For sale rally VX.

[Joe_Black]

Why container it? Go RORO (roll on / roll off) and you'll save a bundle.

You can save a bundle that way, but only when it's available. Actually, the least expensive is if you can find a partial container. In that situation someone has to get their goods shipped by a certain time and they'll fill up an incomplete load for just about anything to help defray the cost.

But back to RORO... Anymore it's very hard to find as the ship is specialized for that type of cargo and the liability is much greater. Container ships are the most common and preferred, so are far easier to use. Plus, a shipper offering RORO may not be convenient to the port nearest the vehicle which will then add additional handling and shipping charges. When looking at overseas vehicles it's always best to first get an idea of the nearest ports and what shippers and export agents are located there. That way you can make the best deal and get your paperwork and fees lined up before the vehicle arrives for loading.

[mbeach]

Joe,
About the other rally VX that you were interested in, was it a manual tranny?
MUA-5 perhaps?

[transio]

Call www.seariders.com - they will price you RORO from Tokyo to many USA ports. It's worth checking out!

[Joe_Black]

Joe,
About the other rally VX that you were interested in, was it a manual tranny?
MUA-5 perhaps?

It was the exact same VX that's currently offered. Maybe the previous deal fell through or the new owner is selling. But I have heard that the rally versions used the current Trooper 5-speed and the TOD had a selector switch wired in to choose pre-set front/rear ratios in addition to auto.

Thanks for the Seariders link Transio! I've put in a request to them for RORO and container shipping with the VX info based on Nagoya as the originating port (where the VX was previously). I'll post what I find out!

[mbeach]

But I have heard that the rally versions used the current Trooper 5-speed and the TOD had a selector switch wired in to choose pre-set front/rear ratios in addition to auto.

That would be an awesome setup. I've been researching the manual swap as part of my ongoing quest for legal and reliable power (without gaining weight). I had assumed that the 5mt Troopers used a MUA/MSG-5 with an integrated T-case and the TOD was not an option.

Please buy this one if you can get it here -I'd love to see you reverse engineer the suspension and drivetrain for the rest of us.

[Joe_Black]

Please buy this one if you can get it here -I'd love to see you reverse engineer the suspension and drivetrain for the rest of us.

LOL! I tried the first time it was for sale and the shipping killed the deal. Now it's not a good time, as much as I'd love to have it. After reviewing video of the last rallycross with my VX I decided to switch back to the XR4Ti and purchased two additional cars for rally. As much fun as the VX is, I push it too hard and would likely roll it if I were to continue campaigning it.

However, in my much delayed mod-project list is a relatively simple conversion to our suspension to use more common eye-to-eye shocks like rally Bilstein and Fox units. Doing the dual-shock setup as pictured on the rally VX is even simpler as all they've done is mount two OEM top brackets in there and the matching receivers at the wheel. You've just got to be sure the geometry is right for the anticipated travel before welding everything up, ideally using a template for accuracy and repeat installation.

[mbeach]

The eye-to-eye conversion is no problem, and I would most likely do it even with the dual shock configuration. For the sake of more shock options if anything else.

I found it interesting that all of the race versions that I saw retained the torsion bar front end. The Geolandar version had rear coilovers, but nothing too exotic up front.

How is your sway bar project working out anyways?

[Joe_Black]

How is your sway bar project working out anyways?

That one moved to the end of the line as it represented the least improvement for the most money. What really clinched that opinion was reviewing photos and video from the rallysprint Heraclid and I competed in last year. I pushed the VX harder than I ever had, speeds over 80MPH, and over half of the course was asphalt including a GP-style flat course. The VX's exhibited very little body roll and stayed very plated, opting to slide rather than hop when losing traction to momentum. Stiffer sway-bars would've produced more hop and possibly roll-over.

Photos can be found on my site here: http://www.rallyrebels.com/Media/ERS100904.asp

[Jonnie]

It was the exact same VX that's currently offered. Maybe the previous deal fell through or the new owner is selling. But I have heard that the rally versions used the current Trooper 5-speed and the TOD had a selector switch wired in to choose pre-set front/rear ratios in addition to auto.

Thanks for the Seariders link Transio! I've put in a request to them for RORO and container shipping with the VX info based on Nagoya as the originating port (where the VX was previously). I'll post what I find out!

Gawd, I want a 5 speeed.

Jonnie

[transio]

Gawd, I want a 5 speeed.

I second that. Or even a 6 speed!