What Happened to Rebel-Zilla?

[DzlToy]

The original build thread has been completely removed from the board. It was located here:

http://forum.expeditionportal.com/t...x4-Beast!-Rebelzilla-by-Rebel-Off-Road/page15

There is a partial build thread here, with some images that I do not recall seeing on Expo, but, as you can see, it just died.

https://www.wranglerforum.com/f118/isuzu-npr-4x4-beast-rebelzilla-by-rebel-off-road-1789505.html

Searching YouTube produced this video, which I had not seen either:


Anyone have any info on what happened to the truck or the thread?

 

[Czechsix]

Huh, interesting. I'll bet Rebel requested deletion.

Anyway, I saw that truck and talked to the builder at King of the Hammers a year or so ago...very impressive vehicle, great build quality and would be a helluva ride. He was planning on offering multiple levels of suspension packages for the FUSO and Isuzu trucks, but as always that takes finding customers for them. Which might well have been the sticking point.

 

[javajoe79]

I could see suspension like that about doubling the cost of an npr or fuso. I’ve wondered about what happened to it also

 

[Czechsix]

From memory (yeah, a bit hazy...some years ago, and alcohol was involved - hey, don't judge, it's the HAMMERS! lol), starting around 100k for the base suspension. Of course, base suspension was pretty close to being race ready, if you so desired.

 

[javajoe79]

As awesome as that truck is, I doubt there is much market for one of those with suspension like that.

 

[DzlToy]

Agreed on all counts, just wondering why the build thread and SEMA pics were completely removed from the board. Oh well...

 

[mk216v]

The original build thread has been completely removed from the board. It was located here:

http://forum.expeditionportal.com/t...x4-Beast!-Rebelzilla-by-Rebel-Off-Road/page15

There is a partial build thread here, with some images that I do not recall seeing on Expo, but, as you can see, it just died.

https://www.wranglerforum.com/f118/isuzu-npr-4x4-beast-rebelzilla-by-rebel-off-road-1789505.html

Searching YouTube produced this video, which I had not seen either:


Anyone have any info on what happened to the truck or the thread?

This is the original thread, and is still posted; https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/isuzu-npr-4x4-beast-rebelzilla-by-rebel-off-road.144320/
(Same link as yours--can you not see the thread? I can)

Pics still on their site; http://about.rebeloffroad.com/rebelzilla/#prettyPhoto

However, your YouTube video doesn't work for me on YT's site. Says;
"Video unavailable
This video contains content from SME, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds."
Who is SME?

100k is steep for a susp. Sure, it has King's and all, but how many Texas oilmen are going to want something that far out there?

DzlToy, where are you at with an NPR 4x4? Seriously contemplating one or just think it'd be cool?

 

[Bris31]

This video contains content from SME, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds."
Who is SME?

SME - Sony Music Entertainment - sometime it is blocked on mobile phone app but will show on full website (or try link in youtube).

 

[DzlToy]

That is quite strange. When I click on your thread link, the build thread loads fine. When I click on mine however, I get a blank page. I pulled that link right out of a Google search results page. Hmmm.

100K is patently absurd for suspension, I can buy a really nice (previously loved) KOH car for that and a used Class One buggy or Trophy Truck for about 50% more. 100K for a 4WD conversion on a stock truck, with custom suspension, tuned and installed, is still a bit steep in my book. Tulsa Truck Mfg was charging about 25k-30k a few years ago for custom 4WD conversions (school buses, utility trucks, etc).

I have a hard time believing there is 75k in coils, links, dampers, powder, etc. They make REALLY nice stuff and I know that you have a connection to them. I just don't see any value or even a niche market, save for an Arab prince, lol.

A friend of mine is 90%+ finished with an NPR gasser 4x4 conversion, so I have "seen" on in person and they are pretty dang cool. As you know, prototyping and custom work are both quite expensive in time and in resources. I would need some pretty deep pockets to build one the way that I want, and currently those pockets are a bit shorter than I would like.

Cheers

 

[SkiFreak]

As a comparison... the ATW 5 link coil conversion with Watts Link on my FG84 was about AU$20K (approx. US$14.5K).
I cannot see how the above coil conversion could cost over 5 times what mine did.

 

[DzlToy]

Oooooh, can you PM me images of that or point me to a build thread with more info? I would love to see a Watts link on an FG. How is the articulation and/or wheel travel?

 

[mk216v]

SME - Sony Music Entertainment - sometime it is blocked on mobile phone app but will show on full website (or try link in youtube).

That's odd, I was on the YouTube website on my laptop. And same error message now on my PC.

 

[javajoe79]

As a comparison... the ATW 5 link coil conversion with Watts Link on my FG84 was about AU$20K (approx. US$14.5K).
I cannot see how the above coil conversion could cost over 5 times what mine did.

Your setup is very nice for sure and I agree that $100k is alot but the suspension on Rebelzilla is way beyond what I've seen on any cabover anywhere. Plus it is hours and hours of custom fabrication work. What they built was not a bolt on setup by any means.

 

[SkiFreak]

Rebelzilla is way beyond what I've seen on any cabover anywhere.

I agree, but at the end of the day there are only so many components in a suspension system and $100K seems a bit excessive to me.

 

[javajoe79]

Well when the shocks and bump stops alone on that truck are probably around $25k, it adds up quick. $100k is still alot!!