Bottoms Up Rock Racing Pro Modified #515

[Happy Bear]

Since I lost my build thread I figured I would start a new thread to keep you guys updated on the status of the BURR Pro-Mod.

I worked my ass off over the winter tearing the entire truck apart, cleaning/inspecting/retorquing every bolt and piece. Replaced some tweaked tubes thanks to Appalachian Offroad, had the chassis powdercoated and reassebled everything just in time to take it down to Dayton TN for the WEROCK Eastern Nationals Series Opener.

Even though I worked hard over the winter lack of test time/preperatioin still got the best of us in Dayton which was really frustrating considering how many hours I put into this over the winter. The killer issues for Dayton were 2 items that were still on the to-do list when I got down there: bleed brakes and adjust transmission shifter.

With a broken bleeder on one rear caliper we discovered the caliper with the good bleeder was blown giving us next to no rear brakes. This was a killer because in WEROCK without having selectable lockers using front digs is critical. The transmission shifter had 2 bolts that came loose which caused the shifter to be very hard to operate; on one course I completely lost reverse and only had forward gear.

Sunday morning on our first course we took a large bonus drop and upon a clean landing an unprotected wire shorted on the firewall blowing a fuse ending our run. On the 2nd course after rolling of a bonus climb the rear main crank bearing seized from lack of oil.

After a trip to Condons Auto Parts I'm 3/4 of the way done swapping in a new motor and hope to finish up tonight so I can get some long distance testing time in this weekend in preperation for next weeks King of the Hammers qualifier.

I'm considering going out to Greenridge state park on Saturday to do 3-4 laps on their 18 mile trail. If anyone is interested in going out to do some testing/tuning with me this weekend speak up. If I go to Rausch I will need a second vehicle.

A shot from WEROCK Dayton:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_JgpRNeLEEoo/SfdPCs7DhxI/AAAAAAAAATA/4fag-L2CIVg/s512/happick1.jpg

[Z28YJ]

Sucks about the engine. I think I did similar damage to mine, although not quite as bad, when I rolled it over in the snow.

[phillyzj]

good luck man!

[Happy Bear]

Sucks about the engine. I think I did similar damage to mine, although not quite as bad, when I rolled it over in the snow.
Tell me about it, the internals look 100% perfect, you could just see some blue heat marks on the timing gear? cps gear? which is right up against the rear main crank bearing. Everything looks just fine but it is locked solid. Sucks its such a pita to replace one stupid bearing!

[Numidian]

So is it an engine oiling problem, where that engine is always going to starve for oil at X degrees? Or was it just shitty luck?

[Happy Bear]

The newer GM Motors need a lot of oiling work to be truly reliable for competition crawling.

The motor starts tapping once you put it on any serious incline but that is the front lifters getting starved. I was planning to add an accumulator to give me 45 seconds of run time one I am starving the pickup.

However, in this case I believe all the oil was at the top of the motor and the oil wasn't getting back down to the crank because gravity was keeping it in the top of the motor so an accumulator would not have saved the motor here. The buggy has been rolled ~12 times and continued to run after allmost all of them on the side or upside down trying to right ourselves. I'm just calling this one bad luck and hoping it doesn't happen again.

I will be watching for a used accumulator setup to grab up also.

[Happy Bear]

I'm going to work my ass off to install this new motor tonight. No one wants to go wheeling tomorow?

I'm thinking I'd prefer to go to Rausch if I can get a 2nd vehicle along with me.

[Happy Bear]

pffffhhh and I was hoping to be wheeling today.

I am having one hell of a time getting this motor installed, murphys law to the max.

I came home to cool off in the AC a little and go back with a fresh look at it. I see some LATE nights coming this week.

[Eric_N]

You working on it at all tonight?
If you want a hand give me a call 443-695-0297. This is Eric from RightCoast4x4 that had the 85 Toyota Extra-Cab.
Edit- I cant type, I had my # wrong before.

[Happy Bear]

Thanks for the offer Eric! I didn't see that though:confused: Have family stuff going on today of course so probably won't get to work on it.

[phillyzj]

done yet? :p

[Happy Bear]

yea......NOT

Pearson is staying up at my place this week since he is attending a conference in Baltimore all week. We definitly have some wrenching.....and hopefuly testing to do!

[Happy Bear]

Pearson is on his way up from Baltimore. Lets hope this thing is running and driving tonight!:popcorn:

[Happy Bear]

Install Motor......CHECK
8 millions odds and ends + test&tune........UNCHECK

We are about 30 minutes away from having a runner
Mount + fill radiator, fill steering, fill motor oil, instal hydro + cooling lines

[Numidian]

So I'm guessing you guys don't need any help tonight?

[Jack]

Stupid hobby.

[breakinshit]

We can always use the help.

[Happy Bear]

So I'm guessing you guys don't need any help tonight?
Yea man, we could definitly use the help if you're around.

Stupid hobby.
you ain't kiddin:D

[Numidian]

Yea man, we could definitly use the help if you're around.



Gimme a call or PM me when yall are gonna be working on it and I should be able to make it up there this evening

[Happy Bear]

We are HOSED..........

Umpteen hours getting the new motor running and everything ready and the freaking flex plate is bent bad.

The motor runs.....now the decision to sit the race out or BLOWD ER UP!

[Numidian]

We are HOSED..........

Umpteen hours getting the new motor running and everything ready and the freaking flex plate is bent bad.

The motor runs.....now the decision to sit the race out or BLOWD ER UP!

What if tomorrow night I pull that trans while you and Pearson keep working on the other stupid little shit?

[Happy Bear]

Decisions Decisions.......

Does anyone have experience with a bent flex plate, did it self destruct?

I'm considering just letting the bellhousing self clearance and running it. We are trying to evaluate the risk and the additional damage costs from self destruction.

It will undoubtdly trash the input bearing on the transmission, how hard is that to change?

[dan58]

Can't get a new flexplate?

[Happy Bear]

I have another flex plate its just you have to drop the trans to do this. Considering the size of the list of things we have left to do I don't think dropping the trans or pulling the motor will fit in there.....

AJ is suggesting we can change the flexplate without pulliing either but I don't think there is enough room.

[Brandon95yj]

IMO i would wnat a new flex plate.

If your noticing it is bent then it really is bent

[CrawfishStu]

You have the flex plate?

[Happy Bear]

You have the flex plate?
yep

[Z28YJ]

I've replaced a flexplate with the engine and trans still in the vehicle. You might be able to. Depending on how it is bent, you are likely to destroy the pump, converter, and possibly the input shaft. The transmission has to come about halfway apart to replace the input.

Whenever I install an engine or transmission, I always do the bellhousing bolts first, then bolt the converter to the flexplate. It prevents this type of situation.

[Happy Bear]

I've replaced a flexplate with the engine and trans still in the vehicle. You might be able to. Depending on how it is bent, you are likely to destroy the pump, converter, and possibly the input shaft. The transmission has to come about halfway apart to replace the input.

Thanks that is some of the info I was looking for, how far does it come apart to replace the bearing and pump, etc.

Whenever I install an engine or transmission, I always do the bellhousing bolts first, then bolt the converter to the flexplate. It prevents this type of situation.
I don't understand that is the way I installed it as well. Are you suggesting it got bent installing it? Most likely scenario is it started bending when we pulled the motor. Since the motor was locked solid we had no way to spin the flexplate and unbolt the convertor, so we just unbolted the bellhousing and pulled the motor off with the torque convertor attached. This probably started bending the plate then I installed uninstalled it a few times on the new motor and had to work it on and off the crank so this probably bent it worse. I find it hard to believe we stressed the flexplate enough to bend it but apparently WE DID!

[Numidian]

IMO i would wnat a new flex plate.

If your noticing it is bent then it really is bent

It's probably got an 1/8" back and forth wiggle...

[Brandon95yj]

It's probably got an 1/8" back and forth wiggle...

that would be enough to concern me

[Happy Bear]

that would be enough to concern me
Trust me, we're concerned:)

[blee1099]

Need some input from you & AJ.. Which ones do you guys like?

http://www.blee1099.com/images/burr_script.jpg


http://www.blee1099.com/images/burr_script_matt.jpg

[CrawfishStu]

I like style 5 on both and style 3 for Matt.

[CrawfishStu]

9's not bad.

[blee1099]

Yea me & AJ decided on number 9.. Matt if you want a different style let me know before the next event.

[Z28YJ]

Thanks that is some of the info I was looking for, how far does it come apart to replace the bearing and pump, etc.

I don't understand that is the way I installed it as well. Are you suggesting it got bent installing it? Most likely scenario is it started bending when we pulled the motor. Since the motor was locked solid we had no way to spin the flexplate and unbolt the convertor, so we just unbolted the bellhousing and pulled the motor off with the torque convertor attached. This probably started bending the plate then I installed uninstalled it a few times on the new motor and had to work it on and off the crank so this probably bent it worse. I find it hard to believe we stressed the flexplate enough to bend it but apparently WE DID!

There is very little to take apart to replace the pump. IIRC, you don't even need to pull the valvebody. I don't think it got bent installing, what I meant was that bolting the converter up to the flexplate right away will let you know there is a problem before you go through the rest of the trouble of installing the engine.

[el_flasko]

Sorry I couldn't make it up tonight Matt...just a little late for a guy that was just gonna stand there and get in your way :(

[Jack]

The wedding invite is gonna be nice.


Need some input from you & AJ.. Which ones do you guys like?

http://www.blee1099.com/images/burr_script.jpg


http://www.blee1099.com/images/burr_script_matt.jpg

[blee1099]

The wedding invite is gonna be nice.

lol.. Who's wearing the gown? :puke: :D

[Numidian]

I just got back to my house about 15 minutes ago.... The buggy is getting there slowly but surely.

[breakinshit]

Its alive!! KOH here we come.

[Ripster]

Awesome!!! Well done gentlemen!

[CoveJeepsXJ]

Its alive!! KOH here we come.

Sweet!!!

See you guys this evening.

[Happy Bear]

Thanks to the help of Brennan, Pearson and Dan we will be racing the qualifier! Thanks guys!

We are headed to the garage shortly, looks to be about 3 hours of work to wrap it up. Then off to pre-run

[TJgreg]

See you guys up there, and give it hell.

[MDMike]

See you guys up there, and give it hell.

X2!!!

[dan58]

Woohoo. It lives!

[54ford]

Good to hear ya got it running good luck tomorrow

[Happy Bear]

After a less then stellar perfromance I owe a huge thanks to Pearson, Dan, and Brennan for seeing that we made it to the start line......

After countless hours in the garage the last 2 weeks we swapped in a new motor and found the bent flexplates. We worked our asses off to get everything we could in tip top shape for the race, after 2 miles we had an electrical short which we repaired after Pearson hiked to the pits for a new battery. Then, within 500 yards the flexplate was bottomed out on the bellhousing preventing us from progressing any further.
This was incredibly dissapointing for the hours + $$ we put into making it to the race.

I really want to thank everyone who helped us make it to the race though, our commitment was huge and our relentless efforts remind me why we love this sport and put the time and $$ into making the events. Without friends and sponsors like you I wouldn't be in this.

[Numidian]

We'll get em next time. We had plenty of fun even if most of it was spent wondering when we'd see you guys come around the bend in the road LOL

[CrawfishStu]

Is that them?

[dan58]

Is that them?


:( how many times did we say that?

[MichaelMaxim]

There's always next time.

[el_flasko]

Next time Matt...

Numi filled me in on all the details, and it sounds like you guys went thru hell and back just to get there, then did it all over once you were there. Way to tough it out...

Hope you and AJ got the decals...I still need to grab a set for my jeep from you guys in the bigger size if you have one ;)

[dan58]

Cool pic on pbb.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=790017

[gr8whytyj]

Did you say that you blew another motor?

[Happy Bear]

Yea unfortunatly there was a problem with the new motor and it locked up with under an hour of run time.

Condon's Auto Parts is warrantying the motor, I have been busy with other stuff the past few weeks and haven't gotten the chance to replace the motor. The old one(can I call it that) is about out, I'm shooting to have it up and running by the end of the month still.

I bought a house in the begining of April but have pretty much neglected it to work on the buggy 24/7 instead. I'm taking a little time away from racing to get things like we want them in the house and waiting to go to another race until I have a few days of test and tune time to make sure nothing is going to explode.

[Jack]

Good to hear. Very smart. Looks like the racing game can really take over.

[Happy Bear]

It was a tough call and I am very dissapointed, but I think it will be for the best.

I live/breath this stuff and am very passionate about racing, it will be tough to watch RCROCS from the sidelines this weekend.

[Twiss]

Just don't let the house over take your hobby... I did, as the house projects are like Rig, you never stop...

Hope to see you out there next year....

[Happy Bear]

Oh I will be back out this year, just not this weekend. :)

I'm not really working on any projects on the house I just needed to work on some of the basics like getting furniture, blinds(some privacy will be nice!), a working washer/dryer.

I don't really enjoy working on the house like I do vehicles so I shouldn't get stuck in that trap. Building a mancave basement and a deck should be my only projects there.

[Mike]

Building a mancave basement and a deck should be my only projects there.

:lol::lol::lol:


Just wait...

:lol::lol::lol:

Instead of RCRocs, I'll be staining my deck since last friday's rain ruined that happening last weekend.

[Happy Bear]

Just wait...

:lol::lol::lol:

Instead of RCRocs, I'll be staining my deck since last friday's rain ruined that happening last weekend.
You don't know how much I like to race:flipoff2:

I'll be staining the deck by moonlight after I get in from the garage

[Twiss]

I said that once.. but something always comes up.... :mikey:

Hopefully things will settle down for me and I will make a slow come back to wheeling....

House + Wife + Baby = no time to work on rig or to wheel... (for me atleast)


When I was younger and single I wondered what happen to all the older guys, now I know...

[Happy Bear]

Well, since the Rausch Creek Qualifier I have replaced the motor.

I went out fourwheeling 7/13 and 14 at Rock Run with Dan and Rippy to do some test and tune. Got to do some high speed testing out there, which was a blast, the buggy hauls ass!

7/18 and 19 me and Pearson went up to Rausch Creek for some practice on the comp course. Things went pretty well that weekend bar having to tear the rear end apart Saturday night and drop the atlas out of the chassis Sunday morning.

Since then I have been doing lots of prep work to make sure the rig is in 100% condition for this weekends WEROCK Eastern Nationals Series Final in Dayton, Tennesse.

I was out at Appalachian Offroad last night finishing up the last of the work. Mike gave up his night with the family to help us get prepared. Appalachian Offroad has done so much for me with this vehicle I can't say thank you enough. Be sure to give them a call if you need any help with your rig or have the itch to build something bad ass! I hope Mike will post up about some of the projects they have been working on in the shop, they have some cool stuff going on!

Here are some pictures I snapped after cleaning the buggy up this weekend.
http://www.marylandcreepers.com/MCForums/attachment.php?attachmentid=133&stc=1&d=1248956686
http://www.marylandcreepers.com/MCForums/attachment.php?attachmentid=134&d=1248956642
http://www.marylandcreepers.com/MCForums/attachment.php?attachmentid=135&d=1248956648

[Happy Bear]

So with that, CJ and Pearson should be on the road to Tennesse with buggy in tow this morning.

I've gotta stick out one more day at work and I will be on the road tonight.

This is pretty exciting because this is one of the first NIGHT time rockcrawling events since I've been involved in the sport. The crowd in Dayton is always huge and this should go great.

Friday and Saturday night we will be broadcasting live video to our website www.bottomsuprockracing.com with coverage of the event. If you tune in Saturday afternoon before the event you may catch a glimpse of the mud wrestling, wet tshirt, and best booty contests that will be going on!!!!

[Twiss]

Good Luck.......

[gr8whytyj]

Good luck Matt, I wish I could have gone down there!

[Kack]

Good luck dude, Give em hell

[Appalachian Offroad]

The buggy looks to be in the best shape ever. Good luck.

[dan58]

How did you guys do?

[frosty]

How did you guys do?


We finished 8th in promod, waiting to see the final scores, didn't get a sheet before we left.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=808472

[Happy Bear]

First,
I want to thank everyone who made this weekend happen!

Teammates - Without friends like Pearson, CJ, Brennan, and Jeremy these events aren't possible. Anything I needed all weekend there was always someone willing to go grab it for you. I don't like the idea of having a pit crew and just telling everyone to run around and do everything for you but it makes the world of difference when you need to focus on the course at hand and juggling the 1,000 tasks that must be done to succeed.

Chris is always willing to work as hard as necesary to make sure we get through a course and even puts up with the frustration of me not listening on course in split second decisions. We are really starting to work a lot better together though and figuring out what we need to do to help each other.

Appalachian Offroad - Mike gave up his valuable time to help make sure I was prepared for the event, we had next to no mechanical issues all weekend.


Friday Night we scored:
21 on our first course
38 on #2, Crashed due to misscommunication - my error
-6 on the third course
31 on our last course that we ran as fast as possible to keep from overheating

Total: 84 points, 11th out of 12 going into the 2nd night of comp.

Saturday Night:
-3 on the first course, PERFECT score
-2 on the second course, ONE back
-11 on the third course, couple backs, made a bonus
Unfortunatly on the bonus drop we shattered a power steering pump bracket and had to take a 40 for the last course, so going into course 4 we were at -16 for the day!

The last 40 brought us to a total of 107 for the weekend in 8th of 12.

We are stoked!!!! We are THAT close to hanging with the best drivers and rigs in the country. The broken bracket and one driving error costed us 80 points, without those we would have been right there with the top 6 in the shootout.

Here are some Videos from the weekend.
Saturday Night:
A3: Perfect Run!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Br2P1-WhrM

A4:
This is the most intimidating climb I've ever attempted, of course the video makes it look weak, but this climb takes some serious balls. One shoted it with the perfect amount of momentum:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYCqiTXi300

A1: score of -11, has the bonus drop that broke the bracket
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cION5W9OrjA

[Numidian]

The comp was a great time! Just a few stupid mistakes and an unlucky break kept them out of the shootout...

[phillyzj]

sweet man :beer:

[Twiss]

Congrats.... Sounds like you have most everything worked out...

[Happy Bear]

Congrats.... Sounds like you have most everything worked out...
We are getting so close I can taste it. I knew it wasn't going to be overnight to become competitive in the promod class. Ok, maybe if I had closer to 100K to drop on a truck it could be much closer to overnight, but we are continually getting the rig closer and closer.

Last year was to get some experience on the pro level and learn a little from watching the guys who are getting it done. This year is to get used to driving the truck, dial in the suspension, and work out the rest of the bugs that haven't been fixed.

Hopefully by the first WEROCK next year we will be ready to get it on and commit to running the whole series.

Being spooled/spooled with stock steering angles is such a huge disadvantage. AFAIK we are the only team running a welded rear diff. Install an ARB + detroit this winter + individual wheel brakes = my chassis being twice as competitve :stir:

[breakinshit]

This weekend was awesome! Like Matt was saying we are so close it is ridiculous. On Sunday it was a great feeling to be turning out scores in the negatives on every course. That alone makes all the hard work and frustration this year worth it. A huge thanks goes out to CJ, Brennan, Jeremy, Stu, everyone else that has pitched in this year to keep us going and we cannot forget our sexy cheerleaders!

[Happy Bear]

B4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLepwK9Z6As

[el_flasko]

Nice job guys! Sorry I haven't been around to root for you more, but sounds like you guys are doing a damn good job!

[Happy Bear]

Chris replaced the broken bracket from WEROCK and brought the buggy up to RCROCS August 22nd.

We were first to go on our first course and there was a tough gate that most later competitors took the outside cone to avoid the tough line that I rolled over on here
http://vjrleq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pE5UnRe03nFhZU7qneqlV9itJZ6qlXfT9UbWJ3R-EuYxrpG-aQtIJXCPxUny5ZqMIKD2KZoe-WK8vVU6XyFUIfw/DSCF0369.JPG

On our second two courses we did well enough(11 and -13) to land in 6th place out of 12 advancing us to the shootout. In the shootout run we ran all 4 bonus lines only taking one gate and scored a -32 we moved up to 5th place for the day.

http://vjrleq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pMSuqbMD3CCizaHaMFLJHbAmXkj0M85RkxE_huWYmojYhSO3 G7RtBW9K0lTCRKZgVqHV0YIPgmDHW_5S8DDtllQ/DSCF0367.JPG
http://vjrleq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pldP9bmxz10vKsXzrqfwuRBe3cMV65UZIo1LyhkEO0nNW0Hv 4FE80PBAVSvDOCS338m6SzzO_WJ-zrIk5vAM4mQ/DSCF0392.jpg
http://vjrleq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pC3YA2Q7Ndgqapi457JXKYHI3AGtWVTOBkycTza09PHJILvT wkSsKPUmPBIfca-kvqtBHjDtGr5hCHqXq9NTi8A/DSCF0394.jpg
http://vjrleq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pTDzHIlNDWGxOcUDcRntjgC-XbZ8GDeH6l0SCwLVoblhPkeTa6TrxE4ZopuUEzNPsUkEk0zj-MSOY9PTPPHhbcA/DSCF0404.jpg
http://vjrleq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pg1xbHlcBnYyxYmgnHfkpdSh4GU9oKx0BO9XpeeZ3p96Y0vI OM1orLlz4ldqULVu96g4_1g2SL8fYJxQYkTm04Q/DSCF0409.jpg
http://vjrleq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pSBdtbE2p-O0-UNAg2Cx1mMUnSwbMszcywhDrDlaB9U2q7R5pU-8E-saDl-m3Rr1tAmA9-qytyoByyMdrkdJYRg/DSCF0418.jpg
http://vjrleq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pnPiLYKKCa3yWgDuMGB9qCPeRdSG9ELAu4-eoPBCr-MYxLJziytChD0cMcCeIHHPbKe6qQblyloceH2jNCS2Jgw/DSCF0442.jpg
http://vjrleq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1ppmVP2EoD9IBMo0wquNWVvcSbXvp1MLBJURXQgG4wvXY6F0G LicE-M1LyElFeNRo61wSxZeyHKdRf6BRvl1x7wQ/DSCF0447.jpg
http://vjrleq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1ptDDHOUwR_J9LbFrbvweydOFLVvLVMg7hMnRJOzuKR8KHyEt OTQuZxhezJ4z5Q13aPUDBrMTSpEVz-8ime5-JUA/DSCF0453.jpg
Thanks Alan for the pictures!

[Happy Bear]

After the event I was doing some wheeling and started intermitently losing R and 3 and there seemed to be a lot of heat from the transmision. I found some metal in the fluid so I dropped it and took it to be rebuilt.

It wasn't ready for pick up Friday so I'm waiting to hopefully pick it up Tuesday and will have to install it along with everything else for the race this coming weekend at Rausch Creek. Going to be a busy week but everything else on the buggy is ready to go.

Mike Bosley is going to co-pilot for me, this is going to be fun:thumbsup:

[atjeep]

The voice of reason.

[Appalachian Offroad]

Happy Bear and the Voice of Reason......what could go wrong.

:flipoff2:

[Z28YJ]

Damn it. Now I really wish I had finished my jeep instead of fishing in all of my free time.

[Happy Bear]

Damn it. Now I really wish I had finished my jeep instead of fishing in all of my free time.

Theres still 2 months until the next RC race! 2 weeks until Line Mt race.

[Happy Bear]

Happy Bear and the Voice of Reason......what could go wrong.
Well said


The transmission is ready for pick up. I'm hoping to completely reinstall it this evening. Check back tommorow to see if I managed to git r dun.

[CrawfishStu]

I have that firesuit for Bosley.

[Happy Bear]

Check back tommorow to see if I managed to git r dun.
Well, I'm not nearly as good of a wrench as I hoped. I got called back into work for problems and didn't get to the garage until later then I hoped.

I got the transmission in but didn't get much further. Trans is mated to engine, torque convertor installed, tcase adapter and transmission crossmember installed.

I'll be back at it tonight hopefully wrap the rest of the drivetrain up and start putting the fuel system back together.

[Broncolou]

Quit "makin love" to that thing and get down to some "f*&%ing" and get it done......

[Happy Bear]

Quit "makin love" to that thing and get down to some "f*&%ing" and get it done......
I dunno it took more sweet talking then f*&%ing to mate the trans and motor together smoothly.

I'll be out at the garage tonght, I'm coming down with something nasty today though. I thought it was just extreme allergies but I am feeling like total crap, may only get 2 hours or so in tonight.

[Happy Bear]

Figured I should keep this thread updated at least once a year so it doesn't fall off the face of the earth.

Since the last time I updated the thread I:

Became the Virginia State Unlimited Rock Crawling Champion!!!
Finished 8th out of 16 at the 32 mile endurance race at Rausch Creek
Finished 8th out of 31 at the 90 mile endurance race at Rausch Creek
Finished 6th out of 8 at RCROCS #1


This year for upgrades/modifications I mostly focused on continuing to improve the reliability of the rig. I modified the fuel system for better filtration/flow which has been performing flawlessly for 6+ rides now. Relocated and replaced the O2 sensors which caused a world of improvement in run-ability issues I have been struggling with, and it hasn't missed a beat since!

I'm also working on the safety of the truck, I added fire resistant sleeves to the fuel lines, transmission cooler lines, transmission shifter cable and main battery cables.

My radiator was awfully tweaked from the 15+ rollovers the chassis has seen plus the stress and abuse of competition and racing and beginning to degrade the level of cooling it was providing so I am in the process of installing a 27 x 19 much thicker aluminum radiator cooled by two 11" SPAL fans, the most reliable electric fans on the market.

I also picked up a set of Fox 2.5" triple bypass air shocks custom built for a member of the Fox Racing Team.

I'm hoping between these few improvements + regular maintenance and bolt checks I will be able to do pretty well this season.

[CrawfishStu]

I'm really looking forward to this season as well.

After the letdown at the RCQ, we too are gearing our efforts towards reliability. We are also going to reconfigure the back of the truck to make bringing what we need to fix issues easier and to move the tire further back for better weight distribution for non crawling events. I'm pretty sure we will be adding a race radio as well.

Our list for line mountain piled up a bit but as soon as I'm back from nawlins i'll be working away

[Happy Bear]

And one of the nicer photos from the year. I'm also hoping to get some new body panels for 2011. The rig was definitely lacking a little in the looks department this season but unfortunately I have to prioritize the $$ I spend on the buggy and new body panels were at the bottom of the list.
http://marylandcreepers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=796&d=1291663714

[Happy Bear]

Another season of racing has come and gone. This years "year in review" for #515:


Club comp - Buggy performed awesome, our team finished well

RCROCS Crawl # 1 - Some tough courses got the best of us finished 5th place, no carnage

Virginia State Rockcrawl Championship - was edged out of my former title by Bunny Rose and finished in 2nd place.

Line Mountain 3.5 Miler - Someone ran into our front end a broke a wheel on lap 1 finishing our race WAY to early

Line Mountain Coal Bucket - on lap 8 we had a tubing failure on a suspension crossmember and ended our race 1 lap short. We still finished 12th out of 32 in the class.

RCROCS Race #1 - Finished in 9th place out of 22 racers

RCROCS Race #2 - Finished in 4th place out of 20 racers

RCROCS Race #3 - Finished in 17th place out of 25 racers, had a axleshaft/u-joint failure on lap 3 and the transmission was roasted

We finished up the RCROCS Racer series in 7th place out of about 25 racers.

Last year I worked on improving the reliability and safety of the truck and was pretty successfull. The only failures we had this year were incidental and one long term chassis fatigue issue that has now been corrected. No fluid leaks or fires all season. :thumbsup:

Huge thanks to everyone that helped get me through the season. Pearson(Breakinshit), CJ(Lube), Brennan(Numidian), Rippey(Rippy), Stu(Crawfishstu), JT(JT) all helped pit for me or helped to make sure I was prepared for events throughout the year. Also all our lady friends who always come along to the races and make sure we remember to eat something and stay hydrated.

For the 2011 season I plan to add a swaybar, lockers, and some deeper gearing to the rig. These things along with improvements to the transmission cooling and steering plumbing should help me keep my speed up on the course and through/out of the corners. I'm hoping between these tweaks and some suspension tuning on my new triple bypass air shocks I will be able to improve my competitiveness for next season.

Here is a video of some footage from the RCROCS races.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTjYWSvL6L8

[blackbeauty312]

Man i can't wait to move back and be apart of your team!

[RatLabGuy]

Good year overall, I'd say.
So you trying out ECORS next year to add to the lineup?? ;-)

[Heavychevy]

A sway bar should really help you. We had a blast running so close in points with you all year.


:thumbsup: Here's to the continued grudge match!

Bring it beotch!!

[Happy Bear]

Man i can't wait to move back and be apart of your team!
You're telling me brother!


Good year overall, I'd say.
So you trying out ECORS next year to add to the lineup?? ;-)
I wish, if they bring an event this way I would do my best to make it.


A sway bar should really help you.
I think so, I can't confidently push through the corners or get to fast. I know going too fast without the sway bar is like a time bomb, just waiting for a bad bounce.....


We had a blast running so close in points with you all year.
Us to, you're the kind of guy I love to beat :flipoff2: Just kidding you guys are awesome to run with! Are you wheeling your rig any before next season?

[Heavychevy]

I've locked it in the trailer until I have a new tow rig. After that we'll see. I'm spending at little as possible this season. Hoping to build next winter.

Just hoping to finish races to irritate and embarass people.:D