M2

The USAF V-22s arrived at Hurlburt back on 16 Nov, I was at JSOU at the time and posted a video in this thread. Honestly, it was interesting to finally see one up close. Cheers! M2

Very nice CJ, skibum! I almost wouldn't want to take that beauty offroad, as she is in excellent shape! And I am beginning to think I need a lift kit and some 33's soon to keep up with you guys! Cheers! M2

USMCAirWinger The Unlimited has the Dana 44 in the rear. I like your rig, I would've preferred a Rubicon but they are harder to find in the Unlimited and my desire for an auto transmission narrows the field even more. Still, I was mucking about with my Unlimited this afternoon in Culebra Creek and it did alright in stock form. I also filled the tank for the second time, so now I have good idea of my gas consumption, around 16-17 MPG with mostly highway commuting but some 4WD fun thrown in. I also rigged up some auxillary lights on the front bumper, and circumvented the fog light relay to allow them to be on with my high beams. Here are some pics of my Unlimited looking a little bit more like a Jeep (i.e. dirty)... (Click on thumbs for man-sized pic) Cheers! M2

Not all that clever, funny or original; but still gave us a chuckle--in Bosnia we used to tape pictures of PIFWCs (Persons Indicted For War Crimes, such as Ratko Mladić and Radovan Karadžić) on unsupected twerp's NATO badges. The were 'wanted' posters of them all over the headquarters, but usually no one noticed (including the cops). Cheers! M2

I can give you some of the S.A. gouge, but remember I am on the other side of town at Lackland. Still, this is a great place for several reasons. I won't rehash them as it has been discuss ad naseum already; but feel free to PM me if there are any specifics. Plus, I work with a guy who was at Randolph so I can get good info from him. Also, there are some good online grad programs out there, I am working on my second one, this time through American Military University, might want to give them a look. There are other programs out there, also discussed ad nasuem on this forum. Cheers! M2

She needs to start crayola'ing some pictures of herself nude so her boyfriend/ex/some other bozo can sell them on eBay if she ever OD's on dietary drugs, ala Anna Nicole Smith... Cheers! M2

Slacker Thanks, I saw the 4WD Hardware catalog at the Jeep dealership when I was buying my TJ (technically, I think it is an LJ), and I subscribed to their forum last night. And I was already familiar with the "Jeep wave"...matter of fact, a fellow Wrangler did so as I was pulling out of the dealership on Saturday. I am going to try and contain my spending on the Jeep, as I already have a long list of items I want to buy for my two motorcycles as well as several more guns that I would like to add to the collection. But I do have a few items I wouldn't mind getting...some auxillary lights for the front bumper and a bikini top (the VDP KoolBreeze Brief Top looks interesting). I have a bud with an Unlimited up in the Springs who has a bikini top that I might borrow, just to see how it works. But all in all, I am digging the new Jeep! I hope we get some decent weather here soon so I can really enjoy it. Cheers! M2

I gotta disagree, I made the jump from dirt bikes to a 700cc street bike without problem. I think you will tire of the smaller twin quicker, and if you keep a healthy respect for the bike and remember that everybody is trying to kill you, you shoudl survive on the street. But as I said, get proper gear and I don't just mean a helmet. Hell, I don't even recommend the lighter mesh jackets that are so popular. Get leather with body armor, and if you can't stand the heat then don't ride. And if you ride seriously, jeans and sneakers don't cut it. Get real motorcycle boots and leathers, and don't skimp on gloves as the first thing that usually hits the ground are your hands (natural habit of trying to break your fall). Personally, I would go for the SV650, especially with the aftermarket pipes. V-twin sportbikes have more "soul" (e.g. Ducatis and Honda RC51), but my litre-class inline four kicks ass. I am amazed at how much torque it has, especially compared to the inline fours I have ridden in the past. But it is still shy of what a V-configured engine will put out. Cheers! M2

Tough call, it is all a matter of which engine you prefer, a V-twin or an inline four? Personally, although I ride an inline four mostly, I love the torque of V-configured engine (I also have a V4 ST1100). But as I have stated, I would be wary of a streetfighter, as most are created as a result of a sportbike being wrecked... Cheers! M2

Tertle Just be aware that in most cases streetfighter = pre-crashed sportbike. Check the frame, forks and wheel alignment closely. Also look for replaced cases on the engine, and any "bondo" work in places where people usually don't look, e.g. under the bike. If you aren't familiar with bikes, or just want a second opinion, try and find someone who knows bikes to go with you. It always helps to have a second opinion, especially someone who isn't buying the bike. I know that seems like a lot, but if you are going to drop some dosh on a used bike, you might as well get your money's worth! Cheers! M2

I was at SHAPE for three years and unfortunately, I found the Belgians violate Beaver's #1 rule of not fruiting the beer too often. But I also did four years in Germany and two in the UK, so maybe I was spoiled... Cheers! M2

Beaver Too late, pulled the trigger early this afternoon... Paid $19K and change out the door, with tax, title and all that bullshit. It's almost the same color as the old USAF staff cars, I wonder if there is some kind of Freudian connection there? Got some rubber floormats and a locking gas cap on the way home. Dropped a few basic necessities in it once I got to the house and now it is sitting out getting rained on. Weather in San Antonio sucks this weekend, upper 30s and rain. But next week will be nice, and I am sure we are in for another long, hot summer. It'll be more fun then... Cheers! M2

Mike I'm with ya! I wish I could find a late model Rubicon Unlimited in an auto is tough. Nothing locally, and I really don't have time to drive one back from Cleveland. Plus they run about $3-4K more. There is one up south of Dallas, but it has almost double the mileage on it (35K vs 21K) and it is still $2K more. Plus it has the hard top, and I am not really interested in that. I am waiting to hear back from that seller, but I have already transferred the money into checking so I could buy the Unlimited I drove yesterday outright. I hate car payments, I'd rather save the money I would pay on interest. Cheers! M2

OK, went out and drove a couple of used Unlimiteds today. They were basically the same, both had between 21-22K on them, almost the same color (blue versus dark blue), and about the same price ~$18K. Here's my impressions... First, call me old whatever but the auto drove a heckuva lot better than the manual. I don't know, but it seemed like I was constantly shifting the 6-speed. We took the auto off road a little and it was a lot easier to drive. Second, the Unlimiteds drive better than I expected them to! The longer wheelbase makes a difference. Thirdly, taking the windows off was pretty easy, as we folding back the top (the "suncatcher" option). We didn't fold the top all the way back but I took all the windows off and lowered the back window, and that took about 5-10 minutes for someone who never did that before. Fourthly, if you want something that gets good gas mileage, don't get a Jeep! I wish these things came in turbo diesels like you can get in Europe, that would help somewhat. Fifthly, yes, they are not cars, but they are still fun. About all I would need is a bikini top for it, and possibly those big lights for the top of the bumper. But I can see this might get expensive, as there is a lot you can do to customize a Jeep! I am about 85% sure I am gonna pull the trigger on one. I probably won't get rid of my other car right away, I won't get much for it and I might as well get my money out of it. Cheers! M2

Depends on when you took the MSF course. Back in "the day," you only had to take it once but I think the rules have changed and now it is required every couple of years. But as it is taught for free on most bases, that isn't a problem. But the USAF uses the MSF courses (either basic or experienced rider, it doesn't matter), so if you already have one and it is current, you have the exact same training as you would have gotten on base. And for anyone who hasn't taken the MSF courses, if you have ridden a motorcycle before than I suggest you go for the experienced rider course. The basic one is way too basic for most people who already know how to ride a bike. Cheers! M2

Bischoff's is best enjoyed sitting outside a gasthaus in the center of Winnweiler, accompanied by a fine schnitzel mit frits. It gets no better than this! Cheers! M2

Tertle Two completely different approaches to motorcycling. The SV is a v-twin, so you'll have great torque and a power delivery that a lot of people prefer over the in-line fours; but you won't have the screaming acceleration of the Kaw. Plus, the Suzuki is a lot less common, especially with full bodywork like the one pictured, and with that Yosh can I bet it sounds nice. So, you can kinda figure I would lean more towards the Suzuki; but if you are going to ride ball's out than maybe the ZX-6R will be more your cup of tea. If you already have riding experience, you shouldn't have any problem with either as long as you respect it and keep a healthy fear of the street. Get the one that allows you to go out and buy a decent helmet, leather jacket, gloves and boots as a minimum. Don't skimp on those items, as they might be what you depend on to save your life one day. And remember to ride at your own pace. I ride with some guys that do a lot of track days and have refined skills, and I don't always keep up with them (old guy syndrome). But the key point is I know when I am pushing it too hard, and back off. Nothing kills the fun of riding more than a wreck! Cheers! M2

Stella Artois is the wifebeater's beer of Belgium...trust me, I lived there for three years. For real beer, anyone in the KMC area needs to go out towards Sembach and pick up some Bischoff's. Only then will you know the true majesty of German brewing...just ask "Elvis" This, my friends, is the nectar of the gods... In the US, I gotta admit that Samuel Adams is tasty; and Henry Weinhard's Private Reserve was my favorite beverage when I was at Mt Home... Cheers! M2

'2' Cheers! M2

He shouldn't have any surprises if/when it is time for a callsign... Cheers! M2

Found a nice 2005 Unlimited with only 21K on it at a decent price; but the only hook is that it is an automatic. Actually, I believe that was the standard, as 6-speeds were an option; and I may actually prefer the auto as there is a lot of stop-and-go traffic in San Antonio. Is it just a "purist's attitude" that Jeeps must have a manual transmission, or is there a real reason for it (such as the autos are junk)? Anyone have an auto? Cheers! M2

I guess so, but I bought a sportbike, a Honda CBR1000RR Resol edition, instead... Cheers! M2

Toro "Used to"??? Anyhow, thanks all. And 100LL, you had better get that flag off the front of your YJ before one of the fun police from MEO see it. You'll be sitting though 100 hours of sensitivity training (ala Clockwork Orange) and you will never be the same afterward. Don't believe me, read this... Cheers! M2

Thanks for the inputs. One of the only reasons I would prefer the hardtop is for the extra security. I have a tendency to go out to the gun range and would prefer that my weapons be a little more protected by something that cannot be cut open with a pen knife. I rarely leave a gun in the car, and of course I can never bring one to work as the "SF" guys hate to be outgunned by long-haired hippies like myself; but even at the range I usually only bring one long-gun in at a time, swapping them out while I am there. But being in San Antonio, I would probably use the bikini top 10 months out of the year. I haven't heard back from the owner yet, and I obviously want to test drive it before I drop any cash on the table; but the comments here echo the ones I have heard from other Wrangler owners. And Wilco, I agree with you on everything (manual shift, 4WD) but not on the short wheelbase. I still like the thought of a little more stability from the longer Unlimited version (plus I can always brag that mine is "longer" and "unlimited!" ). And, as the wife has a 05 Honda Odyssey, there is little chance that the Jeep will see any significant highway miles. That is just not their baliwick! Cheers! M2

Thinking about buying a used one...the current battlewagon (a 96 VW Passat) is showing its age and nickel-and-diming me to death lately. Have always wanted a Jeep and there is a two-year old Unlimited for sale here in town that may not be a bad deal. Any current/previous Jeep Wrangler owners out there who have any advice, good or bad? It has a hard top with a bikini top thrown in, a manual transmission, and the 4.0L in-line six with 35K on it, ABS, A/C and a CD player. I prefer the extended rear bed and wheelbase of the Unlimited. Cheers! M2