Future Tech Seminar topics:

YELLAHEEP

NAXJA Forum User
The first Tech Seminar went very well! It was met with enthusiasm and decent attendance, so let's keep this rolling.

To keep this working, we need people willing to host the seminar that have a shop or shop-like location adequate to have several people observing the activity. I don't see future seminars being successful if the crowd has to get on the floor to see what's being done. These hosts don't have to be NAXJA members or even associated with NAXJA. If anyone knows of other shops or businesses that would be willing to sponsor a seminar, please contact them, then forward their information to me so I can follow up with them.

Secondly, we need Users / Members that have the parts or materials to complete the task ready to go. We shouldn't rely on the shop or host to supply ANYTHING toward getting the task completed, unless otherwise arranged.

Here's some topics:
-Welding 101: Basic intro to welding and using the equipment. This would simply consist of getting someone in the industry to host/instruct and try to source at least one common type welding machine and some scrap steel items to set up the students to learn to prep the joint and lay a bead. I believe the Chapter could absorb some expense in acquiring the scrap and contribute to the host for gas/wire expense.

-Fender trimming and rear quarter folding: Simple topic that would require very few supplies. It would probably require some pre-setup by the host and XJ owner to get some cuts already done - particularly where the rear quarter is concerned. Finishing the rear with either welds or rivets and how to seal up the new construction.

-Tube bending 101: Having someone with a very good knowledge of calculating the measurements and bends would be ideal. I'd like to see this encompass discussion of DOM, HREW and other tube types and their applications, using the bender, and how to pre-plan the tubing project.

-Building a set of rock rails: The most common kind of rock rail construction is really quite simple and easy. Many that have built their own realize how much better the fit and quality of the rock rail is when it's built to the rig they'll be mounted to. Building the rails only requires a few feet of 2 sizes of square tube (2x2 for the legs, 2x4 for the rails), and 2 sizes of angle (2x3 for frame mounts, 1x1 for the pinch seam) and some 2" wide strap for ends and braces. The seminar would only have to cover measuring, locating and using solid mounting points on the XJ, then constructing one side, tack welded together to show all the pieces together as a unit.

Go ahead and post up any other ideas. If you're willing to host, definitely PM me.
 
Something we are planning on doing for our local club is learning how to fix common trail repairs. Gives the less experienced an opportunity to learn how to make a trail repair in a controlled environment so they are less intimidated when out on the trail, or out by themselves. Tear into a front axle and show how to fix it, letting the least experienced dig in and get dirty. Also, might be able to tie this in with it, but proper winching and extraction. How many times have we been on the trail and seen an extraction that you just know someone will loose their head if someone doesn't step in?

Welding is cool, but response will be limited because not everyone has a welder. Tube bending, even less people have a tube bender. I would think something that everyone who gets out on the trail could benefit from would be most useful and have a larger turnout. Fender trimming would be good, but maybe tie in proper bumpstopping to go along with it. Fender trimming is useful, but if your suspension isn't properly tuned with bumpstops, you can trim all day long, hack your jeep to crap, and still rub small tires under big lifts. Maybe do an actual lift install with several experienced guys putting it together, with someone explaining everything going on. Use a lift that requires removing a lot of the stock components so the unexperienced guys can get an idea how to do it themselves, which saves their money on labor expenses, which allows more funds for other things needed for the trail, like tow points and armor.

I think some tech seminars that cater more toward the newer and least experienced will draw in more members and help guys learn how to do things right and let them get their hands dirty, which is the best way to learn your jeep. This will help the new guys out on the trail, and in turn helps everyone else on the trail, because if something happens on the trail, there is usually a couple guys working their butt off in the mud/rain/snow/heat to fix someone else's rig while everyone else is standing around goofing off waiting around because they have no idea how anything on a jeep works except the CD player and the gas pedal. I certainly don't know everything and could benefit from others knowledge, and the more people know and learn, the more fun a decent size group on a trail run will be.
 
Haha nice, my rear quarter folding thread comes back up :D

I would love to have a tube bending 101 seminar, seeing as I think Im going to need to get one in the not TO distant future. Im good on welding, since Im about to be finished with my class :D. Problem for me, is that I would like to see tech seminars that are more advanced (tube bending/notching, cage building, link design/setup, etc.).
 
Someone suggested at the last Tech. seminar thet DIY weld on beadlocks may be a good topic.

I've been considering getting those but i'm also considering Staun's and installing those could be a good topic also.
 
I've done a few sets of rockrails and would be willing to lend a hand with that one. As for the welding 101 I have to check with the owner here, but the fab asme code vessal shop I work for we have the scrap pipe and metal and welding stations that we might be able to get a saturday and show how to use mig setups and basic 101 stuff. laying a beed up hill down hill round and metal welding prep work.
I'll talk to him when he gets back from hunting. This might be a long shot because we just started running a second shift and weekend shifts, so getting in would be the hard part.
 
GottaBeJeep said:
... learning how to fix common trail repairs.
i second this idea...

...add to that "tips & tricks" for emergency trail repairs. for example, seems like i saw someone reset a bead using a match or something once long ago.
:flame:

or wiring some batteries in series (or is it parallel?) to weld somethin'...

etc. etc.
 
I'd be up for both the tube bending and welding seminars. I want to make tube doors for my XJ. I have the tubing, just not the bender or the experience.
 
91 Jeep Project said:
I think a SYE install should be something that gets done.

Indeed, that'd be another good topic...... but not without the proper set of snap ring pliers - right DJ? :D
 
GottaBeJeep said:
Something we are planning on doing for our local club is learning how to fix common trail repairs. Gives the less experienced an opportunity to learn how to make a trail repair in a controlled environment so they are less intimidated when out on the trail, or out by themselves. Tear into a front axle and show how to fix it, letting the least experienced dig in and get dirty. Also, might be able to tie this in with it, but proper winching and extraction. How many times have we been on the trail and seen an extraction that you just know someone will loose their head if someone doesn't step in?

I think some tech seminars that cater more toward the newer and least experienced will draw in more members and help guys learn how to do things right and let them get their hands dirty, which is the best way to learn your jeep. This will help the new guys out on the trail, and in turn helps everyone else on the trail, because if something happens on the trail, there is usually a couple guys working their butt off in the mud/rain/snow/heat to fix someone else's rig while everyone else is standing around goofing off waiting around because they have no idea how anything on a jeep works except the CD player and the gas pedal. I certainly don't know everything and could benefit from others knowledge, and the more people know and learn, the more fun a decent size group on a trail run will be.
I agree with all of this
 
Saw that you only had one post. Figured you were stalking the guy... :D

Besides, this thread is supposed to be for discussing Tech Seminar topics, didn't want it getting off topic.

PM sent and welcome!
 
Very soon I will be installing a 3inch lift, swapping my dana 35 and disco 30 out for a 8.25 and non-disco 30, SYE, and a set of rock rails.

I'm not sure when exactly I will be getting to these things but when I figure it out I will post it up. I live in north west arvada and anyone who would like to watch is welcome too.
 
Sway Bars

I'll be replacing the front & rear sway bars on my XJ as soon as it warms up a bit. Anyone wanting to watch & learn this simple operation is welcome. It includes the ever-so-fun process of removing the front skid plate too!
 
How about a Electrical Systems 101? Some basic info on the electrical system(alt, dual batteries, PDC), leading into ignition(plugs, wires, ground, etc), then ending with a install of some offroad lights(proper wiring, routting)?
 
XJoshua said:
How about a Electrical Systems 101? Some basic info on the electrical system(alt, dual batteries, PDC), leading into ignition(plugs, wires, ground, etc), then ending with a install of some offroad lights(proper wiring, routting)?

This would be good. Lots of basics Electrical questions in the tech forums. I could assist in this. 4 years Navy electrician, two civilian and working on my own cars for the last 20 years.

Just need to know several weeks in advance to take the weekend off.
 
How about setting up a 44 rear ? Preferably mine... I have the parts just not the know-how and proper tools.

Gears & Install, 4:56's
Locker, Auburn ected
Disk Brake set up, TSM
 
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