pdxroad

Anybody in the Portland, Oregon area installed these yourself? If so, any chance for spending a couple hours spinning wrenches with me to get it done? I'm driving from Portland to Napa Valley for Thanksgiving and would like to make it more "fun".

steinline

If I could get out there, I totally would do that..as I'm planning on putting these on myself!

I'm really interested in your hitch though! Was it OEM, with a special adapter, or aftermarket? Pictures!? You must have bikes...

pdxroad

The hitch was an OEM product and the adapter was something I had a local hitch company make for me.

Here are the pic's:

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/74619/imgp0802_reduced.t.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/74619/imgp0803_reduced.t.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/74619/imgp0804_reduced.t.jpg">

Let me know if you have any more questions about it.

Yes, I have bikes!

03Indigo

If you can't find someone, email me and I can email you all the tricks I have found to make it about a 2 hour installation for front and rear.

cheers
jon

albe1

I was considering having one made as well, for the bike rack. Of course, I wonder what a bike rack plus four bikes hanging off the back measures on tongue weight. Due to "leverage", i.e., the weight behind the tongue, it's got to be more than just the weight of the rack plus bikes. Thoughts?

pdxroad

Well, if you weren't moving, I would say that there would not be any difference. However, if it is bouncing, then it would probably come into play. Tongue weight WITH the adapter is still about 250 pounds. I weigh 200 pounds and I've jumped up and down on it to test it. Remember, the OEM hitch ties into the frame where the part of the bumper use to be, so it is pretty strong.

However, if you have a rack and four heavy steel bikes...you might be over doing it.

pdxroad

Thanks for the offer. I'll take you up on it if I can't find experienced help.

BTW, your engine paint job is really nice. How did you do it? Also, do you find your Samco hoses and the DV's to be helpful?

03Indigo

but I did the chip at the same time, so I wanted everything to be in top form for the increased boost. I am gonna switch from the 710N to the Forge, with variable spring package, so I can fine tune to fit the boost. I have been talking with Forge to find the ideal spring rate for my boost demands related to the chip. So, long story short, the 710Ns are not cutting it, so I am switching. Considering how cheap they were, It was a worth while investment to see how they handled things, but now I want better performance and to hold my boost and not dump that extra pressure too soon.

hope that all makes sense. And again, drop me a line if you need help, maybe we can even chat on the phone, and if you do it on a day I am available, I can talk you through it. from time to time. Really though, it is super easy.

cheers
jon

albe1

10 lbs at the "empty" end of the lever. At least that's what I remember from high school (100 years ago).

Not sure how the car's movement affects this result.