IRS Paperwork: Will try to earnestly do the paperwork this winter as construction slows down some.
Stickers:
Still getting lots of requests, but since people do not trust sending checks in, it may be a while before we can move on that.
Since we only have enough dues collected to pay for the IRS setup fee, I would like to propose again this year that we discuss a free sticker be given to members to encourage dues (voted down last year).
NEW BUSINESS
2001 Business Meeting
I would really like to encourage owners to start thinking about issues and ways to improve the club for discussion at the upcoming meeting.
Inpu is important and I encourage you to make suggestion to any of the Club Officers prior to the meeting. Anyone can make suggestions, but you must be at the meeting to vote on any issues.
I am committed to making this years meeting as painless as possible, yet productive and will have it on the "rest day" of the Easter Rally.
UPCOMING EVENT DETAILS
Although we are reducing the number of events to three, and these are our main "events", I would encourage anyone to email me with details for short, spur of the moment "Wildcat Runs". I will forward the information to everyone on our mailing list.
I saw lots of posting on the forums but remember, not everyone reads those forums and you'll be able to reach more people by email.
I'm planning at least two of my own Wildcat Runs nest year including a 2 day, Mount Blanca trip in September.
TECH UPDATES
In general, let me say, that I have looked at the viability of selling aftermarket parts myself as a second income, but as most manufacturers have discovered, the market is simply not large enough, therefore, I won't promote these items any longer.
If poeple are interested in a fron locker, I can give you a telephone number in Australia. I can have front and rear bumpers made if anyone wants one, but that's about all I will do for now.
I have to commit more time to my work and must have answered hundreds of questions on the front locker alone without selling even a single unit.
Limited production numbers and stock capability will limit us permanently it appears, but hey, we love being different!
2000 TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY
Bumpers:
ARB will no longer be importing bumpers for Montero's. Lloyd made both front and rear extreme duty rock bumpers for older Montero's, with bolt up front, and minor frame trimming to maximize rear departure.
Front Locker:
Successful testing of front Detroit Hard Locker completed. Only complaint is occasional popped off outer axle clips (2 minute fix) due to improper locker usage. (who me?)
No further interest from other parties so procurement ended.
Numerous owners welded front diff's with success, generally after numerous tries. No real problems noted other than an A1 weld job required.
Rear Trailing Arms:
Pre 92 breakage a real possibility. Fix by welding arms seem to be okay with Pre-Cracking fish plating. Six Month test shows no further breakage.
Sway Bar Disconnects:
Much thanks & Kudo's goes out to Drew Persson for his tenacity and diligence in designing and building prototypes. Unfotunately, the loose bars get hung up on the trail (boulders, etc.) with potential damage to the undercarrage, wheels/tires, and anti-sway bars (Not Fun... just ask Ray Sala AKA "Off Roader" what happened in Moab)
Many owners simply removed the rear anti-sway bars with no noticeable change in day to day handling. How the vehicles react during an emergency manuever situation are still in question although numerous owners have removed them anyway without any observable change.
I.E. remove at your risk, although nobody has had any problems.
Front Suspension
Although much discussion has occured, no real developments for a front end lift have occurred this year. We're still limited to cranking the front tortion bars for an added maximum lift of 1.5"-2"
Rumor has it the several owners have removed their front anti-sway bars for better travel and claim little handlng degredation. Also have heard no reports of problems with trimming of bumpstops, drilling to soften bumpstops, or replacement with lower profile bumpstops. Further study is needed to identify amount of additional travel as well as potential long term effects.
Long Travel Shocks
Long travel KYB's that require minor modifications, were tested, and have thus far yielded great results.
Longer Brake Lines / Brake Line Extensions
Longer brake lines are necessary when using longer rear coils, longer rear shocks, and a removed anti-sway bar. Brake line extensions are easily made, but the high end racing fittings are hard to find. Currently Lloyd Swartz has been able to source them. Contact him for further details.
Rocker Panel Extensions & Extreme Duty Skid Plates
Again, no high volume manufacturers are building them, however several owners have had effective custom items built locally this year. Contact them (Off Roader, Colorado Sport, etc.) via the forums for more details.