Question:

It’s just before 1:00 a.m. Friday night (Sat morn) and the Opening of the Olympics just finished on T.V.  WOW!!  Had to run for the Kleenex when Vanessa ??? was singing while the banner with the white dove was unfurled. The stands looked like sparkling diamonds and the lighting of the flame was also very moving and spectacular – will be a very hard act to follow in 4 years by another country.  Great start to the Olympics.  Your country did itself proud. Donna S

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And my adopted daughter, who is a member of the Australian Volleyball team won her first match.   Anne AAC/AAF/AFBV62.0844.TX It’s only with the heart that one can see clearly.  What is essential is invisible to the eye.  The Little Prince

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That’s great Anne.  It must be so exciting for them just to be at the Olympics, but even moreso when it’s in your own country.  Keep us posted in case we miss some of the broadcasts. Donna S

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Anne — hey, that’s great!  Congrats to your daughter!  :D Angie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – And my adopted daughter, who is a member of the Australian Volleyball team won her first match. Anne AAC/AAF/AFBV62.0844.TX It’s only with the heart that one can see clearly.  What is essential is invisible to the eye.  The Little Prince

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Thanks Donna, It made me feel proud to be Australian.  I had a big lump in my throat. Barbara Ross Sydney – Australia

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s just before 1:00 a.m. Friday night (Sat morn) and the Opening of the Olympics just finished on T.V.  WOW!!  Had to run for the Kleenex when Vanessa ??? was singing while the banner with the white dove was unfurled. The stands looked like sparkling diamonds and the lighting of the flame was also very moving and spectacular – will be a very hard act to follow in 4 years by another country.  Great start to the Olympics.  Your country did itself proud. Donna S

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Congratulations Australia! I only got to see excerpts of the Opening Ceremonies (I missed Trish’s Lithuanians, drat it) but what I saw did your country very proud. I also watched the ending of the women’s triathalon and I was so very, very impressed at hearing the local announcer as he announced each runner by name and encouraged the crowd to cheer for each and every one of them. Elsewhere, the focus might have been on only the first three, especially on your runner’s second place finish. But instead, the announcer focused on supporting ALL the atheletes. Class act Australia! Ruth Ontario, Canada Before you buy.

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That’s great Anne.  It must be so exciting for them just to be at the Olympics, but even moreso when it’s in your own country.  Keep us posted in case we miss some of the broadcasts. Donna S

LOL,  Donna you don’t understand – I’m an American.  Pauline Manser, who is my adopted, surrogate daughter, was one of my twins’ roommates the entire 4 years she was at the University of New Mexico. Anne AAC/AAF/AFBV62.0844.TX It’s only with the heart that one can see clearly.  What is essential is invisible to the eye.  The Little Prince

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Question:

Never run this, but spent 3 years living 2.5 hrs away in Hilo. Elevation in Kona will be pretty small.  If you run on the highway, it is not more than 100 ft above sea-level.  (I’ll check the webstie to get the course route.) Temperature…mid80-90’s air temp.  Add about 20 degrees given that you will be running on black pavement. Take a look at some Ironman footage to get an idea. Jason – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Kona Marathon website doesn’t give elevations or temperatures (at least not that I’ve found). Anyone ever run it and have some comments on it? Thanks. — Rob I’m running for my life! Rome/////Kona Marathon to raise money for the ADA

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To the original poster:  you might want to go over to rec.sports.triathlon and ask the question, since this race is run on the same course as the marathon at Ironman Hawaii.  Expect heat, humidity and a hillier course than you would expect.  And as someone else already wrote, be thankful you’re not warming up for it with a swim and bike….;) Mike C

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….ooops, it’s rec.sport.triathlon…. Mike C

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….ooops, it’s rec.sport.triathlon….

I’ll check it out. Thanks for the information. I’ve watched the Ironman several times, and I remember thinking the run was bad enough. Y’know, I was beating myself up for switching to the Kona marathon from the Rome marathon (there’s a thread over in misc.health.diabetes about why), wondering if I was chickening out by going for the race at the later date. Coward – no. Stupid – maybe. Hey, if I live through this, I’ll have bragging rights. — Rob I’m running for my life! Running the Kona Marathon to raise money for the American Diabetes Association

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If you think that was tough, try doing it after a 2.4 mile swim and 112 miles on the bike.  Then, you will see some poor bastards.  I’ve been one of them!

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It will be our first marathon. Anyone ever run it and have some comments on it?

Kona will be my second marathon. I plan on running Pittsburgh as a workout. Pittsburgh has the Heinz Pacer team, and I’m thinking of hanging with the 5 hour group. The lack of spectators doesn’t bother me. Calls of "looking good" merely make me think "I look THAT bad?" I’m the one all the spectators warn the runner in front of me about: "He’s right behind you, you can hold him off!" Gee thanks, folks. It’s bad enough to hear "Pretty good for an old fat guy" during a 12 mile workout. The heat and hills worry me the most. Unlike a lot of runners, I love downhills – always have. It’s the uphills that kill me. — Rob I’m running for my life! Running the Kona Marathon to raise money for the ADA

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An unsubstantiated rumor–later that week, my wife and I ran into a physician from the E.R. of the Kona hospital and he said that the race was really (in his opinion) unprepared to deal with the heat-related problems of so many people in the race.

I’m spoiled by the wonderful job the City of Pittsburgh Paramedics, Police, and Amateur Radio operators do. I really should post about what it’s like in a race from that side of things. It was a Team-in-Training event

Ok, dumb question of the week – what’s this? — Rob I’m running for my life! Kona Marathon to raise money for the ADA

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The Kona Marathon website doesn’t give elevations or temperatures (at least not that I’ve found). Anyone ever run it and have some comments on it? Thanks. — Rob I’m running for my life! Rome/////Kona Marathon to raise money for the ADA

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My wife and I are thinking about doing Kona as well.  It will be our first marathon.  Go to the following site for some reviews, which to be honest, have left us somewhat hesitant about participating in this one (running on a highway shoulder for a good portion of the run and the lack of spectators). I’d be interested in others’ comments on this run. http://www.marathonguide.com/races/racedetails.cfm?MIDD=520010624 – Greg

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Kona Marathon website doesn’t give elevations or temperatures (at least not that I’ve found). Anyone ever run it and have some comments on it? Thanks. — Rob I’m running for my life! Rome/////Kona Marathon to raise money for the ADA

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I ran the Kona 1/2 marathon last June.  I had run a marathon (my first) the first week in May and felt it was too close to do another one. I thought it was a very nice event (there is a full and half marathon plus a 5 and 10-K), but the full marathon course is BRUTAL!  I had a wonderful run, finishing in 1:47.  I had a nice massage, lots of fruit, soaked up a bunch of Aloha spirit, had some good Kona coffee, then about an hour after I finished I set out to return to my Kohala hotel.  And there on the highway, I saw them…the poor bastards who still had 10-15 miles to go in the full heat of the day on a rocky, dry Godforsaken stretch of highway.  The half marathon is an out-and-back down Alii Drive.  The course is really nice RIGHT UP UNTIL THAT POINT.  Then it’s out into the lava fields for the next 13 miles.  Bottom line–even though I ended up running the half by default and had felt bad about missing the full, that was by far the best way to do it.  Don’t miss the race, because it is very pleasant, but unless you have a real Jones to do a marathon at that point, stick with the half (or the 5 or 10K). An unsubstantiated rumor–later that week, my wife and I ran into a physician from the E.R. of the Kona hospital and he said that the race was really (in his opinion) unprepared to deal with the heat-related problems of so many people in the race.  It was a Team-in-Training event, so had a number of relatively inexperienced runners and also had a much bigger turnout than the previous years.  He said he had not been informed that the race was even happening, which was a real oversight since it limited the hospital’s ability to deal with the crush of heat-damaged runners.  He also felt that the on-course medical help was insufficient.  Now, these are problems that could very well have been due to the exponential growth of the race and perhaps the race director will deal with them better this year. Just reporting what this M.D. told me.  Again, my experience with the race: course, organization, etc. was very positive. Kevin Barry

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Kona Marathon website doesn’t give elevations or temperatures (at least not that I’ve found). Anyone ever run it and have some comments on it? Thanks. — Rob I’m running for my life! Rome/////Kona Marathon to raise money for the ADA

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Hi all, I am running in the Kona Marathon on June 25th. I have a course map, but I am not sure of the difficulty(hills, etc.) I could only venture to guess that it is going to be hot. I’ve never been to Hawaii before, so I am not sure of the terrain. The guys on the Ironman make it look to easy…so that is no help. Is there any way to judge the difficulty of each marathon? I just completed the Long Islang Marathon on May 7 and did not think it was particularly hilly, since I did most of my training in Central Park. But it was 90+ degrees and run on the all concrete Wantagh Parkway. Thanks for any help. Tim Before you buy.

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Is the Kona Marathon on the same course as the Ironman?  If it is then it is pretty hilly, the hills are all gradual or rolling.  The first hill on the Ironman course is a killer though.  It is also hot, the air temps won’t be too bad, but the lava fields reflect heat so it feels like an oven. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, I am running in the Kona Marathon on June 25th. I have a course map, but I am not sure of the difficulty(hills, etc.) I could only venture to guess that it is going to be hot. I’ve never been to Hawaii before, so I am not sure of the terrain. The guys on the Ironman make it look to easy…so that is no help. Is there any way to judge the difficulty of each marathon? I just completed the Long Islang Marathon on May 7 and did not think it was particularly hilly, since I did most of my training in Central Park. But it was 90+ degrees and run on the all concrete Wantagh Parkway. Thanks for any help. Tim Before you buy.

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Question:

There are links at the ironmanlive.com and triathlete mag websites to look up age grouper info. Triathlete online – http://ironman.triathletemag.com/live/ih98/live_coverage/ Bottom of page is search window. Ironman live – click on Competitors icon. As of 10 pm NJ time (4 pm IMH time), they have all swim times up, but only a few bike splits up. Even some pros’ times are not up yet for the bike. -Rolf — I am Iron Mac…       …a student of Ironman, ever learning…                                       …about having faith.         IMC’94/14:07    IMC’95/11:59    IMC’97/12:12    IMC’98/14:02

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Very disappointing online coverage… a few updates at the Tri-KC site and at Triathlete mag. All I can get on the IMH site via AOL is a black screen!

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www.ironmanlive.com/iron_man_live.asp Look here. Also can type in individual’s names and get their splits. Wendy Crane Johnson – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK, I give up. JTL Timing web site, official timer of IMH, usually has the splits up throughout the day. However, this year there is a note on their web site saying that they are not going to post splits and results until 4pm on Sunday and that we are supposed to go the IMH live web site. Well at the IMH live web site, I can’t find anything other than brief updates on the lead half dozen men and women. There is absolutely nothing I can find on the age groupers unless I am missing something. Has anyone found any age group splits anywhere yet? What is the deal here? Cathy

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OK, I give up. JTL Timing web site, official timer of IMH, usually has the splits up throughout the day. However, this year there is a note on their web site saying that they are not going to post splits and results until 4pm on Sunday and that we are supposed to go the IMH live web site. Well at the IMH live web site, I can’t find anything other than brief updates on the lead half dozen men and women. There is absolutely nothing I can find on the age groupers unless I am missing something. Has anyone found any age group splits anywhere yet? What is the deal here? Cathy

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Question:

Well, it has been a few days, and I haven’t seen any others, so here is a brief and personal account of the Texas Hill Country Triathlon held 06 September 1997, at Canyon Lake near New Braunfels in central Texas. Friday’s pre-race dinner and race meeting was held in the WurstHall in New Braunfels. Banners and beer kegs indicate the pronounced German heritage in central Texas. Organization was good. An estimated 1000 triathletes and 1400 volunteers are signed up for the event. Saturday morning’s conditions are excellent. The water of Canyon Lake is still, and the wind is less than 5 miles per hour. Water temp is 82-84 and wetsuits are disallowed. Air temp is 82 and expected to climb to 95 by midday. About 5 – 6 waves take off in 3 minute intervals on the 1.5 mile triangular course. The 48 mile bike course is scenic and difficult. For those of you familiar with Hill Country outside of Austin and San Antonio, the course winds its way around Route 46, highways 2722, 281 and 3159. These roads consist of mile after mile of rolling hills and very little flat ground. Most flatlanders must stand to ascend, but as an Austin resident, I shift down into 42×20 and pass a lot of victims of gravity on the hills. (Well at least that’s what it feels like to this middle-of-the-packer who averaged 20.5 mph.) The organization of this race is fantastic. There are plenty of police, traffic directors, and draft marshalls. The roads are wide and I see no drafting cheaters. Each aid station has a different theme. I see a Construction Zone, a Woodstock nation, a South Pacific island, Area 51, a mini Graveyard. Cool! The 10 mile run also heads out into the hills, and the midday sun is merciless. I guess I pushed too hard on the bike because my first two miles are fraught with major cramps in my diaphragm. It feels like my lungs are sewn shut. I apply the usual medication of "drink more Gatorade."  Some hills are so steep that all the athletes are walking. As the miles go by, my running gets better. As I finish, alarm bells go off. I have pushed too hard and am over heated. I immediately seek shade, but my skin is clammy, I have goose bumps, confusion, and nausea – heat exhaustion. It takes me 45 minutes and lots of ice water to recover from the pain. Tim Deboom won the race. Austin’s own James Bonney finished 3rd. Pauli Kiuru finished 5th. I haven’t seen other results on the web yet. The Austin American Stateman make no mention of the race. The San Antonio News Express (sponsor of the race) has an article and a few pictures. Overall, I think Texas Hill Country is a fantastic race. It comes at a good time for the October ironman races. It also is a beautiful course to visit and the race is well run. Bravo organizers! Thanks, Dan Web Page: http://www/io/com/~beckerdo

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Overall, I think Texas Hill Country is a fantastic race. It comes at a good time for the October ironman races. It also is a beautiful course to visit and the race is well run. Bravo organizers! Thanks, Dan Web Page: http://www/io/com/~beckerdo

 I had a friend do it and she said it was killer, but she finished.  I plan to do it next year.  Thanks for humorous play by play.  It makes it more appealing to me. You’re right it is beautiful scenic country. Congratulations!                                                             ~O      ’                  -  __o        _____  </<  `     ‘              -    <       _____ ~/    /o_         – (()) (())                         / Jose’ A. Grimaldo, Jr. "Tri-ing for My Life"

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Question:

Hi All: Well, I can substantiate that the recently reported bird attacks have moved to the St.Simons Island, GA area. . . . It was THE BIRD. A red-winged black bird, specifically. The same kind that has attacked other runners further north! Coincidence? I think not!!

Nesting red wings are also much more numerous and seem to be more aggressive than usual in my part of rural Southwestern Ontario. The back road where I usually get attacked by one red wing now is patrolled by at least four dive-bombing males. The two "scientific" explanations the deep thinkers give for natural aberrations around here are "global warming" and "stress." Dunno if that explains the blackbirds but I’m sure both are excellent excuses for my inability to run any faster.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All: Well, I can substantiate that the recently reported bird attacks have moved to the St.Simons Island, GA area. I went on a 8-miler across the causeway at 5 p.m. Sunday (heat index at 95+, no shade, 2 high bridges  - my punishment for not having a very good triathlon on Saturday). As I was passing some bushes, I felt a hard slap on the back of my head. My first thought was that some runner I knew had just caught me and was playing around, but of course there was no-one there…… It was THE BIRD. A red-winged black bird, specifically. The same kind that has attacked other runners further north! Coincidence? I think not!!

Jeez. Now I have another reason to fear running in Madison’s Arboretum. The red-winged black birds are thick as flies in there (and the flies aren’t much fun either…honking ones that dive bomb runners and bite them). Although I must admit I feel more threatened by the huge glossy crows. They perch in groups up in the trees and start cawing (that a word?) as runners go by…it’s like they’re looking for fresh meat. doomed, Julia

Response:

Hi All: Well, I can substantiate that the recently reported bird attacks have moved to the St.Simons Island, GA area. I went on a 8-miler across the causeway at 5 p.m. Sunday (heat index at 95+, no shade, 2 high bridges  - my punishment for not having a very good triathlon on Saturday). As I was passing some bushes, I felt a hard slap on the back of my head. My first thought was that some runner I knew had just caught me and was playing around, but of course there was no-one there…… It was THE BIRD. A red-winged black bird, specifically. The same kind that has attacked other runners further north! Coincidence? I think not!!

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Question:

:               Mar. 22, 23, 24 :   :     3 Full Days of Off Road.. Rock ‘n Roll! :    Y’all probably don’t want a piece of this! :       :     If you don’t do it, don’t talk about it, : Shut – UP Sitdown, bend-over and kiss it all GoodBy!!!! :             THIS IS REAL 4Wheelin !!! :     :    Coverage By America’s 4X4 4U Video Magazine :        ….Live UpLink to the WebSite…. Wish I was going to be able to get there.  Oh well, there’s plenty-o-off roading on the left coast.  Will check out the UpLink though!

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              Mar. 22, 23, 24     3 Full Days of Off Road.. Rock ‘n Roll!    Y’all probably don’t want a piece of this!     If you don’t do it, don’t talk about it, Shut – UP Sitdown, bend-over and kiss it all GoodBy!!!!             THIS IS REAL 4Wheelin !!!    Coverage By America’s 4X4 4U Video Magazine        ….Live UpLink to the WebSite…. For More info: Bob Hazel or

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Question:

The header says it all.  Is a fullsuit necessary, or could I survive with my longjohn?  The part that worries me most is just that initial leap from the boat into the bay…I can feel my heart stopping already!  The swim at the Santa Cruz Sentinel is probably close in temperature, and I’ve done just fine there in my longjohn, but I don’t have that heart-stopping entry to worry about.  Any opinions?  And, any recommendations for where I can get the best deal on a QR ladies’ large fullsuit? Thanks– Tricia — "’Be a terrific innovation if you could get your mind to stretch a little further than the next wise crack." "Y’know, I tried that once, but it didn’t snap back into place." —Katharine Hepburn & Eve Arden in "Stage Door" (1937)    

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The header says it all.  Is a fullsuit necessary, or could I survive with my longjohn?  The part that worries me most is just that initial leap from the boat into the bay…I can feel my heart stopping already!  The swim at the Santa Cruz Sentinel is probably close in temperature, and I’ve done just fine there in my longjohn, but I don’t have that heart-stopping entry to worry about.  Any opinions?  And, any recommendations for where I can get the best deal on a QR ladies’ large fullsuit? Thanks– Tricia — "’Be a terrific innovation if you could get your mind to stretch a little further than the next wise crack." "Y’know, I tried that once, but it didn’t snap back into place." —Katharine Hepburn & Eve Arden in "Stage Door" (1937)

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Gotta go with what you’re comfortable with–sounds like you need a fullsuit. Dave Horning, on the other hand, openly questions the competitive spirit of anyone who swims into Aquatic Park from Alcatraz in any kind of sealskin suit. But then again, he’s definitely Clydesdale material…. Have fun–it’s a great race!

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Question:

America’s 4×4 4U Video Magazine Web Site

http://www.4×44u.com/pub/k2/am4×44u/4×4.html The Web Site is located at the above address – there are project truck photos as well as a lot of other stuff –  -Kendra

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  [excerpts]…        I havent noticed any difference. I would agree that the caster and   camber probably changed but I cant tell it by the way it tracks or handles. And,   wouldnt you think that the aftermarket would be longer or tweeked to correct this.   As far as I can tell the only difference is that their heavier.  In these cases was this just the add a leaf or the full leaf spring  replacement?  In any case, we had the Rancho 3" lift installed on our project 88XJ  in CA at a Dick Cepek shop – the next day we were scheduled to return  to the studio on the east coast – it’s suggested that after installation  the suspension should be checked and torqued to spec (100 miles) which  we did – the suspension was a remarkable difference to the stock setup  as our negative spring arch after 100k and heavy loads was definately shot.  The Rancho RS9000 replacement shocks added an additional benefit to the  suspension ride and handling…(probably because the shocks were shot too  We really noticed the difference off road when we ran the Safari Triathlon  in Florida where some of the washboard trails were taken at high speeds.  -Kendra  America’s 4×4 4U Video Magazine Web Site  http://wwww.4×44u.com/pub/k2/am4×44u/4×4.html

        It was an Rancho Add-a-Leaf rear and Rancho front springs. The only thing I didnt do was put the Rancho replacement controll arms.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  [review of Cherokee 3" lift deleted]   Did the same to my ‘88. Sans the controll arms. Did you see any true   enhansement with the controll arms? They are the same length as the orig.,   although heaver. Im sure this is the case for them.  [deleted]  Same length control (radius) arms with a 3" lift? This has to reduce the  caster angle by about 2 degrees (maybe more if Cherokee radius arms are as  short as I remember). This can’t have a positive effect on handling. Is the  caster angle reduction very noticeable?  Jeff Gauvin, Design Engineer, Symbios Logic Inc.            *** Opinions are my own ***

        I havent noticed any difference. I would agree that the caster and camber probably changed but I cant tell it by the way it tracks or handles. And, wouldnt you think that the aftermarket would be longer or tweeked to correct this. As far as I can tell the only difference is that their heavier.

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[excerpts]…    I havent noticed any difference. I would agree that the caster and camber probably changed but I cant tell it by the way it tracks or handles. And, wouldnt you think that the aftermarket would be longer or tweeked to correct this. As far as I can tell the only difference is that their heavier.

In these cases was this just the add a leaf or the full leaf spring replacement? In any case, we had the Rancho 3" lift installed on our project 88XJ in CA at a Dick Cepek shop – the next day we were scheduled to return to the studio on the east coast – it’s suggested that after installation the suspension should be checked and torqued to spec (100 miles) which we did – the suspension was a remarkable difference to the stock setup as our negative spring arch after 100k and heavy loads was definately shot. The Rancho RS9000 replacement shocks added an additional benefit to the suspension ride and handling…(probably because the shocks were shot too We really noticed the difference off road when we ran the Safari Triathlon in Florida where some of the washboard trails were taken at high speeds. -Kendra America’s 4×4 4U Video Magazine Web Site http://wwww.4×44u.com/pub/k2/am4×44u/4×4.html

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I can’t speak for all Cherokee’s but the Rancho lower control arms were shorter than the stock ones.  I had a wheel alignment done right after the job and everything was within spec., no adjustments needed.  I was impressed. — University of Alberta    http://nyquist.ee.ualberta.ca/~stefan/stefan.html     High Power Laser Group   ph:(403)492-3192 fax:(403) 492-1811

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I wonder if the geometry is slightly different in the ‘91 Cherokee.  I’ve talked to a couple of people who said they can live with the slight rubbing with the 31×9.50’s but 31×10.50’s rub too much.  I opted for no rubbing. Stefan — University of Alberta           High Power Laser Group     ph:(403)492-3192 fax:(403) 492-1811

Response:

I’m posting this follow-up to answer a number of questions I’ve received regarding my original post. I bought the kit locally here in Edmonton.  The total for everything, including the RS9000 shocks and remote control was about $1100 Canadian.  You can save about $300 if you go with the non-adjustable RS5000’s.  I think the 5000’s would be a little stiff for every day driving in such a light truck.   There seems to be some debate regarding the tire size.  As I said, Rancho says 30×9.50 is recommended with 30×10.50 (if you can find them) being the max. size.   I’ve heard two stories regarding 31’s.  Some say you can live with slight rubbing with 31×9.50’s but 31×10.50’s won’t work.  On the other hand, I’ve heard of setups with 31×10.50’s which don’t rub at all.  I considered the 31×9.50’s but figured for 0.5" of ride height, why take a chance.  The 30’s look great and I love parking beside stock Cherokees, what a difference. One last tire note, if you check out the Rancho catalog, there is a "note" regarding the front kit.  It indicates that "lifted height" may vary due to Jeep factory variance.  One could argue that this variance may allow or prevent you from getting the 31x??.??’s on the truck Stefan — University of Alberta           High Power Laser Group     ph:(403)492-3192 fax:(403) 492-1811

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Hi Stefan, What made you go with the rancho lift compared to others like tomken? Sean

Response:

I did a fair bit of research but it was my dealer (believe it or not) who actually helped make the final decision.  I found out that my local Jeep dealer had installed 4 or so of the Rancho 3" kits.  The really surprising part was that if they did the install, they would honor all factory warranty. This suggested to me that the kits must be quality units which didn’t screw anything up.  For example, it is unlikely the new driveline angles with the lift are cause for concern.  If the angles were too steep, U-joints would wear and they’d have to replace them under the driveline warranty.  The botton line was, the Jeep parts guy said go Rancho for a no problem install. I wasn’t willing to pay the dealer $300+ to do the install but the above facts were enough to sell me on the Rancho kit. — University of Alberta           High Power Laser Group     ph:(403)492-3192 fax:(403) 492-1811

Response:

I wonder if the geometry is slightly different in the ‘91 Cherokee.  I’ve talked to a couple of people who said they can live with the slight rubbing with the 31×9.50’s but 31×10.50’s rub too much.  I opted for no rubbing.

If it just rubs on turns when the steering wheel is locked, you can adjust the stops by putting washers under the welded bolt/nut combinations on the inside of the front wheel housing.  I had to do that for my non-lifted Cherokee when I put 30×9.50’s on. Christopher

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[review of Cherokee 3" lift deleted] Did the same to my ‘88. Sans the controll arms. Did you see any true enhansement with the controll arms? They are the same length as the orig., although heaver. Im sure this is the case for them.

[deleted] Same length control (radius) arms with a 3" lift? This has to reduce the caster angle by about 2 degrees (maybe more if Cherokee radius arms are as short as I remember). This can’t have a positive effect on handling. Is the caster angle reduction very noticeable? Jeff Gauvin, Design Engineer, Symbios Logic Inc.           *** Opinions are my own ***

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 I wonder if the geometry is slightly different in the ‘91 Cherokee.  I’ve  talked to a couple of people who said they can live with the slight rubbing  with the 31×9.50’s but 31×10.50’s rub too much.  I opted for no rubbing.  If it just rubs on turns when the steering wheel is locked, you can adjust  the stops by putting washers under the welded bolt/nut combinations on the  inside of the front wheel housing.  I had to do that for my non-lifted  Cherokee when I put 30×9.50’s on.  Christopher

        Or, for the cheep man’s approach, just dont turn so sharp!!

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 Hi Stefan,  What made you go with the rancho lift compared to others like  tomken?  Sean

        Cost is king. The Rancho stuff is constructed well and quite a bit cheeper. But I cant fault Tomkin. Their stuff is rock tough. If you want the best go with Tomkin, if you can live with "good" go with the Rancho. I can live with "good". Also, I have had no trouble out of the Rancho stuff and I’m sure they would cover it if I did.

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To All,    I thought I would let you know about two other lift kits for the Cherokee.      I had recently (3 months ago) put a TrailMaster 3-4" lift on my 1992 Cherokee.  I would recommend this to anybody for ease of installation.  TrailMaster uses drop brackets for the control arms instead of new extended ones.  With new front coil springs and add-a-leaf in the rear.  The ride was great (except a little stiff in the rear due to the add-a-leaf) for a lifted vehicle. With the front sway bar dis-connected, the front end had a lot of articulation(sp?).  All and all a good kit.  However, Trailmaster led me to believe that you can put 32" tires on with this kit, knowing that BFG’s normally run a little smaller, I purchased a set of 33×12.5 (actually measured about 32" tall). Well, surprise, 33" or even 32" will not fit.    Once I got the 33’s on it I knew I had to keep them, a smaller tire just wouldn’t work (or look as good).  So, my search for more lift started and after a lot of looking and talking to people, I decided to go with the Tomken 5-6" complete kit.  I just put it on weekend before last.  Installation not as easy, as all components get replaced (new control arms -top and bottom, new front springs, new rear springs, etc).  Tomken boast that no driveline or steering changes need to be made.  The steering angles are fine but my driveshafts needed to be lengthened (at least for my ‘92).  The ride with this kit is a little stiffer but still really good.  Still have good axle articulation.      If anybody has any specific questions I would be glad to answer them.    As for the rest of my Cherokee, the following has been done:         Rancho 9000’s w/ dual remote control         Explorer Pro Comps steel braided brake lines         ARB Air Lockers front and rear  < in process         4:10 gears w/C-clip elmination  < in process    Planned for next week :         Rocker skids         Transfer and Trans skids         1" longer shackle for the rear Larry – If you would like to e-mail me please send messages P.S.  If anybody is interested I now have a TrailMaster kit       laying around that I would be glad to sell, bought for       $370, will sell for $300.  Of the three months it was       on the vehicle it only saw about 600 miles.  I live/work       in the Stockton/Sacramento area of CA.

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I thought I’d post a review of my recent Cherokee mods because they worked out so well.  I’d recommend them to anyone.   The kit:        Rancho 3" includes front coil springs, lower control arms                 tons of bushings, rear leaf springs, U bolts, etc.                 Rancho RS9000 adjustable shocks with remote in vehicle control. The install:    Very smooth.  The biggest hassle (as many know) is removing                 the stupid metal sleeve bushings the factory uses, to make                 room for the new bushings in the rear shackles.  You can do the                 project without disconnecting any steering components.   This is                 the only place the instructions are not 100%.  Can’t complain                 though, better to err on the side of caution. The result:     Wow.  Drives like a SUV should.  No crazy body roll.  Solid                 cornering. A good solid, firm feel on and off road.  The                 RS9000’s are a nice addition.  I havn’t installed the remote                 system yet but I have fiddled with the settings to provide a                 decent "every-day-driver" feel.  These shocks are really stiff                 at the highest setting, I mean really stiff.  I heard they                 tested them on Ford Exploders (tanks) with no damage air time. Tires:          The extra wheel well prompted me to invest in some new rubber.                 Rancho recommends 30×9.50’s for no rub on and off road.  I’ve                 heard of 31×9.50 on the same setup but they rub on the big                       bumps off road.  I bought Toyo M606 30×9.50’s, great on road/                 off road tires.  I guess they work especially well in the snow,                 a must in The Great White North. I hope this positive review motivates some to perform this great upgrade. Stefan

Response:

I thought I’d post a review of my recent Cherokee mods because they worked out so well.  I’d recommend them to anyone.   The kit:        Rancho 3" includes front coil springs, lower control arms                tons of bushings, rear leaf springs, U bolts, etc.                Rancho RS9000 adjustable shocks with remote in vehicle control. (More stuff deleted] Stefan

Sounds great!!!  I’ve wanted to get a lift for my Cherokee –  I’m just saving up (although I’ve got to convince my wife that we need the lift more than a clothes washer) Which leads me to a question – how much and where did you get the lift (phone order or from a local shop)

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  I thought I’d post a review of my recent Cherokee mods because they worked  out so well.  I’d recommend them to anyone.    The kit:        Rancho 3" includes front coil springs, lower control arms                  tons of bushings, rear leaf springs, U bolts, etc.                  Rancho RS9000 adjustable shocks with remote in vehicle control.   (More stuff deleted]  Stefan  Sounds great!!!  I’ve wanted to get a lift for my Cherokee –  I’m just saving  up (although I’ve got to convince my wife that we need the lift more than a  clothes washer)  Which leads me to a question – how much and where did you  get the lift (phone order or from a local shop)

        Check  with 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers. They are nationwide and have pretty good prices. Specificly call Jay in the Santa Ana store. (714) 542-9800 He had a Cherokee that he lifted. He was a wealth of information. You can do the job yourself if you are mechanicly inclined. The only part I needed help with was getting the control arm’s back into place. This is a two man job, two big men. But over all the job was easy. Go by the instructions. Good luck.         By the way,  tell your wife you dont need clean clothes, this is 4 wheelin.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  I thought I’d post a review of my recent Cherokee mods because they worked  out so well.  I’d recommend them to anyone.    The kit:  Rancho 3" includes front coil springs, lower control arms            tons of bushings, rear leaf springs, U bolts, etc.            Rancho RS9000 adjustable shocks with remote in vehicle control.  The install:      Very smooth.  The biggest hassle (as many know) is removing            the stupid metal sleeve bushings the factory uses, to make            room for the new bushings in the rear shackles.  You can do the            project without disconnecting any steering components.   This is            the only place the instructions are not 100%.  Can’t complain            though, better to err on the side of caution.  The result:       Wow.  Drives like a SUV should.  No crazy body roll.  Solid            cornering. A good solid, firm feel on and off road.  The            RS9000’s are a nice addition.  I havn’t installed the remote            system yet but I have fiddled with the settings to provide a            decent "every-day-driver" feel.  These shocks are really stiff            at the highest setting, I mean really stiff.  I heard they            tested them on Ford Exploders (tanks) with no damage air time.  Tires:            The extra wheel well prompted me to invest in some new rubber.            Rancho recommends 30×9.50’s for no rub on and off road.  I’ve            heard of 31×9.50 on the same setup but they rub on the big                  bumps off road.  I bought Toyo M606 30×9.50’s, great on road/            off road tires.  I guess they work especially well in the snow,            a must in The Great White North.  I hope this positive review motivates some to perform this great upgrade.  Stefan

        Did the same to my ‘88. Sans the controll arms. Did you see any true enhansement with the controll arms? They are the same length as the orig., although heaver. Im sure this is the case for them.         You should have gone with the 31X10.50 15’s. Thats what I’m running with no rubbing problmes. And it looks great with that much meat under the fenders. Also, although I dont think it needs it I have heard that the Grand Cherokee pitman arm is a direct replacement and drops lower than the stock Cherokee, for about $40 instead of the aftermarket $60+.         I too like my lift and would actually like to run 32’s but am afraid that I would have rub problems and my performance and milage would suck.         If any one has experience with this let me know.

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Question:

Does anyone know of a triathlon in Sarasota Fl? or nearby ? Thanks Lawrence C. Hutson, Consultant Hutson Consulting Inc.

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on) writes: Does anyone know of a triathlon in Sarasota Fl? or nearby ? Thanks Lawrence C. Hutson, Consultant Hutson Consulting Inc.

When? Jim Bodoh

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Aug. 13, 1995 – Gatorade Triathlon Series will visit Siesta Key (next to Sarasota) 1/2 m swim – 1`2 m bike – 3 m run.  Tom ziebart

Response:

Madeira Beach Sprint Tri on May 21st good race, lots of prizes, beach run, (.5,15.5,5K). Phone chamber of commerce at 813-391-7373. Also recommend St Anthonys Tampa Bay Tri on April 30. Olympic Distance race with lots of pro’s and big prize money. Race is actually in St. Petersburg, within an hour of Sarasota by car. Phone 813-825-1271

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Question:

Perhaps JJ or Baringo will tell me if there is a word in journalism vocabulary that would describe the language used in the article about Dave Scott that appears in this month’s Triathlete. It is multi-colored, but not informative.  It seems to be a common style of writing in glossy mags and tabloids.  There should be a word for it, but I don’t know what it would be.  JJ?  Baringo? Kazez

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Ruth writes: Perhaps JJ or Baringo will tell me if there is a

word in journalismvocabulary that would describe the language used in the article about Dave Scott that appears in this month’s Triathlete. It is multi-colored, but not informative.  It seems to be a common style of writing in glossy mags and tabloids.  There should be a word for it, but I don’t know what it would be.  JJ?  Baringo? Excuse me, but I’m having a hard time resisting answering this one. Funny how a small three-letter word can stretch over seven pages, but here it is: EGO (and I’m not referring to Dave Scott’s).

Response:

Kazez writes: Perhaps JJ or Baringo will tell me if there is a word in journalism

vocabulary that would describe the language used in the article about Dave Scott that appears in this month’s Triathlete. It is multi-colored, but not informative.  It seems to be a common style of writing in glossy mags and tabloids.  There should be a word for it, but I don’t know what it would be.  JJ?  Baringo?<< I think you described it pretty well yourself Ruth. I think Baringo and I have made it pretty clear how we feel about Triathlete’s  rapid turnover and change of direction since June of 94. Not much more can be said about it on rst. Now it’s up to the industry and the readers to decide. JJ

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Reading this article, I was struck by how much it was a "Dave Scott and me" article rather than an article about Dave Scott.  The idea of elevating the importance of the writer to be on a par with the subject is one that I see more and more, but mostly in magazines such as Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone — both more highbrow versions of People (before anyone flames me for picking on these magazines — I read all of them).  It is not something I associate with good coverage of sport and exercise.  Generally, the magazine has become increasingly more self-indulgent over the last several months. While I am on the subject, it seems that the amount of journalism that goes into a Triathlete is on the decline.  In addition to the Dave Scott and me article, it seems that most of the other articles were based on press releases or otherwise submitted by the person trying to sell the item or service that was the subject of the article.  That’s a pretty cheap (quality and money-wise) to produce a magazine.  Maybe I’m naive, but I would hope that magazines that I pay for research their own articles; magazines that rely on press releases I can usually get for free. Just my $.02. Jeff Mazer

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: Perhaps JJ or Baringo will tell me if there is a word in journalism : vocabulary that would describe the language used in the article about : Dave Scott that appears in this month’s Triathlete. It is : multi-colored, but not informative.  It seems to be a common style of : writing in glossy mags and tabloids.  There should be a word for it, : but I don’t know what it would be.  JJ?  Baringo? : Kazez Amazing.  How many times did the author write "I" in that article.  I’ve never seen that in a national publication before. Eric

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