RADO's Off Road Rig- Build Thread

[VXorado]

RADO's Rig

1999 Vehicross

Most Recent Pic: April 2016


Project REBUILD 2014

Why? ...well why not?

Phase 1: Purchase daily driver to take place of VX. Completed August 22nd- RS licensed

Phase 2: Remove 3" bodylift: this includes cutting off rock sliders, pulling air compressor & removing winch plate. Completed August 24th

Phase 3: Install front rock bumper (acquired from Jo). Completed August 26th

Phase 4: Remove IFS and all front drive-train components from VX. Completed September 4th

Phase 5: Install Dana 44 solid axle under VX under the following configuration Completed December 12th

• Jeep Wagoneer Dana 44
• 12" ORI suspension
• TnT Y-link control arms

Phase 6: Increase rear axle spring height to match front, build adjustable rear control arms Completed January 15th


Phase 7: Install 5.38 axle gearing Completed November 1st


Phase 8: Purchase custom front drive shaft, finish front bumper, install rock sliders & air compressor. Completed April 2015 except sliders still need to be installed

Future phase: Enlarge wheel wells, increase tire size to 37" Completed May 2015

There it is. Project completed Summer May 2015, major work finished with small improvements on-going



*This thread will be updated with on going projects.
Modifications

Suspension/lift
ORI STRUTS
Rusty WJ 4.5 lift coils with 2" spacer
ORI STRUTS 14" travel
Rancho RS9000 Rear Shocks
Currie anti-rock sway bar
HD adjustable rear control arms
Ranch RS5000 Steering Stabilizer
High angle front & rear driveshafts
Triangulated 3-link on rear axle
Swapped direction of rear axle track bar

Tires/Rims
KMC Enduro 18x9 0 MM offset replaced Cragar Black "D" Slot Steelies 15x8 +6mm offset
37x12.50R18 NITTO Trail Grappler replaced 35x12.50R15 Goodyear Wrangler MT/R

Off Road Upgrades
Dana 44 Front Axle
OX locker
12 Bolt ARB Air Locker
5.38 Axle Gearing
Chromoly axle shafts
Warn XD9000
Warn Rock Bumper
Kilby Full Skid Plates
Warn Manual Hubs
Indy4x Coil Spring Retainers
Jeep Wrangler TJ Rock Sliders Custom Welded
Project ZU Rear Tire Carrier
Airflow Snorkel Custom Fitted with K&N Apollo Air Intake
TOD off switch
30" LED Light Bar
Cobra 75WXST CB Radio
Cobra 38WXST handheld CB Radio
2 FT firestick & 102" whip antenna


Interior
OTRATTW Contura V switches - LED bar/offroad lights/fog lights/zombie lights/air compressor/rear locker/front locker
Black Door Inserts
JDM VX Steering Wheel
Vent Mounted Cup Holders (x2)
Fire Extinguisher
Alpine IPOD deck, Alpine Speakers, JBL Amplifier, Sony 10" Sub
Rear Dome Light
Gry/Blk seat swap


Exterior
Vinyl Wrapped Paint in Avery Midnight Matte Send Metallic
Smoked Front Marker Lights
Smoked Front Blinker Lights
Showroom New Treatment Applied to Cladding (black)
Project ZU Hood Insert Heat Extractor
Debadged and Rebadged
CREE LED Reverse Lights
Yakima Rail Grabber Roof Rack
Rola Cargo Basket

Future
Rear Bumper/Receiver/Skid Plate to Protect Rear Tire
5-Speed Swap


The First Picture July 2009



November 2012





My Links:
Lift
Snorkel
Body Lift Install How-to

[VXorado]

Project ZU Modifications
*Project ZU is just my fun way of saying, designed and built by me. Most of the projects take forever to finish because I'm usually figuring them as I go along.

Rear Tire Carrier
Description: Tailgate flattened and built to carry a 35" tire.
Working time: 6 months (on & off)
Link: Project ZU: Rear Tire Carrier


Headlights --- Now Owned by ND92
Description: LED Daytime Running Lights built into headlight bezel. Additionally, I installed Morimoto D2S projectors, 3five 35w ballasts, 5000k bulbs and blacked out reflector. Gun Smoked Lamin-x applied to lens.
Working time: 5 months- mostly design
Link: Early design thread

DRLs


Headlights On


Close-up


Hella 500 Driving Lights
Description: I wanted Hella Driving Lights embedded in the bumper for a clean look. I used a 4 foot piece of fiberglass unistrut as an internal light bracket because the unistrut fits perfectly between cladding turn signal & OEM round light. Next, I carefully cut out a shape for the driving lights and used a mounting bolt to secure the lights to the unistrut.
Working time: 4 hours



Hood Insert
Description: I wanted to add a functional heat extractor to the hood insert. I used a reverse hood scoop sold aftermarket for the Subaru WRX/STi. I fiberglassed the reverse hood scoop into the insert and had the insert professionally sprayed with Line-x
Working time: 8 Months (on & off) - first fiberglassing experience and I kept improving the quality over time.







Air Compressor
Description: My goal was to install a belt driven York air compressor to make an on-board air system capable of 10 CFM. I used a York A/C compressor from a 70s Ford that I picked up for $20. I wanted to mount the compressor on the engine but couldn't find the room. Instead, I moved the battery and made a mount for the compressor to attach to the alternator with a V-belt pulley. I ran the air hose back to a tank behind the rear seat. The tank has a pressure switch that will automatically cycle the compressor when necessary. Unfortunately, I can't run the system full time because the compressor causes vibration through the VX. I leave the belt off unless I'm using the compressor for filling tires or impact tools. I can fill one 35x12.50x15 tire 15 psi in 1:20 sec. Overall, a successful failure.
Working time: 2 months

Compressor & Relocated Battery

Air Tank with Hose

[VXorado]

Vinyl Wrap
Description: Wrapped the VX body in 3M Brush Blue Steel Vinyl.
Tips:
-You need at least one helper
-30 ft of material minimum.
-Remove everything touching metal including roof rack, mirrors, door handle, tail lights, weather stripping, snorkels (), etc.
-The cladding can be pealed back instead of fully removed although removing it completely will make the wrap easier.
-Buy a decent head gun, you'll use it
-Plastic dip works well for the door jams and won't permanently cover the paint
-I choose a brushed texture because it doesn't show scratches easily. Based on my own testing, matte finishes will show the most scratches
-The window edges are extremely difficult to wrap, so don't plan on them being perfect
-Any noticable imperfections on the paint surface will show through the vinyl

Working Time: 20 hrs including prep and reassembly

Anyone remember Blue Steel?

Magnets help

Plasti dip can be used on the door hinges to cover up a different color

The initial lay down is difficult

Work from the inside out

Put your helper to work

Plastidipped door jams

A good install will look close to perfect but requires some extra time for touch ups

[Marlin]

I would like some more info/pics of the tailgate flattening. That steel is pretty thick back there, as I have had my tire mounted on the rear door for a few years. Would love to bring it in closer so I don't have to remove it when I wheel.

[VXorado]

The tire carrier is still my favorite mod on the VX. I didn't post more about it because there's already an extensive thread about it. You might of been out of the country when I posted it.

There's a link above in the tire carrier section.

[vt_maverick]

So is the tennis ball there to guide you into the garage or was it part of the vinyl install process? Or maybe you were modeling the solar system?

Looks great Jon, nice work!

[Triathlete]

New vanity plates? ZU LNDR

[Mile High VX]

Amazing....nice job Jon!

[pbkid]

Top quality design and work as usual Jon.

The VX looks great!

[evillecutter]

i could look at pictures like this all day - very nice work

[Scott Larson]

All that right there is some fine work, nice job!!

[VXorado]

Thanks guys.

Maybe some other members can start making threads to show off their VXes? Its always fun checking out what others have done.

So is the tennis ball there to guide you into the garage or was it part of the vinyl install process? Or maybe you were modeling the solar system?

Definitely the solar system.

Notice how the large tennis ball was tied up? That's the guide for my wife's car and she almost took out the work bench because I forgot to untie it.

New vanity plates? ZU LNDR

That is an awesome idea Billy. Zoolander was one of my favorite movies growing up...

[RickOKC]

I'm jealous. Your VX looks EVEN MORE awesome!!!

[Etfren]

Awesome thread Jon! Love seeing all the work you have put into your ride.

I will hopefully get mine into the shop this week or next to pull the SFIFS stuff to send to you. Sorry its taken me so long.

[SilverBullet75]

LOL I keep forgetting that you have my door panels.


Love the look BTW... That wrap is awesome. It'll be a PITA when/if you decide to remove it though. I did my hood with standard decal vinyl rolls (x3) as a band aid until I repainted. It took 2-3 hrs and a lot of lacquer thinner/elbow grease to remove.