Isuzu VehiCROSS

[Creep]

A little history - just in case you don't know about it already... the actual VehiCROSS (VX) body was made using ceramic body molds since Isuzu
had planned only a limited-production run of about 5,000. The 1993 concept vehicle looks extra-funky!:


In 1997 Isuzu started producing the VX with a 3.2 V6, back-up camera (Yeah, in '97!) but it was not sold in the US until 1999. The US VX had the 3.5 V6
& no back-up camera (Stupid DOT). The VX chassis was that of the Trooper RS - here is my wheelin bud, Steve's old RS:


There were less than 4200 VehiCRI sent to the US from 1999 - 2001 & the actual production model looked much better than the concept;
which is something rarely said! Here is the '99 I owned & modded (ZEUS):


The VehiCROSS is the most unique vehicle I ever had and will ever have.
It was also one of the most rewarding because of how many friends I made thru other Isuzites.
Love the styling or hate it, it truly was before it's time. It handled on-road very well, handled blizzards very well, handled Moab pretty well...
it was versatile & entertaining but not very practical day-to-day & I miss mine very much!

[Creep]

OK, on to the build! The VX body came off an old Chinese (JiaHaung or something) wired R/C I bought years ago.
It is pretty close in accuracy but not close enough for me.
The wheelbase is 9.2", so exactly 1/10 of the life-size VX wheelbase of 92"!
Overall, it really is a pretty decent shell & I have been excited to work on it!

[Creep]

I started doing some clean-up on the shell by sanding down the parting lines & removing some excess paint:


I decided to add some set-screws to the body cladding for effect. I also carved out the shape of the grill insert for realism/accuracy. Not too shabby for a first try!:




Obviously, I would have to cut out the wheel openings:

[Creep]

I had a Reign K3 chassis on TLT axles - a project I started waaaay back in 2006 & never finished. It looked like it would be a decent starting point for me:


I bottomed it out for testing:


I cut the links down quite a bit to hit the right length & tested, sort of:


Here is a very rough glimpse into the future:

[Creep]

Things were looking promising so the parts hunt began with tires!
I needed something around a 35"-37" scale tire & the Mickeys are perfect!


Yeah, I ordered a winch too so had to cut out a spot to mount it (just taped in place). Nice headlight lenses, aye? :


I figured out what rims would give me the least track-width & ordered 'em up! RC4WD Enduros fit the bill:


So essentially 37" tires on 20" rims.
Otherwise... I will be reworking the body to better resemble an actual VX.
The shape of the headlights are off - too boxy.
Front bumper cladding looks pug-nosed.
Front bumper cladding seam is too low.
C-Pillar is shaped wrong.
Tailights are too big & squared off.
Hood line at windshield is wrong.
Mirrors look goofy.
Rear window is mis-shaped.
Door seam shapes are not accurate enough.
Fangs need some pizazz.
Gas filler door needs more detail.
Rockers need filler.

I also noticed it has JDM windshield wipers - on the opposite side than US. May not worry about it tho...

[Teedey]

This looks like it will be an awesome build

[imthatguy]

That is going to be a fun one. Pretty rare body there, for a pretty rare truck. Always a soft spot for me. Subscribed!

[58_Willys]

Way cool build with that body. That black one would be an easy one to replicate with Pajero rims and some rally tires or the tires from the Landfreeder.

[Creep]

Originally Posted by 58_Willys

Way cool build with that body. That black one would be an easy one to replicate with Pajero rims and some rally tires or the tires from the Landfreeder.

U mean with this?


Thanks for the replies, gents! I actually researched then bought a Landfreeder in order to replicate my old ZEUS as well! Had to make shorter links to lessen the wheelbase by 10mm & still need to figure out shock mounts but that is casually underway!

[Creep]

The roof rails were out of shape & I figured I could remedy that so I got to sanding. Here is the difference:




The spoiler was too tall:


Iz mo bedda:


If you are not familiar with the VehiCROSS you don't know how similar this is... but it is close!


...so I took it a bit further with bondo:

[58_Willys]

Well, I see you're on it. Looking good...the Zues is what your going for? In black? Sweet!

[Creep]

Originally Posted by 58_Willys

Well, I see you're on it. Looking good...the Zeus is what your going for? In black? Sweet!

Yes & no. See below:

I sanded for so long I became sore and the body now has a bone finish to it with Tron cues:




After a search it was realized the Freelander chassis, wheels & tires would be the best way to replicate my old VX.
The Freelander chassis looks like this in stock SWB-form:


Making shorter links got it here:


Now it looks like iteration 2 of my VX with the 31"s I had:



After massive amounts of searching, an R/C toy with the same VX shell was located in the UK
but they would not ship to the US. Luckily, I had a friend heading to England for Christmas
so we ordered the only two they had left!
He brought the good parts back on the plane so now he has one, I have one, & my mail-order bride has one!!!
She is a Japanese model named Pocco :


The problem is the new shell is warped - u can see the rocker panel folding inward near the rear tire.
Any tips on how to get that to straighten out??
I wedged in some tools & let it sit for several days hoping it would help but it did not.

[58_Willys]

Looks like it's following the Zues nicely. As for your warped body on the other...you can try dipping the side into just boiled water(not boiling while you're dipping) for about 30 sec at a time and straighten by hand. Have cold water near by, and when it's where you want it, dip into the cold water to set it.

[Creep]

Thanks for the tip, Willys! I'll have to try that out!

[Louisbaby]

That is a great find there dude. I'm subscribed...

[Creep]

My 3D screen needs calibration.

Anyway... in the pic above you can spot a few of the previously mentioned misrepresentations in the shell.
The C-pillar is shaped so wrong it has to be remedied.
I used some paper to transfer the shape to some card material to cut that into a pattern and...
cue the styrene! .060" or 1.5mm to be exact:


Iz mo bedda!




Hobby scissors, Dremel, & hobby files got me here. Not too shabby, aye?

[Grimsock]

Subbed!

[sdhsbaseball]

Love the idea of taking an old rc body and making it a crawler! Almost has the shape of the some of the Arctic Exploring type vehicles with big balloon type tires!!

[Fingonunny]

I used to work on these at the dealer level. The VX lovers were almost rabid to get their trucks fixed ASAP. Fun to drive, but no rear or side visibility. Nice build!!

[rcjeepbuilder]

I love it I just passed one of these the other day and thought it would be awesome to build a rally version of it ..In the one pic you posted of your 1:1 rig with 31 inch tires I couldn't believe how big those tires looked on it!!! It put the size of it into perspective doesn't it. Your doing a great job and im glad your not going for the huge tire look on this..