Steering rack kit for H3's

[Bigunit]

Schwarttzy, your youth is showing.

1) Start your reading at post #1).

2) The OP started this tread by posting a link to a product that is available for purchase right now from a vendor that he just happened to come across on the web. No testimonial or review of the product was included in the post for a simple reason: because the OP has not bought the product nor put it on his rig, so he can't offer an opinion about the quality or design of the product. Clearly shilling for someone & posted with the intent of stirring up **** AFTER he first posted the same link in the PCF sponsor thread. It would be like someone posting a link to one of your competitor's UCP (i.e., CB Photo's UCP) in YOUR sponsor thread - not cool & you probably would not have appreciated the post, right?

3) At this point, I can comment on the quality, design and performance of the PCF rack mount because I have the product on my H3T and have been testing it for PCF for the last 3.5 months AND it is a pre-production unit of the exact dimensional likeness of the production version because PCF didn't have to make ANY changes to the 3 pre-production pieces that the manufactured. As you know, few vendors nail their pre-production product designs and many times the have to make changes to their "production" pieces after they have been released to sell to the general public. PCF prefers not to do business that way - "you don't release it until it's perfect" is the PCF philosophy.

4) The OP got his butt-hurt because I replied (see post #2 above) with my opinion about the design of the product he posted the link to. Excuse me for having an opinion but this is the USA and no one will tell me that I don't have a right to express it! I based my opinion about the specific product that I have and am currently running on my rig based on my first-hand experience and I could compare what a have, to a picture of what another vendor has designed. The differences are/will be obvious AND I understand why the differences are what they are. The OP did/does not because he has NO first-hand experience of the product he linked to. Bottom line, no "web wheeling" here, just some actual, first-hand, real wheeling experience of a REAL product that I helped install on my rig.

5) The OP didn't like what I said for whatever reason & that's when his posts - which were deleted (and PMs) got personal and a threat was made. If anyone knows me personally, they will tell you that I will never bow down to anyone and I don't back down to that kind of BS. That is what got the SOB banned! He wasn't banned because he simply posted a link to a product that competed with a forum sponsor. If that is where we have drawn that line, then logically that would mean that we would ban any member who posted a link to OEM UCP, right Scwarttzy? That's the problem with internet forums - many times you don't know the whole story and there always is more to the story.

6) As far as H4O sponsors go, I agree with PCF, it would seem that you sponsors all should be supportive of each other since as H4O sponsors, you have forum exclusivity to the products you sell here.

 

[ABNTROOP]

I think our sponsors are aware of how appreciative H4O members are of their hard work to help us improve the quality of our rides. If not, they should. As far as posting other parts competitive or not, the goal is to inform fellow members of what's available. We're all striving for the same thing. That being said, posting on the Internet requires more thought than speaking to others in person. Taking some time to choose your phrasing properly, and having some common sense on what you post and where you post it would be a wise choice of action to avoid future miscommunications and drama.

That being said, getting some sand out of our collective vaginas, relaxing, and having a thicker skin would go far towards eliminating these Owie feelings/ bickering threads. The goal is comraderie, better rigs, and more wheelin! The point, is don't be an asshat, nobody likes asshats :giggle::cheers:

 

[silvrzuki77]

Goodtimes as moderator huh bigunit! Is it beer thirty yet?

 

[Bigunit]

I hope so silvrzuki77 - I'm hoping that my wife surprises me with "Kegerator" when she comes him with my surprise wedding anniversary gift! :cheers: :beer By the way, when are we going to get together for a wheeling trip?

 

[Schwarttzy]

I'm glad that H4O Sponsors are a such "supportive family"

More than once I have been honored by the guys on the forums here. I truly believe that we need to support our sponsors on here, but at the same time we can't alienate other companies producing parts. It's a delicate balance, but we'll manage.

As for " no one is running a production version of ScorpWorks rack mount" and "We don't have anyone running that new product", there are three pre-production run ScorpWorks steering rack mounts running on H4O member H3s. There is no dimensional or construction differences between these and the "production run" units being currently machined, only they were machined on a non-production type CNC machine.

I can't express my anticipation is for these, only thing is... I'm up in the air undecided... because I originally wanted to make every part on my H3. Maybe I'll have to wheel with you or something to make up an excuse, lol.

At any time we would be open to having you join us on a trail to compare performance and ability.

O I don't got the part, I just don't want to see parts getting verbally bashed with out anyone using them first. Physically is whole other story though.

 

[Bigunit]

Which steering rack issue is this now? Is it the vibrating steering rack/steering wheel that I have at idle?

HA, the products discussed in this thread address the issue of fixing the movement of the steering rack as the steering rack mount bushings get worn-out, especially the steering rack passenger-side mount bushing and the C-bracket (that clamps the bushing & steering rack to the frame) get bent and distorted, resulting in movement of the rack, clunks that you feel in the steering, steering looseness, bump steering, etc. - all because the rack is moving side-to-side and/or up-and-down, which will eventually lead to the steering rack breaking.

 

[Schwarttzy]

#1 I knew that the OP made a poor choice with what thread he posted in and I completely agree with why the post was deleted. I'm just not so sure he was shilling for someone, however it possible I'm wrong though. I just have this feeling it was posted in a whirlwind of excitement and got carried away without thinking. Hopefully, no harm, no fowl, just clean the mess up. As for people posting things in my threads, don't worry about it, if I can't convenience them to buy my parts then I have more work to do.

I can't argue with #3, but I feel the true test of any product is when you think it's perfect and are selling actual production parts.

#4 I still think we need two people on opposite sides of the fence to really compare. However my bet is on the ScorpWorks rack mount being better.

The forum exclusivity is cool, and I love the honor you guys give with it, but I believe in my heart that if someone can do it better than me then they should.

 

[silvrzuki77]

I have quite a few trips planned for the fall. Hoping for a southern utah to the white rim trip! Just been trying to get the teardrop trailer finished for the multiday stuff. Let me know of you have something planned. My dad and friends are at the north rim of the grand canyon near torroweap right now. I forgot to put in the time lol.

 

[silvrzuki77]

Schwarttzy keep up the good work buddy on the stuff you build!!! Ive done alot of rollcages and have had quite a few people ask lately for cages and i cant even finish my own stuff ive been soo busy. Thankfully my wife is a teacher is almost in summer break! Like you said i like buidin my own stuff if possible.

 

[Bigunit]

I have quite a few trips planned for the fall. Hoping for a southern utah to the white rim trip! Just been trying to get the teardrop trailer finished for the multiday stuff. Let me know of you have something planned. My dad and friends are at the north rim of the grand canyon near torroweap right now. I forgot to put in the time lol.

Any recent pics of you UAV teardrop trailer. I love the build thread and have been following it. I almost bought one here in town last month. I'll see if I have a pic of the one I looked at.

 

[HUMMERADDICT]

HA, the products discussed in this thread address the issue of fixing the movement of the steering rack as the steering rack mount bushings get worn-out, especially the steering rack passenger-side mount bushing and the C-bracket (that clamps the bushing & steering rack to the frame) get bent and distorted, resulting in movement of the rack, clunks that you feel in the steering, steering looseness, bump steering, etc. - all because the rack is moving side-to-side and/or up-and-down, which will eventually lead to the steering rack breaking.

So, this kit won't help my issue at all?

 

[Bigunit]

What issues are you having HA?

 

[silvrzuki77]

I i have the interior roof in also was a major PIA putting some veneer in today hopefully. Hopefully should be making some big headway soon I hope.

 

[GoBlueHummer]

Which steering rack issue is this now? Is it the vibrating steering rack/steering wheel that I have at idle?

No, the vibration at idle is most likely a dirty TB and/or MAF sensor. Be sure to get cleaner specifically fro the MAF sensor or you can ruin it. There are step by step instructions on how to clean the throttle body if you use the search function. If you have an I5, some vibration is inherent with only 5 cylinders.

 

[06 H3]

I didnt read much on this before hand but it is a shame to see all the fighting. I was so excited to see multiple fixes for the H3 steering rack, that has never happened before! Normally it was one person/company making stuff. Now we have 5 "fixes" all with different approaches. 1) The PCF kit 2) Mayhem metal works kit 3) outfitter designs kit 4) hunners sleeve 5) the aussie bushing kit. Damn, this feels like the jeep aftermarket. :giggle:

I think no matter what approach is taken (in terms of sponsorship) no answer will be perfect. There will be pros and cons for just about every scenario when it comes to a consumer and a supplier basis. I can think of a few pros and cons to the sponsor only thought process and a few pros and cons to a "free market" thought process. Again no answer is right...I will say this though, I have talked with and met mayhem metal works (Andrew) and Preferred Chassis Fab (Dwaine) and they both are very knowledgeable and cool people. Whenever I have talked with them I wish I had a notepad, their info is very valuable (I spoke with Dwaine for hours on suspensions and steering racks and general 4x4 in moab and the same stuff with Andrew during the prototype install) I have also seen some of the products they build and even their own vehicles and its impressive, they both are very talented. With that said, both products survived a trek out to moab and back along with the tough wheeling that goes with it. Both products went through hells gate successfully, the gate does stress the rack as it pinches the tires. Unfortunately a bent tie rod happened on the gate and then took out a rack with the stock setup, and I dont believe it was driver error, the guy driving is a talented driver, I believe it was the stress that the rack mount couldn't handle. So I guess short term they have both done great and its the long term that will determine the quality of the product but thats a few years and 50,000 miles away.

Lastly, IMO I feel bad for two people. One kaleb, as "that guy" who broke 7 racks and never got to see the fix that was driven and brought to the fabricators attention by his breakage. He would have been the ULTIMATE tester seeing he has the "most broken racks award" and he could have ran multiple pieces to see what was best. The other guy would be hunner, his product got thrown by the wayside, we are supposed to support sponsors and as a small community we need to support a few people, thats what this forum policy is. His "fix" was the same as the new fixes, which is to stop steering rack play but was not the only seller to make the same product and that was the initial reason for why others couldn't become sponsors. Granted his product didnt work out for many as planned but I thought the protection of being the only maker of a certain product would be the same as it is for others.

So what products would I run/ will I run? As for the steering rack I run mayhems and am the prototype. In the future, I plan to run the PCF upper control arms and if mayhem or PCF make tie rods I will run either or. I completely trust both guys and their products after seeing the products, talking to them and seeing the results on my truck and other trucks so far.

 

[amrg]

Guys whats going on? I leave the forum a few days and all this happens! The other day we were happy about the lack of politics - objectivity vs subjectivity of this forum.

Now lets go back to the main point, when is PCF's product coming to the public? I'd like to see both products and compare to be honest, and so far I got two vehicles that soon need to be fixed so I can get peace of mind!

 

[4speedfunk]

1) The PCF kit 2) Mayhem metal works kit 3) outfitter designs kit 4) hunners sleeve 5) the aussie bushing kit.

Uh dude. You forgot one. (Cut it off completely and replace it with a Nissan box).

:thumbs:

 

[jakesz28]

^^^^^ I like that option.

 

[06 H3]

Uh dude. You forgot one. (Cut it off completely and replace it with a Nissan box).

:thumbs:

option 6) Nissan box, the best alternative if your willing to :hack::grind::weld: