Reader: I was reading in U.S. News that Dana has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy. Is this going to have any impact upon the availability of Dana parts? Is it going to have any tangible ramifications for those of us who rely upon Dana products?
Brent Longbrook
Idyllwild, CA
Editor: Dana has been around since dirt. With all the OEs depending on the company for product, we highly doubt that Dana will disappear. The reorganization should make it a stronger, better company and not influence the supplies of parts Dana produces for our sport. For that matter, the amount of aftermarket parts available based on Dana designs is incredible, and that segment won't be disappearing anytime soon either.
Reader: In regard to your story "Aisin the Hole" (June '06), I did the AX15 conversion to my '87 Comanche about two years ago. When dealing with the tranny mounts, if you unbolt the mount from the crossmember and flip it over, it will fit perfectly. My AX15 came out of a '91 Cherokee. They were both 4.0L Jeeps so I didn't have to modify anything. I got the tranny for $100 from a pull-it-yourself junkyard. It was the best thing I have ever done for my Comanche. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Andrew Davidson
St. Louis, MO
Reader: While skimming through your mag, I came across your "Why We Play with 4x4s" (Apr. '06) feature. Imagine my surprise when at the end of the feature (page 64), I find a picture of my favorite rock band's singer 'wheeling in his first-gen Bronco with the caption "Sweet Bronco." Were my eyes deceiving me, or was Wayne Static of Static-X in attendance at round two of the Cheap Truck Challenge? If not, someone more than ripped off the paint job, decal work, and custom bumper of his Bronco.
Evan Anderson
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Editor: No, your eyes are fine. Wayne wheels with us every once in a while when he can get away and when we can too, which is hardly ever. Or never.
Reader: In the June '06 issue, Trevor Reed's article on the '07 Chevrolet Tahoe shows that Mr. Reed is obviously ignorant of the superiority of the design advantages of IRS on a vehicle. Live rear axles have no place on a modern-day vehicle. They are fine for trucks or strictly off-road vehicles, but these large SUVs, for the most part, never see any off-road driving. The advantages of IRS make a big difference in every day driving and handling on any vehicle.
This is only one area where General Motors continues to be behind the times. It took them two or three years to start using rack-and-pinion steering but they continue to open their valves with pushrods which is 1950's technology. Are there any other manufacturers still using pushrod engines beside GM? And they wonder why they are losing millions of dollars every year.
Mr. Reed, go drive a new Ford Expedition and a Chevrolet Tahoe over a rough road at high speed and tell me that the Ford doesn't ride and handle better with the IRS.
Bob Purves
Metairie, LA
Editor: Sorry, Bob, you are dead wrong. You even admitted it yourself. You said that IRS has superiority in design advantages. Yes, it may, but communism is superior in design advantages too, but it also fails miserably in the real world. Then, you admitted it again when you note that IRS makes a big difference in everyday driving and handling of any vehicle. Yes, IRS makes a big difference over solid-axle design, but that difference is a negative when off road, which we drive every day. And pushrod technology is bad? That's why racers use that system, because it's so unreliable and weak. Yes, we'll send Mr. Reed across the wilds of Baja at speed in both an Expedition and a Tahoe, and see which one makes the full 1,000 miles. It's our bet he better take the Tahoe first.
Reader: I 'm guessing you guys are somewhat like myself, and do not regularly watch Dr. Phil. Since my wife complained about me enough to get us on the show, I found a way to get a product shot on a most unlikely show for 4x4 fans. If you can, take a look at the April 10 episode titled "Settle This" and notice the shot of my preferred reading material 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine, instead of Dr. Phil books, and you may get a kick out of it. Just thought you may enjoy seeing your mag in a most unlikely place. Keep up the great work on the mag, and if you can, let me know what you think.
Kevin Matson
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Editor: Unfortunately we couldn't find a way to see the show, since most of us don't watch TV, have a TV, or have the time to watch TV. We wheel instead, and appreciate the fact that you took us along for the touchy-feely show. We can't imagine why your wife would complain about you reading our mag, and hope Dr. Phil took care of her issues.
Reader: I wanted to thank you for listing www.samuraisalvage.com in the June issue of 4-Wheel & Off-Road. It was listed in the "Other Junk" section on page 50 under the heading of Suzuki. I would like to make a correction to the listed phone number. My correct phone number is 641.751.2468. Thanks in advance for listing the correction in a future issue, and thanks for having the number one 4x4 magazine on the market!
Rod Reyerson
via 4wheeloffroad.com