Introduce yourself here!

[JoFotoz]

Great story...

Jo

[enginerd]

Hi Everyone,

To be honest, I discovered the VX just a few days ago. I have been looking for a 3rd gen 4runner for months, but haven't found what I wanted. After three disappointing (and long) road trips, I expanded my search to include Passport/Rodeos. My Dad has had a 95 Passport for over a decade. It has been a great truck for him and I love borrowing it.

During my search, I found a low mileage VX locally. I fell in love, but it sold a few hours before I contacted the seller. I'm now infatuated with the Vehicross; I spend all my free-time reading everything I can.

If I buy a good runner, I’ll take care of it and enjoy it. If I find one with a blown motor, I'll replace the engine with an Isuzu 3.2/3.5, GM 3800, or a GM LX5 Shortstar. I’d also like to swap an AR5 and a non-TOD transfer case.

A little about me:
- Profession: Mechanical Engineer
- Daily driver (except during the winter): 02 Mazda Miata
- Notable car projects:

I bought a 76 Fiat 124 Spider in High School. I pulled the engine and replaced all the seals to stop the massive oil leaks. I spent more time working on the car than driving it, but I learned a ton from it.

I bought a 91 Miata in college that wasn’t running. Fixed it with loctite (yes loctite) and drove it for years. Later replaced engine with one from an Escort GT.

I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you. Wish me luck on my search.

Thanks,
Eric

[Maddawg]

There doesn't seem to be much about suspension in the Forums. I bought my VX four years ago after drooling for 7 years. A 2001 Ironman Edition. I thought it would be ideal for off-road use but its barely useable on road. It has the most peculiar suspension of any car I have ever driven. Even the slightest deviation in the road and it will pitch or roll or pitch-and-roll. The stock shocks were blown so I replaced them with Rancho RS9000XL 10-way adjustables. Still the pitch and roll. It may be that I expect more from the car than it can really deliver. If I am off-road I dare not drive faster than 10 or 15 mph. So is this just the "nature of the beast"??

[VxSport]

It almost sounds like there is still something wrong, broken or wore out. Did the previous owner take off the front sway bar?
Most of us would tare down a dirt road as fast as we can.

[Maddawg]

Nope, nothing broken or worn out. Yet. But I'm working on it, lol.

[karrijp]

Hi! I have just bought my first Vx and I am a newbie here! I am all ready full of questions on this great vehicross ride I'm about to get on! Any helpful input from all of you would be greatly appreciated!

[Maddawg]

Hi! I have just bought my first Vx and I am a newbie here! I am all ready full of questions on this great vehicross ride I'm about to get on! Any helpful input from all of you would be greatly appreciated!

Just ask and you shall receive. I'm a newbie here also though, but whats up?

[VxSport]

I have never heard of a black ironman.... repainted? Welcome

[Maddawg]

Exterior Interior 1999 2000 2001 Total

Astral Silver Metallic Black/Red 1021 n/a n/a 1021
Kaiser Silver Metallic Black/Red n/a 57 101 158
Kaiser Silver Metallic Black/Gray n/a 135 251 386
Victory White or Ironman Black/Red 420 96 86 602
Ebony Black Black/Red 564 51 87 702
Ebony Black Black/Gray n/a 138 226 364
Proton Yellow Black/Gray n/a 111 368 479
Dragon Green Mica Black/Gray n/a 125 105 230
Foxfire Red Mica Black/Gray n/a 90 120 210
Pearl White Metallic Black/Red n/a n/a 1 1
Totals 2005 803 1345 4153

[VX MileHigh]

There doesn't seem to be much about suspension in the Forums. I bought my VX four years ago after drooling for 7 years. A 2001 Ironman Edition. I thought it would be ideal for off-road use but its barely useable on road. It has the most peculiar suspension of any car I have ever driven. Even the slightest deviation in the road and it will pitch or roll or pitch-and-roll. The stock shocks were blown so I replaced them with Rancho RS9000XL 10-way adjustables. Still the pitch and roll. It may be that I expect more from the car than it can really deliver. If I am off-road I dare not drive faster than 10 or 15 mph. So is this just the "nature of the beast"??

Funny you should ask this question, I just got my VX back from the shop yesterday. I had it in there for an alignment among other things. They walked me through the numbers from the alignment and they told me that the caster on mine was off just a bit. However, the direction that it was off would be fine. The reason is that if the caster is not right the vehicle will wander because of the crown in most roads. I would suggest that you have the alignment checked and see if the caster is off. Mine drove much better last night and I have the sway bar temporarily unhooked.

[Maddawg]

Funny you should ask this question, I just got my VX back from the shop yesterday. I had it in there for an alignment among other things. They walked me through the numbers from the alignment and they told me that the caster on mine was off just a bit. However, the direction that it was off would be fine. The reason is that if the caster is not right the vehicle will wander because of the crown in most roads. I would suggest that you have the alignment checked and see if the caster is off. Mine drove much better last night and I have the sway bar temporarily unhooked.

Are you sure it was castor? Its usually camber that causes the car to wander. Castor doesn't come into effect until the car is turning a corner. I did have the camber adjusted a couple of months ago. What I am feeling is definitely in the suspension rather than steering.

[Maddawg]

I have never heard of a black ironman.... repainted? Welcome

You're right they are all white.

[VX MileHigh]

Are you sure it was castor? Its usually camber that causes the car to wander. Castor doesn't come into effect until the car is turning a corner. I did have the camber adjusted a couple of months ago. What I am feeling is definitely in the suspension rather than steering.

From what I was told it was the castor. The tech explained that because most roads have a crown to them so that water will drain, if the castor is not within tolerance, it could cause the vehicle to wander because of the crowning.

[vt_maverick]

There doesn't seem to be much about suspension in the Forums. I bought my VX four years ago after drooling for 7 years. A 2001 Ironman Edition. I thought it would be ideal for off-road use but its barely useable on road. It has the most peculiar suspension of any car I have ever driven. Even the slightest deviation in the road and it will pitch or roll or pitch-and-roll. The stock shocks were blown so I replaced them with Rancho RS9000XL 10-way adjustables. Still the pitch and roll. It may be that I expect more from the car than it can really deliver. If I am off-road I dare not drive faster than 10 or 15 mph. So is this just the "nature of the beast"??

I learned a lot about suspensions while trying to diagnose the same problem on my wife's Axiom. Shocks only control part of the vehicle's movement so only replacing them won't necessarily solve your problem. The other thing I learned is that your shocks can go bad as a result of other issues with the suspension, one of those being (in my case) the springs starting to sag.

I would recommend you consider replacing the rear springs or reinforcing them with an Air Lift kit (check this thread for details) as well as consider cutting your spring helpers / bump stops. The combination of the two should keep you from rolling while also reducing the jarring effect when you hit obstacles in the road.

There are other factors that may be at play of course but those are two problem I've personally had to solve. Good luck!

[Maddawg]

I learned a lot about suspensions while trying to diagnose the same problem on my wife's Axiom. Shocks only control part of the vehicle's movement so only replacing them won't necessarily solve your problem. The other thing I learned is that your shocks can go bad as a result of other issues with the suspension, one of those being (in my case) the springs starting to sag.

I would recommend you consider replacing the rear springs or reinforcing them with an Air Lift kit (check this thread for details) as well as consider cutting your spring helpers / bump stops. The combination of the two should keep you from rolling while also reducing the jarring effect when you hit obstacles in the road.

There are other factors that may be at play of course but those are two problem I've personally had to solve. Good luck!

You're right! I have done all of the above though, including shocks. It didn't help the ride at all. If I drive over a 1/8 thick tar strip in the road, the vehicle feels like it hit a six inch curb. I've just recently had the front end gone through, added new ball joints, nothings loose. Its just a weird jarring, pitching and rolling feeling on mild dips and bumps. I'm thinking it just a goofy car.