Buying a VX and sending to Mongolia. HELP!

[Hybrid1098]

Hello everyone,

First post with a healthy amount of questions. I have scoured the search options and have just read the forum from afar and decided to jump in and introduce myself.

Well as the title states, I am buying a 2000 VX with over 120,000 miles and am planning on taking her to the coldest national capital on earth which is Ulaan Bataar in Mongolia. I have about a year to a year and a half to build it up to spec so I do not get stranded in weather that presumably can get to -40 degrees. Average coldest temps get to about -15F or so.

I plan on lifting a small amount (3-5") and putting larger tires but do not want to tax the cars suspension too much. I will be taking this through the Mongolian outback and it will get taxed.

I am a car/motorcycle guy that tries to go to the track whenever budget/time permits and do not have much 4x4 knowledge. You're kind insights is appreciated...

So here it is...

I am wondering if you guys can give me recommendations as to

1. what things I should watch out for (especially for things that pertain to the weather condition and all around use/need).

2. Am I an idiot to choose the Vehicross to bring to a very cold climate (I know no heated seats, will be very hard to source parts).

3. how much to spend rough estimate to replace things that need to be replaced and buy secondary ones for things that will soon beak down.

4. Since Vehicle has over 120,000 miles, I was thinking of actually bringing an extra engine but Since Rodeo's engine can be replaced, that would be a little easy to source.

5. I plan on lifting it and drive it over water (small rivers, mountains, in snow and ice. My main concern here is reliability, starting in cold weather, durability in cold weather and not getting stranded in a remote place somewhere in Mongolia.

Am I going to shoot myself in the foot if I go this route or should I just buy an FJ cruiser or something with the same money? My wife's uncle in Mongolia has a Vehicross and we drove it through a small river and mudding and it was great! I fell in love with it and want to have my own. I have been asking him questions which is why I am confident in purchasing this beautiful Vehicle but still appreciates other people's input.


Thanks for the help and hope to be able to show you the progressions of my build (if it happens) throughout the year.

[tom4bren]

3" of suspension lift is about as much as you'll want to do. With that amount of lift many members start tearing the CV boots (me included). There is a way to drop the differential to put the CVs back to stock angle. You can probably get the additional lift from a body lift (a "how2" is supposed to be posted this weekend by another member).

You should absolutely replace the timing belt, tensioner & water pump before heading out of the country. Again, check the How2 section.

Don't count on a Rodeo engine being a direct replacement for the VX. Do a search on the forum for engine replacement compatability.

Careful on how many spare parts you collect with the intention of packing them in the VX for shipping. Most shippers will not allow 'extras' in the vehicle during shipment.

[Riff Raff]

Since you like to go water fording; then you might want to bring a spare OEM Alternator for the VX, as our alternator's are mounted very low in harm's way of rivers/streams. See pictures in the below thread:

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...t=17157&page=2

Another good choice besides an FJ Cruiser, may be a used Nissan X-Terra.

[Ldub]

my long held suspicion that the weather in Fargo is on par with outer Mongolia...

Winter temps here have been known to dip to -40, & -30 in not uncommon during the coldest month(s).
My VX has been my daily driver since 2004, & has never failed to start, has never been garaged, & never had the benefit of a block heater, or any other external source of engine heat.

Equipped as seen here...



It will easily plow through 1 - 1.5 feet of drifted snow.

I think credit should also be given to the Optima red top battery & Amzoil synthetic fluids in every orfice...

[vt_maverick]

I agree with everyone else here that the VX is capable of standing up to that kind of environment. I think your biggest worry will simply be parts availability when something breaks. I don't know if Merlin or IsuzuParts.com ship overseas, but if they don't, you may have to rely on third parties (us) to help you get parts in and out of country. All that could add up to lengthy delays should you need to get something replaced with an OEM part.

Food for thought. If you do it be sure to post pics, I'm sure you'll have some amazing opportunities!

[tom4bren]

When you get the US version over to Mongolia, trade with your wife's uncle & ship the JDM back over here

[Triathlete]

If you are not adverse to a little (okay, a lot) of cladding trimming you can fit 35" tires with only a 3" suspension lift.

[Hiredgoon]

I love my VX, and I plan on being buried in it, but I gotta say, it seems like a tricky choice to be taking somewhere so harsh, owing to the scarcity of parts and the general reticence of some mechanics to even crawl underneath. Wouldn't buying something manufactured more locally (a Land Rover) or with a TON more available parts (dare I say Jeep) make more sense on a trip like this? Hell, you can probably find your choice of military surplus off road vehicle for cheap, and those things tend to be designed so almost anyone can repair them with nothing but a pocketknife to carve tools out of soapstone.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck in any case, sounds like it could be a hell of an adventure!

[Gussie2000]

Our russian counterparts can be helpful if you need since mongolia & russia are close.

We have couple of VX'ers that speaks english over there so you may want to get a hold of them in case you need help finding parts.

[Hybrid1098]

3" of suspension lift is about as much as you'll want to do. With that amount of lift many members start tearing the CV boots (me included). There is a way to drop the differential to put the CVs back to stock angle. You can probably get the additional lift from a body lift (a "how2" is supposed to be posted this weekend by another member).

You should absolutely replace the timing belt, tensioner & water pump before heading out of the country. Again, check the How2 section.

Don't count on a Rodeo engine being a direct replacement for the VX. Do a search on the forum for engine replacement compatability.

Careful on how many spare parts you collect with the intention of packing them in the VX for shipping. Most shippers will not allow 'extras' in the vehicle during shipment.

Thanks for this vital info. Yes I do plan on getting it raised but I do plan on putting a body lift as well.

[Hybrid1098]

Since you like to go water fording; then you might want to bring a spare OEM Alternator for the VX, as our alternator's are mounted very low in harm's way of rivers/streams. See pictures in the below thread:

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...t=17157&page=2

Another good choice besides an FJ Cruiser, may be a used Nissan X-Terra.

Good suggestion! They just opened a Nissan dealership there I heard. But I fell in love with the Vehicross.

my long held suspicion that the weather in Fargo is on par with outer Mongolia...

Winter temps here have been known to dip to -40, & -30 in not uncommon during the coldest month(s).
My VX has been my daily driver since 2004, & has never failed to start, has never been garaged, & never had the benefit of a block heater, or any other external source of engine heat.

Equipped as seen here...



It will easily plow through 1 - 1.5 feet of drifted snow.

I think credit should also be given to the Optima red top battery & Amzoil synthetic fluids in every orfice...

Outside parking? Similar temps? No block heater? Daily driver? I need to copy exactly you and go the extra mile just for the what ifs... You, sir... need to be my friend lol.

If you are not adverse to a little (okay, a lot) of cladding trimming you can fit 35" tires with only a 3" suspension lift.

35" tires may get a little too heavy for the differentials or transaxles or whatever you call them. I may end up having to get new gearing. MAybe I should change them anyway since I want all new.

I love my VX, and I plan on being buried in it, but I gotta say, it seems like a tricky choice to be taking somewhere so harsh, owing to the scarcity of parts and the general reticence of some mechanics to even crawl underneath. Wouldn't buying something manufactured more locally (a Land Rover) or with a TON more available parts (dare I say Jeep) make more sense on a trip like this? Hell, you can probably find your choice of military surplus off road vehicle for cheap, and those things tend to be designed so almost anyone can repair them with nothing but a pocketknife to carve tools out of soapstone.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck in any case, sounds like it could be a hell of an adventure!

yeaaa well, I am buying another 4x4 for my wife. She will be driving that around as her daily driver. It will probably be a Land Cruiser (like most Mongolians drive there as they are amazing vehicles), FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, or Tundra. Land Rover would be too expensive to fix and Jeep reliability and sourcing of parts would be harder since it is American while the Isuzu is Japanese.

I basically want to have a cool little RC looking truck which I can take off roading with me and have fun in it while not having something too big. Then use my wife's car for other trips that I will use to tow the ATV's that I am hoping to bring.


Thanks for all the suggestions people! So many replies and it isn't even noon yet. I can tell you all love the VX and I can see why.

[BigSwede]

Hello from Minnesota, which is nearly as cold as Fargo, or Siberia for that matter.

Make sure you have a fresh battery, the biggest CCA you can fit in there (there is room for a much larger battery than stock). Synthetic lubricants are a plus in very cold weather; Mobil One flows when dino oil turns to syrup. Make sure ignition is up to snuff, although the coilover packs on the VX eliminate much of the traditional issues with plug wires. Of course, make sure the coolant is good down to -40.

[Hybrid1098]

Hello from Minnesota, which is nearly as cold as Fargo, or Siberia for that matter.

Make sure you have a fresh battery, the biggest CCA you can fit in there (there is room for a much larger battery than stock). Synthetic lubricants are a plus in very cold weather; Mobil One flows when dino oil turns to syrup. Make sure ignition is up to snuff, although the coilover packs on the VX eliminate much of the traditional issues with plug wires. Of course, make sure the coolant is good down to -40.

Hey there, my sister lives in Minnesota. I have been there during winter and it does get cold.


Any aftermarket things I can replace other than the fluids etc. that will be better for cold? I plan on stripping down most of the stuff and replacing it with something that can handle the weather more (just to be sure).

[Ldub]

I don't know if it's still available, but there used to be a block heater available specifically for the 6VE1, directly from Isuzu.

It replaced the threaded bung on the drivers side of the block IIRC.

[BigSwede]

Good snow tires will have the biggest affect on your ability to get around.

Consider equipment like jumper cables, a small shovel, tire chains, a decent 12V compressor (Superflow MV-50 one example), tire repair kit, tow strap and shackles, a Hi-Lift jack if you can stow it...