VT_Maverick's 5 Speed Swap

[rowhard]

For some reason I am having issues with putting them in my gallery, but I got them in my photobucket so here are the pictures I promised.

These seem like they are pretty important sheets of paper. Any chance you could type them out and add them to the archive Ldub suggested in post 108. (I deleted most of the photo's to save space)

[vt_maverick]

Greg - Couple questions for you:

First, is that the catalytic converter in the upper left of this pic? If so man that's a lot of rust!


Second, I assume you have the wires zip-tied to the cross-member. Do you think there will be a problem when I reinstall my Kilby skid plates? And do you think I could just "lay" it in the bottom of the skid plate?


Last, do you still need the connector you mentioned in the earlier post? Or did you work something out?

Lookin' awesome Greg!!!

[Buffy]

Greg - Couple questions for you:

First, is that the catalytic converter in the upper left of this pic? If so man that's a lot of rust!


Second, I assume you have the wires zip-tied to the cross-member. Do you think there will be a problem when I reinstall my Kilby skid plates? And do you think I could just "lay" it in the bottom of the skid plate?


Last, do you still need the connector you mentioned in the earlier post? Or did you work something out?

Lookin' awesome Greg!!!

Yes that is the cat in the first picture, there really isn't as much rust on the pipe as it looks in the picture. It just looks dirty in the pictures. If there were tons of rust that I was not comfortable with I would have let you know about it.

The wire is held to the cross member with factor ties and is in its original location. It should work fine with your Kilby skid plate if you previously did not move these wires.

Jerry is sending me the connector I was wanting. He even went as far as to mark which wires should tie into clutch switch, etc. I hope to get that in the next day or so and get this puppy back on the ground and back in your anxious hands!

[vt_maverick]

Cool, thanks Greg!

[vt_maverick]

Absolutely fantastic!!! Now how in the heck am I supposed to sleep tonight knowing that she's coming home tomorrow?!?

[Mile High VX]

Absolutely fantastic!!! Now how in the heck am I supposed to sleep tonight knowing that she's coming home tomorrow?!?

Like a four year old on Christmas eve of course...not at all!

[VXorado]

Yay, looks great.

[RabidPony]

So, when can I ship you mine?

[Vendetta]

Wow. Just... wow. Unbelievable job.

Mav, videos are a must.

[Ldub]

Wow. Just... wow. Unbelievable job.

Mav, videos are a must.

X a factor 0f deux...

Someone PLEASE get this archived into the "how to" section....

[vt_maverick]

Wow. Just... wow. Unbelievable job.

Mav, videos are a must.

I will try V, have to figure out how to mount the camera in the backseat so you guys can see the shifting though...

[Buffy]

We are all loaded up. Ashley is going to have fun driving this thing. If I weren't selling mine I would be out in search of a donor Trooper myself! This thing is FUN to drive!!!!

Heading your way Ashley! I'll post a few more pictures when I get home tonight.

[VXorado]

If I weren't selling mine I would be out in search of a donor Trooper myself!

Would you say its best to get a donor Trooper or can everything be gathered easily (other than the trans) from a local junkyard?

[vt_maverick]

Would you say its best to get a donor Trooper or can everything be gathered easily (other than the trans) from a local junkyard?

Greg and I had this conversation just before he left and we're both in agreement that working from a donor vehicle is much easier. It really is questionable whether you could assemble everything piecemeal for less $$$, and you can't beat the convenience of being able to look at the way the manual was wired from the factory while performing the install in the VX. For me it turned out to be a real steal - my $800 got us the 94K transmission, ECM, wiring harness, exhaust, master cylinder, shift boots and shifter, clutch switch (or was it neutral switch Greg?), and probably a few other things I can't remember right now.

[vt_maverick]

Well Greg and I met a few hours ago and I drove the VX back to my place and promptly parked her in the garage (need to do a few things before I leave her tomorrow afternoon for a business trip ). I've only driven her those 7-8 miles but I can tell you this much: someone at Isuzu should have been fired for not offering the VX with a manual option. It's a completely different driving experience with the manual, way more fun even with the puny stock 215 HP. The clutch is buttery smooth both in terms of pedal travel and the "feel" of moving between gears. The ratios are interesting in the AR-5, 1st and 2nd are strong enough to pull you forward without even pressing on the gas - and I'm pretty sure you could start out in 2nd if you wanted to. Should be LOADS of fun once I get "launching" down... And of course the install was just as clean in person as you'd expect from the pictures Greg's posted here - just a little bit of Dremel work was required to keep the stock VX center console.

I am VERY impressed and EXTREMELY happy with the finished product. Now I'm going to go back out to the garage and think up an excuse to drive her again tomorrow morning before I leave. Thanks again Greg! Fantastic job!!!