere.. but you know what assuming gets you. lol

[johnnyapollo]

That's a Hotshot intake...

[mattferguson14]

Nice choice of radio station :D


Are there any other stations around here?? If so, I don't know about them. :bgwo:

[mattferguson14]

That's a Hotshot intake...


Is there something special about the hotshot? I'm not an expert in these cold air intakes. I just know it has a K&N filter on the end of it.

[VXRick]

I saw that the first day you posted it. I like everything about it. Wheels, rack, paint etc. Looks like a lot of money and time pored into it. The truck is tight, Congrats! :LineWave:

[bartmanS4]

Hey Matt, nice rig.
I've got a similar Alpine head unit that I hooked up a rearview camera to. Instead of running it with the power from the reverse lamp I hooked it up the the rear defroster power. This let's me use it as a selectable full time rearviewer.
Just an idea for you.
Scott

[mattferguson14]

I saw that the first day you posted it. I like everything about it. Wheels, rack, paint etc. Looks like a lot of money and time pored into it. The truck is tight, Congrats! :LineWave:


Thank you sir! I am proud to own it. She sure is a head turner. I love driving it. If it didn't drink so much fuel I'd just drive it around all day. lol :grinb:

[mattferguson14]

Hey Matt, nice rig.
I've got a similar Alpine head unit that I hooked up a rearview camera to. Instead of running it with the power from the reverse lamp I hooked it up the the rear defroster power. This let's me use it as a selectable full time rearviewer.
Just an idea for you.
Scott


I know I said Alpine, but it's actually a Pioneer. Either way, the full time rearview is a good idea! I'll look into it. I can't seem to get the blutooth to work on this receiver though. The PO may not have installed the blutooth transmitter. I have to tear into it and see what's going on back there.

[HeckaTrebeka]

Sorry, don't know how to resize the pics from here.

https://d23eip2ffc313g.cloudfront.net/1300/0/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/a86b90d30627b31dcae699d39a8e2f4da66e81d910dec31b3c ec4a18045d8bf3?hash=PkUkvALXXbmlIm8&updated=1414246971&format=jpeg&response-content-type=image%2Fjpeg&rotation=1&Expires=1414368000&Signature=btmMxzudDSnNNPK2RJ0ulCgJXUwDbveI3okrLmOS 5X5h8yfCFPGC6LGMu0NZ9Ht23c8~Shf~38X3H58i-yAfTp02H3--oR7VintbibYzDz-6H~DB7sM5KM3WxXkbPCHCTSdMX4UGLlH2N9fOGMWiMZs7bpwW6 t6cBYxtM8~nnIE_&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJFCPZ2ZSCCGLJB6A

https://d23eip2ffc313g.cloudfront.net/1300/0/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/39859db8c2514a11ff797d5ea34a7d5f0341e8749aafa055f6 ce0fe44eb577c7?hash=RumEbXKG8OioYm0E&updated=1414247214&format=jpeg&response-content-type=image%2Fjpeg&rotation=1&Expires=1414368000&Signature=RzuMFWOrS85NBu2h3Gt6z-nqIeBZvWMFVboV2V1vQX4iV6XdIaWfj7TqGeHhtAik182aZRg3 ncCFpHW4WCscXzBYVpYoMp33HtIERwFqovK2qYtt-d72G5BWFKYsDYWnwB~7aQFiA3WJK8nLORi8avFBsqitkt7CY7B l9n~3SfA_&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJFCPZ2ZSCCGLJB6A

https://d3pvbmpmh353ga.cloudfront.net/1300/0/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/d6a1c97a81885c2fa17ce88f6bbf52f3b64c470f72019fd5dd a6cbe27131ee37?hash=Lg25MU6gRDgXfp&updated=1414247209&format=jpeg&response-content-type=image%2Fjpeg&rotation=1&Expires=1414368000&Signature=a4QR2-9UG~S0MtDFw1ScPbtBuDN47kl2oGm5Fnhm9MY9aWJ3iH-Q5Jqzmv91wKbPD20R1K0UyvMXurxzHhq9LcpluPM1Zb6h8sahU pOfJVaT0AX-zTPvBbky-mvEIy9a2YUHgy7OBRWOqa67ho5MMUQkdJgr-zw2q~oRfMNXrdo_&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJFCPZ2ZSCCGLJB6A

https://d23eip2ffc313g.cloudfront.net/1300/0/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/8fbd570376ff14aaacfd39a763fe8d07017fed5dead9f5e30d 508be77f6986a8?hash=sEk5TiLkgcWYetw&updated=1414247013&format=jpeg&response-content-type=image%2Fjpeg&rotation=1&Expires=1414368000&Signature=nZbmYqqDWkMZzL9PRLNfZZOYu4zZxokJoPtohih7 XupCcUNnyBek8RX0dkbG7mZGbtJ4zydoXf5xe9xNHG6z6lqUXN LerdbajMB4sdr2wGdlB3f8N-~lddioha~h7kUFi~qEaZmbqwg2tU~juUT~qUCjtf8ahWOi~xF-13J2EmY_&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJFCPZ2ZSCCGLJB6A

https://d23eip2ffc313g.cloudfront.net/1300/0/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/f7d0f1c2594103666a50f810c303c75118d0b6ae093cff9c74 8d8e62d20f893a?hash=IKu4NdCoSVrkmkz&updated=1414247204&format=jpeg&response-content-type=image%2Fjpeg&rotation=1&Expires=1414368000&Signature=a~WbO6y-vF23u2U0rIupdnYdW7IzTUBFIjWT6UCM6uAeGgZhhSSG5fg-DAiUkGat1rbznieTO0Vcc7EbDkZXCA8pPkTRVEIwA6j4bdChXR RBLztNp06UYflYNmcSdqsdRDDYLkVm1-wjxyUeSb-r~1JaeGMuFgN1TcM7sZ2SYfg_&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJFCPZ2ZSCCGLJB6A

https://d23eip2ffc313g.cloudfront.net/1300/0/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/a4101cce5c24069734da90c2d22485db833d521634ccff3406 5258e92f80a66a?hash=Q7GF2gMFL3zMvi8&updated=1414247040&format=jpeg&response-content-type=image%2Fjpeg&rotation=1&Expires=1414368000&Signature=BWYQNtYrTz2O0P1927sT9794gv-jAHgnS7nRos4HVDI1G-dbGXdIDmlOVGa49JHb2Nuj4256iFb9dW9fVDoIKE3mD2DjiHMZ iYQK6G8hBLJbhY4FeJYe~3VkQILBQ1NXXPvNomj99lnbj5a3CD TL5G6qHI5Tmhj~VbLeuQ948~8_&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJFCPZ2ZSCCGLJB6A

[mattferguson14]

Sorry, don't know how to resize the pics from here.

Gosh, you made them so big that everyone can see all of the blemishes and imperfections now. LMAO :slap:

[louweed]

Thank you sir! I am proud to own it. She sure is a head turner. I love driving it. If it didn't drink so much fuel I'd just drive it around all day. lol :grinb:

how many miles she got? and how's the undercarriage? any rust? (clean for being from AZ?)

[mattferguson14]

how many miles she got? and how's the undercarriage? any rust? (clean for being from AZ?)


The under carriage looks good. Not banged up or anything. Looks like it hasn't seen too much offroad action, at least nothing crazy. No rust to speak of. I think this thing spend a little time in the southeast before it came to AZ. The Odo shows 126K.

[louweed]

The under carriage looks good. Not banged up or anything. Looks like it hasn't seen too much offroad action, at least nothing crazy. No rust to speak of. I think this thing spend a little time in the southeast before it came to AZ. The Odo shows 126K.

wow.. NO rust (whatsoever). ok now i want to see some pics, cause i dont know what you paid, but depending on what you did fork out, looks like you got a gem! pics please!

[mattferguson14]

https://picturelife.com/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/media/bVyyxXKRQuP6sGJ

https://picturelife.com/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/media/691KKyPc2jNGYyT

https://picturelife.com/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/media/yRquvvFilhMDygR

https://picturelife.com/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/media/s3BICIVqBIxhakl

https://picturelife.com/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/media/VwcRYgx81nUy6Zz

https://picturelife.com/SpBfLhLcz5YG3u1E/media/RyubI64Wck2TO4up


More pics. Can anyone tell what brand the suspension is by looking??

[mattferguson14]

wow.. NO rust (whatsoever). ok now i want to see some pics, cause i dont know what you paid, but depending on what you did fork out, looks like you got a gem! pics please!

Don't get me wrong, there is a bit of surface rust here and there, but no rot or damage at all. I paid $6990 before taxes and all.

[mattferguson14]

Also, if you look at those pics, am i missing a shroud or cover over the flywheel??

[Mile High VX]

Also, if you look at those pics, am i missing a shroud or cover over the flywheel??

Yes, there is a small plate that covers that area.

It would be easy to fab one up...it's just thin metal to prevent dust/dirt from getting in there...nothing like you would use for protection such as skid plate stuff.

[Triathlete]

That is a Calming lift. The blue goodies give it away. ;)

[JoFotoz]

Yup .. I agree Billy.

Thats all Calmini "blue" stuff from their lift kit.

Jo

[louweed]

Don't get me wrong, there is a bit of surface rust here and there, but no rot or damage at all. I paid $6990 before taxes and all.

$7k is a decent price imo, that thing is a beast! assuming nothing goes wrong w/ the engine, trannt, etc in the next few months... i'd say you got yourself a keeper! congrats man.

:yeso:

[johnnyapollo]

Yup, you got a good one from what I see. Regarding the Hotshot intake - it was originally, specifically designed as a one-piece custom intake for the Isuzu Trooper then marketed to the VX community - turns out the way it turns up on the second bend, you couldn't close the hood. To fix it, those of us who had already bought one cut it in half and added a coupling (yours has the black coupling in the middle). All of the previous intakes were basically adapted from other manufacturers so they were a bit cobbled-up. The Hotshot is probably the best of the intakes out there for the VX.

-- John

[mattferguson14]

Yup .. I agree Billy.

Thats all Calmini "blue" stuff from their lift kit.

Jo

Is calmini known as a good lift for these trucks? The ride is stiff as can be. Speed bumps are horrible in this thing. Lol

[mattferguson14]

Yup, you got a good one from what I see. Regarding the Hotshot intake - it was originally, specifically designed as a one-piece custom intake for the Isuzu Trooper then marketed to the VX community - turns out the way it turns up on the second bend, you couldn't close the hood. To fix it, those of us who had already bought one cut it in half and added a coupling (yours has the black coupling in the middle). All of the previous intakes were basically adapted from other manufacturers so they were a bit cobbled-up. The Hotshot is probably the best of the intakes out there for the VX.

-- John

Yeah, it looks chopped and coupled. There is actually a little spot where the chrome is rubbing off from scraping against the hood. That black sleeve isn't actually the coupling though, I believe it's there to protect the intake tube from rubbing. Thanks for all the info guys, I really appreciate it. I love this truck more every day.

[LittleBeast]

Yup, you got a good one from what I see. Regarding the Hotshot intake - it was originally, specifically designed as a one-piece custom intake for the Isuzu Trooper then marketed to the VX community - turns out the way it turns up on the second bend, you couldn't close the hood. To fix it, those of us who had already bought one cut it in half and added a coupling (yours has the black coupling in the middle). All of the previous intakes were basically adapted from other manufacturers so they were a bit cobbled-up. The Hotshot is probably the best of the intakes out there for the VX.

-- John

Uh, no, Morgan Tech was the best ever made specifically for the VX.

[LittleBeast]

Is calmini known as a good lift for these trucks? The ride is stiff as can be. Speed bumps are horrible in this thing. Lol

Calmini for all intents and purposes is not necessary. The VehiCross suspension is stiff, it was built to corner like a sports car but have suspension travel like a truck, and that's just what you get. You can play around with different shocks, most people go with the adjustable Ranchos, I think they are the 9000 maybe? I had the original shocks rebuilt, and added Heavy Duty torsion bars on the front. Looks like you got an amazing deal! But the missing cover on the Torque converter bolts tells you that it probably has had some transmission work at some point. Sometimes that can be good or bad with the VX. Do lots of searching here, welcome to the VX family, and feel free to ask questions, there are lots of knowledgable people on here.

[JoFotoz]

X2...


Uh, no, Morgan Tech was the best ever made specifically for the VX.

100% agree... Morgan Tech is a perfect fit... less restrictive too.

Jo

[JoFotoz]

X2...again!


Calmini for all intents and purposes is not necessary.

Its a good kit, and I inherited one when I purchased the ORW.

However.. its overkill and VERY expensive....

About $600 for Calmini kit....
About $180 for Old Man Emu rear coils and T/bar crank using stock shocks.
About $380 for Old Man Emu rear coils, Rancho 9000's and t/bar crank.

jo

[mattferguson14]

X2...again!



Its a good kit, and I inherited one when I purchased the ORW.

However.. its overkill and VERY expensive....

About $600 for Calmini kit....
About $180 for Old Man Emu rear coils and T/bar crank using stock shocks.
About $380 for Old Man Emu rear coils, Rancho 9000's and t/bar crank.

jo

I guess whether or not it's necessary is irrelevant since I didn't pay for nor install it. :bgwb: I'm just making sure that it's quality equipment. Same with the intake. It all came with the truck. I'm just wondering if I can stick with what I got, or if it would be best to change out some parts.

[mattferguson14]

Calmini for all intents and purposes is not necessary. The VehiCross suspension is stiff, it was built to corner like a sports car but have suspension travel like a truck, and that's just what you get. You can play around with different shocks, most people go with the adjustable Ranchos, I think they are the 9000 maybe? I had the original shocks rebuilt, and added Heavy Duty torsion bars on the front. Looks like you got an amazing deal! But the missing cover on the Torque converter bolts tells you that it probably has had some transmission work at some point. Sometimes that can be good or bad with the VX. Do lots of searching here, welcome to the VX family, and feel free to ask questions, there are lots of knowledgable people on here.

Thanks for the info. If it had tranny work, they seem to have done a good job. It shifts perfectly. No lash or hesitation, no hard shifting. I haven't taken it off road yet to give the suspension or gear box a real test. I bought the truck with a bad front prop shaft and worked a repair into the deal. I had the dealer remove the shaft until the new part comes in (it was making some noise, bad joints).

[JoFotoz]

Nothing wrong with Calmini quality :thumbup:



I guess whether or not it's necessary is irrelevant since I didn't pay for nor install it. :bgwb: I'm just making sure that it's quality equipment. Same with the intake. It all came with the truck. I'm just wondering if I can stick with what I got, or if it would be best to change out some parts.

I still run Calmini shocks because I like the extra length...
...their coils do tend to weaken however...and I changed those to OME's

Hot shot is good too... Morgan tech is really just a personal preference :cool:

Seems to me you have the basis of a really good set up...
...and can drive as is , until you get the feel.
Then alter to suit your own 'wants' :thumbup:

Jo

[mattferguson14]

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?p=232311#post232311

Check this out guys. I did a search of one of the previous owners. Looks like they put a rebuilt engine in it in 2011. So even though the ODO says 126k, i bet the rebuild can't have more that 60k on it! (see post #3)

[HeckaTrebeka]

Looks like you scored big time! I paid nearly 10k for mine, stock.

[VXorado]

X2...again!



Its a good kit, and I inherited one when I purchased the ORW.

However.. its overkill and VERY expensive....

About $600 for Calmini kit....
About $180 for Old Man Emu rear coils and T/bar crank using stock shocks.
About $380 for Old Man Emu rear coils, Rancho 9000's and t/bar crank.

jo

Agreed, never owned the Calmini but the extra $250 you save can go toward HD torsion bars &/or HD tie rods.

[VXorado]

Matt, nice rig... it's a clean Ebony for sure. I would ditch the rims and cargo basket but that is my subjective opinion. :eek:

Welcome to the community! :_beer:

[mattferguson14]

Matt, nice rig... it's a clean Ebony for sure. I would ditch the rims and cargo basket but that is my subjective opinion. :eek:

Welcome to the community! :_beer:


Thanks man! I'm not partial to the rims, they are a bit cheesy.. but they'll do for not. The basket on the other hand, I like! Mainly because I'm a big time camper/outdoorsman and I will actually use the thing. I'm not a big fan of the curvy bar that runs along the side of the basket though. If i can get ahold of a welder, I may chop them off and replace with some angled square tubing. But again, it'll do for now. :_beer:

[Hades]

To the cold air intake, like the previous poster said that's just an intake. You wouldn't want a cold air intake on one of these unless it was a snorkel. Cold air intakes normally are routed down out of the engine bay to suck in ambient temperature, that still gets affected by the engine temps.

[WormGod]

Looks like a steal for that price.

Lots of mods tend to drive me away personally. Being in the Subie crowd, once the hood has been popped, she's off limits. heh.

So how many owners has this been through? Hopefully they have all been through here and can be contacted to try to get some service history/mod work information.

:thumbup:

[mattferguson14]

Looks like a steal for that price.

Lots of mods tend to drive me away personally. Being in the Subie crowd, once the hood has been popped, she's off limits. heh.

So how many owners has this been through? Hopefully they have all been through here and can be contacted to try to get some service history/mod work information.

:thumbup:


I am the 8th owner of this fine piece of machinery. I cannot seem to get ahold of the most recent owners, although 4 POs are registered here. I think the engine is pretty sound. I am having an issue with the 3 pin connector for one of the coils, every now and then the engine misfires and I have to get out and wiggle the connector on that coil to get it to fire again. I'll be looking into it a bit further after work today. I think it's just a connectivity issue. I did get a carfax showing all preventative maintenance and service records. They were done regularly up til the time I bought it. Also, as I mentioned previously, the third owner replaced the engine with a rebuild at around 60k, so the rebuilt engine has around 66k on it.

[WormGod]

8 owners?!?! Mother of things great and small!!!!

I would get that VX exorcised. It is cursed or has a demon. Unless of course, there is some Ancient Aliens activity involved.

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e7/e8/9a/e7e89ae721f68f43e761052b0237073a.jpg

[mattferguson14]

Haha! Well I'll say this, aliens or no aliens, it took some form of divine intervention to bring me and this beast together. You may call it a curse, but others might call it fate..