My Build Log - For my tracking and yours

[taylorRichie]

Got back from Moab, and need to get the lift installed.

Already had a pair of OME912s in the garage, but didn't bring them to Moab like I should have... I'm home now, and I'm ordering everything I need.

Have:
OME 912

Ordered:
Bilstein Shocks H2 front, H1 Rears
Energy Bumpstops, Low Pro Front, high Pro Rear.
Energy Sway Bar bushings (greasables) front and Rear
Energy Tie Rod / Ball Joint Boots
1" Coil Spacers

updated 5/20/08
Heavy Duty Tie Rods

Accessorized:
Truck Box in the back, fits perfect with rear seats in place. (having things loose in the back was bothering me)
Contents include - ARB Deflator kit, Ratcheting straps, towing supplies, cleaning supplies, jumper box, cables gloves tools etc. etc.

Installed:
Black 3M Tint all the way around.
50% Driver and passenger side door windows (utah law)
20% everywhere else. looks killer!

Wheels and tires ordered... 05/27/08
20X8.5 +10mm Offset 108mm Center Bore
33X12.5 Nitto Mud Grapplers

That's all you're getting Next update will be when they're on the vehicle

I really wanted to try prothane for all my Urethane components, but Jegs said 7-10 days shipping on all prothane, and Energy are all in stock Just wanted to give them a try on everything so we could have some real world experience with both brands.

I also was having a hard time with shocks, Bilstein or Rancho adjustables. I've loved bilsteins on every car I've owned so that's really what won out for me. I was worried about the back being to stiff (and it still may be) but I figured the extra stiffness will be good to have when I'm towing (4 Wheelers, motorcycles, junkyard trips)

I'm really really really hoping everything comes this week so I can do an install over the weekend, but I doubt that'll happen

I'll keep you all posted!

5/30/08
VX - Lifted

There's still plenty to do, (flip Ball Joints, install Tie Rods, and front shocks)

But I don't have my tie rods or front sway bar bushings yet, so I'll wait till I have everything before tearing it down.

Wheels/Tires should be here June 5th or 6th They were shipped from California to Chicago, then Chicago to me.

XPEDITION RACK INSTALLED

6/4/08
Ordered Spider LED tail lights
Ordered Bi/Xenon Kit from XenonRider (Joseph)


6/6/08
Received Spider LED tail lights
Received Bi/Xenon Kit from XenonRider (Joseph)
Received Wheels/Tires

6/7/08
Finished up front (except for tierods which haven't arrived)
All bushings bumpstops were replaced, Ball Joints Flipped, Wheel wells trimmed, Sliders Trimmed, and Wheels/Tires installed

IMAGES BELOW








6/12/08
Spider LEDs Installed
Xenon Lights installed (killer killer killer, and joseph rocks)
Ordered - Hella FF100 Foglights (to be HID)
Ordered - PowerVault 2 Muffler - and the following from an ex VX owner who still had this stuff in his garage
Interceptor Transmission Module
Vehicross Front and Rear license plate frames (brand new - 1 going up for bid on Moncha's Behalf)
Chrome Door Sill Plates with Vehicross etched (brand new)
Driver and Passenger's side Kick panels (my driver's side is brokey)

Should be here this weekend, unfortunately I'll be out of town until Sunday, But I think Midas will be open

I really need to find a Supercharger... Hmm... so far my quest for discontinued parts has gone well...

[kodiak]

The GA5s look tough, don’t forget the HD tie rods.

[ZEUS]

The GA5s look tough, don’t forget the HD tie rods.

CORRECT on both counts! And don't forget to figure out a way to tie up the coils to the body so they don't fall out when wheeling. Consider ordering a set of CV boots now while you're at it and locate some heavy duty zip ties to use in case the bands slip off after lifting - which seemed to be a common problem this year. Also consider upgrading the brakes as soon as you can - the braided lines mixed with R1 rotors and OEM pads seem to be the hot ticket. I am not sure of the weight of the Zinik wheels but the Granites are pretty light weight (I eyed them myself for awhile). I have BBS Moda R7's but they are discontinued - the specs match the Granites though. The width and 0 offset require more trimming with 33's so be prepared to hack. And oh yeah, have fun!

[pbkid]

i dig the granite alloys, those are way better looking rims...
the ziniks are a little too sports car for a VX in my opinion...

gonna have a nice rig by next time we all see ya

[LittleBeast]

I really can't get over how great the 20" wheel with 33" aggressive tire combo looks(ie. littleBeast). But the expense... I can't find a 20" wheel/tire combo for under $2500, I could get a full set of 18" wheel/tires including a matching spare for less than that.

My wheel/tire combo = $2480 (everything including shipping)

You just have to keep looking and looking and looking. Jordan Tire did $1155 shipped for the Nitto Mud Grapplers for me, I found them on eBay. JD wheels did the 20"s shipped for me for $1325.

[LittleBeast]

My tires were Nitto Mud Grapplers found cheapest here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4-NEW...mZ260241322903

My rims were Zinik Z26 found cheapest here:
http://www.jdwheels.com/

[taylorRichie]

Very awesome! Thanks Little Beast!

I'm in contact with JDwheels right now, figuring out my options there.

Still undecided, $2500 for 20"s is still $1,000 more than 18"s wrapped in BFG tires.

We'll see what happens, Lift components all shipped today, including Heavy Duty tie rods.

[LittleBeast]

Still undecided, $2500 for 20"s is still $1,000 more than 18"s wrapped in BFG tires.

Go big or go home and wish you went big! LOL Can't wait to see what you decide on, please take lots of pics. Kim at JDWheels was great to work with she even called me on her day off to make sure everything worked out. Tell her Ryan from Houston referred you, lol. Really can't wait for some photos good luck with the lift and decisions.

[taylorRichie]

Updated Original Post... Wheels ordered, most everything has arrived. Unfortunately some key components haven't arrived for me to start the install Shocks, Coil spacer. If those would get here I could get the back done, and then The front cranked while I waited for the new tie rods, and other components.

Going to be a busy couple days when the rest of the components get here... I just hope my wheels and tires don't beat the lift, cause it'll be very very tough to have them sitting here while waiting for the lift.