TOTW: What have you learned this year?

[Mo]

Welcome to the next installment of the

Topic of the Week

This is sort of a year in review type of thing.

What did you learn this year?

Please try to keep it to wheeling/wrenching type stuff, mmmkay?

And feel free to post links to other threads.

[XtremeEngineering]

I would have to say that I have learned a couple important things this year.

A. Dana 60's are not big enough
B. 38's are not big enough
C. Competeing is WAY expensive
D. I love rocks even more then last year
E. Try not to build three rigs at once
F. 33's are funny looking
G. Eat more Top Ramen=More Parts for rigs
H. More food for my spotter

Well I am sure there is more due to the fact that it has been a big year but that is all I got for now,

Nick

[Simple Man]

Rubicon wisdom: always carry a full size spare.

A plug kit will not fix a tailpipe through the sidewall.

[withamc]

1) How to weld.
2) Chicago-Electric makes a crappy welder.
3) An NP205 is too big to bench press into the dually by myself.

[Jes]

I learned to crawl.
I learned that AtlasII is tha shit.
I learned that my little black Jeep could survive Johnson Valley.

Jes

[beerisgood]

I learned that:
1. I want a camo 60
2. I need to finish my jeep
3. oxy-actylene is flammable
4. fabing is fun
5. the winch is your friend
6 thier is no replacment for displacment!

[Mr.N]

Picked up a couple Spicer books, search the junk yards for some Dana 44 adn 60 info.
Still in draft mode and lot's more info coming.
http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/web_rs44.html

[blah-blah]

I learned to SEARCH like a good newbie
i learned that i need to learn how to weld
i also learned that i want a glitter factory/warehouse
james

[jeeplvr]

1. 14 bolt rear ends are cheap and plentifull.
2. Front D60's are very expensive and rare as hens teeth.
3. Cut and pasted endless amounts of swap and fab info from this site. (search button)
4. Deep water can destroy a fan clutch quickly.
5. Rubicon gets easier every year and the crazy drunken bastards seem to be multiplying.
6. Never satisfied with my jeep status quo.

[XtrmTJ]

I learned:

1. Never do today what can be put off till tomarrow.

2. If you hit it on the rocks, cut it off, if you can't cut it off,
armor plate it.

3. The differance between the right line and the wrong line, ...
oh , about 3 inches.

4. The more I wheel, the more I want to.

__(OIIIIIO)__rOkOn

[nasvik]

This year's firsts....

Rebuilt an SM420
Rebuilt the Jeep. - cage/tub/frame etc...

Mostly I cemented that idea that if the monkeys that get paid can do it so can I. And also that a project needs to be thought all the way through before starting.

Paul

[magoo117]

ROCKWELL

[Isley]

After SASing my brother's Toyota that I want one, not quite enough to sell my heep though.

[Bigburlynakedguy]

1. EATON rear ends are cool in a CJ.
2. Long springs are cool in a CJ.
3. SOA's are cool in a CJ.
4. 38.5's are cool on a CJ.
5. Dana 44's will break axles with 38.5's when you are rolling, in a bind, and getting after it.
6. 102" is not too long on a CJ.

[Spike5421]

1) You can never have enough Dana 44 axle part spares!!!
2) Good customer service is hard to find.
3) Make sure everyone has a fire extinguisher (sp?)

[RockJeep]

What I learned:
1. There is no such thing as too many spares.
2. Carbs suck!
3. Axle wrap sucks!
4. Full width axles rock!
5. Good wheeling buddies are critical.

[ZAG]

1.ctm rock
2.russian parts suck
3.suzuki needs bigger hamster
4.yota hilux suck
5.brother is a good sponsor
6.k-jetronik tuning
7. :Formula offroad=ultimate cool :

[Po' riggity]

I learned that my 35's are way too small, my d30 isn't a big enough front axle, my 8.8 isnt a strong enough rear axle, and I don't have money to fix either "problem" With that being said, I've learned that no matter how many times I debated between going soa and staying sua, I always go back to going soa. I'll have all the parts together by January. Ive also learned that minimal lift, lots of cutting and big tires is the way to go.
Scott

[SledgeHammer]

Longer is better.....wheelbase that is
Whoever invented the 40 hour workweek should be shot!
Don`t sell a pefectly good trail rig to buy a motorcycle (still kicking myself)
37s don`t look that big anymore
If you want it done right do it yourself....

[jwjeep]

i learned that JU is not as fun as here.

[dgcooper]

Fuel Injection is a bueatyfull thing, and even at 115:01 you still need to use your brakes.

[TheLakeRat]

I learned about fingers this year.

1. when you roll when your out playing don't reach up and hold onto the cage. Thanks to Shorty i didn't have to learn this personally.

2. When you roll when your out showing off how much flex you have at Top truck Challange, don't hold onto the cage.
Thanks to Slinky for teaching me this one.

3. You can't use your ring finger to help pry a v-belt onto a pully.

4. I'm more double jointed in my ring finger than i thought i was. Cause if i wasn't i wouldn't have a ring finger anymore.

5. Don't hold onto the hook on your winch while winding it up. If you do don't get distracted.
Thanks to The Frog i didn't have to learn this one myself.

[Klasick68]

1.) Closed Knuckles explode when a Ujoint it takes the ball with it
2.) driving out after this happens doesnt happen.

[GoatFish]

1.To set up my own gears, lockers, etc.
2.JU is about as much fun as getting kicked in the 3rd leg…
3.A way to keep my truck inspected (on the road) regardless of what has been done to it.
4.My jeep cannot pull out an international tractor barred to its frame in mud (13,000lbs, what was I thinking?).
5.That my jeep can rip the bumper off of a 2001 explorer (opps, I told him not to play in the mud with his mommy’s ford, haha).

[Ocker454]

You can do anything, once you work hard enough on it.
Responible 4 wheelers are badasses!