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 Essay
Contest Winner
with Rae Champoux
Photos by Nick Sipes
Editors Note: After a gang of entries came in for the
Essay Contest
from last month, I took my time and read thru each and everyone of them and
came up with a most deserving winner. Nick Sipes, known to a lot of us as
Grumpy. Though I am not sure why he has adopted that for a nick name, Nick
is a great guy who deserves some thanks for all he does. So thanks Nick for
being the kind of guy who pays it forward!
  I
asked Nick to outline his truck so we could all get an idea of what he is
wheeling now, plus it is always nice to see the laundry list of
modifications that someone else has done to their rig, it can be used to
justify further modifications that are needed to your significant others.
Nick loves wheeling but that is a far second to his family. You will often
find him on the trail with the whole family; wife Jessica, son Ethan, and
daughter Trystan. So take a second to read up on Nick Sipes and the truck he
calls the Phoenix.
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  A
little about the truck, it used to be Tommy McDowell's truck until it become
totaled in a wreck after a day of wheeling with the Bedford Boys. I stepped
up when the time was right to Tommy's needs and purchased it to aid in the
purchase of his new Sammy. I completely reassembled it back to road worthy
from the totaled wreck and a spare parts rig I already had in just 51 hours.
Thats where the name "Resurrection" came from. From that point I wheeled it
like it was stolen. Soon after, I began pushing the limits and began to
break parts. After 2 axels and 3 sets of springs, a change was in order.
Thats when I found the Wagoneer axels and springs for a dirt cheap price.
Thus the rebirth again on this particular Samurai.
  My
Step sister came up with the name "Phoenix". It symbolizes the rebirth again
and again of the truck. First was the Wagoneer axels and suspension. Then
the 6.5:1 gears, H/D transfer case arms and track bar. Soon after the roll
cage was added along with a few other goodies. I have done many upgrades and
modifications to it and I am always doing more to it. Right now I am saving
for some 4.88 gears, a spool for the rear and an ARB air locker for the
front. Power steering is also on the shelf in the garage ready for
installation. My best trail run was at the Melt this past year on Saturday.
With some good friends, my son and I conquered the orange trail. A very good
ride. I cannot wait until the next Orange trail run. IZook does a very good
job with that gathering. I will also volunteer again next year, possibly as
a trail guide on Friday or Saturday.
Motor, Transmission, Transfer case.
1.6 liter 8 valve using the CALMINI adapter plate.
WEBBER Carburetor
NAPA electric fuel pump
THORLEY header
ISKY mid range cam
stock 5speed transmission
 CENTERFORCE
dual friction clutch
stock Samurai transfer case with 6.5:1 CALMINI gears, the 2-low mod and a
GRIZZLEYFAB.COM rock knob
GRIZZLEYFAB.COM heavy duty transfer case arms w/poly mounts
GRIZZLEYFAB.COM heavy duty transfer case skid plate
GRIZZLEYFAB.COM custom tubed shorty transfer case frame mount
Axels, tires, wheels, drive shafts
DANA 44's front and rear from a 79' Wagoneer
3.07 axel gears
custom steering link
OLD MAN EMU steering stabilizer
custom CHECKER RACING drive shafts
15x10 steel wheels
ROCK4XFABRICATIONS bead lock kits installed by GRIZZLEYFAB.COM
35x16.5x15 Boggers
Suspension
JEEP Wagoneer leaf springs in shackle reversal
custom 4 pack front leafs and 4 pack rear leafs
31" long travel GABRIEL shocks
GRIZZLEYFAB.COM lower rear shock mounts / upper front shock mounts
BREEZE Ind. upper rear shock mount
GRIZZLEYFAB.COM Traction bar
87" wheelbase ,79" outside front tires and the front springs are out
boarded.
 Interior
and extra's
GRIZZLEYFAB.COM 8 point roll cage
Jazz racing seats on GRIZZLEYFAB.COM seat plate adapters
RJH 5 point harnesses
custom front and rear bumpers
GRIZZLEYFAB.COM Rock knob made from a rock from the BADLANDS Rec. Park
SUNPRO gauges Oil pressure, Oil temp, Amp, and tach
Tilt meter
Fire extinguisher
Thumb throttle
MIDLAND c/b
Taillights integrated into the tailgate
cd player in the glove box
diamond plate door panels
FARM ALL 48" hi lift jack
60' of mounted tow straps
PORK BARREL line locks
rock lights underneath the front and rear
strobe lights
trimmed body work to accommodate the tires during articulation
GRIZZLEYFAB.COM lexan windshield kit
 As
you can tell from the very long list of modifications on his truck, Nick
loves to turn a wrench! He is always fabricating something and is always
willing to help out with some brainstorming cause he has an endless supply
of great ideas. You can find Nick on the bulletin boards under the name
Grumpy. Happy wheelin! |
A
little about the truck, it used to be Tommy McDowell's truck until it become
totaled in a wreck after a day of wheeling with the Bedford Boys. I stepped
up when the time was right to Tommy's needs and purchased it to aid in the
purchase of his new Sammy. I completely reassembled it back to road worthy
from the totaled wreck and a spare parts rig I already had in just 51 hours.
Thats where the name "Resurrection" came from. From that point I wheeled it
like it was stolen. Soon after, I began pushing the limits and began to
break parts. After 2 axels and 3 sets of springs, a change was in order.
Thats when I found the Wagoneer axels and springs for a dirt cheap price.
Thus the rebirth again on this particular Samurai.
