Precise1

My, my, a little testy, aren't we ? I'll have you know my pathy can to climb a turd !! I know cause there are still bits of it stuck in the tread for proof !! Ease up buddy... B

Good article BigMike... Hard to believe people would act like that... I have trespassed back when I rode dirtbikes; most of the time not knowing it, the rest of the time, just going from point a to b and not tearing it up... The few times I have been confronted (knowingly guilty or not) I was apologetic, honest, and promised not to return; 1/2 the time the person eased up, saying they were just concerned about the trouble makers, and it wasn't a big deal... So why have attitude, especially when you are in the wrong ? B

Hey Runnerman, kinda like that pict, but I'm profiling and bending mine, not just bolting on a sheet like that photo, also, it looks like that is 1/4" thick, 3/8 at best... The sledge bit was a joke, but if I have a blue(cold temp) one around in winter, yes, I'd love for you to try to break it... I'm making them with stand off blocks to mount in the same bolt holes the factory do with shallow counter bores and pan head allen bolts for the rear mounting. Like I said, about a week and I will have better info and picts... Meanwhile, here is where I got it... http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNPDFF?PMPAGE=1787 Here is a simple breakdown... http://www.americanacrylics.com/othsheet.htm Here is more detail from 1 producer... http://www.symplastics.com/products/ramex.html B

Interesting wheelmanLS1 and good to hear. Only thing I would point out is that the anyone older, should just be anyone... It would make a big difference in this country if it was. B

Flyer, I just realized you have a 2002, I'm making them for the 90-95's (maybe they also fit 2 doors ?). Um, let me reword that... They have some benefits over steel and aluminum. High abrasion and impact resistance, very low coefficient of friction (the idea is to slip off of things), good chemical resistance, that it will flex somewhat and spring back, and that you can form it. The white is food grade (cutting boards, etc) operating temp -26 to 100 degrees F The black is "antistatic" and what I used because I have a maroon truck with black trim; didn't find a temp range but it is often used as conveyor wear pads. The blue is glass filled and has an operating temp of -450 to 180 degrees F (not a typo), and is often used in coal chutes and hoppers; that sounds pretty tough to me... Then there is oil filled, I dont know the color or operating temp yet, but has "significantly reduced coefficient of friction" of an already slippery material... I think that answers your question Runnerman ? I basically dont know from experience, just reading... I'd love for you to deep freeze some and hit it with a sledge hammer; that blue version sounds like it wont care though... I'm from Ca, so I cant conceive of -42 degree weather; I didn't concern myself with that. Actually, I cant conceive that people could/would live where it is -42, and then actually driving around in it !! I cut my outline with a tree saw, box knife, and bandsaw; I highly recommend bandsaw/jigsaw/router (anything NOT manual). Next I drilled the front bolt pattern in on a mill and made a 1/2" stand off block for clearance. Then I bent the front lip by clamping it to a metal table and propane torching it hot enough; the trick here is it set the bend with cold water or something, the stuff will try to spring if able. I'm going to try forming next; I'm going to get creative with a gas BBQ... I haven't been able to bolt it on to figure out curves bends yet because it has been raining for days. WTF, I got work to do (but no garage)... When I finish I'll do a bit of a write up on the whole thing. Bernard

You are killing me DJ !! You really saw that ? I'd pay for a picture !!! The only thing I can think is that it is someone with a sense of humor making fun of the 1/2 a$$ed rice cars out there. I cant believe someone would do that seriously ! B

Hey Flyer. Just a heads up, I'm 1/2 way done with my prototype UHMW Polyetheylene front skid plate. They work way better than steel and aluminum, and I'll be offering to make them for people... They are wider and longer than stock, but I'm still working on the final dimensioning. Maybe thats a custom accessory you would want ? Colors are black, white and blue. I'll post some picts when it is complete, 1 week I hope barring rain.... Bernard

I'd be happy if I could averave 18 MPG, 20 on the hwy would be nice !! I think the O2 sensor is covered with crap bacause it smells very rich on warm up, then runs clean at temp. I think it's O2 sensor rather than MAF but I can see how that could get fouled also... Seems like a rather easy fix (if I can get the O2 sensor out) and I grabbed some chem-wipes from work for the MAF. I'll try tomorrow, and post any feed back. Thanks for the tip 88 !! B

Bigger and more balls sounds like a personal problem... While thats nice on the road, off road it just seems like liability to me. While my off road experience doesn't include competition/racing it seems like smaller, lighter, clearance/tire size and low CG gets you there... Nothing like powering through a vado with your 38" tire big rig to find the trees/road dont allow you to go farther without damage. I've scooted past stuck trucks (in the 'undesirable lane') in a baja bug just because it was so light it darn near floated. My old 720 4x4 (106 HP) slithered its way out of so many spots that were hard to get into, and gooey getting out that I dont think a Pathy could do it (some exceptions of course). If you are using HP offroad, you are probably a showboat chump; while it is fun, it doesn't get you anywhere but stuck on a real trip. I'd kill for a pathy with the 2.7TD... That being said, the new Frontier shows some promise with plenty of power (to turn big wheels) but still sensible enough to mod and use for off road. I'm not crazy about the look, but by the time my pathy is tired the frontiers should be for sale used and cheaper; I'll definitely be considering them !! Bernard

Hey Mr P, I bet my land lady would let ya pitch a tent on the property; just find a spot between the dog crap.... The terrier will piss on the tent, but he doesn't have much of a bladder, so no worries. Ya can use my shower and kitchen, np. Don't mind the drug addict son though, he'll be back in jail soon... Yeah, I'm planning on moving soon myself... Did I mention a baby oppossum just walked up to my desk ? WTF ?? He is happy in a paper bag with some cat food right now... If I wrote a book, no one would believe it... I know where I started with this, but it seems to be deteriorating... B

OK, just to qualify myself, I have a manual 95, BUT from what I have read the signs of an auto tranny going AWOL is reverse acting funny or leaving entirely. Do you have an aftermarket tranny cooler ? Seems like the stock one clogs, and I dont know if it is heat or flow but it fubars the tranny. Definitely invest in one. Regardless, metal shavings are generally not good, and "a little nut" does nothing in the feel good category.... I'm sure some auto tranny whiz people will chime in, but from what I understand, if it is fubared, there is little you can do. I believe there are some tranny codes you might be able to read from the ecu. There is a sticky in the garage section about that. The "little nut" has me worried unless that is you ? Good luck Bud... Bernard

LOL, I'll make a special trip up from Ca. Just toss me the keys and climb in and I'll show ya how to drive it !!! Ya got insurance, right ? B

Hey Gardoni, looks real nice... I have the JGC springs and front end cranked to 3/4" from the stock UCA to bumpstop and you have an inch or two on me... I am also running the pro comp 3000 shocks. What do you think of them ? I think they are great in the front, but seem stiff in the rear. The A$$ end hops if I hit a square bump at speed and seems harsh, but I have not been able to test it off road yet. I literally filled the tank today (from almost empty) to see if a little weight makes a difference; only drove 3 block, too early to tell. Bernard

18.9 ??? LMAO, if I put a wing, some duct tape and a NOs sticker on my pathy, pulled the seats and tool box, I think I could beat him !! Thats without 4x4 to get off the line... 18.9 LMAO again, that is soooo slow I'd be embarassed to mention it. My bike will literally almost cut that time in half (low 10's) !! What is the next brag, "I did 0-60 in 10 seconds" ? *snicker* Thanks for the laugh.... B

The rock crawlers generally cost $50 each, and if you are patient, free shipping, so no tremendous deal there... Don't get me wrong though, I like them, and would buy a set if I hadn't found a better deal first.... B

Makes sense. I remember someone saying that their truck seemed to run better with a snorkel. Certainly no harm, as long as it is not restrictive... B

Hmm, I don't know 88, looked like plenty of room around there... You sure you weren't trying to put a tire on it for a photo opportunity and overshot ?? Sorry, have never been stuck in a 4x4, but then thats my goal as I am a wuss :o B

Just have to pass this on; something I learned from mold work... Regular Q-tips have some glue that holds the cotton (or whatever it is) on. This glue disolves in chemicals including isopropyl alcohol and will leave a residue. Maybe it doesn't apply in this circumstance; maybe the MAF sensor just burns it off or doesn't care... A final wipe with a lab grade swab or tissue couldn't hurt... B

Very nice tacoman !! While I have used many drill pilots, I have never used a bolt as a pilot like that; I'm remembering it I usually go at it free hand, but then I've done that many times so I guess I'm practiced at it. Very good write up; I recommend it to be pinned in the garage section. only thing I will add, and HIGHLY stress, is use a left handed drill and go slow speed... Coring the stud like that, heat, vibration and torque will often back the stud out, aleviating the need for the SQUARE type easy out. Good job. Bernard P.S. High speed drills are preferable as they flex more than cobalt and are less likely to break; just buy 2 because they will dull faster...

I used Permatex Ultra Grey sensor safe RTV silicone gasket maker... figured I could use it for other things also... B

I cant remember the exact answer, but I remember determining that a plain old RTV (silicone) with good oil resistance was fine for sealing the lower half of the bell housing. I'll look for the tube when I get home... B

Link wouldn't work for me... Looking forward to seeing the picts. B

I'm assuming it is front end damage ? I crunched the front of my pathy a few months ago, hard enough to bend the frame ears and front cradle. The first shop butchered things so bad I got most of my $ back, the second shop bent things back close to where it is supposed to be and replaced the cradle. I still have some steering issues that I will have a shop look at next week. I guess what I am saying is that quite a bit can be fixed so don't assume that your baby is DOA. Sorry to hear about it though, I understand just how you feel. Post a pict or two of the damage... B

I thought it was an irrigation overflow assembly... Just wondering why so many 'intake' pipes ? You are still restricted by the line diameter... Maybe I just have to see it in place... Does it have a steam whistle somewhere ? Truely, my salute for your custom fab efforts !!! B

yeah, unfortunately, you have to watch what you leave in the car... But for the shop owner who didn't argue... Most shops I have seen say "not responsible for any theft" and might even try to claim it wasn't there when you took it in. Send the guy a pizza or something, just to show thanks... B