RADO's Off Road Rig- Build Thread

[JayDallas]

where did you get the Matte Sand Metallic vinyl from?

[VXorado]

where did you get the Matte Sand Metallic vinyl from?

Ebay is usually the best place to source the vinyl. There's a few main stores that sell this stuff and they offer better deals on Ebay. The store, IKON wraps is my least favorite... they sell vinyl that's out of stock and make you wait.

[Triathlete]

Are you going to fab retainers to keep the springs in place?

[VXorado]

Are you going to fab retainers to keep the springs in place?

I already have the axle-coil spring retainers. I plan get measurements so the sway bar and shocks provide a good amount of travel without allowing the upper spring room to unseat.

I had an issue with too much flex years ago. The poly spacer would fall off the springs on trails in some pretty precarious places. I would then have to find a rock to flex out the rear axle and re-install the poly spacer. To fix the problem, I replaced my longer OME shocks with some cheapie stock length shocks.

This is a good opportunity to optimize the rear travel... benefit from better shocks (Ranchos?)... increase stability by re-installing the sway bar... and sink some more money into this neverending project.

[bartmanS4]

Bitchin! How's the front end feeling now? Tracking better?

[VXorado]

Phase 6: Rear Axle Lift & Changes

Here's the plan:

• Taller coil springs
• Longer brake lines
• Longer shocks
• New control arms
• Install sway bar (it was removed years ago)
• Clean up and paint

I got the coil springs in earlier this week! They're just a bit taller than OME 919s but offer 2-3" more lift because they lack the soft progressive spring. As for width, they're nearly a perfect match!

RUSTY 4.5" lift WJ Spring vs Old Man Emu 919 Spring




I'll be using a 2" poly spacer to get an even ride height.



The lower control arms definitely need some work and need to be lengthened.


Shocks at full extension (19.5") and new ride height. I'll be ordering some new longer shocks soon.


I need to purchase longer brake lines for the rear axle. It's almost stretched at ride height.



I'll have more parts coming in after Christmas. Still plenty to do before I can consider this project complete.

[Triathlete]

Yep, we had a trooper wheel with us in Az one time that every time it flexed out on an obstacle his springs would pop out. It got old after about the 5th time. We finally put a tie down strap around his axle and bumper to prevent it from extending to far.

[VXorado]

Bitchin! How's the front end feeling now? Tracking better?

Better after just tuning the ORI's and making some alignment tweaks. I think I'll be good with both sway bars installed and a good alignment.

Yep, we had a trooper wheel with us in Az one time that every time it flexed out on an obstacle his springs would pop out. It got old after about the 5th time. We finally put a tie down strap around his axle and bumper to prevent it from extending to far.

Losing springs is a real pain, I first experienced the issue in Moab 2012. I used tube clamps to keep the springs on the axle and lost both isolators... Sounded like the rear end was breaking to pieces with the springs directly on metal but hey, can't beat that flex!

[JayDallas]

Thank you VXorado!

[JayDallas]

One more question, (sorry to bother you) how many sq ft do i need for the entire vehicle?

[VXorado]

One more question, (sorry to bother you) how many sq ft do i need for the entire vehicle?

If you're a first time wrapper, go for 30-35ft depending on your budget. When I wrapped the VX blue, I used 30ft and had some extra. Recently I used 25 ft for the green vinyl and had just barely enough. Keep in mind I don't wrap the back door on my VX.

Also to filter the results,
Search ebay: Avery Midnight Matte Sand Metallic 30
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw...ic+30&_sacat=0

[JayDallas]

Thank you man, very helpful info.

[VXorado]

I spent a good amount of time last weekend out in the cold garage building new control arms for the rear axle. I opted for 2x.25" DOM tubing with johnny joints on one end and poly bushings on the other. Using poly bushings saved me about $100 over JJs all around, putting the total cost at $250 for all three adjustable control arms.

Additionally, I'll be installing longer Rancho 9000XL shocks (amazon), 1/2" shock adapters (indy4x), stainless steel extended brake lines (indy4x), coil spring holders (indy4x) and the previously mentioned WJ 4.5" lift coil springs (rusty offroad) with 2" poly spacers (fatbob's garage/ebay). All of this is more than I originally intended to buy just to adjust rear ride height, but at least now everything will be upgraded.

Pinion angle with new lift and old control arms.


Here's a pic of the new control arms before paint along with an original bent control arm.


Everything ready to install...

[bartmanS4]

Those arms look awesome Jon. Nice work!

[VXorado]

Those arms look awesome Jon. Nice work!

Thanks Scott, I'm happy with how they turned out. Got to get them installed and make this VX roadworthy.