biggman100

An update on the Android based OBD2 readers. I recently had a chance to try out one of these, after borrowing it from a friend. After doing some research, i found that they are all based off the ELMSCAN PC based readers. After downloading the app to connect it to my phone, which is an older Android AT&T phone, i found that although it seems to read codes, and with the right app can do limited live data, it doesnt do much beyond that. I used it on my wife's 2008 Subaru Legacy, and although no codes are showing on her car, it was able to read some live data, such as oxygen sensor, engine speed, vehicle speed, engine temperature, and such, but like the less involved and cheaper code readers, is VERY limited in what it can and cant do. I had my wife drive around while i messed with it a bit, just to see what it would and wouldn't do, and my conclusion is that it is ok for simply reading and erasing codes, and you can also get some engine info, as long as you know what you are looking at, but i wouldn't expect too much out of it. One issue i had, although it may more be a lack of capabilities of my phone, is that it would disconnect from my phone for no reason from time to time. I didn't seem to be able to find any apps to allow me to read ABS or airbag codes, so i'm still not sure if it will do them, even in a limited capacity.

Moses, you mentioned upgrading the A/C to 134a, what all was involved in the upgrade?

I forgot to mention where they are located: off route 12 in Whitehall, NY about an hour north of Albany, NY and about an hour west of the New Hampshire border.

JJ, although it sounds like you have the misfire problem fixed, i wanted to add one small bit of advice for anyone else who reads this. Dont overlook the O-rings on the injectors themselves. I chased a misfire on a Cadillac escalade for weeks, and after i finally got frustrated with it, i took it to Cadillac, and they traced it to a small tear in an injector O-ring. That experience taught me a valuable lesson. Never rule out even the smallest thing.

JJ, i also failed to notice one of your questions, sorry about that. You asked about conditioners, and coatings that you can add to the terminal ends. I personally wouldnt recommend it. I know the ads, and the hype say they are good for the battery, and they may be, but i have also seen where they can cause issues as well. With the coatings, they cause a variety of issues, from not being able to get the battery end off easily if need be, to having to just scrape them off when you need a jump, or someone else does. The conditioners, on the other hand, aren't worth the money, because they tend to degrade and even wash off very quickly. I know some battery shops, and even some people, are very adamant that they do help, but to me, they just aren't worth the money. A tip i have learned that is inexpensive, and really does work, is to use coca-cola to clean the corrosion off of the ends from time to time, before it gets too bad.

JJ, would like to add to what Moses said, if i may. After years of my brother owning a high end stereo shop, one thing i learned is that they dont pay as much attention to the engine wiring as they do the wiring that runs the stereo, and its associated components. With that said, i would advise, as Moses did, to try and follow the factory wiring as much as possible. There is one thing i didn't mention in my list of wiring ideas, and that is universal replacement cables. Most parts stores stock these, and there are many different types, but, an advantage over using replacement ends, and running your own wire, is that they come with the wire already molded to a battery terminal end, and will usually have at least one pigtail off the end as well. You can either use a crimp connector or solder and heat shrink tubing to connect the pigtail to the battery to firewall ground, and the other wire you just connect to the block where the existing ground was located, or anywhere that you can connect the ground wire to get a good ground. They come in different lengths and configurations, so that almost any wiring can be replaced with minimal work. I have enclosed a couple pics of the types i have used before. There are several different types, and they come in both top and side post configurations, and are available for both the ground and positive sides. One big advantage to using these is it takes the guesswork out of whether the original cable is corroded under the shielding or not.

I found this place by accident recently. It is fairly new, and some of the rules are, at least to me, a bit restrictive, such as no pets, but they do provide a decent place to play with an off road vehicle. When we were there, they were running a mud bog event, but according to their facebook page, they also have a dirt bike track for younger riders, a couple of basic and one intermediate level trail, with almost no restriction on vehicle type, and weekend camping as well. They also do an obstacle course type event, according to the owner. The only website i could find for them is their Facebook page, which is at https://www.facebook...142756169097329. We had a great time there!

A few years ago, i took a trip across Canada that actually started in Washington State and went across the lower part of Canada, through Vancouver, Winnipeg, Montreal, and on the way to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. I was on my way to N.Y. for Coast Guard training, and since they were nice enough to let me drive, and i didnt have to be there for 5 weeks, i figured why not take the trip. I spent 3 days each in Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland, and i have to say, they are both very interesting places to visit. The people are pretty friendly, although a bit uppity, and the scenery is amazing. At the time, i didnt do much off road traveling, but with some of the roads through the region, at least back then, in the early 1990s, i didnt need to seek out back roads because even some of the main roads could have doubled as off road trails. While i was there, i got to see the vast Canadian and U.S. fishing fleets as well as meet a very diverse group of interesting people. Several languages are spoken in Canada, French and English being the main two, and it was interesting listening to people mix the 2 languages while speaking. Of interest to the off road crowd though, as i learned from the locals, is that there are literally thousands of logging roads, back country trails, unknown roads, and even whole villages and towns that aren't shown on a map. I know a trip to Canada isn't for everyone, but for those that can manage it, don't rule it out. I have family that moved there years ago to work in different industries, mainly oil and fishing, and they send me pics and tidbits about getting around in the less populated areas, and some of their stories make it seem like, at least in some areas, 4 wheel drive, and even mildly lifted trucks, are a must up there. Canada does have no trespass laws, but, in most places, as long as you don't tear up the property, and get permission from the owners first, even the logging roads aren't off limits, but the logging trucks have right of way. Another place i have been is the Yukon. This is another amazing place to get away from it all. There are towns and villages throughout the region, but some of those are 50 miles down back roads and trails between villages, through some amazing country that has lakes, rivers, forests, and abandoned settlements in places you wouldnt expect. The best way to get to the Yukon though is by rail through the mountains. That trip is one that i say everyone should take once in their life if they can. The train starts in Skagway, Alaska, and ends in Yukon, Canada, and goes over a mountain, one of the oldest standing span bridges in Canada, and over or next to several lakes. The trip can only be taken on the Yukon Rail Road, which has been in operation since 1898, or via a 33 mile hike. You used to be able to rent a car in the Yukon, but after having not been there in many years, i don't know if they still do that or not. They also offer a couple of different cruises. The one we took was on an old paddle wheel steamer that has been in continuous operation for almost 100 years. It goes through large lakes, as well as some very dense forested areas. None of these trips are inexpensive, but if you can afford it, they are well worth the money, if for nothing else, just as a new idea of places to get away from it all. Canada not only offers some amazing scenery, as well as places to get away from it all, but also offers unexpected and worthwhile vacation and trip ideas. It really is worth looking into.

The story behind this is that after all the rain we have had recently, my wife got a few days off, because her office was flooded, so we decided to just take a road trip. After getting low on gas, we stopped to fill up, and while at the gas station, i ran into a couple guys from the Finger Lakes 4x4 club, and they were on their way to the Mettowee Park to go mudding. We decided to tag along, ultimately making our one or two day road trip last almost 5 days.

Moses, sorry about that, somehow my computer sent that way before i was ready to.

Never discount the idea of a hastily planned road trip

Tatman, welcome to the forums! While i dont know alot about the I-H line of trucks, i did find, after asking a couple people, a couple of I-H parts links that may be useful. I posted them under a different heading at the I-H forums.

For anyone looking for info on the I-H Scout, Scout II, and Travelall, a good source of info, according to a couple family members, is Super Scout. According to their website, http://www.superscoutspecialists.com/store/default.aspx, they are specialists in all of the I-H vehicles, and according to a couple family members, they are extremely knowledgable and helpful. Another site, that may or may not be able to get body parts, is http://www.lkqcorp.com/us/en/auto-light-truck-parts/aftermarket-parts-by-keystone.aspx. They are LKQ corporation, owners of Keystone aftermarket body parts. I have never gotten body parts for an I-H, but i have gotten parts for older domestic trucks and vans from them, and pricing actually seems pretty reasonable. As far as i know, though, you can only do phone orders, as well as in store orders and pick up if they have a store near you.

I want to encourage others to become forum members. Joining these forums is free, and it is very easy to become a member, just as fast as becoming a member on any other website or forum! Moses Ludel, the publisher of the magazine and author of several books, has many years of valuable experience at professional repairs and maintenance. He has hands on, valuable experience at building magazine specialty vehicles for places like the Rubicon Trail and all-weather/all-terrain use—with lots of travel and back country experiences to share! Moses Ludel taught 4WD driving clinics for the Tread Lightly program, too. In becoming a member, you will find diverse yet on-topic conversations, ranging from old and new Jeep vehicles to GM, Ford, Dodge and Ram, Toyota and other 4WD trucks and SUVs. We also talk about off-road motorcycles, camping, outdoor lifestyle interests and even places to visit or have an adventure, whether it be for a day, or a week, or you are looking for a new place to move! I'm getting reliable information, professional advice, money saving tips, safety recommendations and, for the first time, practical and proven solutions that don't always involve spending a fortune. And when it's time to buy parts and aftermarket items, I'm making better choices and have confidence that the upgrades and accessories will actually work! Join us, you'll be doing yourself a huge favor, and we'd like your participation!

I did a bit of research and found that there actually is a course on towing and trailers. I didn't look into it much, but it seems to be an online based course, but even that would be a help for someone who wants to learn a bit more about towing and trailering. The website is http://fleet.idrivesafely.com/trailer-towing-training.html. Another site i found, that at least offers a bunch of valid tips, is from U-Haul. That site is: http://www.uhaul.com/Articles/Tips/122/Trailer-User-Instructions

I looked up the specs on the camera we use, which can be found at http://www.bushnell.com/hunting/trail-cameras/trophy-cam/trophy-cam-hd-brown# It doesnt show any option for audio. I did find a few that do offer audio, but since this camera is strictly for trail, game, and hunting use, and not a full on action video camera, audio wouldn't really be of much use.

One thing i keep meaning to add to this, is about a couple places in the city of Oswego. One, which has a diverse and somewhat tragic history, is Fort Ontario. During the French-Indian war, it was used as a weapons and ammunition depot and a lookout for invading troops. Another bit of history is somewhat tragic, in that it helped with the mass panic against Japanese- Americans in WWII. Some people may know this, but some probably don't. During WWII, after the Japanese attacked pearl harbor, the U.S. decided it would be a good idea to lock up Japanese citizens in this country. Fort Ontario was one of those places. I read a book, written by a local author, that was written right after WWII, that talked about how the locals in Oswego would pass food and other stuff through the fence to the people that were kept there. The fort is kind of tucked away, so it is actually best to ask for directions to it. Another thing of interest, is the various lighthouses along the shore of Lake Ontario. One, situated out in the lake, along the breakwater wall, right near downtown Oswego, has been there since the late 1800s. For the adventurous folks, there is the Silas Towne sight. It is hidden in the woods behind an old stone house and a partially destroyed stone foundation. The locals take delight in messing with people and steering them in the wrong direction, though, when they ask where it is, so be careful who you ask. It is located right across from the Mexico point pier, and straight down the road the Mexico point boat yard and marina are on. For those who don't know, Silas Towne was a Revolutionary War spy who hid in the woods and reported conversations he heard from invading troops coming into the Oswego area from Canada. His grave is at the site where he had overheard the invading army's plans and alerted the local cavalry. And the last thing i want to mention is the Naval Historic Dock, right on Lake Ontario. They have a couple of U.S. Navy vessels usually stationed there as well as a couple other historic boats that were used on the lake, and you can tour these vessels, at least in the summer.

Thank you for that, Moses. Now i have a better understanding of why people always talk about only doing this with certain vehicles. I have heard over the years why a vehicle would be better, but never a real explanation of why, just that, say a Jeep CJ5 or CJ7, or trail buggy would be better. After your explanation, i see where it would be more advantageous to just build a purpose built, shorter wheelbase vehicle, instead of modifying a mid-size or full size truck.

I know this is already known as a popular tourist destination, but this post isn't so much about the tourist areas as it is the non traditional areas. While the 1000 Islands does offer exceptional boating, camping, lodging, food and even some hiking, what most tourist sites don't touch much on is the historical areas. One of the things that i did, when we went there a couple years ago, was to stay away from the traditional, known tourist areas, and instead, get caught up in the wilderness. I found not only many historical buildings, from old farm houses to an old school house, and even a fort left over from the french-indian war, tucked away on a road that wasn't even shown on my GPS. The state is supposed to have plans to restore it. Another thing i found quite a few of were lighthouses. Being that the 1000 Islands are right on Lake Ontario, and also near the St. Lawrence causeway, and also across from Ontario, Canada, there is a lot of boat and ship traffic. There was also an old boat yard that was built in the late 1800s, tucked away at the end of a road and still in operation. Most of these places you won't find in tour guides, but if you are like me, a bit of getting lost and you will find a host of interesting things to see and do. One tourist attraction i do want to mention, though, mainly because it is a sight to see, is Boldt castle. The only way to get to the castle is by boat, but it is worth the short trip. The castle is a bit of a tragedy, in that the original owner and builder, George C Boldt, who made his money building hotels, had built the castle for his wife. However, before the castle was completed, his wife passed away suddenly, and the day she passed, he told the workers to stop and abandoned the castle unfinished. I will add a small note here about the rest of the 1000 Islands. There are tons of websites about the area, but most of them aren't up to date on current events and happenings, so if you would like more info on the region, the best site is http://www.visit1000islands.com/visitorinfo/ They not only have info on the boating, camping, lodging, and food in the area, but also the most current and up to date information on special events and gatherings. For the folks who would like information on Boldt castle, with several pics and visitor info, that site is http://www.boldtcastle.com/visitorinfo/.

This is actually a small town in northern PA, but they host a variety of events and activities. The town is a starting point to the Pennsylvania grand canyon, which by itself hosts amazing views as well as different activities, from short scenic train rides, to horse and buggy rides on the old rail bed in the canyon, to off road events, to a variety of history. The part i like best is that you can see quite a bit in just a day trip, which living 45 miles from there, we do frequently. The biggest attraction, the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, is a few miles south of Wellsboro, but along the way, there are historic buildings, such as turn of the century (1900s) hotels, the town park, which has several monuments to the founders of the town, as well as a water fountain dedicated to the old Dutch children's story, Wynken, Blynken and Nod. It really is interesting to see. The entire downtown area of Wellsboro is full of old 1900s buildings, including a hotel, a restaurant that has been in business over 100 years, an early 1930s movie theater, and even a converted train car that now serves as a diner. A few miles north, there is a passenger excursion train that offers rides to a pair of man made lakes, known locally as Tioga Dam, or officially as the Tioga-Hammond Lakes Park. The excursion train offers everything from short, quick trips to the lake, to lunch and dinner trains. Tioga-Hammond lake offers boating, fishing, camping, day use picnic areas, as well as swimming areas, and even a 4th of July fireworks show over the water. The best part, at least for me, is that unlike most places, Tioga-Hammond lake, offers free parking for all their day use facilities, whereas most parks charge for that. If you come in from the north, from Pa route 15, and drive along PA 287, and are heading south, you can see, on the road that runs along the lakes, where miners in the early 1900s blasted through the rock to not only make the road, but also to run the railroad tracks. There are also rally events that are hosted by the Waste Management Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally. Their website is http://www.stpr.org/ You can find information on their site about not only rally and off road events, but other events in the area as well. While the rally events aren't actually full-on rock climbing, trail buggy style events, they are very fun to watch. A few miles away, there is also the town of Tioga, which hosts several events, from a county fair, to mud bogging, and even truck and tractor pulls. Now, on to the big one, the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. As you head out from Wellsboro, on the way to the Grand Canyon, there is not only some very beautiful scenery, but also some historic sights, such as camps from the 1930s for the miners who built the railroad that went through the canyon, to a small zoo that although it isn't very big, does have a diverse array of animals and is a nice place to visit, especially, if like me, you have children who are fascinated with animals. A few of their attractions include a tiger, reindeer, and from time to time, an elephant. Before you get to the canyon top, the road winds through tree filled small hills, and offers some very impressive scenery. Once you get to the canyon, at the top, which unlike a big hike, you can pull into the visitors center and gift shop, right on top of the canyon. They do offer hiking trails along the top of the canyon that have some amazing views of the canyon and surrounding area. You can sometimes also see Bald Eagles, and Osprey in flight. The visitor's center also offers pay to watch ($0.25) binoculars, and if you know where to look, you can see the camps that are situated on the side of the canyon, from when the railway went through there. Once you are done hiking the trails, and spending time at the top of the canyon, you can then go to the bottom, and not only ride bicycles through the bottom, there are also a couple of companies that offer horse and buggy rides through the entire canyon as well. Motorized traffic, however, is not allowed, and is strictly prohibited in the bottom of the canyon. There are places that allow for picnic stops, and there are even hiking trails at the bottom of the canyon. Along the bottom of the canyon, you can see original and restored rail stations and also see the camps that are left from the days that the railroad was first built. According to the history, guys moved millions of tons of rock and dirt, with crude equipment, so that the railroad could be laid at the bottom of the canyon. All in all, it is a good place for a day trip, or even a week or two, because the area has so many activities and events.

I posted about the upcoming Dodge Ram 1500 3.0l diesel, manufactured by VM Motori. Now, nothing has been released yet as far as i know related to GM, but the article i read about the engine stated that GM may also be using a version of the same engine in their line of light duty trucks. If they do, the speculation is that they are planning to use it in select lines of 1/2 ton, light duty pickups and SUVs, including the 1500 series, tahoe and possibly suburban. The article i read stated that GM owns a stake in the company that produces the engine, VM Motori, and that GM has expressed possible interest in the engine.

Moses, another good point i didn't consider would be connecting it to my current transmission. A possible option, depending on if it would fit, could be to source the engine and transmission from a wreck, and see if it would mate up to my transfer case, or possibly getting a complete wrecked 4x4, and transferring the needed parts to my Dakota. Not that i see this happening, but who knows, even if i don't do it, for whatever reason, maybe this will give someone else some ideas. Like you, i would hate to find a wrecked brand new truck in a salvage yard, but it does happen. I recently found a 2012 Chevy 3500 short cab 4x4 in a local salvage yard. It was hit in the side hard enough to bend the frame. Now, one thing i want to mention, after doing some more research on this, is it looks like the diesel option, at least for now, is only available in certain model Dodge trucks, and isn't available on all the trim levels. As soon as i find out more on that, i will post it here, but it looks like Dodge is trying to see how much of an interest they get before they offer it as an upgrade to all the 1500 series trucks. if anyone has any further info, please share what you have heard about this new option.

You mention the Tread Lightly clinics. You could go and learn not only basic off road techniques, but also how to keep the property you were wheeling on from getting ruined? Do they still do those? I didn't find that info on their site.

In another post, i made mention of U-Pull and full service wrecking yards, which some may know about, and some may not, and i wanted to start a discussion about the pros and cons of buying new versus used. In a U-Pull yard, you pull the part yourself, ultimately saving money, but at the same time, finding the time to do so isn't always easy. Another advantage to a U-Pull yard, is from an experience standpoint. Not everyone knows how simple parts like alternators, starters and even brakes come off their vehicle. You can find that information, as well as tons on pics, and even step by step instructions, on this and other websites, but if you are like me, there is only so much you can learn from pics and reading instructions, before you have to actually get your hands dirty, and U-Pull yards are a good place for that. Before you go pulling parts off a vehicle in a salvage yard, or even your own vehicle, always think safety. You can be severely injured by not being cautious and paying attention to what you are doing. Some downsides to a U-Pull yard, though, are having the time to be able to go there and pull the part, often working around work and family schedules. Another downside is that whether it be a U-Pull or full service wrecking yard, you can't always be guaranteed the part will be any good, so you do have to be careful there. An upside though, is that you can usually find some really good deals on used parts, such as engines, transmissions, wheels, electrical components, and even body parts. Full service yards, on the other hand, will already have the part pulled, and on a shelf, ready to be purchased. This is handy for people who don't have the time for a U-Pull yard, but again, you have to be careful with what you purchase. Most full serve and U-Pull yards will do an initial inspection and run test of most major components, but that usually consists of letting the engine run a few minutes, and maybe engaging the transmission, but that is about it. Full serve yards, while still being cheaper than new, can still be considerably more expensive than a U-Pull yard. One useful advantage to a U-Pull or even a full serve yard is in the form of major components, such as engines, transmissions, and axles. Not everyone has the money to buy a reman engine or transmission. This is where buying used can solve two problems: It gives you a useable, rebuildable replacement part that you can then take to the shop of your choice to have the work done, and you can save money over new or reman parts. There are, however, certain parts i would never buy used for safety reasons, such as brake components, steering components, and some suspension components, because you don't know how the previous owner took care of the vehicle. Once cleaned, a part may look as new on the outside, but that doesn't mean it really is. One thing i would like to add, before i get into new parts, is about rebuilding a used part. Unless you have experience in this area, let the shop do it. It isn't worth buying a $200 engine, putting $600 or more in the parts to rebuild it, only to have it blow up in a day. The upside to buying a used part, and having it rebuilt by someone with experience, is that you then know what you have, and it should last many miles. Once you have your used part, before any work is done, that is the time to think about any add-ons, performance upgrades, or chrome accessories you may wish to have. There are some very good sources in the magazine for those parts. Now, on to reman parts, while being worth the money in many ways, there are also drawbacks as well. Most major reman parts, such as engines, transmissions, and axles, come with a warranty, that even a rebuilt used part usually doesn't have. They are more expensive than used, but they also come with peace of mind, when installed and broken-in properly. If you look through some of the parts suppliers in the magazine, you will usually see that information posted in the description of the part. A downside to the warranty, though, is it can be made invalid if they suspect the part has been installed incorrectly or abused in any way, so read the warranty information very carefully. Another upside, at least for some people, is you don't have to crawl around a wrecking yard that may be muddy or have nasty insects and even snakes and other creatures to watch out for. The two downsides i have seen to major reman parts can be the cost, as some parts are very expensive, and the wait time. Some parts, such as engines and transmissions, usually have to be ordered by the parts store, or the dealer, and can have ridiculously long in transit wait time's. I have seen engines take as long as a month to get to the parts store. Another disadvantage, is that most places will order those parts, but you have to pick them up at their shop, they normally won't deliver them to your house. One big advantage, though, from what i understand, is most major parts, even for a vehicle less than 5 years old, are only available as a reman unless the part is also offered as a "crate" option. Now, on to new parts. I mainly bring this up for what i consider maintenance and frequently replaced parts, such as brake parts, suspension parts, and steering parts. This is one of those where trying to save a few dollars isn't worth the potential problems. When it comes to those parts, whether you buy them at your local parts store or from the advertisers in the magazine, or even online discount suppliers, always buy new, and only buy quality parts. There is no point in trying to save a little bit on a ball joint, or tie rod end, or even brake pads or shoes, only to have the component fail and cause major damage or an accident. Electrical components, such as ignition modules, starters, and alternators, and even wiring are another place where new is always better. There is nothing worse than coming outside, in extremely hot or very cold weather, only to find your vehicle won't start, and trace it to the reman starter you bought a month ago, or be on the trail and have the battery die, with ten vehicles behind you, and find the reman alternator you bought a few weeks ago quit when it was needed most. I'm not trying to put anyone down here, so please don't take offense, it is just that both of those scenarios have happened to me in the past, and i know from experience how spending a few more dollars would have been worth it. And if you have luck like mine, the part you least expect will be the one to fail!

deltas69, as you didn't say where you were going to source the new engine, i thought i would add this to the discussion. Dont overlook U-Pull salvage yards. Although unlike a full service yard, or a reman engine, you have to pull the parts yourself. Some U-Pull yards will also offer to pull the part for an added fee. U-Pull and even most full service salvage yards will also give you interchange information for almost any component on a vehicle. Another place where a U-Pull yard is useful, at least in this instance and with the information Moses posted, is that you can source any of the needed components, such as engine, transmission if needed, wiring, ECM, and almost any other part you may need to do any of the engine swap options that Moses spoke of, and then get the needed adapters from the suppliers Moses mentioned. Moses mentioned finding parts cheap or fairly reasonable, and i have gone the U-Pull route many times with different vehicles over the years.