Poor man's photoshop, or I just rattlecan'd my VX.

[MustangO4]

Well after smushing my front end and doing the mechanical repairs, I said heck with it. I have wanted to do this to a truck for years and well, here it is. The paint is krylon ultra flat (needs another coat and a sanding to smooth it out) and the cladding, mirrors and the roof under the rack are all Herculiner. I figured if I plan to put a full size spare on the roof, I might as well coat it. The whole thing cost maybe $150. I love the rough look, but my wife won't even stand next to it much less ride in it(since I put a glasspack on it she has hated the noise anyway so, oh well,ha ha). Now I just need to fix the turn signal and badge it up somehow. The isuzu badges all tore comming off so I may do something else. Well, here it is for your entertainment.
And to all of you that have photoshopped your VX's, cowboy up.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMGA0700.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMGA0700.JPG)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMGA0710.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMGA0710.JPG)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMGA0708.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMGA0708.JPG)

[VXD959]

Did you do anything to the roof rack? Would you sell it to me?

Also, your headlights look like in good shape. I have a couple of dull ones (not a whole lot) that will match the looks of your VX. Willing to trade?

Please let me know.

[ZEUS]

Slap on some Teflon coated wheels and your good to go stalk someone! Maybe try out an urban camo (primer gray, dark gray, and black) paint job in place of the flat black - you know, so you will blend in and your wife won't feel so self-conscious! I thought about Herculiner on my cladding but I am not sure I like the textured look and I don't think have the gonads to try it.

[Tobert]

Have you considered the Rustoleum textured paint?

http://rustoleum.com/Product.asp?ddf=73&frm_product_id=21&SBL=1


My old truck almost got some of the silver hammered across the bottom (to hide the copious flaws). Then again, that whole vehicle was a shade-tree experiment in body work gone wacko. I had this white S-10 Jimmy sitting in the yard and my dad and I were wondering what it would look like with the back cut off. So, we did it. We also threw a Series I 3800 in it, too.

http://tobert.org/jimmy/truck_passengerside.jpg
http://tobert.org/jimmy/front_top.jpg

I drove it without doing anything to it for about a year like this. Then I gave it to my little sister and she drove it for a year. Now, it's sitting in my dad's yard again waiting for it's next lease on life. The cab mounts have rotted away, so it'll be something completely different again next time.

I don't have any current pictures of it with the 255x10's on the back, but they look cool. It also has a 2000 S-10 bench seat in it.

That terrible blue was CHEAP. We got some of that industrial "smurf blue" and mixed it with a little black before mixing with laquer thinner to spray on. Yup, low tech. To paint, we just watered the lawn to limit the dust and sprayed out in the open. It turns out that mosquitos sand off without leaving too much of a mark ;)

Would I do the same to my VX? No way! It was fun to do it to a vehicle worth less than $300, though.

Photoshop is for the weak! Viva 'la sawzall!

[MustangO4]

My first try was with some crinkle coat paint, but it looked really bad so I went with the bedliner.

Sorry, I'm keepin' the roofracks.

[VehiGAZ]

First SPAZZ and now you?!?! Are all of our VXs going to end up looking like this?!

[creeg]

That primer black would look great with some old-skool 1950's-style pinstriping in white.

[VX crazy]

There is something wrong with you guys, thats all I can say.....

[E-ZooZoo One]

And to all of you that have photoshopped your VX's, cowboy up.

(This may not be what you meant, but...)

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/4/web/2332000-2332999/2332036_10_full.jpg

In all fairness, due to the use of the wrong camera setting, those freakish light trails were already in the original photograph – I merely added the Mothership :cool!:

[kpaske]

I personally like the flat black look - gives it much more of an "industrial / off-road" vehicle look than the glossy Ebony. When the Ebony is all detailed it looks like a mean "street machine" to me, even with the lift, 33's, and the rack.

The Herculiner on the other hand is a bit too shiny for my taste. I'll probably spring for some Line-X if I ever get mine done.

[Joe_Black]

Looks post apocalyptic. Unfortunately for me, the local climate precludes the use of a shake-n-bake finish. Unless, of course, I ever score a great deal on a '74 Ford Falcon XB...

http://www.lastinterceptor.com/features/0405phr_falcon_01_z.jpg

[MustangO4]

yea the herculiner actually sparkles in the sun. Kinda weird, but not too bad. I just drove it back to work on monday and I got everything from, "I love it! Can you helpme do my truck?" to "Mother of God what were you thinking?" It isn't too hot since I tinted it out. When I get bored I may do the paint another color. You can even paint the Herculiner. The next set of colors will be brown and tan. Maybe next year though. For now, I need new tires and a brush/zombie guard on the front.

[TEN36VX]

Looks pretty tactical, 'cept for the shinny cladding... I like the subdued Isuzu logo in the grill.

[transio]

"Mother of God what were you thinking?"+1 :D

[Ldub]

Maybe next year though. For now, I need new tires and a brush/zombie guard on the front.


You got the zombie problem in Cali. too???
We don't see um' very much during the winters, (we like to think the freezin' az cold keeps out the riff-raff) but this summer has been way hot & the zombie numbers are up according to ND state zombie patrol...
Anyway, here's what I'm working on, as you can see I've got the hood mount pretty well fabbed up...with the trigger mechanism, ammo feed & brass catcher still to go.
Keep the faith Bro...





http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/m61aajpg.jpg

[Joe_Black]

Anyway, here's what I'm working on, as you can see I've got the hood mount pretty well fabbed up...with the trigger mechanism, ammo feed & brass catcher still to go.
Keep the faith Bro...





http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/m61aajpg.jpg
Ah, the 20mm solution. I wondered about the brass catcher, but considering the current price of 20mm components I can see why. ;)

[MustangO4]

Well, It is often hard to get an accurate zombie count in CA due to many of the citizenry, apearing to be zombies, but in fact just being weirdos. The latest problem though is determining if an illegal alien that becomes a zombie in CA becomes an undead citizen, or would they still be deported if captured. As for your mounting issues, I think you would have a hard time finding super large primers after the Zombocalypse to reload your 20mm, so I would just skip on the brass catcher. You know, keep it simple.

[Ldub]

Both of you make good points re: the brass catcher...
My main reason for including it was cleanliness...once I get this bad boy up & firing, it's gonna be bad enough what with Fargo & surrounding areas bieng knee deep in zombie carnage. :naughty:
I figured, it would be that much worser stubbing your toe or cutting your foot (& risking certain zombification through an open wound) on brass strewn willy-nilly about the post apocalyptic landscape. :evil2:

I'll let ya know how it works out. ;)

[creeg]

Zombies!?!

You guys are all a bunch of nut-jobs.

Besides, everyone knows that Vampires are more dangerous. Sheesh.

[Joe_Black]

As for your mounting issues, I think you would have a hard time finding super large primers after the Zombocalypse to reload your 20mm, so I would just skip on the brass catcher. You know, keep it simple.
No sweat there, the 20mm accepts .50 BMG primers although you need to use Loc-Tite or cyanoacrylate to fix in place as they won't fully seat/crimp in the primer cup. A high ROF keep da zombie away! :p

Some pics for reference...

[Ldub]

Zombies!?!

You guys are all a bunch of nut-jobs.

Besides, everyone knows that Vampires are more dangerous. Sheesh.


An obvious attempt at focusing attention AWAY from your own bad zombie self. :p

BTW Mustang, I'm pretty sure I saw a few at the DMV the other day...there could be no other explaination. :rolleyes:

[VehiGAZ]

That's a really, Really, REALLY big cartridge.

Btw, what movie/TV/radio show did I miss that would explain this zombie discussion?

[MustangO4]

You won't cut your toe if you don't battle the undead in flip-flops. Always wear a closed-toe shoe for the zombocolypse.
If you don't consider the zombie threat, you are missing one of the key reasons the vehicross was originally designed. I mean, it was released in 1999, anyone remember the Y2K outbreak? Yea it was localized in Vista, Fredericksburg and Toledo, but without the skilled VX operators in those locations.......I shudder to think. Keep your brain in your head!

http://zombiehunters.org/index.php

[Joe_Black]

http://zombiehunters.org/index.php
"We make dead things deader." Oh, that's just priceless! Time to make another bulk ammo order...

[MustangO4]

Glad to know you are on our side Joe.

Ammo-Buy it cheap and stack it deep.

[Joe_Black]

LOL! Well, you know, if you can get an order over 500 lbs. UPS gives one heckuva bulk discount. ;)

[MustangO4]

Heck, that's just restocking after a weekend of plinking. You know you have an issue when you and your buddy take 2 trucks to the range because the guns and ammo won't all fit in one. I think I need to find a VX style trailer.

[Joe_Black]

Heck, that's just restocking after a weekend of plinking. You know you have an issue when you and your buddy take 2 trucks to the range because the guns and ammo won't all fit in one. I think I need to find a VX style trailer.
You're kidding, right? What the heck are you shooting to burn that much brass? Yike! My last order, which just tipped over 1/4 ton had 4K rounds 7.62X51, 1K rounds 7.62X54, 1.5K rounds 7.62X25 and 1K rounds 30.06 in 8 round Garand clips.

Are you one of the 18 with a mini-gun? :p

[MustangO4]

Yea, just kiding, I wish. However when I was with 3rd LAR, in 29 palms we'd go to the range with the LAVs and have 2 7tons bring us 25mm and 7.62x51 for just a 2 day shoot, 1 practice, 1 qual, and have nothing but casings at the end. Thanks taxpayer. In one firefight in Iraq, on my vehicle, with my pintle mount 240g and the coax 240g we went through 1200 rounds of 7.62 in 45 minutes (25mm main gun went down) Alas, I cannot afford to shoot that way myself though. Now I just buy components and reload myself. Since the wreck though, I have neglected the reloading and spent a lot of time under the VX.(see we're on topic) Well, If you get out to SoCal and want to burn through some ammo, drop me a line. I shoot at a buddy's ranch where I give the VX a workout too. This winter:
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMGA0617.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMGA0617.JPG)

[Joe_Black]

Bet that was hairy when the Bushmaster went down! :eek:

I collect a lot of European military arms from the 30's and 40's, plus I'm an HK G3 (and variants) fan. Currently have just an old rock-chucker RCBS so most of my ammo comes from bulk surplus purchases, but I'm planning a holiday treat to myself in the form of a Dillon XL 650 reloading package. At almost a 1000 rounds an hour it keeps the costs down and lets you get out to the range more often.

We have some great local machinegun shoots with big ones quarterly. Several local collectors have vintage armor with live ordnance ranging from 5.56 minis on cupola mounts to 90mm HV turret guns. Always a blast!

Since we've totally hijacked this thread to zombified destructo-toys, here's a link to a vid of me playing with something really cool. Can y'all identify the weapon on the table in front of me and it's historical significance?

Joe with Zombinator (http://www.planetarydomination.com/media/mov02511.mpg)

[MustangO4]

Nice M60, but of course I would love to play with the sturmgewehr being the first so caled "assault rifle" that may well have turned the tide of the war had the nazis invented it sooner. You're gonna have to try harder than that. Now the real question, is it yours? I may have to get down to FL someday.

[Joe_Black]

Good call! Very few know the StG-43 and how Mr. Kalashnikov copied it to build the AK-47. Unfortunately, I missed the early days of the "Investment Firearm" era and those toys belong to a good friend. I may eventually convert one of my HK trigger packs to select fire, but HK auto sears recently skyrocketed to over $10K. All the government restrictions and bans actually did was create a very lucrative and profitable weapons market.

One friend is building a single-shot 20mm based on a Vulcan barrel (as pictured earlier) and a custom receiver. Think I'll wait till it's broken in before popping a few rounds through it though. LOL! ;)

[MustangO4]

Yea, I was too young in '84. Plus now living in CA we are severly limited. We just keep up the good fight when we can. I can't seem to upload a video but I'll email you a cool one I took about 4 years ago out at 29 palms with the 25mm going and then I pick it up with the 240g. The technique is to get the gunner on distant/hard targets and then the VC (vehicle commander) keeps the close up badguys at bay with the 7.62. At the time it seemed far fetched before 9-11, but during OIF1 we found uurselves doing exactly that on several occasions. Now all I need is a pintle mount on my VX(see, we're still on topic)

Here's one of my platoon and me many years ago. I am the young Lt on the far left. http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/P8250047.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/P8250047.JPG)

[Joe_Black]

Now all I need is a pintle mount on my VX
Hmmm... There was a MB Gelandewagen for sale locally that I looked at that was former Bundeswehr which had a ring mount in the middle of the roof. If you lost the rear seat in the VX that'd be a good spot for a ring, maybe a power ring with a scoot-seat as standing would present way too much profile. That'd be a pretty cool mod! The Gelandewagen had a nice low profile weather-tight hard shell for the mount that wasn't too noticeable either. Maybe you should try that on your urban apocalypse special! Rings are plentiful! ;)

Questions on the LAV: Aren't they AWD with the front two axles steering? Same turret as the Bradley, right? And they have external ATM launch capability as well? Just curious.

[MustangO4]

Sounds like you want an excuse to buy the GW. Okay, if you buy it, I'll buy the ring mount off you. As for the LAV yes they are 8wd with the front 4 steer, but you can switch to 4wd in the rear only for on road use. As for the turret it is very different than the BFV, most notably the armor, but the whole sighting thing too. The sidesaddle TOW missle is a BFV thing. Versions of it have been looked at on the LAV, but the version the Marines use has to swim too and weight becomes an issue. I am out of LAVs now, but maybe the next generation will have something. We currently use a dedicated TOW version that has a big launcher that raises up and shoots.