Lipstick on a Pig: The 10 Don'ts of Vehicle Modifications

[grahamfitter]

In my humble opinion...

The single worst modification you can make to a vehicle that you drive solo is to add two extra wheels and several tons of metal that you just don't need.

The next worst modification is a GPS which takes all the fun out of navigating.

Finally the next, next, worst modification is replace sensible white headlights with those cheesy blue ones that give me the impression that I'm continually being followed by the police.

 

[mustangwarrior]

^^if you do true HIDs it will increase visibility, even off road

and i agree about the gps, i love reading maps to get where i'm going, got me and a buddy home that way when we got on the wrong highway and got lost, but i geocache so i generally always have my handheld with me

 

[teotwaki]

---------
The next worst modification is a GPS which takes all the fun out of navigating.
----------.

I'd respectfully disagree as I extensively use paper maps, compass and GPS together. After the Land Nav course I took ( "Land Nav" ) I fully appreciate the military grid reference system and MGRS paper maps.

 

[Antichrist]

^^if you do true HIDs it will increase visibility... .

At the expense, 9 times out of 10, of other drivers and being illegal.

 

[Paladin]

4. tow hitchs on cars and minivans- hahahahahaha what are you pulling a shopping cart?

19. 1/4 ton pickups. What are you hauling back and forth to work? Air?

A hitch on a car allows a person to haul anything you could put in the back of a pickup. But without the massive milage penalty the other 364 days per year. 1/2 cord of wood, motorcycle, ATV, plywood, etc. etc. etc.

 

[Storz]

Here in NC you can drive on large portions of the beach out in the OBX as most of you know, if you live in the OBX you get a cool liscence plate that starts with OBXxxxx. Anyways its a neat way to see whos local. Wife and I were down near Avon camping back in '08, there is a particularly steep ramp on and off the beach near there and we actually turned the beach chairs around for a bit watch people come and go.

There were several of the big lifted "mall cruiser" type trucks with GIANT tires, exhaust etc etc (you know the type) trying to make it straight up the ramp, instread of coming at an angle. Not one of them made it up, and one was actually stuck about halfway when a old local guy in a bone stock Wagoneer on street tires drove straight up the ramp without missing a beat.

Everytime I start thinking I "need" something for the Rover I remember that day and then re-evaluate whether I actually need that bit, or if I just want it. So far my truck has stayed stock, and done everything I've ever needed it to.

 

[Azlugz]

This thread once again just proves how so many on this board feel that their way is the only right way.

As several have said, what works for your purpose may not work for mine. Wheeling in Michigan is completely different than wheeling here in AZ and we require different equipment. Celebrate the fact that people have different needs and different ideas, I know tons of people hate stacks on trucks, but some like them and it is their truck so their choice, why hat on them cause thats what they want out of something THEY purchased. There is a reason we don't all own cookie cutter 4x4's. The term Expo-Snobs lives on other forums because of threads like these.


Rant off, flame away

 

[Marcie's Disco]

Rant off, flame away

No flames, your comments are on the money.

PS: when are we gonna see more photos of your GC?...love that rig

 

[Azlugz]

Job situations for the family changed and income went down a lot so funding for the Jeep is slow, but I have a couple things still in the works. Building some rigging cables out of recycled winch line at this time to help with SAR Recoveries. will post up when all the parts are collected.

Thanks tho!!!

 

[rynosurf]

This thread once again just proves how so many on this board feel that their way is the only right way.

As several have said, what works for your purpose may not work for mine. Wheeling in Michigan is completely different than wheeling here in AZ and we require different equipment. Celebrate the fact that people have different needs and different ideas, I know tons of people hate stacks on trucks, but some like them and it is their truck so their choice, why hat on them cause thats what they want out of something THEY purchased. There is a reason we don't all own cookie cutter 4x4's. The term Expo-Snobs lives on other forums because of threads like these.


Rant off, flame away

You brought up something important here... Stacks definitely don't belong on an expo truck. Now will you please pass me the Grey Poupon.

 

[rusty_tlc]

This thread once again just proves how so many on this board feel that their way is the only right way.

As several have said, what works for your purpose may not work for mine. Wheeling in Michigan is completely different than wheeling here in AZ and we require different equipment. Celebrate the fact that people have different needs and different ideas, I know tons of people hate stacks on trucks, but some like them and it is their truck so their choice, why hat on them cause thats what they want out of something THEY purchased. There is a reason we don't all own cookie cutter 4x4's. The term Expo-Snobs lives on other forums because of threads like these.


Rant off, flame away

I've spent a lot of time over the years reading on a lot forums on many topics. This type of discussion has helped me learn a lot. It's good to hear what different people have to say and listen to their arguments to defend their individual choices. Reading this kind of thread has defiantly helped me make better choices in what equipment I purchased as well as making other decisions. Each person has to read it all and take away what they value from the discussion.

The key is to understand that all we are doing is talking, at the end of the day we can all sit around the campfire together and enjoy a beer or other beverage of choice even if we don't agree. I, for one, would find it a sad world indeed if everyone agreed with me all the time.

 

[TangoBlue]

The key is to understand that all we are doing is talking, at the end of the day we can all sit around the campfire together and enjoy a beer or other beverage of choice even if we don't agree. I, for one, would find it a sad world indeed if everyone agreed with me all the time.

You're absolutely right -- beer me.

 

[teotwaki]

You brought up something important here... Stacks definitely don't belong on an expo truck. Now will you please pass me the Grey Poupon.

Oh gadzooks! I've splashed some Grey Poupon on my freshly laundered khaki multi-pocket cargo pants!! Back to the non-stacked, non-CB, non-pickup truck, non-RTT'ed, non-roof racked expedition vehicle for a quick change :elkgrin:

 

[Ace Brown]

How about those 10 foot long steel whip antenas? Very poor choice on a rig actually used off-road. I had an ear almost sliced off by a whip mounted on a jeep thrashing over a rocky section.

This thread has been a lot of fun, but I really did not want to read it all, just could not tear myself away.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

How about those 10 foot long steel whip antenas? Very poor choice on a rig actually used off-road. I had an ear almost sliced off by a whip mounted on a jeep thrashing over a rocky section...

Some events/organizers do not allow them for obvious safety reasons, for example TLCA events:
"Antenna Length: Not longer than 54", unless both ends are firmly attached to the vehicle "