OK, here's a mega post with a TON of info....better plan about 3-4 hrs of reading. Most of us here have read and studied much info available on this forum. The group is very knowledgeable about these trucks, and very happy to share the info and help noobes. But it will help you greatly, if you do some of your homework and read up on some of it too.
I've pulled together several groups of threads on specific topics, so I can pull them up in a flash and post them here for new folks like yourself.
There's a few threads or posts that are repeated in my lists below, but not that much, there's just a lot of information on this forum, and it's all worth reading. Of course it's by no means all inclusive, but it's a good start.
Notice I've put Oil Consumption in RED letters...it's probably the most important to read. Also, it's not usually BURNING oil (as you mentioned in post #6), and it's not leaking or dripping.... it's consuming oil, and the threads below explain that.
Also, here's a link to a post that discusses several general VX issues and things to consider before buying one:
http://vehicross.info/forums/showpos...52&postcount=4
DETAILED QUESTIONNAIRE:
Also, we put together a detailed questionnaire VERY specific to the VX.
It's kind of like a ROAPMAP to specific area you should learn about and check out on any VX you consider buying.
(I also have a much longer, more comprehensive questionnaire covering many additional areas. Let me know if you're interested in seeing that 100+ questionnaire also. It got so long, it kind of became a joke , cuz it's just overkill, .....but still has some dang good questionnaire and info to check on a VX)
http://vehicross.info/forums/showpos...36&postcount=3
OIL CONSUMPTION:
http://vehicross.info/forums/showpos...16&postcount=7
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=9010
Several theories on Isuzu design defect in rings that causes oil consumption:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...rand+pcv+valve
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...6&postcount=20
ENGINE FAULIRE POLL:
http://vehicross.info/forums/showthr...E+FAILURE+POLL
CHECKING TRANNY FLUID LEVEL:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...0&postcount=18
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...nsmission+mode
OFFICIAL ISUZU RECOM FOR FREQ OF CHANGING TRANNY FLUID:
ROUGH AND DUSTY ROADS-> EVERY 20,000 MILES
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...1&postcount=19
WINDOW FIX THREADS:
Window problems are probably one of the most common issues on the VX.
They are notorious for binding, sticking, jumping the track, tilting, burning up the motors due to the severe binding....you get the idea..
Here's a bunch of threads that have good info on the issue and how to repair. As time went on, most found that buying the SBC metal brackets for $65 was the best fix. It's what I did.
JOSHI's bungee fix thread:
http://vehicross.info/forums/showthr...hlight=zip+tie
http://vehicross.info/forums/showthr...hlight=zip+tie
The bungee cord window fix: (Joshi and SlowPro48 have done it)
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...63&postcount=9
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...window+binding
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ow+binding+fix
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...n+track+window
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...window+binding
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...58&postcount=4
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ow+binding+fix
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...threadid=10278
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...7&postcount=26
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...0&postcount=27
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...7&postcount=31
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...8&postcount=38
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...+binding+track
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...t=window+track
http://www.antiquecaterpillar.org/vx...cal/Window.asp
http://www.antiquecaterpillar.org/vx...indow_Bert.asp
I recall there was one owner (Bulldoggie, and then tysamigo) that neither of the above helped. He tried putting some metal washers in a stack, maybe 1/2" or so, to act as spacers and push the bottom of the glass outward, and of course that made the upper part of the glass tilt inward more. I believe that solved the tilting and jumping the track issue. I recall he just kept adding washers (thickness) until the angle was optimized.
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...8&postcount=38
Also, many have widened the metal rail/track the leading edge of the glass runs in, to reduce friction/ pressure on the glass. I used pliers and opened up the C-shape metal track until it was wider at the edges, particularly near the top as that's where I could see it was binding.
INFO ON LIFTING THE VX, AND BIGGER TIRES/RIMS:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...&highlight=ome
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...&highlight=ome
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...&highlight=ome
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...&highlight=ome
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...&highlight=ome
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...&highlight=ome
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...&highlight=ome
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...&highlight=ome
CV JOINTS & AXLES, ISSUES, PARTS COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER ISUZUs:
http://vehicross.info/forums/showpos...8&postcount=18
HEADLIGHT RESTORATION THREADS:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ht+restoration
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ht+restoration
OEM ISUZU PARTS GUY- CONTACT INFO:
Merlin
St. Charles Isuzu
MISSOURI
(800) 727-8066
Mention the forum to get discount & free shipping.
*************************
Enjoy! Hope you catch the addiction too!
More questions, just holler.....
Last edited by VX KAT : 09/04/2011 at 08:12 PM
VX KAT
....the adventure BEGINS ANEW! ...2015......
Remember that life is not measured in the breaths you take, but rather in the moments that take your breath away.
Yes, what they all said, and I usEd to be 6'9", but I'm getting old, so I'm about 6'8" and I'm fine driving the truck, and I drive mine every day easily 6-700 miles a week. I do most all of the work on the truck myself. You will find, when you look under the hood that u can still acess the engine without alot of trouble!
Good luck, and look forward to the possibility of welcoming you to the family!
I'd say the VX makes a great "secondary" vehicle for specific pleasure outings and/or for inclimate weather conditions, but not as a daily driver. For a daily driver, get yourself a roomy gas mizer vehicle (since you're tall) that has a very high MPG rating near the 40 MPG mark.