INFO Featured Build Threads

[Jim Oaks]

I'm working on implementing a 'Featured Build Threads' feature to the forum. You've likely noticed the two featured builds above the forum sections. As I add more, they will automatically scroll (carousel) to reveal all of the threads. There isn't going to be a bunch. It will just be a limited few.

Strictly Voluntary

Below are the criteria we look for in a Featured Build Thread. This isn't suggesting that you have to do these things in your build thread. This is just letting you know what we look for if you want to be considered.

Featured Build Threads are selected based on:

• The project is an RBV-related vehicle (Ranger, Bronco II, Explorer).
• The vehicle is currently being built, restored, modified, or otherwise actively documented. (See below)
• The member is regularly updating the build thread. (No dead threads) (See below)
• The thread contains useful information, photos, and/or progress updates.
• The project is interesting, unusual, technically informative, or otherwise noteworthy.
• The build thread educates, inspires, and/or entertains the TRS community.
• A member may only have one Featured Build Thread at a time.

Documentation:

Please tell people what you're doing. I've seen posts where people perform a mod and then just post a photo of it without mentioning what they did.

Speaking of photos, attach your pictures to the forum instead of linking them. Over time we end up with build threads missing photo of important aspects of the build because someone linked to their photos on a server somewhere that's not no longer available, or there's a huge watermark across it because they hosted their photos on someplace like photobucket. It's hard to feature your work when people can't see it.

Your thread has to be more than just a post with a video in it. There's nothing wrong with reading what someone has done and then seeing a video of how they did it, but if I wanted to watch YouTube, I'd just go watch YouTube.

Current Specs in First Post:

You must maintain a list of current specs and future plans in your original first post. This is usually easy because people have a plan of what they're doing and a list of parts. And you don't have to update the first post every day. If you spent the weekend regearing and swapping an axle, then you update your specs to whatever it is when it's done. IE: 'Dana 44 W/4.88's & Detroit'.

It gets frustrating clicking through page after page trying to figure out what locker, gear ratio, tire size, etc. that someone is using.

It also makes it easier to turn preserve these builds as a featured vehicle in the main part of the site for people to see and enjoy for years to come.

More To Come:

There's more to come on this. I just wanted to give you a heads up on why you're seeing the 'Featured Build Threads'. As a staff member, Shran is our willing lab rat to fine tune this. RaceRanger97 got drug into this unwillingly because I needed something cool to fill the second slot so I can finalize how it will look. Sorry.

 

[Robert Mangrum]

This will be super cool. The build threads have inspired me as well taught me a lot about how to or how not to do things. I encourage everyone to check out these builds. The 2 featured are full of great information and some awesome builds. I look forward to seeing more of what you guys have done. Thanks @Jim Oaks for putting this together. I really appreciate all the hours you put in keeping this the best forum on the internet.

 

[BBR]

Thanks for continually looking for ways to improve your forums!

 

[Rick W]

Jim, this sounds great. While I had a fuzzy vision of what I wanted to do with The Road Ranger and The Missing Linc (and the blue one I haven’t started yet), an awful lot of the “what do I do and how do I do it” came from seeing what other folks were doing on TRS

My only comment is to include a little bit of everything. I haven’t gone through TRS in depth, and it seems the group that I mostly communicate with are mostly into restoring their trucks, just keeping them in good running condition, and the big builds seem to be many versions of four-wheel-drive and charging through the woods and such. Obviously, I hear a different drummer. I would just suggest that you include some of the other visions and modifications and builds.

You and your team do an incredibly good job. I know I appreciate every bit of it!