Went to visit Hanson Enterprises today...

[DippStick]

I drove down to Salinas today to visit Wayne Hanson of Hanson Enterprises.

For those not in the know, Wayne has been building world class rockcrawlers for 15 years now and also designs and fabricates a wide range of kit for Jeeps and early Broncos.

Amongst his credits are Curries current bumpers and tire carriers (you can get the same models cheaper from Wayne), Stage West's bumpers and tire carriers and also the rocker panel slides sold by Sun Performance products.

He also has a better designed rear swing out system than those sold by Currie or Stage West:






He also makes the toughest and best looking 42" stubby bumper IMHO, so good I bought one today:



You can have any type of D- Ring / D-shackle mounting points, you choose and they fit them. There is also a roller fairlead mounting plate.

He also makes the "off-your-rocker" style rear quarter panel caps and can have them pre-cut and fitted with flush mount round lights. This is the style I've ordered.

I'm also getting a full replacement roll cage fabricated and a custom over-the-knuckle steering system. I'll be the guinea pig for these items, but once he's made one set they will be available for all you TJ owners to purchase

The only draw back with Wayne's work is that it is unfinished steel. You will need to either get it painted or powder coated. He says he stopped doing this since transportation invariably results in the stuff getting scratched due to its beefiness.

I can highly recommended Wayne to deal with and found him a very courteous and knowledgeable fellow. A lot like Rusty but closer to my neck of the woods.

Hanson Enterprises: (831) 757-9779

DS



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DippStick '98 XJ Sport with extensive mods www.extremejeep.com/colins.htm + a '98 TJ Sport

[Jeeper]

Dipp, glad you had a great experience there! The only thing that would concern me is the price....what did you pay for all of this? Not being sarcastic here but everything you have mentioned, I have built for less than $100.00 so far. The tire carries is nice and it looks as though it uses the stock hinges on the tail but also needs to have their custom bumper as a pivot point...you can do the same thing for less than $30.00 (provided you have access to a welder)

regarding the rear quarter panel protection...neat thing here...the stock bumperettes on a YJ have the same curvature as the rear quarter panels on a CJ, YJ or TJ...you just need to cut them and bolt them up...this is free!

Recessed lights....Hmmm, I got my first set at Auto Zone for $8.00 and did the work myself with Everyday tools.

Not trying to be harsh here or say that they do not do quality work but...I always try to entice people to do things for themselves when they can...then you can TRUELLY say "I built this myself!!!!"

Jeeper

[This message has been edited by Jeeper (edited 12-30-1999).]

[Phil Smith]

Dipp Stick, Sir.

Could you please elaborate on the over the knuckle steering set up you are getting. I would be interested in something similar, being as the absolute weakest link on a TJ for me has always been the low hanging steering linkage, that I frequently bend by dragging it over boulders. I will also be interested in seeing what Wayne comes up with for your roll bar.

I've seen Hanson's work on other Jeeps on the Rubicon trail, and always thought it was top notch. His prices are "up there", and in fact in the same league as Bullet Proof manufacturing. I priced out a complete rear bumper / tire carrier / and rack system from both companies and found them to be equal at ~$1200; only Hanson's still needed powder coating on top of that. Some points of Hanson's design I liked better than Bullet Proof, other points I didn't like as much. I'm not sure I like the mount to the body, especially for me, because I'll likely add the bumper to the Jeep initially without a body lift, but may later add a 1" body lift only if extra tire clearance is needed. I didn't like the idea of drilling two sets of holes just because I can't decide if I want a body lift or not. In the end I ordered the Bullet Proof rear bumper over Hanson's, but these two were the only real contenders out there. No one else even came close with the features and quality I was looking for.

As far as "making it yourself" goes, I suppose it depends on your skill level and the fit and finish you want when you're done. By the time you've fully built up a TJ for trail use you can end up driving a $30,000 rig, and I wouldn't want my $30,000 toy looking like some farmer got a hold of it with a stick welder and too much time on his hands. And I'm sure that with my welding skills, and fabrication skills (ie. bolting bumperettes to my corner panels) that it would look pretty bad. If others can do it, more power to them. For us less skilled, we have to pay the high price of quality. Anyway, just wanted to say "good choice on your aftermarket products", and be sure to let me know how the steering and roll bar turn out.

Phil.

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'00 Patriot Blue WJ Ltd, 4.7 V-8, Quadra drive, Up-Country Suspension, Teraflex 2" lift, Dunlop 265/70R-16s, Dynomax exhaust
'00 Silverstone TJ Sport, Auto, Dana 44. Currently at AEV Conversions being converted to 104" wheelbase

[Jeeper]

Phil, I agree that they have fantastic after market parts...oh, I'm not a farmer by the way (I know, no offense was intended! ). Actually I have VERY little fabrication and welding skills...well I didn't until I bought my Jeep...this stuff can really be done by just about anyone as long as you have a friend nearby that maybe has the skills you would like! Hell, I'm a computer Geek that never touched a welder until 2 years ago and without any proper schooling. My point was...Find something you like and see if you can build it yourself...if not, well, all you did was spend a little time learning something you my need (or really like) later on! See a bumper you want for over $250.00...well, check some metal shops in your area and see if they will teach you how to weld...a little sweat equity never hurt anyone!

I like farmers by the way!!!!

Jeeper

[DippStick]

"Those who can do. Those who cannot, manage or teach!!"

This is the engineers mantra, but I know my limitations too. I agree with Phil that if you want quality work (and designs BTW) you have to pay for them.

As far as professions go, I am a senior software engineer in Silicon Valley, CA. This allows me to afford my toys

Next you'll be telling me to use Linux over Windows 2000 because its free ?

Well the fact is, I do "play with" Red Hat Linuz, but I much prefer Win2K. It is a professional and civilized product (unlike Linux I might add -which is a toil by any stretch of the imagination).

Anyway, "you say tomatoe"...

Phil, I'll let you know, but it will be simillar to JKS "Formula 1" for CJs design.

DS

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DippStick '98 XJ Sport with extensive mods www.extremejeep.com/colins.htm + a '98 TJ Sport

[Allen]

I too like to build my own stuff. I know where Phil's coming from though. A lot of people "claim" to know how to weld, and can to some degree, but it looks terrible. I'm always willing to teach someone. My buddy bought a Lincoln last year and in an hour he was doing some pretty decent stuff. It's a lot easier if you've got someone with experience showing you the ropes.

Allen

[Cutch]

I think it goes like this...those who can....do, those who can't...teach, those who can't teach...counsel

I think that in all ares of life (including Jeepin) experience is the key. For me to go out and buy the eqipment and tools needed to fix or build an item it would be cheaper to have someone with the knowledge and resources do it for me. Now if I am repeating the projects then maybe I should begin learning how to do it myself. If something breaks on the trail it can be invaluable if I can repair it myself. I am lucky that I have friends who do a lot of this type of work (but they may not always be around when you break down-damn them). I can see in the future getting an under the hood welder (my girlfriend's father is a welder and can teach me) that either I or someone else on the trail may be able to repair a trail breakdown.

As for the saying Real Jeeps are built and not bought I was never quite sure what was meant by that statement. Does it mean that unless you did all the work yourself then it isn't worthy. But not everyone has the skill or maybe time to devote to projects like that. Or maybe they may not be physically able to handle the work. I was in that position this past summer and it really opened my eyes to what handicap people must endure (my meds are doing a good job now), so do we handicap these people again by our own prejudices or just remember that a Jeep is a Jeep is a Jeepand toss it a big wave.

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Cutch 88YJ
kenj@tbaytel.net

[Allen]

Cutch, I think that anything you add to your Jeep, whether built by you or bought from someone constitutes "Built not Bought".
You're right, a Jeep is a Jeep is a Jeep. Unless it's stock. Only kidding! Sent hate mail to Wooders!

Allen