http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/ Home of the Arctic Offroad Club in Alaska. News, discussions, and trail reviews. en Sat, 19 May 2012 03:53:05 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/images/BP-Black/misc/rss.png http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/ http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11296-Who-s-working-on-their-junk-this-weekend?goto=newpost Fri, 18 May 2012 15:24:25 GMT I got to hang the screen doors then i am free to help someone else this weekend. If you need help call. I got to hang the screen doors then i am free to help someone else this weekend. If you need help call. ]]> General 4X4 Zukman http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11296-Who-s-working-on-their-junk-this-weekend http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11295-push-a-vehicle?goto=newpost Fri, 18 May 2012 04:04:18 GMT If anyone is in the NP area tomorrow night or sat night or sunday and can give me a hand pushing a vehicle a little ways I'd appreciate it. I have to get my Jeep out of the garage before monday so the new boiler can be installed. But I need to push a POS VW beside the house so I can try to get the jeep out in a position that I can get it back in.

I probably wont be home tomorrow night till after 8pm. Saturday sometime in the evening probably. ]]> Open Forum and Testing akram http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11295-push-a-vehicle http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11291-Samurai-Mike-Retirement-from-the-United-States-Air-Force?goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 19:28:49 GMT I would like to invite everyone to come out next Wednesday and celebrate nearly 24 years in the Air Force with me. The retirement ceremony will be held on Eielson Air Force Base Wednesday, 23 May 16, 2012 at 1400 (2pm) at Heritage Park. While... I would like to invite everyone to come out next Wednesday and celebrate nearly 24 years in the Air Force with me.
The retirement ceremony will be held on Eielson Air Force Base Wednesday, 23 May 16, 2012 at 1400 (2pm) at Heritage Park.
While it is a formal event signifying a long career for me, the dress for this event is Alaskan casual. Please come out and experience this with me!
If you need an escort on base, please meet at the parking lot just outside the visitor Center no later than 1315 (1:15pm) and we will get you a pass (don’t forget car registration and proof of insurance for a vehicle pass).
See ya Wednesday!

Sami Mike ]]> News and Announcements SamuraiMike http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11291-Samurai-Mike-Retirement-from-the-United-States-Air-Force http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11289-June-2012-meeting?goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 01:50:11 GMT June 2nd 6pm, at least that's what my calendar says, at Brandon's. He will have to post up directions.

Tentative agenda
Introductions
Past trail rides
Rig updates
MOD ramp session
Upcoming trail rides and events
M&G
Officer elections ]]> Membership Meetings akram http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11289-June-2012-meeting http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11288-Keep-land-use-available?goto=newpost Sun, 13 May 2012 06:20:43 GMT There are going to be public hearings concerning the JPARC land. This threatens to close some trails and general land use. Because much of this area is popular for hunting and recreation, I encourage your involvement and comment during the... There are going to be public hearings concerning the JPARC land. This threatens to close some trails and general land use.

Because much of this area is popular for hunting and recreation, I encourage your involvement and comment during the decision-making process. Comments may also be submitted by June 7, 2012, on the website or to ALCOM PA, 9480 Pease Avenue, Suite 120, JBER, AK 99506, (907)552-2341.

According to the JPARC website, “ Currently, the JPARC consists of all land, air, and sea training areas used by the Army, Navy, and Air Force in Alaska to support joint exercises and mission rehearsals.

Here is a link to their website with maps, info and dates of the meetings. I encourage everyone to attend a meeting if you can. If you can not please write a letter with your concerns.

http://jparceis.com/Public%20Meeting...yer%202012.pdf ]]> Land Useage/Permissions Discussion akram http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11288-Keep-land-use-available http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11286-89-f250-buggy?goto=newpost Sat, 12 May 2012 00:21:12 GMT Well i decided to bite the bullet and build a bigger truck to fit my growing wheeling family ..This is a simple low budget build . I bought the truck with the pass side pretty pushed in on every panel .. So the bad was , bed panels pushed in... Well i decided to bite the bullet and build a bigger truck to fit my growing wheeling family ..This is a simple low budget build .

I bought the truck with the pass side pretty pushed in on every panel ..

So the bad was , bed panels pushed in , pass side cab door crushed and wouldnt close because cab also bent bad , no fender and core support tweaked .. once truck was jacked up the frame rail on passenger side was tweaked .

the good smooth running 460 v-8 10.25 sterling out back , cab fits my whole crew .

the stock wheelbase was 155 inches with lots of overhang with bed and bumpers ,so i got the crazy idea of shortening it up about 2 feet leaving enough room behind cab for 44-46 inch tires ..

well with the help of Don ,shane and Ollie , I came up with a plan ..

Special thanks to Don he has spent as much time on this build as i have ..

we torched off the bed ,removed saddle tank all fuel lines and rear drive shaft ,cleaned off frame for a better picture of what we are dealing with ..

Ollie came over for some pointers and Don and I came up with a plan and started cutting ..

So far we cut 22.5 inches off the frame and glued it back up , now for some grinding and some plating and it should be pretty solid .

We figured with the frame -22.5 inches and no bumper or bed overhang its almost a solid 3.5 feet shorter and it should make a world of difference ..

I need to find a good fuel pump for rear tank ..its not cheap and the saddle tank pump has different part number .. and find some high pressure fuel lines and connections and i should have a driver again ..

once frame is done then it will be suspension and traction .. im going for low and wide , using the tires for the ground clearance .

the idea we had thanks to Ollie


the 2 feet we are loosing right behind cab between crossmembers .



don putting our plan into action



i think it came out real clean splice , still need to plate over it ,but it came out nice


the front fender on and door on and closing ok now . the door pillar is still bent abit but door closes and locks now .. I had a f150 same body style to pull door from ..
here you can see just how far i had pulled cab out but still not quite right ..

]]> Build Threads Fix_It http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11286-89-f250-buggy http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11285-report-card?goto=newpost Fri, 11 May 2012 21:47:00 GMT I took 3 classes this semester. only have 1 grade back so far. got me an A in cross-cultural counseling I took 3 classes this semester.
only have 1 grade back so far. got me an A in cross-cultural counseling ]]> Open Forum and Testing ak_petey http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11285-report-card http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11283-NP-231-breakage?goto=newpost Thu, 10 May 2012 06:33:59 GMT well I found the source of the noise. It is the Transfer case. The low range gear to be exact. Did a test before pulling diff covers. Jacked the XJ up with the rear DS connected and spun the tires. It sounded horrible with it in 4LO. The sound was... well I found the source of the noise. It is the Transfer case. The low range gear to be exact. Did a test before pulling diff covers. Jacked the XJ up with the rear DS connected and spun the tires. It sounded horrible with it in 4LO. The sound was there no matter where the selector was but extremely bad in 4LO. So I pulled it and started tearing it down. Tear down is pretty straight forward. Just remove the yokes, remove the input retainer and seal, take out all the bolts, and remove the horrid snap ring on the input shaft.
Rear out put after removing the SYE


The chain has a fair amount of slack in it.


It was fairly obvious once it was out that the low range gear is trash. The input shaft seems good but I'm not sure about the bearing down inside it. The chain is pretty loose as well. The magnet is covered in metal shavings, bearing, and pieces.

Magnet





Part of the low range gear


Notice that it wore into the housing




So what to do????

Option 1. Buy a rebuild kit and rebuild it.

Option 2. Find a used one and buy it and place my SYE on it.

Option 3. Buy just a new low range gear and replace the input bearing and all seals.

Option 4. Call it quits on XJ for the year and wait till I can get a new set of xles, the trans I want and much better t-case to swap in.

Option 4 is the most likely for now. with recent events my extra cash flow is low. Having to replace a boiler, replace windows, do some work on the dodge and more doesn't leave me much money for the XJ. But Option 2 is next in line. More than likely I can find a whole t-case and just swap my SYE into it cheaper than repairing this one. Still gotta price things out first. So I'll be working on Tired Iron to get the lights working and place some new u-joints in the DS so I can wheel a little bit this summer for now.

---------- Post added at 10:33 pm ---------- Previous post was at 09:43 pm ----------

Here is a video of diagnosing the sound. Listen to it and imagine what it would sound like rolling down the trail or downt he road at over 45mph.

]]> Drivetrain akram http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11283-NP-231-breakage http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11282-AK-4X4r-Meet-and-Greet?goto=newpost Wed, 09 May 2012 04:23:55 GMT It'll be at the transportation museum in Wasilla fathers day weekend. June 15,16,17. Arctic offroad is scheduled to run the RTI.

there will be classes, events, obstacle course, and trail rides. It is a great time. Last year is the first one I've missed since I've lived here and regret it.

As for any per M&G stuff I'm not sure yet. I was taking off the whole week but that isn't going to happen. Right now I'm trying my best for taking thurs, fri and monday off. If I can get Thursday off I want to head out on Wed evening and make it to Eureka past Glenallen. then decided from there where I want to wheel. I'm going to talk to some folks from other clubs to see what their plans are. I really want to run Eska for sure so I may end up getting up early and just heading there.

So if you can go and are going post up. My dates are still very tentative. At minimum I'll be heading down for M&G itself. ]]> General 4X4 akram http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11282-AK-4X4r-Meet-and-Greet http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11280-Clean-up-Day-Run-Standard-Creek-5-May-2012?goto=newpost Tue, 08 May 2012 03:20:04 GMT After clean up day and the meeting we headed out to Standard creek trail. In attendance: Mel Shane Brian Wayne and kids April Marty After clean up day and the meeting we headed out to Standard creek trail.

In attendance:

Mel
Shane
Brian
Wayne and kids
April
Marty
Kasi and kids
Brandon and wife
Donald and John

We parked the tow rigs at the pull out on Sheep creek road then headed to the trail head. From this spot it's quite a drive on the roads then still a long dusty ride down the logging roads. Once at the intersection for the trail we stopped to switch up order and air down. Off we went. Thought we were on the wrong trail but after checking the GPS we found we were on the right one. Once we hit the main part of the trail we were ready for some nasty muskeg but this wasn't the case. It was muddy but still had a solid bottom to it. This made for one bumpy ride but with no issues. Once to the creek we found it to be froze solid and no one had issues on it. The next obstacle is the narrow passage which was a little slick. Brian drove ahead then came back to get pictures. April had a little issues due to her wheel base but made it through.

Next was the nice short, steep slick hill. It can be difficult at times because it's hard to get a straight on run at it and there are some ruts at the beginning. Brian once again went ahead and came back to get some pics. Shane hit a couple times then made it up. I hit it once with enough speed and made it over. It took others a few tries. Kasi hit it and didn't make it and Marty had some funny choice words about that. April hit it a few times and finally made it. But going into the next section you could hear the ball mount on the back of the truck whacking a few bumps. Wayne gave it a couple tries and up he went. Brandon got out and let Gianna (sp?) drive the blazer. Took a few tries with it stalling a couple times but finally made it. John brought up the rear driving Don's XJ. He was doing ok but just didn't keep in the throttle enough. On his last try it got a little sideways sliding back down. They stopped and Don got back in to drive. He put it in drive gave it gas and it straightened back out and slide backwards. With more wheel speed he made it up.

We gathered back up and head on. The trail from here is pretty uneventful. Until my XJ made a horrid sound and came to a sudden stop. Decided we needed to figure out what was going on. Never did figure it out but ended up pulling the front DS and doing the rest of the trail in 2wd with the horrid sound coming from the front, it seems. Brian decided to take lots of pictures of my plumber attire for Petey since he wasn't there to look first hand. Also thanks for jinxing me and placing the out of service tag on the XJ. :)

The trails turns back into more of a road for the wood cutting area from here. But it was muddier than the trail itself. I had a little fun drifiting and sliding around. Decided to stop at the gravel pile/hill for a group shot and some playing. I made it up the side of the hill and around to post in 2wd. We all got lined up and took some pictures.

Finally we got moving again. Got onto standard creek road and headed out. The road had some pretty good muddy spots. One shot me off to the side of the road and back on. I got more mud from the road in 2wd than I did the trail in 4wd. Passed a group of people in a chevy and some cars. Those cars must have had fun getting back out after we went through. Stopped at the play area we found last year. Most went in and played. It was the same as last year. The high line was really soft and brian dug in a few times but managed to drive out. The lower line was good to go. Until you hit the dip to come out. But all made it through that just fine.

Once at the end of standard creek road we stopped for folks to air up and such. I decided to head on since I was going to be going slow in hopes of just making it to the ester park. As I drove away I could see the crazy looks from everyone at the sounds the XJ was making. It would get worse heading down hills. Once at the park I decided to just try my luck and keep going back to the trailer. I managed to get up to 49.9mph per the GPS. It sounded so bad. I was waiting for something to lock up or explode. I managed to make it back though.

Overall another fun ride for AO.

Carnage I know of. Something in the front end of the jeep. Two vent visors gone from my XJ and Shane with a free flowing muffler now.

Brian has pics posted in the gallery. I'll upload the few I got. I'll try to post some here. If you see some pics you like post them in here. ]]> Past Rides akram http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11280-Clean-up-Day-Run-Standard-Creek-5-May-2012 http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11275-Tire-grooving-iron?goto=newpost Mon, 07 May 2012 19:03:14 GMT How many people here would like to go in on a tire grooving iron? Not the POS cheap one but a good one. How many people here would like to go in on a tire grooving iron? Not the POS cheap one but a good one. ]]> General 4X4 Zukman http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11275-Tire-grooving-iron http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11274-Wayne-s-Family-Wheeler?goto=newpost Mon, 07 May 2012 01:53:55 GMT OK, I know this is a strange day to start a build but if anyone has time tomorrow 1000 to ? call or stop by and give a hand. We are going to start a Build on a Ford full size for him and the family to wheel this summer. OK, I know this is a strange day to start a build but if anyone has time tomorrow 1000 to ? call or stop by and give a hand. We are going to start a Build on a Ford full size for him and the family to wheel this summer. ]]> 88XJ http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11274-Wayne-s-Family-Wheeler http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11273-thursday-5-10-cleanup?goto=newpost Sun, 06 May 2012 07:01:47 GMT My parents house burned down. :( but thankfully everyone is okay. I am going to try and gather up what tools I can find in the garage thursday, but there is going to be a lot of burned crap to sift through. Any help will be greatly appreciated.... My parents house burned down. :( but thankfully everyone is okay.
I am going to try and gather up what tools I can find in the garage thursday, but there is going to be a lot of burned crap to sift through. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

I am also going to have to find a new place to stash my dodge, blazer and trailer until I can move out of my trailer.
I am thankful I got out and also got the oxy/acc setup out before pieces of the house were shot across the state.

---------- Post added at 09:01 pm ---------- Previous post was at 08:49 pm ----------

I will be there most evenings this week, ill post up when I get a phone again, as mine was destroyed.
9o7 59o 3o77 ]]> Open Forum and Testing ak_petey http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11273-thursday-5-10-cleanup http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11272-May-meeting?goto=newpost Wed, 02 May 2012 23:02:43 GMT Got an email that there is going to be a meeting 7 May 2012 7pm at Denny's. There are some new folks working to get this going up here. I'm hoping to be able to make it. ]]> Alaska Outdoor Alliance akram http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11272-May-meeting http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11270-Message-from-Fairbanks-Trails?goto=newpost Wed, 02 May 2012 04:49:18 GMT Hello trail supporters, You have a chance to speak up in support of trails in the Fairbanks Borough. The Fairbanks Borough Assembly is planning to cut the Fairbanks Parks and Recreation budget by nearly $250,000. The Assembly did not... Hello trail supporters,



You have a chance to speak up in support of trails in the Fairbanks Borough. The Fairbanks Borough Assembly is planning to cut the Fairbanks Parks and Recreation budget by nearly $250,000.

The Assembly did not specify where within the department the cuts should take place, so no trail-specific projects are on the cutting board. And so far the borough plans to keep its trails coordinator and two project coordinators, all at full-time.

However, any major cuts to the Parks and Recreation Department will affect trails indirectly at minimum. The department is the main department that deals with trails in the borough. Trail projects or trail-related projects the department is working on include:

Tanana Lakes Recreation Area (which will include several motorized and non-motorized multi-use trails)
Isberg Recreation Area (a trails rec area which will include motorized and non-motorized multi-use trails)
The 100-Mile Loop Trail
Skyline Ridge Park (a proposed park that would include motorized and non-motorized multi-use trails)
Easement acquisition and other administration of the Equinox Marathon Trail.
I appreciate the Assembly’s desire to keep property taxes low. But this cut to the Parks and Recreation Department will make very little, if any, difference to property tax bills. And since no specific cuts were recommended, the philosophical basis for the cut must be simply that some Assembly members think the Parks and Rec budget is too big. If you agree, then you are certainly free to support the cut. (The Assembly has also proposed cutting budgets within the community planning, animal control and transportation departments. Those cuts range from $65,000 to $100,000.)
However, I disagree that the budget for the Parks and Recreation Department is too big. Trails and other aspects that the department deals with are a huge part of the quality of life in the Fairbanks area. For years we have benefited from these things with little oversight. However, as Fairbanks grows trails and wooded areas are being lost to development. If we are to keep a good quality of life, we need to make sure that development includes trails and parks. Heck, trails and parks enhance that development. Protecting that type of public quality of life a legitimate function of government.

All this would be debatable if the borough budget was skyrocketing. But the budget Mayor Luke Hopkins submitted to the Assembly is less than 1 percent larger than the budget of the previous year. Again, less than 1 percent. Considering all pressures to raise the budget even more, including rising fuel prices, I think Hopkins has done a good job in keeping the budget in line.

Fortunately, the budget is not yet finalized. The Assembly will be holding a public hearing on Thursday, May 3. After that hearing, amendments can be made to the budget. Whatever your thoughts on the size of the Parks and Recreation Department budget, I encourage you to let the Assembly know how you feel. The members will listen.

There are a couple of ways to speak your mind:

Attend the meeting. Each person has 3 minutes to speak. Meetings start at 6 p.m. and are held at the Fairbanks Borough’s main building at 809 Pioneer Road. (Please note that the Illinois Street construction project makes getting to the building more difficult. See this page for more information: http://co.fairbanks.ak.us/hottopics/...ion%20(2).jpg)
Call or email Assembly members. Phone numbers and email addresses are at: http://co.fairbanks.ak.us/assembly/members.htm
However you feel. Make sure to let the Assembly members know. Strong democracies depend on citizens speaking up.



Eric Troyer

President, Interior Trails Preservation Coalition

Editor, Interior Trails Quarterly ]]> Land Useage/Permissions Discussion akram http://www.arcticoffroad.com/forum/threads/11270-Message-from-Fairbanks-Trails