vehi-jeep

[givegodachance]

I am just having a thought and would like some input. I am thinking of taking the vx body off and placing it on top of an old jeep cj7 or cj5 or maybe a yj. I would like to do this because it would be so much easier to work on, parts would be easier to get, and much cheaper in the long run. I love the vx body and with a jeep under it I could put more of a lift without worrying about the vx suspension giving up on me. Let me know what you guys think.

[VxSport]

Well in '92 I bought my first Isuzu (in a series of 7 by now), instead of following the normal and buying a Jeep like everybody else on the mountain. Its hard to say... part of me says stay on a Zu, I had an idea of putting a late Zu Amigo (90's) onto the frame and drive train of a VX. Making a fast, coil spring 4x4 Amigo.
And Yes I do love a good custom project. I recently watched a show where they took the body of a '69 Mustang and put it on the frame of a '08 Charger. Looked like alot of work to size it up.... Length & Width

[Bob Barker]

Just matching up body mounting points is going to be enough work, then you will have to figure out a/c & heating ducts, then getting aftermarket gauges to work with the sensors of the jeep, or getting a jeeps dash to fit into the VX dash somehow, then transmission linkage and engine clearance. I don't know which engine would be easiest to try and fit a VX engine bay over, but I would assume the straight six would be too long. And even still, is the wheel base close enough that the jeep tires would even fit in the VX wheel wells?

[VXorado]

I love the vx body and with a jeep under it I could put more of a lift without worrying about the vx suspension giving up on me. Let me know what you guys think.

I like the idea BUT unless you're planning on running tires bigger than 35s, the VX suspension/axles will hold up just fine... and the axles will need to be beefed up on a old cj-5/cj-7/YJ to handle tire bigger than 35's... so the whole idea is flawed in my mind.

I owned a YJ on 35's and would never EVER take that sloppy, rough, underpowered drivetrain/suspension and put it under a VX.

[givegodachance]

I was wanting to do 38s and I heard something about the frontend wouldn't hold up on the vx. I had a 04 unlimited tj and it was underpowered but working on the 4.0 would be so much easier.

[xtrmes]

Let me throw my two cents in if you want to run 38's I wouldn't use a Jeep frame. Even if you find one with a Dana 44 there not meant to hold up to tires that big. I would go any bigger then a 35 on stock axles. Unless you plan on dumping a bunch of money into the axles.
Bascially the Jeep in stock form is no better then the VX suspension.
And if you really want to do it I'd got with a TJ much better suspension.

[VX KAT]

Hey a VX can handle 40s!
OK, not recommended.....
This belonged to "superstang460". It got wrecked but not because of the tires. http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=19406

[Triathlete]

As a mall crawler you could run 40's but the first time you sid any real offroading the front end (diff/cv's) would grenade.

[givegodachance]

I see this vx with 40s has a jack under the rear and jackstands under the front. Can it really handle 40s or was it just to see what it would look like ? Cause the front wheels couldn't trun like it is right now

[VX KAT]

I see this vx with 40s has a jack under the rear and jackstands under the front. Can it really handle 40s or was it just to see what it would look like ? Cause the front wheels couldn't trun like it is right now

He drove it, read the thread where he got hit.

[JoFotoz]

I had a similar plan...

I am thinking of taking the vx body off and placing it on top of an old jeep cj7 or cj5 or maybe a yj. I would like to do this because it would be so much easier to work on, parts would be easier to get, and much cheaper in the long run.

...but using an early (1969-1973) Bronco rolling rig.

The Bronco frame is easily modified and the wheel centers of the VX are within about 1.5 inches of the Bronco centers.

Pesky things (like divorce!!) got in the way...

..but one day I hope to do this.

Jo

[VXorado]

Your reasoning is sound... at first I was thinking you were wanting to run 33's or something and was worried about the VX suspension. I might go 36's with the stock IFS... but In my mind that's maxed out on offroad capability.

I think it would be worth it if you started with a built drivetrain/suspension & the 4.0L. Otherwise the effort to swap out the d30/d35 along with mounting a VX body would be too much effort.

...in that case I would just keep the stock frame and swap out axles. Like sleveritt's build.

This is just my opinion and my reasoning against it. If you want a jeep chassis, I say go for it and take plenty of pics along the way!!! I would love to see the outcome.

...or you might like this build, Rodeo on 1 ton axles with coilovers. Many of us wheeled with this guy in Moab and his Rodeo is a beast. Look at the difference between the stock Rubicon & his Rodeo.

[Bob Barker]

That's a dang sexy Rodeo!

[xtrmes]

He drove it, read the thread where he got hit.

Sue if you read his build thread he never drove it with the 40's He went to a smaller tire. I believe it said 38's. If you look at the picks you posted theres no way he drove it like that it would never be able to turn and the tires would be hitting on every bump.