Leaf Guy, Too
I read your editorial regarding leaf springs (Trail Head, June '10) and loved it. Thanks for reminding our four-link and coilover friends that leaf springs, while simple, are a very effective means of managing load, articulation, and durability concerns in an inexpensive package.
I have hesitated to build a four-link system for my Scrambler for many reasons, the most important being complexity. If you're reading between the lines, you understand that I don't get it. And with suppliers like Alcan Spring in Grand Junction, Colorado, I can't find a reason to use anything but leaves.
While all systems have their pluses and minuses, leaf springs fit my simple approach to wheelin'. You need dependable power that you can keep cool under the worst circumstances, enough predictable articulation to keep all four tires on the ground the majority of the time, lockers, BFG Krawlers, and a winch. From there you build to suit your needs.
As you know, I'm a trail rider-long trails, miles from anything, with enough difficulty to make your palms sweat a bit. And this scenario, in my opinion, requires a dependable, easily-repaired rig that can keep you out of the elements most of the time and get you home, and maybe help someone else.
This is not a shot at other suspension designs. I know many that work extremely well. I just appreciate the fact that you appreciate the simplicity of leaf springs enough to use and write about them.
I am curious about the four-link with leaf springs approach. I've wondered about it for years, but I don't get four-link geometry.
Tell Christian I said hi and that I did, in fact, go to spring-under on the rear of the Scrambler to combat wrap and hop. Wrap is non-existent and the hop is all but eliminated.
Donnie Roebuck
Debary, FL
Leaf Lovin'
I loved your editorial (Trail Head) in the June '10 issue. I am relatively new to Jeeps, but I love leaf spring suspensions. I was wondering if you will ever do an article on the setup you talked about in your editorial.
Benjamin Boles
Wesley Chapel, FL
Very likely, but it might be several months before I can get started.
Where Da Porn At?
OK, I've had it with your so called "magazine"! I read Bill Anthony's message regarding the "scantily clad women" that belong in Playboy, and I wasted hours looking, page by page, issue by issue, to find this Jeep pornography section that had his panties in such a bunch, and I couldn't find it. As a result of this terrible waste of my time, I am canceling my subscription unless you can guarantee me that I, too, will receive the same Jeep porn that Bill is so disgusted by. And please, hurry, my wife has banned me from the computer!
Jim Cuthbertson
Oakwood Hills, IL
Don't Make Me Cancel!
Okay, I am a little disappointed. I am a new subscriber and just received my June '10 issue of Jp magazine. After seeing all the complaints of half-naked women in your magazine, I settled back to enjoy the issue with a beer in one hand. What happened? Not one single photo worth complaining about! Keep it up and I will have to cancel my subscription for failure to deliver on my expectations. Don't give into the vocal minority-keep doing what you have been doing and don't listen to a bunch of hypocrites. Great mag.
Bob
Santa Fe, NM
Bikini-Clad Jeep Jeans
So I'm reading the June '10 Mailbag and it just never ceases to amaze me how much people complain when a few bikini-clad girls show up in the magazine. And to call everything else in the magazine trash because of a few girls? They aren't living in reality! And the one fellow who claims he is cancelling his subscription "one more time"? What a hoot! Now you watch out, 'cause he may cancel yet a third time! Ha! I wish these creeps would leave quickly, quit hanging around and whining, and not let the screen door hit 'em in the behind! I love Jp mag just the way it is! Don't cave in to the minority!
But what I'd really like to complain about to you is that I've got a bad case of Jeep jeans. Anyone who ever had a TJ has had to have this happen to them once. You jump in the Jeep and one of your belt loops gets caught on the door post by the seat. It rips it off every time. So what's the cure for this Jeep owner ailment, oh great Jeep guru? I've never seen an article in Jp about this problem! I've considered using zip ties to fix several pairs of my jeans 'cause without my belt I'd put most plumbers to shame, and well, if there was a picture of that in the magazine, you'd get a lot more hate mail than you get for the girls.
Vince Orr
Missouri Valley, IA