The main web page would have different tabs that link you to 3A, 2A, MB, ect specific stuff, like we have here on the main web page. Then there would be a link to the forum with a huge long list of sub forums dedicated to each model.

My antique engine forum (http://www.smokstak.com/) is the only one on the web and it covers every piece of old farm machinery and machined thing you can think of. It is very nice and easy to search there or if you have no idea what something is or what it goes to, somebody there will have an answer.

Just throwing this out there FWIW.

That has always been my opinion too, Nate but when you get into the politics of combining sites it gets pretty gnarly quickly. I think the best we can hope for is all the sites link to each other, and if we end up with a FAQ  or parts project section that covers all flatfender permutations that would be just fine. The FAQ and how to sections we are adding slowly are going to be one major strength of this site, IMO.

     After all it is really common to find a 3A with parts from all sorts of jeeps on it. The average Joe things nothing of adding  WWII parts right alongside Cj5, as long as it works. A tech section that covers all the different stuff one is likely to find, showing what would be correct, would be cool to have. It is nice to know, for example, that that weird looking head you have on your 3A is really a GPW head and sought after by guys with Ford engines.  Or that tranny you have in your jeep is actually  supposed to be in a V6 Commando, not a 3A. Another example, that engine you just bought out of a junkyard is low miles, but that front engine plate looks different..Will it fit a 3A ? Or is it a genset engine plate?  And why is that intake so small?  (or why are the carb bolts 90 degrees from what you expected?)  All are struggles a new jeep owner might encounter.

When we bought out this site one thing that was considered as an alternative was just starting a 3A section on another site. The idea was not well received at the other site, which is fine. Each forum has its own following, some of which wouldn't play well together with other forums members. Each forum has its own moderation style as well.  We try to be pretty laid back here, and so far the members we have have made it easy to be laid back. Some other forums the moderators have to be on their toes constantly and I really do not want to have that problem. There was a lot of good info here at the main page we did not want to lose, so I am glad we all stepped up and bought Jonathan out. Whether we got our money's worth who knows, but we have the potential, with member participation, to make this into a really great resource for anyone building a 3A and even other flattys.

Off my soapbox for now.. Carry on...

What I think would help most of us is a parts interchangeability site that would show how the parts could be used on Jeeps from 1941 to the end of production of the CJ5. Many of those parts will interchange and it would be nice if it was easy to find that info.

It's a great idea Nate.  You and Bob clearly think  'Big Picture'!  Bill and Bob know more about the politics involved, but even I remember the discussion at the 2A.  The idea was not well received by the owners/moderators.

It's really too bad.  As you mentioned, there is a common goal at all the sites,  but common sense can sometimes be elusive.

Tim

Great Idea Nate! ...but don't count on me on it.  

But I'll let you manage it with John and Bill.  

The website kept me busy enough.  

Leggo my Eggo! Mine, Mine, all Mine!!


Oh wait, he said EGO... That's one of them hi falutin college theories isn't it?

Yup, thats what I do now, walk around with a big head and tell everyone I am the supreme exalted cheif webmaster in charge of the 3A page. Usually that is where they smile and nod and make an excuse to be somewhere else...

And then I wake up and take a look at how I typed my last post and really want to crawl under a rock. 

Yep, would be nice to at least have the ability to search 2A, 3A, 3B, G503, and Early CJ5 sites with one search but that is never going to happen.  We all know a lot of the pieces freely interchange between models covered in those sites and most of the repair data will work for all.  Only the specific details differ.

Each site does have its own ambiance but all of the above are more or less civil, something that can not be said for some of the other 4x4 sites.

Then there is the modification acceptance factor.  I don't think Derek even has a section for posting those.