Tom Mandera's Big Sky Binders

Gooseneck Hitch 5/2008

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 10:40:07 -0600

Robert "JetFxr" Searles of Montana GSE sold me a 20' steel gooseneck trailer, and threw in a gooseneck hitch from a 90s F250. Naturally, it didn't just bolt into my 1974 International Travelette. Fortunately, installation was still possible with a little customization.

February 2010 Winter Baja Prep

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 07:48:34 -0600

I had been having some cooling problems during the last few races, thanks to some mud caked into the radiator. I didn't want a repeat problem, so I thought I'd address the mud issue. To get the radiator out, I had to pull the front clip. Joleigh provided some assistance.

Damage from the 3/2008 St Patrick Baja 4/2008

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 07:48:11 -0600

The new ladder bar failed.. And the whole thing needed a bath, so it went on the RTI ramp for a pressure-washing.

Re-attaching the rocker (for now) October 2009

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 06:02:52 -0600

During the trip through Carcass Canyon during Divide Ride 2008, I smacked the passenger rocker on a rock again and bent it like a boomerang - and it finally let go from the B pillar. Michelle doesn't appreciate it when she goes to climb in and the floor falls away, so I took a little time to make a fix - for now.

Re-attaching the rocker (for now) October 2009

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 06:02:25 -0600

Radio Installs February 2010

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 06:01:59 -0600

Since getting my ham ticket (KE7VUX) in September of 2008, I had wanted to put a better radio in Tigger. The old Cobra 19 no longer had any working LEDs, so when you started the rig, you could rely on the radio defaulting to Channel 9, and then counting the beeps as you changed channel. This was fine, except sometimes during lunch the radio would reset to Channel 9 - and sometimes it wouldn't. At the Glacier Waterton Hamfest in 2009 I picked up a pile of good CBs, including single-side-band (SSB) units which I had long lusted for, but now have no need for. Hams seem to sell these good old CBs for a song, since of course they have access to so much better technology and have moved on from 4w Chicken Band radios. I also found that HRO was running a sale on close-out FT2800s, a 65w 2m mobiles with no fan. I wanted a dual band, and ideally, dual VFO radio, but for the low cost, no-fan, and ruggedness of the FT-2800, I figured I could always find at least one spot in one of my rigs where a 2m-only radio would be useful. So then it was time to get the radios installed, and new antennas. I've grown tired of the mag-mount CB antennas - always getting knocked off, and the coax gets destroyed by feeding through the door jam. Time for new technology - namely, NMO. You can pick up an NMO mount for $10-$15. It requires you to drill anywhere from a 3/8 to a 3/4" hole in your roof, then you install the NMO mount with O-ring, run the feedline (coax) to your desired location, and install a PL-259 connector. You can then buy various antennas that use the NMO mount (even changing them out from time to time as needs change). You can get cell phone, GPS, CB, 2M, 70cm, dual band, HF, and so on antennas all for an NMO mount. So.. pick a spot, make your hole, and feed the NMO bit in place. I found a good use for a big triangle magnet to help me out since my arm wasn't long enough. This is what it looks like top-side. I offset the CB antenna slightly from center, to get it away from the rib. Ideally, you want about 8.5' of metal all around the CB whip, but that's not possible, so try to center it as much as you can. You can see a small 2meter (144mhz, about 19" long) NMO antenna in the background, lying on it's side. I also wanted to put an HF radio in, and decided to go with the gumdrop 3/8" stud style mount for strength when smacking trees with the antenna. You can see the NMO mount for the CB antenna in the middle, and the gumdrop 3/8 mount for the hamstick in the right corner (driver's front corner of the roof). While not an RF ideal spot (there isn't one, really) I chose this location so I can put a tilt-over mount on the antenna and lay it down along the roof, hanging off the rear slightly, but well out of trees' harm's way when folded down. This will make the antenna work better to the passenger rear direction, thanks to more metal in that direction. And with the CB NMO whip installed. And from outside with the CB and 2m whips installed, but not the HF antenna. I installed the 2m antenna at the rear, keeping it 19" from any edge, and as far away from the CB and HF antennas as I could. And, of course, I mounted the radios. Cobra 29 Classic on the left, FT-2800 over to the right. The HF radio will go under the steering column, then use a microphone extension to keep the mic cord out of the steering wheel.

Winter Baja 2/13/2010 - 2nd place

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:57:45 -0700

Cascade County 4-Wheelers held their annual Winter Baja on 2/13/2010 in Cascade. It was a warm day, so the road in got a little soft and the course was soft and muddy and snowy. Lots of goo.

Tigger gets rear discs - May/June 2009

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:56:19 -0700

My rear drums had been dragging for some time and I thought robbing power. I could feel the heat from the driver's rear drum at times on the trail (with the doors off) and frequently struggled to get it moving from a dead stop. The ebrake didn't work so well, either.. so it was time to do something about it. Oh, say, rear discs. 1991 K1500 rotors are cheap. $15 each? But need redrilled. F150 rotors are $30-ish but require you to grind down the axle flange, making replacements difficult in the field. Late model (1999-ish) Dodge rotors were $45, but required no machining of the axle flange and no drilling. AA Mfg supplied the caliper stands years ago, and the calipers are 1975-ish vintage GM front Dana 44, like a lot of other things I have around here. Hoses wound up being GM D44 fronts IIRC.

More tire clearance - June 2009

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:55:56 -0700

With new tires, comes new problems. I decided I needed more rear tire clearance, and since nature (rust) was helping me along, I did a little quickie tubbing while I was doing the rear disc brake conversion. Cut the front of the body stiffener out.

Tigger in December (2008)

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:50:40 -0700

12/3/08 - Tigger sitting outside in the snow, doorless! 12/17 finally back in the shop for repairs from Carcass Canyon during Divide Ride 2008 - the A-pillar took some abuse.

8/30/2009 - Another IH Win in Acton, MT

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:23:51 -0700

Finally put my gooseneck to use and hauled the family (plus one former Scout racer) to Acton, MT for some racing. Other than last weekend's Monster Truck show (a 1st place finish), the last time I raced was in Acton a year ago in the stock class (also a 1st place finish). This time, I had to run "modified" class... and it's time to retire, since that's at least three 1st place finishes in a row. For years I was happy just to finish a race - let alone finish three in a row, or even win one. Race was 20-25 miles. The Scout did better as the track dried out and got tacky - a few corners were a bit too slimy at the beginning.

8/22/2009 Monster Trucks with the Keuhls!

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:21:06 -0700

I haven't been racing since October of last year - I have a beautiful 7 month old daughter at home though (along with her 3yo sister). Finally things settled down enough that I had some time to go play this weekend - particularly since the Monster Trucks were in town and the Fairgrounds are about 7 miles from my place straight down the road - that's close enough I didn't even need to stop for gas before coming home - a novelty with my Travelette. This was also my first chance to really tow the racer with the new-to-me gooseneck I bought two years ago and refurbished (new springs, hangers, axles) I guess the important bit is that I won the Tuff Trucks - a first place showing for the Binder in front of the home town crowd. Not only that, but I didn't even break anything (woo-hoo!) The surprise of the evening, however, came when I was registering. The gal working the registration paperwork seemed a little familiar, but I wasn't sure why. Turns out, she thought I looked a little familiar as well, but passed it off. Until I handed her my paperwork with "Tom Mandera" and "1977 Scout II" and "Little Devil" along with "Super Scout Specialists" and other things.. and she looks up, "Tom??!" Turns out, the Kuehls, of Terry & Michelle Kuehl and Lil' Foot racing fame were the entire "crew" for this Monster Truck Show. They'd come up from Greeley to run the show, and there I walked in. For those that don't remember, Lil' Foot is a Pro Arena Tuff Truck Scout II that Terry raced in the "Pro" circuit for several years, starting a year or two before I started flogging my Scout II around Montana. We've conversed online a bit back then, and Terry and Michelle made a few Rendezvous in Fairplay with Lil' Foot in tow. I haven't seen them in a while, though. But there they were.. at my fairgrounds.. Since Terry was the announcer, at least he got it right when I pulled up to the line - "Tom Mandera in an International Scout" - NOT a Bronco, like I hear so often. My camera crew was at home with the baby, but I did find a friend's pit-crew member that was willing to run the video camera, but haven't had time to take the video off the camera. My $25 entry paid back $40 for first place. Including fuel to and from the FG, I guess I came out ahead on the day - barely. I need to get back to work on the new racer.. I have done a *little* work on it lately - the block is on the stand, and I've actually put a wrench on the chassis now. :D Thanks everyone, -Tom Mandera, Helena MT Montana GSE

8/31/2008 Powell WY Racing

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:20:46 -0700

I completely botched the obstacle race - missed two turns and had to back up, and then the transfer case jumped into neutral just to add insult. Tied for 3rd in the hour-long Baja out of a field of 6.. but I'm happiest that I got the hole-shot on everyone else, and was leading the field by a bunch for a lap. Blew a corner badly about 1/2 way through the first lap, and wound up out in the scrub grass (at least on all 4 tires.. it was a long straight shot up hill with a slight jog to the left that then turned into a dropping hard right in silt) and got back on course before the guy in 2nd could catch up to me, but I let him gain enough ground that I got passed a little while later. I had to pull off after the first lap - still with a big lead on everyone else. The ground wire on the Taurus fan pulled apart and the radiator was singing at 250F. Got that fixed, went back out, and a few laps later the air cleaner stud broke off (d'oh) and had to pit again. I grabbed a shorter filter and used what was left of the stud. Willy Cunningham came up from Lander to watch. I don't have ANY photos - I have video that I'm still working on, but Michelle and Joleigh stayed home, so no good still photos. Now to patch up the one broken shock mount and get ready for this Saturday night. Oh, to make things interesting, the trailer blew TWO tires this trip.. one just outside Powell, and the other on my way home, late at night, in the dark rain, in Livingston, MT - after the driver's head light failed and I was stopping anyhow. Willy Cunningham made the trip up from Lander to watch and took the only photos. Willy: Had a great time watching Tom flog his junk through the Sage Brush, silt,sand and rocks. Willy: The holeshot was a sight to behold, off the line like a scalded cat... FELT GOOD, too. :D Willy: Tom will not be allowed to touch the wiring on the new rig If the fan ground hadn't come apart... I had a good lead going. Drat. Willy: Nice to catch up with Tom, Robert and Leona, good folks and well worth the 7 hour round trip. Is that all? 8-10 hours round trip for me. 300 miles or so. With a 15gal fuel tank in a Travelette, that's 2 or 3 fuel stops. :D I *think* I managed 8.5 mpg on a few legs, driving ~63mph and trying to hold 10" of vacuum. Photos thanks to Willy: Thanks for the pictures, Willy, and thanks for coming - and for the entry money. :D I have all of the DV footage off the camcorders, but no editing yet, and I haven't pulled the Hi8 in-car footage off the tape.

3/15/2008 St Patrick's Baja

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:53:30 -0700

Some of you may be aware of the special kind of abuse I subject some of my Scouts to. Just a little note, that the Cascade County 4-Wheelers of Cascade County, Montana held their annual Winter Baja / St Patrick's Baja on Saturday, 3/15/08. A Scout II finished 2nd in the Competition-Modified obstacle race held just prior to the baja. Unfortunately, in the 20-minute baja I was outclassed by two trucks, and while running down the '79 Bronco that I could actually race against, I lost the power steering belt, which made it very difficult to turn, which slowed me down. Then after a while the B&M shifter cable managed to lay against the headers, and I wound up stuck in 1st gear, which further slowed me down. The other three trucks had no problems, so I finished 4 out of 4. The same 3 trucks were also in the Comp-Mod obstacle event, which I took 2nd in. :) After the race, I also found a transmission cooler hanging by the hoses, so it was a good time to put it on the trailer. The good news is, this was a good showing for a break-in event. Damian is working on a new Racer for me, but it isn't ready yet, so I patched up Little Devil to begin his 8th year of racing. Last October I blew up the 304, losing a head gasket. It had also been smoking a little, so after quite a few years it was time for another overhaul, including new valves and valve springs this time, since the old 304 had been floating the valves at 6300rpm. I showed up in Cascade today with < 1 hour on the rebuilt engine, so the baja was break-in time for me, to help cure some of the new-engine-crankies. So all in all, a success, that also netted 2nd place and prize money in the obstacle. My wife and daughter joined me for the race, cheering Dad on and being part of the team. And definitely getting in on the action.. And going for her first ride in the race Scout through the pit area and back. The straight-pipe'd headers didn't even bother her. A few highlights.. (continued..)

January 2008 - an attempt to build a sheetmetal intake

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:57:28 -0700

For years, I've been contemplating a sheetmetal intake for my race 304. No one made a 304 4bbl (the Ismail's do now) so I thought I should build a sheetmetal tunnel ram for it. Blair Howze kept encouraging me.. and then one day said "I'm coming up to help" to kick me in the tail to get going on it.

Late 2007/early 2008 Winter Overhaul

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:43:51 -0700

I managed to overheat the engine a bit in Powell, and it was a bit due for an overhaul anyhow, so when the head gasket went in Powell, that really clinched it. It also turns out I was about ready to drop a few valves from floating them at 6300rpm for all these years. Engine Tear-down and rebuild If your oil comes out like this, it's time to overhaul it - or at least put a hood on it and change the oil. I stripped and powder-coated a bunch of the parts this time, including using some new chrome powder. I also added a new 90amp alternator while I had it out.. I had the heads flow-benched while it was apart.. these should be pretty accurate HP/torque numbers out of this little 304..

Ladder Bar construction 8/9-2007

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:00:53 -0700

Pictures For years I'd been fighting wheel hop problems off and on on the racer, and for almost as long I had been wanting to build a ladder bar.. well, I finally did. Two hunks of 1.75x.120 DOM, some plate, a bushing or two, some tractor heims from Murdoch's..

Sway Away Shock overhaul 6/3/2007

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:57:03 -0700

If you've ever wanted to know what the inside of a SAW 2.5x16 remote-reservoir shock looks like... Look here

Brake Repair post Winter Baja 3/25/07

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:56:36 -0700

During the Winter Baja, I once again broke the hard lines going from the master cylinder to the proportioning valve. This time, I finally installed flexible lines.

Cruisin' by the Bay - Polson, MT 8/11/07

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:56:23 -0700

We decided to head up to Polson and pay the Skyliners a visit for the Cruisin by the Bay car show. Rob and Cindy St.Clair was gracious enough to put us up for the night and we had a great time. Leonard Nelson of Black Eagle and his 454 CJ-7 Rob St.Clair's Jeepster.

Potato Salad Hill - 7/29/07

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:56:06 -0700

With some time left over while in Moab, I went in search of Potato Salad Hill, hoping maybe someone would be foolin' around - no such luck, but I did find it. I was also advised, by my wife, that I shouldn't attempt it - we still had another 700 miles to get home. Potato Salad Hill is in the background.

Arches National Park, 7/29/2007 (Moab)

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:55:42 -0700

Arches Pictures While in Moab, we visited the Hole n' Rock to take Joleigh to the small zoo, and then visited Arches National Park.

Bull Canyon - 7/28/07, Moab UT

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:55:25 -0700

..and since we were in Moab, we had to do at least a little Wheeling! We headed out to Bull Canyon. Bull Canyon is out by Gemini Bridges - it's actually UNDER Gemini. My tires kept getting jammed into the body and stopping forward progress - glad I had the Hilift along. Saw a small lizard..

Traveling to Moab 7/28/2007

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:55:11 -0700

After RMIHR and UFWDA and Colorado National Monument.. we cruised over to one of our favorite stops, Moab, Utah. The drive in from Frisco is always beautiful. We stopped in at the Moab Diner for lunch.. and Joleigh thought it would be fun to feed Daddy her grilled cheese sandwich..

Colorado National Monument 7/28/2007

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:56:52 -0700

After leaving Grand Junction and the UFWDA convention, we cruised through the Colorado National Monument on our way to Moab. Pictures