New adventure Toy(ota) in AZ

[JacksonRally]

Looking good Jon. I think the last time I saw this beast was High Desert Trails in 2011, then the previous year in Prescott. Are you gonna make Prescott this year? We'll be out there racing

[Jrally]

I'm going to be running Course Closing at Gorman and Prescott. Next thing on my to-do list is install the HAM radio I got for it, so my ride along at the races don't have to bring thier own. Plus, it wouldn't hurt to have a radio in the car, incase of an emergency. I'm liking the much quieter ride now, not having to listen to the loud whine from the rear end. It also feels like I'll be getting better gas mileage too, with a lot less friction to overcome back there.

-Jon

[Jrally]

Prep continues, installed a HAM radio, Kenwood TM-733a dual band into the dash and for now went with a magnetic mount above the hatch.

-Jon

[corax]

The mag mount makes good sense at a rally, especially if the stages have low branches that would just love to reach down and snap your antenna off its mount - might save your roof skin or the antenna if it can fall off. I usually have my antenna on a roof mounted NMO when I'm just daily driving it. For rally weekends I have an NMO-PL259 adapter that threads onto the NMO mount, then I use a mag mount with a short lead for the antenna. I haven't had any issue with the mag mount (looks identical to yours) up to 90mph with a 5/8 wave dual band 2M/70cm antenna (looks similar to yours).


BTW, how did you locate the mounts onto the axle before burning them on? I've heard some people like to make a cheap jig based off the original axle, just curious how you went about it.

[Jrally]

The axle housing was completely torn down, so all centering of the mount pockets happened based off the axle centerline, using just a tape measure, and a bubble level. Since I designed the brackets, I made sure they had large flats that would be parellel to the front face of the axle, the flange the 3rd member bolts up to. By using the centerline of the various mounts, it simplfied locating them. I also loosely bolted up the arm ends so the location and fitment was such that the plates get about a .005-.010" of clamping when bolting up tight. The panhard mount wasn't as critical, locating the pivot bolt with a 1/2" of where the last one was. My intent was to actually move it further out from center, longer the rod the better.

-Jon

[JacksonRally]

Looks like Marra (my fiance) will be co driving at Gorman. So Ill be there crewing. See ya out there.

[Jrally]

Can't wait for this weekend, Gorman Ridge Rally. I've got the radio all buttoned up, the oil changed, the under side washed (in prep for exhaust work in LA Friday), tools and spares packed. I just need to get water and snacks ready. I finally bought a hatchet for the car, but I'm pretty sure it won't be needed to run Course Closing. And only a month later, we'll be at Prescott Rally.

-Jon