The Journey of Rocky the Roxor

[Bob R1]

I thought it was time to start a new Thread about the Build.
The wife has named the Roxor Rocky. I believe she likes it.

TIRES
First thing out the gate I had the tires changed. I stopped by Nathans Tire Shop in Summersville Missouri and had him install a set of THUNDERER TRAC GRIP M/T LT235/85R16 Load Range E Steel Belted Radial Tires. I traded in the new tires that were on the machine. They will make someone a good set of trailer tires. We aired up the 10 ply tires to 30 pounds. So far that seems to be doing fine. It is nice not having the Air Pressure Warning Light on under 30 some pounds. We also have a Jeep Wrangler totally ate up with electronic junk. We like the look of the tires. It now looks like a serious off road machine. You do not need to wonder if it is taller either. I do probably need to figure out how much my Speedometer is off for driving in town.

SIDE STEPS
The OEM Side Steps seem to have been discontinued for what ever reason. Diesel Freak however has them in stock. The price is higher than when Mahindra offered them, but they are still a best buy.
Well I wondered how they would position. No Instructions or Hardware is provided. Looking things over the Bolts holding the Side Netting to the floor are positioned correctly for the Out Board Side Step attachment.

The Hardware that you will need to install the Side Steps:
8 or 12 Each 5/16" x 1" Stainless Steel Bolts
8 or 10 Each 5/16" Stainless Steel Finder Washers
8 or 12 Each 5/16" Stainless Steel Regular Flat Washers
8 or 12 Each 5/16" Stainless Steel Lock Nuts

The reason for the 8 or 12 Quantity. It looks like the Roxor is set up to mount the Side Steps using 4 bolts per side. However the Side Steps have mounting holes for a couple more bolts between them. So You can mount with Four Bolts, or drill two more holes and mount each side with Six Bolts as I did.
You will need to get a Drill Bit just over 5/16". I believe I used an 11/32" Bit. The Inboard Mounting holes are covered over by the floor coating the way it looks.

Start out by loosely mounting the side step using the Out Board Holes after removing the Net Holders. Position the Fender-Washer on top to distribute the load. You can now locate the Inboard Mounting Holes. Run the drill bit through these holes to clear them. You can now install the remaining bolts and tighten everything down. Now you can decide if Four Bolts is enough, or drill a couple more holes and mount with Six Bolts.

The steps look good to me, and seem to be very sturdy. In use they are high enough to be up out of the way, but low enough to be useful getting in. My 5' 4" wife has given them the seal of approval.

Where I live to run around in Town or on County Maintained Roads you need a Permit. They are not expensive at $15 a pop. I picked up a Permit for Texas County, Shannon County, as well as the City of Houston Missouri. UPDATE: I also got a Permit for Dent County.

UTV/ATV PERMITS
The permits are 4" X 4" Square where I live. I went by On Line Metals and had a piece of Aluminum 4" Wide X 14" long cut to mount the permits on. I picked up 2 each 1/4" x 1" Stainless Steel Screws with 4 each 1/4" Stainless Steel Flat Washers, and 2 each 1/4" Lock Nuts. I Marked down One Inch from the top and installed all Three Permits. I drilled two mounting holes, and then spray painted the exposed aluminum with OD Green Spray Paint. I mounted the permit Holder between the Tail Light and the rear door on the left side Vertical. Watch the tail light wires drilling the bottom hole.

TRIANGLE
The local Governments want a Slow Moving Vehicle "Orange Triangle" on the back. I know this is a joke on a Roxor, but better to stay out of trouble. I have it mounted using the Drivers Side Spare Tire Carrier bolt holes (For the Moment). I uses a couple 2" x 2" Spacers 1/2" thick to space it out so it was not rubbing the tailgate. UPDATE: I put the Dent County UTV Sticker on the Triangle Reflector. Tire Carrier is on order, so the Triangle will move shortly.

More to come as my parts arrive.

Bob R

 

[Roxasuras]

That's awesome, thanks for sharing! Have any pics of Rocky?

 

[Bob R1]

At the moment I am waiting on parts.

I bought Tim's (BadHunnter's) Fortress Two Passenger, LO PRO, Level 2 Top, and Fortress Tip Out Windshield to install on Rocky. Tim had upgraded to a Hard Cab's "Half Cab" to be able to take advantage of his Diesel Freak Heater and Roof Mounted Air Conditioner. At the time that I bought Tim's top I had no idea what hardware was required to mount the top. When I figured out what Hardware was required I contacted Fortress to get the Mounting Hardware to mount the roof. Going this route I will get all new Seal Washers to help make it water proof. Tiffany at Fortress took my order, and I should have all new mounting hardware in a few days. I could not believe that I could not locate a You Tube Video of someone installing a Fortress Top on a Roxor.

The Tilt out windshield I purchased from Tim came with a Single Windshield Wiper on the drivers side. This was an unexpected Bonus.

I have an order in with Dennis Kirk for a set of Sun Visors. I should have them next week.

I have a set of Side Mirrors on order from Secure Side By Side Stuff.

When I get the Top installed and windshield bolted in place the plan is to have my local Glass Shop install an automotive Rear View Mirror on the CJ Glass Windshield.

I have a fairly fresh 50" LED Light Bar on my Polarus Ranger. I am seriously considering installing it on Rocky when I get the roof on. I need to research out some better than just good Marine Rocker Switches to use on Rocky. I have not been impressed with the ones my local shop has used on my Polarus Ranger. They have quit, and half of them are not back lit worth a hoot. The term Cheap Junk comes to mind.

That is the plan for now. Just waiting on Parts to continue the build.

LONGER TERM PLANS

On this list would be a quality set of Turn Signals.

Diesel Freak Two Piece Rear Bulkhead, with Glass Window.

Probably construct some half doors.

Probably a Head Light Upgrade. Low beam could be much better. Hi Beam is not all that bad.

Weather Proof Seat Covers

Front 42" Stubby Bumper, and Rear Bumper such as the Farm Bumper.

We took another spin in Rocky this evening. We took my old antique dog this trip. I put a big dog pad in the back, just incase the floor was hot, and to absorb the rough ride. He sat on the front edge of the Dog Pad like it was a chair and had his front feet between the seats. He enjoyed the ride.

Bob R

 

[Bob R1]

I am very impatient at times. I called Tim (Badhunner) and had him check on the Front Mounting Brackets for the Fortress Roof that I had purchased from him. I explained where the brackets attached, and what they looked like. The Fortress Roof had been off for a while, and Tim had forgotten about the Brackets. Tim looked through his spare parts, and located the two brackets. After work I made a road trip to Van Buren and picked them up.
While their I spent probably an hour looking over Tim's machine, and asking questions again. His is the only Roxor not NEW on a dealers lot that I have had a chance to look over. I keep learning more.

It has quit raining for now. My Game Plan for today is to install the Fortress Top and Tip Out Windshield.

Bob R

 

[Bob R1]

The Fortress Top and Tip Out Fortress Windshield are installed.

FORTRESS 2 PASSENGER LO PRO ROOF
First thing, you will need to remove the (2) Two Bolts going through the Roll Bar on the front. One on each side. Then install the Fortress Roof Mounting Bracket on the Outside, Rounded Side of the Bracket to the Roll Bar, Flat Roof attachment side point UP.
Next remove the (4) Four factory bolts on the TOP Back of the Roll Bar, (2) Two on each side.
At this point I would Test Fit the Roof, and make sure you can get all (6) Six Mounting Bolts through the holes, and threaded into the Nuts. If they do not all line up you will need to enlarge the holes until they do.
Remove the Fortress Roof, and install the Weather Strip on the top of the Roll Bar all the way around.
Reinstall the Fortress Top and put the Bolts in Place with the Seal Washers installed Rubber Side Down.
Once everything is started, tighten all the Bolts. NOTE: Where the Weather Seal goes may depend a little on the Year Model of your Machine. You might need to buy some extra, over what is provided.

TILT OUT FORTRESS WINDSHIELD
This Windshield is hinged at the top, with (4) Four Bolts holding it in place. The problem is, you cannot get the Nuts installed on the Hinges with the Roof installed on the machine.
You will need to unbolt the Fortress Roof and position it forward. You will need to put a board across the Roll Bar's, and under the Roof to elevate the Roof to install the Windshield. NOTE: It might be easier to attach the Windshield to the Roof off the Machine if you have enough help to put it back in place without messing up the Weather Strip. (Probably (4) Four TALL People, of use a couple stools)
Install the Four Bolts attaching the Windshield to the Roof, and reposition the Roof and retighten all the Roof Mounting Bolts.
Next you will need to install the Lower Latching Mechanism. This requires the removal of (2) Two Torque Dash Screws on the Drivers side, as well as (3) Three Torque Screws on the Passenger Side. NOTE: The Lower Screw on the Right Side of the Grab Handle has a Non-Secured Nut. You will need a 10mm Wrench on the back side of the Dash to keep the nut from turning.
Reassemble with the Latching Mechanism in place.
Attach the Struts, and Latch the Windshield in place with the Rubber Dog Bones.

We then took Rocky for a test drive. We took the back roads to Houston, circled around town, back to Raymondville and stopped at Wildhaber's Convenience Store for a Coke Zero and Pizza, and back to the house. The Miles are now at 102.5. I am sure that the Speedometer as well as the Odometer are both off quite a bit due to the much taller tires. I am not sure if this is correctable, or even matters as long as I am not driving too fast in Town. I will probably need to have one of the City Police Radar it at 20MPH and see just how far off the Speedometer is. I about forgot. The Fortress Windshield and Fortress Roof are a huge improvement over a totally open cab. For one thing the Instrument Cluster is much easier to read being out of direct sunlight. The Tachometer is still hard to see most of the time. It is a lot better with a Windshield keeping the wind out of your face. Especially doing over 30MPH on the uncorrected Speedometer.
The wife put a padded Cat Bed between the seats so the dog is not laying directly on the Park Brake Handle. The Dog is liking Rocky just fine. He can stand up getting fresh air with his head over the side, He can set in the back and watch the world go by. He can lay in the back and rest up, or set or lay between the seats to be with his people. Rocky is versatile for the dog. TWO PAW'S UP

I will need to take the roof loose at the front again probably next weekend to install a couple Roll Bar mounted Grab Handles, as well as the Roll Bar Mounted Sun Visors.
My new Rear View Mirror should be in at NAPA today. I will get it installed my first trip to work driving Rocky. Rocky needs rear View and Side Mirrors badly. I keep going for the Turn Signal Lever every time I make a turn. I will need to address the Turn Signals shortly also.

Bob R

 

[Bob R1]

Monday 6/10/24
We made a road trip to Houston, Missouri to Glass Plus this morning. The young lady had my NAPA Universal Rear View Mirror installed on the Fortress Glass Windshield in about Five Minutes.

When I got home I went searching through all of my take off parts from my Jeep Wrangler MOAB build. I was looking for the Roll Bar Mounted Grab Handles I had taken off years ago when I installed the metal handles. No luck. HOWEVER I did find the Original Mirrors that I gotten for "Door's Off" Driving my Wrangler. They are Smitty Bilt Trail Mirrors Black 7618. They are a 6.5" Round Mirror on an Arm. They are exactly what you would expect to see on a CJ Jeep. They vibrated badly on the Jeep JK. That is why they were on the shelf in a box. They do not vibrate at all on the Roxor. I believe the difference is that the mounting surface is flatter on the Roxor. They also fasten with the existing Bolt on the Roxor, and not a Torque Screw. I may have just got it tighter. My other Side Mirrors also came in today from Secure Side By Side Stuff. They fit closer to the body, and look a lot like a JK Mirror. I think I will use the Round Mirrors for the moment. They have the correct CJ Look to them.
You have no idea how much you rely on mirrors until you drive something without mirrors.

I have had the Roxor for ONE WEEK now. I am over half way to the Break-In Oil Change already.

I picked up a Log Book for Rocky today. I run a Log Book on all of our vehicles. I log when I install Tires, have Tires Rotated, Oil Change's, Air Filter's, and any Repairs Made. I log things by Date as well as Miles.

I hope my Sun Visors show up in the next day or two.

Bob R

 

[Bob R1]

The Sun Visors were supposed to be delivered today.
They were a no show.
Went to WalMart to get sun visor sleeves. My local WalMart no longer stocks them. I guess I will see if NAPA can order in a set.

Bob R

 

[Bob R1]

It is Friday 06/14/2024. When I got home from work I installed the Sun Visors.

They are UTV TEK's Universal UTV Sun Visor. The Size is 11 Inches Wide at the Top Outside Tip, and tapers down to around 10 Inches wide at the Bottom. The Height is 5 Inches.

With the Universal Car Rear View Mirror installed in the center of the windshield. The Roll Bar Mounted Sun Visor Blade would be perfect at 16 Inches Wide, and 7 Inches Tall if the Mounting and Adjustment Mechanism could stand the larger size.

I believe that the Visors will work OK, but they would be even better larger.

I have a Single Sun Visor Sleeve ordered through NAPA. It will be in Saturday. I will probably pick it up Monday. Most that I looked at were mainly for holding Music CD's. I wanted one with a Glasses Pocket to hold my Sun Glasses. I hope that the one ordered is useable.

I picked up a NAPA Gold 1324 Oil Filter today. My plan is to call my Roxor Dealer in the morning and see if they have a Mahindra "0303 BC 0071N" Oil Filter for Rocky in stock. If they have one, I will go after it. If they do not have one in stock, I will do my first oil change using the NAPA Gold Oil Filter, and make a note in my Vehicle Log Book that a factory oil filter was not available when an oil change was required. I also gathered up 2 Gallons of Rotella T6 5W40 Diesel Oil today.

Rocky has very close to 280 miles on it at the moment. The next time that I drive it, it will be time to get the Break In oil out of it.

Bob R

 

[Roxasuras]

Sounds like you are enjoying your Roxor! 🤠😎👍

 

[Bob R1]

Roxasuras I am enjoying Rocky. I work three days a week at the local Mom & Pop Hardware Store. I drove Rocky in to work all three days this week.
I take Bearclaw Road to Yukon. I engage Four Wheel Drive going up the hill after crossing Big Creek to save the tires. Steep hill on a gravel road.
Yukon to Emmett Kelly on pavement ( 1 Mile).
Emmett Kelly to Foster Road to Brushy Creek Road.
Brushy Creek (A County Road) is about 3/4 Paved from where I get on it on to Houston. Not great pavement but still paved.
Once in Houston "Missouri" I can navigate around town staying off State Highways easily.
From my house to Houston is a 17 mile drive on the highway by RAM Truck. It takes me FIVE Minutes longer to drive Rocky in to town on Gravel. I had a hard time believing this until I looked at the Plat Map. My gravel road route is a lot straighter shot to town than the two highway routes. Rocky will run on gravel roads just fine, the 5.38 gears are no problem at all running in the 30 - 40 MPH range on a gravel road.

I so far have only been making Rocky more comfortable to drive. I need to get a Receptacle in the bed to power up my 25 Gallon Tank Sprayer and my Seeder. Using both will require me getting a Reese Hitch on the back bumper.

My next big improvement will probably be a Turn Signal Kit. I am thinking hard about adding Side Marker Light's on the front so the Turn Signals are more visible from the side while doing the turn signals. The XTC Kit with the Steering Column mounted lever is probably the best kit sold, however it is also a little high at $499. Still Researching what way to go..

The Rear View Mirror, and Side Mirrors have really made driving Rocky a lot nicer. The Mirrors are the biggest improvement you can make on the Roxor for $100.

Better close and get something done today.

Bob R

 

[Roxasuras]

Sounds good Bob R, enjoy Rocky!

 

[Bob R1]

I had ordered a NAPA 1324 Oil Filter just in case I could not locate a Mahindra Filter.
I called Hirsch Feed & Farm Supply this morning to make sure that they had a Roxor "0303 BC 0071N" Oil Filter before making the 51 Mile Drive. The Parts Man said they had TWO in stock. I picked up only ONE of them, leaving the other for another customer. And the Price was $9.99 + Tax. The NAPA Filter was around $15.
In the future I will stop by and pick up a couple extra to go on the shelf.

I discovered that the Bottom Center and Right Blank Covers had a plug attached to the back. They looked to be prewired for something. I checked out an All Weather Cab Roxor while at Hirsch and discovered the Wiper Switch is the Bottom Center One, and the Bottom Right is for a Light Bar. Both of which are factory on an All Weather.
Looks like I will need to check out a couple switch's shortly. I would presume that the factory switch's are Back Lit?

Vinny from AZ donated Rocky a set of Roll Bar Mounted Grab Handles. They are about as good a quality Grab Handles as I have seen. Much better than the ones that came on my Wrangler MOAB. I will have them installed this afternoon. Another big thank you to Vinny.

Bob R

 

[txroadkill]

Concerning the hitch it’s my opinion that the cecco bumper with receiver hitch is the strongest available at this time. I have the tire carrier version which is no longer available but his farm bumper is and it’s mounted in the same fashion as the one I have. There is nothing stronger on the market. Be warned that others out there aren’t as storng in regards to the way they fasten to the stock crossmember and frame and are prone to breakage.

 

[mooseofark]

I thought it was time to start a new Thread about the Build.
The wife has named the Roxor Rocky. I believe she likes it.

TIRES
First thing out the gate I had the tires changed. I stopped by Nathans Tire Shop in Summersville Missouri and had him install a set of THUNDERER TRAC GRIP M/T LT235/85R16 Load Range E Steel Belted Radial Tires. I traded in the new tires that were on the machine. They will make someone a good set of trailer tires. We aired up the 10 ply tires to 30 pounds. So far that seems to be doing fine. It is nice not having the Air Pressure Warning Light on under 30 some pounds. We also have a Jeep Wrangler totally ate up with electronic junk. We like the look of the tires. It now looks like a serious off road machine. You do not need to wonder if it is taller either. I do probably need to figure out how much my Speedometer is off for driving in town.

SIDE STEPS
The OEM Side Steps seem to have been discontinued for what ever reason. Diesel Freak however has them in stock. The price is higher than when Mahindra offered them, but they are still a best buy.
Well I wondered how they would position. No Instructions or Hardware is provided. Looking things over the Bolts holding the Side Netting to the floor are positioned correctly for the Out Board Side Step attachment.

The Hardware that you will need to install the Side Steps:
8 or 12 Each 5/16" x 1" Stainless Steel Bolts
8 or 10 Each 5/16" Stainless Steel Finder Washers
8 or 12 Each 5/16" Stainless Steel Regular Flat Washers
8 or 12 Each 5/16" Stainless Steel Lock Nuts

The reason for the 8 or 12 Quantity. It looks like the Roxor is set up to mount the Side Steps using 4 bolts per side. However the Side Steps have mounting holes for a couple more bolts between them. So You can mount with Four Bolts, or drill two more holes and mount each side with Six Bolts as I did.
You will need to get a Drill Bit just over 5/16". I believe I used an 11/32" Bit. The Inboard Mounting holes are covered over by the floor coating the way it looks.

Start out by loosely mounting the side step using the Out Board Holes after removing the Net Holders. Position the Fender-Washer on top to distribute the load. You can now locate the Inboard Mounting Holes. Run the drill bit through these holes to clear them. You can now install the remaining bolts and tighten everything down. Now you can decide if Four Bolts is enough, or drill a couple more holes and mount with Six Bolts.

The steps look good to me, and seem to be very sturdy. In use they are high enough to be up out of the way, but low enough to be useful getting in. My 5' 4" wife has given them the seal of approval.

Where I live to run around in Town or on County Maintained Roads you need a Permit. They are not expensive at $15 a pop. I picked up a Permit for Texas County, Shannon County, as well as the City of Houston Missouri.

UTV/ATV PERMITS
The permits are 4" X 4" Square where I live. I went by On Line Metals and had a piece of Aluminum 4" Wide X 14" long cut to mount the permits on. I picked up 2 each 1/4" x 1" Stainless Steel Screws with 4 each 1/4" Stainless Steel Flat Washers, and 2 each 1/4" Lock Nuts. I Marked down One Inch from the top and installed all Three Permits. I drilled two mounting holes, and then spray painted the exposed aluminum with OD Green Spray Paint. I mounted the permit Holder between the Tail Light and the rear door on the left side Vertical. Watch the tail light wires drilling the bottom hole.

TRIANGLE
The local Governments want a Slow Moving Vehicle "Orange Triangle" on the back. I know this is a joke on a Roxor, but better to stay out of trouble. I have it mounted using the Drivers Side Spare Tire Carrier bolt holes (For the Moment). I uses a couple 2" x 2" Spacers 1/2" thick to space it out so it was not rubbing the tailgate.

More to come as my parts arrive.

Bob R

Would love to see pictures of your setup. My intended use is very similar to yours and I am looking at tire options. Did you install the tires on stock wheels without spacers or lift? Thanks for sharing your adventure.

 

[Bob R1]

mooseofark
The 235/85R16 tires went on the stock rims just fine.
The 2024HD with the Tall Tires (32") installed, and the factory Heavier (HD) Springs, looks like it has a mild lift, but it is factory.
No Spacers are needed.
The Tall, Aggressive Tires gives the Roxor a lot better look.
moosefark what part of Arkansas are you in?

Bob R

 

[Bob R1]

I was planning on Turn Signals being my next installation.

I believe I have changed my mind on my priorities. I believe I will put the Diesel Freak Rear Bulkhead installation next up on my list. That will get me that much closer to a Full Cab on Rocky. Looking over Bulkheads I like the look of that one best. I believe it is made by Hard Cab.
Tim (Badhunner) has what looks to be the same rear bulkhead on his Hard Cab.
That Bulk Head is the Two Piece One that has full glass on the top, for a lot better vision than the one with an oval porthole. Anyone have this rear bulkhead installed?

Bob R

 

[mooseofark]

mooseofark
The 235/85R16 tires went on the stock rims just fine.
The 2024HD with the Tall Tires (32") installed, and the factory Heavier (HD) Springs, looks like it has a mild lift, but it is factory.
No Spacers are needed.
The Tall, Aggressive Tires gives the Roxor a lot better look.
moosefark what part of Arkansas are you in?

Bob R

Near Mountain View. My riding and use will be mostly gravel and Forest Service Roads. Just got a green HD Base and will put same tires on as you did. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Bob R1]

moosefark looks like you are around 100 miles South of us.
Where did you buy your machine?

Bob R

 

[mooseofark]

moosefark looks like you are around 100 miles South of us.
Where did you buy your machine?

Bob R

Bought it at Sherwood Tractor - one of the nearest dealers. They are about 60 miles south of me.

 

[Bob R1]

Ours came from Hirsch Feed and Farm Supply in West Plains MO. They should be about 60 miles North of you. Hirsch is a new Roxor Dealer ( around 3 months). From what I can tell they are selling very well for them. I am more impressed with dealing with Farm Supply/Tractor Dealers over Motor Sports Shops. At a Tractor/Farm Supply normally the Sales Help did not start work last week.

Send me a message with your phone number, and I will attempt to send a picture of two. Or should I say my wife will.

Bob R