Hello from Middletown Delaware:

My name is John Gill (no relation to either Vince or Johnny). I am 45 years old, married, a six year old and a two year old foster daughter (hope to adopt). I have a 1999 Dakota 318cid, 8.25 w/ 355 gears, 2 inch body lift and 31.5x10.5x15" Dunlop Mudrovers. I have owned the truck since new. I started to become interested in the sport of offroading when my former neighbor was building a jeep, I thought it would be a fun family activity and since the truck is our third vehicle why not work it a little. Boy have I learned a thing or two since starting this. First off, I always thought 4WD meant all 4 wheels actually turned (never heard of a locker). Almost 8 years in the USMC and I never knew that, also explains why some of my guys got vehicles stuck. I have also learned that a 99 Dakota isn't the truck I thought it was (IFS) who knew...besides the fact that the 1999 Extended Cab has very little aftermarket available I have learned other important items....the 99 Dakota does not have tow hooks on the front (it is a 4wd truck right?...Never notice til I read the requirements for offroading with Alpha Omega)....these little sidebars are all humourous in their own way especially given the way I have used my truck since I bought it....I have no real auto talent every thing I learn is OJT/Book/Net learned often with a few choice mubbled words (I know God knows what i said, but my daughters don't)...I have also learned to greatly lengthen the time a job will take as well as estimate high (when I come in under budget and under time) the wife is happier...you see when I tie up our garage for a month she cant't park in there..you see were I am going with this...I am interested in joining your club for many reasons but mostly fellowship...I am involved with my church softball team for the same reason...don't get me wrong I love to play but I really could care less if we win I just enjoy the fellowship....I am not sure how to join...can not find any join/membership area on the web site. I would like to join you on your 9/19 ride and hopefully will connect with you in the lot. I have never been to RC before and look very much forward to meeting you......john

John!


We'll be looking for you on saturday morning!!! The run on saturday is going to be the middle of the road for difficulty (we're doing the blue trails, more difficult), but if there's something you do not want to try, there are bypasses..etc etc.

There are several other children going that day, so your daughter will have fun.

I'm glad you finally made it back to us and we are looking forward to meeting you on saturday. Be safe getting there!

Welcome aboard. This has been a good group from the short time that I have been around. Good luck with the adoption. My sister just adopted a child. It is a great thing if you ask me.

welcome john. it is kinda strange how some 4x's roll off the line without certain needed parts (tow hooks, those are easy enough to put on). i'd be careful with the ifs setup, heard alot more negatives than possitives about that.

I did fixed the tow hook issue. The only way I could see at the time. While installing the body lift I inserted receiver tubes into the frame with grade 8 bolts on both frame rails, cut plastic air dam, and have 8000 lb chain secured on both rails. I just bought a welder (I will learn to weld) and intend to use receiver tube to make a removable light bar/ D Ring set up. I have to learn to weld first. That is on todays list of things to do. Thanks for the welcome...my daughter, dog and I are staying at the Comfort Inn Friday night my cell is 302-650-0782, see you on Saturday have a safe trip up and God Bless.

john

CAN'T WAIT

Welcome. Hope you can come out to our run this Saturday, at Rausch Creek park in Pa.

(btw, IFS need not hold you back too much -- I have IFS too).

k_enn

welcome.
do you have any pics of your truck. I can remeber back in the day when that body style dakota first came out I was working at a dodge dealer and I thought they were just the prettiest darn truck on the road. never did buy one but I did think long and hard about it. being a kid just out of high school the only way I could have afforded it was by leasing it and with the way I drove/did things at that point in my life, leasing was absolutely not an option for me. back then I would have given just about anything I had for a 2wd Intense Blue 99 Dakota reg cab short bed with the 318 V8 and a 5spd manual. I guess the closest I came was buying my sister an intense blue 99 neon for her first car in 2000. ironically enough 5 years later that same car became by DD/beater and still is to this day

Welcome!!

I will not be able to make ths run cause of work but am thinking about riiding up for dinner and stories afterward. We will just have to see how that works out.

IFS is not he worst thing you just have to be careful. The one thing I would watch for is the length of the truck. Breakover angle and such. The trails are big enough so that should not be a issue. I wheeled my 99 Ram Diesel in the pine barrens and did not have the turning radius that I thought I did and dented the box, so pay attention to the trees to. Ask XterraXtian they can jump out at you sometimes.....

Post up some pics when you can. My dad has a 99 dakota with the v8 maybe I can convince him to wheel..... ptobably not though. He came out with me when I had my Toyota Tacoma and told me it was fun but that I was CRAZY!!

JeeperX wrote:

but am thinking about riiding up for dinner and stories afterward. We will just have to see how that works out.

HONEY!!! THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!!

Its ok John, my Xterra didn't come with a rear tow point. Had to get the tow package to take advantage of the hitch as a rear tow point. LAME! I won't be at the run but glad to see you interested in coming on board. The folks of Alpha/Omega are certainly a good group to fellowship with. (Pattey-do I get extra forum points for the kind words? haha)

Tim, you get the points for owning one of the most beautiful SUVs ever built...the NISSAN XTERRA.

You get points for being a wonderful guy who does a lot for people and for being a true follower of Christ.

But there are no points for sucking up! HAHAHAHA!!!

JeeperX wrote:

Ask XterraXtian they can jump out at you sometimes.....

Yah, they're sneaky like that But you can also ask Angela and Greg about the dangers of waving at people when in close proximity to trees. I believe they take over for me as the tree 'huggers'.

John,
Grace is still talking about Samantha..I'm so glad she was along to help pass the time in our jeep!
Hope that you guys had a great time and hope to see you both back at RC soon!
The Uhlers
Jeff/Ang/Grace