Highly considering selling

[djvx]

Cece, I broke up with my meticulously maintained low mileage 2001 Black Mustang GT convtertible, Thee nicest vehicle I ever owned. This car was so "me".....in the summer.
But, come late fall, winter and spring it was useless, and sat in my garage as I dreamed of the fun I "would" have with it. Finally I said "F" this and traded it in for something I could use year round. Knowing I would puke and be physically ill trading it in- I did it anyway. I ended up being severly depressed missing the Mustang. I did not get over it for a long long time and I still gag sometimes when I see one. Sellers remorse X 10000. I nearly had to get professional help! No lie! ...anyway, I am now over it about 98 %....mainly because I bought the VX and it kicks azz too. So my advice is if you do replace the VX be ready to be a lil' depressed and make sure you pick out a cool/unique vehicle to fill the VX void. AND.....if you were to regret selling it you could still find another nice VX to buy. I hope Gil keeps his though.

[BigSwede]

CeCe, I gotta say you are about the last person I expected to sell their VX. Not that there's anything "wrong" with that...

Financially, there can be little doubt it is far cheaper to keep an older vehicle running than buying new. But I understand the frustration of not trusting your transportation to get you around reliably. Which is one big reason I am have 2 vehicles. My Trooper isn't my daily driver, so I have the luxury of leaving the Trooper in the garage for extended periods with parts strewn about whilst I figure out what the hell I am doing...much less pressure than trying to get 'er done for the Monday commute. So can you get another cheap daily driver and keep the VX?

OR, maybe you should just get a different VX that you do trust...

Ultimately I agree with Gill, do what makes you happy.

A few other thoughts:

I'm not sure the "grinding" you describe is a problem. Lots of vehicles make extra drivetrain noise at light throttle at highway speeds, including my Trooper. OTOH, if I were to actually hear your noise, I might have an entirely different opinion.

New FJ: Taller than Gill's VX, Eat into school savings and not worry about even the itty bitty problems because...New Car Factory warranty, or big ones...Lifetime Drivetrain warranty, Locking Diff., cosmetically sound, But it doesn't come in LEATHER! Part are readily available. Moab is in the horizon.

AFAIK Toyota doesn't have lifetime drivetrain warranty, for sure my RAV4 doesn't...unless that is something special to the FJ.

BTW If you do want a slick daily driver look at the V6 RAV4, the AWD will get you around in the snow, 269hp has a nice Wheeeeeee factor, and it gets upper 20s mpg highway, lower 20s around town. But it isn't an off-roader.

[KeithVXlvr]

Cece,

I sold mine and when I see one I miss it.

Then I come visit this site and see all the problems folks keep having and it makes me smile again.

Sell it.

[BigSwede]

Then I come visit this site and see all the problems folks keep having and it makes me smile again.

Sure, but keep in mind that people rarely tend to post about how they aren't having trouble with their VX...

[VXR]

Sure, but keep in mind that people rarely tend to post about how they aren't having trouble with their VX...

x2

[VXR]

Cece,

I sold mine and when I see one I miss it.

Then I come visit this site and see all the problems folks keep having and it makes me smile again.

Sell it.

[Jay Dunford]

I'm not sure the "grinding" you describe is a problem. Lots of vehicles make extra drivetrain noise at light throttle at highway speeds, including my Trooper.

AFAIK Toyota doesn't have lifetime drivetrain warranty, for sure my RAV4 doesn't...unless that is something special to the FJ.

My VX also had a hard to locate grind when driving with no load (Accel. or Decel.) and it turned out to be the front drive shaft had too much angle after the lift. An easy way to check it is to pull all the plugs off of the TOD module under the pass. seat and drive it. You will lose ABS when unplugged so don't panic. What I did to make it easier to live with day to day was to put a TOD disconnect switch wired to a 10 watt resistor to simulate load. There's a good write up for that on here somewhere. You just have to remember to turn the TOD back on in the slick stuff, that short wheelbase can swap ends REAL quick! Another thing to check for driveline noise in the rear is the clutch packs for the LSD. I toasted mine rallycrossing for a few years and had some noise there as well. Don't know if your mechanic has actually opened the 3rd member yet or not. Feel free to call me and we can talk it over and see if we can come up with a solution or suggestions for your mechanic.

Toyota warranty on the FJ is 3 yr /36K bumper to bumper and 5 yr / 60K on the drivetrain. You would be looking at mid 20's for a 4x4 basic package new. 'Course I've pretty well modded my warranty away by now.

[WormGod]

Cece,

I sold mine and when I see one I miss it.

Then I come visit this site and see all the problems folks keep having and it makes me smile again.

Sell it.

Right right.... and you come back WHY?

Uh huh, you aren't kidding anyone.

[nocturnalVX]

Ultimately I agree with Gill, do what makes you happy...

AFAIK Toyota doesn't have lifetime drivetrain warranty, for sure my RAV4 doesn't...unless that is something special to the FJ.

BTW If you do want a slick daily driver look at the V6 RAV4, the AWD will get you around in the snow, 269hp has a nice Wheeeeeee factor, and it gets upper 20s mpg highway, lower 20s around town. But it isn't an off-roader.

Toyota warranty on the FJ is 3 yr /36K bumper to bumper and 5 yr / 60K on the drivetrain. You would be looking at mid 20's for a 4x4 basic package new. 'Course I've pretty well modded my warranty away by now.

Thanks for the support! We found a dealer in Florida that adds a lifetime powertrain warranty (good at any dealer in the lower 48), but you are right about the standard warranty. My VX is still covered after all these years! Having a long coverage period is nice if you plan on keeping your ride & don't wrench. Looks like balancing the driveshaft helped, but did not get rid of the noise completely. Our mechanic did not want to tear into the rear diff or transfer case until making sure the drive shaft was not causing the vibes on either end. Your old Ironman was a beast Jay. Cece's Proton isn't lifted that much, but the PO did not maintain it very well at all. She's been lavishing TLC and $$$ on it since she got it and it's just getting frustrating. We shall see...

Thank you everybody for your advice!

[VXIRONwoMAN]

An easy way to check it is to pull all the plugs off of the TOD module under the pass. seat and drive it. You will lose ABS when unplugged so don't panic.

Well, my ABS has been long gone already and so has Gill's. We are going to an ISUZU dealer now to get his VX looked at. Now mine is going to be holding us above water... this is where it gets scary.

What I did to make it easier to live with day to day was to put a TOD disconnect switch wired to a 10 watt resistor to simulate load. There's a good write up for that on here somewhere.

LOL You lost me after disconnect the TOD switch...

Another thing to check for driveline noise in the rear is the clutch packs for the LSD. I toasted mine rallycrossing for a few years and had some noise there as well. Don't know if your mechanic has actually opened the 3rd member yet or not. Feel free to call me and we can talk it over and see if we can come up with a solution or suggestions for your mechanic.

I am just going to get you on the phone and hand it over to the mechanic.

Toyota warranty on the FJ is 3 yr /36K bumper to bumper and 5 yr / 60K on the drivetrain. You would be looking at mid 20's for a 4x4 basic package new. 'Course I've pretty well modded my warranty away by now.

I am hoping to save up 5k by spring and hopefully (with spending my school funds & selling the VX) I can pay cash... I hate payments! We'll see. I have a lot of stress going on other than my tempermental VX, so hopefully I will reconsider when everything stops bopping me in the head. But for now, I have hope to be just like Jay...

[tom4bren]

Cece,

I sold mine and when I see one I miss it.

Then I come visit this site and see all the problems folks keep having and it makes me smile again.

Sell it.

The only trouble I've had with mine is CV boots. That was self imposed by the lift so it doesn't even count.

They'll be prying the VX keys out of my cold dead hand someday (hopefully in the VERY distant future).

If you're looking for a vote, put me down for keeping it. You'll find the source of your problems & be happy with your ride again.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

I'd say sell the VX and get an FJ for all the listed reasons. I've gotten to see modified ones up close & personal and like you already said...you can lift it higher & slap bigger meats on it and have a multitude of aftermarket support. And it won't be in the shop for a month at a time to fix it.

BUT....I don't know how true this is....BUT...an FJ owner told me they already stopped building new ones and are only left with what is currently in inventories...so if you snooze you'll lose out on a "new" warranty equipped one & have to settle for a used one (higher finance % rate on used cars too.)

You still have Gil's to drive whenever you want & he'll probably develop a liking for the FJ as well. Why put all your eggs in one basket anyways!

And if you truly can't take the loss of a VX down the road..there will always be another used one...just don't buy another proton....lol. j/k

Or...you could hold out and see if Hummer (just bought by China) will build the HX or H4 (VX like Hummer vehicle.)

[LittleBeast]

I'm not sure the "grinding" you describe is a problem. Lots of vehicles make extra drivetrain noise at light throttle at highway speeds, including my Trooper. OTOH, if I were to actually hear your noise, I might have an entirely different opinion.

Yupe mine too, but only after a slight lift did the slight grinding start, and it sounds exactly like you are describing. My dad thinks it has something to do with the larger heavier tires/wheels and different tread pattern.

My VX also had a hard to locate grind when driving with no load (Accel. or Decel.) and it turned out to be the front drive shaft had too much angle after the lift. An easy way to check it is to pull all the plugs off of the TOD module under the pass. seat and drive it. You will lose ABS when unplugged so don't panic. What I did to make it easier to live with day to day was to put a TOD disconnect switch wired to a 10 watt resistor to simulate load. There's a good write up for that on here somewhere. You just have to remember to turn the TOD back on in the slick stuff, that short wheelbase can swap ends REAL quick! Another thing to check for driveline noise in the rear is the clutch packs for the LSD. I toasted mine rallycrossing for a few years and had some noise there as well.

Jay and I have talked about this before, and I totally agree with him and this grinding may sound like it is coming from the rear, but actually is occuring because of the lift/change in axle angle, even a slight change.

[pbkid]

Jay and I have talked about this before, and I totally agree with him and this grinding may sound like it is coming from the rear, but actually is occuring because of the lift/change in axle angle, even a slight change.

ive talked to a drivetrain shop friend about the 'grinding sound' the VX gets when lifted.... its due to a difference in 'rake' of the vehicle.
the VX has to have a minimum of a 1 percent rake from back to rear (rear has to be 1 percent higher than front) otherwise the drive-axles will have problems.

[CrnCnn]

ive talked to a drivetrain shop friend about the 'grinding sound' the VX gets when lifted.... its due to a difference in 'rake' of the vehicle.
the VX has to have a minimum of a 1 percent rake from back to rear (rear has to be 1 percent higher than front) otherwise the drive-axles will have problems.

That would make sense, I remember seeing this discussed before now. I just cranked my front a little after the diff brackets and now its noisey at ~65...hmmm.

Sorry, CeCe. We arent thread jacking, we are problem solving so you dont sell... yeah thats the ticket, yeah