The Urban Escape Vehicle

[StrykerPez]

A few years ago I ended up with a 2006 Scion xA as my daily driver for college. I've always loved playing in the dirt, so my little import with air dams and low-pro tires just wasn't cutting it for me anymore. Here's what it used to look like:

BEFORE:



The final straw for me was when I hopped onto a curb and broke a rim. I had to do something to make my car more capable... and I was surprised at how capable it turned out to be.

The first step was to remove all the low-hanging plastic crap with a pair of shop shears and a sawzall. Then I got some 205/60/15 tires on steel rims.
Here's a shot of the front valance, above a regular parking berm. The new tires gave me about an inch of lift, and I added coil spacers for another inch.



Other modifications include: semi-gutted interior, custom water fording snorkel, exhaust, 'tweaked' IAT sensor, K&N air filter, Antilock Brake Disable switch, roof rack, fog lights, driving lights, reverse flood light, air horn, dual-color military dome light, safety hood pins, external 12V power port, sideband-capable CB radio with a 200 watt amplifier, digital trunking radio scanner, onboard air with hose, tool kit, and extra supplies.

AFTER:












Future modifications planned, as soon as I can afford them

235/70/15 All Terrain Tires
38mm front and 50mm rear track spacers
2.5" aluminum front strut spacer
Front end subframe / engine cage and skidplate.

[StrykerPez]

Oh and a swing-away jerry can holder for the rear bumper. That will come as soon as I find an old ford bronco in a junk yard LOL

[knight_308]

That's pretty cool. How'd you rig the onboard air? Electric, or did you lose the AC, or something else?

[StrykerPez]

Its a heavy duty 12v compressor with a 2 gallon tank where the donut spare used to be.

I am planing on losing the AC compressor and condenser, so I might see what I can do there.

[NT2C]

This might help you with some ideas.



http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/offduty ... ff-110810/

http://www.airforcetimes.com/offduty/au ... ff-110810/

http://www.motorward.com/2010/10/scion- ... sema-show/

[jamoni]

That thing is just begging for some diamond plate.

[StrykerPez]

I've seen the Marine's xB before, but I had no idea it was all-wheel-drive. Same thought pattern I had tho, use the drivetrain from a Rav4. Cool.

I agree with the diamond plate comment. It would give it a more "durable" look LOL

[NT2C]

That thing is just begging for some diamond plate.

Or a coat of Line-X.

[StrykerPez]

Any of you guys heard of Monstaliner? It's a bedliner, supposedly tested by Mythbusters against some C4 as bombproof. I was pointed to it by some guys on another forum. It is pricey, about $100 bucks per gallon, 250 for the 2 gallon kit with texture roller and stuff.

I was planning on using some kind of roll or spray on bedliner on the lower 18 inches or so of the vehicle, including the interior. I've already removed my carpets because they got moldy after a few romps through a river and water got under them. Stupid Toyota drain holes haha those rubber plugs never stay in!

So what's all y'all's take on the stuff?

[Tater Raider]

I was planning on using some kind of roll or spray on bedliner on the lower 18 inches or so of the vehicle, including the interior. I've already removed my carpets because they got moldy after a few romps through a river and water got under them. Stupid Toyota drain holes haha those rubber plugs never stay in!

So what's all y'all's take on the stuff?

Reassembling Dusty after the spray-in bedliner installation.

Hope that helps.

[NT2C]

Any of you guys heard of Monstaliner? It's a bedliner, supposedly tested by Mythbusters against some C4 as bombproof. I was pointed to it by some guys on another forum. It is pricey, about $100 bucks per gallon, 250 for the 2 gallon kit with texture roller and stuff.

I was planning on using some kind of roll or spray on bedliner on the lower 18 inches or so of the vehicle, including the interior. I've already removed my carpets because they got moldy after a few romps through a river and water got under them. Stupid Toyota drain holes haha those rubber plugs never stay in!

So what's all y'all's take on the stuff?

I don't know which one you refer to but, the Mythbusters I remember with them testing bedliner they were using Line-X.

Either way, it's a great material to use for this sort of thing. I do like the way the commercial spray on covers better than the DIY stuff, and that even gives you some warranty advantages.

[jamoni]

That answer your question?

[StrykerPez]

*squints and taps fingers together*

Excellent....

[Braticus Caticus]

http://youtu.be/ePNGvO6xxPs
http://youtu.be/BD7Bpyh5J_M
http://youtu.be/WF51nHuxWG4
OP, I thought you might get a kick out of these.