Toyota Vigo's

[jay-uk]

Dear All

I am a vigo owner like many of you on the group. As my wife and I don't spend much time in thailand only visiting for holidays a few months a year the car does not get used that much but find it a pleasure to use when i'm around. Here in UK now you can buy modified versions called the Vigo "INTIMIDATOR" with chrome wheels, bigger twin exhausts, full loaded with engine upgrade for increased power BHP. Lousy name though sounds like some kind of marrital aid....

I'm interested to learn of anyone who has carried out such upgrades themselves locally in LOS and/or found reputable companies who carry out the work instead. Just wanted to hear peoples views on the subject along with photos of any 4x4's that you had converted. I maybe looking to modify my own sometime in the future when I get back next year. On my last trip having leather custom fitted seemed cheap at 20-30,000 THB all through front/rear so may get that done also at some point. My Vigo is also manual which is a bind on a long trip and id much rather have bought an auto version as your foot aches with the heavy clutch sometimes. Can they be converted to auto or is it expensive to do? Cheers.

Jay

[solent01]

I've got a two month old 3.0 ltr diesel crew cab extra 4*4, I find the clutch as light as a feather, didn't go for the leather though and now wish I had, can get custom leather done in Chiangmai I guess, I did put 31" Maxxis mudpluggers with the standard rims on it though for off road use, wanted to go to 33" but you have to start messing with the suspension then, and with a brand new pickup thought that would be better left alone for now, maybe when the warrenty has expired I will do this.

Sol

[jay-uk]

Hi Sol

Good to hear you have a vigo also. My clutch is fine on a run to big c and back down the road but i found if i'm stuck in heavy traffic for a while my leg starts to ache. however that could be due to my fitness as much as anything else and not necessarily the car. the 31" maxxi's sound nice put a pic up so i can see what your vigo looks like. Leather would have been good for me also 'cause i have to keep gettin' the in laws to go and change their clothes before getting in my car. They love to try and get in with clothes they've come home from work in and with cloth it can get dirty real quick if your not careful. Here is a picture of my 2005 vigo at Pae Taem National Park Ubon Ratchathani ...

All the best

Jay

[solent01]

Photos from last month, at my good lady's folks place

Edit......

Photos didn't work, will try again

Edited September 2, 2006 by solent01

[solent01]

Photos from last month, at my good lady's folks place

My other Toys

Sol

[Gary A]

So, you want a dual exaust? What are you going to do with the turbo? Maybe you are planning to use dual turbos? Do the chrome wheels add more power.

[Plus]

Perhaps they need to modify exhaust after chipping the engine for more power. More power, more fuel in, more fuel out.

[jay-uk]

Hey Sol

Your toys look great. Always like the Vigo in black myself but i was a bit impatient and bought a blue one out the showroom last year. Bet the digger's some fun aswell.

Jay

[solent01]

I had to put the mud pluggers on because of the diggers, I'm working with the electric company, we just finished one contract digging the bases for the new steel pylons being erected, this contract was for a new supply link from Chiamrai to Fang, we were in the mountains and jungle mostly, some of the pylons are 2 - 2 1/2 clicks off the road, great fun with the correct tyres, and don't have to worry about a winch, if I get stuck I can get one of my diggers to pull me out

Starting another contract soon, same thing but this time not steel pylons, they are using the taller and thicker concrete stands, the contract is in 4 stages (and its estimated at 1 year a stage), but the whole link is Chiangmai - Mae Sariang via Pai and Mae Hong Son, I have two more contracts I'm waiting to hear about, Chiangmai and Rayong (not power this time), If I land these, I will need more diggers Who ever said you can't make money in Thailand, the country is booming, it's just like any other country though, you need the right contacts. Though the success of the diggers go's to my future father inlaw, he's been driving diggers for for big companies for over 25 years, he is introducing me to all his contacts.

Sol

Edited September 3, 2006 by solent01

[jay-uk]

Sol

Good to hear about your work in CM. If you don't mind me asking how much did the tyres cost on your Vigo. Not worn out my current ones yet but wanted to know for future reference. Thanks.

Jay

[solent01]

Jay

I paid 13,000 for 4, didn't change the spare, not sure if this was a good price or not, as I didn't shop around, just went to one of my towns tyre shops, maybe could have got cheaper if I went to Chiangmai, but to be honest didn't care about the price that much, just wanted good off roaders without loosing too much traction/performance on road, these are great on the road, but have to use caution in the wet, I have to select 4 wheel drive now when the roads are wet, or I end up with way too much oversteer, mind you this can be fun

Sol

[jay-uk]

Sol

Not a bad price. When I last looked up a set of Bridgestone's for my Vigo a small local shop quoted 20,000 THB so 13,000 is a pretty good price. I've not really had chance to get mine off road yet but might give it a go when next in Ubon. I've never visited CM but heard its got some really nice roads up there and good 4x4 country side up in to the hills.

Cheers

Jay

Edited September 4, 2006 by jay-uk

[PETERTHEEATER]

Hi Sol

Good to hear you have a vigo also. My clutch is fine on a run to big c and back down the road but i found if i'm stuck in heavy traffic for a while my leg starts to ache. however that could be due to my fitness as much as anything else and not necessarily the car. the 31" maxxi's sound nice put a pic up so i can see what your vigo looks like. Leather would have been good for me also 'cause i have to keep gettin' the in laws to go and change their clothes before getting in my car. They love to try and get in with clothes they've come home from work in and with cloth it can get dirty real quick if your not careful. Here is a picture of my 2005 vigo at Pae Taem National Park Ubon Ratchathani ...

All the best

Jay

What's that peculiar plastic contraption wrapped around the front of your car? I've seen them on some Fortuners. What does it do?

[jay-uk]

That's a nudge bar. Good for parking in my garage or elsewhere. Stops me stratching the front of my car.

[VTR1000]

Jay

I paid 13,000 for 4, didn't change the spare, not sure if this was a good price or not, as I didn't shop around, just went to one of my towns tyre shops, maybe could have got cheaper if I went to Chiangmai, but to be honest didn't care about the price that much, just wanted good off roaders without loosing too much traction/performance on road, these are great on the road, but have to use caution in the wet, I have to select 4 wheel drive now when the roads are wet, or I end up with way too much oversteer, mind you this can be fun

Sol

Shit! I went price hunting for new tyres on my Vigo ...... cheapest were just under 10k each, most expnsive 17k!! Sure they're big tyres (20x285x55) but that's hel_l of a difference.

Anyone wanna buy a set of 20" hubs with tyres? Going cheap! 40K? LOL

[Sakeopete]

Hi I added a 3" lift plus new shocks, Top Up and BF All-Terrain TA's. The Top Up IMHO is the greatest thing since sliced bread. It locks at roof level so you can put in larger cargo and its the ultimate trunk for baggage to be stored safely.

[Sakeopete]

Hi I added a 3" lift plus new shocks, Top Up and BF All-Terrain TA's. The Top Up IMHO is the greatest thing since sliced bread. It locks at roof level so you can put in larger cargo and its the ultimate trunk for baggage to be stored safely.

[Sakeopete]

Hi I added a 3" lift plus new shocks, Top Up and BF All-Terrain TA's. The Top Up IMHO is the greatest thing since sliced bread. It locks at roof level so you can put in larger cargo and its the ultimate trunk for baggage to be stored safely.

[Sakeopete]

Hi I added a 3" lift plus new shocks, Top Up and BF All-Terrain TA's. The Top Up IMHO is the greatest thing since sliced bread. It locks at roof level so you can put in larger cargo and its the ultimate trunk for baggage to be stored safely.

Sorry for multiple post my wonderfull Loxinfo IPstar acting up again all I did was press preview and it posted it. Well its already cancelled for the end of the month.

Edited September 7, 2006 by Sakeopete

[jay-uk]

Hi Pete

Great photo of your vigo. The top up is something that i've considered myself and think after hearing your comments i'll ditch the roll bar and go for that instead on my next trip. It looks better and more useful. If you don't mind me asking how much was it fitted and where did you go to get it done. Was it http://www.worldstyling.com/web/product_de...=54&vid=142 who fitted it in Bangkok or did you manage to get it done somewhere local. I didn't fancy driving my vigo all the way down to BKK to get the top up fitted. From Ubon its just too far...

The monkeys in your picture where also a good buy. If you get stuck you don't need a winch just get the lings to pull you out. Lol.

Cheers.

Jay

[HDRIDER]

Hi Jay

You can have the top up with roll bar as well, a bit more expensive, last time i heard it was around 18.000 and 25.000 with roll bar

[jay-uk]

That seems to be about right from what i heard for top up conversions. Thanks.

[Sakeopete]

Hi Pete

Great photo of your vigo. The top up is something that i've considered myself and think after hearing your comments i'll ditch the roll bar and go for that instead on my next trip. It looks better and more useful. If you don't mind me asking how much was it fitted and where did you go to get it done. Was it http://www.worldstyling.com/web/product_de...=54&vid=142 who fitted it in Bangkok or did you manage to get it done somewhere local. I didn't fancy driving my vigo all the way down to BKK to get the top up fitted. From Ubon its just too far...

The monkeys in your picture where also a good buy. If you get stuck you don't need a winch just get the lings to pull you out. Lol.

Cheers.

Jay

I looked at the roll bar model as well but decided against it on practicality because so much hardware is needed to install it your left with little cargo room. Also the Top Up brand I have can be locked in place at roof level and be driven at hiway speeds. I had it done in bangkok between Don Muang and Future Park mall but on the other side of the freeway. There are several pick up customizers all in a row. Took a couple hours to install and cost 20000 Baht alignment is critical so make sure whoever does the work has done many or they will riddle your box with holes. IMHO it has a very solid lifting mechanism compare to the Carryboy brand so compare before you buy. It seals very well and I get very little water getting in while driving in rain storms and none while parked.

PS. I have taught the monkeys to wax my truck

[jay-uk]

Pete

Have you had any trouble with the blacked out windows. ie.. police stops. When I asked Ubon Toyota to fit tints on my Vigo they would not go as dark as I would have liked and informed me it can be more hassle than its worth due to police using it as an excuse to stop and bribe. Speaking to other friends with dark windows similar to yours they inform me no trouble what so ever. Is that the case also for you. Maybe i've been misinformed.

Jay

[Sakeopete]

Pete

Have you had any trouble with the blacked out windows. ie.. police stops. When I asked Ubon Toyota to fit tints on my Vigo they would not go as dark as I would have liked and informed me it can be more hassle than its worth due to police using it as an excuse to stop and bribe. Speaking to other friends with dark windows similar to yours they inform me no trouble what so ever. Is that the case also for you. Maybe i've been misinformed.

Jay

Hi Jay,

I have had no problems at all, I have 60% tint on side +rear window and 40% on windshield all Lamina Film.

[solent01]

Pete

Have you had any trouble with the blacked out windows. ie.. police stops. When I asked Ubon Toyota to fit tints on my Vigo they would not go as dark as I would have liked and informed me it can be more hassle than its worth due to police using it as an excuse to stop and bribe. Speaking to other friends with dark windows similar to yours they inform me no trouble what so ever. Is that the case also for you. Maybe i've been misinformed.

Jay

60% is the max by law, if you get hassle with 60%, then they are wrong and fight it, just say no, sorry, I can have 60%, but smile, always smile, it gets you everywhere in Thailand.

[jay-uk]

Thanks both. Not sure what % tint I got myself never asked the dealer but they do not appear to be more than 30-40%. Maybe less from the pictures attached. It will probably be another 12-24 months before i get back to use my vigo with the missus been pregnant at the moment. I miss using my toyota it will be old already by the time i get back to Thailand.

Edited September 17, 2006 by jay-uk