RADO's Off Road Rig- Build Thread

[Triathlete]

Can't wait to see the progress! Are you planning on pushing the axle forward a bit? Will help eliminate firewall interference issues and give you a bit more wheelbase.

[VXorado]

I'll probably push the axle forward a bit and that's why I didn't finish the bumper wings.

Moving the axle forward will provide many benefits; longer wheel base, longer drive shaft, and more tire clearance but I'm sure it will look odd if I push it up too far. Additionally I may need to get a toyota steering gearbox because it positions the pitman arm forward vs ours which is back toward the engine.

[ZEUS]

You forgot to mention the final phase where you take it to Moab next year and give it to me...

[Triathlete]

Are you going to stick with the TOD tcase?

[VXorado]

You forgot to mention the final phase where you take it to Moab next year and give it to me...

Yeah, just don't forget to bring me the big bag of cash!!!

Seriously we need to get you back in a VX.

Are you going to stick with the TOD tcase?

I want the non-TOD t-case so I can get 3:1 teralow gearing but for the short term, I'll stick TOD and get the VX back on the trails. I tentatively have a Moab trip planned in early November if I can get everything finished and reliable.

[Triathlete]

I'd also like to get rid of TOD but I'd like to find a different tcase that has more aftermarket available. When the time comes (I win the lottery or the Narubian prince sends me that check...until then my D44 will collect dust in my garage) I'll find something that will bolt up or have a machine shop make an adapter plate.

[VXorado]

I'd also like to get rid of TOD but I'd like to find a different tcase that has more aftermarket available. When the time comes (I win the lottery or the Narubian prince sends me that check...until then my D44 will collect dust in my garage) I'll find something that will bolt up or have a machine shop make an adapter plate.

That would be pretty awesome to go the custom route. Bartmans4 & I were recently talking about how the AR5 manual tranny is used in the H3/Colorado. I wonder if that means there are some easy alternatives that route... possibly the H3 Alpha 4:1 t-case?

[VXorado]

Phase 4: IFS is YANKED out!!!


Big thanks to Scott (Bartmans4)!!!

Scott came by last weekend and helped cut out all of the IFS. I worked on the passenger side while he tackled the driver side. It really made the job much more manageable. Not terribly difficult but loud, dirty, and somewhat exhausting. We burned up a brand new Harbor Freight grinder (no surprise) and a brand new Dewalt grinder (big surprise). Since they were new, I got replacements for both.

Everything on the front was in tip-top shape. If anyone needs something (or wants a spare), let me know and I maybe able to put it aside.

IFS before it got the cutting wheel.


AND...

All the goods (minus the halfshafts).


No going back now.



Frame all cleaned up.



Next I'll start showing off the replacement equipment. We're moving along nicely for the November deadline.

[Triathlete]

That's purdee! Are you going to plate the frame to strengthen it a bit?

[JoFotoz]

......

I am SO watching this closely!!

Send Scott over here

I'm gonna 'practice' on the crashed one I have first...

...my cajones must be a tad smaller than yours !!


Jo

[jmayer40]

Hope you didn't toss the old. Some people would kill for that ABS ring lol

[VXorado]

That's purdee! Are you going to plate the frame to strengthen it a bit?

Thinking about it... the coil over towers I got are quite large and welding them on will add some rigidity to the frame. Also I plan on using a bar in the engine bay to connect the towers, which should make for a nice support crossmember.

......

I am SO watching this closely!!

Send Scott over here

I'm gonna 'practice' on the crashed one I have first...

...my cajones must be a tad smaller than yours !!


Jo

You know it Jo. Big cajones!!!

We'll see how it goes...

Hope you didn't toss the old. Some people would kill for that ABS ring lol

I haven't gotten rid of anything. I didn't know the ABS rings were that valuable since most here have a broken ABS module. Thanks for heads up, I'll pull them off before recycling the scrap metal.

[Otwobme]

Looking great, just to let you know. If you need a lift for anything my shop is open. Not just to you but to any vx'ers. No charge.

[twalker920]

Nice progress guys!

I need to come hang out with you sometime soon. I'll bring beers and an amateur level of wrenching ability.

Maybe you pros can tell me if all the new squeaks and rattles I have are lack of grease or something more serious.

I haven't done a single off road trip this year

Work is insane, and I have no idea where the summer went.

[VXorado]

Looking great, just to let you know. If you need a lift for anything my shop is open. Not just to you but to any vx'ers. No charge.

Thanks for the offer Jake... a lift would be really handy when I get further along.

It was a bummer I missed the latest meet... we should try again soon.

Nice progress guys!

I need to come hang out with you sometime soon. I'll bring beers and an amateur level of wrenching ability.

Maybe you pros can tell me if all the new squeaks and rattles I have are lack of grease or something more serious.

I haven't done a single off road trip this year

Work is insane, and I have no idea where the summer went.

Sounds good Tom, you bring the wrench... I'll provide the beer.