May 2, 2009
by Ray
0 comments
Found a great deal on a set of grab handles over on the JK-Forum message board!
This weekend their having a basement builders sale – with products that members have put together. Going to get handles for the front, rear passengers that mount on the sport cage – and another pair that mount to the head rest posts, also for the rear seat passengers. Hears what they look like:
Will be fantastic!
Popularity: 5% [?]
May 1, 2009
by Ray
2 Comments
The Titan compressor arrived today – only 3 days to get here from Burlington, Ontario!.
In the box there was also another plastic case – containing a tire repair kit, that Duncan included at such a good deal that I couldn’t pass it up.
I tried it out after work today, and it worked very well – I’ll do some more tests to get a more accurate time estimate inflating the stock 32″ BFG’s from 16lbs to 32lbs. In my first test, it was about 2 minutes. I was amazed at how quiet it runs at – I guess I’ve been used to the noise of my Craftsman shop compressor ;^)
The air hose has a pressure gauge attached to it. When the air compressor was turned on, there was a slight hissing indicating a little bit of air loss. What concerns me more is the accuracy of the gauge. When reinflating the first time, I waited for the gauge to reach 32lbs – which was a little tricky with the scales marked on the dial. I did email Duncan who quickly replied, and acknowledged that the gauge isn’t all that accurate.
At each end of the c0mpressor are plastic air cleaners, which contain foam filters. The filters can be washed in the sink and then left to dry before re-installing. The compressor is an oilless style, and aside from periodic cleaning of the air filters, there is no other maintenance necessary.
The running time will vary a bit with the temperature. You can run the compressor for 30 minutes @ 72° F. It also has a thermal overload, which will off the compressor if it does overheat.
Looking forward to the peace of mind this piece of equipment will bring!
If you’re interested, check out the Titan Winch website, for more info on their compressors. I’ll be in the market for a winch soon too – they certainly have some attractively priced models here too!
Popularity: 7% [?]
April 26, 2009
by ray
0 comments
Well, not too impressed with that Waring WMK300 waffle maker that I bought. 3-4 months past its 1 year warranty, it died.
Opening it up, I discovered melted wire insulation, and scorch marks on the bottom stainless steel cover. Although this waffle maker made great waffles, it was a potential fire hazard that put my family and my home at risk!.
I went to do a review and report this on amazon, and came across another review where someone mentioned that the problem was with a thermal fuse. Figured what the heck – spent a couple bucks and tried to get it working, and with the help of a freind with some extra heat proof wire shielding, and my father-in-law, the waffle maker was producing heat again. Unfortunately, not enough heat, and no audible tones from the cooking timer.
So, this door stop of a waffle iron will be trashed, and we’ll replace it with another one. Definitely not a Waring! I wrote up a review that I posted to epinions.com about this experience as well.
Popularity: 1% [?]
April 24, 2009
by Ray
0 comments
viliv S5 and X70 - Supposed to be released Spring 2009
Gizmodo – Viliv S5 Lightning Review (Netbook, Meet MID) – Viliv s5 review.
Pretty cool I think, look forward to seeing them in a store somewhere. There’s another model, X70 I believe, that sports a 7″ screen.
I’ve been toying with the idea of putting together a PC based system with a touch screen, but the security of a Jeep, especially during the soft top seasons holds me back. These Viliv offerings seem to fill the bill quite well. Can’t wait to see one! Launch them already! lol
Would be awesome GPS for the Jeep!
Popularity: 5% [?]
April 21, 2009
by Ray
4 Comments
I’ve been looking into netting options for the JK – not a huge number available, but certainly enough variety. I’ve even been considering making my own!
From a few posts on different forums, there is certainly a significant amount of work that goes into the netting, so I believe there’s definitely an economy of scale when choosing to purchase it premade. On one forum, a guy mentioned that he paid around $150 in materials (webbing, and assorted hardware) to make his netting – but it required a significant amount of time to put together. Once finished, he had quite a bit of left over webbing however (I believe he started with a 100yd roll).
Ive come across 3 or 4 companies that make netting – and each one of them seem to fall into their own price point, and each has their own style.
DirtyDog 4x4
I came across some nice netting from a Canadian company, DirtyDog 4×4, and these look like a great deal. I’m ordering a set, and will do full review, as well as try and document the installation – with some photos. The DirtyDog netting is unique, in that it uses grommets, instead of stitching to create the net. Dirty Dog also has some very interesting mesh nets – designed to block 70% of the sun, while maintaining that open air feeling of cruising around with the top down.
I did find cheaper netting – but the straps were narrower, lighter weight, and they were spaced out much further than I cared for. Add to that a few negative forum posts from a few people that weren’t satisfied with their durability. They acknowledged that they got what they paid for – the least expensive netting they could find.
The most recent offering I came across was by COP4x4 in Arizona – pretty heavy duty – and the most expensive yet at almost $800USD for a completed set!!!. Personally, I think that is simply ridiculous. On the JK-Forums someone had posted a comment about Raingler pricing their netting with a little too much pride – this is simply outrageous!
Cop4x4 Cargo 'Nack'
They’re calling it a “Cargo Nack” – and its designed so that you actually attach your cargo to it. For a more dedicated off-road camping vehicle, these might make the most sense – but personally, I don’t like the reduced visibility of those 4″ webs.
Another manufacturer, Raingler, makes some nice looking nets, but the $450USD price tag is getting up there, especially once you start factoring in the exchange rate, duty, and shipping. They recently expanded their product lije with some new nets designed for adding cargo to. Their nets were what got me originally thinking about making my own… but not having a heavy duty sewing machine or rivet tool…
Raingler.com netting
Popularity: 6% [?]
April 18, 2009
by Ray
0 comments
Well, I ended up ordering a dual head Titan air compressor. It’s not a 100% duty cycle, but I think that it will do the job. For how long, we shall see.
The price seemed pretty reasonable – only $130 +$20 for shipping.
I’ll post back once it shows up, and I have a chance to test it out. Be interesting to see how long it actually takes to get aired back up!
Popularity: 4% [?]
April 16, 2009
by Ray
0 comments
Came across this after discovering the little dent in my bumper – poor guy!
However, he was fortunate that his insurance covered the damage (have to see what our policy covers!), and sounds like he’s getting his Jeep upgraded in the process! Talk about lucky!
Popularity: 5% [?]
April 12, 2009
by Ray
3 Comments
Went out on a “Newbie” run with the Edmonton Jeep Club yesterday, along with my son Davis, and my brother Ken. This was my 3rd run with the club – and definitely the largest turnout that I had seen. Apparently it was the largest EdmontonJeep run ever! The beautiful weather was certainly welcomed – had the top down on the run, and managed to get an early start on my sun-burnt nose!
DarrenK from the EJC forum took a pile of shots and posted them up over on Photobucket. Thanks for the pix Darren! Awesome shots!
Cyborg also posted a pile of photos on his blog – awesome shot of Pete’s CJ!
And here are some of the shots that my son, my brother, and myself took!
Meeting up in Darwell:
The staging area:
Popularity: 6% [?]
