Vanilla Vehicles Expanded - Upgrades - Vehicle Customization and Improvements for RimWorld

Vanilla Vehicles Expanded - Upgrades is a RimWorld mod that introduces a vehicle modification and improvement system built on Vehicles Framework. It allows players to upgrade individual vehicles, improve their performance, install additional equipment, and change their appearance using resources collected throughout the game.

Instead of replacing older vehicles with more advanced models, players can improve their existing fleet to meet different colony needs. From reinforced armor and more powerful engines to off-road equipment and expanded cargo storage, the mod offers new ways to develop transport and combat vehicles.

Vehicle Upgrades and Customization

Vanilla Vehicles Expanded - Upgrades allows players to modify vehicles individually, choosing improvements based on their intended purpose.

Available upgrade categories include:

• Armor improvements: Reinforce vehicle protection with additional armor and armored components.
• Engine upgrades: Improve vehicle performance with enhanced engine components.
• Off-road equipment: Install specialized tires and other modifications designed for difficult terrain.
• Cargo expansions: Increase storage capacity to make transport vehicles more useful.
• Speed improvements: Enhance mobility and overall vehicle performance.
• Visual modifications: Change the appearance of vehicles with armored treads, upgraded exhaust systems, and other visible components.

Upgrades require resources, encouraging players to consider which vehicles deserve investment and which improvements are most useful for their colony.

Visual Changes and Vehicle Appearance

One of the main features of Vanilla Vehicles Expanded - Upgrades is that improvements are not limited to numerical statistics.

Installed upgrades also change the vehicle's appearance, allowing players to visually distinguish modified vehicles from their standard versions.

Additional armor, modified exhaust systems, reinforced tracks, and other components reflect the improvements installed on individual vehicles.

This makes vehicle customization both a practical gameplay mechanic and a way to create a visually distinctive fleet.

Supported Vehicles and Upgrade Tiers

The upgrade system primarily focuses on Tier 1 and Tier 2 vehicles.

Tier 1 vehicles:

• Traveller
• Mule
• Bangbus
• Roadkill
• Highwayman
• Prowler
• Bunsen

Upgrades help these vehicles remain useful during the late game, reducing the gap between early and more advanced equipment.

Tier 2 vehicles:

• Scytheman
• Wagon
• Roadrunner
• Snatcher
• Bulldog
• Tango
• Wisent

For Tier 2 vehicles, improvements focus on additional specialization, allowing players to refine their existing capabilities.

Tier 3 vehicles are not supported by the upgrade system. These vehicles are already designed to be highly specialized and powerful, so additional improvements are not included.

How to Upgrade Vehicles

The modification process is straightforward and uses a dedicated vehicle interface.

1. Select the vehicle you want to improve.
2. Click the Upgrades button.
3. Choose the desired modifications.
4. Use the required resources to apply the upgrades.

Each vehicle can be customized individually, allowing players to prepare different machines for transportation, exploration, or combat.

Compatibility and Limitations

Vanilla Vehicles Expanded - Upgrades is built on Vehicles Framework and uses its vehicle management functionality.

Important compatibility details:

• Existing saves: The mod can be added during an ongoing playthrough.
• Existing vehicles: Vehicles already present in a save can receive upgrades.
• Tier 3 vehicles: Not supported.
• Flying vehicles: No upgrades are available.
• Boats: No upgrades are available.
• Combat Extended: Compatibility has not been confirmed.

The mod contains a considerable amount of additional graphical content. Each vehicle upgrade requires substantial texture assets, making individual upgrades comparable to complete vehicles in terms of file size.

As a result, the modification may have higher resource requirements than a smaller gameplay addon.

Authors

• Oskar Potocki - Graphics and visual design.
• Smash Phil - Programming and Vehicles Framework.
• vitalii - Storyteller artwork.