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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/Expert Profile
Expertise
Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.
Experience in the area
40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 3 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 9" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a K&N air filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 95:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 95 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 35" MT's, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, and a stock 2000 Grand Cherokee. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.
What do you like about this subject?
This is a great hobby, and anyone with a 4-wheel drive, needs to get out and enjoy it to the max.
What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?
I'm constantly learning new techniques, and hope that I never get to a point where I think that I can't learn something new.
Something controversial or provocative about this subject
I feel that, as a whole, most off-roaders are very aware of their surroundings, and do not damage the land, nearly as much as many would think. There is enough room in this Country for all, whether you are a hard core environmentalist, or a hard core off-roader. We can work together, and there is room for multi-use areas.
Average Ratings
Recent Reviews from Users
K = Knowledgeability C = Clarity of Response T = Timeliness P = Politeness| User | Date | K | C | T | P | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Randy | 10/29/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thanks, Problem was a short in wiring ..... |
| kenyon | 10/27/09 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| amysha | 10/27/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | thanks for the speedy response |
| chance | 10/23/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | thanks so much you made it easy ..... |
| Rich | 10/22/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thanks for the help and the quick ..... |
Recent Answers from Carl Brandt
2009-10-27 Noise from driver side tire:
Chris, First of all, there is no way that you should be driving on a tire that is bad let alone one that is completely shot. If the inside of the tire is worn that bad, then you have a bad alignment
2009-10-23 GMC Truck:
Chance, If you are somewhat mechanically inclined, I would suggest that you purchase a repair manual ($20 or so) from your local auto parts store. These manuals have full trouble shooting sections
2009-10-22 GMC Truck:
Chance, Wow, it's time to check all steering bushings, tie rod ends, ball joints, wheel bearings and have the front end aligned. This can occur if the pressure is too low in the tires. Broken
2009-10-21 Ranger 4WD Rear Drive Shaft:
Rich, Normally the u-joint should take care of the vibration problem. Make sure that you replace the u-joints at both ends of the drive line. It is possible that some of the vibration could be
2009-10-21 2002 Chevy Suburban 4wd:
Rick, Some of the Chevy transfer cases used a clutch assembly to drive the front differential. If this is the type of transfer case you have, there are a few things that can affect this. They are
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