Lipstick on a Pig: The 10 Don'ts of Vehicle Modifications
- Thread starter Scott Brady
- Start date
I gotta afew....but I try to stay tasteful.....like my..." If I wanted a Hummer I'd Asked Your Sister" :coffeedrink:
sister
Over here we are fixing long antennas (zero function) or fishing rods (mine is 4m long) with flags on our cars. To increase visibility during dune driving. And some trip organisers have them as mandatory equippment
DIfferent terrains - different requirement.
They may pose a problem, but damn do they work! One truck I was with had one, and his range was just incredible. 5 miles or something over hilly terrain. At one point, he was several miles from me, and there was a 3rd truck between me and him. I couldn't hear the third truck, but the dude with the big antenna could hear me, and the other guy, and relayed our messages back and forth, even though he was the furthest away.
Scott Brady
Founder
HiLift bolted to the roof rack - not a single suitable jacking point on the vehicle.
Love that one.
Love that one.
teotwaki
Excelsior!
NOMADIC_LJ
Explorer
so....back to the car then?
NOMADIC_LJ
Explorer
- putting 7 50lb jerry cans on top of the vehicle along with a spare tire and a collection of action packer cases.
- Body lifts
- Armor all on mud terrain tires
- Bra on a 4x4
- Harbor Freight winches and tools
- Body lifts
- Armor all on mud terrain tires
- Bra on a 4x4
- Harbor Freight winches and tools
teotwaki
Excelsior!
On which vehicle
ExpoScout
Explorer
Why not? Is steel diamond plate included in this? Or just aluminum? Yes, aluminum diamond plate is gawdy, but what if you truly need a surface to have some texture?
Lots of money was spent on the space shuttle too, doesn't make them good off-road. It also sounds like you're giving merit to a vehicle because "lots and lots of money" was spent on it. That's not a viable benchmark for anything.
Did they work? If they did, really that's all that matters...
(With that said, I do not have any vehicles with diamond plate, a snorkel, and I have spent wayyy too much on my cars and trucks before.)
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As Scott has said, this thread has gone way off course. He also said that his intention was to voice his personal opinions and views. I don't think he intended his thoughts to be taken as some type of a checklist that all must adhere to. Though I will admit that's how it comes across when you first read it to an extent.
I'll add my thoughts, if for nothing else than to continue the discussion...it has been an entertaining thread.
I don't think that it's important to go over the "do's" of overlanding as this whole site is based on that concept. When it comes to the don'ts, the only "don'ts" that are completely valid are the ones that obviously violate safety rules. I think we all have a pretty good grasp on those.
Here are my thoughts after reading through the thread:
1) Some advice is hard to take to heart when the author clearly has never taken a physics class. The way things "look" and how they will actually act/react in a dynamic situation are two different things.
2) Many of the things people are condemning in here are simply because they don't like the way it looks, or they associate it with a group of people they don't like. I am just as guilty of this as many others. I am bad about saying "that's just stupid" or "that truck needs to find a high cliff and drive off it". Fact is, if something works, it works. I am trying not to be so judgmental. There is always a better way...and/but that better way is usually more expensive.
3) I agree with the fact that no matter what vehicle someone has, if they plan on modifying it, they need to master it in stock form first. This goes for jeeps just as much as it does for corvettes. Dont' buy something and bolt a bunch of crap on if you are doing it because it's cool. On the other hand if you don't care about how the vehicle works, and just want the so-called "cool" look, then by all means go for it.
4) As far as the original list goes, I realize it's a list of Scott's opinions, which are valid to him...nothing wrong with that. I will have to say that the "home depot" mod thing is the only one I have a gripe with. I know what he meant by it, and I agree. But it also shouldn't be taken as "never go out and improvise something you need". I can think of many times where a hardware store is found, but Atlantic-British Rover Parts is not. I'd rather have a pvc snorkel if it worked and I had to have it....than not have it. But it would be a last resort. Scott is (if his thinking mirrors mine) is referring to those that are bored on a saturday and have 27 bucks in their pocket and decide to make a snorkel. In this instance I suggest saving up for a proper unit.
My outlook is also a little screwy based on the fact that in my former life I was a fabricator/machinist/mechanic. I built race cars for much of that time, and we would one-off produce a part that was of higher quality than an off the shelf part that cost twice as much. If you have this ability and resources, paying ridiculous prices for gear is unthinkable. I still find myself buying things occasionally. But if I have the time to make something and I'm capable of it, I would rather do it myself.
Just my thoughts on some things...I don't want to make my opinionated post longer than it already is....so I'll stop now.
Scott Brady
Founder
Half of the 4wds in Phoenix. I think they issue them at the dealerships
A HiLift does have its place, but I would start with a quality bottle jack first.
Scott Brady
Founder
My goal was to get a discussion started about the myths and poor practices that frequent many 4wd boards (including this one). Take my suggestions for what they are - my opinion based on my experiences. I clearly have my own biases which I make clear/obvious. If you think a CB is your best bet for communications than go for it. If you want to mount a HiLift on your 2012 4Runner with plastic bumpers and no rock rails, then do it. It is just fun and games in the end :sombrero:
In the end, the discussion has occurred and maybe saved a few nice trucks from the hack factory. 220+ posts in, I would say the discussion was worth it. . .
In the end, the discussion has occurred and maybe saved a few nice trucks from the hack factory. 220+ posts in, I would say the discussion was worth it. . .
Michael Slade
Untitled
Yeah, and we haven't even talked about fake beadlocks yet!