Recent content by Cat Jockey

I used to drive a 1985 Toyota MR2 on light 4x4 trails. I always wanted to turn my MR2 into a rally vehicle. If that is all you are looking for, light 4x4 trails, an Element is your ticket. I know I have seen pop-ups available for the Element. You don't need to be silly now. ;) Just get...

Just to chime in a bit ... I'll never buy a trooper. Here's why: Harken back to somewhere around 93'-95' I was driving through an intersection in a brand new Trooper at 45mph and the back end got real, real, squirrely. Like jacked out sideways. Took some driving to keep it under control...

I have struggled with the same issues - weight. I am surprised E450 is only Class 3? I thought E450's were up towards 16,000. I have a E350 ambulance with a 14,000 gvwr. Things I have come to the conclusions of: If you can pack everything in a Class 3 frame, you have more offroad...

Dropping from 30 to 20 is a pretty big decline for a spare tire. You won't even need to leave your state to find off-pavement roads where that difference will keep you from getting somewhere cool. Ambo doors are stout, but as a benefit, a swing out rack can have a padlock on it - a good one...

My take on pads ... your mileage may vary. I have spent days on end camping off of a raft and spent 6 weeks living out of a tent at 11,000' in the middle of winter. I have slept on thermarest, foam/inflatable (paco pad) , air, fleece jackets, etc. Air mattress. Hands down. My current air...

Biggest thing, increase ground clearance. Fit the biggest tires you can. Tall, skinny tires - if you can fit 33's, go no wider than 10.50. I prefer 33x9.50's. That will give your tires better over all traction in most cases. You can air down for wider acting tire in mud, etc. As far as...

I had a 93 Yota x-tra cab I did the same thing you are thinking of. I loved it. More importantly, the dog loved it. I also had a platform in the bed that was at the same level as the one behind the seats. Had a boot for the truck and cap window and the dog could go from the front seat to the...

That all makes total sense for ease and speed. It is also because of the simplicity of the frame that it is easy and cheap (relative to the cost of rebuilt axles, rebuilt diesel engines, etc.) that what the heck. I want to alter the wheel base, so if I slide the rear bogie forwards 18"...

Self fulfilling prophecy. Yea, probably very true. I am relying upon an innate mechanical aptitude that is probably above average, for sure. I have to have something going for me as my sense of direction sucks. I can get turned around and confused very easily without paying attention and...

Checked out your blog LowTech. I really like the color you guys chose for the interior: It's a personal thing, so I am not criticizing other's choices, but for me the traditional white interior is not appealing. White rooms feel cold and sterile to me, like a hospital. I have been wondering...

It is not about being able to eliminate problems, it is about being able to predict them. Case in point: -A chap takes a detuned Baja racer across the world on the theory that detuned Baja suspension is the best set up for overlanding. -A second chap takes the suspension and axles from a...

Me too. That guy obviously bought a deuce for other reasons - to beat the crap out of on the weekends with a big grin on his face. Looks like lockers could have helped him a bit at the end. I'm really sold on the performance of the deuce rear suspension. I will say that the one thing that...

I defintiely don't mind all of the deuce talk. YouTube - M35A2 diesel truck on articulation ramp YouTube - M35A2 diesel truck climbing nasty ledges Yea, I want that running gear. Matching custom ladder frame that is pretty much the same thing except some nice fuel/water tank...

I always liked those ... a lot. I don't have any pics, but several years ago there were a couple russian guys parked in the ski area parking lot one morning and after I parked the cat, I chatted with them for a bit. They were doing a little traveling in it, had it all stickered up, lifted...

This is random, but a bit ago in searching for dual rear axle suspension stuff I came across a transcript from a recent convention of people in charge of making the truck purchases for the garbage collection industry and they specifically noted that in recent years, more and more landfills have...