4th Quarter "meeting" ......

[YELLAHEEP]

Well it looks like an physical meeting for the 4th quarter just isn't gonna work out for enough people - no biggie, we'll just do this here.

Old business:

ColoradoFest went very well considering the weather and high fuel prices keeping attendance low. Approximately 40 rigs attended the event. Sponsorship for the event was great! It was also good to have re-kindled the Chapter's relationship with Tomken Machine which is under new ownership. They're looking to be National sponsors as well. Our hosts at Chalk Creek were awesome again this year.

T-Shirts were designed and offered for sale along with hoodies recently. More apparel items are to come very soon - Justin will have more details to follow.

The Chapter is an official member of COHVCO as of August, and a donation was made to their legal fund. Jeff, Chris (riverfever) and I attended a Stay the Trail event in Woodland Park.

New business:

I'd like to see our Chapter become involved in the Adopt-A-Trail program and some other charity activity. Jeff has brought up the Adopt-A-Trail idea before and I think we should run with it. The Chapter is open to other suggestions or ideas, so please post up with comments.

Public Land clean up: This has been suggested to me thru PM's many times. I think this is a great idea and anyone with info on how to get involved in this kind of project, please post up.

ColoradoFest 2007: It's never too early to start planning this event. There has been a little discussion already regarding changing the venue this time, possibly basing it in Montrose, or ??? Unless the masses really want to hold it in Buena Vista again, we'll need your input on new locations, sites that would suit us for "headquarters" and some trail info for the areas that you suggest. We don't want this event to become "stale" or the "same old thing".

Quarterly meeting locations: Please post up your ideas for meeting locations. We will continue to rotate the meeting locations between the Denver Metro area, CO Springs, and North Denver. I'm proposing that we do so in this order: 1st Quarter = North Denver, 2nd Quarter = Metro Denver, 3rd Quarter = CO. Springs. We'll leave the 4th Quarter open.

Tech Seminars: I'd like to see us really try to put something together. Those of you that work at or own repair / fab shops - would you be interested in hosting a Saturday evening "how to" seminar? I think we could stir up quite a bit of interest in getting a group together to learn the basics of differential gear installation; fender trimming; tube bending; welding; steering system setup and death-wobble solutions...... Then create a thread for the FAQ forum. Just tossing the idea out there.

That's all that comes to mind for now.

[LawnDart]

yeah i think the sat nights tech meeting would be a great idea. im always interested in learning new mechanics
thanks
christopher

[87xjco]

I'd be happy to host one at the shop I manage in Northglenn.
Maybe we could put a members XJ on the hoist and do some work on it.

Maybe we could do a u-joint replacement or unit bearing replacement if anyone needs one done and if others are interested in learning.



or

I have a D44 detroit locker install planed in a couple of months and a D44 Ox locker install planned.

Or we could have a welding class, but I have only one welder and 2 helmets.

I have a tubing bender, but it's my homemade one and different from everything else out there.

[YELLAHEEP]

I'd be happy to host one at the shop I manage in Northglenn.
Maybe we could put a members XJ on the hoist and do some work on it.

Maybe we could do a u-joint replacement or unit bearing replacement if anyone needs one done and if others are interested in learning.



or

I have a D44 detroit locker install planed in a couple of months and a D44 Ox locker install planned.

Or we could have a welding class, but I have only one welder and 2 helmets.

I have a tubing bender, but it's my homemade one and different from everything else out there.

I was hoping you'd respond to this idea Terry, that's great! Winter time is a good time to get people into a shop since there isn't much 'wheeling going on. The projects you indicated would be perfect.

[87xjco]

Maybe someone can post of if they've purchased or are going to purchase any parts that would make a good project for this idea.

It probably would be a couple months before were ready to do lockers in the D44's, and maybe some of the members would prefer to do something on a D30 or an 8.25.

Maybe someones considering a SYE install and we could do that.

So post up anyone who has some projects they're considering!!

Terry

[Kittrell]

I have a d30 that needs 4.88s and a True Trac. And they can go in ASAP. Come to think of it; If I break down and buy some new unit bearings, we can install the alloys and joints as well.

[87xjco]

That would be a good project!!

[fireLt.]

I like the idea of Co. fest in Montrose. It would be a good way to get some of us Western Slope guys involved.

[Kittrell]

I like the idea, cause then we can still run in the San Juans then. Which is my favorite place to wheel in Colorado.

[YELLAHEEP]

Terry and DJ, I think you guys have a great project for the first "tech seminar". It's something that can be done on a lift where it's visible to a group, it encompasses several modifications that can be done at one time and saves time since those components have to be removed anyway to do the gears. I still haven't tackled a gear install, so I'd be there.

Plus, DJ's rig is uber-clean so Terry's mitts will stay fairly clean like one of those Spike TV "professionals"....... :D

Keep rollin' with this.

[Kittrell]

The 44 is out for gearing right now. So If I get that back, we can swap that in at the same time.

[87xjco]

Sounds good to me, I could do it as soon as Nov. 18th or 25th

Dec. 2nd is the Christmas caravan so not that Saturday

Then i'm pretty much open after that.

I agree that this would be a good learning project, it encompasses the removal of front brakes, front axles and unit bearings, and maybe we can put in new u-joints in while we have those out. The total job would normally take 3 or 4 hours, a little longer with the teaching aspect.

I hope some more members will chime in that they are interested in attending. I think we could accomodate up to 30 or 40 people pretty easy. But a group of 10 to 20 would be able to get a little more hands on, close up viewing.

I have the press and all the set-up tools needed.

The one thing I don't have is a case spreader, I never use it with my method of installation, but if someone has one, it would be good to show how and why it is used.

Terry

[87xjco]

As far as Coloradofest. I think it would be good to be in the Montrose area. I don't know how many days i'll be able to attend as I'm taking a week for a Moab trip next year also. So my preference shouldn't really count for much. Wherever it is, i'll try and attend for a few days.

T

[jrsxj98]

Sorry for the delay guys, work has been unreal lately.

Ok first Item I have is the sweat shirts, everyone who posted up and contacted Jeff will be getting yours in a couple of weeks, I am just waiting on Jeff to tell me everyone has paid to go on with the order. The printer turn around is usually 7-10 days.

I am also looking at doing some embroidered stuff. Hats, T's, Beanies etc. the design that will be used is the one from the front of the t's now. Nice and simple. Not sure on prices yet but I dont see them being that expensive.

Coloradofest 07, after talking to several at 06 event. I am going to make a motion to hold it in Montrose area. Also we have talked about moving it up a couple of weeks to hopefully draw more of the members with kids (trying to avoid start of school). We had talked about the 3rd week in July.

On meetings for next year, If we are doing 2 up in the Denver area, and 1 in Springs, then maybe the 4th should be say Castle Rock area or closer to the southern brothers and sisters.

Also I would like to extend a personal thank you to everyone for a great Coloradofest 06

[jdogg4]

I have a D44, D30 and 4:56s gear job that needs to be done. No money for a lockers yet. Maybe after X-mas. If nothing else I would love to watch the other D44 gears get put in so I could do it down the road.

[Idiot Wind]

I hope some more members will chime in that they are interested in attending. I think we could accomodate up to 30 or 40 people pretty easy. But a group of 10 to 20 would be able to get a little more hands on, close up viewing.
I would be ALL over this. Fantastic idea.

Montrose sounds good to me as I would love to do the Engineer/Alpine Loop

[planefixer]

As was already stated- I signed the chapter up as members of COHVCO -Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition- the major organization in Colorado fighting to keep our trails open as well as educating the public on responsible off-road recreation. The membership fee was $50.00/year and a donation to its legal fund was made in the amount of $50.00.Money came out of chapter funds.We took in $620.00 from the raffle at CoFest.I'll be sending a check for $93.00 to national for their 15% take as soon as the powers-that-be let me know where to send it.We broke even on the raffle dinner- which is all we were shooting for.
Again, A BIG THANK YOU to all of our sponsors and attendees of CoFest

Colorado Fest will be fantastic next year.Basing it out of the Montrose area will allow for trail runs in the San Juan Mountains as well as the "hard-core" trails around Montrose and a possible long day trip to Grand Junction for Billings Canyon and/or 21 Road.Tentatively we're looking at the 3rd or 4th week of July.Doing it in August kept attendance down this year as it interfered with a lot of people's school schedules, so hopefully this will alleviate that and allow more people to attend.

Any paid chapter members who want to know our financial situation feel free to PM me for disclosure of funds.The reason for the PM route is because, not to sound rude, I dont think its anyone else's business.

So far 4 people have paid up on their hoodie orders and I'm sure the rest will follow suit in the next couple of days.

I have some t-shirts left (dont know sizes off the top of my head) as well as chapter stickers.Those that requested them with your hoodie orders as well as anyone else interested PM me next week or thereafter and we'll get some orders (limited to current stock) rolling.I just wanted to get all the hoodie orders processed first.

Thats about all I have to contribute to this "meeting".

Jeff

[Rockken]

I hope some more members will chime in that they are interested in attending. I think we could accomodate up to 30 or 40 people pretty easy. But a group of 10 to 20 would be able to get a little more hands on, close up viewing.


That is a great idea; I’d be down for any type of training seminar.

[jeepjon]

I just bought a powertrax no-slip for my Chryco 8.25 (29) that I need to put in, but it sounds like the locker instal is already covered.... let me know if you want me to bring it too though.

[jdogg4]

I'm going to be doing a hood vent install? not that it's all that tricky and not much more you haven't seen in any write up on here before but you all might like to see it?

[LawnDart]

yeah i would definately be there for some info. i have a detroit e-z locker for a D35 im gonna try to install myself since everyone is telling me its an easy task. But if you do some welding count me in cause im trying to learn how to do that. Welding is definately and aquired trait, takes lots of time and practice!
thanks
chris 86 XJ

[YELLAHEEP]

Terry, DJ,

Again, your project ideas sound great and what many here could learn alot from.

I think it's cool that so many of you have volunteered your project ideas already, but let's keep in mind that the intent of my proposed Tech Seminar is to address projects that YOU GUYS can learn to do on your own, not to bring your junk down in hopes of a group wrenchin' day.

Terry, please feel free to "take charge" of deciding what projects and how many projects YOU'RE willing to sponsor at your shop. I don't want you to get in over your head or in trouble with the shop owner by having an open shop day - don't feel bad if you can't accomodate everyone.

I imagine that if it looks like this will draw a good sized group, the Chapter could pony-up for soda and snacks.

[87xjco]

You speak wisely,

I would think for everyone's sake, it would be best to pick one project and work on that to completion.

But it wouldn't matter to me if that was a D30 install or some other project that we could complete in a half day or so.

Maybe we should get a few more suggested projects and then do a poll for the attendees to decide on what they want to do.

[Generalcuz]

Let's do something soon so I can meet some of you guys.

[87xjco]

Well let's go ahead and do the Tru-trac and 4.88 gear install on the D30.

This seems to be the a project that would give valuable experience to XJ owners. Even if an XJ owner has no plans to replace their ring & pinion, it will still show them how to replace the common parts that are known to break on the trail and/or to need replaced as maintenance items. The axle u-joints, unit bearings and brake components will all be covered. And all these components must also be removed in order to do a ball joint replacement.

The tru-trac install is the same procedure as replacing a stock carrier or installing a Detroit Locker. We also can briefly discuss ARB installs and what is different about the carrier set up when installing an ARB.

We can do this as soon as November 18th, or Nov. 25th, Dec. 9th or after.

Lets get some feedback from the members and D.J. (91 Jeep Project) on what date would be best.

Terry

[jdogg4]

I love this whole deal. I'll be tearing into my stuff after the new year, so this is perfect timing to see what all ticks around. I understand the basics of it, but there is always little tricks and stuff some guys know more about then others. all of those dates work for me.

[Kittrell]

I am pretty much free every Fri-Sun, so whenever.

[Idiot Wind]

I'd like to see our Chapter become involved in the Adopt-A-Trail program and some other charity activity. Jeff has brought up the Adopt-A-Trail idea before and I think we should run with it. The Chapter is open to other suggestions or ideas, so please post up with comments.
I am not sure what kinds of trails we are looking for however after reading your post last week, I shot off an email to a woman at the Forest Service. She sent me back some info regarding their program. I have a couple documents, Volunteer Procedures, the Application and Adopt a Road agreement.

In addition, she mentioned 2 areas that she would 'love' to see adopted. They are the Columbine/Yankee Hill area and the Barbour Forks/Devils Canyon and they are both in Clear Creek County. I have no clue what types of roads these are however this may be a good starting point. If anyone would like me to forward her email, shoot me a PM and I would be glad to do so.

I'd be happy to pursue this further if anybody wishes. I think it would be a great way to gain exposure.

[planefixer]

I am not sure what kinds of trails we are looking for however after reading your post last week, I shot off an email to a woman at the Forest Service. She sent me back some info regarding their program. I have a couple documents, Volunteer Procedures, the Application and Adopt a Road agreement.

In addition, she mentioned 2 areas that she would 'love' to see adopted. They are the Columbine/Yankee Hill area and the Barbour Forks/Devils Canyon and they are both in Clear Creek County. I have no clue what types of roads these are however this may be a good starting point. If anyone would like me to forward her email, shoot me a PM and I would be glad to do so.

I'd be happy to pursue this further if anybody wishes. I think it would be a great way to gain exposure.

Last time I checked Iron Chest was still "un-adopted" as well.

[YELLAHEEP]

Regarding the Adopt-A-Trail/Road programs....... I wanna know if when you adopt them, is it just for a one-time event to do a cleanup and maintenance, or are we committed to the trail until we decide to give it up?

I liked Jeff's suggestion of Iron Chest because it's a well known trail, in many trail books, and would afford us some decent exposure for being involved in the program. Less known areas give us less exposure.

Iron Chest is a bit of a trip away from most members, but it could certainly be made into an "event" of sorts - maybe even a Spring then a Fall run/clean up event.

IdiotWind, if there's a way to get the Forrest Service to narrow things down to a forest service road number or trail name rather than an "area", that'd make it easier to figure out how much area we'd be volunteering for.

[Idiot Wind]

Regarding the Adopt-A-Trail/Road programs....... I wanna know if when you adopt them, is it just for a one-time event to do a cleanup and maintenance, or are we committed to the trail until we decide to give it up?

IdiotWind, if there's a way to get the Forrest Service to narrow things down to a forest service road number or trail name rather than an "area", that'd make it easier to figure out how much area we'd be volunteering for.

I emailed her that very question early this morning regarding nailing it down to a FS #. I hope to hear back from her today. I'll post it obviously when I get it. I agree with you that a trail with the most exposure is the best idea.

the Volunteer procedure doc she gave me stated that the group would perform 2 volunteer days a year. the 'contract' can be terminated from either party for whatever reason with a phone call/letter etc...

The only reason I used Clear Creek County was it was the only name I could find doing a search on this subject. This lady just happens to work for them.

[ttihsllub]

ill be there for the tech day... just let me know when we decide on a date so i can make sure ill be there ... really would like to meet some of the guys on the forum and get knowledge to use on my jeep..
Ben

[jrsxj98]

I am gonna cast my vote towards Iron Chest. We could do two cleanups per year, spring and fall. We always open the year in that area any way with our trip to OCG.

[MMIXJ]

I hope some more members will chime in that they are interested in attending.
i'd be interested if the schedule allows it...

thanks.

[ExNews4XJ]

I'll go if we can get enough people to make it happen.

[YELLAHEEP]

I'll go if we can get enough people to make it happen.

That's the beauty of the Tech Seminar idea - we really don't need a set number of people - just the willingness of one or more people to be the "instructor" and a place to do the work.

I think there's enough interest to get it scheduled.

Terry, feel free to open a new thread with a poll to pick a date - or simply post up what date you and DJ can agree on.

I'll be there.

[Yucca-Man]

I'm willing to go - name a time and place and I'll see if I'm not working. While I realize it's not a "do the work for me" opportunity, I do have a set of D20 axles that I need to have the old unit bearings removed from. I can throw a replacement set of 760s in it if that will make it technical, too.

[NoCoastFocus]

I would love to see a gear install, and I don't mind keeping the trails clean! One vote here for Iron Chest and tech day.

[Kittrell]

I'm willing to go - name a time and place and I'll see if I'm not working. While I realize it's not a "do the work for me" opportunity, I do have a set of D20 axles that I need to have the old unit bearings removed from. I can throw a replacement set of 760s in it if that will make it technical, too.

Them suckers are Rare..........:anon:

[Sting25]

count me in I will show up for a tech day....

[CODevilDog]

I really like the idea for a tech day as well and would show up. My geers are done but need to tackle other front end compoents in the near future. Ideas for other tech days I would love to see would be one on fender trimming and maybe one on a long arm lift install.

[old_man]

I was thinking about doing one at my place sometime. I thought advanced web wheeling would be a good topic.:jester:

[YELLAHEEP]

I was thinking about doing one at my place sometime. I thought advanced web wheeling would be a good topic.:jester:


I dunno Tom, I think everyone on this forum is a FRIGGIN' GENIUS in that area...... :looser: