Help guide my new book...

[5-90]

Swappology. I'm working now on a "junkyard warrior's" guide to Jeep modification and repair, and I'm looking for input.

The ideas behind my books have shifted slightly - while I'd still accept any input that may be geared toward revisions and updates of my Power Manual, now that my name's out there, I want to start getting ideas for inclusion.

So, if you were going to buy a book like this, what would you like to see in it? Post here, post in my JeepPower group (groups.yahoo.com/group/JeepPower,) email to JeepI6Power@yahoo.com, or chat with me online (if I'm at my desk) using Growph via either Yahoo! or MSN/Hotmail (don't email those addresses tho - I don't check them. I just wanted a "unified chat ID...")

Several of you have bought my Power Manual, and been happy with it. While I'm also working on updates to that, I want to know what you'd like to see in the next book. Help guide this book into something you'd really like to get...

Jon "5-90" Kelley

[2000xjclassic]

I would like to see a list with at least all the jeep engines, transmissions, transfer cases(including gears that could be found in them and maybe lengths and over all dimensions) and which came stock with which stock and what can be easily put together.
It would be nice if you could do the same thing for other manufacturers (ford, chevy, toyota, ...)

Just some ideas

Chris

[karstic]

Jon are you looking for swaps that are XJ/MJ specific?

[casm]

I'd like to see specs for factory XJs and MJs - displacement, gearing, exterior dimensions, etc. Basically all the stuff that would've been in a brochure at the dealer. While this may sound unrelated, it really helps in working out a baseline for where you're trying to get to.

[5-90]

Jon are you looking for swaps that are XJ/MJ specific?

Nah - I'll take anything. Granted, I tend to have an XJ/MJ-centric view of things, but there's no reason I can't open things up a bit...

2000xjclassic - already planned. Anything else in mind? I'm also trying to open lines of communication with Dana, Magna Drivetrain (they bought New Process/New Venture Gear,) and anyone else that might be involved. If I can get archival information from Ford (Ford 8.8"/9" and such) and Chrysler (ChryCo 8.25"/9.25" and such) and maybe GM (10-bolt/12-bolt) that will expand things even more.

I'm trying to not run into the problem that Eric Zappe did - his publisher put a "hard" 144-page limit on him. I'm publishing and printing myself to avoid that. Yeah, it's a little more work for me (OK, a lot more!) but I think it's worth it, and when you read the book, I'm hoping you will as well.

I'll be putting up a tentative outline at JeepPower (groups.yahoo.com/group/JeepPower) and probably here as well - maybe in other fori while I'm about it. The more input I get for ideas, the better this book will be!

I'm sure the core of it will be XJ/MJ-centric at first, but I don't plan to keep it that way (the only reason I don't have a "Universal" is because I haven't built one yet...)

5-90

[5-90]

I'd like to see specs for factory XJs and MJs - displacement, gearing, exterior dimensions, etc. Basically all the stuff that would've been in a brochure at the dealer. While this may sound unrelated, it really helps in working out a baseline for where you're trying to get to.

Working on a chart that I'm deriving from FSM data. Why do you think I've been collecting them?:greensmok

5-90

[casm]

Working on a chart that I'm deriving from FSM data. Why do you think I've been collecting them?

Because you like big, weighty, technical tomes that make excellent door stops in gale-force winds? :D

Good to know, though. I've been looking for a book with exactly that information for a while, so you're probably got at least one purchaser waiting in line ;)

[5-90]

Because you like big, weighty, technical tomes that make excellent door stops in gale-force winds? :D

Good to know, though. I've been looking for a book with exactly that information for a while, so you're probably got at least one purchaser waiting in line ;)

Half marks - I just like big, weighty, technical tomes. I also like gale-force winds, so I tend to keep the door open anyhow!;)

Essentially, the three books I'm working on are to fill a niche that I've seen in looking around - there's a void in Jeep Tech like this, and I'm working to fill it. I'm not looking to get rich doing it (although it would be a nice side effect - and would help to pay for school!) but it's just something that I think needs doing.

Check our rolls - there are enough XJ/MJ enthusiasts here to make my third book potentially worthwhile. Check around - there are enough Jeep enthusiasts to make the other two worthwhile. And, since DCX is cutting the balls off of Jeep, we're going to need more information to keep the old ones running well, don't you think?

5-90

[rocklandxjer]

since its a "junkyard warriors" book. id suggest a chapter on ways to determine whether or not certain parts are worth while to swap

ie. listing many of the most swapped parts, and identifying ways to tell whether they are in good condition, or are easily made to good condtion. as well as things to check to avoid buying things that, altough they appear to be in good shape, may be too worn to use safely.

a real in depth section on this would help those who search in the junkyards determine whether or not certain parts that they are "iffy" about are worth buying, and whether or not others can be "Restored"

just a thought

[5-90]

since its a "junkyard warriors" book. id suggest a chapter on ways to determine whether or not certain parts are worth while to swap

ie. listing many of the most swapped parts, and identifying ways to tell whether they are in good condition, or are easily made to good condtion. as well as things to check to avoid buying things that, altough they appear to be in good shape, may be too worn to use safely.

a real in depth section on this would help those who search in the junkyards determine whether or not certain parts that they are "iffy" about are worth buying, and whether or not others can be "Restored"

just a thought

And a good one! Wonder why I have all the engineering and machining references around here...?

That's why I'm constantly collecting information, and exactly the sort of ideas I'm looking for. Even if I had thought of it already, how the idea is presented to me may present another facet I hadn't considered previously - all of our minds work differently...

5-90

[IH8RDS]

A section on Junkyayd Gems. Parts that even if you dont need but you come across it in a yard you are obligated to buy. Possiably a steerable Dana60 and what they "most likley" can be found in.

[XJLaredo]

I would think with all the disc brake swap questions on here all the time, that would be a very informative section. Like wich rigs will work and what other parts are also recomended to change in the proccess.

[2000xjclassic]

I thought of a few more suggestions:
It would be nice to have a list of reasonable prices for different things from the junkyard.
Also overall dimensions of different jeeps with line drawings of them.

Good Luck
Chris

[5-90]

I thought of a few more suggestions:
It would be nice to have a list of reasonable prices for different things from the junkyard.
Also overall dimensions of different jeeps with line drawings of them.

Good Luck
Chris

The difficulty with the first item is regional - what is "reasonable" out here, for instance, would be "outrageous" in, say, Illinois.

You also have to deal with relative scarcity - body panels out here (especially lower panels) will be in better shape than body panels where they use sand in the wintertime, which will be better than where they use salt. Coming up with a pricing model for the entire nation would be virtually impossible - even coming up with regional pricing would be difficult, at best.

As for the second, I'd already planned on working on something like that. I haven't had a half chance to look for line drawings yet, but I've been compiling dimensions from manufacturer literature and sources I consider "reliable" - which do not include Chilton's or Haynes...

Keep 'em coming!

5-90

[Wayne Sihler]

The difficulty with the first item is regional - what is "reasonable" out here, for instance, would be "outrageous" in, say, Illinois.

You also have to deal with relative scarcity - body panels out here (especially lower panels) will be in better shape than body panels where they use sand in the wintertime, which will be better than where they use salt. Coming up with a pricing model for the entire nation would be virtually impossible - even coming up with regional pricing would be difficult, at best.

As for the second, I'd already planned on working on something like that. I haven't had a half chance to look for line drawings yet, but I've been compiling dimensions from manufacturer literature and sources I consider "reliable" - which do not include Chilton's or Haynes...

Keep 'em coming!

5-90


For drawings and specs look for information that the Body shops and Front alignment shops use.I-Car is one source IIRC, for specs.
Wayne

[5-90]

Yep - did a year in a body shop. Since that stuff is relatively easy to sort, I was just saving it for later...

5-90