And so it begins...

**Buffy** · 10/26/2010, 06:04 PM

I got the sway bars back from the powder coaters and they turned out pretty nice.

Independent 4X greasable sway bar links...

I got the rear end installed with sway bar and end links. I hope to get my axles back tomorrow and finish assembling the rear end. I also got the rear cladding put back on tonight as well.

As with anything Isuzu even their tools are over engineered. I ordered the hub nut socket from PSX and was amazed at how beefy the socket is. It weights 3 pounds!

**ZEUS** · 10/27/2010, 12:28 AM

Shur iz lukin purdy! I am jealous of how fast you work! Kudos!

**Buffy** · 10/27/2010, 05:54 AM

Originally Posted by ZEUS

Shur iz lukin purdy! I am jealous of how fast you work! Kudos!

Unfortunately I have to work fast. I have torn tendons in my left elbow and go under the knife on Nov 23rd. It will be 4 months before I will be able to use my left arm. The VX is going, I hope, to be my transportation while I am out of commission. I hope to get the motor and tranny back next week and build out the front suspension after that. I am running out of time fast.

**MSHardeman** · 10/27/2010, 09:05 AM

WOW.....that's about all I can say. It looks fantastic.

**ZEUS** · 10/27/2010, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by Buffy

Unfortunately I have to work fast. I have torn tendons in my left elbow and go under the knife on Nov 23rd. It will be 4 months before I will be able to use my left arm. The VX is going, I hope, to be my transportation while I am out of commission. I hope to get the motor and tranny back next week and build out the front suspension after that. I am running out of time fast.

Nothing like a little forced motivation to smack you in the bottom! It is looking great tho... the VX, not your bottom. Good call making your down time end up during the cold season too.

**Ascinder** · 10/27/2010, 07:40 PM

I seriously wish I could put as much time into my VX as you do. Hopefully it will look as good as your stuff has turned out too

I am very envious of the pace you have been able to maintain on your project. I am also very interested in that paint you are using. I have some rust bullet and POR15 I need to use up, but I think I'm going to look into getting some of the stuff you used too. Looks great!

**Buffy** · 10/28/2010, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by Ascinder

am also very interested in that paint you are using. I have some rust bullet and POR15 I need to use up, but I think I'm going to look into getting some of the stuff you used too. Looks great!

Here is the web site of Master Seriers Coatings. It works great and has a very reasonable price.

http://www.masterseriescoatings.com/index/

**Buffy** · 10/31/2010, 03:55 PM

I didn't get much done this weekend due to waiting on parts. I did, however, extract the broken transmission cross member bolts. Getting these out is my last rust hurtle. Now it is just assembling clean and purdy parts... I hope.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, my wife is the best. I kept whining about needing a torch to get the broken bolts out. I tried renting one and then borrowing one with no luck. So, look what found its way to my garage of MY VERY OWN today......

Making getting bolts out sooooo easy......

Lower control arms installed....

**ZEUS** · 10/31/2010, 11:03 PM

Love it love it love it! I look forward to a post from you every time I log in now! No pressure tho...

**Buffy** · 11/02/2010, 06:26 PM

Still doing "busy work" right now. Just cleaning parts and getting ready for the engine and trans to come home.

Trans cross member after sandblasting...

Working on purdying up the front axles...

Cross members and misc parts after first coat of silver rust proofing....

**Buffy** · 11/14/2010, 05:35 PM

It has been a busy week. I got the motor back from the machine shop and the picked the transmission up from the mechanic who rebuilt it. I spent Saturday with Jerry Lemond who helped me get the motor and tranny mated up and all the wires and coolant hoses connected. He also pressed on new axle bearings and dust shields. It took 25 tons of pressure and lots of heat to get the tone ring and bearing to turn loose and when it did it sounded like a rifle shot! I must say that Jerry has an impressive shop and my goodness what a selection of OEM parts!

Getting ready to lift it off the truck...

Almost there...

Transfer case and cross member installed...

All done!!!

**Marlin** · 11/14/2010, 06:50 PM

I never realized you were just right down the road from me !!! You need to head up to the Uwharrie meet in december. Jerry is awesome and knows just about everything about Zus. I am actually going to do his rear floor fuel pump mod soon. Cut a hole in your rear floor for easy access to your fuel pump. No need to drop the tank. He also has a sweet boat filter on his fuel line to filter out ethanol garbage. (not to mention his pristine Trooper RS that rarely sees the road

)
I may have to come visit you sometime when you are done, or perhaps you and the wife can make a trip down here to charleston. We have two extra bedrooms in our upstairs "apartment" as we like to call it.

**Buffy** · 11/14/2010, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by Marlin

I never realized you were just right down the road from me !!! You need to head up to the Uwharrie meet in december. Jerry is awesome and knows just about everything about Zus. I am actually going to do his rear floor fuel pump mod soon. Cut a hole in your rear floor for easy access to your fuel pump. No need to drop the tank. He also has a sweet boat filter on his fuel line to filter out ethanol garbage. (not to mention his pristine Trooper RS that rarely sees the road

)
I may have to come visit you sometime when you are done, or perhaps you and the wife can make a trip down here to charleston. We have two extra bedrooms in our upstairs "apartment" as we like to call it.

I actually came to Uwharrie and picked up some parts from Jerry. I saw your VX and RS. I almost bought that RS from Joe. The wife and I would love to come down for a visit. Our son is in the Airforce and is stationed at Shaw Airforce Base. We will definitely have to get together for a mini meet!

**vt_maverick** · 11/15/2010, 08:07 AM

Let me know in advance and I'll see if I can arrange a boondoggle down to Shaw, I go down there on business every few months and have made a habit of visiting Marlin and other friends in Charleston while I'm in the area.

Hey Buffy, where does your son work at Shaw? Maybe I've met him...

**Buffy** · 11/15/2010, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by vt_maverick

Let me know in advance and I'll see if I can arrange a boondoggle down to Shaw, I go down there on business every few months and have made a habit of visiting Marlin and other friends in Charleston while I'm in the area.

Hey Buffy, where does your son work at Shaw? Maybe I've met him...

He works on the flight line working on F16s. He has been down there for about 9 months. He recently switched to 2nd shift working corrosion. His name is PJ.

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