The week at the TTC was incredible. I met a lot of great people learned a lot and had fun, but as with many of the other competitors, I am left to wonder how things could have been different. My week was filled with some bad luck and bad decisions. I showed up without a spotter. I met Matt (the Lake Rat) on Sunday and thought he was a great guy. He became my spotter.
-Things started really well. In the measurements, I decided to leave the tires aired up so I would do well in the ground clearance. I think I got 4th or 5th in ground clearance. I also did well in turning radius, 4 or 5 again. I also ramped like 1000 on the 30 degree ramp with tires at full pressure. That was only good enough for 4th though. On the hillclimb I thought I did really good. You have to guess at the ideal time and I thought it would be around 45 sec. I was wrong, it was 35- I get 9th. To sum up ride and drive, judge Jim Piatt told me I should sell my engine and get a TBI Chevy. Yeah great idea.:rolleyes:

-Wednesday I got 3rd in acceleration with 50+ ft burnout, and 2nd in braking. In the tow test, we aired the tires down and that was a big mistake. The truck bounced so bad that I had to keep getting off the gas. I think I got 8th. The frame twister was the first real event. Didn't go well. I actually made it as far as anyone else without winching, but when Matt got out to winch, he kind of paniced. The winch cable got tied in a bunch of knots. Once we got the cable hooked up, I got pulled off to one side and had to back up to straighten the truck out- 9th. Mud pit no excuses just RPM-1st. The mini-rubicon looked impossible. I had never seen rocks before, Matt does a lot of rocks so we decided to switch spot, he drove I spotted. Matt did well making it more than half way before we ran into any trouble, but once we ran into trouble we were done. We were hung up with a huge boulder in front of us. We tried to winch but could not get over the rock. Soon we mangle the front suspension and a u-joint popped out- 8th. Since Matt knew the rocks much better, I think he should have spotted me, but we can't cahnge things now.

-Thursday the obstacle course was first. I thought I did really well. I was one of the few competitors to make it up the hill on the first try. I thought I got 4th but somehow got 7th. Just thinking about how I did in the tank trap makes me feel sick. I thought I was totally prepared. We made our way to the first hole and as soon as I pulled in, I started getting a bad vibration. I couldn't really get the RPMs up so I shifted to 1st. It felt like I was just spinning so Matt got out to winch. Water came in the door! He hooked up the cable pretty quick and I crawled out and locked the winch in. As we started winching, I put it back in 1st and hit the gas. The tires weren't spinning! I continued to pull until I was out of the hole. I told Matt to move the winch point so we could get up the hill. As he did I tried to figure out what happened. Nothing was broke and I realized what it was. The clutch was packed with mud and it would not engage. We tried to winch up the hill but the winch would not pull because the alternator had died (didn't know at the time). We shut it off to try to work on it. Nothing we could do so I tried to start the truck back up and it was dead. I told Matt to run back to camp to get a dry cell battery. He ran his ass off and was back in about 7 minutes. I jumped the truck with the battery but it did us no good. We could make no more progress. We were done. Tank Trap, hole 1. I will never be able to forget the fact that I didn't complete the Tank Trap.

It took like 5 minutes to fix my truck after the tank trap. When I heard that the mini-rubicon had been re arranged. I wanted to go back up there. I had no idea what I would start with this simple request. Instead, someone suggested we stack trucks. After that we went up to the mini-rubicon with some of the judges. Before I even got on the rocks, Jim Piatt rolled his Jeep on its side. The I got ten feet into the rocks and was blockes by the Raptor. Then Ned Bacon drove up the side of the Raptor and flipped over backward. This was crazy. We had been up there for ten minutes and 2 guys had rolled. Then I got to proceed. Robin Stover jumped in front to spot and I made it through the course without backing up. I was pretty excited and it was a good end to a disapointing day.

I don't quite know an exact reason but I was hoping you could pull out the win. Congrats anyway. When I saw a post about you saying "WTF is that" when you saw the mini-rubicon I died laughing, too cool. Good job and watching you spank that mud pit was impressive.

Not putting youi down, but as I read your post....it sounds like you are allmost blameing the spotter [Matt] I'm sure you don't mean for it to come off that way, but to me it does....might want to edit it so it doesn't sound like that, also sounds like the judges scored you way lower then YOU thought you should have been....it does sound like that too, could be true, the mags don't really like toyotas...why did retard tell you to get a new motor anyway?????:confused: :confused: 3rd fastest and he tells you to get another motor?? if you had the 22re like most I wonder WTF he would have said!:rolleyes: :rolleyes: I would like to see some close ups of your sus links, are they on your webpage?

Jesse, it was great to meet you and your mom. You guys were the two nicest and humble people out there.

Jesse,

I was really rooting for you being a Michigan Toyota guy. I'm amazed how well your truck is built, and honestly considering the circumstances of your age and where you hail from, I think you kicked ass just BEING at TTC.

That thing was definitely a monster in the pit, and I hope I get a chance to see it in action.

Is there some way I can find out what event/hole your going to be at? I really want to see your truck.

Please let me know, as your participation at TTC has sparked quite a bit of interest in the clubs I'm in, especially amongst the Midwesterners.

"Damn boy, a Toyota ain't supposed to sound like that!"

LOL and good job Jesse!

Originally posted by SeaBass44
[B]Not putting youi down, but as I read your post....it sounds like you are allmost blameing the spotter [Matt] I'm sure you don't mean for it to come off that way, but to me it does

I don't want it to sound like I am blaming Matt. I was the youngest guy there with the least fourwheelin' experience. The only thing that Matt screwed up was tying the winch cable in a knot. We were both nervous and I wasn't mad at him about about that. As far as the mini rubicon, that was just as much my decision as it was his to have him drive and he did very well. We made it farther than I thought we would. I'm not trying to blame Matt for anything. We both learned a few things and wish we had a chance to do things over again. Matt helped me get the truck ready sometimes working on the truck well past dark. Matt is a great guy and I hope that he doesn't read my post and think I am placing the blame on him.

As far as my links, I am building some new ones soon. After the mini rubicon, one link ended up looking like a hockey stick. I knew it would happen and I brought spares. There may be some pictures on my site.

I am going to be at an event on June 22 near Big Rapids. The course probably won't be too hard considering that most guys will have tire from 35's - 40's.

Oh and the reason Jim Piatt told me to swap to a 200hp stock TBI is so my truck will be more driveable and reliable. I had absolutely no problem with my carb. Worked great on the hill and off camber. It doesn't really idle at 800 rpm though. It also does not like to cruise around at 1500 rpm, if you do that it gets loaded up on fuel. Since I can't drive it on the street, this isn't a problem. I don't think I will swap to a TBI setup anytime soon.

Despite what others thought, I was only spinning between 6500-7000 rpms in the mud pit.:D You will see that on the video because the in cab camera was setup to see the tach.

The other cool thing that will be on the video is my burnout. I guess the camera man was laying on the ground behind my right rear tire and I shot burnt rubber at the camera.

I also got 9th in engineering, but I don't feel bad beacause the Frog got 10th! I think all they are looking for is high dollar crap like ARB's, and TIG welded chromoly.

When I said I drove through the mini rubicon without backing up, the course was much easier. I wasn't trying to say I would have done that if I had driven during the event. I just thought it was one of the funnest things I did all week.

Jesse, it was great to meet you. Great summary, a lot better than mine.
TTC involves, among other things, a lot of luck. It just wasn't with you this time.
Just remember you are in the top ten and, unlike most people, you got to experience ttc.
Best part is you're yong and I'm sure you will get to do ttc again someday. ;)
I'll never forget the sound of your engine in the mud pit! Cool.

well i must say what jim said to you cause i ran into him in the sanddunes about 2 months ago in the sand dunes and i told him i mith be building a yj with full width axles and wasnt sure if i wanted to use a 300 hp lt-1 or the 210 tbi and guess which one he recommended ? Which also happens to be same motor in his jeep. Hey you made it in the top ten and that counts for something! And just what i have seen on here and heard i would say that is a way cool toyota. Oh yeah me and jim were talking and pretty much aggreed that top truck is about 30%luck 30% truck, 30% driver/and or experience and then the other 10% is luck of the draw. Maybe 5 but in some events it does matter! Anyway Congrats to all!

JEss you did awsome.
Don't sell your truck or yourself short, FUCK the fourwheeler staff for doggin your truck.
I think when you ramped and when you ran the obstacle couse, we were all really impressed with your truck.
I did not see the mud pit, I was working on Tim's cruiser, but i heard you :D

Jesse, sorry about your luck... Just remember, like everyone said, you going to the TTC is way more than most people can say!!! I hope to god I can make it out to Big Rapids for the TTC there, I won't be running but I'll come take photos & footage to post on my website again. If you need any more help with anything just let us know

Andy Koz

Hey Jess, you made it to the top . Man, you were part of the cream of the crop this year. Feel good about it. You gave it your best shot. That's what counts. Let me tell you, you have some Toyota fans up here in canuckville.
Congrats!!!!!!!!

Jesse .............. again a BIG thank you for helping us with the steering box "problem" ( broken parts of which will be on the trophy next year:D )

I went into the TTC with 2 goals; to make it through the tank trap and not finish last overall. Not very lofty goals but I could'nt achieve them. Despite that, I was very impressed with my truck. The drivetrain held up great, beadlocks worked great, and have you ever seen a Toyota with 44's ramp 1000 on a 30 degree ramp, not to mention a Toyota with 12"+ lift. There were definitely some high points. I just hope the magazine tells the story well instead of making me look like an idiot. When John Thompson was handing out awards, he said my truck was the only truck to ever break on the RTI ramp. I don't know where he came up with that. I had Matt pull up on the bedside so it wouldn't get ripped off by the tire.

I would have been pissed off about John's comment but I kind of forgave him when he gave me the "hard luck award", a Mobi-Arc onboard welder!

The videos I saw were awesome especially of your rig. All we really have here is mud, so that is what I pay attention to most, which you shined in. You and the rest of TTC guys have my respect. Screw the magazine guys if they don't like you, you did great. I wish that one day I can make it there as well.:usa:

Sure, just bring me some rocks and I would be doing it every weekend.:D

Michigan = Trees+Mud

Good job man. You got a killer truck, and you got to experience an honor most of use never will. That's pretty cool in my book.

And screw Jim Piatt, he's a goon!:D

Jesse, remember one thing. Jon says "remember, it's all for fun." Nope, it's all to sell magazines. I will agree when he said "the rank is only for this given day and event, and any other day things may be different." Your truck is cool. And we competed against some of the best.

You're always welcome out here on the B.C. coast, we'll happily abuse you any time you care to be. :)

--Rob (his TTC experience to be posted shortly)

Rob, you have a Mobi- Welder right? I might call you and ask you a few questions about it since I now have one.

Great Job at TTC Rob. When I saw your truck dented up after the tank trap I was actually pretty jealous. I wouldn't dent my truck up for just anything but the tank trap is a worthy cause. Hope you don't feel bad about messing it up.

First off... it was my fault. I GEEKD out and fawked up. Jesse doesn't sound like he's blameing me but he should. He could have gotten 2nd or 3rd in the frame twister if i had just calmed down, slowed down, and did my job right.
Jesse REALLY impressed me. For someone as young as he is to build a rig that awesome all by himself with almost no help really says alot about him. and he has nothing to hang his head about. If he'd hadn't had such bad luck in the tank trap or even if they hadn't changed the scoring like they did to put most of the points on the tank trap he would have done fairly well.
There are a few thing that i would like to go back and change but hindsight is always 20/20. At least we'll know better when Jess and i go back next year in my rig;) :D :p Right Jess!!!
I keep remembering when Jess was watching the mini rubicon for the first time. Everytime someones tire would drop off a rock into a hole he would say " oh shit, they're fawked now". He must have said that at least 6 times. and then the look on his face everytime they would climb out was priceless.
Everyone there was absolutly the greatest group of people. I had a great time with the Canadians and am sure glad they had such a great attitude about razzing each other. i think we spent the whole week trying to teach them to talk like Texans and them trying to teach us when it was proper to say "EH'":D :D :D
Oh and Ryeguy tell Andy that we need to go pig hunting again soon. I had a blast, but don't really remember going to bed.
:beer: :beer: :beer: :zzz: :zzz: :zzz:

Your right Matt, you fawked up. If Mr. Hill Climb would have been my spotter, I would have won the whole thing.:D

Yeah, we learned a lot and if we get to go back we will have a big advantage. I just hope it happens.

I just got a new power steering pump for my truck and I am going to drill a smaller hole in the fitting on this one. I am also going to add a cooler and that extra resevoir I have. A few days ago I realized something, remember at the beginning of the week when my power steering pump was whining? Well it stopped whining a few days later, about the same time my hydro assist became worthless.

I got my pictures back a few days ago. The best one was just after I drove through the mini-rubicon Thursday night. I have the biggest grin on my face. I am glad I got to end that day on a high note.

Thanks again Matt.

Matt, I'm convinced that a Texan is just an excited Canadian, because after spending a week in camp with you and Toby, nobody can understand me anymore at home.

:D :D

Tim

Jess, your a hero in my book!!!!
I think TTC 2002 was the best week of my life. I have followed all the previous TTC's and have come to realize this: NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY TO PREPAIR YOUR TRUCK FOR THE TWO MOST EXTREME WHEELIN DAYS EVER, THE EVENTS ALWAYS PROVE HE WITH THE MOST MONEY WINS. Why do I bring this up? TTC is a lot of different things to a lot of people. To some and I wont say any names, it's a showcase for their 4x4 shop. To others it's big way to redeem ones insecquerities about who they are. And then to others Like yourself Jess, It's a surreal dream come true, a gift that you respect and honor. I was blown away when I asked you how old you were, and you were the same age as me.
I could only dream of being in your positition. I whish you had been picked a year eariler, before I was banned from compeating.
I would have done with you the same thing I did with Kevin Kaylin back in 2000. I know this compitition inside out. I would have got you ready for what was coming. Yes this would have been unfair to some degree but isn't it equally unfair to let a pro race truck compete with a street legal daily driver? I think you did exceptionally well considering your age, experience, finacial backing, and the fact that you come from a compleatly different geographic area with respect to type of wheeling in H.H.
Here is what counts: You competed in every event, You kept a positive attatude throughout the week, you probably had the least ammount of resources of anyone there, and your truck lasted through it all. That is truly respectable. My hats off to you.
And just so you know Our little escapade on thursday night when I spotted you through the rocks, That was the high light of my week. Thanks for proving us youngsters can run with the big dogs. ;) Keep in touch buddy.

Originally posted by stover


...NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY TO PREPAIR YOUR TRUCK FOR THE TWO MOST EXTREME WHEELIN DAYS EVER, THE EVENTS ALWAYS PROVE HE WITH THE MOST MONEY WINS.

...To some and I wont say any names, it's a showcase for their 4x4 shop. To others it's big way to redeem ones insecquerities about who they are.

...isn't it equally unfair to let a pro race truck compete with a street legal daily driver?

...I think you did exceptionally well considering your age, experience, finacial backing, and the fact that you come from a compleatly different geographic area with respect to type of wheeling in H.H.

... you probably had the least ammount of resources of anyone there

...Thanks for proving us youngsters can run with the big dogs.


You've got to be kidding. Your post is a string of excuses.

This isn't Cheap Truck; this isn't Amateur Truck; this isn't Young Truck; this isn't Unprepared Truck.

BUCK UP!!

This is TOP TRUCK CHALLENGE!

Furthermore, Stover, if you are indeed TTC staff, you should be ashamed of yourself for writing inflamatory opinions against the other competitors just to wipe one person's nose.

Notice how there is always an excuse when it doesn't go someones way! You still da man john. No really you are. :flipoff2:

Originally posted by mudtruck44
Rob, you have a Mobi- Welder right? I might call you and ask you a few questions about it since I now have one.

Great Job at TTC Rob. When I saw your truck dented up after the tank trap I was actually pretty jealous. I wouldn't dent my truck up for just anything but the tank trap is a worthy cause. Hope you don't feel bad about messing it up.

Yep, I've got an old one, though. I don't know if it hooks up the same as mine. (It sounds like my model was discontinued a while ago, and it no longer puts out 110DC...) But I'll happily help out as best I can.

Dented? Just front fenders and the driver's door. The rest, I'd just call minor wrinkles. :) But I am debating over a body swap or just a few panels. I don't mind it dented, but the odds of being pulled over (yes, I actually do drive it on the street) are lots higher when the body isn't clean.

--Rob

I have one of those and it works great. E-mail me if you have any questions. The alt. mod ( if you are using a stock chevy alt. ) is the hardest thing and it only takes 15 min.





Originally posted by mudtruck44
Rob, you have a Mobi- Welder right? I might call you and ask you a few questions about it since I now have one.

Great Job at TTC Rob. When I saw your truck dented up after the tank trap I was actually pretty jealous. I wouldn't dent my truck up for just anything but the tank trap is a worthy cause. Hope you don't feel bad about messing it up.

Robin, Thanks for the comments. I thought you seemed like a pretty cool guy even though we didn't get a chance to talk much. I guess some of your comments here upset a few people.

Going in to the competition, I knew what I was up against. John's rig was the Top Truck at the event, but just because you have the most expensive truck doesn't mean you have won. The vehicle that was the least modified and possibly the lowest dollar truck, got 3rd place. Corey and his spotter just knew how to wheel with what they had. That is where experience killed me.

I don't think that I am making any excuses. This is my story of what happened to me at TTC. If I say I got last in the Tank Trap because my clutch packed with mud, that is not an excuse, that is what happened. Do you want me to say I got last in the tank trap because I just plain suck? I never said the competition was unfair either.

Thanks alot Jess:flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2: . You just ruined what little ego i had left. Maybe i should ask Mr Hillclimb to spot me next year. I saw how much he helped you out last week. Poor guy looked like he was about pass out he was working so hard.:rolleyes: :zzz: :rainbow:
By the way, I was showing some of your pics to the guys at the shop today and come to find out Dan Graduated high school from Traverse city MI. and even stranger was that he said one of his teachers was named Mr. Haines. Small world huh? Of course that was back in like 1970 or 71.

Tim, you might just be right about that. Toby and Aaron drove me up the wall all the way home. Every time he said something he would end it with "eh"
Whenever you need to brush up on your Texan just come on down.