***Dan Starc: Top Truck Challenge***

[ECKSJAY]

Our own Dan Starc is entering Four Wheeler's Top Truck Challenge 2004. Here are more details from the man himself. BOD, can we get a sticky here? Thanks! - Phil

*****************************************
Dan wrote:

Hi Folks

Some of you may already know, but after years of avoiding this, I was finally convinced to enter my Cherokee in Four Wheeler Magazine's Top Truck Challenge 2004.

I know, no 44-inch tires, no chrome, no 24-inch lift, no shiny paintjob, no fancy 60K rig…still, it may have what it takes to compete.

I also happen to believe that the driver & crew may be a factor in the competition as well.

Sure enough, as soon as we entered Top Truck Challenge, the folks from Four Wheeler came up with a new competition better suited for us, called Real Truck Challenge…too late, we had already entered Top Truck. We don't care, we just want to compete.

And compete we will. I am determined to do very well or break a lot of parts trying. Either way, we will put on a decent show, I guarantee it.

My rig has been around for a while, I have competed in national rockcrawling events over the years (yes, in a Cherokee) and I have loaded it with a lot of the right stuff. A stroker-6, coolers for everyhting, 35-splines inner & outers, high pinion Dana 60s, beadlocks, skidplates, gears, etc, etc, I won't bore you with details, just know it works. Some of you have 'wheeled with me d know the rig's capabilities well.

I am just asking you to vote for us when you get your next copy of Four Wheeler Magazine, due out in a week or so. You have to cut out the page, fill it out with ten entrants of your choice, including us. Tell your friends. Buy extra nagazines. Call me or email me and ask me to send you a copy!

I was told we may be the only Cherokee in the competition this year, so this is a bigger incentive to get voted in and represent Cherokees everywhere!

You can see some pictures of my rig here:
http://www.wagoneers.com/XJ/rigs/DanStarc-89XJ/ALL2-pix.html
http://www.wagoneers.com/XJ/rigs/DanStarc-89XJ/ALL-pix.html
http://www.wagoneers.com/XJ/rigs/DanStarc-89XJ/DansXJ-Feb3-2004/ALLpix.html
This is a friend's website and he was nice enough to post them for me.

Please forward this email along to all your friends! Don't be shy.
Thanks for reading this, and if you also vote us in, double thanks!

Take care and hopefully you'll see us competing this year.

Sincerely,

Dan Starc
(206) 713-2222
danstarc1@comcast.net
**************************************************

[96xjeeper]

got my vote. I'll pass the word around here in TN and KY also. Best of luck. My hero a cherokee in top truck :worship:

[hjeepxj]

Got my vote too! :)

[Glenn B]

Is he a NAXJA Member by chance?
Got my vote.... but being a Member would be cool.
Glenn


Our own Dan Starc is entering Four Wheeler's Top Truck Challenge 2004. Here are more details from the man himself. BOD, can we get a sticky here? Thanks! - Phil

*****************************************
Dan wrote:

Hi Folks

Some of you may already know, but after years of avoiding this, I was finally convinced to enter my Cherokee in Four Wheeler Magazine's Top Truck Challenge 2004.

I know, no 44-inch tires, no chrome, no 24-inch lift, no shiny paintjob, no fancy 60K rig…still, it may have what it takes to compete.

I also happen to believe that the driver & crew may be a factor in the competition as well.

Sure enough, as soon as we entered Top Truck Challenge, the folks from Four Wheeler came up with a new competition better suited for us, called Real Truck Challenge…too late, we had already entered Top Truck. We don't care, we just want to compete.

And compete we will. I am determined to do very well or break a lot of parts trying. Either way, we will put on a decent show, I guarantee it.

My rig has been around for a while, I have competed in national rockcrawling events over the years (yes, in a Cherokee) and I have loaded it with a lot of the right stuff. A stroker-6, coolers for everyhting, 35-splines inner & outers, high pinion Dana 60s, beadlocks, skidplates, gears, etc, etc, I won't bore you with details, just know it works. Some of you have 'wheeled with me d know the rig's capabilities well.

I am just asking you to vote for us when you get your next copy of Four Wheeler Magazine, due out in a week or so. You have to cut out the page, fill it out with ten entrants of your choice, including us. Tell your friends. Buy extra nagazines. Call me or email me and ask me to send you a copy!

I was told we may be the only Cherokee in the competition this year, so this is a bigger incentive to get voted in and represent Cherokees everywhere!

You can see some pictures of my rig here:
http://www.wagoneers.com/XJ/rigs/DanStarc-89XJ/ALL2-pix.html
http://www.wagoneers.com/XJ/rigs/DanStarc-89XJ/ALL-pix.html
http://www.wagoneers.com/XJ/rigs/DanStarc-89XJ/DansXJ-Feb3-2004/ALLpix.html
This is a friend's website and he was nice enough to post them for me.

Please forward this email along to all your friends! Don't be shy.
Thanks for reading this, and if you also vote us in, double thanks!

Take care and hopefully you'll see us competing this year.

Sincerely,

Dan Starc
(206) 713-2222
danstarc1@comcast.net
**************************************************

[woody]

Is he a NAXJA Member by chance?
Got my vote.... but being a Member would be cool.
Glenn


Yep he sure is a NAXJA Member...he joined up just before attending our Moab event last fall. He is also one of the funnest dudes do be around I've had the pleasure of meeting. Truly a hot potato...

He's got my vote! (tho I'll have to go buy the magazine to do it)

[OT]

Got any more pictures than that?? :D

[Glenn B]

Yep he sure is a NAXJA Member...he joined up just before attending our Moab event last fall. He is also one of the funnest dudes do be around I've had the pleasure of meeting. Truly a hot potato...

He's got my vote! (tho I'll have to go buy the magazine to do it)
No doubt. Maybe he should have some NAXJA stickers on hand for the rig... just in case he wants to add even more class to it. ;)

[TRNDRVR]

I tell you, the dude needs to win just on the George Foreman grill alone. :chef:
I've never been wheeling with anybody else that can serve hot off the grill cheese burgers out in the middle of nowhere like Dan can. :clap:
Now if we could just him to carry some "garlic-infused olive oil". ;)

[Willis]

"garlic-infused olive oil". ;)

What kinda girlie man would bring that onto a trail? ;)

Dan has my vote. He doesn't frequent the forums much, but is a "founding member" of the NW Chapter. Send me some more stickers, he only lives a mile from me, I'll run over and plaster his Jeep with them. :D

[ECKSJAY]

What kinda girlie man would bring that onto a trail? ;)

Dan has my vote. He doesn't frequent the forums much, but is a "founding member" of the NW Chapter. Send me some more stickers, he only lives a mile from me, I'll run over and plaster his Jeep with them. :D


Hell I'll donate the paint and make stencils to paint it all over. ;) I'm sure he'd go for it. :D

Thanks for making this a sticky, BTW. We all appreciate it. I know Dan will do well and have a hell of a lot of fun trying. I've known Dan a while now and I'm rooting for him all the way. :D

[Kejtar]

OK, you got my vote :)
Btw, I think you should repost this on non-tech :) Definately one of our own deserves to be recognized.... especially if he has a George Foreman Grill in his rig :D

[Beezil]

this belongs in a more public viewing area....

would like a copy in non-tech....

only because dan is the shit.

[XJguy]

That's a very sweet XJ. He'll get my vote, no need to even ask.

XJguy

[XJourney]

WOW Isn't that weird XJguy and Beezil agree on something.

dan has my vote of course

[ECKSJAY]

WOW Isn't that weird XJguy and Beezil agree on something.


:laugh2::laugh2::laugh2:

[TRNDRVR]

What kinda girlie man would bring that onto a trail? ;)WTF? "girlie man"??? http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/images/smilies/thefinger.gif
Didn't see you going hungry that day. :chef:
You know? Dan still flips me crap for that. :dunno:
Besides, I see absolutely nothing wrong with carrying a bottle of "garlic-infused olive oil" out on the trail. You never know when you might need to trade it for some "Grey Poupon". ;)

Dan. :D

[JJ13]

That is Saweeeeeet...Of course you have my vote. Also let me know if I can do anything to help out, I believe I am fairly close to you (I am in Longview).

[John90XJ]

Thanks for telling us about this...I'll be happy to help spread the word.

Dan's a good guy...he deserves the support.

John

[poomba]

What month do we vote, I've got a pile of the mags, not sure which its in..

[ECKSJAY]

What month do we vote, I've got a pile of the mags, not sure which its in..

In the article it says something about the one due out next week or so. ;)

[poomba]

In the article it says something about the one due out next week or so. ;)
Aye, but these are the same guys I bought a supscription from in OCTOBER..and haven't mailed me one yet :P..but I'll look thru the latest, and see if it's there. :read:

[ladywolf]

Hey you can count me in! That is an awesome Jeep, and a credit to us westerners everywhere! Hey Dan, need some army stickers? I could prolly score ya some free ones, that way you can say you support our troops in Iraq? The weather here is warming up, already in the 70's.....hey ecksjay we got some good dunes if ya want to ship your XJ over here (wink wink). Aiight guys, stay safe, and I hope to be wheeling with yall soon!
BTW...which 4 wheeler mag is it in? I think I have up to feb's....but not sure.

Kristen

[railroadjeep]

Dan's got my vote, heck, there's no question that he has my vote.

[ECKSJAY]

hey ecksjay we got some good dunes if ya want to ship your XJ over here (wink wink). Kristen

Only if I get an M240 with a M203 under it. ;) I'll see if I can get downrange TDY from stateside. :D

[Matt]

Way to step up Dan! I just can't see beating on mine that hard - maybe the willys though ;)

Hey Phil - are any of you guys coming up into the Reiter area any time soon...

Matt

PS - My avatar was taken with my busted pitman arm laying on Dan's spare tire rack as we had some burgers half way up Izzy... :cheers:

[ECKSJAY]

Hey Phil - are any of you guys coming up into the Reiter area any time soon...

Matt


Only if I'm riding along. My signature is only half correct. Between attorney fees (child custody crap), saving for a house, and planning a wedding in December I've pretty much put the XJ on the back burner for now. ;) I've got some general stuff to do to it (including a rear axle swap) and I'll be ready to do some decent stuff this Summer, but no Moab/'Con trips for me.

[Dan Starc]

Thanks for the support you guys (& gals).

Yes, I am a NAXJA member, yes I DO support our troops, yes I will paste lots of NAXJA stickers for Top Truck, and yes, I would like Army decals!

Thank you all again

Dan Starc
Member 676

[hjeepxj]

Thanks for the support you guys (& gals).

Yes, I am a NAXJA member, yes I DO support our troops, yes I will paste lots of NAXJA stickers for Top Truck, and yes, I would like Army decals!

Thank you all again

Dan Starc
Member 676


Good luck man!

:cheers:

[ECKSJAY]

Thanks for the support you guys (& gals).

Yes, I am a NAXJA member, yes I DO support our troops, yes I will paste lots of NAXJA stickers for Top Truck, and yes, I would like Army decals!

Thank you all again

Dan Starc
Member 676

If you want I shall come armed with a homemade stencil and Krylon for some large NAXJA logos...

[Dan Starc]

NOT a problem, we can do that if we get voted in...
Marine Corps Olive Drab NAXJA lettering stenciled HUGE on both sides and hood.
Sounds nice already!
Dan Starc
NAXJA 676

[ECKSJAY]

NOT a problem, we can do that if we get voted in...
Marine Corps Olive Drab NAXJA lettering stenciled HUGE on both sides and hood.
Sounds nice already!


I'm there! :looney:

[ladywolf]

will try to get stickers to ya as soon as possible! Hope ya like "the army of one"! LOL Gimme any idears if ya want anything else to support the troops.

Kristen

[Dan Starc]

Are you kidding? I'll take anything to support the troops! I wish I could be there myself. Those who know me personally can confirm this. :skull1: :flamemad: :skull1:

If you are not kidding and you want to send me something to put on the Jeep and display it during Top Truck Challenge 04 (if we get voted in), here's an address:

Dan Starc
14532 119Th Ave NE
Kirkland, WA 98034

Thanks again. If you are in country, please kick some butt for US.
Dan Starc
NAXJA 676

[cherokeekid]

NOT a problem, we can do that if we get voted in...
Marine Corps Olive Drab NAXJA lettering stenciled HUGE on both sides and


I like the color choice :yelclap:

[Dan Starc]

Hi All

I just saw the April 2004 issue of Four Wheeler Magazine which happens to contain the voting form. There are 50 rigs chosen, from which 10 will compete. There is only one Cherokee XJ, mine. It is listed as rig #2, NUMBER TWO, please remember this and vote my rig, Richard G and me in!! :worship:

To recognize the correct magazine issue, there is a blue Ford F-150 on the cover and the letters "FOUR WHEELER" are in bright yellow. I am counting on the hardcore XJ crowd to vote for us even if it is because we are the only XJ entered this year.

The picture of my rig posted on the magazine plain stinks compared to most of the ones on these links:
http://www.wagoneers.com/XJ/rigs/DanStarc-89XJ/ALL2-pix.html
http://www.wagoneers.com/XJ/rigs/DanStarc-89XJ/ALL-pix.html
http://www.wagoneers.com/XJ/rigs/DanStarc-89XJ/DansXJ-Feb3-2004/ALLpix.html

This is because I did not have good resultion on most of my pictures...oh well...

Again, thanks to those who regularly buy the magazine and participate in the voting. I appreciate your support.

Sincerely
Dan Starc
NAXJA 676
:worship:

[Kejtar]

gonna go and buy one today :) Heck.. maybe two!

[Dan Starc]

gonna go and buy one today :) Heck.. maybe two!

THANKS Kejtar!!! :worship:

If some of you do not subscribe to Four Wheeler, please let me know and I'll send you a copy, as I am sure I will buy some extras for friends...just drop me an address at dstarc@icos.com and I'll send it to you tomorrow...thanks again! Make sure to vote!

Dan Starc
NAXJA 676

[hjeepxj]

Mine should be waiting for me when I go home tomarrow!

:D

Might even buy one too! :D

[Willis]

Oh, and don't forget, only vote for Dan, don't pick all 10. This way, there is less chance of a tie :D

[railroadjeep]

Are you kidding? I'll take anything to support the troops! I wish I could be there myself. Those who know me personally can confirm this. :skull1: :flamemad: :skull1:

Do you still have the "hunting" permit on the rear window Dan? That was awsome, I've been looking for one of my own.

Chris

[ECKSJAY]

Do you still have the "hunting" permit on the rear window Dan? That was awsome, I've been looking for one of my own.

Chris

Quick search on Yahoo yielded about eleventy-billion results...this being one of them.

http://www.legendaryusa.com/product/THP

We now take you back to the badass Jeep thread. :D

[rj454]

Thanks for the support you guys (& gals).

Yes, I am a NAXJA member, yes I DO support our troops, yes I will paste lots of NAXJA stickers for Top Truck, and yes, I would like Army decals!

Thank you all again

Dan Starc
Member 676


:patriot: RIGHT ON ! You go Dan; soon as I get my issue: you got my vote.
Awesome pix; spectacular rig; mine wants to be like your's when it grows up.

Future FourWheeler headline: "NAXJA XJ sweeps TTC!" :party:

[hards91xj]

Yes, I saw your rig in the Magazine ,Looks GOOD , You got my Vote Some awesome pics on the links too..GO XJ

[Dan Starc]

Yes, I saw your rig in the Magazine ,Looks GOOD , You got my Vote Some awesome pics on the links too..GO XJ


Thanks you guys, I am crossing my fingers...it would be great to get picked! :clap:

Thanks again!
Dan Starc
:NAXJA: 676

[woody]

I put my ballot in the mail this morning Dan...

Good Luck!

BTW The ballots MUST ARRIVE at Four Wheeler's HQ in LA NLT 1 April!!!

[ladywolf]

Hey can someone send in a ballot for me? Even If i got it in the mail today (and we had the magazine) it wouldnt get there in time! Thanks guys!

Kristen

[ladywolf]

Dan,
Hey good news, I got one of my recruiter friends to send ya some free stuff, so you should be getting it within the next week or so! Just thought I'd drop everyone a note saying that I'm startin to get everything packed up to come home, so hopefully we'll be meetin up or wheeling soon!

Kristen

p.s. If ya get voted in and I get my stuff in time, will send you some iraqi money and some ranks and maybe a kewl tshirt to wear or somethin

[Dan Starc]

Great to hear you are coming home.
Take care and get back here safe.
Thanks!
Dan :us:
NAXJA 676

[woody]

Great to hear Kristen...BTW that ballot for TTC went in the mailbox this morning...guess I won't bother sending the copy of the magazine to the APO

[ECKSJAY]

Great to hear Kristen...BTW that ballot for TTC went in the mailbox this morning...guess I won't bother sending the copy of the magazine to the APO

hehe, she got a couple sent in then. ;)

[ladywolf]

Hey i still want the magazine! By the time my unit redeps back to germany the px wont be selling it anymore! 'sides, i'm a packrat when it comes to 4x4 mags....never know when your gonna need an article:D Thanks for everyone's support! Hope to meet and wheel with you guys soon!

Kristen

[Dan Starc]

Hey i still want the magazine! By the time my unit redeps back to germany the px wont be selling it anymore! 'sides, i'm a packrat when it comes to 4x4 mags....never know when your gonna need an article:D Thanks for everyone's support! Hope to meet and wheel with you guys soon!

Kristen

Where do you want it sent to?
Just give me the info and you'll get it.
Dan Starc
NAXJA 676 :patriot:

[Dan Starc]

The list of challengers for TTC'04 is out, and the Cherokee is not in it. :tears:

I understand there are several reasons for this, and listed in no particular order are the fact that XJs are not that popular or unique; mine is ugly and lacks a fancy color or paintjob; my tires look small compared to those 42"s and 44"s; I don't have 450 HP, the picture I was stuck with on the magazine was lame compared to other pics I have on file (it was the only pic I had that had enough resolution for printing, a "megapixel issue")...ah, excuses, excuses.

Still, in a strange way I breathe a sigh of relief. After spending over a week in Moab with 4 of the judges for TTC (Bacon, Hardy, Honegger, Nylund), I was convinced by them that entering may have been a bad idea.

One asked me: "why do you want to enter TTC?"
I replied: "why not, sounds like lots of fun".
He said: "i like your rig, I hope you don't get in".
"Huh?", I said.

As it turns out, once through TTC you might as well replace it or rebuild it. All the judges went on and on with stories of every rig having tons of problems after TTC, especially after the water/mud obstacles. Most rigs get winched up the trailers to head home after the Tank Trap. Trannies being rebuilt and lasting 3 miles, after the rebuild. Clay-like mud on everything, still coming off dashboards after years...electronics completely fried. They frowned upon auto trannies for the event, due to water ingestion; all judges said stick trannies did better on TTC due to this issue alone. Axles and trannies, t-cases have to be disassembled, tanked and rebuilt after TTC. Computers, modules and most looms will be submerged and more than likely ruined. So will the seats. Sounds silly, but I've worked too hard on this old rig to kill it in a week.

Don't get me wrong; I was ready to go to TTC'04, but had no knowledge of how bad it may ultimately be for the rig. I had no intentions of cutting up my current rig and building a new one after TTC'04 with parts from this one. Still, this gives me now another year to do three things before TTC'05:

1-Improve the rig;
2-Get a better picture;
3-Convince myself that I need to build a new XJ after the event;
and most importantly
4-Convince my wife that "it's okay".

Thanks to all who voted for the XJ this year, I really appreciate it.
Please be sure to vote for us again next year!
I WILL BE BACK!

[John90XJ]

Sounds like 4 of the judges got to see how capable it is anyway without the damage potential.

As they always say at the Oscars, it was nice just to be nominated. :)

[ladywolf]

Dan,
Sorry to hear you didnt make it to top truck, but maybe thats a good thing, yes? things here have gotten dumb, and I got extended (the joys the joys). So my trip home has been delayed for awhile. i Hope to see you guys out on the trails sometime this year. Be safe and have fun!

Kristen

[Dan Starc]

Just in case it sounded like BS :bs: here's a picture of our Moab 'wheeling gang. I usually spend most of my Moab days 'wheeling with this group., made up of editors, photographers and TTC judges.
From left to right:
Fred Williams, writer for 4 Wheel & Off-Road (green and yellow cap), Jimmy Nylund from Four Wheeler in a red jacket holding a Corona (as always), the new 4 Wheel & Off-Road intern (forgot his name, but he helped Fred bring the red Avalanche pickup they built in the magazine last year), Greg Musseman who is sponsored by Bilstein has the black shirt with the flames on back, next is the back of Randy Ellis in the blue windbreaker (builder, owner of Randy Ellis Designs and RCAA competitor), Rick Péwé the editor of 4 Wheel & Off-Road is holding another Corona, TTC Judge Tim Hardy has the Warn hat and the big red moustache, then there's me in the tan vest, TTC Judge and builder of the Scorpion Soni Honegger wearing an OD Green shirt, and next to him Tim Hardy's wife. Missing from the picture are technical writer and drawing guru for Four Wheeler Ned Bacon and Chis Collard, photographer and writer for 4 Wheel Drive & Sport Utility.
http://home.comcast.net/~ecksjay/moabapril01.jpg
#36 1 Minute Ago
Dan Starc
NAXJA Member #676 Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 33

Re: NAXJA Member entering Four Wheeler's TTC

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just in case it sounded like BS here's a picture of our Moab 'wheeling gang. I usually spend most of my Moab days 'wheeling with this group., made up of editors, photographers and TTC judges.
From left to right:
Fred Williams, writer for 4 Wheel & Off-Road (green and yellow cap), Jimmy Nylund from Four Wheeler in a red jacket holding a Corona (as always), the new 4 Wheel & Off-Road intern (forgot his name, but he helped Fred bring the red Avalanche pickup they built in the magazine last year), Greg Musseman who is sponsored by Bilstein has the black shirt with the flames on back, next is the back of Randy Ellis in the blue windbreaker (builder, owner of Randy Ellis Designs and RCAA competitor), Rick Péwé the editor of 4 Wheel & Off-Road is holding another Corona, TTC Judge Tim Hardy has the Warn hat and the big red moustache, then there's me in the tan vest, TTC Judge and builder of the Scorpion Soni Honegger wearing an OD Green shirt, and next to him Tim Hardy's wife. Missing from the picture are technical writer and drawing guru for Four Wheeler Ned Bacon and Chis Collard, photographer and writer for 4 Wheel Drive & Sport Utility.
http://home.comcast.net/~ecksjay/moabapril01.jpg
Chris Collard took some great pictures of a trip we did this year up Killer Kane, a trail rarely known and used, for very good reasons...it is scary. Hopefully he'll get them on the mag sometime soon.

Later,