TRS needs direction. Suggestions?

[Explorin94]

The problem here is getting the information. I don't own an Explorer. We have very few members who do. I would be more than happy to host the information if we had people to submit it.

I actually own 2 explorers a 94 and an 03. I can and will dig up as much information as possible for these RBV's. I bought my 94 for $500 bucks wrecked, fixed it, lifted it with the intention of selling it. I can't sell it I have come appreciate it. I like the room it offers, for me and the family. The 03 is a different story, we bought it back in April of 03. It's AWD with the 4.6 and a 5R55S transmission. It is the wifes and she won't let me modify it yet. I have worked and all Explorers and can put some insight into a thread with these vehicles.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

I actually own 2 explorers a 94 and an 03. I can and will dig up as much information as possible for these RBV's. I bought my 94 for $500 bucks wrecked, fixed it, lifted it with the intention of selling it. I can't sell it I have come appreciate it. I like the room it offers, for me and the family. The 03 is a different story, we bought it back in April of 03. It's AWD with the 4.6 and a 5R55S transmission. It is the wifes and she won't let me modify it yet. I have worked and all Explorers and can put some insight into a thread with these vehicles.

I just bought an Explorer and I plan on doing lots of work on it this summer, I'll be willing to dig up info too... I really wish we had more 'Sploder guys on here... I sometimes find myself checking Explorerforum.com just to get some ideas...

 

[lil red]

just a little note not all 16/17/18 yr olds talk out there butt
im 17 and have been wotking on cars and trucks since i was 6
im not saying i know everything but i know more than most technicians

common sence and knowlage is 2 diffrent things, im 17 and am in my second year of Votech, work on a race team and worked full time in a local shop at 15, and i still learn tons of new stuff every day and get nervous

o and i vote a duraspark swap with really spesific pictures for the mag
i need it bad

 

[thegoat4]

I think there are two things that could help TRS.

1) consolidate some of the forums. Having a separate forum for every kind of engine kind of makes sense up-front, but most of the problems will be troubleshot the same way regardless of the engine. ie, a miss. Likewise, splitting suspension into 2wd and 4wd does not help either since so many people around here are doing conversions and need information from both sides. Then you have the "Sport" models thata re from the factory 2wd on a 4wd setup.

Consolidating the forums a little will make finding information smoother and reduce fragmentation of the user community.

2) fab-specific forums. For example, a metalworking forum to discuss welding, machine work, tools, materials, and anything else related. Perhaps also a fiberglassing/painting/upholstery forum. As it is, we have a little bit about these topics scattered through various build threads, but nothing coherent.

Between those two changes I think you could do more to encourage users of TRS to do more actual customization and less of the silly bolt-on stuff.

 

[Will]

The Ranger stations should stay true to the Ranger. There is definately a fanbase for Rangers.

-I would like to see this forum more "fair and balanced" and more emphasis on street and (street legal) Rangers. This site is WAY biased to the 4x4 crowd and emission hacking mods(which are illegal for on road use)

-I would like to see MORE support for the street/dropped Ranger crowd.

-More information on maintianing our "old" rides and restoration articles. (after all the older Rangers qualify for antique plates)

-Also would like a supplier list and recomendations of the best places to get OEM/aftermarket and Aftermarket/racing parts. (chains, stores, internet,etc)

- a forum for the Ford Courier.

I would love to see more street truck stuff too. There's just more 4x4 than street types here.

I personally close threads that I find talk of hacking up emissions equipment. This isn't a forum for exchanging ideas on breaking federal laws.

That's a good point about restoring Rangers. We're on the downslope on these things. I occasionally see an old guy go by in a mint first-gen Ranger and it looks old compared to the many beat up first gen Rangers I see. Respecting what these trucks originally were should be important. It would be great to see someone restoring one rather than hacking it up.

I haven't seen a Ford Courier in fifteen years. I don't think such a forum would get used at all.

 

[mjonesjr]

I haven't seen a Ford Courier in fifteen years. I don't think such a forum would get used at all.

There was a restored one that used to live by me. The owner sold it about 4 months ago. It was awesome, I wish I could have bought it.

 

[Insanejughead]

I have seen three of those for sale in the past two months, as well as one that someone owns in the backwoods... From the road, it looks like it's still in greatshape.


My dad had a '73 Courier that he wishes he could've kept for me for when I started to drive. He sold it for $500 back in '94 and as far as we know, it's been sent to the crusher. *tear*

 

[RobbieD]

That's a good point about restoring Rangers. We're on the downslope on these things. I occasionally see an old guy go by in a mint first-gen Ranger and it looks old compared to the many beat up first gen Rangers I see. Respecting what these trucks originally were should be important. It would be great to see someone restoring one rather than hacking it up.

I honestly think that restorations will be becoming more popular and more common. The first-gens are hitting the 25 year mark now, and a restored like-new old Ranger is a real gem of a truck. That's the plan anyway for my '84- restored basically stock, but Durasparked, when I can afford the money and the time. In the meantime, I still enjoy driving it.

 

[chittybangbang]

POS of the month

I'm not sure if this has ever been brought up on the forum but,how about a POS of the month award...Get a sticker for the prize.Simple.I can say quite a few trucks could qualify (mine included).

 

[Daniel_187]

one thing that might help (for me any ways) is the search, does not always work well, If I put in 3" body lift, it bring up everybody's post about what truck they have and what they have done to it, and maybe see if we could get some help from mastercraft or motorcraft, the parts guys that ford use's then maybe ford would pull there head out of the sand and see we are for real just my 2 cents

 

[mjonesjr]

one thing that might help (for me any ways) is the search, does not always work well, If I put in 3" body lift, it bring up everybody's post about what truck they have and what they have done to it, and maybe see if we could get some help from mastercraft or motorcraft, the parts guys that ford use's then maybe ford would pull there head out of the sand and see we are for real just my 2 cents

Go into advance search and then pick a specific forum to search in.

 

[racsan]

i feel the tech libray is very usefull, alot of time when im at another forum i'll link a reply bak to a section of this tech libray. its a lot easier than trying to explain something myself and theres photos most of the time showing as well as telling what going on. of the sites i frquent i find TRS to have the most usefull "help" information.

 

[feellnfroggy]

Ebay, did you read about the guy who auctioned his family to advertisers on ebay? He recieved bids as high as 48,100. 1900 shy if his reserve 50k. Maybe throw the TRS on Ebay to automotive and truck advertisers. Auction a one month Main page advertising space. Ford related of course.

I don't know what your advertising budget is Jim, But maybe instead of trying to achieve sponsership from Ford. See if you can get some of the local dealerships to give out a TRS flyer, outlining some of the site features, with every new ranger. (Disclaimer not owned by Ford, of course) Track the number of hits we recieve from the flyer so we have some extra factual info to provide Ford with.

The other part is the magazine companies. All the vehicles offered to them are given on a group basis for the most part. TRS magazine needs to get itself invited to go along with some of the major Mags on Product reviews at the closed course track things.

Have you promoted TRS' position on the 4x4 voting website? Aren't we like number 8? We need to get that voting thing out there a lot more.

Lastly, Someone mentioned the Importance of our information. Are users required to register prior to using the tech library? Or other features like that? If I can look up info without perusing the rest of the site, thats what I am gonna do. Premium membership is another subject of interest. If we give away something for free then noone has the need to pay for it. The amount of revenue you generate will def draw an eye from the bigwigs as well. Im not talking about making it more expensive to visit, But try to increase the amount of people wanting to be premium members. I donated because i love the site and wish to see it continue. But not alot of people think that way. Alot of them think...whats in it for me, what am I buying.

A lot of ideas in alot of general directions.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I don't want members to have to pay to get information from the site. Also, I don't get to excited about how many 'members' our forum has. That's not a true number because all those people don't remain active. The sites traffic statistics are more important.

I wonder if there would be any restrictions by Ford from letting a Ford dealership distribute our information.....

 

[Brandon12]

I think the magazine idea is great. Send it to premium members for X ammount and non premium members for X ammount. Take LMC and Petersons 4 Wheel and Off Road and blend then together. Have the TOTM on the cover, and a build page, some of the newest tech articles, some vendors products. and some other build threads. I would def. pay for a Ranger based magazine.