We are calling the 4X4 a club project, and it is time to spend some money on it. We need $200 for the 460, and there will be more things we need. My guess is that we will spend somewhere between 1 and 2K on it, depending on the tires.

We need to decide how this is going to work. The club can own it and we all can contribute to the cost - not sure how the license and insurance will work, but there will be a way.

Of course, there are members who are not interested in the 4wd and who will not want to contribute, and members who want to work on the project but can not afford to contribute - - -

We can let one member pay all expenses and own the truck when we are done, with the understanding that it is always available for club activities, and that anyone in the club can drive it (for competitions and trail events, not on a daily basis.)

If we do this, who will it be? And what about those who have offered to give us parts? Would they be willing to give them to an individual?

Lets talk about this, and get this settled before we spend any money on an engine.

 

I was hoping someone would address this Clint. It has been a kind of uncomfortable thought for me, as I am preparing to go pull an engine in a week. I was going to ask this question today when I eventually speak with you and the rest of the guys I have been exchanging pm's with to prepare for the engine pull next saturday.
I think it would be a good idea to have a plan regarding this. I would be willing to chip in on stuff, and wrench on things when I can, but I aint a rich guy and would not be able to take on a huge contribution. Tires are going to be a big expense in themselves, unless we can find a great deal somewhere with all of our many contacts. I'm sure it will all come together, but not without devotion to finding the opportunities that exsist out there for us to take advantage of, you know.

On a side note, when I found that 460 I asked the gal at the picknpull gate if Picknpull might be interested in helping us with parts if we displayed their name on the truck somehow. She said that she didn't know but gave me a phone number to call to find out. Now I have to find that darned number as I have misplaced it. But don't fear, I can always get it again from them, but I think it's at my house. (i'm at work now).

But ideas like this are how we can get this thing done. We have to be creative and come up with ideas. The good ol' American Spirit ya know. Gotta have a "Can Do Attitude". And of course, we also have to maintain the spirit of brotherhood, and when we find deals on stuff, make sure we don't let greed enter the picture for our own gain. Not that anyone would do that, but the temptation might be there, and teh rewards for our success should be collectively, as a team. That's how it will work.

Okay, I rambled enough. I'll keep my eyes open for deals and sponsors. Until we find opportunities like that, I suppose we need to figure out how the first couple of steps will be made, ie. truck, engine. We got the engine found (hopefully its still there), so what do ya say we figure out how to chip in for it. We also need to have someone who is in charge of the treasurer job. I think someone like Clint of Dan as they are more permanent FTE entities might be a consideration. Not that they would hold and maintain alot of money, but would collect it as needed?
The more contributers, the less of a burdon on the rest of us. But we also need to consider that some folks may be less able to afford to chip in as much.

I've rambled enough. What do the rest of you guys think.

 

Before we go very far, Mike is the treasurer for our chapter. That is how we set it up months ago, and he has not been relieved.

Also, no cash or checks - all paypal.

 

Xmas is a bad time to be raising money - I will start things up by going $200 towards the motor, if everyone agrees this is the way we should go. You guys can catch up later -

And that is just money to buy parts with, no gas money or motel rooms -

I guess we can also assign a value to donated parts - something Mike and whoever is donating can agree on. We will not carry that as a cash donation, but as a parts donation.

 

I just got a pretty generous X-mas bonus yesterday so I can afford to help out with a few hundred right off the bat. I'm leaving shortly to hit the wrecking yard again in search of a truck as I saw several likely prospects yeatsrday, I'll take the camera and grap some pics to come back here and share with you so we can decide if we want any of them.

I bought a car from the wrecking yard a few months back and did the DMV thing last week. It's not too bad with a junked vehicle, basically we have to get a VIN verification and a then a brake-and-light inspection, other than that the paperwork's pretty easy. I know we want to stay pre-'76 to avoid smog hassles.

So we'll have some pics to look at and prices to consider in a few hours. If we decide on something I can buy the truck and get it over here, it just can't stay here for more than a couple weeks...maybe up to the point where I can get freed up enough on weekends to bring it down there.

 

I had been puzzling on this also with the recent happenings. I will still be available to help with the engine pull and have the time on my calendar, the exact place and time I can wait for until the 29th at the latest.

I will keep my eye out around here for something also, folks are dumping their gas guzzer heavy trucks like hotcakes.

I am guessing we need to get a firm plan together. I'm here to help as I can as a semi strong arm and bad idea generator.

RIch

 

A friend of mine is heading out to picknpull today. I asked him to check on our engine to see if it is still all intact. I should be able to post status this afternoon/evening.

Sorry Mike. I didn't know we already had a treasurer. Now I know. That's great as that is one more thing we don't need to worry about, assingning one. So now we need to figure how all this stuff works out. I'm sure Mike will be coming up with a plan.

 

Though not a member of your group can I suggest a single owner with contractual use rights to others.

I know it may sound a little overboard but a simple one page "contract" will save a LOT of potential grief in the end. Though I deal mostly in criminal law I do have to go out on civil issues quite a bit. A lot of hassle can be saved if people just had it in writing.

I hope the people involved in this project are friends till the day they die BUT sometimes things happen and that's where it gets messy.

Make one "contract" for everybody then their are no hurt feelings.

Good luck with your guys project.

 

Thanks Ca Ford! Maybe you can pm WillyB (Clint) and help him with some of the particulars you refer to? I think that is a good point and now is the time to get it squared away. Good Post.

Also, Clint,
What do you think about expanding this project to FTE instead of Northern Cal? Maybe Northern Cal could be the sponsors, but have the truck fly FTE or Ford Truck Dot Com on the hood. Maybe even get a little sponsorship from FTE Mgt??? Or at least some help from adjacent chapters?
Just a thought. Then again, that might be a little too much to bite off.
Or it could be a good thing. We already have offered up help from two Nevada Chapter folks...
If not, thats okay too.

 

Hey, we are competing with the Nevada Chapter - those wimps. And yes, you can belong to both chapters. I made Skip an honorary member of ours when this first started.

As to the written contract, looks like we are going with group ownership so no contract is needed.

 

I would be happy to fly the FTE colors on the truck, but I think it's expecting a bit much to ask them for sponsorship. That could set a precedent that would have all the chapters expecting as much. I figured on at the very least running a Ford-trucks.com window decal.

Stand by for wrecking yard pics, I have to upload them and link to them.

 

I agree with the contract. I'll talk with my insurance agent next week in regards to liability, since the potential is for anyone to drive it on street or trail, we would want to make sure whomevers name it was registered in, would not necessary be held liabel for something that would occur when someone esle was driving it.

In all honestly, I'm not up to go full steam for another project, but definitely I don't have an issue lending a hand here and there.

I'll narrow the list down some, I don't want it in my name

I may have a liine on some axles though, I don't know why I didn't think of it before, but my neighbor does Truck Pulls...all Ford...and I know he has several axles in his yard. I think he also has a 4WD Ford PU sitting there...somewhat in the '70's model year.

Anyway, back to topic.

I think we should either all meet (might be tough due to our sisatnces apart) or I can set up a phone bridge where we can all call in, shoot the breeze and get a foundation going. My bridge number is toll free to call in to, so we can yack as long as we want...long as it's during normal work hours, no flags get raised


Okay, I guess Clint has a good memory, I'd actually forgot I was the Tresurer (can I put that on my resume)

My thing with the no cash/no checks and doing it electronically, was to eliminate issues of insufficient funds and such on checks, as well as issues of "I gave you 100.00 not 50".

The only reason I suggested Pay Pal to Clint at the ime, is because I have a PP account and am familar with it, but I'm sure there are other accounts on the web we could use.

That said, and keeping in topic...I'd be happy to donate bucks on the engine buy, Clint shouldnt have to drop the whole bill to buy the engine...

So, Im in it with him 50-50 until someone else chips in, and another, and another and we'll keep dividing up the cost.

If we're going to use Dans truck, I'd say he shouldn't have to drop a dime until the point that we reach past the value of his truck in incurred as a "donation". He can set the value, I'm sure we can all agree when we talk.

I'm for donating time/money/parts when someone can, I don't think one person should have to bear the brunt of the cost.

Not everyone will have bucks on hand when the time comes when smething is needed, but those who are a sort, can be asked to get on the phones/web/whatever and start looking for a deal for what may be needed. Maybe that guy/gal-(s) would be the one we send the money to the buy the parts needed, etc.

Heck, time is money too.

Anyway, just some of my thoughts.