Beating on a VX.... Top ten things that would break?

[REDLYNER]

If one were going to be abusing a VX offroad (highspeed plus low speed rocks), what would be the 10 things in order (opinions) that you think would break?

I ask because in theory these would be the 10 items I would want to beef up first.

Example:

1. Bushings
2. Ball joints
3. Lower control Arms
4. Ring and Pinion
5. Engine Mounts
6. Etc
7. Etc


Opinions??

[etlsport]

tie rods
CV boots/joints
alternator if you are in muddy water
transmission mounts

[Riff Raff]

If one were going to be abusing a VX offroad (highspeed plus low speed rocks) .......... I would want to beef up first. Opinions??

Abusing any VX is a crime and fills me with a great sense of sorrow.

The #1 item I would "beef up" first would be my Bank Savings Account with $$$ and prepare for its subsequent depletion.

[Ldub]

Abusing any VX is a crime and fills me with a great sense of sorrow.

The #1 item I would "beef up" first would be my Bank Savings Account with $$$ and prepare for its subsequent depletion.

...ohferchristsake grandma...live a little...

[Anita]

...ohferchristsake grandma...live a little...

[Ldub]

.

I'm rediscovering one of my favorite hobbies...

[VXorado]

tie rods
CV boots/joints
alternator if you are in muddy water
transmission mounts

+1...and lower links can bend on rocks

[pbkid]

...ohferchristsake grandma...live a little...

seriously?-

1. CV axles
2. Tie rods
3. control arms
4. transmission mounts
5. hubs
6. then your onto mashing up some steel

[ZEUS]

1. Tie rod (only thing I ever broke on my VX)
2. Transfer case (no skid plate)
3. Lower links (weak and can bend)
4. CV's (I have seen them take a beating tho)
5. U-joints
6. Bump stops (one of my rear one's disappeared)
7. Cladding
8. CD Changer
9. Seat back
10. Er... Thumb? (by putting your thumb inside the steering wheel ring and smacking into something) er... old OE shocks could blow out

[RamAirZ]

your pride when you smash a body panel?

[VX KAT]

...ohferchristsake grandma...live a little...

.

I'm rediscovering one of my favorite hobbies...

[REDLYNER]

I'm debating between a few vehicles right now to actually use as a race rig. I like the VX because of the price for what you get: $4.5k to $5k for IFS (which just destroyed King of the Hammers and Baja) along with the solid rear on long arms. Wheelbase is a little short, but a TJ won one of the races last year in Class A with a 94" wheelbase, so maybe it's not too short.

Besides reliability (this would go with any 12+ year old vehicle), my only real concern is the Torque on Demand. I've watched dozens of Vehi youtube clips (many by Triathlete on this board) and it looks like once a tire is lifted, you are SOL on traction. Basically being open/open. I think an Aussie up front would hinder racing and an ARB would eat up nearly half of my parts budget to get it race ready.

That being said, my wish list is around $3.5k in parts (including a cage and tires), but my parts budget will only be around $2k to start.

My initial list (which covers several of the weak points listed by you guys) looks like:

• Tires: $800
• HD Lower links: $450
• HD Tie Rod ends: $250
• Comp Springs: $170
• Wheel Spacers: $120
• Fire Suit: $100
• Greasable Bushings: $30

Then I would still need:

• Cage: $500
• Airbumps: $300
• Reservoir Shocks: $300
• Harness: $65

Class A racing allows one locker and 33" tires, or no locker and up to 35" tires. Originally I was thinking 33"s for the VX (285/75 16's), but was also thinking about about 32"s (265/75 16's) just for the sake of less stress on the parts.

Thoughts on tire size??




Just doing my research now so when I do pull the trigger, I can get it built quickly. There are 5 races this year and it would be nice to get one or two in.

Other rigs that are/were being considered:

H3 ($12k = too much)
TJ ($5k, but we have one and wife doesn't want another- and its SFA)
XJ ($2.5k, but 12 out 15 or so of the racers are racing these- and its SFA)
Ranger ($3k, haven't done the parts research on these)

[SlowPro48]

For Class A does the non-locked diff have to be completely open? In other words, would an Aussie in back, Isuzu LSD in front and tires 33" or less meet the rules? Seems like that would be a good compromise as far as traction vs handling...

[Ebenezr]

Somebody correct me on this but I thought that a lower link is a tie rod - just different names for the same thing. If not then what is a lower link?

[Triathlete]

LL's are the 2 bars that attach to your rear axle housing that keep it tracking straight.