bishbosh

I'm looking at getting my parents a slide scanner so they can view all their slides from eons gone by on the TV (via the DVD) Most devices seem to be loads of money but I did come across THIS that seems to be just the ticket. Anyone got any recomendations? What about adaptors for standard flat bed scanners? I have thought about gathering up all the slides tucked away in odd places about their house and getting them scanned at a studio, but I think it would be easier for them to have the freedom to scan slides as and when they rediscover them! All help most appreciated as usual!

From my experiences in Montreal there are two factors to consider for snow tyres: 1. Compound - the softer the better, but be aware in mild climates they will wear very quickly and can over heat if driven out of season. 2. Sipes. The more the better. Ice is not slippery. It is the thin film of water on the surface that is. Sipes remove this water giving you a better chance of some grip. As Will W said, 4x4' s are terrible on icy roads unless they are subarus or similar as the weight is a huge disadvantage - you may be able to pull away from the lights quicker than matey in his little astra, but you wont go around the corner or stop at the next lights quite so easily! The Candians have a saying that goes something like " The first sign of winter is an SUV in a ditch!" Your best bet for icy roads is a light front wheel drive car and gentle application of the controls. (Unless of course you have a Subaru). Our Golf with winter tyres was miles better than the Rangie on Trac edges on snowy roads.

Can't you upload them to the gallery?

[giggle mode]He he he he he he .......... TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [/giggle]

'Gulp' Wish me luck - I'm having a pint with him later on......

don't you mean "cell phones"......

You can get 2" ali spacers with all necessary fittings for under £100. Steel is cheaper still. Try HERE for steel and HERE for ali. Personally, whilst the box section approach might be performing OK I'd be concerned about then "lozenging". Having said that, they are a cheap solution so may be worth the risk?

Sell the ARB bumper and get one that doesn't arrive ten minutes before the rest of the car - Southdown make luverly ones. You'll also have change to put towards the winch. They also do one for an 8274, but if you have an oil cooler and Aircon you'll struggle to fit it without a substantial front overhang. (A bit like the one you've got with the ARB bumper!)

I'm with Mark90 on the Amazon / macho front. The biggest I've seen is 33 x 12.50 x 15 see HERE. (no relation to seller etc. etc.) Oh, edited to add, I got five 235 x 85 x 16 fitted and balanced for under £250........ at that price they are very hard to beat!

If you go for 235 x 85 then the comments about rim off set are important if you don't have a lift. I have a 2" lift and 235 x 85 Greenway Machos and they fouled the front of the rear arch on articulation. Being a remould however they did come up a bit bigger than spec - nearly 33" instead of the theoretical 31.7". All I did was crimp the return edge of the arch flat to stop it taking lumps out of the tread. If its your off road toy, I'd look at greenway machos. Much better than the MT and fine on the road as long as you're not related to Nigel Mansell! To sum up - no lift max tyre 225 x 75 or 235 x 70. 2" lift max 235 x 85 with (or maybe without if you're lucky) minor wheel arch mods. Be aware that sticking to standard rims will minimise bodywork mods, but will also greatly reduce steering lock with a 235 x 85. Eight spokes or modulars with a greater offset solve the steering lock problem but may cause bodywork issues. The choice is yours as they say! Here's mine on 235 x 85:

Hate to disagree with you JST, but the Southdown axle guard is a bit of a liability as it seriously compromises ground clearance and ends up acting like a skid and lifts the front axle off the ground. I had one when I first started off roading as I thought it would be great for protecting the track rod and stearing damper (which it is excellent at) but got fed up with it hindering forward movement. I sold it on and fitted Sumo bars and a QT diff guard and relocated the steering damper. As for the original question, I've no idea, sorry just be careful if you straighten your existing track rod as it will be very weak and the last thing you want is your front wheels deciding to go in different directions on the motorway! Good luck.

When did you tarmac your drive Tony...?

Shouldn't that read "Note the lovely straight un(ab)used KittyGripper™ on the roof "????????????????

Err, Aren't all the events in the Calendar anyway or am I missing something..?

LOL But I thought Chris doesn't "compete"....? Maybe the truth is out now........

Yup, I am also with Jon, Tony and Stephen - get down your local motor factors or agricultural supply shop and get a couple of the biggest batteries that will fit. I managed to get 2 for £85 all in and they're still going strong - quite a testiment considering how often I get stuck! (quiet you lot.... )

Geoff, you don't really give you computers names do you....... You need to get out more old bean!

Mine's an obscure reference to the vehicle I drive....

Yep, what he said ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^. Although I wouldn't try it on the road at speed!! and don't expect it to unlock instantly if still under load - you'll need to back off the loud pedal for a sec to enable it to unlock. (Particularly important with a front locker if you're trying to go round a corner!! )

Grrrrrr [pet hate mode] He'll be a fitter not an Engineer!!! Grrrrrrr [/pet hate mode]

Like a short grubby AA man but shorter and grubbier!!

Tut tut Ralph!!! Can't you read the instructions???? Les said no posting here...... oh erm......

The Bishtail has been off the road for a while and will be until the New Year. She's due an oil change and I am after some opinions please. Obviously after such a long time standing all the oil will have drained to the sump so would I be better off draining the oil cold which would get potentially more old oil out? The down sides to that are that any sediment will have settled out in the sump and may not come out with the old oil as the flow will be steady and non turbulent. Also, being cold, the oil will be thicker so may leave more behind in the sump. Conversely, starting her up means the sediment gets sent round the engine again so may not come out with the hot oil change...... Answers on a postcard please!

Yeah, fair play for voicing your opinion! Personally I think its foul!!! Coat on, running for the door.....

I notice that our dear Mr Henson (Les, not that pretty boy Gavin who throws his toys out the pram when he doesn't get his way ) has a rather inane moniker of "Old Hand". Whilst this is an accurate description of the fellow and allegedly his past times , can we not dream up something a little more in keeping with this fine forum of ours...? Trev....? Geoff...? Tony...? Or maybe we should have a cast about the membership for ideas......... Come on, what do you reckon...? How about "(Loud) Speaker of the House"