Nuke VX build thread

[RamAirZ]

Man, I thought I was anxious to get this thing on the trails! You guys have lots of ideas, but as far as I know, this (and Ascinder's) are the only real projects going on. Not just some bolt on mods over a weekend. This is a build thread that presents many months of development and many more to come. I appreciate all the comments and suggestions, I will keep them in mind - but the tone is not to my liking. This is a work in progress - FAR from done. Perhaps considering that he is a friend of mine would help keep things in better perspective.

Like I said, he had to get the VX out of the shop (wedding, reception, honeymoon, etc.) and I had things I could do to it in the meantime (HVAC was top of the list, but all the shops were just too busy). Back up and realize he probably had other things HE was doing while the shop guys worked on my rig. They never said it was done, just to a point where I could drive it and complete some stuff of my own. When I called him with my list, he apologized and was more than willing to bring it back to the front of the line.

Obviously there are things that were rushed or incomplete, but I don't remember finding a true builder shop anywhere near here that would touch a driveline transplant. Of those within an hour drive of here said, no way. Further questioning yielded "Jeep bolt on modification shops". Those in more populous states have a greater variety to chose from, not so around here. If you're a professional automotive mechanic, builder or specialist, then good for you and be sure to let me know when you have your own shop and begin to offer nationwide service. I'd be willing to let you work on my rig.

Sam

I don't think people are talking down to you but more trying to offer advice so you have a nice/safe rig. As far as no one else building something like yours on here, may not be a VX but I'm sure a few of us have had our fair share of in-depth builds with full on fabrication/modifications involved. But we won't get into that, but yes like Zeus said, it was just us making sure you don't get screwed. Saying he's a friend is different than us thinking it's some shop that promised you stuff and hasn't delivered. You just called him the "builders" and said stuff like:

"Sadly, the VX is back at the builders. I uncovered a few areas where they did not double check their work. "

We're just looking out for ya, it's an awesome build for sure and once everything is "done" it'll be one sick rig. Don't get pissed at us though for trying to help, this is a "tech" forum after all.

[pbkid]

very nice.

someone finally an SAS!!!....

[Ldub]

Holy carp! I can't wait to see the end result. Ascinder is gonna love this thread!! He's doing pretty much the same thing.

Bart

I agree with what Zeus said. Would anyone else be concerned with the amount of oil volume lost from the modified oil pan?? I would have thought a low profile oil pan with side bolsters would have been a better solution. Just seems he lost about 2 quarts work of oil on that pan modification.

I didn't look closely at the pics until after reading Zeus's post and have to agree with his obsevations. Hopefully your builder will be able to get all the issues worked out and create a safe beast for you. Keep us updated.

X 2...

That being typed...

You're my hero Ferris sleveritt....

[LittleBeast]

Looking great keep us updated!!!!! More pictures please :-)

[VCrossfan]

Looks very cool Sam...It's just a toy and you'll upgrade things as you need to. People have talked about this in this forum for years but have never attempted it, So Hat's off! !. Questions will come until the cows come home, it's Jealousy...

I go the Ozarks once in a while in the summer, I'll drop you a line if I head your way. I'd love to see the Beast....

[RamAirZ]

I think the main reason no one has tried it here is most people are afraid to hack into a VX even though the frame is just a Trooper. Plenty of Trooper guys have done it, so in all reality, it's been done, just a different body on top. Other people don't have the money to pay someone to do it or the skill to do it themselves, and other's don't see a "need" for it with what they use their trucks for or get rid of them before getting to it. Ascinder's is coming along great and looking forward to the finished product as with Sam's here. I wouldn't say all questions are jealousy............

[Bob Barker]

I'm jealous, then again I'm not asking questions... Just sitting here green faced mumbling to myself about what I probably will never have!

[RamAirZ]

I'm jealous, then again I'm not asking questions... Just sitting here green faced mumbling to myself about what I probably will never have!

Is that the same face you have when your at Hooters or looking at porn? Just joshin' with ya

[ZEUS]

I looked at this kind of build for my VX very seriously and went back and forth on the idea for quite a while. I couldn't bring myself to do it because IMHO the VX body simply does not lend itself to the concept of an adequate, usable, hard core, off road rig. I felt the end result would not have been worth the effort - for me - even if it was built correctly the first time... it's a rolling art piece.

Call me jealous, but I have a question. What does this statement mean? "Questions will come until the cows come home, it's Jealousy..."

Answers will leave until the cows leave home, it's Acuity...

[VCrossfan]

I think the main reason no one has tried it here is most people are afraid to hack into a VX even though the frame is just a Trooper. Plenty of Trooper guys have done it, so in all reality, it's been done, just a different body on top. Other people don't have the money to pay someone to do it or the skill to do it themselves, and other's don't see a "need" for it with what they use their trucks for or get rid of them before getting to it. Ascinder's is coming along great and looking forward to the finished product as with Sam's here. I wouldn't say all questions are jealousy............

OOOPs my bad, I missed the trooper members in "THIS" forum (as stated) that have done the SAS

[RamAirZ]

OOOPs my bad, I missed the trooper members in "THIS" forum (as stated) that have done the SAS

nice, good call. Didn't mean on this forum and wasn't really referring directly at your comment but more an overall consensus.

[sleveritt]

Here are the latest projects nearing completion. I got around to painting the roll bars, the dash panel and applying the red Durabak liner. It's amazinh how much warm weather makes this possible. I've also painted the roof liner, A pillar plastic, sun visors red (but those are still drying).

[sleveritt]

Couple of pics of the added padding to the interior roll bars. I've got to protect the kids' heads!



Battery Box and interior winch mount


Just a little room left over!


Had to paint some interior panels to match.


Here is how it all looks!

[VXobsession]

Why didn't you just do this to a Jeep? You hacked up a rare VX and just turned it into a big off-roading machine....you stripped everything out of it that made it unique, that made it a real VX. That sucks....another VX gone.

[espidus]

While my personal opinion is that I want to keep my VX with what makes it unique from alot of other off-road vehicles, like the IFS that gives it better handling for rally and on-road applications, I must say that "someone had to do it" to the SAS. Yes this vehicle is now only a VX in body, but I can say, at least that makes it on hell of a good looking offroad machine. As long as everyone does not go this route, I say "hats off", I would not do it to my own, but good work anyways.