Vandetta
- Thread starter Toolman
- Start date
Toolman
Explorer
Went out to The King of Hammers for some inspiration, had to take the van into the hills.
I am seriously amazed with how it handles in the sand washes, I didn't notice the wash board roads, it felt great going over the woop-dee-doo's, and I felt very stable on the side hills.
I need to finish up a couple of mods on the jeep and I'll be back at the van.
Picked up another project
I am seriously amazed with how it handles in the sand washes, I didn't notice the wash board roads, it felt great going over the woop-dee-doo's, and I felt very stable on the side hills.
I need to finish up a couple of mods on the jeep and I'll be back at the van.
Picked up another project
LeadDoggy
Observer
Went out to The King of Hammers for some inspiration, had to take the van into the hills.
saw it by the big tent @ KOH 2012
:victory:
BigAl
Expedition Leader
Do you have a hitch on the van? Will you tow the buggy with it?
Toolman
Explorer
MOJAVE ROAD 4/13-15/2012
Over the weekend, Lisa and I finally made the long awaited Mojave Road Journey. We left Thursday night on schedule at 8PM. I punched in the waypoints that were sent to me by Roni and off we went to find them at camp site somewhere near the Avi.
We woke early Friday morning stopped to top off the fuel tank and we hit the trail.
We camped in Caruther's Canyon Friday night.
When we got there to set up camp.
5 minutes after I got the van level it started..... a very light mist, then a few flakes and then.
No problem we were very comfortable. I barbecued in my make shift vestibule, went to the camp fire for a bit with the umbrella's and then we all turned in early.
more to come
Over the weekend, Lisa and I finally made the long awaited Mojave Road Journey. We left Thursday night on schedule at 8PM. I punched in the waypoints that were sent to me by Roni and off we went to find them at camp site somewhere near the Avi.
We woke early Friday morning stopped to top off the fuel tank and we hit the trail.
We camped in Caruther's Canyon Friday night.
When we got there to set up camp.
5 minutes after I got the van level it started..... a very light mist, then a few flakes and then.
No problem we were very comfortable. I barbecued in my make shift vestibule, went to the camp fire for a bit with the umbrella's and then we all turned in early.
more to come
Toolman
Explorer
Cross over steering
The Mojave Road rejuvenated my love for the van. After the trip the van was pulling to the right when I hit the brakes which lead me to believe I had a problem with the drivers side caliper. I pulled it apart and I found that a rock had a party with the piston and destroyed the caliper. I changed it out and everything is back to normal, for about a day.
I ordered the cross over steering kit from UJOR, installed it this past Saturday. THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST UPGRADE I HAVE MADE TO VANDETTA YET. I can't believe what a simple geometry change in the steering can do for the overall ride of the van. I got it aligned yesterday and found myself just driving around looking for the worst streets to test it out on. I can't wait to get this back in the dirt. If you have a UJOR kit on your van I highly recommend the cross over steering kit. I can't find the words to articulate how much better it drives and rides. I took some pictures of the knuckle replacement but they didn't come out right, there was a lot of glare for some reason. I will snap some more pics and upload later on. Here are a couple that kinda came out.
Before
During
After
The Mojave Road rejuvenated my love for the van. After the trip the van was pulling to the right when I hit the brakes which lead me to believe I had a problem with the drivers side caliper. I pulled it apart and I found that a rock had a party with the piston and destroyed the caliper. I changed it out and everything is back to normal, for about a day.
I ordered the cross over steering kit from UJOR, installed it this past Saturday. THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST UPGRADE I HAVE MADE TO VANDETTA YET. I can't believe what a simple geometry change in the steering can do for the overall ride of the van. I got it aligned yesterday and found myself just driving around looking for the worst streets to test it out on. I can't wait to get this back in the dirt. If you have a UJOR kit on your van I highly recommend the cross over steering kit. I can't find the words to articulate how much better it drives and rides. I took some pictures of the knuckle replacement but they didn't come out right, there was a lot of glare for some reason. I will snap some more pics and upload later on. Here are a couple that kinda came out.
Before
During
After
Toolman
Explorer
It's worth every penny. You will enjoy driving you van even more than you do now.
SoCalChaos
Observer
Nice! Chris recommended I add those to my kit as well. I've got nearly all the parts ready for my build [initial lift] just waiting on rear gearing to complete the rear axle refurb then it's build time. Hoping by this weekend it'll be up and running.... it's been one long month waiting to get this first part done.