The plan is to put a Dana 44 whole front axle with disk brake kit in front, but use the Ford 8.8 rear axle in the rear. Both axles to be fitted with air-lockers and 4.88 gear ratios. Four link suspension in the rear and old Bronco suspension in front - except for the airbags that are to be used both front and rear.

My main project at the moment. This is a continuous story of the project. It is now getting closer to ready so - check out the process...

More pictures and descriptions are here.

49 Inch Modified Patrol/Chevy
Time has come to take away manufacturing faults of this otherwise fine automobile. Common 44 inch modification was not quite up to par. Engine and driveline (mostly front wheel bearings) proved to small and to weak.

Canadian River Sand Drags
This long time traditional event is now under severe scrutiny. Generations of people have come to recreate at the Canadian river just north of Amarillo; with motorized vehicles of every conceivable configuration.

Dodge W200 1977 Project
Back in 1995, I bought this M880 truck from a merchant. The trucks this man sold, were all former U.S. army material. “M880” is the military designation of a 1977 Dodge W200.

 

ARTICLE
 

Camp Stoves Demand Respect
http://www.opentrees.com

Two in a Series of Five Camping Gear Care Articles

I love home cooked meals, hot and fresh, prepared with care. It gives me more energy and keeps me healthy. The same is true when I’m camping. Ever try to live on Trailmix or Powerbars ® for 3 days? B-O-R-I-N-G. You should cook culinary delights on a well-maintained camp stove. Here’s how to make sure you can.

Don’t wait until you’re on the trail.

I test my stove before the camping trip. I make sure it works at home where I’m only a phone call away from the store or manufacturer.

If it’s a new camp stove, I boil water with it. This way I get used to its functions and find out what its quirks are.

• Is it difficult to prime?
• Is it stable?
• Does it need a windscreen?

This will give me a good idea of what to expect when I’m camping. It’ll also burn off the protective oils and coatings.

Bill S. from http://www.trailspace.com suggests: “If you time the boil time when the stove is new or just overhauled, you can get an idea of how close to needing an overhaul it is. A longer boil time can indicate that things need attention. The test should be standardized. For example, fill the fuel bottle to the full line, pump 20 strokes (or 30 or whatever the manufacturer recommends), use the same pot each time, filled to the same level, and so on. Important thing is to do the test consistently.”

If it’s an old camp stove, I’ll know if it needs repair. There is nothing worse than getting to the campsite and having to come back because your stove is broken.

Use the ideal fuel.

If my camp stove uses multiple fuels, and the manufacturer recommends one type over another, I always use the preferred fuel. Using alternative fuels can clog the burner or shorten the life of the camp stove. Only use alternative fuels if the recommended fuel isn’t available.

The wrong fuel can ruin your stove. (For a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of fuels go to: http://www.opentrees.com/camping-gear-tips-fuel-chart.htm). If fuel has a funny odor, debris, or sludge at the bottom of it, I assume it has been contaminated, dispose of it properly, and get fresh fuel.

Water (from condensation, typically) and debris can clog a fuel line. I use a fuel funnel outfitted with a small screen to pre-filter fuel, and check inside for water and debris before filling my fuel containers.

If you use disposable fuel canisters please try to recycle them, if not, dispose of them per the instructions on the can. Remember: Leave No Trace! Pack it in. Pack it out.

Tip: recheck your fuel containers before you leave. Murphy’s Law dictates that full fuel containers become mysteriously empty on the trail.

Get spare parts and a maintenance kit. Learn to use them.

Again, home is the best place to try things out. Practice using the repair kit in this controlled environment. Get used to changing those tiny o-rings in proper lighting, not when you are shivering and hungry in the wilderness.

NEVER OPERATE A BROKEN STOVE. IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY.

I clean my stove after each camping trip. A properly cared for stove can literally give decades of service.

Tip: Read the directions that come with your stove and maintenance kit. They have a lot more details about your particular stove than I can cover here.

Store your camp stove properly.

While camping, I store my camp stove and fuel away from food (in a side pocket of my pack). Many camp stoves come with padded sacks or special stove cases for this purpose.

After camping, I store my camp stove separately from the fuel, especially liquid fuels. When I’m done with my trip I remove all the fuel canisters from my gear. Leaking fuel canisters can ruin a pack or other nylon materials.

Having a camp stove is vital to your culinary camping enjoyment. Keep your stove working and keep yourself in good health. You’ll be glad you did.

Kirby Kinkead is a camper, backpacker, and outdoor enthusiast. Buy camp stoves and other camping gear at his website: http://www.opentrees.com/catalog/idx1.htm or call (866) 270-3062. Contact him by email: kirbykinkead@opentrees.com.

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