December 2009's STF Off Roader of the month

[Leatherneck]

It is that time of the month again, no lotrat not that, it is time for the Off-Roader of the month to be announced. This guy is another one who gave me reason to shake my head when he first came into the STF, young guy don’t think old enough to drink even but that is not a measure of a good off-roader not matter what Sanddude thinks. But this Off-Roader has come a long way and not only that he has done loads to help out the STF Off-Road forum and a guy who does that deserves in my book to be recognized for it. Without further ado I would like to announce the Off-roader of the Month who is also the last one for this year, that privilege which for sure has been earned goes to rickosuave1987. This guy has been busting his butt around here for awhile. He is a fairly new Moderator and has been doing a bang up job of it, really stepping up and doing a great job. But on to what most of us not in California see of Ricko.
First off a pic of Ricko just to introduce him properly. Sorry Ricko!!



Now that is out of the way, on to the good stuff.

This is what he started with, by appearance alone he must of upset a lot of people making this into a Baja in the first place.



and



Little did we know that underneath this fine looking VW was a train track magnet.



But Ricko cut her up and made himself a Baja





Then came the paint, being in California, they say black is the best color to paint your ride.
Did some front end work, see those adjusters on the front beam, bad adjusters,, badddddd.



but like most Off-Roaders he was not happy with that, nooooo so he traded for this.



So he continued to cut and a little turning as well

Well even though the adjusters won the poll, tomorrow im going to cut and turn my stock beam. If it doesnt feel like a good ride, i will put some adjusters in the other beam.

Here he is putting the front end on, myself I like a little more meat up front but since I didn’t sponsor this ride my likings really don’t matter.



He did happen to find just a little bit of rust, it was hiding under the mat, any other rust hiding?



After a little engine work that got checked off the list.

Oh yea, another thing accomplished, I got the engine running today. It is a turnkey motor after all

Right after I installed it I tried to crank it over..this is how it went: Whir Whir Whiiiir...POP
So I knew the timing was off. I pulled dizzy and it was 180* off
Set the motor at TDC, its nice and easy with a degree pully that has TDC right on it, reinstalled the distributor and it fired the first crank!

Front beam finished and installed.



Horsepower added via appropriate sticker



Some help from David58 on solid tranny strap placement



All loaded up and ready for play



But wait we have more to do, add some new rear arms and 930’s



Skidmark helping out with how not to have leaky flanges.



Added some coilovers to the mix as well, should be a nice ride for sure.



went on a couple runs had lots of fun added more things to do on the list, On the Barstow run, had this problem, most of us have been there before, not a biggy



Then he got the small tire complex

Thats sweet, when you gonna put bigger tires on the front? looks kinda funky.

Ya i always kind of thought so to, but didnt want to be an ass about talking about some ones little teeny tires.

Geez. Its been almost 3 years since I started building this car. All of a sudden everyone has a problem with the front tires.

Cool baja! I dig it. Definetly needs bigger front tires though!!

Ill say thanks for the bold part.
And just to put the tire issue to rest, I bought those front tires from motochris so you guys can stop making fun of me.

Little help from his friends

Its not the size of the tire. Its how well they roll...
quote]that's what the guys with small tires tell themselves...

Then Rick decided to do the Razor road trip,



Something about Bajas and skid plates, not the first baja with a ripped up butt.





Sorry for the two posts to get this done but I am working on getting my post count up

[Leatherneck]

So what does any good off roader to, he looks for another victim
Oh yea, and got bigger tires, hehe





And this is what is left of the old one



Doesn’t hurt to have a Uncle in the biz either..



But better yet, good to have friends willing to come over and help

Unfortunately, it was WAAAAY too hot for 12oz curls.
Alot of water and some delicious carne asada!
Rick's project really took on a drastic facelift yesterday! It looks like a completely different ride!
I've met motorbreath, Ricko, and baja5. It was nice to meet baja kid. Even though I didn't get to see it offroad, yet, your baja looks just as good in person.

Some electrical work on the new Baja



Even get to hear it run



Nice big ole fart can on that engine



A lot of work has gone into this one, well this second one.



And of course this happened a few times

You guys done hi-jacking my thread?
Thanks

Here's a map...in case you need to retrace your steps...

We now return you to your regularly scheduled baja thread...

Of course have to have the applied horsepower addy



Time to add a 6” over beam



Some coil overs for the front of course



As well as longer arms.



And his very own Man Castle, no more driveways for this guy.



And some new arms to go on it, never stopping always adding, well of course that is what we do.



Always a good addition



Front hoops added



I am about ready for him to drive this thing
Getting closer



And then they start in on you

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE AUGUST....I DROVE THE CAR!!!
But only out of the garage...

Did you catch any air .

Of course he did, I'm sure the tires were low from sitting that long!

And finally a non Garage picture, out where it belongs



Cool pic



Good to see these pics, all the hard work paying off



After the run, more work to be done.



More toys



Looks good but is missing something



And finally the new Baja with a new Co driver in the seat, life is good!



Ricko, I personally want to thank you for all that you have done here in STF, great to have you, you have done a great job as a member and now as a mod. I appreciate all that you have done for us, keep it up or else.

Leatherneck

[david58]

Congratulations Ricko

[Sneaks]

Way to go, well deserved!

[takotruckin]

Congrats Rick. For those losers outside of CA, Rick is a good guy, and makes some mean carne asada

[Ol'fogasaurus]

You've come a long way in a short time Rick. Congrats on the well deserved acknowledgment.

[Hedrock]

Congrats RickO. You have done a lot for this forum for sure. Keep up the good work and Thank You

[rickosuave1987]

Awe....shucks...

Thanks Leather. And thanks to all you guys. Youve all been a lot of help. Hope someday I can return the favor

[Lotrat]

Congrats Ricko! If it wasn't for all your upgrades, I wouldn't have a baja. Keep up the good work!

[bajaherbie]

[BAJA-IT]

Way to go Ricko!!!
You have come along way, and it looks like you had fun getting where you are.
Keep us all inspired!

[baja5]

Congrats Rick, and glad the car is back up and running.

[Baja4]

Perfect choice for the last of 2009. Congrats Rick. Enjoy the fame.

[Big Dave]

Congrats Ricko

Your ride sure has come a long way since I saw you!






Mine, on the other hand, has done nothing but collect dust LOL

[turboblue]

Congrats Rick!