Up coming Thing shows

ericj8 · Post by **ericj8** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 8:00 pm

Hi,
Is anyone here attending either the Thing Shop's Show

http://www.thethingshop.com/events/thingsinthesun3.htm

or German Motor work's show

http://germanmotorworks.com/show/index.html

If you are going to either one, where are you coming from?

~Eric

Mattt · Post by **Mattt** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 11:01 pm

Yep, trying to make both of them. Ill probably only take the Thing to GMW. Coming from Anaheim Hills area.

Capn Skully · Post by **Capn Skully** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 5:41 am

Too far for me... I have two VW show in Texas to choose from.

ericj8 · Post by **ericj8** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 9:42 pm

Hope to see you at both shows Mattt. I think I emailed you about your thing. Are you the one with the shocks going thru the roll cage?

~Eric

Mattt · Post by **Mattt** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 9:59 pm

I do have Fox shocks that are cage mounted. How long ago was it that we emailed? Did I send pics? I dont think the Thing will be making it this weekend considering the front end is still on jackstands while I hack away to make the new front end fit. But, Im planning on driving to GMW. Are you driving to both?

ericj8 · Post by **ericj8** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 10:35 pm

I emailed you probably about 2 months ago. You didn't send pics because you said you didn't have any good ones. What kind of front end are you going to go with? I plan on driving to both if everything works out. I am coming from Pasadena area so it is 95 miles one way.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 6:41 pm

eric what exhaust are you using? Been waiting to find out what you decided to do. Best of luck. Bob Ingman

ericj8 · Post by **ericj8** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 6:48 pm

Well, the muffler story is still on going. I ended up going to one shop which put 2 flowmasters on my Thing and it seemed to of lost power. I went back and they went with dual stock mufflers which is a lot better. I looked underneath the car and noticed they put the piping too close to my CVs and I plan on getting some new arms which would bring the rear wheel back. (currently the rear wheels are forward because of the lift). So I went to another shop and they re-did the piping. I still don't think I have the right exhaust setup but I plan on maybe doing a Subaru 2.5L conversion. Bob, do you know of anyone who has completed a Subaru conversion?

Thanks,
Eric

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 8:04 pm

Eric probably best to begin another thread on the Subaru conversion Mattt here is one that is knowlegable on that subject. Also go to www.thingtech.com and find info there. We need to talk about the matter of the arms controlling the angle of the rear wheels. Wish I could make the German auto show.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Sun May 02, 2004 9:55 am

Eric I think I have figured out the problem with your exhaust from the recent description you gave.
Go to the bus barn forum and find the thread started by me "78 bus heater boxes". I bumped it to the top for you. Scroll down to the diagrams of the exhaust systems and try to recognize which system you have. I think you have the 75-77 and you need the 72-74 or the 78-79. We`ll talk more after you do. Best of luck. Bob Ingman

ericj8 · Post by **ericj8** » Sun May 02, 2004 10:03 am

Well, the Thing show was very HOT. They had about 53 Things enter into the show. And after talking to many people, Bob was right and I do have a porsche 914 tranny and engine. I did take home runner up in the custom category. I also got sunburned from driving 95 miles in the sun. I should really get a top for my Thing.

Here are some pics. I'll post more later.

http://img15.photobucket.com/albums/v45 ... gshow1.jpg
http://img15.photobucket.com/albums/v45 ... gshow2.jpg
http://img15.photobucket.com/albums/v45 ... gshow3.jpg

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Sun May 02, 2004 11:08 am

Eric I noticed this morning that your links on the gallery thread are not working. Bob Ingman

ericj8 · Post by **ericj8** » Sun May 02, 2004 11:51 am

Fixed them Bob. I re-looked at your pics and you do need at least rear fenders

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Sun May 02, 2004 2:03 pm

Eric it would appear that I need at least rear fenders but actually the opposite is true. I need at least front fenders form a practicle stand point.
When I installed the running boards they acted as mud flaps for the front tires. When I widened the beam by six inches I lost that advantage. Now I am constantly mud covered. This it must be realized includes my curtains so that vision to the sides becomes impossible. Its a wet climate here in the Tongass National (rain )Forest. Its not an occasional inconvience but a constant. As far as the rears go that would be more cosmetic than anything. I throw a rooster tail but if it hits you you`re following too close. If I was in a dry climate it would matter not to me. The law here is not a factor so I do not have to worry about being ticketed.
Right now I favor the exact arrangement you have for fenders as being best for my particular need. Did you look at the exhaust systems I suggested? Best of luck. Bob Ingman

ericj8 · Post by **ericj8** » Sun May 02, 2004 2:23 pm

I understand what you mean. Well, you should just get the front fenders for now. I forget that not everyone has the same strict laws as we do in California.

I did look at the exhaust information. Thank you for posting it. But I plan on going with a different engine so I will leave what I have for now. After the german motor works show I am going down to Pantera Specialist ( http://www.lola332.com/subaru.htm ) to get some information about the best engine for my Thing. I had spoken to them over the phone and he recommened a 2.5L subaru natually aspirated for the Thing. He says it gets about 250 hp. I wanted to go with a turbo setup but I'm thinking it will just be more maintanence that I don't want since I will be off-roading.

I also plan on maybe getting a wider beam with a King Pin setup in front. Most likely disc brakes as well.
And in the rear, I would like to go with a longer beam with some bigger coilover shocks but not sure. Bob you told me we would discuss the arm length to get the wheel angle right.

What suspension setup are you running Bob? Any ideas? Suggestions?

Thank you,
~Eric