The Daily Chat Thread (1 Viewer)

[LCCRUISER]

From the Craigslist add looks pretty solid with nice components. I'm just surprised I've never seen it living so close by.

It was on Amity St, if you know where that is. His name is Jamon, that's him in the CL Ad pictures. He worked, or works, at a Ford dealership.

It's been a year since he wheeled it last. He's a fabricator/mechanic and had his own business Rock-Hard Offroad until the economy went south and he hurt his back. Basically, he couldn't wheel it with the back issue. He owned it for quite awhile and then decided to take the next step from road legal to hard core.

It is very solid mechanically since it was only built fairly recently and not abused, the tires aren't worn at all and the beadlocks don't have rock rash. AllPro front SAS conversion with Bilsteins all around, bypass shocks in the rear. The rear coils are setup with a centering pin to allow them to drop out of their buckets almost 6".

The frame and floors are solid and I was hoping it might be inspectable in NH, however, he made the rear quarters removable so it's all open in the back and the back of the cab with rough edges. The frame height in the rear is also way above any legal bumper height. (Maybe I can figure ways to get around those problems.) On the plus side, the departure angle is nearly 90 degrees. With the rear quarters removed, the back of the truck is only as wide as the frame from just behind the cab and it is tubed above the frame to the same width as the frame from the rear tires back.

I had been contemplating taking Minnie to the next level with adding a high pinion front diff with ARB, 5.29's, Longfields, building a 9.5 centered rear axle and installing the dual transfer case setup I have on hand. Plus I would definitely have to go to chromolys in the rear with the 10:1 t-case gearing due to the torque multiplication. Add all that up and it would cost way more than I paid for this rig, particularly since I didn't pay anywhere near the asking price.

I now plan to keep Minnie as my roadworthy rig that can do all the Class 6 stuff and more difficult stuff like Waumbus and Carnage. She went up Medusa fairly easily much to my and everyone else's surprise and did fairly well out back at Gretchen's until the trunion loosened up. But, I wouldn't do that stuff again without adding lower t-case gears which is why I picked up the dual case setup.

I'm more than happy to say the least with my purchase. I feel very lucky to have gotten the deal done before anyone else showed up. Now, I just have to get my tow combo going. I haven't been wheeling since the FG, so I'm anxious to get out there again.

For everyone's information, there are now a lot more opportunities to wheel private land here in NH. LMFT is open which is where Waumbus, the PowerLines and other trails are located. (You do have to register.) The new owners of Gretchen's are basically allowing wheeling there every weekend. If Gretchen's isn't full, even with an NEA group reservation, they will let other people in. They even have an event coming up 4th of July weekend that is open to anyone and includes a barbecue with camping optional. Despite the rumors, the new owners have no plans to make F&F any easier.

 

[LCCRUISER]

Blue label bfg are not stickies!

I guess it depends on who you ask


"BFGoodrich Krawler T/A KX tires are a DOT approved (blue label) professional rock crawling tire. In fact, the only difference between these tires and the red label Krawlers used by professional rock crawlers is that the tread compound has been tweaked to make it last longer for street use. The street legal version of the Krawler is built on the same race-spec tire carcass as the competition version and uses a very soft and sticky rubber compound for unreal grip on rocks and dirt. Four nylon sidewall plies give the tire amazing flexibility and superior puncture resistance. If you're looking for the ultimate rock crawling tire for the trail or for competition, then the BFGoodrich Krawler is the right choice for you."

I've never had them or even seen them in action that I know of so I have no opinion. I only know they are supposed to be tough and they cost way too much like most better and bigger tires do these days. It is curious that BFG touts the competition aspect of the tire along with better wear characteristics for the road. I doubt many rock crawling competitors are driving to events, but maybe it's a niche tire for some people.

 

[green40]

And since it has been sold, the new owners of "gretchens" have changed the name back to "Field and Forest".
You'll notice the old sign is back up out on the road.

 

[VTrocker]

Blue label bfg are not stickies!

I'm sorry!

 

[LCCRUISER]

And since it has been sold, the new owners of "gretchens" have changed the name back to "Field and Forest".
You'll notice the old sign is back up out on the road.

I heard there are no plans to make it a non-wheeling venue except for honoring the Powwow. Also no plans to make easy trails.

I think that it is great that they are opening it up to more wheeling activities beyond the scheduled NEA events like our own. Going forward, there should be many more opportunities for mini YT gatherings throughout the year similar to what we had there last month. It's definitely a much more economical alternative to going down to Rausch, especially for those of us in VT, NH, Maine and some Mass points.

 

[rain76king]

It's funny because the last conversation I had with them they said they were staying NEA and possibly opening it up once or twice a year for non NEA clubs.

You start having mini FG's less reasons to come to the real one... Especially if you can run it whenever and wether your a member of the organized wheeling community or not. My .02

 

[Wrench]

It's funny because the last conversation I had with them they said they were staying NEA and possibly opening it up once or twice a year for non NEA clubs.

You start having mini FG's less reasons to come to the real one... Especially if you can run it whenever and wether your a member of the organized wheeling community or not. My .02

Ditto. Fastest way to ruin a wheeling property.

 

[Mad Jack]

Sad day in my household...good day in someone elses'. Sold the HJ45 today! Hard to watch it roll away! I think it went to a good home though!

 

[LCCRUISER]

Ditto. Fastest way to ruin a wheeling property.

Sounds to me like they are making it more like other wheeling parks like Rausch where they hold events for clubs and open it up to others when events don't have it fully booked.

They didn't buy the place to lose money and have more invested in it than Gretchen ever did.

To me, it's just another place to go do your wheeling thing with or without being part of a club. A bit like we already do up here in NH with the various private property, LMFT and class 6 opportunities. Some of us go wheeling every week or a bit less often than that or 3-4 times a year. It all comes down to whether or not you want to wheel exclusively with your club or just want to wheel. I'm in the latter group, but I respect the former opinions.

There will continue to be YT exclusive huge events for Gretchen's booked through the NEA for Gretchen's and LMFT. I really don't think we have to worry about the FG or Spring events going away. It's just another opportunity to wheel together more than a couple times a year.

 

[yodafrick]

Sad day in my household...good day in someone elses'. Sold the HJ45 today! Hard to watch it roll away! I think it went to a good home though!

Too bad man... Things are just things though. Where did she go?

 

[rain76king]

Sounds to me like they are making it more like other wheeling parks like Rausch where they hold events for clubs and open it up to others when events don't have it fully booked.

They didn't buy the place to lose money and have more invested in it than Gretchen ever did.

To me, it's just another place to go do your wheeling thing with or without being part of a club. A bit like we already do up here in NH with the various private property, LMFT and class 6 opportunities. Some of us go wheeling every week or a bit less often than that or 3-4 times a year. It all comes down to whether or not you want to wheel exclusively with your club or just want to wheel. I'm in the latter group, but I respect the former opinions.

There will continue to be YT exclusive huge events for Gretchen's booked through the NEA for Gretchen's and LMFT. I really don't think we have to worry about the FG or Spring events going away. It's just another opportunity to wheel together more than a couple times a year.

B&L can do whatever they see fit with the property as far as I see it. When clubs and orginizations were twiddling their thumbs or arguing if it made sense to persue the property they stepped up. They bought it, they care for it, they oversee it, it's their gig.
I am very happy that someone in the wheeling community bought it and I really like B&L.

My concern is if your able to wheel it whenever and whether or not your an NEA member then there's a breakdown that maybe you don't see Larry.

-Why come to an event to wheel the property when you can just wheel it whenever? No event fee, none of the extras, just $20-25 a night sounds good to me = Local club fundraising events lose money.

-Don't need to be an NEA member means you don't have to pay that $10 that the NEA collects to help fund trail repairs and to support a community that you happen to be a part of.

-Some members of our club join to just wheel F&F.
They don't care about the club, we are just the cheapest club out there so it makes sense to them to join so they can have access to those trails.
I don't care for those members, I am no longer all about numbers.
Just because your club is big it certainly doesn't mean it's good but that money goes to our club and the NEA as well.

I'm sure I'm missing a few other points as well but those are the big ones as I see it.

 

[Krazyfj]

Hey Larry,

I know Jamon, he used to be in my club eastern4wheelers, nice guy, very good mechanic, you got yourself a very nice rig.

It was on Amity St, if you know where that is. His name is Jamon, that's him in the CL Ad pictures. He worked, or works, at a Ford dealership.

It's been a year since he wheeled it last. He's a fabricator/mechanic and had his own business Rock-Hard Offroad until the economy went south and he hurt his back. Basically, he couldn't wheel it with the back issue. He owned it for quite awhile and then decided to take the next step from road legal to hard core.

It is very solid mechanically since it was only built fairly recently and not abused, the tires aren't worn at all and the beadlocks don't have rock rash. AllPro front SAS conversion with Bilsteins all around, bypass shocks in the rear. The rear coils are setup with a centering pin to allow them to drop out of their buckets almost 6".

The frame and floors are solid and I was hoping it might be inspectable in NH, however, he made the rear quarters removable so it's all open in the back and the back of the cab with rough edges. The frame height in the rear is also way above any legal bumper height. (Maybe I can figure ways to get around those problems.) On the plus side, the departure angle is nearly 90 degrees. With the rear quarters removed, the back of the truck is only as wide as the frame from just behind the cab and it is tubed above the frame to the same width as the frame from the rear tires back.

I had been contemplating taking Minnie to the next level with adding a high pinion front diff with ARB, 5.29's, Longfields, building a 9.5 centered rear axle and installing the dual transfer case setup I have on hand. Plus I would definitely have to go to chromolys in the rear with the 10:1 t-case gearing due to the torque multiplication. Add all that up and it would cost way more than I paid for this rig, particularly since I didn't pay anywhere near the asking price.

I now plan to keep Minnie as my roadworthy rig that can do all the Class 6 stuff and more difficult stuff like Waumbus and Carnage. She went up Medusa fairly easily much to my and everyone else's surprise and did fairly well out back at Gretchen's until the trunion loosened up. But, I wouldn't do that stuff again without adding lower t-case gears which is why I picked up the dual case setup.

I'm more than happy to say the least with my purchase. I feel very lucky to have gotten the deal done before anyone else showed up. Now, I just have to get my tow combo going. I haven't been wheeling since the FG, so I'm anxious to get out there again.

For everyone's information, there are now a lot more opportunities to wheel private land here in NH. LMFT is open which is where Waumbus, the PowerLines and other trails are located. (You do have to register.) The new owners of Gretchen's are basically allowing wheeling there every weekend. If Gretchen's isn't full, even with an NEA group reservation, they will let other people in. They even have an event coming up 4th of July weekend that is open to anyone and includes a barbecue with camping optional. Despite the rumors, the new owners have no plans to make F&F any easier.

 

[LCCRUISER]

B&L can do whatever they see fit with the property as far as I see it. When clubs and orginizations were twiddling their thumbs or arguing if it made sense to persue the property they stepped up. They bought it, they care for it, they oversee it, it's their gig.
I am very happy that someone in the wheeling community bought it and I really like B&L.

My concern is if your able to wheel it whenever and whether or not your an NEA member then there's a breakdown that maybe you don't see Larry.

-Why come to an event to wheel the property when you can just wheel it whenever? No event fee, none of the extras, just $20-25 a night sounds good to me = Local club fundraising events lose money.

-Don't need to be an NEA member means you don't have to pay that $10 that the NEA collects to help fund trail repairs and to support a community that you happen to be a part of.

-Some members of our club join to just wheel F&F.
They don't care about the club, we are just the cheapest club out there so it makes sense to them to join so they can have access to those trails.
I don't care for those members, I am no longer all about numbers.
Just because your club is big it certainly doesn't mean it's good but that money goes to our club and the NEA as well.

I'm sure I'm missing a few other points as well but those are the big ones as I see it.

From what I've heard, they are charging $75 for you and your rig for 2 days of wheeling on 4th of July weekend. Passengers are an extra charge. Camping is also an optional charge. Not sure if the Sat nite barbecue is included with that or extra. I think you are looking at $150-200 for 2 days of wheeling with your passenger, camping one or 2 nights plus the BBQ. I know a lot of people are shying away and going to LMFT instead.

I don't see that being a conflict with NEA events or YT. That's more than any YT member pays for admission currently, so there's a lot of us who aren't probably willing to pay that much, eh?

Did I mention that the trail runs will be guided? Three categories. Harder, hardest and WTF did I sign up for??? That's a big turnoff for many people as well. Lots of us want to go out with our own small group of friends.

 

[LCCRUISER]

Hey Larry,

I know Jamon, he used to be in my club eastern4wheelers, nice guy, very good mechanic, you got yourself a very nice rig.

THANKS for saying that and the extra info!

 

[rain76king]

From what I've heard, they are charging $75 for you and your rig for 2 days of wheeling on 4th of July weekend. Passengers are an extra charge. Camping is also an optional charge. Not sure if the Sat nite barbecue is included with that or extra. I think you are looking at $150-200 for 2 days of wheeling with your passenger, camping one or 2 nights plus the BBQ. I know a lot of people are shying away and going to LMFT instead.

I don't see that being a conflict with NEA events or YT. That's more than any YT member pays for admission currently, so there's a lot of us who aren't probably willing to pay that much, eh?

Did I mention that the trail runs will be guided? Three categories. Harder, hardest and WTF did I sign up for??? That's a big turnoff for many people as well. Lots of us want to go out with our own small group of friends.

Are they just opening it up for this event or for any weekend?

 

[Krazyfj]

Bob and Liza are opening up F&F to non NEA members for 2 dates this summer, July 4th weekend is one, don't remember the 2nd one.
Seems like a good idea, this opens up the possibility of new members to all NEA clubs, people who never had the opportunity to run F&F will most likely want to run it again thus requiring them to join a NEA club, plus a little extra revenue for B&L, this is a win win.

 

[rain76king]

Bob and Liza are opening up F&F to non NEA members for 2 dates this summer, July 4th weekend is one, don't remember the 2nd one.
Seems like a good idea, this opens up the possibility of new members to all NEA clubs, people who never had the opportunity to run F&F will most likely want to run it again thus requiring them to join a NEA club, plus a little extra revenue for B&L, this is a win win.

I agree with that.
From reading Larry's first post on the F&F subject it sounded like they were opening it to non NEA members all the time, not just for two events.

 

[LCCRUISER]

I heard that there are more than just those 2 F&F open dates where other people will be allowed in. I don't think I was saying all the time, just when the place isn't reasonably full.

I'm getting this info 2nd hand from someone in our club that that was down there for an NTC event either early in June or late in May He said he spoke with the owners. I got the the impression that they were going to post it up on a website if they weren't reasonably full.

This is kind of like the rumor that they were going to make some more user friendly tales which they have recently denied.

The best way to verify this is for someone who knows them well to call or email. I would also ask if they intend to make "guided trail runs" their ongoing policy, or just for the 2 open dates that Tom mentioned.

Would it be so bad if F&F opened it up to a few of us outsiders if an NEA club couldn't muster a reasonable number of attendees?

 

[LCCRUISER]

Latest info I got this morning is that the 2 open dates are for anyone whether or not they belong to an affiliated NEA club.

On the other dates, any extra people allowed in would either have to be a member of an NEA club or have the permission of the host club.

Guided runs are only planned for 2 the open dates.

 

[Leaping Deer]

Meeting with the civil engineer to discuss the new shop tonight. There is water on the property so we have to go through conservation. Planning on a 36x28. She has already seen the area and doens't believe that it will be an issue. Hope to have the project completed by winter.