FAO Robfog

[RatCav]

Here you go buddy:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ogcode=flp

[Retro Pedro]

Bloody hell - wouldn't it be cheaper to import one
http://j-spec.com.au/yahoo/Isuzu/Vehicross
Just had a look at the online conversion rate: £1 = 124 yen thereabouts - 448000 yen approx. £3,600 + import costs (wouldn't have a clue) + no doubt UK tax man would want an import duty
Or go for a 3.2 SWB B

[RatCav]

Fronties don't have TOD and the speed/agility/ruggedness/flare and individuality of the Vehicross unfortunatly.

This one is a special one due to its history etc.

[Drift]

Other than the added toys (Torque On Demand) isnt the chassis and running gear the same as the v6 Trooper Monterey/Bighorn?

[RatCav]

Chassis is the same as the Trooper/Frontera B Series. Suspension again is the same along with the hubs etc. The main difference is they moved the fuel tank back to where it should be under the boot as opposed to under the right hand side of the B Series. The torque on demand system is the main key here for traction. Its the same as fitted to some Troopers where it directs drive automatically from the back to the front as it senses grip loss. It means you can switch it on and just drive no matter wether its wet/dry/muddy/icy etc etc. No chance of any wind up. You also get direct drive meaning minimal power loss at the wheels from the engine. Another bonus with the system is that you also get proper drive at each wheel unlike an open diff system so if one wheel starts to spin it toggles the drive to other wheels to make up for it. They made the body extremely lightweight using plastics where they could without compromising safety and structural integrity. The lack of weight means it will accelerate far quicker than any Trooper or Frontera with the same engine. The power from that 3.2 is instant and very noticable compared to our more lardy trucks even when fitted with the same engine. Also you can guess that being lighter its more economical as well.

Personally I would love to have one. There was one at the Suffolk show we went to earlier this year and various comments were made about lifting it and bigger tyres etc etc ... the normal mods we would make to our more mundane vehicles and to be honest the Vehicross doesn't need it. With the right tyres on for the terrain it can handle most things chucked at it with ease. They are tough little vehicles that you can chuck around with abandon powering itself out of trouble. Its lightweight design is more akin to comparing a little Suzuki SJ to a Land Rover where the SJ will just skip accross the mud as opposed to the Land Rover which would claw its way through. We went for a drive in the Suffolk show one along some rough tracks and I can only describe it as scary. Harsh acceleration with total control and it drove more akin to a Scooby or Evo in a Lombard RAC Rally, but then you had the ruggedness and clearance to play on the off road tracks (like avalanche for example) again with no difficulty.

Simply put awesome awesome little trucks.

[Retro Pedro]

In jest I put the link up about Japanese import. In seriousness, over the last couple of years, I've seen 2 VehiCross for sale in the UK, both about the £5 grand mark.
Believe they were only made for the Japanese and US markets. Looking at the links, it appears the US one's are 3.5 LHD, whereas the Jap ones are 3.2 RHD. If, and it would be a massive 'if', considering buying one, for my money, the imported Jap route would be the way to go unless you could get hold of a rare UK already imported, but for sensible money.
Neal, the TOD is what you was explaining to us the one of the weekender camp fire discussions. If the 3 litre Trooper had a safety factor in risking buying one, how common are the Troopers with TOD, or again, are they imports only? One last question Neal, how strong is the TOD system drive gear, are they half drive shafts from a central unit (a bit like front differentials) or is there a strong back axle with a switching unit in the diff?

[woodwizzard]

You don't need it to be a 3.0l troop to get TOD, my 1996 3.1 has it. For a 3.1 to have it, it does need to be an import. Have seen a few on ebay so they are gettable. Some of the import 3.1's are 130bhp+

[Retro Pedro]

[gregster]

TOD just basically uses a clutch system to control the output of the TF box I think front to rear, however on the US spec Vehicross fings they had an form of traction control where it sent power to the wheels with grip...the jap imports and Troopers with TOD didnt have this though I dont think, just basic front to rear TF box biasing.

[woodwizzard]

http://www.moncha.com/vx_tod.html