Del Albright's - Products and Tech Talk
BE SURE TO READ MY BIT ABOUT GEARS, TRANNYS, T-CASES AND TIRES BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY DECISIONS OR CHANGE ANYTHING. Del
Del's Premier Sponsors and Awesome Supporters |
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T&T Customs -- for your buildup or custom fabrication; check out their Rock Tek suspension and new Jeep Trail Doors |
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Nemesis Industries, major supporters of landuse, access and many off-road groups. Get what you deserve! | |
MetalCloak, rock biting products because it's your Jeep, only better. | |
BFGoodrich Tires - the Nation of Go; Take Control |
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Raceline Wheels by Allied -- integrating technology and design to make trail-tuff wheels |
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Poison Spyder Customs -- body armor, Access Army Ricochet Rockers, Crusher Corners, and more |
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J&W Auto Wreckers -- specializing in new and used Jeep parts |
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Advance Adapters, Atlas Transfer Case |
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Trail-Gear, Toyota, Samurai and Jeep Off-Road Parts with 50,000 sq. ft. of stocked warehouse just for you. |
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Hanson Offroad -- innovative, high quality, trail durable bumpers and products |
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NAXJA, North American XJ (Cherokee) Association |
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Olympic4x4 Products -- manufacturing 4x4 stuff since 1948. | |
JKS Manufacturing, Off-Road & Performance Upgrades for Jeep Vehicles. | |
4Wheel Parts -- where you can get everything off-road. They are GREAT supporters of landuse and the BlueRibbon Coalition |
The first thing to know about buying products or building up your rig is to BUY from folks who support keeping our trails open -- like the businesses listed above and here on this page.
It's that simple. If you want to do your part in this effort, then buy from the vendors, dealers and manufacturers who donate to raffles, belong to our organizations and sponsor efforts like Friends of the Rubicon (FOTR) and others.
BUYING A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE:
FIRST, if you're planning to buy a rig, contact me. I'd be happy to assist you with specific things to look out for, or things to avoid. If you live in CA, I may be able to save you a lot of time, effort and money, especially. Email me.
Here's the general advice I offer when it comes to buying or building a four wheel drive:
1. Decide what you mostly do (crawl, sight-see, or run the dunes).
2. Decide how much money you want to invest in your rig.
3. Learn as much as you can about your particular sport and what affects performance.
4. Make a list of the modifications you want to make to your rig and prioritize that list in order of finances and best bang for your buck.
5. Start making changes; but know what you're affecting by these changes so you don't mess something else up. Spend as much as you can afford to do it right.
IN GENERAL (RIG MODIFICATIONS):
Mostly I tell folks to: lift it; lock it; winch it; and rack it!
What this really means is that first, add some lift to your rig if you want to run bigger tires and clear a few more obstacles with your pumpkins. Minimum lift is 2.5 - 3 inches.
Second, realize that four-wheel drive really means two-wheel drive. If you push the button (or shift the transfer case into 4wd), you now have one driving wheel in the rear and one in the front; two wheel drive. To get three-wheel drive, you need to do something in the rear end to limit the slip of the non-driving tire; lockers or limited slip. If you're not a hard core wheeler, do the limited slip routine. If you're hard core, lock it up. See Lockers for more.
Third, put a winch on the front. It's a cheap investment for the security it can provide you (and your trail partners). But don't think it'll get you out of every fix. It won't. You still have to be trail smart. But it's a nice option. Don't overlook carrying a Hi Lift jack. It use it more than my winch. And if you really want to deck out your front end with a very convenient tool, put a Warn PowerPlant up front.
Fourth, for you small (Jeep, Sami's, T Cruisers, etc.) rig owners, a rack on the back is a great addition. Put your ice chest, tools, shovel, and extra goodies back there so the family pet and kids can ride in the back seat. Don't go cheap and easy here, tho. Get a good one that will stand up to vibrations and a few scrapes. Write me for more info and if you're really going to do it right, check out Hanson Offroad bumpers and accessories. Olympic4x4 Products is another great company line of Jeep bumpers and racks.
If you want a welder, get a Premier Power Welder -- read this story!
BE SURE TO READ MY BIT ABOUT GEARS, TRANNYS, T-CASES AND TIRES BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY DECISIONS OR CHANGE ANYTHING. Del
Get drive train, gears and drive line products here at DriveTrainOutlet.com
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