Family Fun Four Wheeling

Vehicles manufactured since 1974 have a variety of emission control systems.  As the engine control and monitoring systems became more complex, on-board diagnostic systems were developed to record fault codes and assist in engine problem diagnosis.  Beginning with the cap on the gas tank through the engine and out the muffler, something out of tolerance will generate a fault code that is recorded.

Over the past two years I have been collecting GPS data from a number of different sources with the intent of converting it into GIS layer data that can be compared with what the agencies are using for their various planning efforts.

The concept involves the use of industry standard GIS (Geographic Information System) software used by local, state, and federal agencies.  GIS software provides that ability to develop a basemap (ie, the state of California) and overlay it with a number of layers depicting different things.  The "things" are county boundaries, national forest boundaries, political boundaries, roads, cities, and anything else that is a feature on the land.  That “feature” is described and placed on a map layer to show its relationship to other features.

So, how does that impact OHV recreation?

My quest to get an amateur radio license started 10 years ago.  Time at sea, away from home, enrolled in school...blah blah blah...excuses excuses.  I finally got my chance and earned my ticket in March of this year and, after all the build up, haven't so much as keyed a mic.  Today, with an FJ60 engine swap nearing completion, I decided that it was time to take the plunge and get things set up in the communication department.

Vacaville, CA - Extreme Outback Products created the Ultra Light 3.0 all-aluminum air tank for a severely weight-restricted military application. However, this 3-gallon tank -- which weighs only 6 pounds -- is ideal for any situation where lightweight air storage is needed. Custom-vehicle air-suspension systems is one obvious use, as are corrosive marine and off-road applications.

Napier Precision Products Introduces a more Durable Fender Flare for the Jeep Cherokee XJ.

CHARLESTOWN, Indiana, July 5, 2010 – Jeep Cherokee Owners now have a new option in high performance fender flares. The founder of Napier Precision Products recently introduced the V2 Fender Flares for the Jeep Cherokee XJ 1997 - 2001, 4 door.

The V2 Fender Flares are heavy duty, oversized, and cut-out style fender flares. They are made from the industry standard rigid ABS plastic. But the V2 Fender Flares are 50% thicker to withstand abuse on the trail or street.

Notice of Interim Final Supplementary Rules for Public Lands Managed by the California Desert District
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) California Desert District (CDD) Office and the five Field Offices within the CDD, are issuing interim final supplementary rules for public lands administered by the BLM. The BLM has determined these interim final supplementary rules are necessary to enhance the safety of visitors, protect public health, protect natural resources, and improve recreation experiences and opportunities.

Movement Aims to Improve Rubicon Trail Sanitation

(Placerville, Calif., June 22, 2010) — El Dorado County is asking off road enthusiasts to support its Yellow Bandana Campaign to eradicate the infamous “white flowers” on the world-famous Rubicon Trail. White (toilet paper) flowers are found where off road enthusiasts have failed to follow proper human waste disposal and sanitation procedures while on the Rubicon.

COMPANY CLOSES THE GAP FOR JK OWNERS WITH NEW REAR BUMPER BRACKETS

DYERSBURG, TENNESSEE— Rough Country Suspension ® Products launches an interesting addition to the popular 1 ¼” Jeep TJ Body Lift Kit today, with the inclusion of new rear bumper brackets at no additional cost. When installed, these brackets elevate the rear bumper flush with the rest of the vehicle’s frame, thus eliminating the usual gap that occurs.

EL DORADO, CA APRIL 15, 2010: CalROCS announces the 2010 schedule consisting of four events with two-day competitions for five classes. The May and June events will be held in Reno, Nevada, and the July and August events will be at Donner Ski Ranch in the Sierra Nevada Mountain of California. Reno has some of the most awesome courses the rock crawling world has ever seen, and Donner Ski Ranch is known as the crown jewel of rock crawling in the Northwest with its natural beauty and great atmosphere.

Well friends, it's been a long time coming... seven years to be exact... from when we first launched TRDParts4U.

Over that time, it has grown beyond our wildest dreams, as has our customer base whom we are privileged to call friends.

So, in order to better serve the Overlanding and Off Road community we share, we have pulled the off-road parts from TRDParts4U and are launching Go Overland!

Notice Re-opening the Comment Period for the Draft Resource Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Clear Creek Management Area, California

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces a re-opening of the comment period on the Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA). The original notice was published in the Federal Register on December 4, 2009 [74 FR 0232] and provided for a comment period to end on March 5, 2010. The BLM is re-opening the comment period to end April 19, 2010.

Sausage Making and Health Care Reform

"Laws, like sausages, cease to inspire respect in proportion as we know how they are made."
John Godfrey Saxe (1816-1887) American Poet

Poet Saxe summed up the legislative situation pretty well, especially with respect to the recently passed health care reform legislation. It was one long, messy process. So much so, we all might prefer sausage making to lawmaking. When it comes to health care reform, not all of the ingredients are known and we certainly don't know whether the American consumer will want to buy the product when it is finally available. At this stage of the game, sausage makers are gaining new respect and lawmakers are at a new low.