CJ2A product review section? I think we need it!

rocnroll wrote: samcj2a wrote:   As long as proper decorum prevails, I don't think we want to try to have too many rules.

Well, considering some of the membership here (you know who you are  ), I guess the idea of the coexistence of "proper decorum" and not "too many rules" is laughable!

Many special interest BBS sites provide for 'reviews' by members. Apparently they are not concerned about liability issues. Perhaps a disclaimer statement would suffice to eliminate your concerns.

I think this would be useful, the reluctance I have is when it comes to vendors as it's possible for individuals to have vastly different experiences. An example is there is one particular vendor that I won't deal with after a bad experience. It's to the point that if he was the only one in the world with a part I needed, I'd do without. Strong stuff huh? But on the other hand I've read posts by other members who recommend him. I think what has happened is that there's a fundamental personality clash between me and him, one of those "oil and water" deals that happen from time to time in life. I haven't said anything negative about him in public postings (at least I don't think I have, but my mind is fading fast) because I don't want my personal experiences to influence others that may have no problem at all. Just throwing out my .02 worth, now I'll get back to my Active house design project

Again, this should not be about attacking vendors, its main focus should be a review of parts they carry. 

I'll stick my neck out, and give you an example of one real part review that I intended to mention.  This is the type of content that I would like to see in a part review.  Let's see what you think:

Inner steering sector shaft bushing part number 639090 and outer sector shaft bushing part number 639091.

(insert photo here of original, Walcks and Army Jeep Parts Bushings)

The Walcks bushings:
The bushings that Walcks offers were very close in appearance and construction to the originals and matched the length and diameters of the originals nicely.  There is a long and a short bushing, just as the originals.  The bushings appear to be steel backed bronze.  One difference to the originals was that the oil grooves on the outer bushing was cut all the way across the bushing, unlike the original bushing's oil grooves which stop short of the bushing end.  This should not be a problem in operation if the sector shaft oil seal is in good condition.  I would recommend these bushings, and I would be inclined to purchase them again.

The Army Jeep Parts bushings:
The bushings that came in the sector shaft kit from Army Jeep Parts are both the same length and outer diameter as the factory short bushing.  There is supposed to be a long bushing and a short bushing, so two short bushings is incorrect.  They both do have lubrication grooves that go the entire length of the bushings.  The bushing material in these bushings is much softer than the bronze bushings supplied by Walcks, and as found in the original bushings.  They appear to be steel backed babbitt and scratch very easily.  In my opinion, the soft bushings will not have the long term durability that the original bushings had.  I would not recommend using this particular bushing.

end of review...

Now, I think it is safe to say that the above review will help some of you folks out.  It sure would have helped me.  I wish I would have read something like this, and would have seen a photograph before I spent my time and money on these parts. 

It is also safe to say that I will still buy from Army Jeep Parts, as George has helped me with plenty of other parts, but here is one instance where knowing which part version a vendor carries would have been invaluable.

Daniel





Edited by uglyjeep - 18 Feb. 2011 at 1:11am

 WELL   SEAN ...GET THE BALL ROLLING ON HERE...I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU ON IT....

VENDORS NAME   ----  PRODUCT ---PROBLEM WITH ITEM !!!!  PART NUMBER IF POSSIBLE

What if all posts in this new section had to be approved by a moderator? That way it could be worded correctly and diluted like everything else in America, God forbid we affend anyone.

Edited by trader_reed - 18 Feb. 2011 at 8:06am

GaryArf wrote: Again, would this work in the "parts project" ? it seems to me allready designed for this. I'm looking to be shot down here, give me the down side..

Gary, I think the downside is that it might be difficult to achieve the kind of integration with the Parts Project that you have in mind using the off-the-shelf capabilities of the forum software.  It is as though there would have to be the ability to support a parallel thread for every part thread under a given part group.  While that could happen logically, I have not seen the ability of the forum software to support something like that as it physically displays the thread topics or the expanded threads.  Also, now that the forum software supports mobile devices with their smaller screens, it would not work very well there, although that in itself would not need to be a deal killer. 

No matter how a new group of topics were set up - either as a completely separate group of sub-forums organized as the Parts Project is or in some more integrated fashion. people will be posting stuff in the wrong place from time to time, so moderators will have to be moving posts from one thread to another from time to time.  To Matt's point, above, moderators will also have to be cleaning up after us also when someone goes off on a tirade that goes too far, whatever that is, but I think that's not going to happen often.  I think it is useful to respectfully cite issues with vendors' performances as well as issues with their parts.  I do not think that reviews will be so inappropriate so often that the forum would need to be moderated in the sense of each post having to be reviewed before it is allowed to appear, but certainly some housekeeping will be necessary after the fact as it is now for the rest of the forum.

Where's WFB?  He hates too many rules as I do, I think.  

Edit:  Scott - I did misunderstand your intent and do agree with the concepts you just posted.


Edited by samcj2a - 18 Feb. 2011 at 1:57pm

metalshaper wrote: This is a great thread, I have been waiting for something like this for a while.  Some of you may know me, some of you may not.  Brian here, former shop name Brian's 4wd Parts, LLC in Branford, CT.   I think I have sold, installed, or junked just about every single part out there.  I have recently closed the company and moved out to the country to work on very specific projects now.  If anybody would like an assement of any part out there  I would be happy to provide an honest description.  I have sold it all, Crown, Omix, etc......  and know first hand how things work as I do the install as well.   Having restored many, many, old willys I speak from direct experience.   Good luck to everyone on their projects.  You can always reach me at metalshaper@comcast.net    Brian

Well, for each his own I guess. He has offered his help and IF I have a ? i think I will ask him as he has offered.. But from a man that has dealt with this repo junk for years it is easy to say, its all junk