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Reader Rant
First International Scout Ever on a 4WOR Cover
Reader: Regarding Chris Pearson's article on the IH Scout Traveler ("Last of the Scouts," May '09), what is the expected level of "attention to detail" from the typical IH owner? In fact, seeing as how I have never seen Mr. Pearson at any IH event and I have been to countless, what does the typical IH owner look and act like? If you folks were looking to make friends and influence people in the IH community you are going about it all wrong. I would suggest visiting an IH event and talking to the IH owners; we are anything but typical.
Bruce Shealy
Member, Southeastern Binder Association and www.binderplanet.com
Editor: Yeah, I'm fully aware of what the typical IH owner looks and acts like. I'll make sure I clue Chris in on this. You're right: IH owners are anything but typical.
Ultimate Adventure Idea
Reader: I just had an epiphany! I have a great idea for this year's Ultimate Adventure. Since McNulty is resurrecting the Ultimate Taco, why not have everyone on the staff bring back one of the old UA vehicles (one per staff member) and then see whose revived rig can wheel the best in a friendly competition on the UA? I know that Pw still has the M38-A1, so that can be his. Why not let Mansour do the Super Duty, and Fred can try to salvage the yellow K10, if there's anything left of it after Pw's little Moab trip. As for the FJ Ninja Turtle, I know it's slated for the scrap heap. Maybe you could let me wheel the Ultimate Z71, since this was my idea. What do you say?
Andy Black
Warner Robbins, GA
Editor: Wow, are you psychic? We had the same idea, then realized there wouldn't be room for readers on the trip, just us. So we decided that Kevin McNulty would build up the Super Duty (the story starts on page 68). That way, more readers and more fun! Make sure to follow the buildup as well as the Ultimate Adventure coverage in the November and December issues.
Hospital Rate Hijinks
Reader: Your Hospital Rate editorial in the April issue (4xForward) seemed somehow as if the inmates at a leper colony were making healthy visitors jealous of their infections. With my `66 Deuce, `42 Flatty, and `94 Blazer scoring (barely) 100 percent, feelings of inadequacy wash over me. My backyard now seems unpresentable, as there are no piles of parts beckoning nor rusting time sponges to be resurrected. Perhaps a visit to Craigslist is in order.
Richard Venola
Editor, Guns & Ammo magazine
Tujunga, CA
Editor: Hmmm, 100 percent? You are one sick puppy. The idea is not to have that high a rate, even though we strive for it. Remember, it's the journey, not the destination. Go buy some rusty relic and we'll help you wheel it.
OBD-II Nightmares
Reader: Thanks for your great mag. Regarding "Junkyard Treasures," we put an '01 Cherokee 4L with OBD-II in our CJ-8. Absolutely, get the original wiring harness, and as much in one piece as possible. If you intend to pass smog, you will also need the instrument console. It holds a computer that reads engine computer messages and lights the MIL ("check-engine") light in the dash. You will have to mount this second computer, or hide it and snake out the light. Also, you will need all the sensors in the smog system, down to the fuel-level sensor in the gas tank. The engine computers for automatic and manual transmissions are different and will throw codes if they need and don't find the transmission computer. OBD-I systems (pre-1996 or so) may be a more friendly option for many readers.
The factory service manual for the donor vehicle was also a huge help.
Glenn Biasi
Reno, NV
Editor: Right you are. Don't miss the OBD-II story starting on page 62.
Fireball!
Reader: I really enjoyed Fred Williams' article on grinders ("Uncle Freddy's Fab Farm," July '09). I especially liked the safety references directed at where the sparks may be going. I recall a couple of years ago when I was cutting out the old rusty floorboards in my '76 CJ-5. The Jeep originally came with a six-cylinder but was converted by a previous owner to a 304 V-8. The six-banger fuel lines run along the right framerails and were not moved for the V-8 conversion. It was dark when I fired up the cut off tool. The sparks were really flying when suddenly I smelled gas. I stopped cutting and looked down at my feet. I was standing in a puddle of gas about 5 feet in diameter. I obviously had cut through the fuel line. I was very lucky that the gas didn't ignite. So, everyone, please be sure of your surroundings when using a grinder or torch.
Ray vanBuren
Shelby, NC
Editor: That's a good lesson to old and new fabbers. Simple mistakes like this can have disastrous consequences. Thanks!