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DHappel

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Posts posted by DHappel

  1. May MORG!!!

    in NCLR Scheduled Trips and Event Information

    Posted

    6 hours ago, CRYA said:

    There should be some good snow up there still, after this last storm. I can't make it but am hoping to duplicate the trip in early June with some friends so I'll definitely be interested in @SDS input/feedback on the Signal Peak trail. 🏔️🏔️🚙

    Yes, the snow is worrying.  Until this last storm I was pretty sure this would be a cakewalk but now....IDK

     

  3. May MORG!!!

    in NCLR Scheduled Trips and Event Information

    Posted · Edited by DHappel

    *edit*

    Normally the first Sat would be the MORG, but with that also being Mother's Day, I'm going to push this one back one week, so May 14th

     

    The plan is to run a 2-fer:

    For the mild to moderately built trucks, we'll run Signal Peak trail   http://4x4trailmaps.com/4x4Trails.php?Trail_ID=82

    This is a trail suitable for most Rovers, though for stock I would suggest running the trail 'backward' to the top then back down.  If we have anybody interested in that route we can make it happen, but the main plan will be to follow the trail the 'normal' directly starting from the trail head just off I80 at the Eagle Lakes exit.   I would recommend 32" AT or MT tires (some sharp rocks), sliders, diff guards, and preferably a rear locker though we can always winch/pull you through the few tough spots if needed.

    For the more seriously built trucks, we have the option of running Fordyce trail to the first water crossing and back.   http://4x4trailmaps.com/4x4Trails.php?Trail_ID=32

    For this, I would suggest at a minimum a rear locker, 33" tires, full armor, and a working winch as well as appropriately built running gear and suspension.  Though this won't take you to the 'hard' parts of Fordyce, it will still take you to Driveline Hill and Sunrise Hill.  Getting back up Sunrise can be a challenge and there is no bypass.

    Both trails start from the same point:

    https://goo.gl/maps/5kcxtnaR1usPdbjp7

    There is a popular campground just before the trailhead (Indian Springs) however I believe it doesn't officially open until Father's Day.  However dispersed camping anywhere along the trail is always open.  For those that do want to camp, I would suggesting starting down the Fordyce trail a bit until you find a suitable spot.  The first part of the trail is easy enough for stock Rovers.

    The plan will be to meet at the trailhead at 9:30 and roll out at 10:00.  I expect I'll be driving the LR3 and will lead the Signal Peak group, so if we have some people wanting to do the Fordyce run for more challenge we'll need a trail leader.  There is some slim chance I'll put the D1 back together before this and if so I may bring it and lead the Fordyce group.

    As always, we'll run simplex 146.460 for those with radios.  I don't believe there is any good repeater coverage in the area.  Cell service is fair as I recall.  You can always try my cell at 510-825-5056

    If you have any question, drop me a PM. - - - Hope to see you out there!

  5. Wrenching day - Saturday - Walnut Grove

    in NCLR Scheduled Trips and Event Information

    Posted

    It seems like I haven't done anything Rover related in ages - time to get back on the horse.  And what better way to get back in the swing than by hosting a wrenching day to help out a few folks.

    Currently planning to have Paul's LR4 up for fluids, trans filters, and any mods needed to clear his new larger tires before the big overland Mojave trip.  Also planning to do front struts on an RRS for Mario if his parts arrive in time.   So the lift will be occupied for most of the day, but there will still be space, tools, and people with (hopefully!) know-how on hand to help you with your project, or just come to hang out, drink a beverage, and maybe learn something.

    Start 9AM until whenever people leave.

    Location - Don's shop in Walnut Grove.  If you haven't been up here feel free to ping me for the address.  "Conveniently Located" between the bay and sac areas so everybody can come by!  :)

     

  6. Spotted!

    in General Discussion Forum

    Posted

    On 12/15/2021 at 1:05 PM, Motz_the_lr3 said:

    Its the other Safeway on Calvine and Elk Grove Florin (as you can see the street sign on the picture) but i guess thats technically sacramento 

    Just messing around - I didn't look that close but actually it doesn't look like the Safeway on Laguna in that shot anyway.

  7. 2022 Annual Shaver Lake Snow Run

    in NCLR Scheduled Trips and Event Information

    Posted

    I think Eric summed it up pretty well - totally condition-dependent.   I've done the whole trail to the top in my LR3 in 45 minutes when it's dry out.  Other times I haven't even gotten to the actual trailhead in my Disco on 37s.

    Far too early to make any predictions yet!

    I'm planning to be there but I also have a work commitment that's roughly the same time depending on (literally) when and where the ship comes in.  I haven't missed one of these runs in years and don't want to start now but that's just the way things are these days.

    109 build

    in Modifications and Fabrication

    Posted

    On 12/10/2021 at 1:34 PM, astateofmike said:

    @DHappel  talk to me about: "But with Chevy 63s in the rear and 54s in the front."

    I may need new leaves...would you share thoughts on this subject?

    The major limitation of a stock leaf spring Rover (from what I know anyway) is the short leaves that limit flex.  The chevy 63" leaf is a very common swap in the general crawling world as they were offered in lots of load ratings on everything from 1/2 to 1-ton trucks.  The 54" springs are less popular but still have lots of options.  

    I'm modeling this on Timm Cooper's yellow "Dino".  He did the frame for me and configured it the same as his.  I'll run lighter springs than him though.  He tows/hauls with his truck where mine will be a crawler first.  Having wheeled with him, I can see his springs are too stiff for maximum flex. He knows that and is talking about swapping to a lighter spring as well but doesn't want to give up load capacity.

  14. Spotted!

    in General Discussion Forum

    Posted

    On 12/10/2021 at 10:13 PM, Motz_the_lr3 said:

    Spotted at Safeway in Elk Grove

    IMG_1458.jpg

    No I know you're just making things up - there's absolutely nowhere to park a truck and trailer at that Safeway!  Saturday I had my trailer behind Vandingo heading up to Placerville to pick up my frame and I circled the lot like 3 times trying to find a spot to park so I could run into AutoZone for some parts for work this week.  Saw another gut with a trailer doing the same thing!

    109 build

    in Modifications and Fabrication

    Posted

    10 hours ago, Jethro said:

    Well that's up to Don to name...but, I don't hate it!

     

    My kids want ours to be named "Indy"...🤷‍♂️

    Michele wasn't in love with the LeftRovers thing.  She wanted to go with something like "CASH" as a reference to the Johnny Cash song 'one piece at a time' in which the guy steels parts from the Cadillac assembly line he works on for years until he finally has enough stuff to build his own car.  When he goes to the DMV and they ask what year it is he says "it's a '59, '60, '61, '62...."  I like the reference but can't go that way as it sounds too much like some looser talking up how baller he is.  As for now, I don't have a name.  I really never did name my cars until the hello-kitty van.  Now I have had that, Vandingo, and RokRovr.  I suppose I may have to name this one as well.  Going to have to find something that will fit on a license plate.  But there's plenty of time for that!

     

    109 build

    in Modifications and Fabrication

    Posted · Edited by DHappel

    This will be more of a place-holder until the actual construction gets underway sometime next year.

     

    Those that follow my IG or the various whatsap chats will know I've started collecting bits for a 109 build.  This will be the eventual replacement for my D1.  I feel like I've taken the D1 as far as I realistically can while keeping it street legal and wanted to move to a pre-smog platform with more wheelbase and room for larger tires and axles. 

    To that end here's what's going on:

    I've sourced an early 109 frame and sheet metal from various series 2s to build a pickup front.  Unless a hi-cap truck bed falls in my lap I'll be building my own custom trayback.  That has several advantages in that it eliminates tire fitment issues and worries about damaging bodywork.  On the down-side, it doesn't look as good as the stock sheet metal.  

    Powertrain is an iron block 6.0 LS and 4L80 trans (already have these).  Simple and robust.  I'll do a mild cam and a quick top end refresh on the motor but otherwise it will be stock as I don't need more power and want to keep the power right down at the bottom of the RPM range anyway.  

    Transfercase is a Toyota HF2a converted to part-time 4wd.  Already have that as well.  It will be mated to a Northwest Fab Black Box doubler that will also serve as the adapter between the Yota case and GM trans and give me a decent spread of gearing options.  The BB has been ordered but isn't expected until late Janurary.

    Axles - I went round and round on this one thinking everything from junkyard superduty to custom build off the shelf Dana60 based stuff to portals.  But in the end I decided to go with Salisburys modified with Dana 60 ARB lockers and custom ChroMo 35 spline shafts.  I'll run drive slugs in front instead of locking hubs.  I'll be using Forbyn Brothers billet outers and Willwood brakes with toyota 100-series CVs in the swivel balls.  Staying with the stock Rover 5x6.5 bolt pattern to keep it looking more Rover.

    I may actually build the trayback to accommodate a very minimalist hard shell RTT with built-in protection to keep it from dying in the rocks.  It would have to be mounted no higher than the cab but if done right won't be too much of a detriment in terms of weight and balance. 

    Suspension will be leaf, at least for a while.  But with Chevy 63s in the rear and 54s in the front.

    Wheels are DirtyLife 17x9 beadlocks.  Tires are Mickey Thompson BajaPro XS 40x13.5x17

     

    There's still a TON to be sorted and procured before this really gets off the ground but the shop is filling up with parts about as fast as my bank account is dwindling.  Today I just picked up the tires; the bodywork is all here; the frame is waiting on me to pick it up; the powertrain is here other than the BlackBox; wheels should be arriving around the 1st.  I still have to decide on everything from engine management (stripped down stock ECU and harness I already have or Holly Terminator?) Gauges (restored/mod'ed stock, retro analog, or digital?) Seating (stock or upgrade to suspension?)....The list is never-ending.  This is literally starting from nothing but a bunch of left-over parts so it's going to be a 100% from scratch build.  And I'm sure it's going to take me a LONG trim so don't expect to see RokRovr up for sale any time soon!

     

    Assuming everything comes together the way I hope it does, I'd love to submit this for UA in a couple years.  From what I've heard from Harry, Vern, etc, the best way to get invited is to have "not a Jeep" - ie something interesting.  They've said they'd love to have a Rover on the trip one day so maybe this will be the one!

     

    As I noted at the top, my IG - @donhappel is where I post most of my things, but that's also full or all sorts of random crap.  I'll try to put more details here as things progress.

    D2 Modifications to run the Rubicon

    in Modifications and Fabrication

    Posted · Edited by DHappel

    Old thread but I haven't been around the forum much recently.

     

    Sliders are a 100% must-have.  You will absolutely hit them on a trail like the Rubicon.  Don't skimp out and get something flimsy or you'll find your doors don't open by the end of the trail.

    Gearing as well - you're "only" going to 33s, but that's still quite a bit bigger than stock.  People will say 'I have plenty of power, I don't need gears'.  Ignore advice from anybody who tells you that as clearly they've never spent much time on technical trails.  Remember it's rock CRAWLING - Deeper gears give you FAR more control on this sort of trail.  The side-benefit is you'll still have some power on the street!  If you're going to be doing lockers you're already there so might as well do gears.   As far as what ratio, I'd have to look into that as I haven't planned a 33" truck.  On trail, you can't have enough gear but for a dual-purpose street/trail truck you have to make compromises.  But I'd look for a crawl ratio in the 40s as 'doable'.  

    Also for the D2 I'd consider a rear bumper and gas tank skid critical.  That long overhang will drag a lot.  Again, you want something robust or you'll just shove it up into the bodywork the first time you take the drop coming out of the gatekeeper into the bowl.

    I can't really help you with parts as I'm a D1/Defender/RRC guy.  But people like Robert and Eric are well versed in D2.

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