2005 MPV in VIP Style

Hi guys and gals.

I've been lurking on this site for a bit now, and you helped me greatly in converting to s14 front suspension on my '97 Q45 and bagging it.  Well, the Q is on its way out of my life, and I'm on to something bigger!

This is my '05 Mazda MPV.  I'm just getting started with modifications, but here's what it looks like so far:

[IMG]http://www.twistedimages.com/MPV/mpv01.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.twistedimages.com/MPV/mpv02.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.twistedimages.com/MPV/mpv03.jpg[/IMG]

The rear is bagged with Slam Specialties RE6s, and the front is on UAS bags with shortened strut housings.  
Wheels are 19x9 +37 front and 19x10 +37 rear SSR Vienna Dish- weak offsets on the Q, but they fit perfectly on the MPV!  Just a mild roll/pull on the rear to make them sit SUPER-flush!  I made an adjustable panhard bar for the rear suspension, too, so they lay down evenly.

Future plans: Sean from JDM Palace is bringing in some pieces to change the exterior a bit, I need to get the wheels refinished (lots of oxidation under the clearcoat), and some stereo inside- I'm already the lowest minivan at my kids' school, but I need it to be the loudest, too!

I haven't seen any other MPVs done in a VIP style here in the States- personally, I love how it looks!  But I'm a bit sick in the head with my automotive tastes- let me know what you guys think!

makes me wanna take my parents mpv that they have just sitting around in the driveway. :biggthumpup:

That looks dope! Don't see modded MPVs at all around here. 

Dammit I want wheels now!

Nice!  How do you like the ride on the slam re6's?  I tried them on my previa but the ride was too harsh so I put back the firestones.

Looks good!
 
I like my 02 MPV as well. Mine is not as low as yours though. 
 
Good job.
 
Can you take a picture of that panhard bar that you made?

Thanks for the positive comments!  
I've been running the Slams out back for about 3 years now- I originally installed them so we could tow our tent trailer!  I run them at about 50 psi, and they're perfect.  If you wanted to run a higher pressure/ stance, I could see the Firestones giving a nicer ride, because these do harshen up a bit by around 65-70 psi...

I'll try to get some pics of the panhard setup for you.  Basically, I just cut the original bar (thin wall tubing), removed a 3" section of it, and welded a 1" threaded stud (1" grade 8 bolt with the head cut off) on one end and a 1" nut on the opposite end!  My welds are a bit ugly (flux core welder), but it's held up to a few thousand miles with no issues, and the adjustment was VITAL to getting this thing laid out on the SSRs.

As it is now, the sliding doors hit the lip of the wheels when it's dropped.  It's just the inside door panel, which has a strange contour at the bottom, so I think I can cure it with a heat gun and avoid custom door hinges!

Not sure if anyone else here is in the Sacramento region, but there's a BBQ/ hard parking session in Folsom this Sunday:
[URL]http://zilvia.net/f/south-western-states/263519-hella-norcal-summer-bbq-crew-meet-3-august-30th.html[/URL]
If any other vans, boxes, or other oddities can make it out, I'd love the company!  I'll feel so alone in a sea of Datsuns and 240sx's!!

damm i had a feeling mpv's would look sick modded ..

looks good, theres a bbq meet also here in san ramon,ca this sunday you should come out.

Looks clean.... I likes

that MPV is sweet and different

LOL that shit is HOT!

Love it!!  I've been waiting for someone one to do one right in North America.  I hope you lose the stickers though ha

nice mpv!  i love what you done with it so far, you should try to come out to the meet tomorow in san ramon

The stickers are to promote the company I work for, so they're staying for now.
I would totally make the cruise to San Ramon, but my brother is putting this meet together in Folsom tomorrow...  I'll catch up with you all soon enough!

wow thats a first for me. it looks sick

Sweet!! I always thought the MPV's had potential!! +1 for thinking outside the box!!! I even like the mazda5!!! Cant wait to see what else you do!!

That looks really good

looks really nice.

Your MPV looks insane!  Definitely the lowest I have seen stateside.  

Makes wish I was still in the game.  Looking forward to your future progress

very very nice! any kits available for that van?

this shit is pure sex!

As a fellow van builder.I'm glad to see when someone go's outside the box. That's one of the hottest MPV's I seen in yrs...Can't wait till I start buy thing for my Ody...Keep up the good work!!!!:biggthumpup:

UPDATE!!

Sean from JDMPalace hooked it up on some goodies- just got them painted and installed this weekend!

[IMG]http://www.twistedimages.com/MPV/van01.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.twistedimages.com/MPV/van02.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.twistedimages.com/MPV/van03.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.twistedimages.com/MPV/van04.jpg[/IMG]

Next items on the list:
window visors, refinishing the wheels (major oxidation on the centers, curb marks on the lips), and on to the interior.

I know, it's not really VIP-style... I guess it's just "VAN-style"?

Thanks again for all of the positive comments- I feel like such a weirdo being the only "vanner" at the various meets I go to- not to mention my kids' school!

looks pretty dam good!!!!!

window visors will really set the exterior off, especially since the roof spoiler already looks so good.  Look forward to have what you have in store for the interior.

:cool2: 
 
[FONT=Impact][SIZE=3][COLOR=blue]Very Fancy !![/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

Mirror covers, eyelids, grill... SICK SICK SICK!!! I love it all... Wing... Nice..

That is really clean!! I am impressed keep up the good work

great work man

Glad to see another MPV gone VIP. I too have an 05 and it's been dropped and the intereior is being worked on. But I'm sorry to say it might not get finished as planned. It's our family ride and only ride and the wife doesn't know how to drive a lowered ride.  Gone thru 2 lips i n less then a year.  I may just leave it as-is and get myself something of my own to play with.  If ever in So.Cal let me know. There are a few of us here.

[QUOTE=gohkal;271665]Your MPV looks insane! Definitely the lowest I have seen stateside. 
 
Makes wish I was still in the game. Looking forward to your future progress[/QUOTE]
 
 
^^^^^ Hey Shane, nice to see your still around. We need to hook up soon.

Just go with air ride- then she can lift it up and save your lips!

Honestly, though, my wife doesn't like driving it as much now- the drop and the wheels make getting in and out of our kids' school a bit tricky...  of course, she's used to smashing our Excursion, so finesse has pretty much gone out the window for her!

If I ever journey down that way I'll search my fellow MPV brethren down!

Sweet MPV.  I really like.  This may sound really odd.  Did you use to own the Boxzilla xB?

Yes I did!  I miss that little 'box- it was a great car!

DEFINITELY not done in VIP-style- I was more into the minitruck scene back then...  if I found the right deal on another Camo xB, though...

Ah gotcha!   Yea I wanted to make sure I wasnt crazy.  I remember Boxzilla as Phil from FBI Rides, but wanted to make sure.   Yea your xB was a big inspiration to me back in the day.  I would venture to say that most people who own an xB now dont even remember it unfortunately.  Anyways, good to know you're still modding away!   I do love the MPV too!

Scotty

I'm always a bit ahead of the curve- my xB was one of the first 3,000 here in the States, so there weren't as many out there when I started modding mine.  A lot of people didn't "get it", which is exactly what I'm going through with the van now!

Hopefully it'll catch on- I'd love to get some other locals modding vans!  With my luck it'll happen after I sell it!

people still don't get it....with the xB OR wagon tuning in general

[QUOTE=JDMJim;276638]people still don't get it....with the xB OR wagon tuning in general[/QUOTE]

will they ever???

I doubt it.   Just different outlooks.   Yea I feel like a Scion oldie remembering the Boxzilla box.  Not too many around that can still recognize it I bet or even know it unfortunately.

lets see pics of boxzilla...

[QUOTE=esvipstyle;271777]very very nice! any kits available for that van?[/QUOTE]
 
There's a few, but not as abundant as the Previa / Estima.

Here you go- I warned you, it's more minitruck styled than you guys probably like!!

[IMG]http://twistedimages.com/Phil/scion-1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://twistedimages.com/Phil/scion-2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://twistedimages.com/Phil/scion-3.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://twistedimages.com/Phil/scion-4.jpg[/IMG]

-Phil

wow Phil I didn't know you had this! ^^^^^

Love the mpv!  i want to get a 97 mpv myself, as a 2nd car.  To go with the 929..

[QUOTE=fbiphil;276689]Here you go- I warned you, it's more minitruck styled than you guys probably like!!
 
 
 
[IMG]http://twistedimages.com/Phil/scion-2.jpg[/IMG]
 
 
 
 
 
-Phil[/QUOTE]
 
minitruck style with some JDM flavor :giggity:
Ill take the flavor:giggity:
 
XB looks sick never seen on in this style before.

i remember boxzilla

Nice MPV!

ohh this is dope!

bump... Whats next? (back from the pits!)

wow just saw this... you would never think! 

It looks sick!

[QUOTE=lowvanu2;373500]bump... Whats next? (back from the pits!)[/QUOTE]

yeah i was just thinking about this the other day.... its been a while.