IRS(not I.R.S.) in VX

[kodiak]

I think the above statement clearly points out the "friction" here in this thread. There are a group of people on here who have street VXes, and then there are the offroad VXes.

There’s a 3rd category that likes it just the way it is like me. But I do like to mess with the visuals and I do lean torrid the off road side a little.

[nfpgasmask]

There’s a 3rd category that likes it just the way it is like me. But I do like to mess with the visuals and I do lean torrid the off road side a little.

First off, there absolutely nothing wrong with a stock VX. But for me, I think from day one, I never saw the VehiCROSS as a "street machine". It's just like a Xterra or a 4Runner, I just don't understand these kind of vehicles as grocery getters....I mean, it's not a station wagon or minivan.

Again, not trying to argue or start anything, just discussing.

Bart

[4X4 UFO]

I owned a Jeep CJ-5 for a long time. I used it to haul firewood, and it was fun as a daily driver. I've always liked two seaters, and I owned a highly modified Fiero for a long time also. Obviously, I like the feel of a stiffly sprung, short wheelbase ride. The problem with any "sports car" is that I always want to drive it "enthusiastically". In order to enjoy the Fiero, I was collecting speeding tickets. Even at my advanced age, that eventually costs too much in insurance payments. However, I still want a vehicle that handles well at a pretty good clip on the road. I'm not off road a lot, but we get some snow and ice here. The VX is great because it will go anywhere, and it is an absolute blast to drive, even at speeds below 80 or 90. I would never soften up the suspension, because one thing I dislike most in a vehicle is the feeling that you're sitting on someone's couch while you're driving it! I like the VX because it does a lot of things very well. Just my two cents!

Randy

[kodiak]

And there’s the jeep intimidator category that ldub’s in all by him self.

[pbkid]

pbkid....I agree it would be more desirable to have dedicated vehicles for specific applications....I myself have the VX, a 1998 Ram Air Trans Am, a Cadillac, a new Suzuki Sx4 crossover (which is a really cool but underpowered unit) and I had a Mazda 323 GTX which was a real screaming 4x4. ..........so I guess I have a different vehicle for each driving application .........but the VX is so unique it is a thrill to drive it in the city and on the highway and get so much attention. I've even had people ask if it was a 2010 Isuzu model..and that feels great.
However if you feel the VX is more dedicated to off road operation then isn't it unnecessary overkill for members to add Superchargers? I assume the S/C is for street performance rather than rock crawling.
So the VX has universal applications. And to modify the suspension to give a more comfortable ride while still lookijng awesome gives it the best of almost all applications. IMHO

i agree that the stock VX has plenty of power, however, if you ask dub he will easily inform you that his VX really isnt much more powerful then it was stock (with current supercharger)....however with the heavy 33" nitto mud grapplers he's running and probably well over 500lbs in interior addition/modifications, he needs the extra power just to keep it moving...

also, dub is definately towards the wheeling side, but he does use his VX to tow a trailer, so consider the extra weight of that also...

from what i understand this is why he has a supercharger, (well i guess it sounds great and makes it fun to drive also).....

so, i dont know about other people with superchargers but dub does have his for offroad application....(hopefully im not making incorrect assumptions)

[Ldub]

And there’s the jeep intimidator category that ldub’s in all by him self.

Where do you guys come up with this stuff?...

I have no control over what Suzy goes out & does on her own when the moon is full...

Sheesh...I haven't even got my locker in yet...

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

However if you feel the VX is more dedicated to off road operation then isn't it unnecessary overkill for members to add Superchargers? I assume the S/C is for street performance rather than rock crawling.
So the VX has universal applications. And to modify the suspension to give a more comfortable ride while still lookijng awesome gives it the best of almost all applications. IMHO

For those of us that drive great distances to go off-roading.....the S/C helps with churning those bigger meats along & tends to raise the mpg up while highway driving.

I also tow from time to time and not only enjoy the greater performance but noticed my avg mpg was better towing with S/C than without.

But, you are right about the actual off-roading; the S/C probably adds nothing towards off-road abilities.

Plus, I S/C'ed mine before getting into any off-roading And, my butt-dyno likey!!

[nfpgasmask]

I wish I had an S/C installed! With the 4.77's and an S/C, Zeus would be a riot! Of course, my fantasy is not IRS it is SFA... that could get expensive fast too.

A little bird told me that Ascinder may be starting his SAS soon...but we'll see. I have heard that kinda talk before...*cough*

Bart

[Bieredalsace]

First off, there absolutely nothing wrong with a stock VX. But for me, I think from day one, I never saw the VehiCROSS as a "street machine". It's just like a Xterra or a 4Runner, I just don't understand these kind of vehicles as grocery getters....I mean, it's not a station wagon or minivan.

Again, not trying to argue or start anything, just discussing.

Bart

From day one look at how the VX was advertised by Isuzu.
Racing on Bonnevile Salt Flats Obviously a spoof but a reference to th VXs ability at speed and all the other ads showed it as a normal car type vehicle for everyday highway drivng. I did't see one commercial by Isuzu using the VX for rock crawling or hard off roading.
So from day one your opinion of what the VX was for was in contradiction to what Isuzu thought the VX was for.
You and others just found an extra novel use for the vehicle.
I'm on the side of those who feel the VX is a unique everyday highway driver, grocery getter and attention grabber! IMHO

[Bieredalsace]

I owned a Jeep CJ-5 for a long time. I used it to haul firewood, and it was fun as a daily driver. I've always liked two seaters, and I owned a highly modified Fiero for a long time also. Obviously, I like the feel of a stiffly sprung, short wheelbase ride. The problem with any "sports car" is that I always want to drive it "enthusiastically". In order to enjoy the Fiero, I was collecting speeding tickets. Even at my advanced age, that eventually costs too much in insurance payments. However, I still want a vehicle that handles well at a pretty good clip on the road. I'm not off road a lot, but we get some snow and ice here. The VX is great because it will go anywhere, and it is an absolute blast to drive, even at speeds below 80 or 90. I would never soften up the suspension, because one thing I dislike most in a vehicle is the feeling that you're sitting on someone's couch while you're driving it! I like the VX because it does a lot of things very well. Just my two cents!

Randy

You got speeding tickets in a Fiero? What? Were you going through a school zone or Hospital zone? Hahaha JK JK JK

[Bieredalsace]

...but, in addition to what I said above, I think this spells it out clearly:

THIS:


Makes about as much sense as THIS:


But then again, as many have said, "to each his own".

Bart

I love that SMART ForFun2, especially towing that big CAT dozer as a spare!

[4X4 UFO]

Lol!!!! I had replaced the stock engine with a lighter, 200 HP Quad Four (with a Torsen transaxle), and firmed up the suspension with some aftermarket parts, so speeding was actually possible! I'll admit, however, that I could probably get a ticket riding a Segway! Sometimes, I just seemed to attract them.......

Randy

[nfpgasmask]

From day one look at how the VX was advertised by Isuzu.
Racing on Bonnevile Salt Flats Obviously a spoof but a reference to th VXs ability at speed and all the other ads showed it as a normal car type vehicle for everyday highway drivng. I did't see one commercial by Isuzu using the VX for rock crawling or hard off roading.
So from day one your opinion of what the VX was for was in contradiction to what Isuzu thought the VX was for.
You and others just found an extra novel use for the vehicle.
I'm on the side of those who feel the VX is a unique everyday highway driver, grocery getter and attention grabber! IMHO

Fair enough, and that is a good point indeed. However, I think we are both right and wrong; as stated in the Wikipedia article on the VX:

"The VehiCROSS was highly regarded for its cross-terrain performance. It combines a computer-controlled all-wheel-drive system for on-road driving and a locked-differential low gear four-wheel-drive system for off-road driving. Its computer controlled "Torque on Demand" system, with 12 independent sensors detecting wheel spin and redirecting power to the wheels with the most traction, gives the VehiCROSS a high level of traction on wet and icy roads. It also has a high level of performance for its height. While possessing on-road nimbleness, its body-on-frame truck construction, suspension and 4WD gearing made it very capable off-road."

I don't know the ACTUAL Isuzu thought process behind the VX, but I do believe initially it was designed to be a rally vehicle, at least structurally, while it was a HALO vehicle commercially. By the inherent nature of rally-cross, the VX needed to be good for both speed and hard off-roading. As I said before, I agree completely that the VX was never meant to be a hard-core rock crawler, but personally I cannot deny the VX's birthright to be off the pavement. IMO, It's hardly a "novelty".

Bart

[Bieredalsace]

Fair enough, and that is a good point indeed. However, I think we are both right and wrong; as stated in the Wikipedia article on the VX:

"The VehiCROSS was highly regarded for its cross-terrain performance. It combines a computer-controlled all-wheel-drive system for on-road driving and a locked-differential low gear four-wheel-drive system for off-road driving. Its computer controlled "Torque on Demand" system, with 12 independent sensors detecting wheel spin and redirecting power to the wheels with the most traction, gives the VehiCROSS a high level of traction on wet and icy roads. It also has a high level of performance for its height. While possessing on-road nimbleness, its body-on-frame truck construction, suspension and 4WD gearing made it very capable off-road."

I don't know the ACTUAL Isuzu thought process behind the VX, but I do believe initially it was designed to be a rally vehicle, at least structurally, while it was a HALO vehicle commercially. By the inherent nature of rally-cross, the VX needed to be good for both speed and hard off-roading. As I said before, I agree completely that the VX was never meant to be a hard-core rock crawler, but personally I cannot deny the VX's birthright to be off the pavement. IMO, It's hardly a "novelty".

Bart

You win! And so do I! As you said we both had opinions of the VX that were correct......... and we both had opinions of the VX that were not correct. (Don't ask..this is too hard for me to explain logically) Hahaha

[nfpgasmask]

You win! And so do I! As you said we both had opinions of the VX that were correct......... and we both had opinions of the VX that wee not correct. (Don't ask..this is too hard for me to explain logically) Hahaha

I think we are all on the same page...that is, the VX RULES! Period. On-road, Off-road, and just sitting in the garage!!

Bart